r/birthcontrol

i’m (20F) looking at going on contraceptives for the first time and i’m kinda terrified with the side effects and the horror stories i’ve heard from friends.

i did some basic research and im scared of any form of a nausea side effect (i love emetephobia) and i was suggested a progestogen only pill since apparently it’s only oestrogen that tends to cause nausea?

does anyone have any experiences they can share of being on this pill regarding side effects, if it actually stopped your period, weight gain/loss etc would be very grateful :D

I remember looking for success stories when considering birth control and only found a sea of horror stories.

If you're someone considering your options right now, here's a look into my decision making along with my experience on Mirena for 6 years!

I was 17 when I decided to go on birth control, and was only surrounded by the pill form at school. I never considered any other forms until I met with my gyno and heard there were options where I didn't need an alarm to go off at the same time everyday. I'm horrible at remembering to take meds, and with my graduation coming up, I needed something I could forget about.

My gyno was a middle aged man who was actually very informed and cautious when dealing with me. Another success story! But he proposed all my options from the pill to the rod to the IUD.

I had one consultation before landing on the Mirena IUD, and here's my breakdown why-

The Pill:

My friends were on this and disliked it- weight gain, emotional deregulation, and the forgetfulness to take it. I witnessed too many "close calls" of them being unsure if they took it- and controversy around whether to take the sugar pill or not. I said I'll skip it.

The Rod:

This has a name I cant think of right now. Nexa...something. It's a rod that goes in your arm. At the time, I was big into working out and weightlifting. It was suggested to avoid the rod if I were training my arms heavily (I was) so I skipped it. If I remember correctly, it also didnt last as long. I have heard 50/50 about the rod, but I think it ultimately depends on the person.

Copper IUD/IUD alternatives:

I understand the idea of doing hormone-less birth control, but the copper IUD was explained to me like it was a medieval torture method. Lots of blood, lots of cramping, lots of weight gain, and lots of emotional deregulation. I do not know anyone personally who chose this, and this is only what I've heard. I skipped it.

Mirena IUD:

This was pitched as a less-terrifying copper IUD. I heard it could have similar pill symptoms of weight gain, depression, etc.. But that it was generally lower chances. Yes, it hurts upfront, but then you're good for 8 years (again, this is how it sounded to me). I said great! Less chance of bad symptoms at the risk of being in pain upfront- deal!

Insertion:

This is what I wanted to focus on, because there are so many horror stories, and I'm extremely thankful my gyno listened to my needs. I requested general anesthesia to numb my cervix. My GYNO approved it, and was waiting on the nurse to drop off the vial it comes in, so he stepped out, and in comes the nurse... with no vial. I immediately call this out- which thank god- she was going to skip it!!

"It takes extra time.."

I felt quite frustrated then. I said what's the point in asking? She copped a little attitude about it before my gyno walked in and demanded it. He was the one who injected it near my cervix and it only pinched the first 2 times. In my opinion, I highly recommend general anesthesia. My sister had the same procedure done without it and said she couldn't walk/wanted to pass out.

After I was numbed, they went in with the grabbers to hold the cervix steady. This is what USUALLY really hurts, but the numbing made it way more tolerable!

Next, as they insert, your body attempts to push the foreign object out while they try to get it in the right spot at the top of the uterus. They describe these as "cramps".. those were not cramps.. those were contractions. I had 4-5 full blown contractions before the IUD landed in the right spot.

He then takes all his tools out, and we're done! I'm told to check the strings weekly (which I'm bad about.. sorry gyno lol) and to monitor symptoms.

The next 6 years on Mirena:

- No weight gain, if anything, weight loss.

- Emotions seem regulated, therapy helps ofc

- No period (AWESOME!!!) my favorite symptom

- Very few times, but periods of sharp cramps that came and went quickly

- Yes, uprotected intercourse (it's intended use) and no pain during

- (Strangely) in the early stages, my partner could feel the strings, just something to be prepared for

- No baby scares! My friends on the pill have had occasional baby scares, but the IUD gives so much peace of mind

This is my successful experience. I plan on replacing this IUD when the time comes, and find myself suggesting trying it to a lot of people. I hope this helps someone looking for information or relatable experiences. If you have any other questions about what Mirena is like, please let me know, I'm an open book.

