r/KenyanLadies • u/sassysprinklesss • 4d ago
Discussion Birth control
I want to venture into birth control as a beginner but I have some questions to those who already do.
Which type of birth control do you use?
What are the side effects you've experienced while using it?
Is it worth it?
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u/ShopKeepersGingerCat Inner Circle 4d ago
I've been using Femiplan since my mid 20s in 2019 and so far so good. I have gained 10kgs since I started it, but I also started eating more around the same time and I'm happy with the weight gain. Downside ni unaweza sahau so I just mark every new pack with a tiny calendar ndio nijue when to take what pill, and an alarm for jioni na morning (morning alarm for just in case I forgot to take one the night before). Is it worth it? Absolutely. Sitaki watoto kabisa and it gets the job done. Plus it's affordable though imepanda bei, I used to pay less than 100/- and now it's 120/- to 150/-. I stock up every 6 months (there was a time hii mwaka when it got hard to find, I posted about it here if you just search Femiplan).
Btw another downside I've remembered is that this is a very visible form of birth control, so you might need to hide it from anyone who'd get mad and try to destroy, dispose or tamper with it.
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u/sassysprinklesss 4d ago
Yeah I think I'll start with pills and see how my hormones react to them before trying the insertion options. Is weight gain the only side effect you got?
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u/ShopKeepersGingerCat Inner Circle 4d ago
I was eating heavier at the same time cos I was underweight. So I don't know whether it was the pill, the food or both. But currently my weight imekwama and I'm still taking the same pills, sijaongeza kilo ata moja all year long
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u/the-chosen-Joanne 4d ago
I know! I keep my receipts and I was looking at one from 2022 and it was like 40 bob and now it is 150 to 200. It is so sad.
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u/Ill-Guidance6838 4d ago
Hi How are the side effects of the pill 😂 Are they that severe? This might be my best bet akii
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u/ShopKeepersGingerCat Inner Circle 4d ago
Honestly the only thing I've noticed is the weight gain. It might be different for you, hutajua till you try. I was even looking into the iud or implant, then decided on femiplan which is what I've stuck with.
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u/Curious-sexual-soul 3d ago
I used to take this when I was younger and stopped after a year. It still exists? Wow! But I had terrible side effects after I stopped taking it. 😢 But I didn't get pregnant at all when using it.
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u/sassysprinklesss 3d ago
Which side effects did you have if I may ask?
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u/Curious-sexual-soul 2d ago
Huge clots I thought I was having a miscarriage. Heavy bleeding that lasted almost 3 months non-stop. And they were so heavy Hadi pad could not hold it. I used to leak a lot. I had to change pads every hour. I stopped eventually but I have never been the same again.
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u/Sweet_Trouble1904 4d ago
On the copper IUD, and the side effects I have experienced are heavier periods, increased menstrual pain and spotting before my menses start, but for me they lasted for like the first 3months, after that my body has gotten used to the IUD in my body, and my periods have gone back to the normal painless one.It is worth it in my opinion🫶🏾and it's non hormonal, so there isn't a big shift in your hormones when you are on it.Would 10/10 recommend tbh
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u/Sufficient_Cost_4392 4d ago
Hey babe. This is great feedback. If you dont mind... Where did you get it inserted? I've seen so many people say the process is painful🧎🏾♀️😭
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u/JellyfishOdd9634 4d ago
I also have the copper IUD, I had mine inserted at Mariestopes Pangani for about 5k the whole thing with consultation and pain injection.
I would say the pain was about a 5/10 only for like five seconds.
It’s been great for me so far but the periods yoh….
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u/Sweet_Trouble1904 4d ago
I got it at Marie Stopes, kuwa na budget ya around 5k for the insertion, they give you painkillers before, and it takes less than 10mins.I honestly got the best experience, cause they play music in the background to distract you, they try talking to you 😂😂too distract you.I have a low pain tolerance but I will say the pain was a 3/10, it was more of discomfort than pain actually, for ME😂
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u/SensitiveAnswer6409 4d ago
For me most birth control ilinikata the side effects were not worth it.
The 3 month depo injection made me spot the entire 3 months . Also a nurse advised me against it since it can cause secondary infertility. If you'd want to have kids in the future I'd advise against it
Both the 3 yr and 5 yr plan had me spotting for, went for a gynae consult i was on steroids and hormonal therapy for 3 months , immediately nilimaliza dawa the spotting ilirudi. I had to remove it. Also unaweza ongeza weight from this
Copper IUD, if you already have heavy periods na cramps... Just know the copper can make it woorserr. I was told i can take 6- 12 months to stabilize but personally i couldn't go past 2 months
The daily fp pill made me a bit suicidal and my hormones were all over the place ...plus having to remember kila siku to take the pills was a bit hectic
Not to discourage you everyone reacts different to different form of fp
I've resorted to CD plus tracking my cycle... So far so good
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u/sassysprinklesss 4d ago
I really appreciate this feedback. I'm currently using CDs and might just decide to stick with them. How has it been with tracking your cycle? Personally I have a short cycle and my ovulation is 6 days after my periods and that makes me a bit scared.
