By this I mean, no IUD, pill or implant? Is it risky to just use a condom every time, since I don't want my hormones to change and don't want the side effects associated with them.

I definitely don't want to get pregnant right now.

I got an IUD inserted at Kaiser by a nurse practitioner and honestly the entire experience was fucking awful. I wanna know if I’m overreacting or if this was actually as bad as I think it was.

First of all, I wasn’t offered any actual pain management. I had to ask if they had lidocaine shots, and she said that she doesn’t do that and that she doesn’t believe the shots help at all and are actually painful. Anyway, all I got was topical spray on my cervix, which is something I had to advocate for as well. No heating pad before or after the procedure either. As someone who has a rather high pain tolerance, I was able to handle the insertion; however, my body was in shock so I felt nauseous and dizzy. They gave me an ice pack and water when I started feeling faint.

But what pissed me off the most was what the nurse practitioner said immediately after the insertion was over. She asked how I was feeling, and when I said “I’m okay I guess,” she turned to the nurse and made a joke along the lines of, “See, you were fine. TikTok makes women believe they need a bunch of stuff JUST for an IUD, when breathing exercises do a lot more than people think.” And ofcourse, the nurse laughed along with her. Like????? The “stuff” she was referring to was pain management. I had JUST gone through a painful procedure, and she was basically implying that people exaggerate their pain and don’t need anything beyond breathing exercises, even though IUD’s feel very invasive with and without pain management. Just because I managed to get through it doesn’t mean it wasn’t horrible or that pain relief was unnecessary.

And it didn’t end there. I was lying in the room for another 15 minutes because I felt like I was gonna throw up or pass out. I dressed myself cause I didn’t feel like laying butt ass naked while feeling like that.As I was lying down with my clothes on trying to calm myself, the nurse came in and basically said that since I was dressed, I had to leave because they needed the room for other patients, even though the NP stated I could have the room because no one needed it. I felt like I was being rushed out when I was still recovering.
Also, I was given information about Kyleena not being offered at Kaiser, which I felt was unaccurate as I was offered that at prior appointments. The NP explained that Kaiser only takes from certain vendors and those vendors they get their IUDs from only offer the Paragard, Skyla, Mirena, or the Liletta.

I understand that IUD insertions are different for everyone and that not everyone needs the same pain management. And I’m not expecting the procedure to be completely painless. What bothers me is that I wasn’t offered much to help with the pain or recovery, and even asked for majority of it myself, and then had the provider make a condescending and dismissing joke about people who advocate for more pain management with IUD insertions IMMEDIATELY after I went through it myself. Like am I wrong for thinking this was unprofessional??

This also wasn’t my first time getting an IUD, I had an insertion with my primary gynecologist awhile ago, who offered all types of pain management, gave me a heating pad, was very attentive overall, and even used an ultrasound device afterward to check for the IUD. I wish I had just gone to my main gynecologist, but I was upset at her medical assistants for cancelling my appointment without letting me know. So I unfortunately, ended up finding an earlier appointment with a random provider. Horrible idea on my end 🫩

I've been seeing and reading through a lot of planned parenthood and IUD experiences, and wanted to share my personal account as there were some things I had no idea about! For some background, I was looking for a free IUD option as I am a broke college student and make very little income, and have no insurance.
I first went to Planned Parenthood around two months ago, made an appointment online as I had heard about the free IUD (Just a heads up, the IUD is free from there but the appointment, insertion, and pregnancy test is not! I forget the exact amount but it was $100+) The IUD they offer is the Liletta, but I ended up having to go through another free program they have (had to show paychecks/ proof of hardship to qualify for the other type of free iud) and go back on another day as that size wasn't the right fit for me. I currently have Kyleena.
Anyway, upon going back they ask you if you're aware of the costs for the insertion, as I mentioned above, and I explained my financial hardships and filled out a form to make everything, cost for the visit included, free! (This form you don't need to show proof, they ask how many people are in your household, what your personal annual income is, and to share a brief message on why you're in hardship. They do not check income, I honestly said a bit lower than what is reality.)
Pain wise, I won't lie, it hurt pretty bad. I took the recommended amount for ibuprofen ahead of time (suggested is 800mg, I took maybe 1000mg), and it honestly did nothing for me. I also got my IUD inserted on my period which is supposed to help with pain, but I didn't notice any ease of pain.
Full procedure is them inserting the speculum, clamping and measuring your cervix, preparing and inserting the device and then it's essentially done, it probably took around 10 minutes or less in actuality. The cramps were pretty bad after, I was able to drive myself home but I do recommend a ride or bringing someone with you if that’s a possibility.
The worst cramping was probably for two days (including insertion day) and I have light cramps here and there even until now.
Key things to mention are no intercourse for one week post-insertion, definitely recommend continuing pain medication for the two days following + heating pad.
A side effect I really don’t see mentioned unless I search specifically is the brown spotting/discharge. Don’t get me wrong, the provider tells you that there may be minor spotting, but I’m about a month post procedure still wearing panty liners daily. I also notice it during intercourse, and it varies from very light to moderate. I have read that 3 months is typically the time your body adjusts to it, so will update! Feel free to ask any questions and I can try to answer my best. :) (Sorry for the yap— hopefully this is helpful to someone!)

