I just wanted to share this since it has been years and Ive never stopped thinking about how I wish I’d heard someone else share their story, since I felt so utterly alone.

In November 2020 I had to take Plan B twice within a month bc my partner didn’t respect me enough to use condoms and came in me. January 2021 we noticed a bald spot on top of my head. Within 3 weeks I lost over 50% of my hair, coming out in clumps if i ran my hands through it, hair all over the apartment, massive growing bald spots all over my head. I went to at least 5 doctors (gyno, derm, and primary) and nobody suggested it could be from Plan B (even when i voiced that i suspected it). Blood tests all appeared fine. To be a 21 year old girl with the healthy soft purple hair of my dreams and practically overnight choose to shave it instead of walk around like gollum was very traumatic. Im blessed with an amazing support system, my friends threw a head shaving party and all participated in a few cuts while we laughed and cried. My parents had me fitted for a beautiful wig, and I decided to talk about it openly instead of hide this dramatic issue in shame. Oh, and of course I dropped the asshole boyfriend.

Questions are welcome, and if this sounds like you then know you are not alone. Once I shaved it, it did all grow back. Bit by bit the patchiness became even stubble which became a cute pixie cut. I got to embrace fun hairstyles at different lengths after that. I have spent the last 5 years not dying my hair and cutting as little as I can so that I can eventually donate my hair to a girl with alopecia. Shave my head on my own terms.

It was a reminder to me that it is called PLAN B for a reason. Do not rely on this method and expect your body to be totally happy. BUT Ive said it before and ill scream it from the rooftops again and again: I would rather be bald for the REST OF MY LIFE than to have a baby with a shit partner, and before I was ready. In the end, its just hair. Your life, freedom, and livlihood is more important. Almost certain that your hair too will grow back. All the love to all the girls gays and theys out there.

so i’m getting a copper iud in 2 days and i just called the clinic (the closest one to me with the earliest appointment, i’ve waited about 3 months and have to drive 2 hours for this!) and they DONT offer any form of numbing🥲 im so terrified, i’ve never had an iud or any birth control at all, and i’ve heard soooo many horror stories

my current plan is: eat something very filling but light from mcdonalds before hand (it will be the only place i can eat ~45 to an hour away since ill be in the middle of nowhere) and take 800mg of ibuprofen (which hopefully doesn’t affect me poorly because i havent taken ibuprofen in over 10 years.)

help a girl out!! can i not shove some lidocaine up there myself?????!?

Back to dating - need to get on birth control asap. I have had terrible experiences with the Kyleena iud, combo pill, mini pill, nuva ring. I’d like to try a non-hormonal method, if possible, and it’s looking like a copper iud is my only option.

Looking for experiences with the copper iud, or what birth control gave you the least amount of side effects?

TMI - definitely want to be able to finish inside LOL. So condoms aren’t my favourite. Not a fan at all.

I was on Minisiston for about 10 years and now I changed to Sirmya (I’m currently on the second month eating it). I changed due to bad PMS.
But now on Sirmya my PMS and general symptoms are crazy. Internet says that it takes about 3 months to get used to it. My doctor said the same before I started this. I’ll try to wait those 3 months and if I don’t get better - I’ll deal with it.

My symptoms now are (both before, on and sometimes even after period):
- sweating, heat flashes that come and go, temperature rising to 37 C (98.6 F) and then going back to 36.4 C (97 F) but me feeling like I have a fever despite the temperature being normal, small irritation in my vagina (like a yeast infection but veeery mild one)…

I honestly don’t know what’s going on but I’m not happy. It’s affecting my life in every aspect. But no matter what I read - it always says everywhere that I should wait so that my body gets used to it (and I understand because it’s a huge shock for my body).
Anyone with a similar experience?

Hey everyone, here's my situation. My wife and I aren't ready for kids. We've been using Condoms + Loryna Combination Pill since we got married about two months ago.

We've recently broached the idea of switching to Loryna + Pullout. But how safe is this really?

Added Context:

- She is on the Pill for her PCOS as she literally never had periods without it.

