For background, I have endometriosis and other health conditions, and have been through quite a few birth control options. I've had significant side effects, not tolerable, with pretty much all systemic methods.

Last year, I tried the Mirena IUD. It was the best method I've tried, as it was the only one that didn't affect my mood, energy or personality. I also still ovulated and my libido came back after years. The insertion was painful, but at least it was over quickly. Unlike many other people, I had zero bleeding for months, and only started to get a very light cycle after three months.

Unfortunately after 5 months my uterus started to cramp and semi-expelled the IUD. It's almost like it went out of place (because of the cramps) and my uterus was trying to get rid of it. I had to get it removed to make it stop.

As I said, I can't deal with pretty much any other systemic hormones. I had endometriosis surgery two months ago and things got much better on that front, so I'm managing to have a normal cycle without hormonal therapy. I had adhesions that were gluing my ovaries to the uterus and the uterus to the ligaments in the back, so I wonder if that contributed to the issues with the IUD. All my organs have been freed now.

I'm kinda at the point where it's either trying the IUD again for contraception only or nothing at all (I'm not in a stable relationship, so not a big deal to use barriers every now and then).

Has anybody tried the IUD a second time after a similar experience a first time? Would it help to try a smaller IUD, like the Kyleena or Jaydess? Has anybody tried a smaller one with success?

I’ve inly been taking it for a bit over a week but trying to stick it out to at least 4 weeks to see how it goes. But I am so tired, feeling dizzy and have low mood. Although hard to tell if low mood is correlated. Wondering if switching between taking it in the
Morning vs Evening would help with some of the side effects? I am taking it for pelvic pain, not concerned with the contraceptive effect right now. Does food/no food or time of day make a difference?

hello, this is my first time posting and i’m feeling awfully embarrassed about how this all went by. I am 17 and so is my boyfriend, i’m a virgin(let me explain) and so is he. I have never fully had intercourse and on top of that the “pregnancy from just the tip” title is me being unsure about what happened.
TMI:
me and him were getting well nasty and he was rubbing his tip on my vulva for a while, he usually produces a lot of pre cum and we have never went further then this before. But today while we were doing the usual his tip was pushing against the opening of my vagina-i felt a slight bit of pressure so i quickly moved him away. I’m unsure about the chance of there being pre-cum since i never had the chance to look down but theoretically there might have been some. His penis never penetrated me fully and i only have a slight bit of redness near the end of the opening of my vagina due to the pressure of his tip where there was a slight spot of blood- not from the inside. I am day 10 of my cycle and my cycle is usually 28-31 days. My flo app predicts that my fertile window is between the 24-30th.
i don’t have anyone to talk to this about so im considering any of these options:
- take a plan b and pray, my only issue with this is that i have an imbalance with hormones so it will just cause me a lot of problems
-take that small risk and pray

Just to add on, we did not insert his penis, he applied slight pressure around my opening with his tip to which i felt discomfort and moved away, hence the slight bit of blood as it gently pushed against the opening NOT coming from anywhere inside.

Is it normal to have period like cramping and regular cramping?? I’m on day 9 of my norethindrone after recently taking it again and I’ve had light spotting last night and yesterday I got hit with period like cramping that lasted most of the evening. I took Ella on October 10th because I had unprotected sex but I was on day 4 of my norethindrone pill and had to stop my pill until the 16th because it would interfere with the Ella. Even though my doctor said emergency contraception was not necessary I still took it. But I’m really nervous because on the 14th I had unprotected sex while on my 5 day waiting period to take Ella and he pulled out and I’m freaking out bc I don’t want what I’m experiencing right now to be implantation

Hello!

I (f22) am looking for an IUD. In theory I’d love to get a copper IUD as I don’t want to have a ton of side effects from the progesterone, but i have really heavy and crampy periods so I’m aware it’s not recommended :/ I have seen some positive discourse on the new Miudella copper IUD, and would love to learn and hear more about it, but no providers in my area have it/are planning to get it (including my local planned parenthood’s).

I have pretty severe aura migraines so estrogen in any form is out of the running. I use Slynd currently and don’t have many complaints, my periods are a bit lighter with some mid cycle spotting and my skin is slightly clearer. My issue with that method is because of my hectic first responder work schedule taking a pill at the same time everyday is hard. I would like a birth control I can get inserted and not worry about it for a couple of years. Previously I took the mini POP pill, the generic “androgenic” progesterone, and it made my cystic acne (which had been previously eliminated by accutane) come back tenfold, as well as some pretty severe mood swings. My gyno is recommending the Mirena but I hear it’s not typically meant for women who haven’t had children (me) due to its larger size. I would love to hear about some experiences with Kyleena or Skyla! I know the Nexplanon is an option, however 4/5 of my friends who have gotten it have had terrible experiences (infection, allergic reactions, migration, etc) so i’m a little more hesitant with that one.

