Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Go see the doctor and maybe they'll at least write down a recipe for you...

Now, a private clinic might give you the formula—but you’ll definitely have to cough up some cash for those pills first...

And as for the check-up, well, you might just have to sign up for a follow-up appointment later on...

I switched from Cilest to Yaz about three months ago. During the first month, instead of my actual period, I just had some spotting. I took a pregnancy test right away, and it was negative. Now, it’s the second month, and even after finishing another pack, my period still hasn't arrived. I've done another home test and a blood test, and both were negative too. So, I stopped taking Yaz. Honestly, it just doesn't work for my body, and I am definitely not going back to it.

Sam Gomez4 said:I switched from Cilest to Yaz about three months ago. During the first month, instead of my actual period, I just had some spotting. I took a pregnancy test right away, and it was negative. Now, it’s the second month, and even after finishing another pack, my period still hasn't arrived. I've done another home test and a blood test, and both were negative too. So, I stopped taking Yaz. Honestly, it just doesn't work for my body, and I am definitely not going back to it.

So, does Cilest work better for you? I'm actually thinking about making the switch myself since everything seems to be fine with Cilest... Any advice would be appreciated.

That sounds perfect for me! Honestly, I was thinking it might be better to switch over to Yaz—you know, the newer one with fewer hormones. To be fair, I never actually had any issues with the other one. I used it for at least three or four years, and the price is super reasonable, too. It worked great for me, and I really hope it works just as well for you! 🙂

Thanks for the info! Personally, I’m sticking with Celest. I was actually considering quitting and switching over to Yaz, but after reading your take and a few other comments here, it seems like staying on Celest is the smarter move for me.🙂

Listen, I’ve been on the pill for five years now, with just short breaks. I tried Yasmin before, but the headaches were a nightmare, so my doctor switched me over to Yaz. Honestly? Best decision ever. No side effects for me, PMS is gone, those brutal cramps? History. Everything is smooth. I'd recommend it to anyone. 🙂Hey, fadedviper96, I’ve heard it takes at least six months for your body to actually reset. Good luck!

Look, I’m just gonna say it—some people have zero clue what they’re talking about. It’s honestly exhausting watching these endless debates go in circles when the answer is staring everyone right in the face. Like, seriously? You really think that's how it works? Give me a break. It’s common sense, plain and simple, but apparently, that’s asking too much from this crowd lately. Just my two cents, but I'm done pretending otherwise. kaže:
Thanks for the reply! Look, I’m currently on Celest—and honestly, after reading what you said and checking out a few other comments, I’m thinking about just sticking with it. I was actually considering switching over to Yaz, but yeah... based on all this, I think I'll just stay put on Celest. 🙂

If they’re working for you, there’s zero point in shocking your system by switching up your meds for no reason. Just leave it alone.

Can allergy meds mess with how well birth control pills work?

Excuse me, but what exactly does it say in the instructions?

I was wondering when they actually start working? Like, as birth control? I just started taking Yaz

Look, the manual tells you everything, but basically—if you start taking them on the first day of your period, they kick in immediately. If you’re starting later than that, just play it safe and use backup protection for the first week or two. It’s common sense, really.

Arthur Hernandez5 said:Can allergy meds mess with how well birth control pills work?

Nope. My OB-GYN literally just explained this to me today—they don't interfere.

Oh, god, just thinking about it... I honestly don't know how I'd make it through the spring season.

Quick question about birth control—specifically the pill. I’ve been on it for a while, and I’m usually pretty disciplined. A delay of an hour or two isn't really my thing, but I messed up this time. I missed my dose, and more than a few hours have passed since it was due. I used to have the instructions, but I don't have them handy to double-check right now. I seem to remember reading that if you miss it, you should take it as soon as you realize, and if it’s been less than 12 hours, you just need backup protection for a couple of days. This was only the second pill in the pack, and it’s definitely been over 12 hours. My memory is a bit fuzzy, but I think the manual mentioned skipping a dose or starting a new pack if you miss one during the last week, but that doesn't apply to me here. I’d really appreciate it if someone could clarify or if anyone has dealt with this before. Relying on my memory alone feels sketchy, and trust me, a baby is the last thing on my mind. Thanks a ton 🙄 Should I be using backup protection for the whole month, or is there another way to handle this? Thanks in advance 🙂