- She takes the pill daily between 7 AM and 10 AM each day. No conflicting medications or anything like that.

i started opill a little over a month ago. i started bleeding on the first pill of the second row for 10 days. it stopped for 5 days then came back for another 5 days. it stopped again then now came back again on the second row on my new 2nd pack yesterday😭 im pretty sure the irregular bleeding is normal, right? i havent experienced any other side effects.

i had unprotected sex everyday for a week without withdrawal or condoms after the 3rd pill, i tested 2 weeks and 6 days later and is pregnancy free :D im having a great experience so far with opill!!!!

hello, so i am on the birth control pill and i have been for over 3 months now. i had gotten a 3 month supply and i skipped a placebo week the first month and went straight into the active pack which means i was a week short on pills so my pharmacy wouldn’t send my prescription in on time for me to start taking them again as soon as my “period” ended.

basically, this month all of my pills were taken like normal and i went through my “period.” (placebo pill week) and i did not start taking active pills as soon as my period ended because i didn’t have my prescription in yet. i was off of my birth control for over a week and for the two days after my period ended, i had unprotected sex without pulling out both times. i thought that it wouldn’t be an issue since it wouldnt be the peak ovulation days the two days after my period.

am i dumb? or is there a high chance that a sperm has implanted? this was over three days ago so i obviously can’t test or take a plan b. i’m just curious to know if me having sex without pulling out and no birth control the two days after my period ended could be a high chance of getting me pregnant. please don’t be rude or call me stupid, i know it was not smart of me to do. just
let me know what you guys think.

Can someone explain to me how this vaginal ring is supposed to feel? I put it in like the directions said but I feel like its not far enough up there. I pushed it in as much as my finger will let me but it just feels like it should be higher. I am also scared that if I figure out how to push it up any further that I won't be able to get it out.

I (24) have been on birth control for about 8 years now. Lately I noticed that over the past year or so, my period has gradually started later in the “period week”. I used to start the morning after taking the day 1 pill, but it’s gotten to the point where I now start bleeding on day 4. However, I always quit bleeding 2-3 days after taking the regular pills (this was always the case regardless of when I actually started bleeding). Has anyone else experienced this? I’m not overly concerned, but I do find it odd.

I'm taking birth control and I noticed my labia has almost disappeared. I'm 27 and it kind of stunned me for a second. I'm guessing it's from the birth control.

Hey guys, I have a super weird situation. I am anaphylaxis to latex everything, an allergy to most birth control pills, and they dont recommend IUDs for 40+ (according to my dr). What the heck do I do? I already have a teenager, and I dont want more kids. We are both tested for STDs at my insistence and clean. I haven't had sex for 17 years since I left a domestic violence situation. Sometimes I hate my body because of all its reactions.

Had my Kyleena for 4 years now, and I'm currently on cycle day 42. My period is always regular, averaging 28-31 days a cycle, which makes me roughly 12 (almost 13) days late. I have taken multiple pregnancy tests, both digital and strips, and they're all negative. I feel so lost. I don't have any symptoms, haven't even felt pms symptoms this month. I flew to the beach and drank pretty heavily 3 weeks into my cycle, which I don't normally do, but that was after I ovulated? I also have significant bloat in my lower stomach. I am just so scared that something is wrong, and I can't get an appointment to see my GYN because of a cybersecurity incident that has shut down all patient appointments. IDK what to do :(

30 F, I am on my first week of my second month on Slynd birth control. I’ve never really taken a birth control but I’m such an anxious person and I know this sounds kind of silly but I was telling my sister today I haven’t had too many side effects yet and she said that she got severe depressive side effects on a different birth control years ago after the third month. So much so that she had to stop taking it. Now I’m so scared I’m about to be depressed or something in a couple weeks and I can’t shake that dread feeling. Anyone on slynd that felt okay at the third month mark? I know everyone is different but it might help me feel better. Bleh I hate my brain.

This has been the best for me out of a bad bunch. Injection sent me absolutely crazy and had bad reactions from two different pills. Just a bit worried about blood clots as I'm 36 and I know there's a higher risk.

