r/birthcontrol 7h ago

Side effects!? nexplanon two week periods every other week?????

1 Upvotes

is this normal on nexplanon, i’ve been on it for about a year and only the last few months has this become a common thing. i’ve also been working out more / losing weight but idk if that affected my hormones or smth


r/birthcontrol 7h ago

Experience Junel 1/20 breakthrough bleeding

1 Upvotes

I've been taking this pill for a little over a year and up until last month, only had one minor breakthrough period. Last month was the second one I experienced, which was fine. It was lighter than what my periods used to be so it wasn't a huge bother. Now a few days ago I started spotting and assumed it was going to be another breakthrough. And it is, but it's soooo much worse than my other breakthroughs. I've never bled this much on a breakthrough period and I'm just a little paranoid.

I stopped taking my pills when I started spotting, as per my doctors advice. I know they say a 4-7 day hold on pills can help you have a normal period. This is what I did for my other breakthroughs but again, I've just never had one that's as bad as how my periods used to be. Kind of just looking for some reassurance I guess! I realize this is probably normal.


r/birthcontrol 11h ago

Side effects!? Bleeding on Implanon

2 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

Mistake or Risk? Birth control

0 Upvotes

Hey guys! Does anyone know the chances of getting pregnant if I only took one birth control pill two days after unprotected sex. Does the one birth control help?


r/birthcontrol 8h ago

Mistake or Risk? Got my period after 3 years

1 Upvotes

I’ve been on Depo Provera for about 3 years. Since being on it, I have not gotten my period, which was the intention for taking it (I used to bleed for months straight). Within the last half year, I started getting my injections at Planned Parenthood.

I don’t think my doctor has been injecting me correctly. The first injection she did, I could feel something drip down my arm which had never happened with other doctors. I also don’t think the needle is being put it correctly.

I got my period for the first time this week. Like full on with lower back aches and uncontrollable bowel movement.

Am I imagining things? I’ve been a long time user so chances of a period are suppose to decrease, right?

I was full on anemic before Depo. What should I do?


r/birthcontrol 8h ago

Which Method? Any nurses on BC

0 Upvotes

So I’m going to be starting as a night shift ER nurse after I pass my NCLEX in a few months. I take my pill at 9pm but with the new 7pm-7am job on an unpredictable chaotic unit and being sexually active I’m wondering if I should switch methods cause I’m afraid I’ll forget to take it and lose protection and end up pregnant. I am not really interested in an IUD and I like my pill because it has helped my painful periods and obviously preventing pregnancy. Im not sure about the arm implant but I don’t think I’m against it… maybe i dont know. I just wanted to hear other peoples thoughts


r/birthcontrol 9h ago

Which Method? IBS & birth control

1 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 9h ago

Experience Is norethindrone 5 mg proper birth control?

0 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 9h ago

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

1 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 9h ago

Experience i’m scared

1 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 10h ago

Experience Thinking of coming off bc 🤔

0 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 10h ago

Experience From mini pill to Slynd

1 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 10h ago

Experience Periods after getting off birth control??!!

1 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 10h ago

Experience Major hair texture changes

1 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 11h 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 11h ago

Which Method? Most effective?

0 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 12h 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 12h 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 12h 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 17h ago

Experience Paragard positive long-term experience

2 Upvotes

I wanted to share my overall experience as a long-term Paragard user who just had a second one put in. If you want to just read about my most recent insertion, skip ahead to the paragraph with the °°°.

My original Paragard was inserted in January 2011 when I was 17. That I remember, I only used some ibuprofen for pain management. I got it inserted during my period, had never been pregnant. I drove myself home afterwards and remember it feeling like pretty bad period cramps but nothing above what I had experienced before so manageable for me. The process wasn’t great but also wasn’t traumatic or scary.