Look, don't start with a new pack—just skip the one you forgot and carry on like everything's totally normal. If you're actually freaking out about it, just use some extra protection. It's not rocket science, seriously. 🤷

Since I'm not getting any traction on the YAZ thread, I figured I’d try my luck here. 🙂 Basically, I’ve misplaced my YAZ instructions and need some clarification. I want to shift my period start date. Right now, it’s scheduled for Wednesday, but I’d prefer it to happen on Sunday—so, three days earlier. My question is: should I skip three pink pills and transition straight to the white ones and then start the new pack? Or should I finish all the pink pills, take one white pill, and then move on to the new pack? Thanks! 😁

If you want things to happen sooner, just take three fewer pills. I mean—the actual ones—because these white ones are basically just placebos anyway.

Alright, so should I switch to the white pills today and then just carry on normally once I start the new pack? And I’m good to go for sex without any issues, right? Because it’s the only protection my partner and I have. 🙂

I have a question for all the women out there using birth control... how much has your period changed or decreased since you started taking the pill?
Right now, I’m honestly spiraling a bit—I’ve never actually taken any hormonal contraceptives before. After I gave birth, my cycle came back almost immediately, so my doctor prescribed Yaz because they said it wouldn't mess with my milk supply (and honestly, it hasn't—everything was totally fine while I was breastfeeding). But, during those few months of nursing, I was dealing with these weird, random bleeding episodes both mid-cycle and at the end. Once I stopped breastfeeding, as my supply dried up, that spotting stopped, and for the last two months, I've been bleeding regularly starting on day 28, but... this "period" only lasts three days total. And the volume? It's such that everything would literally fit onto one large maxi pad (sorry if that's too much detail!!). Before I got pregnant, my periods were moderately heavy and lasted quite a while...

What’s really making me panic is the possibility of getting pregnant again—which is the absolute last thing I want right now. I am so incredibly eager to get back to work and move past this whole maternity leave phase (I just can't stay stuck at home anymore😉). Lately, my breasts have also felt sort of swollen/tender, even though they haven't really reacted to anything in a long time since I finished nursing...

What have your experiences been like?

Andrew Lopez2 said:I have a question for all the women out there using birth control... how much has your period changed or decreased since you started taking the pill?
Right now, I’m honestly spiraling a bit—I’ve never actually taken any hormonal contraceptives before. After I gave birth, my cycle came back almost immediately, so my doctor prescribed Yaz because they said it wouldn't mess with my milk supply (and honestly, it hasn't—everything was totally fine while I was breastfeeding). But, during those few months of nursing, I was dealing with these weird, random bleeding episodes both mid-cycle and at the end. Once I stopped breastfeeding, as my supply dried up, that spotting stopped, and for the last two months, I've been bleeding regularly starting on day 28, but... this "period" only lasts three days total. And the volume? It's such that everything would literally fit onto one large maxi pad (sorry if that's too much detail!!). Before I got pregnant, my periods were moderately heavy and lasted quite a while...

What’s really making me panic is the possibility of getting pregnant again—which is the absolute last thing I want right now. I am so incredibly eager to get back to work and move past this whole maternity leave phase (I just can't stay stuck at home anymore😉). Lately, my breasts have also felt sort of swollen/tender, even though they haven't really reacted to anything in a long time since I finished nursing...

What have your experiences been like?

Before I started taking the pill, my periods used to last a full week—they were super heavy and painful, sometimes I wouldn't get one for two months and then it would drag on for an entire month straight.
Then I started on Diane, and the bleeding would happen about 3-4 days after my last pill, lasting just 3 days of light spotting... it was such a relief, and that stayed the case for about 3 years.
Now I've switched to Logest, and I've been bleeding for three months now while on them. Apparently, breakthrough bleeding can happen for up to three months... so I'm just waiting; if it doesn't stop by the end of this pack, I'm quitting them.

As for the pregnancy thing, just go buy a test and check—that's the only way to be sure.
It's also possible your breasts are just swollen from the Yaz pills.

Look, it’s totally normal for your periods to be shorter and lighter when you're on the pill. Mine only lasts about three days—and honestly, the flow changes every single month, sometimes it's heavier, sometimes it's barely there... If you're actually staying on top of them and taking them regularly, you really have nothing to worry about.