A little more than a month ago I was prescribed by my OB the lady pills as treatment to my PCOS, and I am not one of the fellows who uses PCOS as birth control (like????) and I've been taking it religiously since August. Consistently at 3pm. No miss no delays.

I will be going on a date with a special someone this month, and I'm assuming we'll do the deed. Searched online that you should take the pill on the first day of your cycle, or abstinence for 7 days if not. Well since I am well over that timeframe, am I protected to have sex?

Would really love to hear your suggestions as this will be a first time to me, as a year ago I usually opt for the dude to do the contraceptives, but since I'm already taking the pill due to PCOS, might as well 🤷🏻‍♀️ Hahaha

Thank youuu!

I just completed my first month on drospirenone, being used to manage my PMOS but also using it as a contraceptive whilst having unprotected sex. I’m not quite sure about how the protection works and when to start the next blister pack.

Due to PMOS I have extremely irregular periods and I’m not sure when my next period will be. However, since day 18 of my period I’ve been having dark brown discharge/blood (literally no idea what it is…). I don’t have cramps so I’m pretty confident it’s not a real period but I don’t know what it is and if it means I should be starting my second blister pack of active pills now. For a bit more context, today is day 24/final day for this month for me to be taking active pills.

My final question is: if I don’t get my period within the next four days where I’m supposed to be taking the placebo pills, am I still protected against pregnancy? My PMOS in the past has delayed my period by up to 4 months, and my doctor’s orders have been to start a new blister pack on the first day of my next period. I’m concerned about if I will be vulnerable to pregnancy if I have unprotected sex whilst my period is delayed in this way, since I think I won’t be taking the pill for an extended period of time.

Sorry if this didn’t make much sense. Any advice from people who have been in similar situations, or who know what to do in situations like this would be greatly appreciated.

My girlfriend had recently been on the pill, after about 10 months or so she and I both noticed it messing with her mentally so I suggested she get off of it. She did and feels better, now she’s mentioned getting a copper IUD. She is extremely nervous and is worried about the potential pain it could cause.

For what it’s worth, after she mentioned getting the IUD, I told her I would pay for it and I’d get snipped after we have a kid/kids later in life.

I’ve been trying to read all I can on Google about it and I’m coming across so many mixed reviews. I’d like some advice and insight from women who have/had the copper IUD and personal experience so I can relay the info to her (she’s not a big Reddit girl) Her and I both would appreciate all the information you’re willing to share and possibly answer a few questions

Hello!

Just hoping for clarification on what it means when people say about taking a combined contraceptive pill late!

When they say it’s just a late pill rather than a missed pill if it’s less than 24 hours, does this mean if it’s 24 hours since you were meant to take it? Or 24 hours since you took the last one??

I ordinarily take the pill at night, but early on in the pack I forgot one night and have been taking it the next morning instead (ie taking Mondays pill on Tuesday morning).
I forgot to take the pill this morning, and have only remembered this evening. It is Saturday, but I should have taken Fridays pill this morning. Instead this evening I have taken Saturdays pill so I can get back to taking it in the evening.

Google is saying to take the other pill too, however it feels way too close together to take two at once? Is it going to be problematic if I just skip taking the one pill I “missed” altogether?

Hi all,

I was stealthed almost 2 months ago, and had taken a pill late during that cycle when i was assaulted. The guy did NOT ejaculate I realised what was happening and gtfo of his place so fast lol.

I referred to my pill packet and it said to just keep taking pills into my next pack / skip a withdrawal bleed so i did that and didn’t take plan B. I was spotting the entire month both before the assault and after randomly anyways.

I had a withdrawal bleed (including clots) in September though not as heavy as normal as i’ve always had SUPER heavy periods and it was slightly shorter than normal. I had been taking my packets continuously for about 3 months though so it was my first period in a while.

I’m wondering if I should have taken a pregnancy test? I tried to a while back but it got so wet it didn’t work lmao- it read as blank. Should I take another test or is the fact i had a bleed indication enough that it’s okay?

I’m on Yasminelle combined pill and have been for 3 years.

Hello,

I lost my last active pill(24+4l, then stuck to my schedule(so my placebo got extended by a day), I took my active pill yesterday and had sex while withdrawal bleeding today.

How's the risk on this? Should I take a plane B

I got an IUD and the strings have been going into my partner’s pee hole and causing him discomfort. I got it checked by my OB to make sure it’s in the correct position and they said everything looks good so they trimmed the strings but not too much because they need to soften and coil etc. We have given it some time now but he still can feel it occasionally when he goes deep. This might a stpid question but could he still be feeling it because he has an unusually long c*ck?

