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Birth control

The Hardest Parts are the Unknowns and ‘What-Ifs’

I’m extremely active, working out 5-6 days a week with lifting and spin classes. Until recently, I have never had any health issues. But for about a year, I was experiencing pelvic pain off and extreme fatigue. I brushed off these symptoms as a result of my age and IUD. In March 2025, I had…

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This Experience Has Instilled a Deep Sense of Gratitude: Karla’s Story

On October 29, 2024, I began experiencing persistent pain in my right calf. The discomfort was significant enough that, five days later, I drove myself to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, no blood work was conducted, and the ultrasound performed on my leg was brief and inconclusive. I was diagnosed with a muscle cramp and advised…

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Everything Can Change in the Blink of an Eye: Courtney’s Story

On September 30, 2023, I was driving up a mountain to a fall festival near my home in West Virginia with my husband and parents when I began having difficulty breathing, and my heart started racing. By the time we stopped, I could not breathe deep enough and almost passed out. I had to sit…

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I’ve Learned How to Advocate For Myself: Melisa’s Story

I have always been an avid runner. In August 2024, I was training for my seventh marathon when I developed pain and swelling in my left leg. I thought I had strained my calf and did physical therapy, but I didn’t make any progress. I attempted the marathon but ultimately dropped out at mile 8…

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I Had to Learn to Trust That the Medication is Working: Kacey’s Story

I took oral birth control starting at age 18 until 33, when I got pregnant. I delivered twin boys by C- section in May 2024 and resumed taking the same birth control shortly after. In September 2024, I noticed my left leg was swollen and began turning a dark red/purple color. I went to the hospital…

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Birth Control and a Muscle Strain Injury Caused my DVT: Chana’s Story

I went on a strenuous hike and my whole body was sore afterwards. A few days later, the soreness subsided everywhere except for my left calf. I thought I had a muscle strain injury. A few days later, the pain got worse, and I could barely walk, so I went to urgent care. I knew…

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Leg Pain Was Mistaken For an Injury: Karlie and Celina’s Story

As told by Karlie’s mother, Celina. Last June, my 17-year-old daughter Karlie mentioned pain in her left leg. She was a dancer, and dancers always have pain: a pulled muscle, a pinched nerve, or sciatica. The pain increased and moved into her groin area. We treated it as the internet said: heat, ice, and elevate.…

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This Made Me a Better Person Because I Value My Life: Julia’s Story

I had suffered with a sore knee for quite some time and eventually ended up needing keyhole surgery on it. I was on the combined pill at the time and was not told of any clotting risk factors before my surgery. The operation was successful, and I went home with crutches, thinking that my knee…

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Fight For Yourself Until You Get an Answer That Makes Sense: Kristina’s Story

My story began in late 2018. I was on oral birth control for a few weeks in October 2018 and stopped as it caused mental health symptoms. A short time later, I experienced sudden increases in heart rate every time I got up to move, and progressed to sudden shortness of breath and a feeling…

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Awareness Could Have Saved My Sister’s Life: Brenda and Vanessa’s Story

As told by her sister, Vanessa Brenda passed away on January 10, 2025, at 36. After almost three months of waiting, our family finally learned the cause of her death: pulmonary embolism due to lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. I’d heard of this condition before but never thought someone her age could be affected. The…

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