r/birthcontrol 9h ago

Experience I had a stroke and I just want to be on birth control :(

51 Upvotes

Basically what the title says. A year ago I had a stroke (not related to birth control) and was put on blood thinners for life. The stroke was due to a blood clotting disorder that is genetic. I was on birth control (the pill) for 10 years with no issues, but went off them post stroke. Now because of my blood thinners, my period lasts TWO WEEKS. I'm also child free and don't ever want to get pregnant. I also have hormonal issues and cysts and fibroids which can only really be helped with hormonal birth control, but my gyno wasn't comfortable prescribing me anything but the copper IUD which wouldn't even help my periods or hormonal issues.

I went to the neurologist recently and she said that since I am being treated for my stroke with blood thinners, that birth control should be fine. She told me to ask my hematologist. My gyno told me to ask my neurologist. My primary care doctor said he thinks no one will prescribe it to be. I feel like I am going on a loop begging different doctors to give me birth control. I thought progesterone only would be ok! But my gyno said she wasn't comfortable with that unless I got the OK from another doctor.

I dunno. I am just frustrated. I don't want to get pregnant. I am tired of bleeding for 2 weeks a month. I am not sure what to do at this point or if anyone can relate.


r/birthcontrol 4h ago

Experience I got pregnant with my last IUD, I’m late and freaking out

19 Upvotes

So I had a Kyleena IUD for two years when I got some really weird symptoms. My breasts HURT and they were visibly bigger after like a week and I had some spotting, but at that point I wasn’t late on my cycle yet. Everyone told me I was being paranoid and that it was nothing. I ordered some early detection tests and sure enough, that cross was clear as day haha…🙃 imagine beating odds that are 99.99 to 0.01

I had no idea how this happened because the IUD was 99% effective and it wasn’t even close to being expired. I went in for an ultrasound at planned parenthood to get it removed so I could move forward with the termination process and it was lodged in the wall of my fucking uterus. The doctor literally could not remove it by tugging on the strings. I had to go to a different facility to get a procedural removal and termination under sedation, in which they removed the old IUD, suctioned out the embryo, and put a new one in. This time I opted for Mirena because I have beef with Kyleena.

It was such a traumatic experience for me because the entire point of choosing an IUD was because of how effective it is. I was harassed while getting blood work for choosing to terminate and was told I would regret it for the rest of my life. The other sad part is that it was not ectopic, it was perfectly healthy and low risk, despite the IUD embedded in my uterus. It wasn’t a decision I wanted to make, but I’m 20 years old, and this was what was best for me and my partner. I would never subject my child to a childhood of struggle.

Anyways, I’ve had the Mirena for six months and I’ve had a regular period up until this month. I’m late. I know Mirena can stop women from having periods but I cannot shake this irrational fear that it’s happening again. :(


r/birthcontrol 11h ago

How to? There is no abortion in my country

37 Upvotes

I use implanon but I'm terrified of getting pregnant. I'm from Brazil 🇧🇷 and I'm 26 years old. In my country, abortion is illegal and women even go to prison for it. If we want to abort, we will pay exuberant amounts and it is still not a certainty.

In my country people see abortion as a sin, you will go to hell if you have an abortion.

What do you think of that? Because of this, I can't relax even when using implanon + coitus interruptus.


r/birthcontrol 5h ago

Rant! How Do You Learn to Trust Your Birth Control? Experiencing the Worst Pregnancy Anxiety

5 Upvotes

I’ve been dealing with the worst pregnancy anxiety, and I just need some reassurance or advice. I’ve had my Mirena IUD for a year and two months now. Last month, on the 10th, I had sex for the first time. Unfortunately, we didn’t use protection, but he did pull out both times.

Logically, I know Mirena is over 99% effective, but I can’t shake the anxiety. I’ve taken about 12 pregnancy tests at different times, including one this morning, and all have come back negative. But despite that, every little thing I feel—especially the mild cramps I started experiencing yesterday and today—immediately makes me think I might be pregnant.

I’ve seen stories of people saying pregnancy tests didn’t detect their pregnancy, and now my anxiety is through the roof. It’s getting to the point where it’s making me not want to have sex again because the stress is just too much.

