A few days ago i got an iud (mirena) under anesthetic and it was honestly the worst experience of my life. i went in thinking everything was going to be completely fine and at least i won’t have to go through the initial pain of getting it in. i went under perfectly fine no complaints but as soon as i woke up i was in the worst pain of my life, i was screaming and crying and couldn’t even talk because of how bad the pain was the doctors and nurses had to give me a ton of medication morphine etc just to get me to calm down and feel okay to even talk. the pain subsided but i spent the next hours in bed throwing up constantly not even being able to even keep liquids down. i know everyone’s experience is different and i did feel better the next day but the waking up in that much pain was the most traumatic thing i have ever went through i really do not know why it was that painful.

Hi!! I (23F) am going on year 3 with my Kyleena IUD. It has stopped my period (which has been awesome) and manageable side effects, so i really like it!

However recently I have become sexually active, and my partner has finished in me a few times. While I trust my IUD and want to enjoy that, I always get anxious afterwards and think I will end up being that crazy outlier statistic. I will sometimes get cramping or spotting after sex too, but I have read and that seems common/normal for people with IUD’s. But I get in my head that the cramping is implantation or something crazy, even after taking Amazon strip tests after a few weeks and testing negative lol.

So my question is, do you let your partner finish in you with your IUD? How often? Have you ever had a scare? Do you experience that cramping/spotting with or without sexual activity too? Looking for honest advice (mixed with a little reassurance lol).

i 16 M and my gf 16 F got carried away yesterday and i inserted my penis inside her vagina but she said she had only 1/2 of the tip inside and i pretty sure i had pre cum but i dont really remember since everything went so fast. the whole ordeal happen between i think 2-5 second. it was both our first times. On her flo app it said she was on her last day of ovulation. i really messed up when i fingered her after with no ore cum on my finger or anything because i think i pushed it farther into the vagina. if you can help or reassure me it would be really nice

For context, im 16 years old (the legal age at which i can buy contraceptives from a pharmacy), in the UK and i had a blood test done quite a while ago that revealed i have a hormone imbalance. At the time, the doctor had suggested getting onto some form of contraceptive pill, however my mother was extremely opposed to the idea (Asian parents bruh) and i eventually ended up not getting any treatment for it as there isn't really any other option. I have tried altering my lifestyle such as exercise and dieting but it honestly hasnt made much a difference. Ive had my period since I was 10 years old (if that's relevant) and my periods are also incredibly irregular. I have been thinking about going and buying the pill myself, but in all honestly im really scared it'll like end up on my gp record and my mum will find out or something. I also wanted to talk to a pharmacist about what contraceptives to buy and if i could get prescribed it so i wouldn't have to pay it would also be nice.

By this I mean, no IUD, pill or implant? Is it risky to just use a condom every time, since I don't want my hormones to change and don't want the side effects associated with them.

I definitely don't want to get pregnant right now.

So I fingered my gf on September 6 but thought I had some semen on my hands… GF’s normal period was Sept 1–4. Took Plan B Sept 7. Then she bled Sept 13–17, much earlier than expected and pretty light/irregular after the first day. She then had another much heavier, painful bleed Sept 23–25, right around when her period was originally expected (Sept 25–27). This bleed soaked her pad. Took a at home preg test 21 days after Sept 6 and it was negative but I’m still mad nervous.
She normally has very predictable 4-day periods. Is this kind of early bleed + later short/heavy period normal after Plan B?

