birth control
"Skyla is the third birth control method I’ve tried. To date, I’ve had an IUD for ten months before getting it out today. In regards to its effectiveness and convenience, it’s a 10/10 option for birth control. No condoms or trips to the pharmacy for refills in ten months, and no pregnancies. It’s nice to not have to actively think of your birth control, especially if you lead a busy life. However, there were some downsides to this method, which is why I️ switched back to the pill today. The insertion process was unbearably painful for me, I️'d rate it a 9/10. I’ve always had heavy periods with severe menstrual cramping, and this was by far the worst pain I’d ever experienced. After insertion, I️ experienced mild cramping for the rest of the day, but experienced sporadic, severe cramping for the first two months. Like, “knock the wind out of you, can’t walk or talk” cramping, and it would come and go in spontaneous waves. Those passed after the first 2 months and for the remaining 8, I️ experienced cramping maybe two or three times and it was when I️ got my period. Speaking of, I️ spotted for a no more than two weeks after insertion; my periods became significantly lighter during the first three months and by the fourth plateaued out but remained light the rest of the time. I noticed the more long-term side effects I️ experienced with Skyla around the 6th month- which were fatigue, weight gain, acne, irritability, and mood swings. The acne is mild, but the weight gain, irritability and mood swings were more significant. I️ gained about 25 pounds within the ten months and I️ noticed I was tired, irritable and hormonal all the time- not just when I️ had my period. I️ waited a few months to rule out any other factors contributing to these symptoms and to see if they’d subside, but they remained. So, I️ switched to a low-dose birth control pill today, Taytulla. It contains estrogen and progestin, instead of just progestin like Skyla. Hopefully, my symptoms will begin to disappear. Skyla was effective, but unfortunately didn’t react well with my body chemistry. But it’s different for everyone."