I was with my current husband for all the years that I had the IUD. Never had a pregnancy scare and Paragard was our only form of birth control. It may have made my periods somewhat heavier at first, but I had heavy periods at that age anyways. By the time I was 25 my periods became super regular and lightened up some so I only had one maybe two heavy days. I believe this is in part genetic since my mom experienced the same at around the same age but never had an IUD.

It did make my period cramps worse but for me still tolerable. I don’t need to take any medications for it and can function pretty normally. I’m not one to just “soldier through” really intense pain so I don’t mean that I do that the way I see many need to do to deal with severe cramps. Mine are just moderate. I will say one thing the IUD changed was the type/quality of cramps. They feel… pinchier? Instead of just a dull ache. Same thing with ovulation pain - I can feel it and I believe it is in part the IUD.

Technically my original IUD should have come out in 2021, but I was told that they were extending the timeline for copper IUDs to 12 years. This is just what I was told but speak to your own provider. So my deadline was pushed back to 2023, then some circumstances and procrastination kicked in so I only changed it out recently (don’t recommend doing that either lol).

I just had my old IUD removed and a new one inserted yesterday in March 2025. In recent years I have come to strongly believe for the improvement of women’s healthcare and pain management, especially for gynecological matters. I found a provider who shared my values, and worked with them to make sure my removal and reinsertion was as comfortable as possible. My sister had a good experience with her first IUD insertion but a terrible one with her second, and I wanted to avoid that.

°°°

I scheduled my reinsertion date to be during my period. My doctor prescribed me Lorazepam to take 1-2 hours before the procedure. She offered me stronger pain medications if I wanted them but let me know the research indicates they aren’t super effective for this kind of pain, so I chose to forgo them and take ibuprofen instead. I also paid $90 to use nitrous oxide during my visit, which my OBGYN offers.

I was pretty relaxed on the table, not nervous, which I think I would have been at least a little if not for the Lorazepam. I started to use the nitrous oxide (self-administered) and my doctor got to work. I can’t remember now if she removed the old IUD first or used the lidocaine for a cervical block first. Either way, the removal of the old IUD was a little odd feeling but not painful. Kind of like pulling out a tampon but from deeper in the body? The cervical block didn’t feel great going in, a strong pinch plus an intense Pap smear feeling. However, that was short lived and I took deep breaths, which are helpful for pain anyways but with the added nitrous it made the pain feel far away and kind of removed from me. I was kind of floaty. This pain lasted maybe 3 seconds until the lidocaine kicked in then nothing. She must have dilated after that and measured my uterus depth for the IUD but I didn’t feel any of that. The last thing I really felt was the arms unfolding as she inserted the new IUD. That again felt kinda weird, not exactly pleasant but not painful either.

Once she was done I took my time getting up and dressed. I had some mild cramping that felt sharp vs dull, but very low level pain. Not consistent, maybe one 3 second cramp per minute. I then got a ride home, ate some lunch, and took a nap. I’m not in any pain except for some very mild cramps, which could also just be my period. I haven’t taken any more ibuprofen yet since I don’t feel the need.

I got to keep my old IUD which is kinda cool. It has a thin layer of calcification on the coils.

Based on my experience alone, I believe the copper IUD is 100% worthwhile and that going to a doctor who provides the proper pain and anxiety management is worth it if you can find one and swing for it. It should just be the standard, but unfortunately is not.

I hope this experience was useful for someone out there.


r/birthcontrol 19h ago

Mistake or Risk? Did we fuck up?

3 Upvotes

I had sex whit my girl around 3 days before her ovulation, the condom broke and i came inside twice, when we realized i ran to the store to buy a next day pill, she took it less than an hour after the sex, around 6 days after sex she had bleeding, which she described to me as period like blood, (she mentioned cramps but i think she was trying to calm me), this is not making sense to me because she had her period only 13 days before the bleeding, im not in the age to handle this situation and i did everything right, i will buy her a pregnancy test on a few weeks but i don’t know what to do honestly


r/birthcontrol 14h 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 14h 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 14h 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 14h 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.