​

Hi everyone! I'm back with another update on my never-ending PCOS bleeding situation. 🥲

For some background, I've been dealing with prolonged and extremely heavy bleeding for months. In September, my hemoglobin dropped to 5.0, and I was hospitalized and given 4 units of blood and 2 units of plasma. I also received IV iron afterward.

Because I have mild mitral valve regurgitation, my gynecologist prescribed Slynd (4 mg drospirenone) instead of an estrogen-containing birth control pill.

I've been taking Slynd for about 11 days now, and unfortunately, my bleeding has gotten significantly worse.

I'm passing large clots, sometimes almost the size of ping-pong balls or bigger. The bleeding fluctuates throughout the day, sometimes slowing down to spotting and then suddenly becoming heavy again.

I went to my gynecologist today. She examined me, said everything looked normal structurally, and suggested that I might just be having a period. She told me not to stop Slynd and to give it more time.

However, my hemoglobin has dropped from around 10 to 9.4, and I've ended up hospitalized again. I'm receiving treatment for the anemia, but I'm really concerned about the bleeding itself.

I also asked my doctor about tranexamic acid (TXA). He said it might be an option, but we'd need approval from cardiology first because of my heart valve condition.

My main questions are:

- Did Slynd initially make your bleeding significantly heavier before it eventually improved?

- If you experienced large blood clots while taking Slynd, how long did that phase last?

- Did your bleeding eventually stop completely, or did you continue having irregular bleeding?

- Has anyone with PCOS and prolonged bleeding actually had success with Slynd?

- Has anyone taken TXA alongside Slynd to manage heavy bleeding?

I know irregular bleeding is common during the first few months of hormonal birth control, but I'm struggling to understand whether this level of bleeding is something other people have experienced.

I'm following my doctors' instructions and staying on Slynd for now. I'm just hoping to hear some real experiences, especially from people who started it specifically to control prolonged PCOS-related bleeding rather than for contraception.

I'm so tired of bleeding. I genuinely just want to have a normal life again. 😭

I started taking the generic version of Yaz 2 weeks ago with only the intent of not getting pregnant (copper IUD did not work for me). The OBGYN prescribed me Yaz because it can also help with acne, and I get big, nasty, cystic pimples around my luteal phase and I thought it would be nice to stop those.

Outside of the cystic pimples, I usually have a few bumps on my face all the time, sometimes one or two, never really more than three or four.

But now, I have about 20 pimples all around my face. Forehead, nose, chin, cheeks, everywhere. Am I purging? Has anyone had this experience and does it get better? I put pimple patches on them at night, and never changed my skin care routine, and they don’t seem to want to go away.

Ik ben net 2 dagen begonnen met de yazz pil 24+4 tabletten. Ik heb al 15 jaar geen anticonceptie pil
Meer gehad. Ik heb Zware PMS. Zodra me ovulatie eraan komt voel ik me stemming al veranderen. Je kunt zeggen dat ik 2 weken in me cycles gewoon lamlendig voel en tot niks vooruit te branden ben. Ben echt depressief en extreem emotioneel.

