If you have questions about or want to discuss methods of birth control, this is the place for you! Please see our sidebar for some great resources.

I had to switch off of the combo pill due to blood pressure. I've taken Slynd for three months and was trying to give my body time to get acclimated. I noticed weight gain in the first couple of weeks but realized today at the three month mark, that I've gained 17 pounds. I'm trying to figure out if the weight gain will subside or if I need to go off Slynd since I can't continue gaining weight so rapidly.

I (26F) had a Kyleena IUD inserted 7 days ago. I didn't have much cramping or spotting until the 5th day. Since day 5 the cramping got worse (but it's not constant) and there's more bleeding (not as bad as during a period but I do have to use pads). I'm scared the iud got displaced because a day prior to when this started happening I had a lot of sexual activity... I just wanna know if anyone had something similar happen and it turned out to be nothing? I already messaged my doctor but until I see her I don't want to be needlessly scared 😅

Hi everyone. I quit birth control 6 months ago and I’m starting to get some pretty serious breakouts. I haven’t changed anything about any of my routines so I’m assuming that’s what’s happening. I’m looking for some advice on how to manage it if at all possible! It’s happening on my face, chest & back and it’s making me really insecure. I know it’ll balance out in some months but if anyone has advice I’d greatly appreciate it.

Hi hi

I’ve recently decided to be on birth control, I’m taking Yasmin (combo pill) and I’m on my 2nd to 3rd week. So far, I’ve made sure to take the pill on time.

I’m experiencing spotting or a light bleeding since the start of 2nd week. I’ve searched and it is most likely breakthrough bleeding?

My partner and I are thinking to have sex without a condom, would it be safe? Would the pills still be effective despite the bleeding?

Also, how long should breakthrough bleeding be?

Please help a girlie out 🥺 Any advice would be appreciated! I’m quite anxious about it since I’m new to birth control in general.

I had a Mirena IUD inserted in July. I am super sensitive to hormones and was going to get the copper because the pill made me CRAZY. But my doctor convinced me otherwise, which I have come to sorely regret, and will likely remember forever. (If you are a healthcare provider, PLEASE listen to your patient). It has now been 6 months, and I have steadily had a worsening foot smell that I have never had a problem with before. Nothing about my cleanliness has changed, I wash my shoes frequently, and am actually quite uptight about being clean. This weekend, the smell of my feet was so pungent I had to purchase a foot powder to apply after showers (which is so far not working). I am a college student, so a young woman working on confidence and general esteem, and this is CRUSHING me. The IUD insertion was extremely expensive for me, even with insurance, so I am probably unable to have it removed right now. I'm also sexually active and want a form of birth control, so a removal would need to be followed by the copper insertion. Too much money. Please, please share if you have had a similar experience or have any advice. I am so embarrassed, and having a hard time dealing with this.

I took my combo pill two days ago at 7 AM, and my pill yesterday at 3 AM because I had an early flight and I take it right when I wake up. Today I took my pill at 7 AM. Am I still protected? Or is today’s pill late?

Hello I’m switching from junel Fe 1 mg-20 birth control to Nikki 3 mg. Is this a good one ? My experience with junel has been bad ( depression, stomach pain , sleeping problems) so I’m switching.

I just got my nexplanon implant removed 10 days ago after having it for 8 years and in its place I got the paragard iud. It sounds bad but after being on hormonal birth control for that long I don’t know anything about my cycle, how long or heavy it usually is. I’ve been bleeding and cramping since I got the iud in and it’s not debilitating but I’m wondering how long does it usually take to adjust and get back to having a normal cycle? Hormonal birth control really screwed up my hormones and I didn’t even realize it until very recently

I am currently taking a generic version of LoSeasonique at a very low dose. The only issue is I have breakthrough bleeding every 6 weeks which leads me to take an off week just to get it to stop. I have been on this pill for years and this has happened regularly for years. Besides that, I don't have noticeable negative side effects.