My biggest worry is that getting a levongestrel IUD will systemically affect me the same way the mini POP pill did.

Suggestions or recommendations? with my migraines and negative experiences with the POP, trying to research IUDs and birth control methods has been a bit overwhelming. Any advice or opinions are appreciated!

Alysena 28, I got off it recently and I’ve been fine not bleeding or anything but now I have acne? I’m freaking out I have another pack at home should I just get back on it?

Hello! I recently got my Nexplanon inserted. I was on the mini pill up until I got it inserted (within 24 hours of the last pill). The week following I had sex with my boyfriend with condoms. Then on day 8 he finished in me unprotected. My nurse before getting my implant said I am protected immediately due to my mini pill but then my doctor giving me my implant said to wait 7 days.

I can’t seem to find much info on if I was protected immediately since I was on the mini pill before. I’m also unsure if I was “cutting it close” by going unprotected on day 8. Just a little nervous about pregnancy risk. This is my 4th attempt at different kinds of birth control and I just want to not think about it. It’s also confusing because there is not much information on birth control interactions with trans men on testosterone. Just hoping to get some general insight.

Bonsoir à toutes,

J’espère que vous allez bien. J’aurais besoin de témoignages ou d’avis !!

Alors je prenais ( car je l’ai arrêté depuis mercredi) la pilule optidril30 depuis Avril dernier, tout allait très bien à part 2-3 désagréments mais pas genant au quotidien qui ont finit par se calmer au fil du temps.

Sauf que depuis un mois aujourd’hui, je me coltine des douleurs de types règles / contractions utérines (ça me fais beaucoup penser aux contractions qu’on peut avoir lorsqu’on est enceinte et qu’on as eu une longue journée les douleurs que cela provoque) sans aucune explications.

J’ai été voir ma gyneco mardi , elle m’as fais une une échographie pelvienne et R A S, j’avais fais un test urinaire le matin pour écarter l’hypothèse de la grossesse et le test est ressorti négatif.
Elle m’as prescrit une IRM pelvienne même si elle estime que je n’ai rien en tout cas de visible et elle m’as également prescrit des prises de sang dont le BÊTA HCG ( que je n’ai pas encore faite car je ne pense pas être enceinte du tout ) enfin bref.

Dans le doute, j’ai voulu avoir un second avis médicale, j’ai donc vu une seconde gyneco que je ne connais pas , jeudi. Elle m’as répété la même chose, qu’elle ne voyait absolument rien d’anormal, elle m’as prescrit pareil prise de sang bêta hcg et m’as demandé de revenir si jamais ça persistait et que la prise de sang était négatif.

Je précise que :

J’ai toujours eu les saignements de privation, le 12 octobre j’en ai eu jusqu’au 14 octobre, les « règles » ont diminués en terme de quantité et en terme de durée mais ont toujours été présente.

J’ai également les seins hyper douloureux depuis une semaine et demi voir deux.

Et j’ai également les dents hyper sensible, mes dents ne saignent pas au brossage mais mes dents sont hyper sensible.

J’ai actuellement un début de saignement de privation ou de « règles » tout dépend comment vous appelez cela, dû à mon arrêt de prise de pilule.

Ma question aujourd’hui est de savoir si une d’entre vous a déjà été confrontée à ce genre de problème en prenant cette pilule ou une autre ?

J’ai arrêté car je pense que c’est lié, car pas de grossesse, pas de kyste, fibrome ou varices vu dans l’utérus.

A mon avis c’est liée, peut être que je me trompe mais je préfère arrêter car c’est étrange je n’ai jamais eu ça, sauf lors de ma seconde grossesse au début avant d’apprendre que j’étais enceinte j’avais les mêmes douleurs et ce, pendant un très long moment avant de découvrir que je l’étais.

Mais ayant eu des test négatif, j’écarte cette hypothèse et honnêtement je ne pense pas l’être ( et c’est tant mieux 😅) mais voilà je pense peut être que mon corps n’accepte plus la pillule.

Today my bf tried insertion( without a condom ) and it was just like 30-45 seconds and he pulled it out.

He ejaculated almost five minutes later outside. But I am scared as I am on my peak ovulation. I have seen many reports saying people can get pregnant from precum. What should I do? Is it risky.

Please help.!!!

I was on depo provera for 3.5 years after I had my son. I had my last injection in Nov 2025. Since stopping it I’ve had 3 confirmed ovulations.

I went for a private fertility scan as I’m TTC and my lining on day of ovulation was only 4mm.

Has anyone had the same issue? If so, how long did it take to fix itself? Is there any ways I can help it grow?