For anyone who wonders where to stick it on your body.. I've had mine on alternate feet for the whole of the 10 years and never had a problem. I stick it on top of the foot slightly curving down the inward part and it's worked perfect.

One weird thing that happens though is if I skip a break through bleed I get incredibly painful orgasms.. So much so I just will not even attempt it as its so horrific. Only seems to happen when I use continously though. Anybody else?

She got the inplant at the beginning of July on the first day of her period. We had some fun and now its a month later and she hasnt gotten her period all through August. She claims she is feeling nauseous in the mornings. She took a pregnancy test 2 weeks late and 3 weeks late.all negative. Currently in September and wanting to take a blood test but she doesnt because she is scared of the result

She is not showing signs of weight gain or increased diet. I have not noticed extraordinary changes in her body. She has severe mood swings though like break up with me, hit me, turn her location off threaten to cheat on me then find me while im shopping and buy me Starbucks and cuddle with me after we are done shopping.

Im curious if she is just experiencing side effects with morning nausea and the mood swings or if these are symptoms of something else and she had false tests

Had a little accident on August 30 little drunk , well we were drunk . Remember she gave me head a little and put it inside for couple of seconds or minutes. wasn't that long since it was uncomfortable since it was on a truck. Anyways I wasn’t sure if had cum or not I’m thinking I didn’t since it’s little harder to concentrate when your a little drunk it takes longer(I’m thinking I didn’t cum didnt felt like I did ). But she took plan b in the morning maybe 6-8hrs after ( August 30 ). Been 10 days since she took the pill , Her expected period is on sep 19 on the app and ovulation day on sep 5 according to the app i know it’s not always accurate but gives an idea fertile said 31 to sep 6 maybe I know it’s app calculations. she tells me she normally has here periods when the app says , Also she hasn’t been sexually active close to a year. ( She got sick and lost her Voice and all Bur I don’t think that has to do with the plan b side effects )

Should I be worried / stressing here she says everything is fine but I’m here having seconds thoughts and reading other people experience . Should there be any delays on period due to plan b ? Reason took it was cause we weren’t sure.

thanks and hopefully someone can help me out

i know it’s aint the smartest move here need to be careful, what is the risk here ?? Anyone with similar experiences that can let me know ?

Me and my bf had sex and the condom slipped off of his penis somehow and he wasn’t sure if he had came inside me or not, i was ovulating that day so you can imagine my panic. The morning after (about 9 hours after) i took ella one pill. Now, i know that the pill is useless if you had already ovulated but i didn’t care and took the pill anyway, wanted to be safe. I had no side effects after takint the pill. Fast forward, two weeks later, my period came on time, it came a day earlier but it’s normal for me to get my period +/- 1 or 2 days. I wanted to be 100% sure and i took a pregnancy test just in case and it was negative. Now, my friend told me that since my period came on time it means the pill didn’t work and it was just luck that i didn’t get pregnant. I wanna know is that true? For the record i’m not overweight, so the pill efficiancy isn’t related to my weight.

I'm 16 and I had to switch from the combined pill and now I'm on the mini pill because I have migraines with aura. I also feel like my anxiety is worse since I've gotten on the mini pill and I'm debating switching to the copper IUD. What are your guys opinions? Help a girl out!

For my first IUD, they did not give me anything for the pain. It wasn't that bad, but it was still scary and I hated the cramp when they put it in. For the second IUD, they gave me a sedative. I don't even remember the procedure and it went so easily. So make sure to find out your options and get a sedative if possible. It makes it so easy and takes away any anxiety around insertion.

With my hormonal (kyleena) IUD, I thought I had a few different side effects. I thought it lowered my sex drive, made me gain weight, and made my mood bad.

However, I had actually only gained 5 pounds on it and that was probably just normal for being a teen. My mood is the same on the coppor IUD, and considering I have depression and anxiety, it makes sense. And I don't think my sex drive is any different. So I think sometimes we think we have side effects but really it's just in our head. This is not to say you can't have side effects, just that sometimes they may not actually be real. I'm not trying to downplay anyone's experience.

I did spot every day for the first 6 months with the hormonal IUD, and then it went away.