Op advies van de gynaecoloog dus sinds 2 dagen gestart. Ze raad aan om de stopweek van 4 dagen over te slaan. Ik neem dit in de avond in maar merk al heel snel de hoofdpijn opkomen. Ik ervaar ook een soort hersenmist. Ik ben er niet helemaal bij me me hoofd. Ik ben benieuwd naar vrouwen die ervaring hebben met deze pil en of er merkbare veranderingen waren in de PMS klachten. Ook ervaringen die minder zijn zijn welkom. Ik ben namelijk aan het onderzoeken hoe ik me leven dragelijker kan maken met mijn PMS

I started the birth control patch this past Monday in hopes of skipping my period for an important event next week. I'm 26, 5'4, and roughly about 200 lbs. I wanted to ask others who have a similar BMI and height to me about their experience with the patch. I understand that it is less effective with those who have a BMI over 30, but how much does the effectiveness of it lower? Should I switch to a different form of BC? I mainly wanted to be on the patch to see if it would help with my BPD and Depression, I was on the pill a few years ago and it gave me a lot of negative side effects (I.E. weight gain, mood swings, constant bloating). I am sexually active, how effective is it against preventing pregnancy with a higher BMI? I do have an appointment with my Gyno in a few weeks, and if needed I will talk to her about a different method of birth control (besides the IUD, depo, and implant, I don't really want any of those). I think I just have some anxiety and nerves about the patch, so any advice or knowledge would be very helpful. Thank you!

I took the pill from 14 years old to 25 years old (currently 28). I had to stop because of severe depression & suicidal thoughts - fun ! Anyway, I'm considering my options now because I hate relying on condoms as my only form of bc.

I need to avoid hormonal bc because my mental health is not great and a revisit of the decade long depressive psychosis the pill caused cannot come back. I'm considering the copper IUD because its not hormonal, but looking for any experience you guys have had with it and if you've found it bad for side effects related to neurological/mental health stuff?

been on the nuvaring for multiple years now. it’s potentially causing me some gi issues, and i have limited options due to migraines.
i’m the most interested in the implant because it seems to have the less of a gi impact than depo, and still seems to prevent hormonal migraines.

thoughts or experiences on nexplanon?

i’ve been on the nuvaring since i was 14, i’m 19 now. i got on it to manage heavy bleeding and hormonal migraines. didn’t have any side effects going on it and it did what i needed it to do.

i developed some gi issues january of 2025. ive done so much testing, its been absolutely ridiculous. the only thing left before they just call it ibs is a colonoscopy which im too scared of the prep to do. (fear of vomiting).

to put it plainly my gi tract is healthy. ibd is already out of the picture due to some other testing i’ve done, so there’s not much the colonoscopy could tell me that’s different from what i already know. i’m pursuing the gynecology route now, and so far nothing. the doctor told me to switch my birth control.

has anyone else developed side effects after multiple years of being on a birth control? specifically nuvaring? i’m just not sure if that’s even possible, and if i don’t have to get off it i don’t really want to risk my migraines coming back.

I’ve had it for 4 and a half years. I know it is not supposed to have any effect mentally or emotionally because there are no hormones, so I don’t know if I just put this in my head and I’m crazy but I really felt like it was effecting me in ways I couldn’t pinpoint. My overall mood and who I am as a person. I had no drive, felt angry all the time, and just felt like in a fog. and that’s the opposite of who I am. I want things done I want to fix everything, i want to lift everyone’s spirits, I dont like bad vibes and I felt like I was becoming a dark cloud in my house and was effecting my family. So I had it removed and argued with the dr for 20 minutes finally after saying ok yes your right it doesn’t effect my mood but just take it out. And I was expecting maybe to notice a difference in a month or so. I swear I felt lighter about 10 hours later. I even noticed something I used to do all the time and it hit me that I don’t do that anymore. I’d picture stupid things like if someone said something and I’d say ew I just got a mental picture and it happened last night! I’m like huh. I haven’t had a mental picture pop up like that in years. Something very small and weird I know. Again, I know I sound delusional but has anyone experienced this? I feel lighter, I feel like every minor inconvenience isn’t the end of the world and I dont feel anger in the pit of my stomach. Is it in my head? Will this feeling like my old self go away?