TL;DR

I've been on Mirena IUD for 6 years and it's been a wonderful experience of zero periods and manageable, long-term intimacy. I wanted to share to throw a success story in the sea of horror stories which scared me when I was looking all those years ago.

Yall… I just found out that they are no longer making the only birth control pill that has kept me from being on a rollercoaster due to insane hormone issues for years.

Someone who had to change from brand name Seasonique or the Mylan equivalent…. Please tell me what you’re doing.

My dosage is 0.15-0.03-0.01

I’ve been on the depo shot for more than 3 years now. I’m thinking it’s time to get off as the side effects seem like they’ve been getting worse.

Besides hormones and weight gain, I’ve been having really bad back pain recently. I had a lower back injury sometime last year that had so far subsided. At first, I thought it could’ve been my injury not fully healing. But the pain keeps coming and going no matter what I was doing and seemed worse than my actual injury. (Standing, sitting, walking. doesn’t help I’m on my feet 8-10 hours a day for work) I’d feel tingling in my lower spine every so often. And the pain keeps moving around, radiating up to my upper back and hips. On worse days, it would go down to my legs. I had no accident since then the first one I mentioned, and the pain just suddenly came out of no where during dinner one day.

I’ve been told lower back pain is a side effect for the depo shot but wasn’t told the pain might be connected to it. Originally, I was on depo also because I had really heavy bleeding and bad cramping during my periods. My PCP suggested I consider maybe switching to an IUD instead.

I’m considering the copper IUD since I think I’m done with all the hormones (little to no libido, weight gain, etc) I wanna know what anyone’s experience with the copper IUD was like. I’m also sort of a baby and scared about thinking how it’s inserted so pls lmk how that went for you as well, thanks!

I got my Kyleena IUD out and a copper Paragard one inserted. We have Altrua Healthshare and they don’t cover ANY birth control under any exceptions. I am wondering and praying that there is some company that would cover this?? Or if I switch insurances would they pay this after it’s already done? This is so frustrating I’m 21 years old newly married and just cannot afford this ughhh.

I was suspecting no estrogen from Slynd and my own estrogen fluctuations were triggering especially mood swings (depression, lethargy) and migraines. I was correct because since going on Nextstellis my mood is much better and my migraines didn’t happen again. However, I’m having the following side effects: feeling anxious or agitated (like jittery, nervous, having nightmares, sleep disturbances, waking up scared or worried) and dizziness. Seems like estrogen is wiring me up (?). Is this a normal side effect? Idk if it will go away. Slynd’s downsides never did after 4 packs.

Hello! So I started the Zafemy patches back in November 2025. I went to pick up my refill a few days after my cycle ended so I was already off it for a few days (ik I’m sorry got busy) and they wouldn’t fill it. I haven’t been able to get them since. I haven’t had a period since then either. Have had protected sex a few times and there were no holes, leaks, or rips. I haven’t had pms type symptoms all the time though but that’s normal for me anyways. My question is, should I be worried about possible pregnancy? I know I sound crazy but at this point I just need the reassurance or something cause my family would kill me and it’s freaking me out.

Has there been any cases of getting pregnant off of precum with an iud??

My and my bf never have sex with a condom and I always find myself scared about getting pregnant every month but we both hate condoms.

To start, I just wanna say that overall the nexplanon has been incredible. When I got it implanted in 2021 I felt no pain, and had just mild bruising and tenderness for a week or so. As a transman it's discrete, I don't have to think about it at all, and no pelvic exam needed. Until I get a hysto it's all I plan on using.

That being said, getting it replaced was kinda traumatic lol

I just went to get it replaced today. I have gained like 30 pounds since the first implant, largely in muscle. I knew my implant was deep in there, but I could still feel the end of it.