I've been seeing and reading through a lot of planned parenthood and IUD experiences, and wanted to share my personal account as there were some things I had no idea about! For some background, I was looking for a free IUD option as I am a broke college student and make very little income, and have no insurance.
I first went to Planned Parenthood around two months ago, made an appointment online as I had heard about the free IUD (Just a heads up, the IUD is free from there but the appointment, insertion, and pregnancy test is not! I forget the exact amount but it was $100+) The IUD they offer is the Liletta, but I ended up having to go through another free program they have (had to show paychecks/ proof of hardship to qualify for the other type of free iud) and go back on another day as that size wasn't the right fit for me. I currently have Kyleena.
Anyway, upon going back they ask you if you're aware of the costs for the insertion, as I mentioned above, and I explained my financial hardships and filled out a form to make everything, cost for the visit included, free! (This form you don't need to show proof, they ask how many people are in your household, what your personal annual income is, and to share a brief message on why you're in hardship. They do not check income, I honestly said a bit lower than what is reality.)
Pain wise, I won't lie, it hurt pretty bad. I took the recommended amount for ibuprofen ahead of time (suggested is 800mg, I took maybe 1000mg), and it honestly did nothing for me. I also got my IUD inserted on my period which is supposed to help with pain, but I didn't notice any ease of pain.
Full procedure is them inserting the speculum, clamping and measuring your cervix, preparing and inserting the device and then it's essentially done, it probably took around 10 minutes or less in actuality. The cramps were pretty bad after, I was able to drive myself home but I do recommend a ride or bringing someone with you if that’s a possibility.
The worst cramping was probably for two days (including insertion day) and I have light cramps here and there even until now.
Key things to mention are no intercourse for one week post-insertion, definitely recommend continuing pain medication for the two days following + heating pad.
A side effect I really don’t see mentioned unless I search specifically is the brown spotting/discharge. Don’t get me wrong, the provider tells you that there may be minor spotting, but I’m about a month post procedure still wearing panty liners daily. I also notice it during intercourse, and it varies from very light to moderate. I have read that 3 months is typically the time your body adjusts to it, so will update! Feel free to ask any questions and I can try to answer my best. :) (Sorry for the yap— hopefully this is helpful to someone!)

I got an IUD inserted at Kaiser by a nurse practitioner and honestly the entire experience was fucking awful. I wanna know if I’m overreacting or if this was actually as bad as I think it was.

First of all, I wasn’t offered any actual pain management. I had to ask if they had lidocaine shots, and she said that she doesn’t do that and that she doesn’t believe the shots help at all and are actually painful. Anyway, all I got was topical spray on my cervix, which is something I had to advocate for as well. No heating pad before or after the procedure either. As someone who has a rather high pain tolerance, I was able to handle the insertion; however, my body was in shock so I felt nauseous and dizzy. They gave me an ice pack and water when I started feeling faint.

But what pissed me off the most was what the nurse practitioner said immediately after the insertion was over. She asked how I was feeling, and when I said “I’m okay I guess,” she turned to the nurse and made a joke along the lines of, “See, you were fine. TikTok makes women believe they need a bunch of stuff JUST for an IUD, when breathing exercises do a lot more than people think.” And ofcourse, the nurse laughed along with her. Like????? The “stuff” she was referring to was pain management. I had JUST gone through a painful procedure, and she was basically implying that people exaggerate their pain and don’t need anything beyond breathing exercises, even though IUD’s feel very invasive with and without pain management. Just because I managed to get through it doesn’t mean it wasn’t horrible or that pain relief was unnecessary.

And it didn’t end there. I was lying in the room for another 15 minutes because I felt like I was gonna throw up or pass out. I dressed myself cause I didn’t feel like laying butt ass naked while feeling like that.As I was lying down with my clothes on trying to calm myself, the nurse came in and basically said that since I was dressed, I had to leave because they needed the room for other patients, even though the NP stated I could have the room because no one needed it. I felt like I was being rushed out when I was still recovering.
Also, I was given information about Kyleena not being offered at Kaiser, which I felt was unaccurate as I was offered that at prior appointments. The NP explained that Kaiser only takes from certain vendors and those vendors they get their IUDs from only offer the Paragard, Skyla, Mirena, or the Liletta.

I understand that IUD insertions are different for everyone and that not everyone needs the same pain management. And I’m not expecting the procedure to be completely painless. What bothers me is that I wasn’t offered much to help with the pain or recovery, and even asked for majority of it myself, and then had the provider make a condescending and dismissing joke about people who advocate for more pain management with IUD insertions IMMEDIATELY after I went through it myself. Like am I wrong for thinking this was unprofessional??