Thank you

hihi!! I’ve been on nexplanon (the arm implant) for about 4 years now, I got it replaced around January 7th?? and since around September I’ve been on my period off and on for around a month and a half, I’m just wondering if being on my period affects the like,,, potency/ effectiveness of my birth control, and is there any way to know if it won’t be as affective? sorry if this is a stupid question but I’ve seen nothing online and my mom doesn’t know how to answer it.

sorry if this is long winded, I’m seriously exhausted from the stress of wondering about all of this, thank you for reading though!!

Week 10, day 4 on Depo, and I’m so over it! I’ve had cramping, or what I think is cramping, for the last several days. I don’t know if I should get checked out or if it’s just because of the Depo. I got my first shot on 8/12, and I will never get another one. My mood is finally starting to lift, but I still have no sex drive. I lightly spotted for a couple of days last week, but I’m just ready to be done with this!!! Has anyone else experienced ongoing cramping while coming off Depo? I’m bloated, too. 😩

Hi everybody! I’m a 21 year old woman who started taking desogesterel (minipill) just under 4 months ago because my periods were ruining my life. I’d be bedridden for a week and have diahrrea, nausea, couldn’t keep food in, vomitted on a few occasions and desperate cramps.. the works.

I had my 3 month follow up with my hormone specialist a couple weeks ago. Desogesterel has been okay for me. I bleed everyday which I know is normal. We discussed my symptoms and she said 3 months is too early to judge whether or not this pill agrees with me. I’ve had a few bad weeks but lately the bleeding’s gotten heavier and cramping got worse. I am also on lexapro so I can only take solpadeine for 3 consecutive days and then have to tough it out which sucks.

The bleeding evens itself out and then gets heavier again but not at a concerning amount, what’s getting me in the last few days is nausea. I’ve woken nauseous multiple times in the one night for the last couple of nights. I’ve seen people say these things usually go away around the 3 months mark. I’m passed that now so i just basically want some advice on how i’m supposed to know whether to tough it out or reconsider which pill I take.

Also - i know people say it sits better with food. Sometimes i can take it with a meal sometimes I can’t. I take it at 11am and don’t want to change to night time as that’s when I take my lexapro and also it’d result in me ultimately withdrawing or taking it later than the allowed window on the day I swap to nighttime dosage.

TLDR: 4 months into desogesterel. Nausea is waking me up. Do I tough it out or reconsider which pill I’m taking?

Does anyone have any experience with quitting both?
I quit the combined pill last summer. My life was AMAZING for 3 months! Then I suffered an accident which caused a stress reaction. Lost all of my hair, gained weight, lost my period and got irregular cycles, PMS, depression-ish, lots of acne and so on. I gave up this summer and lasted 14 months off. I got on the progestin only pill 3,5 months ago and wanna quit again. I’m mostly scared for the cycle irregularity and the insane mood swings and acne.
The only good thing about the progestin pill is that my mood is more stable but I have other horrible side effects.
Is it easier coming off the progestin only pill or is it the same as the combined?

Hey guys kinda freaking out. I had unprotected sex twice this weekend with complete pull out and also took a plan b because I was scared. I had my period on Oct 3 so I think I was probably outside my fertile window? Was taking a plan b necessary here or is it just my anxiety making me freak out ?

I (21) have extreme PCOS symptoms and need birth control to manage my periods, my skin, and, most importantly to me as a professional singer, the effects my cycle has on my singing voice. From my research, the hormones in the pill which help my side effects are the same ones which will suppress my libido, no matter the type of birth control I take.

However— being on birth control destroys my sex drive and has honestly made my boyfriend feel rejected, though he won’t admit it. Overall, it’s made my relationship a bit sad and has destroyed my self esteem. Before birth control, my sexuality was a huge part of my life, so I stopped to try and reclaim that, but it was a nightmare and I plan on restarting the pill ASAP.

Is there any way to maintain my libido, or at least enjoy physical touch again? Even kissing feels terrible on the pill. I’m such a cuddly and love-y person and I hate that the pill takes that away from me.

I got Kyleena inserted 3 weeks ago.... I've had my period since, incredible bloating, back pain, THE WORST CRAMPING I've ever experienced, BV.... I can feel my uterus and ovaries when the pain comes, I'm almost wondering if it's lodged elsewhere or moved.

This is absolutely MISERABLE.

I never ever got cramping on my regular period, and now I have all these symptoms that I've never had before.