I was thinking about asking for a higher dose version but worry it will come with a bunch of side effects. The only reason I want the higher dose is to be able to go 11 weeks without bleeding. Should I try the higher dose?

currently on week 2 of the patch, not many symptoms except random dizzy spells- which can be really annoying and take a second for me to snap out of. my appetite DID increase, so I am expecting to have weight gain but honestly it’s okay, i’m not too worried about that- bodies are meant to fluctuate with weight. however i would like to say that my breasts are SO much fuller already- i used to have sore and swollen breasts when i pmsed but they would go back down after a day or two, but my chest seems to keep increasing slowly- even my boyfriend noted that they look fuller and feel heavier lol. i was just wondering if anyone who experienced soreness and swelling kept their size or if it went down! i really dont mind either but hoping for the first rather than the latter. thanks!

I’ve been on birth control for about 3 years. Different brands consist of Larissa, Vienva, Syeda ,Tri- estarylla, Norethindrone 0.35 and now Slynd. The reason for stopping the others was for break through bleeding. Now it wasn’t as bad as this. My new gyno put me on Slynd because I have migraines. I didn’t bleed the first month but ever since I’ve been bleeding the second week into the pack for about 15 days. It’s not even regular blood it’s like really dark brown almost black stuff coming out and towards the end then it’ll turn red. I’ve been reading around and different people have had similar problems that stopped or it didn’t stop. I went back to my doctor and she suggested that I try a different form of birth control. The IUD, arm implant or the shot. I don’t want neither and I’ll tell you my reasons why. The IUD because of how painful it is to put it in and in some cases it gets imbedded into your uterus. The arm implant simply because it gets lost. The shot because they have a lawsuit against them now and everyone I’ve know that has taken it has blown up. So in my case since I’ve tried several pills and have had problems should I just give up on birth control all together or try to give this pill a few more months to try to work out the kinks?

I started a pack but I’m not on my period. Just finished my first week and was wondering if it would still be effective.

I’ve had the paraguard for about 6-8 months and since getting it I’ve experienced dryness and a low libido. This is very unlike me. Unfortunately I can’t be on hormones so I’m not sure what to do. Has anyone else experienced this or other odd symptoms? I’m curious as to what others have experienced with paraguard.

Has anyone else has an IUD insertion fail twice? The second time I was even on my period 😭 I'm feeling a little discouraged and was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. The reason my Dr. gave my both times was that my cervix was too closed, and she referred to me to a specialist this time around after our second attempt.

Sharing my experience after getting my Liletta IUD removed after 7.5 years.

• I had Liletta placed in March 2017 (age 19) and removed in October 2024 (age 27)
• Removal hurt just for a second
• I had some very light spotting immediately after
• I started my first period exactly 4 weeks after removal
• First period seemed normal, but maybe more clotting than before. Lasted 5 days.

I will update if my second period brings anything surprising!

I’m switching from Aurovela Fe 1/20 on Sunday to Junel Fe 1.5/30 to hopefully stop the breakthrough bleeding/spotting I have in between cycles. I take BC obviously for pregnancy protection but also to help painful periods. How has everyone else’s experience been on this pill? I get nervous when switching pills

What are my chances if pregnancy if I take hormonal combination birth control pills for over a year now every day at 8:10am, through October 21st through the 27th I took week 1 regularly then through October 28th through November 1st I took week 2 the first 5 pills regularly. Then on Saturday the November 2nd I skipped my pill, then on Sunday November 3rd I took Saturday and Sundays pill around 6:00pm. Then I took November 4th through the November 10th I took week 3 regularly with the exception of Monday November 4th an hour and a half late. Then week 4 was my sugar pill week and I don’t take the non active pills. I also received my withdrawal period during my sugar pill week through November 14th through the 19th. On the 16th I had oral sex and semen may have gotten on my finger, seconds later I touched my labia and well as maybe the opening of my vagina, then 30 seconds to maybe a minute later I inserted a tampon without an applicator so just using my finger to put it in. On November 17th I took a generic name plan B that evening. Since then it’s been around 2 weeks, during those 2 weeks I have experienced breast tenderness which is normal for my cycle though, I also have experienced hot flashes, a little bit of nausea, my nipples seeming a little bit bigger then going back to normal, then my areola’s seemed darker then they returned back to normal, then I experience light cramps, and I’ve also seen a white spec that seemed to come out or have dried on my nipple that is hard to remove, I also have creamy white discharge with like cottage cheese like chunks. December 1st I took a pregnancy test in the middle of the day so not first urine, then December 2nd I took a pregnancy test first urine in the morning but the test was previously left in my car for 4 and a half hours in 20 degree weather in the package / wrapper in the box so I’m not sure how accurate it is. My next withdrawal bleed is predicted to come December 12th.