This also wasn’t my first time getting an IUD, I had an insertion with my primary gynecologist awhile ago, who offered all types of pain management, gave me a heating pad, was very attentive overall, and even used an ultrasound device afterward to check for the IUD. I wish I had just gone to my main gynecologist, but I was upset at her medical assistants for cancelling my appointment without letting me know. So I unfortunately, ended up finding an earlier appointment with a random provider. Horrible idea on my end 🫩

hi everyone, I recently started birth control about a year ago and have noticed about once a month. I get aura migraines. well, I’ve gotten my whole life. It seems to be that on birth control. They’re much more common. I’m currently on Junel Fe. just wondering if anyone else has aura migraines and struggles. i’ve also recently had pretty bad, visual, snow, symptoms, depth, perception, and Alison Wonderland syndrome. Have any of you had this and worried about getting a stroke as I’ve read that people who get aura migraines are a much higher risk. I take birth control for my endometriosis so stopping isn’t something I really wanna do but I wonder if anyone else struggles.

i've posted complaining about how the mirena iud made my periods last longer, found out that it's been abnormal bleeding. it's been going on for 11 days, it doesn't fill a pad but i still produce fresh blood every day, it looks like it'll never end. i haven't been able to skip a day without wearing a pad. idk how long this will last but i hate it :(

I'm taking Microgestin Fe, and I missed one pill, so I took two the next day—one when I realized I had missed a pill and another at my usual time.

Then, silly me, I forgot to take the next pill again! I ended up doing the same thing and taking two pills the following day.

They’re around on week 1-2 (can’t remember) thoI know missing pills can reduce their effectiveness. Thankfully, my husband and I aren't that sexually active, and we always make sure to use condoms as a backup method of protection.

My question is, do I still need to take the placebo pills, or should I skip them and start a new pack?

I’m taking aurovela it’s been like 3 months. I did not bleed last month. My period used to start right around the middle of the month. I’m not bleeding today but I’m emotional and I’m trying to figure out if that’s why.

its my first week on Mili (or Sprintec) and my appetite has increased sooooo much its crazy. im a relatively skinny person with a small appetite but im eating like crazy now. has this happened to anyone else?

Have any of you had any Hair problems after getting Copper IUD

I used to be on Lo loestrin fe, a combined pill, and I had the nicest hair I have ever had. I switched to a hormonal IUD about 2 years ago, and now my hair sucks. I am almost 100% sure it is due to my IUD. I have tried EVERYTHING to get my hair back, and nothing works, and the timeline tracks with my hair getting bad and the IUD.

I am worried my hair was nice due to the combined pill, because I've read some people get better hair from combined hormones. Idk if that was true or if that was how my hair has always been, because I've been on BC since I was 16 (I'm 26).

I also read hormonal IUD can (and other single hormone BC) cause hair to change for the worse. I think this is what is happening (super coarse, breakage prone hair, doesn't grow, frizzy/poofy constantly).

Idk what to do. I could either try a Copper IUD, maybe risk having my hair still this shitty, maybe slightly improved ? I read a few reports of people losing hair on Copper IUDs as well ? I could also go back on the combined pill.

Here are some side effects I've experienced depending on BC:

Pill: PMDD, shorter/lighter periods (sometimes none), mood swings (unsure how much of this was teenage hormones vs pill though), lower lubrication/libido

IUD: HORRIBLE HAIR, easily motion sick/search sickness/dizziness, No periods (very rare PMDD), lower lubrication/libido

I dread PMDD because I often don't know I'm suicidal lying depressed due to my period because it always comes a week before and stops wheN I start my period amd then I'm like SO THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO DIE.

I always wanted to know how my libido is without hormones fucking me over.

I want my hair back.

I'm concerned about what hormones will do long-term to my body. Idk if it is actually bad, but we don't have many options for Non-hormonal BC that is effective.

I actually originally wanted a Copper IUD, but my gynecologist reccomended against it since I don't have kids and never gave birth, therefore it would hurt worse (but tbh Liletta is similar in size to Paragard, so I think thats BS)

I've never had a scare on any BC, thankfully. I'm pretty responsible, but I'm worried witu turning 26 soon, where and how I'll afford BC when I lose my parents' insurance coverage. Idk what to do tbh omce that happens, lol.

Idk if my insurance will cover another IUD since my current one is still "effective and fine".