Hey guys. I started taking swingo 20 (im currently at the end of my second blister) due to myoma and bad period cramps. My first withdrawal bleeding went okay, but now im bleeding since monday and now its saturday, not to mention really bad cramps. The blood is bright red like from a clean cut and theres a lot of it especially when i wipe myself.im getting really paranoid, i didnt miss a single pill last sex without ejaculation was on october 4, and with ejaculation was last saturday and now on Thursday (while i was bleeding). Is it normal or should i go to the urgent care? Thank you 🙏🏻

Okay for context: I (24F) didn’t have penetrative sex for like, 6 years (so pardon my paranoia in all this), but I’ve been on various birth control pills since I was 16 for hormonal balance reasons, not necessarily for contraception. Around 3 months ago, I got on Slynd, and my experience has been AMAZING. No lingering side effects, no more bleeding, no nothing. I have it in a pillbox with all my other meds and I take it before I go to bed every night, but that time varies, so sometimes I’ll take it at 10pm, other times I’ll take it at 2 or 3am. It just depends on when I finish the day. I know, I should be better about this, I know, (I’ve been more consistent this week,) but the 24 hour grace period is too good to me.

Yesterday night, my partner (26M) and I had sex with no protection, and I told him not to pull out because I’m on birth control and I kinda wanted to know what it was like haha. We did the same thing the morning after. Later on in the day (aka: today), I started worrying pretty bad about how I sometimes don’t take my pill at the exact time every day and how that might affect things, so we bought a Plan B just in case. I haven’t taken it yet, and it’s been a little over 24 hours since the first round of sex where he finished in me.

TLDR: Is it worth taking the Plan B if I take my Slynd diligently every day, but at slightly times? I know I probably sound paranoid, but I just really want to make sure that I’m protected and that I’m doing everything right (again: I haven’t had penetrative sex in a long time, so this is all new to me…). I know Plan B can be kinda intense, and don’t want to throw my hormones out of wack unnecessarily… any reassurance (and no judgement) would be appreciated.

I've been on Drovelis (Drospireno + Estetrol) for around 4 months now and am overall tolerating it well. I'm skipping the placebo pills since I have endometriosis. My boobs have been consistently swollen and tender though. I know that is common as your body adjusts to new hormones but I'm starting to get a bit nervous that it won't go away again. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

I’ve only been with my partner for 2 months so as you can imagine we’re enjoying ourselves in the bed a lot, I used to be on the combined pill but due to a stroke like migraine I was taken off of it, and now have been put on the desomono mini pill. I have been on it for 3 weeks now, and have been bleeding for 7 straight days since the beginning of the second week pretty heavily which is way longer and heavier than I’m used to, I was told 1 in 3 women will experience constant bleeding on it, but the more I research the more it seems that almost every woman bleeds continually on it. I’m so scared it’s not going to stop and I miss the combined pill so much, I hate this and I hate bleeding non stop and not being able to be intimate with my partner!!! What’s other peoples experiences?

In January 2025, I took Plan B (Escapelle) for the first time, and for the following nine months, I felt like I wasn’t myself. I’m finally starting to feel better, but I still have fears and anxiety, and I don’t feel like the person I was before all of this happened.
Here’s what happened: On the first day after taking it, I felt completely normal, and my menstrual cycle wasn’t affected at all. On the second day, I started experiencing shortness of breath, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. On the third day, I had a full-blown panic attack, and from that moment on, everything changed.
I started crying almost every day because I was terrified that something was wrong with me or that I was going to die. I experienced all kinds of physical symptoms and constantly felt physically weak. I developed severe anxiety and became afraid of so many things that had never bothered me before.
Eventually, I was prescribed Adaptol (mebicar, an anti-anxiety medication), but I honestly feel like it may have made things worse. After stopping it, I tried drinking coffee twice, and both times I had a terrible reaction that felt like a panic attack. I haven’t touched coffee since around April, even though I used to love it. I’ve also been avoiding alcohol, and I’m not entirely sure why.
It’s been so long, and I just want to feel like myself again.
Has anyone experienced similar symptoms after taking Plan B or while taking/stopping Adaptol? Did anyone develop anxiety or become sensitive to caffeine after something like this?
And most importantly, if you used to love coffee but had to stop because it triggered panic attacks, were you eventually able to drink it again? I miss my favorite coffee so much, and I really hope I can enjoy it again without being afraid. ❤️

I, (19F), used to be on a birth control for a year, but then I stopped and got on the shot. After the shot, I wasn’t on any form of birth control for 3 months. I just got on Hailey (combo pill) 1.5 months ago, and I’ve been experiencing a lot of pain in ONE leg. Especially at night and when I’m not moving, it’s certainly not EVERY day, but like 1-3 times a week for over 2 hours each time. 2 weeks ago when I saw my mom last, my calf was in pain and throbbing all day. Now today, that same leg is in pain, specifically my knee! We’re going to go to the ER/Urgent care tomorrow just to check. No swelling, redness, or warmth. Still, gonna check. I’ll update you guys… I thought it was growing pain / pain from walking on campus, but it’s only been my right leg the entire time.

