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I feel like shit

I've been on a wide variety of contraceptives over the last 20 years but Cerazette has been the one that has affected my libido. Periods stopped for the 3 years I was on it which was great, but there doesn't seem much point taking contraception if you're not having sex. I've been off it now for 2 weeks and hoping things will return to normal. I'm 42 so hopefully not perimenopausal just yet. Not sure yet how my husband will feel about going back to condoms longer-term, but I'm fed up of synthetic hormones so he'll just have to deal with it (or get the snip!).

tst

I had a Nexplanon inserted less than 6 months ago. I have tried other methods in the past (male condoms, birth control pills, Nuva ring), and I’ve decided that the side effects of Nexplanon are not so bad compared with other methods. Also, I feel very certain that I will not become pregnant with the implant, as it is more than 99% effective. That said, I experience bad side effects, including frequent headaches, breast sensitivity, near-daily cramping, some vaginal dryness, and underwear-ruining spotting. I have also experienced an increase in dysorgasmia (when there is pain after or during an orgasm). I think the spotting and cramping will go away over the next two months, as my doctor says that many implant users have no period after 6 months’ use. I am trying other things for the cramping and dysorgasmia, too, like B complex vitamins, eating cruciferous vegetables, and relaxation techniques. Overall, I am pleased with this method because my symptoms on other methods were bad in other ways and I was still worried about pregnancy. Now I have peace of mind. Finally, it’s worth noting that because I have Müllerian duct anomaly (I have a septum in my uterus) I cannot or should not get an IUD/IUS. I feel I have found an effective method that I can actually keep in my body, without having to keep it in my uterus.

I had 2 Mirena coils - first one for 4.5 years. I was advised to have it by an gynaecologist after having had removal of abnormal cells. Insertion for me was very painful but everyone is different (and possibly my cervix was inflamed still). I wish someone had advised me to take painkillers beforehand. First 3-4 months I had a lot of bleeding and painful cramps and some headaches but after this settled I only ever had spotting. No other side effects like change in mood/weight/sex drive etc so was brilliant! Unfortunately, after 4.5 years I started to get heavy and long periods so I got a new one fitted. Insertion second time round wasn’t comfortable but was better. I had some cramping but not as heavy bleeding like before and went back to spotting. After 2 years the heavy/long periods came back so I got it removed. Overall I’d say I was very happy on it and would definitely recommend. Everyone is different and even what suits you at some point can change over the years so sadly it’s a bit of trial and error.

I’ve had no issues with this pill until recently. Been on it for 4-5 years now after previously being on the combined pill for 9 years. Over the last two months I’ve been having period cramps and bleeding at the same time each month. I have never bleed on this pill until recently and I have never spotted on this pill or previously on the combined pill.

Literally no side effects, no fake hormones affecting my body or mental health. Use symptothermal - 11 months in and find temping and checking cervical mucus easy and not at all laborious. We use condoms during fertile window (for me that’s usually about 9 days) and unprotected the rest of the time. No scares and I feel confident and secure with this method. I’ll never go back to hormonal birth control!

Overall it's been a really positive experience (excluding the insertion). I've noticed my PMS get worse in the last 12-18months although not sure if this relates to the coil. It's had the least impact on my mental health of all contraception which is the biggest positive for sure!

Had the mirena then swapped to levosert on coil change as it was the first line, fittings are not pleasant however to have it every 5-6 years it's manageable and worth it for only occasional spotting and endometriosis symptom control. No more heavy and painful periods requiring strong pain relief. I would always recommend. Life changing.

I had high hopes for Zoely but unfortunately the experience has been pretty awful, so bad I had to stop at the end of the second month. Firstly, the anxiety on this pill has been uncontrollable. I am a pretty anxious person but luckily have always had it under control. Within the first week of starting Zoely, and until I stopped taking, I was hyperfixating on small things and spiralling from the anxiety. I was hoping this would subside after a few months but given the complete loss of sex drive, and discomfort/pain during sex as well as the severe anxiety I decided enough was enough and to stop taking Zoely.