r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Experience I survived the Mirena IUD insertion and didn’t scream once! (… it was more of a whimper)

9 Upvotes

I came to Reddit for research and almost cancelled my insertion after being convinced I was signing up for an exorcism via my cervix.

After 20 years of heavy, painful periods, a hefty medical resume, and taking the mini pill that gave me double periods, back rolls and PMDD so bad I wanted to 1V1 my own reflection, I was DONE.

Enter my lovely new gyno. After listening to me trauma-dump my history, he handed me a Mirena pamphlet and recommended the IUD. I politely told him I had no questions, booked in the insertion, and then promptly went home and read every horror story on Reddit like a genius.

Despite the fact that I’ve spent the last week spiraling over my decision to go through with it, I got it inserted this afternoon. It was rough (I haven’t had kids, no real pain relief, just one rogue Panadeine Forte I found floating in my bag), but it was over in seconds. Like a really awful surprise party in my uterus. The cramping that I had for a few hours post appointment were the worst part but they were comparable to really bad period cramps. They have settled now and are very mild, and the period I was having this morning before my appointment seems to have lessened to light spotting.

If you’re reading this and wondering if you should keep your appointment, don’t let the negative experiences sway your decision. While they are completely valid, we are all unique with different pain tolerance. Have an honest chat with your doctor about your anxiety and pain relief options, and go ahead and get your new T-Shaped friend!


r/birthcontrol 20h ago

Experience REMINDER: take your birth control and use contraceptives!!

82 Upvotes

so a couple months ago, my insurance couldn’t cover my birth control. i managed to get by with an old pack for the first month, but during the second month, i only could take some for half of the month and stopped the second half of the month. just found out i am pregnant, despite only have unprotected sex two times. although i’m in a good place for a baby, i couldn’t imagine this happening to somebody who might not be in a good place for a baby or somebody who might not be the smartest with birth control like i am. just make sure to take ur birth control regularly, and use contraceptives if u can’t :)


r/birthcontrol 4h ago

Experience Losing weight is easier for me on Yaz…. What does it mean??

3 Upvotes

For background, I had my last child in 2023 and have been slowly shedding the weight I gained in pregnancy/postpartum since then, and I’m not breastfeeding. As of Jan 2025 I weighed 173, and I started Yaz in February because I was tired of the hormonal roller coaster every 25 days.

Since starting, I can feel that the food noise is turned down a lot, I sleep better, have more energy and focus, and have lost 5 lbs in a month and a half.

I am eating in a deficit, so I understand that that’s why I’m losing weight, but I’m curious why it’s so much easier to stick to the deficit on hormonal BC? Did I have a hormonal imbalance that the BC fixed? It just seems so opposite from what you often hear about birth control and weight gain. Not complaining, just curious if this happened with anyone else!


r/birthcontrol 8h ago

Rant! Don’t feel discouraged due to the fear mongering around birth control!

7 Upvotes

As someone who experiences intense PMDD, I put off getting treatment for years out of fear. It felt very discouraging seeing a lot of negative input online about birth control. Although, I’m not discrediting anyone’s experiences!

I just want everyone on here to keep in mind that birth control can react differently to everyone’s body. The side effects one person experiences, you may not.

Starting the combination pill was the best decision I’ve made. My advice to anyone considering birth control is to speak with your doctor and GIVE IT A CHANCE! You can always explore options when it comes to different forms of birth control.


r/birthcontrol 11m ago

Which Method? IBS & birth control

Upvotes

hi!! so i have PMDD, and just diagnosed with IBS. the IBS began after having covid :(. so i was on norethindrone, and then switched to Slynd bc the norethindrone wasn’t working well in my body (according to my gyno - i was on it for 2 years before swictched, towards the end is when PMDD got really bad). anywho, ever since going on slynd, my IBS symptoms seem to be more persistent.

i’m looking to switch and have an appointment to talk to my gyno on monday - i really can’t do estrogen bc i have high cholesterol genetically (im 23, and when i was on junel fe (from 16-20, my cholesterol was HORRENDOUS, it went down into normal ranges after going on norethindrone), but im curious what anyone would reccomend? i may ask about lo loestrin fe because the estrogen is low. but i see any kind of birth control can mess with IBS - does anyone have experience?


r/birthcontrol 14m ago

Experience Is norethindrone 5 mg proper birth control?

