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Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Depo-Provera injection  

First 3 weeks were fine, I spent first 3 days filled with rage and nausea and a few headaches but fine. First expected period rolled around at 3 weeks in and didn't stop, like at all (day 77 as I write this). About 6 weeks in my mood crashed. As someone who has previously had mental health problems, I was incredibly apprehensive about going on any kind of hormonal birth control because I was scared of side effects. But in order to get my tubes tied, my doctors wanted to see me try this first and everyone reassured me that I was just being paranoid and it wouldn't be as bad as I imagined. Unfortunately it was worse than I imagined. I spent 4 weeks getting progressively more suicidal until I finally went to the doctors (which was its own story) but had to take three Valium a day in order to function and go to work. At the time of writing, I'm 2 weeks out of the 12-week expected window, still bleeding and still suffering mentally but less so and more manageably. This experience has put me off trying any other form of birth control. I had done this to try and reduce PMS symptoms and wish I never had. I was also recommended the mirena coil but didn't like the idea of having to have it inserted or removed if things went wrong/justify myself to a doctor

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Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I had the implant for 8 years and it worked well. Took it out for 18 months and when I got it again I only tolerated it for two months due to severe mood impacts


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Copper coil (IUD)  

I loved the copper coil however it caused very heavy and long periods and I had to get it out after 5 months due to anaemia. I also have pmdd so I wanted to try something hormonal to ease this


Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Drovelis pill  


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Zoely pill  

I requested Zoelly after attending a talk at spire about endometriosis as it was recommenced. For the first 3 months I loved it! Minimal cramps and much lighter periods lasting 2 and a half days (always been 6-7 days and heavy for me). After about 9 months - 1 year. Periods went back to 6 days but lighter. However, my endo symptoms have worsened. I can’t say if that’s is due to the pill though. I was taken off this due to developing migraines (I think developed due to stress rather than the pill) and endo symptoms worsening so to try another option.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I am so far very happy with the nexplanon implant. I had tried iuds prior, first the copper T, which did not work for me at all, and then mirena, which was good, but I did experience some pelvic pain and discomfort during intimacy. With the nexplanon, my periods stopped for the first year and a half, maybe closer to 2 years. And then was just very light spotting for awhile after that. I am at about 2 years and 6 months, and my period has come back fully, and I am starting to have hormonal acne and mood changes, so I opted to have it replaced, just in case these symptoms are due to the hormones tapering off. I just had it replaced today, so I am not sure whether it will fix the issue, but will keep ypu posted.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Benilexa coil  

I got the Benilexa IUS to treat painful periods and PMS. However, within under two months, it severely exacerbated my PMS, causing sleep deprivation, frequent panic attacks, bouts of crying, and increased suicidal thoughts. This was also experienced during my period. Most importantly, it has completely disrupted my Psoriatic Arthritis management. Despite being on a biologic (adalimumab), the IUD has triggered a massive flare in my right foot that has now progressed to my left foot and ankle. I went from rarely needing NSAIDs to relying on daily ibuprofen. Regarding my psoriasis, I noticed a slight change in dryness/thickness in scales but not much else. My periods were even more awful than before and I had to call sick into work which l've never had to do. I further experienced fluctuating pelvic and ovary pain, with some days better than others. I expected side effects, but not to this extreme, system-wide level. I understand for some women the IUS is life changing in a positive way and a great treatment for endometriosis, etc. However, for other women, it may not be suitable for our body, especially if you have pre-existing conditions like myself. Whether that's due to the small amount of hormones released into the blood stream or the body reacting to a foreign object to the body. Or even both. Please do your research and consult with professionals if you have specific conditions or autoimmune diseases. Because most of the time, they won’t or care to understand your concerns. I've thankfully had it taken out today and was told by the GP it would take a few weeks to see a positive adjustment, flare reduction, and difference to body/mind, to my joints especially. You know your body best, any triggers and what helps. If you have a terrible experience like mine, don't let anyone tell you to put up with the lUS a few more months just to see if it "settles", etc. Advocate for yourself and try all avenues. I’m lucky my threads today were visible as they were not at the last GP appt. And I’m very grateful I had a caring and understanding GP who listened, affirmed my concerns (such as assessing my joints), and believed me.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Slynd pill  

Slynd started off great no period was a bonus, water retention went down. Then after 2 months it made me very irritable and my mood very very low. Within a week of stopping both returned to normal.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Dianette pill  

Went in it for my acne which it massively improved, however experienced a lot of mental health issues (but obviously can’t be certain that’s from the pill) and a loss of libido.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

It cause me to have my period for 145 days straight starting two weeks after getting it. The first month was honestly horrible with severe cramping and lower back pain while passing relatively big clots. It also made my mental health decline significantly during this time but after the five month mark I am feeling great and not pregnant!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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