I wanted to hear some experiences regarding Copper IUd and what you think I should do ?

this might be long and lengthy, but please take the time to at least skim it. It would really be appreciated!!
I’m 25 female and I have been diagnosed with adenomyosis. I have no kids and I’ve never been pregnant. I’ve been on birth control many times. I got the Mirena IUD inserted in this April and removed about two weeks ago. The IUD helped tremendously with the bloating and inflammation that adeno gave me, but it made me lose half of my hair and gave me severe acne.
I’m now on the first month of yaz. My stomach is back to being extremely inflamed and bloated to where I can’t even wear pants most of the time. I’m so insecure and I know it’s because my endometrium lining has thickened back up. I was so relieved when the IUD helped my bloating but now it’s just came back.
i’m almost at the placebo pills so I don’t know how my periods are on Yaz just yet however, I struggle with extreme heavy bleeding that puts me in concerning iron levels in which I need to get iron infusions. I bled every single day on the IUD up until removal. I bled straight for six months. I’m not bleeding/ spotting as much on yaz. without birth control, my periods are so heavy that at night I bleed through my pads, my underwear, my sheets down to my mattress. I really wanna get a hysterectomy. I don’t want kids. I’m just so tired of looking down and seeing my stomach and entire body so inflamed I lost 20 pounds in the six months that I was on the IUD and I truly believe it was because it helped my inflammation and shed the lining of my extremely inflamed uterus. Does anyone have experience with having these types of symptoms and being on Yaz. At this point, my main wish is for my body to feel normal. and to not look constantly pregnant.

Need help! I was supposed to start my new pack on Monday of last week but I moved that day and completely forgot. On Tuesday the pharmacy had refilled the script but I had to have it transferred to my new location. I picked it up Wednesday and STILL FORGOT to start it. I didn’t start it until Thursday. Me and. My boyfriend did it unprotected that Friday but I told him I started it late so he needed to pull out. He did. Now it’s been a week since I started it, no spotting or anything, but my nipples are rock hard sensitive. Likely just the hormone imbalance. I know starting a new pack late is risky but I didn’t know how risky until today when I started looking things up. It’s too late for plan B. Is it a high chance I got pregnant? I know about pre cum and stuff and how I can end up preg off of that, even though he pulled out, but need someone to give it to me straight….

guys I (24F) need to hear if anyone else has had similar experience- I get really sad seeing all the “this pill SAVED MY LIFE” posts and comments because I am having an opposite reaction.

i was diagnosed with pmdd and undiagnosed neurodivergence of some sort (tester said I was too good at school as a little girl :/ ) and I went on slynd bc i cant take estrogen as a chronic migraineur. I was on Loryna before and loved it. my skin was clear which was a huge plus but looking back, i was def anxious as hell as I am now.

slynd though…. oh man. im on my fifth month (continuous for migraines) and my doctor said to wait until 6 months to change to an IUD. an IUD is tough because I dont want hormones but copper might make my cramps worse which are already debilitating ON TOP of my doctor giving no pain meds besides ibuprofen for insertion.

My health anxiety and OCD have been INSANELY overactive to the point of convincing myself I have rabies, Im going into psychosis, Ive been poisoned, dreaming theres someone in my walls, convincing myself my bf hates me, and having panic attacks on plane flights thinking its going to crash, that im not getting enough oxygen… It has put a huge burden on my relationships. I have a therapist but theres something hormonally wrong with my brain.

executive function is out the window. im struggling through school.

Im tired all the time.

Im bloated to the point of discomfort, feeling pregnant when i just drink water.

libido no longer exists. I dont even masturbate anymore.

my skin is dry and cystic and pimply.

PLEASE has anyone had this happen? My doctor is pretty dismissive and just says “okay then go off it.“ as if its that easy a decision to make.

did anyone switch to an iud? What was that like? Did you just stop one day? What was your withdrawal like? any input is valuable. I cant take estrogen so plz no estrogen recommendations.

so this is the timeline

oct 14
10am - 12th yaz active pill

oct 15
3am - liquid poop and it’s a lot
2am - still liquid poop but normal amount
10am - 13th yaz pill

oct 16
9am - mushy poop that is somehow liquid (this one is very hard to push, [sorry if it’s disgusting])
10am - 14th yaz pill

GUYS AM I STILL SAFE, im sexually active please help this girl out 😔✌🏻

Hi everyone! i’m getting the Mirena IUD in about a month and could really use some positive experiences or reassurance because I’m lowkey spiraling reading all the horror stories online.