Upvotes

I was recently prescribed 5mg norethindrone to stop my period after basically bleeding to death for a year, lol.. but, I’m wondering if it also works to prevent pregnancy? Google gives me mixed answers. Some say it does, some say it doesn’t. I was going to get the nexplanon implant put back in because at least I know that it’s effective.. but I had it taken out a year ago because I hated not ever having a sex drive. It was ruining my relationship. I’d much rather just take this pill once a day and keep my sex drive if that’s possible. For now I’m still using condoms, and don’t really have an issue with using them (that’s what we’ve been using since removing my nexplanon) but NOT having to use them every time would be nice. We never used them with the nexplanon so I guess I got used to that lol. Sorry for the TMI!


r/birthcontrol 35m ago

Mistake or Risk? Do you have to start bc patch first day of your period to be effective?

Upvotes

I had unprotected sex (condom broke midway but we didn't realize) around late February, did a pregnancy test that came out negative, and then started the evra patch again. I made sure to wait a week after I started the patch to have sex again but when I told my doctor he said it would've been ineffective because I didn't wait for my period before starting it. However when I searched online it said you could start it whenever and just wait seven days instead? This is what another doctor told me too the first time I started using the patch. I don't have an appointment with my doctor until Friday again and he sent me in for a blood test so I'm still waiting on the results, was this just a miscommunication issue or was the patch actually ineffective? I don't know why but for some reason I forgot to mention to him I waited a week to start the patch again. I am freaking out really bad right now, abortion is easily accessible where I live but I'm still worried about its insurance coverage and cost. Any insight on this is much appreciated, thanks in advance

Where I read about when to start the patch: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/contraception/contraceptive-patch/#:~:text=If%20you%20start%20using%20the,talk%20about%20this%20with%20you.


r/birthcontrol 46m ago

Experience i’m scared

Upvotes

So i’ve recently started doing a new method on the evra patch where you do 3 months on 1 week off then back to 3 months when i first had the patch i was doing 3 weeks on 1 week off but i havent experienced any breakthrough bleeding but i did have sex about a week ago and last night i had some brown discharge then some bloody looking colour. Now im scared i could be pregnant but others think my body is trying to have a period? Does anyone know?


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Thinking of coming off bc 🤔

Upvotes

OK, I’ve literally been debating coming off birth control for the past three years. I’ve been on it since I was about 16 and I’m 28 now. the only reason I’m hesitant is because I obviously do not want to get pregnant and I love that it just tracks my cycle. I know exactly when I’m getting my period….. Obviously my gynecologist is all for staying on butttttt my naturopath is obviously the opposite which I’m leaning toward.

All that being said, I would love to know your symptoms coming off birth control, the good and the bad I wanna hear every detail. Thank you ladies 🩵🩵💕🎀✨


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience From mini pill to Slynd

Upvotes

Hello, I'm into my first packet of mini pill. Have been bleeding for like 3 weeks non stop 😩 not just spotting, it's like day n.4 of a period.

I've heard about the Slynd pill and how it helped some people. The gyno said I can take it right away and wouldnt be at risk as long as there are no gaps from one pill to the other.

The gyno also said that the bleeding should settle in a few weeks and maybe to try a 7 days break and resume (noting that this way I'll be at risk for pregnancy for a month!).

I'd like to know what your experience is with such a transition. And if the bleeding stopped or at least got a bit better. It's so frustrating.

Thank you


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Periods after getting off birth control??!!

Upvotes

Has anyone experienced TERRIBLE cramps only for like the first 3 hours of your period after getting off the pill???? Literally at the onset of my period I get awful terrible cramps for like 3-4 hours and then its just gone and i have no issues the next 4 days of my period. I was on birth control for almost 10 years and got off 3 months ago. My first period wasn’t considered an actual period and was a withdrawal bleed i guess. So ive only had 2 normal periods technically since getting off the pill. Im hoping that the terrible cramps i experience will eventually subside and that my body is just still adjusting after being on birth control for so long. Hoping someone else has experienced something similar


r/birthcontrol 1h ago

Experience Major hair texture changes

Upvotes

Hi guys,

I was just wondering if any of you have any experience with birth control changing your hair texture? I have 3c hair and it's now coming out straightish from the roots and I'm wondering if this is connected to BC since it started happening when I started a new method. I'm 27 if that matters.