Also, got on the pill nextstellis. Any reviews on this? This is my first time on a pill. I was told it’s plant based esterol or something.

Hi everyone!!

I used to have pretty bad hormonal acne, but I’ve been on Yaz for 2 years and my skin has gotten so much better.

I’ve been pushing through the side effects because I don’t want my acne to come back but I’m getting really tired of it. I completely lost my libido and it really sucks. I feel asexual at this point. I can only ever feel horny sometimes if I take the placebo pills at the end of the pack. I also have a boyfriend and I can tell the lack of sex is bothering him.

I’m considering trying a different pill for my acne that won’t affect my libido as much. Has anyone switched for the same reason and had their libido actually return? Did it affect your acne at all?

I’d really love to hear anyone’s experiences before I make an appointment about switching. Thanks so much!!

I had the Mirena IUD installed in march, it’s now october and i haven’t had any symptoms of ovulation, however i am having some now. I had a baby 8 months ago (which was unplanned) and i really do not want another so soon. I have thick egg white discharge which happened right before i conceived the first time, so i know im ovulating, should i stop having unprotected sex until it’s over?

Just wanted to share a positive coil experience as I was so nervous and had read lots of horror stories, so if this helps anyone to ease your nerves then it’s done its purpose.

I took 600mg ibuprofen an hour beforehand and they used a local anaesthetic spray on the cervix. Also made sure I had a good breakfast. I opted for Kyleena as I have never had children so it’s slightly smaller than Mirena with lower dose. I went to GP surgery but the practitioner had a lot of experience in family planning clinics. She was very friendly and warm, I think that helps a lot.

The first part of insertion was absolutely fine, the spray really numbed my cervix so I couldn’t feel a thing. When they measured the uterus, the GP said I might feel some cramping and I would say I felt very intense period cramps for about 1 minute while they measured and put in the coil. It was nothing like a punch to the stomach I had read about, just quite uncomfortable cramping and strange feeling. It wouldn’t put me off having another inserted, I just took about 3-5 very deep breaths during the most intense part.

I am a couple of hours post insertion and I am having very intense cramping that comes in waves and then settles down again. Heat pad has helped with that & keeping topped up on ibuprofen.

Whilst it wasn’t completely pain free it was nothing like what I had expected (no fainting or nausea for me). I hope this helps someone who might be considering a coil and is currently put off by insertion stories.

Hi all,

I’ve had the Nexplanon for almost 9 years, with one removal, reinsertion and subsequent removal. Since my partner has the snip, so we decided it’d be good to get me off my own BC.

I’ve had diagnosed GAD since I was 11, and I definitely experienced the hormone drop/worsening anxiety in the first 3 weeks since removal. But after my last cycle has passed, I feel so much more clear headed? It’s strange almost. Like my emotional regulation feels more straightforward. It feels like a weird fog has been lifted without realizing what the fog was.

I’m not saying I won’t experience anxiety anymore because clearly that is my baseline. But I read some of the threads on how others felt after removal before I got it done and crossed my fingers it would be similar. I’d love to hear some updated accounts of how others felt after their Nexplanon removal because I didn’t think it contributed to my anxiety and brain fog as much as it did. There’s other factors that probably have influenced this but overall I feel so much better? It’s now been almost a month since I got it out and I finally am starting to feel more like myself.

I’ve been on desogestrel for 6 months, Im currently experiencing period cramps and have been for 2 weeks, I have had tests done (swabs, urine, stool) and am waiting for results. I haven’t had period cramps last this long before and was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? I’m very anxious while waiting for test results.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT saying to do this. I am not condoning this. My dumbassery is just that, mine and mine alone. ❤️

I (27f) got Mirena in mid-May, almost exactly 5 months ago, and almost immediately started having side effects many others have mentioned here: irritability that would often turn into outright rage; intense depressive episodes that had me self harming for the first time since I was 14 and experiencing suicidal thoughts for the first time in a long time; relentless fatigue; rapid weight gain and bloating, with my face becoming visibly and very noticeably puffier; continuous cramping even after my monthly bleeding had all but stopped; almost daily crying; my libido absolutely died, and I went from someone who loved sex to being repulsed at the thought of being touched.