Hi all !

I recently made a post about how my doctor said i can't have the patch since it increases me risk of stroke, and that i'd have to go on progestin only birth control.

I asked you guys about your experiences with progestin only birth control, and the responses were very varied.

I am now looking for people with experience primarily with SLYND. It is the BC I will most likely be using and i've seen a few comments about it in my previous post. I want to focus all my attention on Slynd now since it's the BC I am most likely to start taking.

RELEVANT INFO:
-I cannot use any BC that contains Estrogen
-I have no reproductive issues (Like PCOS, Endometriosis, PMDD, etc)
-This would be my first time using BC
-Canada

So, anyone who is willing to share their experiences with Slynd, please do so in the comment section ! It will help me decide if i want to take the plunge and try it.

Thank you guys !! keep being awesome :)

I have been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. My mental health got so bad that I got my Kyleena IUD removed and while I had a few days of no issues at all, I’ve been dealing with depression so severe I can’t even function. I can’t stop crying. Has anyone else experienced this and how long until you felt human again?

Other side effects of removal I’ve experienced have been brain fog, severe nausea, breast pain, and abdominal pain.

Has anybody been given the nuva ring due to spotting on the mini pill (o pill)? I was told that I could take both together until bleeding stabilized but that it was not a risk to take them both together indefinitely? Has anybody else had experience with these together? Is this a strange thing to be offered? I would assume the effectiveness is increased?

​

I'm thinking about taking Norethindrone at the end of this month to delay my period a few days for a romantic getaway October 28th - November 1st. I'm due to start bleeding the last day of the trip (Nov 1st or 2nd), and I really don't want it to come a day sooner. Has anyone successfully taken half the dose? I know they recommend 5mg 3x a day, but I was thinking about taking 1.5mg (half a pill) 3x a day. Will that be enough to keep the uterine lining thick? I'm super worried about side effects, so I don't wanna take the full dose :( but curious if people still stop their period from coming when taking half a dose still 3x daily. Or, would two 5mg pills twice daily be a better option. I think 3x a day would be best as it won't give your body as much of a chance to dip in progesterone. Panicking about this important trip and don't wanna bleed the last day or two!!! But also super worried about side effects from meds!!! TIA

Hey all, just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and sharing my experience.

For some background: I have tried what feels like every BC method known to man, and have had negative experiences with all of them. The copper IUD is the only one that didn't bombard me with side effects... At least, it didn't until my body rejected it 🥲. That said, due to some bad cramps and PMDD symptoms I talked with the Dr recently and decided to try the one method I only briefly used to somewhat tolerable results back when I was 19: Nuvaring.

I put it in on Sunday. Felt great. Actually overall my mood has felt more stable and calm. Wednesday I had some moderate nausea but only for one day and increasing water intake helped it. Yesterday I felt great!

Then I woke up today with the worst PVC (premature ventricular contractions) episode of my life. For those who have never had that, it feels like your heart suddenly flutters or skips a beat. I have been previously diagnosed with PVC, around a decade ago, but typically my episodes are very few and far between and only last a couple seconds. They are always noticeably more frequent during my period, though. I waited for it to pass but after around an hour it became clear it wasnt passing. I started to get nervous, but since there was NO pain/dizziness/shortness of breath I told myself it wasnt an emergency and headed to urgent care.

Dr gave me an ECG, immediately spotted the PVC as it happened repeatedly during it (is happening what feels like every fourth or fifth heartbeat). He asked what if anything I had changed recently and I said only thing I could think of was the nuvaring. He told me that he hasnt heard of nuvaring causing PVC or exacerbating it at all, and I said mine seems to be worsened by my period so I assumed it might be that. He continued to ask me about other lifestyle factors: caffeine (hadnt had any in days), alcohol (I don't drink), sleep, etc.

He said out of an abundance of caution I should remove the ring. Prescribed me propranolol, and then sent me on my way. I got home and immediately took out the ring but my heart continues this insane PVC episode and even though the dr swears it is benign, I continue to be very anxious. Just want to know if anyone else has dealt with this symptom and if so how it went. Im focusing on electrolytes and water today and hoping for the best but it is SO scary and uncomfortable. 🫠🫠 Sucks because I was loving that my mood felt better !!!

Tl;dr started nuvaring Sunday and by Friday morning had a bad PVC episode dr claims benign and days is likely unrelated. Anyone else?

I've had nexplanon in my arm for three years, got it replaced and now I'm on the second two year mark. For the first three years I had no period, no cramps, nothing. Got it replaced and it's been spotty, then I've went onto full blown extremely painful periods and extremely heavy ones. I know its known that it won't take your periods away but I just don't get how i went from nothing to this. I feel like I'm being over dramatic but I'm genuinely in pain and no Ibuprofen or anything helps. My pain gets worse and I just want to know I'm not alone.