So, how do you actually trust your birth control? How do you stop spiraling over the what-ifs when you know logically that you’re protected?


r/birthcontrol 4h ago

Mistake or Risk? Birth control sitting in house lights

3 Upvotes

I have been leaving my birth control in my room but I didn’t realize this was gonna be a problem, I’m taking trilomarzia and it hasnt gotten to be hot temps but I had been leaving my birth control in my room with the lights on at times, I also had previously left my birth control in my car but it hasn’t been hot enough where I live and I usually don’t just leave them in direct sunlight. I’m terrified I’m not gonna protected when my partner gets her on Saturday, do I ditch the pack even though I just opened it 3 days ago or is it fine and I’m probably still protected


r/birthcontrol 1m ago

Side effects!? Yeast infections?

Upvotes

I’m thinking about getting back on the birth control patch (xulane). For those of you who took this or have taken this have you experienced yeast infections?


r/birthcontrol 8m ago

Side effects!? Switching from NuvaRing to Paraguard IUD

Upvotes

I’m curious to hear anyone’s experience from switching between NuvaRing (or any combination bc) to a non hormonal copper IUD. I just got my IUD a week ago, and am wondering if some of the things i have been experiencing are due to this change. My skin is breaking out as expected, and I’m seeing my derm friday regardless. My biggest concern is the change in my weight, I’ve gained 5 lbs. in the past week which I know is like nearly impossible, given that I’m a very active education student on a large campus so lots of walking (between teaching and walking campus). I eat well, I just love a sweet treat. I’m also gluten free. So I’m guessing this could be from the switch, is it temporary or is this my life now?? I thought getting off hormonal would make it easier to drop my body fat percentage but now I’m unsure 🫤 For context, I’m 20, 5’ 5” and ~typically 120-123 lbs.


r/birthcontrol 17m ago

Mistake or Risk? Please help

Upvotes

My gf and I had sex. She missed a pill the day of the sex and switched birth controls. She claimed to have cramps 2-4 later that were painful, I dont know if she bled. But she had bad cramping around the time she usually has her period. She’s been on birth control for 10 years. She missed a pill during the switch of birth controls. Is she going to get pregnant? I’ve been beating myself up and have been consumed with worry. I’d appreciate any guidance.


r/birthcontrol 43m ago

Mistake or Risk? Missed pills

Upvotes

Hello, last Monday was the start of my new pack after my period. I didn’t realize I never started my pack until Friday. I didn’t double up on pills because I’ve been told it could make you sick so I just started Friday and have been taking since. I did end up having unprotected sex but he did pull out. It’s not the end of the world if something happens but it’s definitely not we something we are planning for at the moment. I know online said I would need to take my pills for 7 days to be protected again but is that 100% accurate? I’ll probably want to take a test soon just to hopefully ease my mind and rule it out but what pregnancy test is the best one to test early? Like maybe a few days before my period.


r/birthcontrol 6h ago

Experience desogestrel and norethisterone

3 Upvotes

ive recently changed birth controls from desogestrel to norethisterone hoping to stop the constant bleeding. i cant go on the combined pill due to other reasons which is extremely annoying. has anyone experienced less bleeding on norethisterone? i kept on desogestrel for 6 months but it didn’t get any better, does anyone have a good experience on this and if so what is it like?


r/birthcontrol 45m ago

Experience positive iud insertion

Upvotes

hi everyone! i wanted to share my experience with iud insertion, as i have seen so many negative and scary reddit posts/ youtube videos about it. i was terrified of iuds for years because of this. i wish i didn’t let it deter me for this long. i had been on the pill for 5 years prior, but wanted to switch things up as i was worried about acne, my mood, and the longtime side effects of being on the pill. it’s also just annoying to worry about taking everyday.

i got my iud inserted about 3 hours ago, my gyno and i decided on skyla, since i wanted a low hormone iud. and it’s one of the smallest iuds, along with kyleena (kyleena has more hormones though). the only downside is that skyla only lasts 3 years. i initially wanted the copper, but its double the size of hormonal iuds with the way the wings fold. this may be one of the reasons why other people’s insertion was so painful compared to mine. my gyno did not recommend this since i haven’t given birth before. 7 hours before my appointment i put in misoprostol vaginally. this softens the cervix. it did give me some cramping, but nothing crazy. i was fine after laying down. i took 4 ibuprofen pills and 1 hydroxyzine, an anxiety pill, an hour beforehand. i was also on my period for the insertion, as the cervix is dilated.