I have been on the pill for seven years or so. I take it continuously (skipping the sugar pills) and have been the whole time I’ve been on it. I have not once ever had any spotting, bleeding or any period symptoms. I randomly just started having a period and I am having super bad cramps. AFTER SEVEN YEARS. Has anyone else experienced this? What is causing this?

I have been on the NuvaRing for about a year and I love it, I got on it because I had been feeling extremely emotional during my period and my mood swings were awful. Now, my mood swings are a lot better and my period is really light with almost no cramping.

I recently got a boyfriend and started actively having sex, I do not want to be pregnant in the next 5ish years, so I want to make sure I have the best birth control to prevent that. I am considering getting an IUD (hormonal or non-hormonal) or the implant. Is it worth it switching birth controls and risking possible side effects? Are the side effects are bad as some people say?

(I have no trouble remembering to put my ring in or take it out.)

Hi all,

Looking for any stories about Skyla IUDs. Or, honestly, any BC experiences that you think would be helpful. Bonus points if you struggle with endo or other reproductive things similar. I have never been on any sort of BC, pill or implant. Effectiveness isn’t really my concern, because I know most implants are upwards of 99%. More so side effects, I’m already struggling with horrible symptoms during period week (pass out worthy cramps, frequent iron infusion needed for anemia, back pain, mood problems) so I’d like to see LESS of that, not more of it. I’d also be really sad to have a low libido so if that happened to anyone and you’re willing to share how that was, it would be much appreciated. Pills really bother me which is why I am looking at implants but I am open to hearing any advice or experiences. I am lucky to have access to a gyno who’s offering me whichever form I would like, options are open! TYIA 😁

I just started apri birth control about two months ago & I didn't really talk about it with my doctor she just put me on it lol😭 when I asked for birth control. I'm curious about how okay it is to skip the placebo week to skip your period? can you do it as long as you are on birth control for? I've skipped the last two placebo weeks and the only thing that's been bothering me is breakthrough bleeding kinda randomly, I'm also wondering if that will stop? I've heard it goes away after a few months but I don't know. & if it matters I'm on 75 mg of lamotrigine too which I've heard can mess with birth control? I honestly don't know if anyone has info please lmk! Thank you so much!!

Me and my boyfriend had sex the day right after my period ended. We didn’t have enough lubrication and it had caused the condom to break. He always pulls out before ejaculation as an extra safe measure along with the condoms. We are pretty sure that nothing ended up inside me. But we would rather be safe than sorry so I took a plan b that night (midnight).

5days later I feel nauseous and I have a lot of dark brown bleeding/discharge. I have a lot of discharge the way that I usually do when I’m on my ovulation window. Is that just a regular side effect this many days in? Or could the pill have not worked?

Hey everyone! I have an appointment in January for an IUD insertion under sedation at the Planned Parenthood in MA. I'm really nervous... The scheduling line hasn't been able to provide much information other than that it's Iv sedation and I’ll need someone to drive me home afterwards. Has anyone here had a similar experience? What was it like for you?

Hello, i am coming up on my scheduled removal and i will definitely NOT be getting a new one. my removal is in july, and it is currently december. I am starting to feel a constant weird pain, similar to the pain i had a couple days after i first got it inserted. i don’t know where is pain came from, but its starting to worry me a lot. it feels like it wants to come out of me or something, and i just can’t take it anymore. it gives my hand a tingly numb feeling, and it’s making me think it struck a nerve or something. just a constant feeling of tightness in my arm.