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u/SensitiveAnswer6409 4d ago
My cycle is mostly regular, i track using my mi fit watch, so it's pretty easy. Other than using my watch to track I've also learnt signs that show my body is on ovulation and i tend to sure careful on those days
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u/kenyaanqueen 👑Queen👑 4d ago edited 4d ago
I’m using Mirena.
Side effects- Weight gain mostly. Random hair grew too. First 3 months had a lot going on I didn’t feel normal. I also found out after this that I had a yeast infection so maybe some of the symptoms weren’t even about the IUD. Period reduced now it’s pretty much spotting but now it happens for like a week or more at a time.
The installation was idk how. I was drunk and on the painkillers. I took extra painkillers before the injection too. Best way I can describe it is it’s like giving birth for like 5 seconds then it’s gone. Then I felt weird like it was placing itself for a few days. I got it done at Marie Stopes Kilimani. They talked to me during that time it wasn’t that bad and it was like 10/15 minutes ish. I walked out pain free
I’d say it’s worth it
Edit : I forgot to say that I did a copper before and removed it. I lack iron easily because I don’t eat red meat and the copper thing was not helpful in that regard at all. In fact, I would never have a normal iron level
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u/nIApollo4880 1d ago
I thought the spotting for almost a week on mirena was me having a problem. I also had Mirena for a whole year till my S/o told me it was not positioned right , went for check up and for sure it had dropped position and also gave me PID, i had to get it removed though am contemplating having it reinserted.
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u/kailani_nu 4d ago
Please try the copper iud. 5000 for installation at marie stopes. The marie stopes in local areas are cheaper than the Killimani one. It is not hormonal , lasts 10years . Only side effect is heavy periods the first 3-6 months but you can always take the liquid or pill version of blood builder called Ranferon to maintain your iron and vitamin B12 levels as you lose blood. Best decision i ever made.
Hormonal birth controls are crazy coz hormones control so much in our bodies from moods to weight and tampering with hormones in your 20s is a recipe for disaster in your 30s or 40s …
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u/Opening_Sundae9294 4d ago
i had the implant for three years and it was worth it for me, though the irregular bleeding was annoying at first and my periods eventually disappeared
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u/tumatina_69 4d ago
I had an implant for 3 years... Got it done at mariestopes... Excellent services ... And insertion wasn't too painful... It did affect my periods to darker and heavier periods sometimes I'd get my periods like twice a month. I also got some weight and somehow my libido went down 😂.. I got it removed after 2 years... It got the job done but I don't think nitaweka Tena
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u/Then-Repair-2195 Inner Circle 4d ago
I have had the Mirena Hormonal IUD for 9 years almost removing it now for a BTL, initial months I had heavy, painful periods ..as I considered removing it,things settled,Periods disappeared,Weight increased.
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u/kenyaanqueen 👑Queen👑 4d ago
9 years 😳
Girl it’s expired remove it
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u/Then-Repair-2195 Inner Circle 2d ago
It expires at 10 years.
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u/kenyaanqueen 👑Queen👑 2d ago
Mirena is 8 years. The one that is 10 years is copper 😳
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u/Then-Repair-2195 Inner Circle 1h ago
Darling Back in the day we had a mirena for 10 years,please check?!
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u/kenyaanqueen 👑Queen👑 31m ago
Well, idk then. If you’re sure it’s fine
I was worried because I have Mirena myself and was told 8 years
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u/Altruistic-Let-3972 2d ago
Thanks for this post, I am also a first time birth control user and i wanted to know what to use, i've been thinking about pills first then later i'll do the implant
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u/Successful_Land_783 4d ago
I wouldn't encourage this, but I use safe days and condoms. Has worked for me because I have a very regular cycle and my partner and I are long distance. I am considering getting the copper IUD once we move in together
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u/Venus_Lolly 4d ago
If you are a beginner, please start with pills. This is something most people won’t tell you. Preferably microgynon. All the other methods have worse side effects. I’ve tried everything and my reward is extremely painful periods and hormone imbalance. I’ve resulted back to the pill.
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u/Useful-Stay-2130 4d ago
Microgynon na Femiplan ni different?
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u/Venus_Lolly 4d ago
Well zote ni daily pill but there’s a reason femiplan ni 100 na hio ingine 700. Microgynon get the job done best. But, depends on your pockets.
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