Thank you

I’m currently taking Slynd. Last month, I had my “period” during my sugar pills (September 19-20th) which was just light spotting. Then I bled again the 28th-2nd which was more of a “normal” period. So now…I’m in my sugar pill window again and having PMS symptoms? Is my body trying to ovulate or am I having my period again? I just had unprotected sex today and we’re trying to avoid pregnancy for another year or so. I’ve always had “regular” periods with and without birth control and this is my first time experiencing irregularities on Slynd.

I just realized I’ve forgotten to take my birth control pills for a total of 6 days, the first 4 I didn’t have sex but the last 2 days I’ve had unprotected sex multiple times, and I literally haven’t thought about the bc a second before.. just now.

So I’m freaking out a little here, what are the odds of getting pregnant after that? Should I do anything particularly or just start taking them again and continue like normally?

Second time getting an IUD, first I got Mirena and spotted for 3 months, a thick dark red discharge that never cleared. It made sex so embarrassing so I got it removed. Now i got Liletta implanted on 9/15, been bleeding since. My gyn said that’s normal as it takes a while to adjust. Now I’m reading comments in here where some women said they bled for 3-6 months. I don’t know if i can go that long bleeding as I won’t be able to be sexually active, my partner is petrified of blood. I know it sounds crazy to ask but are there any tips or tricks that could subside the bleeding/spotting?

Hello, I have concerns about my iud some I HAVE gone to the gynecologist, and she checked but they got marked off, some are newer.

Background info, suspected Endometriosis
, pcos in teen-hood, and history fibroids and ovarian cysts. I haven’t had very many symptoms excepts occasional ovarian cysts burts, rarely going to the doctor unless it’s unbearable and they see the fibroids as well. I have had 3 kids and very overall healthy pregnancies except weak pelvic floor during end of last pregnancy (5 yrs ago). Was on depo Vera inbetween 1 and 2 kiddo, but I had longer lasting postpartum depression and we suspected the depo Vera made it worse, so only for 6months.

5 Yrs ago I got the mirena IUD as soon as allowed. I rarely do get a period, usually it’s spotty and slightly cramps but every now and then I get vicious cramps and if I have gone to the doctor unless they shrug it off as period symptoms even if I have no period. Lately it’s been worse, sex has been sore frequently enough, but it gets shrugged off. Also, my IUD strings are unreachable I went to the doctor about a year ago, but I was pretty much shrugged off. The doctor did take an ultrasound to check the iud was in place and told me if I have the symptoms (the symptoms I just brought up) to come in… well I’m having all this pain and cramps again. And the longer I have had this iud without the strings being out the more concerned I get about complications.

How is it taken out when the strings are unreachable? Anyone else have any similar issues? Personal experiences that may give light ? Any advice??

Honestly I’m thinking about getting it removed asap, but I’m terrified. And also idk if I want my normal gynecologist to be the one to do it.. I used to praise her, but at a certain point all my experiences with her went down hill and I felt atleast mildly unheard.

Hey everyone, I’m really worried and need some advice.
My girlfriend and I had unprotected sex on October 12 in the afternoon. She took an emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) around 2 hours after sex. The tablet was 0.75 mg.
The problem is that she took only one 0.75 mg tablet and didn’t take the second dose.
Around 4–5 days after sex, she started bleeding. She says it wasn’t her normal period, but the bleeding was quite heavy, almost like a normal period, and she also experienced body pain.
I believe she was around the second day after her period ended when we had sex, but I’m not completely sure about the timing of her menstrual cycle.
I’m scared that the ECP might not have worked because she took only one tablet. I’m also worried about whether the bleeding could be a side effect of the pill or related to pregnancy.
My questions are:
Does taking only one 0.75 mg ECP tablet provide any protection against pregnancy?
Since she missed the second dose, is there anything she should do now?
Can heavy bleeding 4–5 days after sex be a side effect of ECP?
Does this bleeding tell us anything about whether she’s pregnant?
When should she take a home pregnancy test?
Should we see a gynecologist because of the bleeding and body pain?
We’re really anxious about this situation. I’d appreciate medically informed advice or experiences from people who have been through something similar.
Thank you.

Idk if I should be to worried but I’ve had my Kyleena coming up on 4 years next month and pretty much every year I’ve been checking with the GYNO to see placement is correct since my strings curled , my periods has been normal up to recently , i had my period as normal last month with moderate cramping and normal bleeding/spotting . But then I started bleeding again 2 weeks later I believe and this time it was a bit heavier than usual . Should I be worried ? Should I see someone even tho I got it checked this year In march .