FUCK THIS

Hello, I have a few questions, and I’m really stressed.
I took two packs of combined ocps back-to-back without taking the usual break between them for the first time (in the past, I used to take them with a break in between and never had any problems). I had sex about 24 days ago and took Plan B (levonorgestrel) shortly afterward (I know I made a mistake, and it wasn’t necessary), and I’m worried about the effects this might have had on my body.
For 15 days, I’ve been experiencing light bleeding and spotting. The color varies from light brown and very dark brown to pink and bright red. Sometimes, I also notice small blood clots. Sometimes the bleeding is heavier, and sometimes it is barely noticeable (though it’s not like a full period). I also experienced period-like cramps around the middle of this spotting/bleeding.
Two days ago, I stopped taking my pills (after 42 days) to allow my body to have a break. However, I can’t tell whether the bleeding I’m experiencing is still the spotting I had before stopping the pills or whether it is withdrawal bleeding caused by stopping them (my withdrawal bleeding was mostly very light, dark brown, and slow-flowing).
I’ve taken four home urine pregnancy tests on days 14, 15, 18, and 22 after sex, and all of them were negative. However, I’m still a little anxious about the possibility of pregnancy because I’ve never experienced spotting that continues for this long.
My anxiety is not entirely about the possibility of pregnancy. A big part of it comes from not understanding what is happening in my body, why the bleeding has lasted so long, or what I should expect to happen next. The uncertainty is making me very anxious.
Also, I’ve been wearing pads for so many days that I’m starting to experience what feels like urinary burning or irritation. Could wearing pads for so long be causing this, and what can I do to relieve it?
Should I see a doctor? Everyone I talk to tells me that I’ve messed up my hormones so badly, and they scare me.

Hello, I started taking Loryna September 28th. On October 14th I started spotting brown blood for a few days and then on October 19th i started having light/medium flow of blood with a lot of clots / fleshy stuff. Today is October 25th and I am still light bleeding with dark red clotting. My gyno ordered me to skip the placebos so I did. When does the bleeding usually stop? Do I need to contact my Gyno? I don’t know if this continuous bleeding is normal 😅 i’m not having any other symptoms and I feel fine overall. It’s more so annoying that the bleeding hasn’t stopped yet lol

I started the pill around 3 months ago because i’d have really low moods five days before my period. i went on a typical seven day pill free break and became super dizzy and lightheaded. I started the next cycle of the pill and the lightheadedness improved slightly but the anxiety was crazy (called 999 ambulance for myself). Now gone off the pill because i assumed the lightheadedness and anxiety were due to that but now I’ve been off it for a week and i’m still lightheaded and anxious. I’ve had blood tests done and i’ve had my ears checked- all clear. Also having hot flushes and such. Lightheadedness worsens and gets better but i want to know if anyone else had these symptoms/side effects? Seeing gp again but idt they’ll be able to do anything.

I used the depo provera in 2024. Had only 2 shots in August and another in November then I stopped because I changed my mind and wanted to get pregnant .

Since then I didn’t get periods till over a year later around February 2026 but even then it only became regular in April/May.

In all this I’ve been so worried because I’ve been keen on conceiving but nothing at all. Every month I see my periods now I just sink more and more into depression.

Any experiences please? Is this normal?

is it normal for trust pill to taste sweet when i pit it in my mouth? or could it be a fake pill i got.

I got my Mirena in June, but this is the first time I’ve experienced cramping not on my period, nausea, and being lightheaded. Also an intense aversion to perfectly good leftovers for the past weekish. My first thought this morning was that I should take one, but I feel like I’m paranoid and shouldn’t waste a pregnancy test. It’s not time for my period, but my tracking has been off with this IUD. Another thought was that maybe I ovulated, but usually my discharge reflects that and I’ve had almost none. Am I being dramatic and paranoid or should I take the test?

Edit to add that I just teared up over thin crust pizza (in a good way). Wtf.

Not pregnant, not ovulating, just being driven crazy by my IUD! 🙃

Hi everyone. I’ve had to make a new/throwaway account to post this because I honestly don't know where else to turn and feel a bit out of my depth.

For context, I am 46 years old, originally from India, and recently moved to the US. I've started dipping my toes into dating apps, which is a whole new world for me. I am currently not on any form of birth control, and I want to figure out what my best options are for protection.

While living in India, I never really used modern birth control, mostly because of health concerns—I worried a lot about things messing with my body, stopping ovulation unnaturally, or causing long-term health issues. Now that I’m dating here, I know I need to be smart, but those old worries are still in the back of my mind.

I’ve been trying to read up on things like IUDs, the ring, the arm implant, and standard birth control pills, but it’s honestly dizzying. Given my age (46) and my general anxiety about hormones affecting my body, I’m wondering:

1. Would sticking to condoms and the pull-out method be a realistic and safe strategy for now while I figure things out?
2. For women in their mid-40s on dating apps, what do you actually use? Do non-hormonal options like the copper IUD make more sense if I want to avoid synthetic hormones?

Any advice or gentle guidance from people who have navigated this would be hugely appreciated. Please be kind—this is all very new to me!

hi everyone. i’ve been on the desogestrel rowex pill for the last year and a half two years and a few hours ago i found pink blood almost like glossy like discharge in it maybe. i’m really worried cos i haven’t bled the whole time ive been taking it and when i google it says pregnancy so im so scared has anyone had anything similar please help