IUB Ballerine vs Combined pill

Have had the ballerine iud for 7 months and it’s a great change from my last contraception (bar implant). Wanted something that wasn’t hormonal and this was the best choice. Insertion was painful but cramps were gone after an hour or two. Periods have been very irregular still (late, heavy bleeds & spotting for days after), hoping/expecting for them to go back to normal around now since i’m 6months+ on. Other than that no issues & i recommend this over anything else ive tried.

Had very heavy periods. Ended up requiring blood transfusion.

I had my IUB inserted in March 2019. I didn't have any pregnancies before. The insertion of the device was the most painful experience of my life, almost passed out and threw up at the doctor's office, it was a really intense sharp pain. I also had very intense cramps for 2 days after insertion, no pain killers helped. I suppose that's what being in labor feels like, I constantly had an urge to push. After this, everything was fine, the device is reliable and comfortable; and I am using it for more than 5 years now (obgyn said I can use it up to 6 years if it works well). During these five years I had increased bloodflow and sometimes mid-cycle spotting because of the device, but nothing too bad. Overall, I would recommend.

Zero libido and very painful to have sex when I tried. Stopped periods which was great for endometriosis but slowed my digestion so much the bloating and endo belly was uncomfortable all the time, caused pain in hips, lower abdomen and lower back. Had constant reflux unless I slept upright which wasn’t ideal.

It was very convenient and I was on it for 28 years. Im not sure if it mighf have been a causal factor in my low sex libido and recurring depressive episodes.

The pill made me most suicidal. Anxiety and depression were through the roof.

I started the combined pill Drovelis late in my cycle. On day nine of taking the pink pill I got a breakthrough bleed. It's been 10 days and it only increased the last maybe 4 days. I am currently taking iron though and since I'm using it mostly to manage menhorragia im hoping the breakthrough bleeding will taper soon. In contrast my periods were terrible. Dragged over 12 days. Haemorragic. I never went to hospital for them in years but probably barely saved myself on time. I also had them every 26 days which was less than ideal so timed apart. Its worrying but I'm told to continue and see how it goes into the next pack or I'll have to consult with my GP and consider changing brand if my situation doesn't improve. My moods are terrible. I get crying spells and am a lot quieter than I used to be. I'm usually outgoing and very opinionated. Might review again next month. But since it's my first experience I thought id give it a shot

The pill did what it was supposed to which is to stop pregnancy and knowing when my periods would be. I feel like my experience might be a little different to others as I started these pills when I was about 17 and only got off them when I was about 30. So I only know this type of contraception and also not really aware of my natural cycle/hormones until I got off them. I feel like being on them made me emotionless? When I got off them, I started crying a lot more at little things and realise I had a lot more emotional range. I experienced really bad hair loss when I got off them- clumps of hair was coming out when washing my hair. I am lucky I am asian so have thicker hair anyways so the hair loss made me have thinner hair but it’s not like I have none left. Right now I am doing more to get my hair to grow back and it is slowly growing as I have a lot of baby hairs which is a good sign. I also experienced adult acne when I got off the pill. I’ve had clear skin for as long as I can remember and when I got off the pill, I was experiencing really bad acne and still experience that now. Being clear of this pill for a few years now I am happier I feel like in general and my periods are regular as I track it using an app, periods aren’t as heavy as it used to be when I was on the pill and not as painful. Also can confirm fertility is back to normal as well. I am writing about my experience as I was on it a long time and I’m not sure whether as I’m getting older other factors would come into play in terms of my own experience

The thing that surprised me the most was how my internal clock changed (backwards with 4 to 5 hours), while usually I'm not even sleepy until 1am, now I'm easily falling asleep at 8-9pm and waking up at 6-7am when before I was still cranky at 11am. My PMDD is also almost gone, and my endometriosis pain is the easiest it's ever been, but the breast tenderness/pain extended from the luteal phase to all throughout the month. Another surprising thing was the improved natural lubrication (vaginal discharge), while before it was almost inexistent even when turned on, now it's much more consistent.

Started on this pill when I was 18, all was well at the start, my skin cleared up and my periods were much lighter/less painful. I then started to not feel like myself and be quite emotionally dull, I started getting headaches on the week off and being more fatigued than normal. Good for those who are looking to lighten periods or reduce PMS

I have found my experience with Yasmin ok. I like that my mood is much better than on other pills and I feel more like myself, but I have completely lost my sex drive and experienced other negative symptoms unfortunately

This is the worst thing I’ve ever done and I’m not exaggerating. Constantly up and down with my emotions, although mostly down and uncontrollable crying a lot of the time. Had a huge panic attack 2 weeks in, had to call 111 as I thought I was having a heart attack. Made me binge endlessly and uncontrollably. Made my muscles ache and made me more susceptible to injuries, and as a regular gymgoer, it significantly affected my training and fitness and I couldn’t understand why, but the longer I was on it, the worse I felt. Decided to come off after 2 months. Would HIGHLY recommend avoiding this pill. It really? really did not agree with me.

It was ok the first couple months but I've started noticing more side effects the longer I've taken it. I get much more muscle aches, especially in my back. My gums bleed randomly during the first week of each cycle and are much more sensitive. My mood is fluctuating more too.