I am really concerned with the removal process. i have heard horror stories of it getting stuck, breaking, etc. and people saying they had to get their arm cut open to remove it. Mine is pretty close to the surface of my arm, so it’s not super deep, but i am still super scared and i think i might have to be put under anesthesia to get through it. i remember the pain of the lidocaine when i first got it inserted and i truly am not prepared.

I guess my question is, is the weird pain i’m receiving right now normal? is this something that happens when you get close to the removal date? and should i seriously be worried about the removal? i’m kinda a big wuss when it comes to this stuff, especially when i got it inserted i was PANICKING the whole time i had the lidocaine needle in me. i’m just terrified to get it removed.

I (24F) just stopped taking the mini-pill due to some adverse effects around the end of October (week of Halloween) and it is now December and I have not had a period. My partner and I have been using condoms since I stopped taking the pill and I’ve taken several pregnancy tests just to be sure and all have been negative, yet still no period. Has anyone else experienced this effect after stopping the mini-pill? Important to add, I am 5 months postpartum and I did bleed extremely heavily when I started the pill and then proceeded to have two periods a month for the three months that I was on the pill (part of the reason I stopped taking it), and now there’s no bleeding when I should’ve had my period when I was supposed to have one November 15th. Any advice would be helpful! Thank you

i am on month four of slynd. my gyno put me on it due to horrible period pains and possible pcos. i had to take a week break between month 3 and 4 due to a back order. i started month four friday (it is now monday). i had 2 instances of random nausea the first couple months but since starting month four it has been every day. ive been dizzy and lightheaded like i might pass out. Ive been very bloated since starting back up as well. i’ve been cramping some feel like gas some feel like period every day with no period. the first 2 months i got two super long periods and then i skipped the third month (i do skip the placebo pills). my boobs have also been sore for weeks! i will say the slynd relieved the severity of my period cramps the first couple months but the back pain is horrible and its every day!! my mood swings are also all over the place and i’ve never been a very moody person. i feel like im having every symptom under the sun! ive been on different combined birth controls before and have never noticed any significant side effects. i’m wondering if this is normal because im getting scared ill be needing to take a pregnancy test. i’m very good with taking it on time and my partner and i have unprotected sex but he does not finish inside me (i know pull out isn’t the best method but im on birth control!) the week i had to go off we were not active for a couple days before and have not been active since i started back up. my last period was 30 days ago.

Im very consistent with taking my BC pills everyday. It just so happened I was coming off work and went to a thanksgiving party and forgot to take it that evening. I usually take it 7:30pm everyday. Next day, friday, I forgot to take them on time too cause I was cooking dinner. However around 9pm I finally took the 2 pills (one from the day I missed and then the pill for that day). I am taking Junel Fe.

So saturday morning I noticed I has bleeding. It’s now been 2 days and im still bleeding light to moderate. Is this breakthrough bleeding? I’m still protected from pregnancy?

I’m not really sure what to do here I’m 19 F, my freshman year of high school I was a 32C maybe B now I’m an A. I’m honestly not sure if it’s the birth control I went to the doctor and she said no one’s ever reported smaller boobs after using, however every time I get it taken out and put back in (twice) my boobs returned to a B or C. I guess I’m just confused I’m really only on it because it’s so easy and you don’t get your period for three years. I guess I’m looking for advice but I’m not really sure with what.

I have had the kyleena iud for 2+ years. I have always had my period on it exactly 29 days apart. Last month I did not get my period. I tested five days after when I was supposed to get my period and it was negative. I haven’t really thought about it since, until today I woke up and instantly threw up. I then checked my period tracker and it’s been 60 days since my last cycle. Should I retest?

On 10/24/24 I received the IUD I have sickle cell and my periods put me in crisis constantly. I haven’t had a period at all which is good but I feel like it’s something constantly poking my insides. I went and got checked and my IUD is in the right spot so I just wanna know have any other women had this issue. It’s very annoying it’s like having an itch that I can’t scratch to the point it becomes irritating to me and my vagina. Will it go away?