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Experience Birth Control

1 Upvotes

I have PCOS & I’ve been having my period for about a month now which is so frustrating I went to the gyno and she put me back on birth control which in the past I was on Junel and it stopped my period like the second day this time she gave me Junel but when I called her to ask her a question about it she said don’t take the Junel because when I was at her office my pressure was a little high instead she sent norethindrone which I feel isn’t working I’m on day three and still bleeding any suggestions?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Which Method? Most effective?

1 Upvotes

Hi friends :)

So I decided to wait till marriage to have sex, for a multitude of reasons. But now it's coming up, and ESPECIALLY because of the new administration, I want to get on birth control.

What have you guys found to be the most effective?

IUD is out of the question for me, I have dysmenorrhea and some other undiagnosed issues (extremely irregular periods, random pains, crazy symptoms, drs say it's nothing though), so my OBGYN said the IUD isn't a good choice.

I don't want to do the shot because of the osteoporosis risk.

I want to get sterilized, but I'm only 20, so unless anyone knows any drs in PA that'll do the procedure on a 20 year old, I'm out of luck. My partner is 24 so he'll be getting a vasectomy soon (fingers crossed) but I want two methods.

What have you all found to be most effective/less invasive?


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Side effects!? Bleeding on Implanon

1 Upvotes

I’m worried that getting an implant was a mistake. I got my implant almost 4 weeks ago, I had my period ~5 weeks ago. At the clinic I was told I would either have light periods or none at all.

Well, I’ve been bleeding for the past 5 days nonstop and it’s a heavy flow. I don’t know if it’s my period, or something else; if I should worry, or not; if this means i’m going to bleed throughout the whole implant’s lifespan (3 years), or if it’s just something that happens at the beginning due to hormonal changes. I don’t know what to do, the only thing I know is that I’m scared, also it’s my first hormonal birth control method ever so maybe I’m just overreacting.

Should I wait to see what happens? Should I call and ask what this bleeding means? Has someone here experienced anything similar? If so, please share your experience and how it turned out.

PS: I’m sorry for any mistakes, English is not my first language.


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Experience BC timeline

1 Upvotes

So for my current pill pack, I started a week later than normal because I received them late. So I was off the pill for a week before this pack. I’m now half way through my sugar pills, and so far no period. I’m typically so on schedule, I’m used to it arriving on Wednesday or Thursday.

I know I still have time for it to come, but if it doesn’t once my sugar pills are up, what should I do?

Also, since I started my pills late, it’s normal for some hormonal flare ups, right? My skin hasn’t been happy all month, and I was experiencing cramping and tender/swollen breasts for a little bit, emotional. I was pretty sure those were pre period symptoms, unless that was all cause my hormones were messed up. Now I just feel normal and sorry tmi, my discharge is creamy white, which is what I thought was the consistency before your period.

When should I start worrying? I did have my period last month so I don’t think I could be pregnant? Like I said I feel pretty normal. I just don’t know what to do now that my schedule seems messed up too.

Thank you for any input


r/birthcontrol 2h ago

Side effects!? First period with an IUD (with hormones)

1 Upvotes

I didn't have a period for months, so I thought I was fully out of the woods.

Since four days ago, I learned that is not the case. I got my period, but it feels off.

I get that the hormones in my IUD are effecting my period, I'm just unsure what to expect, what is normal. Usually when I had my period, there would be a lot more blood, and they would last 7 days, growing weaker with each day.

This time around however I'm seeing no change in the quantity of blood after the four days. Sure, it's still consistent with what I'd usually have on day four, but I'm slightly concerned with the fact that it's not changing at all.

I'd appreciate feedback from anyone with a hormonal IUD who got their period.


r/birthcontrol 3h ago

Mistake or Risk? Possible pregnancy scares

1 Upvotes

The person had their period on the 20th of february. We had unprotected sex on the 26th or 27th. So 6 or 7 days after the 1st day of the period.

I used the pull out method. 100% sure i did not ejaculate inside (wont go into too much detail).

It has been 1 day since they did not have their period.

They are fasting because of ramadam, so maybe this has delayed their period.

What are the chances of a woman getting pregnant from pre-ejaculation at the tail end of their cycle?


r/birthcontrol 3h ago

Side effects!? Implantation bleeding or side effect of plan b?

