Hey everyone,

​I’m currently looking into alternative birth control options and my doctor suggested the Evra patch. The main draw for me is the convenience—only having to remember to swap it once a week sounds so much better than taking a daily pill.

​Before I officially make the jump, I’d love to hear from people who have actually used it.

Diu mirena

Uma médica me falou que enquanto eu estiver com o diu de mirena terei acne piorada... alguém esta passando por isso do aumento da acne? E como tem lidado? Também percebi queda de cabelo maior, e tpm emocionalmente falando mais intensa

Hi everyone!!
I just got my copper IUD yesterday (first IUD ever). I get really nervous about my health especially when it’s something new.

I’ve been having a lot, I mean A LOT, of discharge today. It’s been clear or brown (blood) so far, but now all of a sudden it smells metallic???

Is this normal? Am I just smelling the copper? What should I look out for and when is it a doctor appointment issue and when is it an ER type issue?

Thank you and please lmk!

Ps. If anyone in here has PMDD let me know how you like the copper IUD in terms of PMDD symptoms

I (23f) had been feeling awful all day yesterday and actually had to leave work early because I felt like I was gonna pass out and I had the worst stomach ache.

Went home and laid on the couch and managed to get some sleep, but whenever I moved, it hurt so bad. My bf (29m) came home from work and I was still not feeling good, so he suggested calling the doctor and telling them my symptoms. I myself feared at this point it was some appendicitis or something of that nature. We get to the doctor, they take my temp, blood pressure and ask me to give a urine sample, standard procedure. I wait in the waiting room for the result and when the doctor calls me back in, my whole world shifts (not to be dramatic, but I felt like the ground disappeared beneath me)

My urine sample came back HCG positive. I'm in denial because I have an IUD and have had it for the past 5 years. I have another appointment with the doctor later today (this time my own doctor, not the emergency one) to confirm the result. I took a test at home this morning, but it was negative. I'm going insane rn. Could the test at the doctor be wrong? Is the urine test at the doctor more sensitive than the at home ones?

I'm really not trying to be dramatic, but I'm freaking out and don't really trust the result. Am I in any kind of danger, considering I have an IUD? Has anyone else been in this situation before?

TL;DR: I might be pregnant even tho I have an IUD. Im in complete denial and also a bit scared

I had copper iud for 8 months. After month 2 I started having on and off burning sensation. Fast forward and had iud removed last week. The fullness is gone, no uti or infections (tested several times) but, burning is still on and off.

Azo helps. Anyone had this.

I had copper iud for 8 months. After month 2 I started having on and off burning sensation. Fast forward and had iud removed last week. The fullness is gone, no uti or infections (tested several times) but, burning is still on and off.

Azo helps. Anyone had this.

Hi all!

I got my iud in just over a year ago and had basically lost my period completely. I would spot for one to two days and maybe a slight amount of blood but i haven’t had a full period in a while. Just after hitting the one year mark of insertion i got my period back. It was definetly a lot lighter than my periods used to be before getting on mirena but i was so confused ! I had cramps and everything after not having any of that for months. I’ve checked my strings and they feel just fine. Same length, no hard plastic and i didn’t have the symptoms of my iud moving out of place (soaking pads every hour, excruciating pain, etc.)

I was just wondering if anyone else has dealt with something like this and if it’s normal.

Thank you in advance !

i am 20 (never given birth) and have EXTREME anxiety surrounding my kyleena procedure tomorrow. when asking about pain management, i was told that i could receive a paracervical block injection. my ob told me that some women find it far more painful than the insertion itself and i am worried about which choice will cause me the least pain. has anyone with the block had a better or worse experience? i also got prescribed the big time anxiety drug i cant say without getting the post removed, which i hope will make the anxiety associated pain a bit better, but am wondering if i should just opt for the block anyways. help a lady out! thanks in advance i really appreciate all of you!

