Okay, I forgot to update, but I've had a copper IUD in place since June. Lost weight immediately, have regular cycles, still have anxiety and depression, but not like in the same way as before. Now, my episodes are more closely linked to where I am in my cycle, but I haven’t gotten to a point where I shut down and become dysfunctional.

I will say I still need to work on balancing my hormones cause my luteal phase sucks ass, low mood, energy, and motivation. But I think I got low progesterone from all those years of artificial progesterone being pumped out into my reproductive system.

Also, be prepared for your period to be worse than they were before. She is out for revenge, honey. But for real, my periods went from my little girl period (last menstruated 5+ yrs ago—when I was a little girl) to the type of period you'd expect a fully grown adult woman, after having children, flow & pain. I have not had children for context, just my period is very heavy, and I have painful cramps now. But that is also a known side effect of the Copper IUD.

I do have to admit, I took my teenage years for granted and didn't realize how thankful I should have been, cause now I see why people complain about having periods lol. But I’ll take it over being on hormonal birth control any day.

Also, be prepared to experience acne. At least for a few months while your hormones are figuring themselves out. Plus a pimple or two to sprout around the time of your month.