u/Complex-Living-6831

I occasionally get migraines with aura, which means I cannot take birth control containing estrogen (the combo pill, nuvaring, or the patch).

I developed PMDD while on the mirena (hormonal) IUD, was diagnosed when I went off birth control after that.

I’m currently on a norethindrone, which is a progesterin-only pill. I tried Slynd before norethindrone and immediately got terrible headaches, nausea, and negative libido. I’ve been on this pill since October and for the last 3 months I’ve had irregular bleeding, cramps throughout the month, missed periods, bloating, acne, and fatigue.

I’m at a loss of what to do next. The constant cramps and bleeding is exhausting and the missed periods extends my PMDD symptoms and makes it all very unpredictable. A new gyno said that I’m out of options other than the implant or the depo shot. The depo shot I’m very terrified of because it’s a three month dose and once it’s in there, it’s in there. The implant she said can make PMDD worse but she has patients who have seen improvement. Psychologically I’m not sure I can handle the weight gain associated with the implant.

I’m desperately asking if anyone has been in a similar situation. I did so well on the combo pill, I miss it! Pregnancy is not an option I am entertaining. I could go off birth control but the idea of an accidental pregnancy is terrifying with the associated hormonal changes from pregnancy and then abortion.

Thanks for reading

Not trying to be shady. What do people mean in this subreddit or in the app chats when they say "X type of workout gives me inflammation" or "X contributed to my inflammation"? Are you running a fever? Are you physically inflamed or puffy? Are you getting blood tests testing your C-Reactive Protein? What do you mean?

Just a rant.

I’ve decided to avoid the Align chat for this series apart from Sasha’s updates because I’m genuinely at my limit with weight loss talk. I know that lots of people work out to lose weight and I respect that. But with Shred coming up it’s really ramped up, and I already feel like glp1 and weight loss is being shoved down women’s throats. My gym is pushing glp1s. My *dermatologist* is pushing glp1s! They are amazing drugs for people who need them but it feels like the early 2000s again. And seeing everyone’s goals for Shred being to lose inches or see the scale budge or stay in a caloric deficit is just exhausting. I’m not someone who’s ever had a history of disordered eating but ~society~ is really kicking my ass right now.

Not sure if anyone relates! Just wanted to rant xx