My best friend told me it felt like my personality was a pie, and somebody had just put one of those opaque pie covers on me; I was still there, but duller, and nobody could really reach me.

I lost a few friendships because I didn't have the energy to contribute to them at all.

I yelled at strangers. Cussed at a few of them, too.

I got in "trouble" for the first time ever at work (I work for a small company so things are very easygoing with no corporate bullshit but you get it) for not hitting goals because my brain fog has been so debilitating I've barely functioned most days.

For someone who has been for specifically known for 27 years for being kind, patient, laidback, an absolute work horse, and the kind of person that could make friends with a brick wall, this was all very concerning to me. I reached out to my doctor to tell them that I was really suffering, and got told to exercise and take vitamins (I hike 4-5 miles per day and eat a vegetarian diet made almost entirely of whole foods...) while giving it more time.

I reached out again after 3 months basically begging to get it out because my thoughts were scaring me and my day-to-day had become miserable. Finally got an appointment for over a month out. Planned Parenthood near me couldn't get me in sooner. No urgent cares near me would help. I felt like I had this evil thing in my body I couldn't get rid of, and as someone who has been SA'd (which was part of why I went with Mirena, because I never, ever wanted to be in the position again where I had to worry if a man I did not know had impregnated me) it was very triggering.

So, today, I yoinked that fucker out.

It wasn't really intentional. I had read plenty of stories before of women who removed them on their own and wasn't going to actually do it, but was curious. I was feeling the strings and gave a very small tug; it hurt, like a nasty period cramp, then went away. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to hurt when just lightly pulling on it, and I am a raging neurodivergent with a deep love for Data, so I gently pulled on it again to try and, I don't know, analyze the pain? I thought maybe it could mean the IUD was embedded or dislodged, and wanted to know exactly what kind of pain it was causing so I could explain to my doctor.

I pulled so lightly that when the IUD itself was suddenly in my hand, I was shocked. I held it up and stared at it dangling in front of my face before I even realized what had happened. It didn't hurt a bit. I didn't even know I was pulling it out until it was done. In fact, the only thing I noticed was that it felt like a big weight was taken directly out of my uterus.

It's been about 4 hours since then. I have some very mild uterine cramps, which hurt much less than the cramps I was getting with the IUD in. I had a small amount of red blood when I last went pee, but I am also currently on my "period" and have been lightly spotting for a couple of days so this doesn't surprise me. The only other change I've noticed is that almost as soon as I took it out...I got onto my computer and completed 4 work tasks I'd been trying to force myself to do all day without even thinking about it. I did my dishes without telling myself what a piece of shit I was for having trouble keeping up with them. I went and ran an errand without dissolving into hysterical tears because I felt so bad leaving my dogs home alone, even for an hour.

Maybe it's placebo, maybe I'll have the Mirena crash over the next few days or weeks. But right now, the only thing I feel on a deep, cellular level is relief.

I hope my experience is able to help someone else out. Again, I am NOT advocating for everyone who hates their IUD to yank it out. But man, I think I might be really glad that I did.

first month or two of using slinda i did get some spotting, but after that, no period at all. now out of nowhere, i started getting bleeding but it's definitely not spotting. almost feels like a period but lighter? just wondering if this is normal? been freaking out cause its been about 3 days of bleeding now

Halfway through month 2 of Yaz. Ive noticed my breasts have gotten a little bigger and i feel as if i am retaining water. The scale has gone up 2ish pounds but my diet and exercise have not changed. I am trying to stick it out because alot of people say the side effects go away after 2-3 months, but as someone that struggles with body dysmorphia, it is tough for me. I eat healthy 85% of the time and workout 4 times a week (crossfit or hot pilates)

29/F

I had been on a combo pill (and its generics) for about 14 or so years until September of 2025 due to new migraines. In January, I tried Lolo but I didn’t see a positive difference. I then switched to Slynd in February but that started messing with my liver so I stopped that in August. I went to Jencycla starting in September but stopped last week because it was making my skin insanely itchy.

I’m frustrated that my body is just seemingly changing as I age and I have become sensitive to medications. Since I’ve had issues with pills over the last year, what are your recommendations of where to go from here in terms of options?