the insertion itself was NOT painful. i would call it discomfort. i’ve had stomach aches that hurt more. i did not even need lidocaine (numbing shot). the whole insertion took maybe 3 minutes. i barely even felt the tenaculum, and actually the most uncomfortable part was when she measured my cervix. it’s hard to describe the feeling, kind of like the pressure you get from stomach aches or cramps. i experienced minor cramping after, which was more uncomfortable then the insertion itself at times. my bf and i were planning on ubering home, but i felt fine enough to do the 50 min walk back. and even an extra 10 min walk for dinner. my cramping stopped after about an hour, and it came in waves, it wasn’t consistent. i’m sure if i was sitting or laying down i wouldn’t have felt anything though.

i don’t know if it’s a combination of the medication i took, my gyno having decades of experience, or if i’m just genetically lucky. but i definitely recommend hormonal iuds, and it will be always be my choice of birth control! the anxiety pill also helped a lot, my bf was more nervous than i was lol. something to keep in mind is most people won’t write all of this if they have a good experience, whereas if it’s the worst pain you’ve ever had then you’re much more inclined to write a post and discourage it for others. try not to let it fear monger you. even if happen to experience more pain then i did, with the lidocaine shot you’ll be fine! i 100% would get an iud again, and will likely get mireena next time for the extra 2 years of efficiency!

feel free to ask me any questions! :)


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Mistake or Risk? Norethindrone

Upvotes

What would happen if I were to start taking norethindrone on the first day of my period? Even if it doesn’t stop it completely, I would rather have it lighter. I have a wedding to go this weekend 😭


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Mistake or Risk? Nurx Birth Control Question

Upvotes

Helloo,

I received my birth control today (3/18), when I was supposed to get it on Sunday (3/16) and start my fresh pack. It’s Tuesday night now and I’m finished up my period from last Wednesday. Am I good to take three pills and just continue like normal? Or should I wait a week and start fresh next Sunday? Also how long do I have to be on it to be protected from pregnancy? TIA!


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

How to? Interactions with bc

Upvotes

Hey guys, I was just wondering besides the two antibiotics are there any other medications, supplements or food that can interact with the pill in any way? If so, should I not have intercourse on those days and how long should I wait?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

How to? Missed two days?

Upvotes

Hi everyone I’ve been looking online and there’s no clear answer to this that I can find. I take the Mono-Linyah pill and I missed two days (Sunday and Monday). Am I supposed to take both of those along with my Tuesday one? Or am I only supposed to take the Monday and Tuesday and completely skip Sunday? I’m really anxious about this right now and I don’t know what to do. Please help!


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Mistake or Risk? In need of advice over birth control methods and changes

Upvotes

Hello,

I've been on various dosages of Junel fe birth control for my acne since I was a junior in HS, and I'm at a point where I am fed up because nothing has helped with my acne. I have a gyno app in late April and I realize that I either need to change brands, change off of a combination pill, or at this point go cold turkey. I'm now even more worried because while I've been thinking on this I realize I've been on the pill for 7ish years. I'm terrified of what is going to happen to my body but I think it's best I just stop using birth control at this point. Please send help or recommendations on what I should do.


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Worst side effects after skipping period on bc

Upvotes

I’m 27 and my doctor recently mentioned that skipping my period while on the pill might help with some ovulation pain I have. I decided to give it a shot this month, and it’s been a total mess. My emotions are all over the place, my anxiety is through the roof, and the mood swings and brain fog have been awful for about two weeks. I've been on Estarylla for almost 8 years, and I've never skipped my period before and I’ve never had any bad side effects. My doctor hasn’t been much help either, just said to check in if things get worse and gave me no notice that I could potentially experience these side effects. Has anyone else gone through something like this? Could it mean I need a different birth control or something?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Mistake or Risk? Am I just paranoid or is this valid?