The doctor was worried she wouldn't be able to get it out. She numbed me up with lidocaine but I still felt the incisions, probably only cut the pain in half if that. She said she already used 3 ccs and if she used more it would sit in my skin and make it harder to feel the implant.

Once she finally got it, she had to cut at some scar tissue to get it free. Feeling the cuts and the pulling was probably a 6/10 pain with the lidocaine, but the whole experience was so painful and uncomfortable I almost passed out.

I also felt the new implant being inserted and it was AWFUL. I needed a lot more numbing than I was given, and the implant being so deep made the whole process twice as long. she asked if I wanted to feel it in my arm when it was done and I said no because I thought I would faint if I did.

I probably should've gotten it replaced like 2 years ago when I first noticed I couldn't feel it as much tbf. It was fairly deep in my arm.

But I left the office woozy and wanting to cry from the whole thing.

She wrapped my arm with a pressure bandage to stop the bleeding and the bruising. Can't get it wet and have to keep it on for at least 24 hours.

Hopefully I will be able to get a hysto soon and never deal with this shit again.

Let this be a warning, if you can't feel the implant, go to your doctor asap!

Hi! I have been taking Mili (Estarylla) Birth Control pills for the 4 years. I had to get out of my job for a few months but now I'm without insurance and my prescription refills have ended. I should be back to my job next month and my insurance would come back the month after but l am trying to find out what to do in the meantime for my birth control prescription refill.

I recently found out that there is Opill which is a OTC birth control and I could buy a 3 pack for as low as $50 at the pharmacy. Is it reasonable/safe for me to take Opill while without insurance and then get back to my Mili prescription once I have my insurance again and can go to a doctor?

I'm open to other suggestions as well. Just trying to find out an efficient and affordable way to stay on birth control during this transitional period without insurance.

Also, if I do end up switching to Opill for this 3 months period, what should I be aware of related to switching from Mili to it?

Last night I had diarrhea about an hour and a half after taking my pill, it was straight liquid and just the one bout. I'm on my last week of pills do I need to worry about being protected?

Hi everyone! I am scheduled to get my Skyla IUD removed this Wednesday morning, and I'm flying out of state for a friend's bachelorette weekend on Friday.

Here are my questions for all of you:

Do you think the effects (physical, emotional, etc.) of removal are likely to impact (aka ruin) my trip? I've heard that getting IUDs removed is kinda no big deal, but should I push removal back till after my trip just in case?

How did you feel after getting your Skyla IUD removed? Did you have big emotional mood swings? Heavy cramping? Other symptoms?

Additional Context (if it matters):

I've had this IUD in for about 2.5 years, so I'm coming to the end of its life anyway, and my strings feel longer to me lately, so I think the IUD has shifted a little. Therefore, it seems like I should just get it removed now rather than waiting 6 months, especially since I am now engaged and don't feel I need it. I don't plan to go on any new birth control after it is removed. I know I could always push the appointment back, but I'm kinda itching to get it out because since it feels like it moved a little, I've had some weird sensations/cramps and some extra acne popping up, which I think may be related.

My insertion was extremely painful in the moment, and I had intense cramps for a few days after. I've heard getting it out is much easier, so hopefully that's true! But please share your honest thoughts!

two weeks ago I was running out of bc and had to take the placebo pills while waiting for the refill (normally I just skip the placebos) since I started the new pack 2 weeks ago ive been bleeding. it started as moderate spotting to heavy bleeding.

I decided to pause taking the pills until the bleeding stops because I cant stand being on my period so long.

I dont have health insurance so I dont have a doctor to consult but I spoke to a pharmacist who of course suggested i talk to my doctor.

does anyone have a similar experience? Will i just start bleeding again once I get back on the pill?

im taking slynd

In 2019 I had an iud (paraguard) removed and my gyno at the time said it was "stuck in my myometrium." She got it out in office, but it required a lot of effort. I eventually got another iud (mirena) in 2023, and now that one is embedded (found on ultrasound).