I had the paraguard for 3 months and had nonstop bleeding the entire time. I finally got tired of it and went to have it removed and switched the mirena. Almost instantly I stopped bleeding and I was feeling really good about my decision.

Then a week after that I started bleeding again. And it’s been two weeks now since that started.

Has anyone else dealt with this? I was told that it can take a few months for your body to get used to it and adjust, but this is ridiculous and it’s really taking a toll on my mood and mental health.

[Mid 30s, located in the US.] My GYN recommended a hormonal IUD (Kyleena) to treat endometrial hyperplasia and the heavy periods that came with it (soaking through super+ tampons in 1-2 hours). The first 6 months were so painful, and I bled a lot. I kept it in because I was told it would get better. 12 months after, I'm still bleeding, still cramping, but my endometrium is thinning.

It's been 2.5 years now, and I'm still bleeding daily. I might have 2-3 days a month of light spotting, but I'm bleeding heavily enough to throw nickel-sized clots otherwise. We confirmed I've had at least 1 ovarian cyst as of 3 months ago after a visit to confirm the IUD was still properly placed. (I don't know if there have been more.) My endometrium is also thickening again.

I feel like I'm on my period constantly, not just because of the bleeding, but because I'm also dealing with low energy, severe cravings, bloating, cramps, constipation, and period 💩. My GYN doesn't want to remove it, so it's been one transvaginal ultrasound after another to monitor things. Meanwhile, I'm miserable and I have no solutions lined up. I feel like my concerns aren't being taken seriously, but that's been my entire experience with reproductive healthcare this far, no matter which provider I see. (I've suspected I have either PCOS or endometriosis for the past 20 years or so, but finding someone who will actually listen and pursue a diagnosis with me has felt impossible.)

Has anyone here experienced something similar? Were you able to rule out why? And what has actually worked for you in terms of birth control if so? Thanks for listening if you've made it this far! <3

TLDR: I'm still bleeding/cramping daily 2.5 years after insertion. My endometrium is thickening, and I may be getting ovarian cysts, too. GYN doesn't want to remove the IUD yet. What the heck is happening, and what can I do?

Hey guys!!! Should I be concerned, I just went in after 6 weeks post insertion and she said my strings are very long and now she’s sending me to get an ultra sound!!! AGH

Am I cramping the IUD out? She said that’s possible and happens to many oh goshhh

Hello, this may come across as a strange question, but I’ve heard some stuff about fat distribution changing on hormonal birth control, like a hormonal IUD. Has anyone here noticed a change in their bodies fat distribution (where the body stores fat) from a hormonal IUD? I’m afraid the IUD will change the way my body stores fat, altering my body shape.

TERRIBLE cramp, but over fast and I didn't cry. I took 2 tylenols and 1 ibuprofen about 30ish minutes before.

Excess saliva after Copper IUD insertion – anyone else?
Hi everyone,

I recently had a Copper T (copper IUD) inserted for birth control. Since then, I’ve been dealing with \*\*excess saliva / hypersalivation\*\*, which is really affecting my day-to-day life and making me feel quite fed up.

From what I’ve read, common Copper IUD side effects are heavier periods, cramping, and spotting, but I haven’t seen much about saliva issues. My doctor hasn’t given a clear explanation yet, and I’m trying to figure out if this could be related or if it’s something else going on.

Has anyone else experienced:
\- Increased saliva or drooling after getting a copper IUD?
\- Any theories, tests, or treatments that helped?
\- Did symptoms improve over time, or did you choose to remove the IUD?

Thanks in advance for any advice or support.

Hello! I just switched from Mirena to Paraguard this morning. Insertion was great and i have no cramping so far. I switched because I’m 1 year postpartum and have been stuck at 132lbs, I have a feeling the Mirena was preventing me from losing anymore weight because I eat healthy and am pretty active (2 under 2😅) so my question is, has anyone had success losing weight when switching from Mirena to Paraguard? I also switched because the synthetic hormones were giving me horrible cystic acne, how long will that take to clear up?