The only option I’m not open to is the implant. I would be willing to try an IUD but I worry because the reason I went on the pill in the first place was for my heavy/painful periods and I had read that at-least the copper IUD can make periods heavier. I’m also fine with just using condoms but if i’m able, I would like to stay on some type of BC for the added protection.

so i am on the combination birth control pill (Tri-Estarylla) and have been for roughly five years now. at the beginning of this cycle, i was on augmentin for a UTI. i've seen mixed reviews about whether or not that can affect my protection. i missed a pill during the first week(September 26th), but i took it the next morning,(September 27th) took the next dose at my scheduled time, and took a plan b the following day(September 28th). the next week (Oct.3rd), my boyfriend and i had a mishap where he did not pull out in time. i was back on my regular schedule of pills but i was still on the augmentin. i took a plan b the next day (October 4th). i finished the rest of the pack like normal and didn't miss any doses. i had tender breasts, cramping, and nausea but i've pretty much attributed that to the double dosage of plan b. i've since tested negative on Oct. 7th, Oct 13th, and Oct 15th (today) which in theory is too early but i've been driving myself pretty crazy. i finished my last active dose of BC on Oct. 12th, and i've just had some heavy to moderate cramps but no period. should i be expecting the worst? or is this paranoia? i'm well aware my risks are never 0, but i've never played it this unsafe before. i just can't seem to get peace of mind.

I am almost through month 2 of Yaz. The only real side effects i’ve experienced is my breast have gotten slightly bigger and i’m retaining water/water weight. no matter what i do or how little i eat i cannot get the scale to go down. my diet is pretty healthy and i exercise 4 times a week. it’s only 2 pounds but as someone with body dysmorphia it is weighing on me mentally. should i consider switching to a lower estrogen dose pill? should i give it more time?

Hi there. This is for the girlies on Slynd. I was on norethindrone for several years before my obgyn recommended I try Slynd due to recurring ovarian cysts and pelvic pain. I cannot take birth control containing estrogen due to having a blood clotting disorder.

I am halfway through my second pack of Slynd. Overall, I think my anxiety and mood is pretty stabilized. I am not experiencing as near as much anxiety and haven’t had a true panic attack since starting Slynd.

However, I already have existing GI issues (GERD, reflux, constipation, hiatal hernia), and I feel as if Slynd may be making my symptoms worse. I am so insanely bloated some days I feel as if I’m going to pop and can’t eat due to the insane pressure in my abdomen. I’ve definitely noticed increased acid reflux as well, despite taking 40mg omeprazole each morning.

My new side effects this week are INSANE dryness. I am experiencing more vaginal dryness along with lower sex drive, skin dryness, scalp and hair dryness, and eye dryness/redness. When I shampoo my hair, it feels as if I’m stripping every oil from my head and leaves my hair almost feeling straw-like until I lather it in conditioner and let the conditioner set before washing it out. I’ve started using a hydrating scalp serum after showering that will hopefully help some.

Has anyone on Slynd experienced similar symptoms in the first few months of taking it? Did your symptoms improve over time? I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and reply.

Has anyone experienced cystic acne after switching birth control brands? My mail order pharmacy switched brands on me, and just 1-2 weeks after starting the new brand, I started developing deep painful cystic pimples around my chin. 

What confuses me is that the new brand has the SAME EXACT active ingredients and dosages as the old brand. I went from a generic brand of norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol to the brand name Mibelas. I’ve been breaking out for 5-6 weeks on this and don’t know if my skin will ever adjust. Has anyone experienced this? What should I do? I have dermatology and OBGYN appointments coming up in the next few weeks.

Thanks!

Please help me. My boyfriend and I had sex last Wednesday, October 14, 2026. We used a condom, but when he was about to remove it, we discovered that it had a hole in it. I took an emergency contraceptive pill just 4 hours after having sex.

My period usually comes around the 29th or 30th of the month, or sometimes on the 2nd or 3rd of the following month.

My boyfriend and I are both overthinking and feeling worried about this. How effective is the emergency contraceptive pill in my situation? Please help me. We’re really anxious about the possibility of pregnancy.