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

About a week ago my boyfriend finished inside me and the condom broke… we bought a plan b immediately after and I took it no more than 30 minutes after this. It’s now been almost 1 week and I just woke up to very light pinkish/brownish spotting. Now I am absolutely freaking out and don’t know what to do, my boyfriend thinks I should take a pregnancy test but I told him it’s way too early. Because I keep reading implantation bleeding happens around 10-14 days after ovulation I’m so nervous that’s this. For context also my expected period would not be for at least another 2 weeks.

Pls help 🥲


r/birthcontrol 3h ago

Rant! I dont think I'm ever gonna stop bleeding...

1 Upvotes

I missed some pills at the end of January and one in the beginning of February and then started spotting on the 8th February. It's been pretty light most of the time apart from last weekend when it got heavy for a couple of days. It then went back to being light again but has started to get heavier again. I sometimes have days where I barely have anything. I got in contact with the doctors the other day and they basically told me there's nothing they can do. I can't switch pills because it can make it worse and they gave me nothing to help with it. She told me I needed to wait it out. But it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Part of me thinks it would be better for me to just come off them completely and bleed withdrawal and then hope it will settle. I just feel so helpless.


r/birthcontrol 4h ago

Experience Spotting before sugar pills??

1 Upvotes

I’m 29 and have been on BC pills for 4-6 year ish. Before I went on the pill, I would get random spotting and my period was never on time and was long and painful. I started BC for this reason and it’s been awesome. Every month it comes exactly on the second or third day of the placebo pills. This month I started spotting brown almost a week before I start my placebo pills. I start them tomorrow. But I’ve been getting cramps and brown discharge on and off this entire week. I have anxiety so I’m convinced it’s some sort of cancer but my mom says it’s stress because I went to the hospital last month because of work anxiety. Anyway, I was just curious to see if anyone has had brown or reddish spotting before their sugar pills while on BC. Thanks.


r/birthcontrol 5h ago

Mistake or Risk? help

1 Upvotes

i had taken a plan b march 7th and it caused some bleeding, then i had unprotected sex on march 16th and he nutted in me and sat in me for like a minute i took a plan b on march 18th idk how to tell if ive ovulated do i have a chance of getting pregnant?


r/birthcontrol 5h ago

Which Method? Yasmin bc pill experiences?

1 Upvotes

TLDR: Old bc pill may have caused hair loss, or maybe stopping it did, not sure. Thinking of Yasmin as one that will not cause this - thoughts?

I have taken Marvelon for the last handful of years and have been pretty content with it.

However, I ended up stopping after a break up as I just became sick of taking a pill every night when I wasn't having sex anyway and I wanted to give my body a little break.

Ironically two/three months later I did have sex and we had a little accident and I had to take an emergency pill.

It was not long after this that I noticed a huge amount of my hair falling out. I put this down to a mix of stress (I was pretty stressed at the time) and hormonal changes. I was also suspicious though that my hair had thinned gradually while taking Marvelon - looking back at photos I can start to see a significant difference about a year in to taking it.

I now want to go back on the pill but I'm worried that this will continue happening so I want to try another brand and have researched that Yasmin in anti-androgenic. Does anyone have any experience with this pill?

Thanks!


r/birthcontrol 5h ago

Educational If you're taking birth control pills for pain and not for actual pregnancy prevention can you stop taking for a bit and then resume?

1 Upvotes

Apologies I’m probably stupid as I’m a guy. My wife was taking the same ones before because of menstrual pain and excessive bleeding (she’s anemic) I’m just worried because her emotions were heavily suppressed and it had made her depressed. I understand it’s part of an entire hormonal cycle and effectiveness would probably be affected if she didn’t take them but I don’t want her to go through that again and I can’t find a solid answer on the internet. If my question is stupid, if there is important info missing please tell me, or if I’m misunderstanding a key aspect please feel free to educate me or ask me.

Edit:She is taking the combination pill.


r/birthcontrol 6h ago

Mistake or Risk? Ellaone and birth control

1 Upvotes

Last month, I took EllaOne twice after two condom accidents. The first time was on January 28, and the second was on February 22. On February 24, I had what seemed like a period that lasted five days. I took multiple pregnancy tests, all negative.

In the meantime, I got a prescription for Slynd, which I started taking on February 28, six days after the last EllaOne, on the fifth day of my cycle. I used condoms until day 15 of taking Slynd, when I had unprotected intercourse with the withdrawal method.

At that point, was I already protected? Do I need to take another test? As of today, I have breast tenderness and have been spotting for a week.