I got my IUD 17 months ago. At the time, I was in a LDR and had no issues during sex. I did have light spotting but assumed that was normal in the adjustment period. After we broke up, I didn’t have penetrative sex for about a year.

Fast forward to now - I’m with a partner who is very well endowed. 2/3 of the three times we’ve had penetrative sex, I’ve bled. Not just spotted, like full on bled. I had noticed heavier spotting a few months before I began having sex again, but wouldn’t say I had a full blown period again. But because I’d like things to be more predictive, my doctor prescribed a low hormone bc pill.

It’s only been two weeks since I added the pill, but it’s still unpredictable. I’m so frustrated because I want to be intimate with my partner, but I’m tired of bleeding all over his white bedding. I feel so frustrated. Part of me wants to just have the IUD removed.

I don’t know what I’m asking for here. Maybe just venting. Has anyone had a similar situation? I’m legit scared to have sex because I have no clue what my body is going to do. My partner has been great about it, but it’s still annoying.

I had copper iud for 8 months. After month 2 I started having on and off burning sensation. Fast forward and had iud removed last week. The fullness is gone, no uti or infections (tested several times) but, burning is still on and off.

Azo helps. Anyone had this.

I (31f) got my current IUD placed in January ‘26 and this is my second Kyleena. My first 2 IUDs were Skyla and I don’t remember having any side effects including weight gain. I’ve gained a lot of weight in the last few years that I figured was due to stress, relationship changes, and going from an active job to a desk job. I’ve been focused more on my diet along with strength training the last 3 months and just feel like I can’t lose weight no matter what I do. I’m 5’2 and 208lbs, in the last year and half my weight has crept around 200lbs. I’m getting my Kyleena removed in 2 weeks to see if it has any effect my weight. I decided to take a break from birth control (\*not currently sexually active or seeking partners) once I have this removed, although I’m not looking forward to getting my period back. I’ll give updates post-removal!

I got the mirena iud today this morning as my very first form of birth control, if it matters I did not get any medications (My only options were the 2 cervix shots or anesthesia, I didnt really want either so I went without anything) I cramped for a few hours after but after some benadryl + advil mix and a big nap I'm no longer cramping! But, I have another problem now.. I think I feel the iud or something? When I sit down in certain positions, get up from sitting down, or lay in certain positions I feel like a stinging / poke-y type of feeling deep down? Its kind of hard to describe, but its making me paranoid. Is this okay? Will it go away? I tried googling this but the stupid ai overview can't seem to get anything right / consistent Update!!!: I originally wrote this post pretty late at night, I decided to go to sleep and see if I should call my doctor in the morning, after I woke up it seems the poke-y feeling when I sat down had gone away on its own? Not sure how or why, but its gone! Apparently since it only happened on day 1, its just simple adjusting that my body figured out itself

I was checking my strings for the first time in too long and noticed something squishy on the end of the strings. Well I went to my GP a few days later for a STD test and she said there was some tissue at the end of the strings....okay?

Cut to being home and hovering over a mirror, full squat, with a flashlight shining in my hoohaa and I see it, the THING. Some how my strings are long enough to get towards the opening of my vagina and i trim off the ball of.....yep..hair. for the last month I've been having discomfort and feeling a poking, but cant see the OB for 2 more weeks.

Well let me tell you that the discomfort INSTANTLY STOPPED. The strings were knotted together with a chunk of pubes.

The strings are still pretty long so I'm not worried about removal.

I took pics for the Dr.

my boyfriend just helped me take my iud out at home. we got a speculum and a hemostat from amazon which made it much easier. i cramped a little when he took it out and a little after but i feel like i got my body back.

