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.

My psychiatrist put me on Zoely in August of 2024, I had recently been diagnosed with PMDD (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder) and was at a point in my life where if I didn’t find a way to manage the symptoms I was at breaking point. I’d been misdiagnosed with bipolar, major depression, borderline personality disorder and had been on a rollercoaster of treatments from ages 13-30. So I was hesitant to trust this psychiatrist and go on another potentially damaging rollercoaster of meds. Alas, after 3 weeks I noticed dramatic changes to my moods, I was balanced! I felt in control, grounded and sane! Obviously my period stopped and my cycle was no longer existent but this medication saved my life, my relationship, my mental health and gave me back my life! The only negative side is my low to zero sex drive, that’s been tough but I’m navigating it now, my partner doesn’t feel desirable because I don’t want sex.. like ever but we are both just happy to have a peaceful life without the ups and down. It seems like a fair trade to me. So very grateful for this medication.

This pill ruined my mental health, doctor told me it was the best option despite me telling her i was worried about the mental effects. I lost all confidence- felt disgusting all the time. Made my anxiety and overthinking 10 times worse, i was crying multiple times every day. It felt like i had no control over my emotions, i could go from happy to crying within seconds and this could be set off by anything at all. Would not recommend this to anyone, have an appointment to come off it this week.

overall made periods easier but changed my mood to be lower. it definitely improved things for me.

Stopped my periods which I love. Not liking the weight gain. Which has been about 7lbs. I exercise and watch what I eat. I only continue with it because I don't have a period. I couldn't cope with the breakthrough bleeding on cerelle. I can only use progesterone pills due to Hrt unfortunately.

doesn’t make me feel crazy but have been quite dry in sex which wasn’t the case before going on it. boobs are bigger but have had a few cramps but i have suspected endometriosis which is probably the reason.

Began taking this when i was 14 when i got my first boyfriend and I am now 18 so it is very hard to determine or remember what things i suffered with prior to the pill and what increased while on it. One thing i can say is my skin has never been more oily in my whole life, regular bumps on my forehead which i don’t recall ever having. I can only put this down to hormones/the pill, i’ve tried antibiotics, thousands of pounds worth of skincare, changing shampoos, stopping vaping, bettering my diet, replacing makeup brushes regularly (im talking fortnightly!) and so much more and nothing seems to even touch the sides. cystic acne bumps on my back which seem to worsen in the winter/autumnal months. I have been seen to by uncountable doctors and a dermatologist who have all simply told me to wash my face with a cloth lol (wish i tried that one!!???). I have found my skins got worse through the years but now it’s totally uncontrollable, skincare does not even seem to touch the sides which also convinces me it’s something to do with my contraception. Have found myself very snappy and irritable 24/7 i feel very low… nothing major is happening in my life to be making me feel like that and it’s getting draining. booking another doctors appointment tomorrow to consider changing.

For me personally, the pill is great for periods. I haven’t had a period while using it. However, I did have 1-2 weeks of very light breakthrough bleeding. I found the pill made me severely depressed and I had absolutely no energy. I felt like I was just existing and not living. I was crying everyday and thinking everyone hated me. It also made me lose all my confidence I took so long to gain (I had none). Since being off it for 3 days I’ve seen a huge difference in my energy and my mood is slowly getting better. It didn’t make me gain weight as such, but my stomach is usually flat and now it’s round and more bloated. I’m hoping this will go away. I’d say I’ve gained more fat on my stomach than weight. I am more then happy to answer any questions <3

while it's generally alright while I'm on it, the periods are terrible. way more painful than normal and extremely heavy. I've gotta give it credit for the skin though- alot clearer than before

Please consider the effects AFTER you stop taking Yaz or Eloine (same pill different brand). I never had acne or even spots my whole life and 4 months after stopping Yaz I got post-pill acne. My whole face is red and scarred and there isn’t a part of it that isn’t swollen and bumpy with cystic acne. If I could show you photos you would immediately think twice about trying an anti-androgen contraceptive like Yaz/eloine. I have tried everything with my derm to cure the acne but I wish I had known before taking yaz that this might happen when I stopped. I’m honestly devastated. It’s now been two years since I stopped yaz..

Has been really helpful for my moods as i would get bad pms, i feel a lot more stable through the months. i gained a lot of weight at one point but then lost it. my boobs consistently got bigger, at certain times in the month they are very very tender. i had lost my sex drive for a few months when i first started but it then came back, but i was really not eager for anything for ages. It’s helped my back and chest acne, and my face is better but has flare ups. I get a period every 3 months but it lasts like 14 days but not that heavy.