For some background, I deal with severe PMDD and notoriously heavy, painful periods (like have to cancel plans & call out of work can’t move type shit). i’ve had a rough run with oral contraceptives over the past year. My previous gyn kept switching my pills every three months due to breakthrough bleeding, first levonorgestrel-EE, (which actually felt the best mood-wise, just had spotting which I’m sure would have gone away if I didn’t have it switchEd after 3 months😭), then drospirenone-EE (Yaz) and finally Necon, which was an absolute disaster. I bled continuously for nearly 90 days, gained 10 pounds in a single month, I felt like my energy & drive went down and felt miserable pmdd symptoms 24/7

I recently switched to a wonderful new gyn who recommended Mirena, but seeing people talk about agonizing insertion pain, endless spotting, and weight gain has me really nervous, ever since starting Necon it’s been hard for me to lose weight & have energy it’s taking a toll on my mental health so, I’m not looking to reach Nirvana I just want some peace and get my cycle under some kind of under control.

Did anyone with PMDD or heavy, painful periods find any kind of relief with Mirena? Would love to hear your good experiences THANKS:)

My girlfriend had a bad history with pill birth control. It makes her very nauseous and she will be trying her third brand of pills soon.

She tried a copper iud and it caused really bad pain . She was told that since she hasn’t given birth this is what made it hurt . We were wondering is this true ???

She’s fighting constant nausea or bad pains with her period. We ( and most importantly her) know we want kids so surgery isn’t an option.
Any advice would be great. Thank you.

I used birth control for the first time and it was Depo which was injected to me on July 30. My next shot would be on October 22.

Since early of September, I've been spotting for 1 month and 2 weeks, and it's so annoying!

I used to wear a pad for the whole month and the blood would be seen brown, but this week the flow's gotten noticeably slower.

When I lay down or sleep, there's no spotting coming out but when I stand up, the spotting starts coming out but it's not enough it requires a pad anymore, but a pantyliner is still a must.

The last time I had sex (which was 2 weeks ago), the guy got traumatized because of the blood on his dick.

I'm already thinking of getting the 2nd shot early before October 22, or switching to a different birth control.

But before that, can I temporarily insert a cotton inside my vagina so that blood won't leak out during the intercourse?

I know it sounds stupid and possibly dangerous. I always keep wiping the walls of my vagina and cervix with tissue or cotton every day to see if I'm still bleeding, which unfortunately still does.

But would a guy's tip feel the cotton if we had sex? I just don't want to bleed on someone's dick again :(

Edit to title--I mean side effects, not symptoms.

Context: I am over 40 and have never had an IUD, and have been off birth control for over a decade. My iron is low now because of heavy periods, and I'm being advised to go on bc to minimize bleeding. I'm considering an IUD instead of a combination pill.

It's been a while, but in my teens and 20s I struggled with hormonal acne and body hair (no PCOS, but I was told by a doctor I have sensitive androgen receptors). My skin has been fairly clear and body hair has been a little more manageable for over a decade.

I've read that hormonal IUDs can have androgenic effects (acne, coarse facial hair growth) because of the progestin, even though it's supposed to be localized. I figure I'm more prone to these side effects because of my history with acne and unwanted hair. Wondering if anyone with a similar history has NOT experienced these side effects? Will talk to my doctor when I have my appointment also.

I'm not overly keen to go on a combo pill as an alternative because of my age and increased risk for blood clots. Some of my anemia symptoms overlap with migraine symptoms, which raises concerns about other risks.

Ultimately I will opt for a lady beard over blood clots or stroke if I have to! Just looking for a little optimism.

Skipping placebos on other pills always stopped a bleed but on slind it seems to give me a heavy bleed along with cramps. Anyone else?

i started the pill (loryna) on october 5th, i just started my period yesterday, 11 days after starting the pill. the doctor told me i'd probably skip my first period on the pill and get it during the placebo pills instead, so im confused?

is this normal/am i protected?? i haven't had unprotected sex since starting the pill

I was on Sprintec from ages 14-19 for heavy, irregular periods. I’ve had 3 kids since then, about to turn 30 and we’re thinking we’re most likely done having kids but not ready to permanently shut down shop yet. My periods are absolutely excruciating, the cramps are almost debilitating for the first 2-3 days, my PMDD is awful (despite vitamins, changing diet, all the usual things) and it’s affecting my life. When I was on Sprintec as a teen, it helped with all of my symptoms. My doctor has checked/done tests and can’t find any reason for it being so bad other than a thicker uterine lining. What worries me now is the possibility of stroke/clots. I’ve seen stories about women in their 30’s+ having issues from the birth control and it worries me. Has anyone had any experience with Sprintec being 30+? The good and/or the bad? Thank you!