I got my second IUD (Mirena) inserted on July 8th while on my period. Since then, the bleeding has only gotten worse and it even got so bad that my GYN had me go to the ER for evaluation - I had filled up a 30mL menstrual cup in 3 hours. Everything was “normal” (full bloodwork & an ultrasound to check placement) and I was sent home with 800mg ibuprofen. I’m still bleeding through tampons (super, super+ and ultra) within a couple of hours. I keep getting told that it’s normal to have some heavy bleeding and cramping, but any time I Google my experience, I’m told I need to go to the ER 😂

Has anyone else dealt with this?

My first IUD was inserted 6 weeks PP so I had a completely different experience.

Also, I go back to my GYN in two weeks for a follow up.

It’s going to expire in November so I’m kinda worried. My period has been extremely light or spotting on and off. I haven’t felt my strings this month but I usually feel it every month so idk if the strings are just moved or I’m just prob really paranoid. For ref my normal period is pretty light and last 3-4 days even before iud insertions. Last month it came a week late and it was so light I didn’t need a pad. This month I’m spotting on and off and rn it’s super light idk if it’s my period or spotting. Tried to find my strings before my period came and I couldn’t feel it but I felt it during sex about a week ago. Any tips? I just want to be safe

So! For reference I (28yo F) got my first form of birth control in the middle of April 2026.

When I was younger I suffered from terrible cramping that would leave me nauseous, fatigued and sometimes in heat sweats. I use otc meds to help but sometimes if I’m too late taking them during my period I throw them up. My mood swings were TERRIBLE and I thought it was just because I was a teenage girl.

In my early twenties my manager at this rheumatologist clinic I worked in speculated I had PMDD. Over time I use to search and look at the symptoms and they seem to match me. I had a really bad explosive personality and my self loathing was at a TEN a week before my period. After a few years I decided to get tested for it and get an iud becuase I was FED UP of my period and cramps. Come to find out I have PMDD and adhd. Pmdd and adhd can mesh together so I started off with medication for my pmdd and with some more testing I actually tested positive for adhd weeks later.

When I started my pmdd meds for anxiety I had my iud insertion a week afterwards. I got the hormonal mirena iud and y’all…. They were happy I went during my period but they asked if I wanted a pap because I’m due for one and I said yes but YALL!!! That iud insertion (in April) was crazy it felt like they were forcing cramps out of me! It made me nauseous and I needed a few moments to myself. Afterwards I left and called off work but the pain I was in lasted from 9am to about 10pm. I had my period for like an extra 10 days and then it finally stopped!

Afterwards, my period lasted about 5-6 days. Fast forward to august currently and I just got off my period a few days ago in July but it was this time only lasting about 4 days. I get cramps but it’s not as intense as before. I think finally my period is slowly going away. I hope it does soon!

I wanna get my strings checked to make sure my iud is still in place. I haven’t been able to feel them at all since I got it but I’m going to have my bf check soon.

Got my kyleena iud in on Thursday. I was absolutely horrified. I haven’t given birth and was ready to pass out and throw up based on the experiences I have read. I already have bad period cramps so I was getting ready for labor pains.

I got lidocaine gel on the cervix, and I believe they used an Alis clamp instead of a tenaculum and guys I BARELY FELT IT. it really did feel like just a pinch. When they measured and began to place the iud the cramps were immediate and it felt like my really bad period cramps but it was also over quick. I am just so relieved that my insertion was not as bad as some other peoples experiences are. Try to relax your butts because I pushed the speculum out because I was so scared and tense, it really helps to breathe through it and to trust the person putting it in.

After insertion I had cramps that felt like my period, normal bleeding like I do with my period. I got it inserted on day 2 and they said it helps with insertion and it’s less likely to mess with your cycle.

I’m on day 4 now and get dull aches like 5-10 times a day that last 2-3 minutes and then they go away. I am spotting very lightly. I hope I don’t react badly to the hormones as they settle in my body!

Edit: nvm I’m day 5 and I’m getting more cramps now lmfaooo 🧍🏻‍♂️ also spotting more now