My current gyno is recommending removing it in the OR and placing a new one at the same time. After two embedded iuds I'm a bit wary of them.

Is having an embedded iud more likely after previously having an embedded iud? I will discuss my concern with my gyno, but want to hear from others first. I might just ask for the nuvaring or something else instead.

I’ve just started the Levest pill. I’ve just taken the last pill of my first pack so am about to have my first 7 day break. I haven’t really had any side effects at all so far, apart from tiny breakouts- but I am really really acne prone anyway and have always struggled badly with my skin and some cramps, but not bad at all.

I have had some ‘breakthrough bleeding’ as google tells me, and this bleeding is on and off during the day but is really light, it mainly comes as I wake up in the morning. However when I have sex this is pretty bad, which is like every 2/3 days on average. At first ( when i first started the pill) the bleeding was pretty bad and went all on him the first two times so we took a long break ( as i also had cramps during it as well), but we’ve started doing it regularly again as I have no pain at all during. (FYI these first two times we didnt use condoms but every other time we have)

Now I am finishing my pack and I still bleed as I did before and still bleed during sex. i just feel like Im ruining it for him and feel really annoying as he did’nt see a need for birth control in the first place - we have always used condoms.

I was just wondering if anyone can offer advice, will this bleeding esp duringsex

(idec about bleeding normally its pretty chill) slow as I start my second month and am I just overthinking as I’m new on it

The reason I (M21) say partner/date is because I’ve known of people in my friend group that since they were friends or close acquaintances but also even though they weren’t official yet they didn’t use them after like the first date

I know that it’s all about each other‘s comfortability but hypothetically if you all were going to go on a date and you were either friends or friends or friends and had been dating for like weeks/month and birth control is being used would you consider not using anything else?

Hello! I just started slynd 4 days ago after being on combo birth control for about almost 4 years so I thought I’d make a post about it and keep updating it as I go along!

4 days in:

I feel good, I lost about 9 pounds of water weight! My face looks a little slimmer and I feel more confident about myself. There hasn’t been any spotting. Dreams have been kind of weird like people have talked about. I don’t notice a difference in appetite but I do notice a difference in my attitude because the tiniest thing would piss me off at work and now it’s just rolling off my shoulders. It’s going well so far!

Hey there!!

I’m looking for other people’s experiences having side effects from plan B that last for months.

Jan 5 i took the generic plan B from costco.

Since then i’ve had my first ever yeast infections (i’m 33), and my libido has been dramatically reduced to the point where nothing gets me in the mood. Im at 3 months out, and I’m still experiencing these side effects from my hormones being out of whack.

Took plan b/ BC 10 years ago and never had these issues so im wondering if anyone else has had this experience last for months? And if so, what steps you took to regain your libido and ph balance?

Ive been taking two different expensive probiotics and thats been helping with my ph but nothing is helping with the libido that was super active before i took the plan B :( my partner is getting anxious and blaming himself :(((

so I've been on birth control since 2023 of December. I started the xulane patch everything was fine and then my pharmacy switched to the generic brand literally for the past year every month I am sick. I can't eat. I have body sweats. It's just one week out of the month most of the time it's when I take the patch off and then put it back on for a week one I take it off when I have my period. Does anyone else suffer from this? I'm gonna try to go back to the original brand of birth control. Once my insurance changes back to Blue Cross but any other women have these problems I'm sick and tired of dealing with this pain. it's unbearable feeling like this every floppiy day I'm literally 20 years old. I shouldn't have to go through this. I shouldn't feel like I'm Going through menopause

Hello, I got my nexplanon implant May 2025. I understand that one of the potential side effects was bleeding/ spotting and that has been the case for me continuously ever since I got the implant. However, last week I started taking Irish sea moss (2 capsules a day) and since I started taking sea moss my spotting/bleeding has stopped completely which was wonderful!!! I thought it might've been a coincidence so I stopped taking it and 48 hours later the bleeding has come back. Any ideas on why this could be? Coincidence or is the sea moss actually helping with the spotting?