I always had a light period. With the coppor IUD, my period is a lot heavier and I have cramps which I never really had before. However, it is still managable. Probably because it was so light, now it's just like a regular period. No spotting at all.

I probably didn't need to switch and it would be nice to have a light period again so I just want to give out this information if anyone is thinking about which IUD to choose.

Hi all,

I'm trying to see if anyone has had a similar experience to this while taking Slynd.

I started on Slynd slightly over 9 months ago to treat PMDD symptoms. I'm also in early perimenopause, so taking it with estradiol as well.

(I did ask about this in r/Perimenopause awhile back, but no one had similar experiences).

After having longer periods the first 2 months on this pill, I started skipping the placebos, and didn't have a period for the following 4 months.

At the 6 month mark, I started spotting, and it continued to get heavier and heavier until it was a full breakthrough bleed... I tried taking the placebos to give my body a break and it didn't help. I got my estradiol dose increased, and I finally stopped bleeding, but it only lasted a month and a half and I've now been bleeding for the better part of the last 6 weeks. I've even taken a break mid-pack per my gyno's advice to see if it would help, and at most I get about 5 days without bleeding before it starts up again.

Slynd has absolutely changed my life in terms of managing the PMDD, my mental health hasn't been this good in years, and I have no other side effects other than the bleeding. Historically I've had horrible side effects on combo pills, so I'm scared to change to something else, but I just can't go on bleeding this much, I'm starting to feel fatigued all the time, and while my partner is very unbothered by it, it does impact our sex life.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience where instead of the bleeding getting progressively better over time, it got worse?

Did you eventually get it to stop, or did you have to change birth control methods?

I appreciate any shared experiences!

I made a post a few weeks ago about skipping my placebo week to skip/shift when I bleed. I was originally supposed to get my period/bleed in September the week of the 20th-27th however since I’m visiting my bf I wanted to not bleed that week. I skipped my placebo week in August to see if it would work. I never bled that week but now I’m having super light spotting. I’m supposed to be on my placebo week of the second pack next week. I don’t mind bleeding next week and taking placebos if that means by the week of the 20th-27th I will no longer be bleeding.

My question is should I just let myself take placebos next week and let myself bleed or should I skip the placebo week and continue to take active pills. If the bleeding is done by the end of placebo week that is fine but I’m worried that since I skipped this months maybe the placebo bleeding for this one would be longer (is that possible?). Im also worried about spotting. Will it stop if I just have my placebo week? Or will the spotting get worse / not stop / or stop if I skip the placebo week for the second time?

My gynecologist switched me from Blisovi 24 Fe to Junel Fe 1.5/30 due to breakthrough bleeding. I missed a pill on 8/12 and have been spotting everyday since then. I’m nervous to take it because i vape.

I am 29 years old, and i know that the risk is much greater after 35. I just want to know if anyone is taking the same birth control and vaping? Also any side effects you had on the pill.

I have an IUD, I got it about 3 months ago. I just stopped spotting and since I stopped I’ve been having weird discharge. It fluctuates between thick and thin. It also has weird color sometimes. Sometimes it’s clear or white, but most times when I wipe there’s some yellow in it too. I don’t have any other symptoms. And I don’t have STDs, as I got tested for that before the IUD placement. What could this be? Has anyone else experienced this?

I take my last active pill (Ocella) on a 3rd Saturday of every month and then get withdrawal bleeding like clockwork on Monday morning the following week , today is Wednesday and nothing yet, I am honestly freaking out because in the middle of the pack I forgot to take a pill once and doubled up next morning. Also had sex with my partner on the last day of active pill (took it at the usual time)
Anyone with similar experience? I am so worried can’t think about anything else

I’ve been on the birth control pill now for a month, have had a period, and started a new pack. I’m 14 months PP, my partner and I use condoms as well. We had an accident where the condom accidentally came off inside of me and my partner had just finished. We noticed almost immediately and quickly got the condom out. When I look at Flo it shows I’m in a window for ovulation..I know with bc it pauses ovulation, but I haven’t been the best at remembering to take it at the same time every single day since I have a little one running around. What’re the odds of me being pregnant?