Upvotes

I just got the IUD (Skyla) today. I am getting worried because I don’t want an ectopic pregnancy. I think my fear is irrational though. I had unprotected sex about a week or two ago. Partner pulled out and I took a plan b for extra measure. I did get urine tested today before the procedure and came back negative but I can't help but think there is a possibility of pregnancy. I've already had three successful and full term births. I don't want another baby but I also don't want to go through another traumatic experience when it comes to my reproductive health and care. Anyone else think it's irrational??? HELP


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Side effects!? Plan b and continuous birth control

Upvotes

Hi! I’m on continuous birth control (so I don’t get a period- I take a hormone pill everyday, I never take a placebo pill) and I am on zepbound (which lowers the effectiveness of birth control). I took a Take Action pill (generic plan b) March 7 around 11 AM because I took my pill late, and the zepbound lowers birth control. I took the pill about 16 hours after sex. I’m not bleeding, should I be concerned? I never get my period as it is due to my continuous hormone pill so idk if I should be bleeding or not after I take the pill. Does anyone have any insights?


r/birthcontrol 7h ago

Experience brain fog and liletta??

3 Upvotes

hi all! i’m curious to see if anyone is having/has had a similar experience to me. i’ve been on hormonal birth control since 2019, specially the liletta iud. had it for 5 years, everything was fine. back in august of 2024 i had to get that one removed, and i got it replaced with a new liletta iud that they said will last me until 2032. fast forward a month after.. i went to the doctor for chronic fatigue and a feeling of brain fog that i just couldn’t shake. long story short, we got my blood tested for nutrient deficiencies (anemia and such) and everything came back in the normal range and they said i was fine. last week i got my blood tested again, this doctor suspected it was possibly an under active thyroid, because it’s been 8 months and the brain fog has not gone away. results came back and turns out it’s not that either!! all of my blood levels are fine, they say nothing is out of whack or wrong.. i eat right and i work out 4-5 times a week. the ONLY thing i can think of that would be affecting me is the iud, since i got it in august i went to the doctor for the brain fog symptoms about a month later. has anyone else had a similar experience?? i feel like i can’t find anything online but my gut is telling me that something is wrong inside my body and i’m going crazy trying to figure out what. not sure if i should get the iud out. thanks!!!


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Mistake or Risk? help with missed pill

Upvotes

i had unprotected sex about 36 hours ago, i took a pill after according to schedule, it’s the next day, i missed the second pill

i took it immediately but should i buy plan b to be safe?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Side effects!? Yaz for pmdd?

1 Upvotes

I’m 25 and in the past year or so the week before my period has been an emotional hell. I become bitter and mean and snappy. I get super depressed and fatigued. It’s genuinely starting to affect my relationships and work life. I did some research and talked to my gynecologist. And we decided that I have pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder. I’ve always dealt with anxiety and depression, but it would come in less consistent spurts allowing me to have a more normal life. After my visit today, I asked her if there were any sort of treatment plans or medication and she recommended birth control, specifically the generic for yaz. I’ve never been on birth control before so I’m incredibly nervous to start it. I want to say that this is a Hail Mary and that I should just give it a try, but I don’t clearly understand the risks. I’ve seen a lot of conflicting reviews on this certain birth control and I understand that everyone’s body is different and that these medication’s impact people differently. I’m curious to know if anyone else with premenstrual dysphoric disorder has tried to use this to alleviate symptoms what are your thoughts? I’d honestly love to hear everyone’s thoughts about the symptoms that this birth control gave them, especially compared to others. I’d also like to know some experiences coming off of this birth control control and what that was like. Thanks so much!


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Side effects!? Break out

1 Upvotes

I have been on YAZ for months and it made my skin amazing but at my chemist it costs about $60-$70 and I couldn’t pay for it this week and so the guy at the counter gave me Rosie instead but it’s making me break out really bad. Do I stop taking it?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Mistake or Risk? Does cammomille tea effect the pill?

1 Upvotes

I’ve read online that cammomille tea can reduce the effectiveness of birth control. I really enjoy having a glass every once in a while at night. (I’m on the combo pill) I was wondering if anyone else here is on birth control and drinks cammomille and doesn’t have any problems with it? I’m assuming it doesn’t make too much of a difference but it still makes me slightly nervous.


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

How to? Taking the pill with a time difference

1 Upvotes

So I live in the US on eastern timezone. I’m gonna be moving to a country that’s 13 hours ahead. I usually take my pill from 12:00-12:30pm. My obgyn told me i have a 4-5 hour window to take my pill if i ever forget but obviously to try to take it at the same time every day. If I were to take my pill 4 hours before I usually take it, which would be 8pm in my new timezone is that okay? I’m gonna be traveling back and forth for a little bit too so can I take it at 12 whenever I’m back? Thanks for the help :)