Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

I recently took a little break from my birth control pills (Logest) and have since resumed them. However, during that gap, my gynecologist didn't bother sending me for any blood work or anything remotely similar—not even when I specifically asked if it was necessary. She just flatly told me there was no need.

How often should I actually be getting my blood checked? It’s proving impossible to get a straight answer out of my doctor. 🙄
The last time I had blood drawn was about a year and a half ago (and honestly, that was entirely on my own initiative), and my results were perfectly fine, aside from my perennial struggle with low iron levels.

I’ve dealt with melanoma, and since then, my gynecologist hasn't wanted to prescribe birth control pills. Melanoma is a skin cancer that can be influenced by hormones (similar to breast cancer and a few others). Though, the last doctor I saw actually thinks it isn't a contraindication?!?

In what specific situations are pills off the table? Are there any of you dealing with this?
I have to admit, I haven't found much online regarding the link between pills and melanoma, but I guess I'll ask an oncologist 🙂

Hey there!

First off, sorry if I’m doubling up on a topic—I’m totally new here. I’ve scrolled through as much of this sub-forum as I can find, and I didn't see anything similar, but if I missed an existing thread, please excuse me for opening a new one anyway.

So, I’m having a bit of a situation with starting birth control—my very first time ever—and honestly, it is driving me absolutely insane.
To give you some context, my periods are incredibly irregular (here’s what the last two years looked like: Feb 17 - April 9 - June 4 - July 18 - Sept 18 - ? - Dec 20 - March 8 - April 1 - June 2 - July 13 - Aug 12 - Oct 2 - Nov 27). I went to my OB-GYN, had an ultrasound, a Pap smear, everything—all looks perfect. I asked her about the irregularity, wondering if it might be genetic since my mom dealt with the exact same thing back in the day before her first pregnancy, after which everything leveled out. My doctor just said it’s all normal and nothing to worry about because I’m healthy as a horse (and I'm 21).

I asked her about the pill, got my bloodwork done, and everything came back fine. She prescribed Trinovum and told me that if I run into any issues—like nausea, mood swings, or whatever else—to come straight back so she can switch me to something else.

Since you're supposed to start the pill on the first day of your period, I was basically just waiting for a "signal" to begin. I had no clue when it would actually happen or if it would, since I can't really rely on tracking dates—it just follows its own chaotic schedule and leaves me stressed...

On Saturday night, I noticed a little spotting, so I took my first pill. On Sunday, my "period" was extremely light—more like a brownish discharge rather than a full flow—nothing like my usual cycle... I've never experienced anything like that before.
I thought to myself, "Well, it's only day one, maybe it's just light and will turn into a normal period soon..." but by Monday, everything just stopped. Based on my own gut feeling and some advice from friends, I haven't stopped taking the pills, but there hasn't been any bleeding at all.

My doctor is out of the office this week so I couldn't get a hold of her, and Google hasn't exactly been helpful with its advice... I'm still taking them; I've taken 6 pills so far. I feel totally fine—maybe a tiny bit hungrier—but no nausea, no headaches, nothing... I actually feel okay.

So, I’m wondering if any of you have gone through something similar? What should I be thinking about this? Should I stop taking the pills until I can see my doctor on Monday, or should I keep going? Are they even working properly if that wasn't actually my period (which it almost certainly wasn't, even though I had my usual PMS symptoms beforehand)? Could this mess up the whole system or cause long-term issues? (I figured those 6 pills wouldn't kill me, especially since I feel good, but could it affect how things work later on?)

Ugh, why does everything always have to be so complicated? Why can't things just be simple for once...

If anyone has any advice—even if it's just something to help me worry a little less—I would appreciate it more than you know.
I'm a total nervous wreck right now, just spiraling a bit, not knowing what to think...

Hi everyone!

First things first: you simply never stop drinking.

As a second point—just to be safe—you should probably stick with the positive protection until this entire cycle wraps up, mainly because we aren't entirely certain if that was actually your period or something else entirely. Once you finish taking the last dose, you can expect some bleeding to occur.

Now, for my two cents: you should probably give your doctor a call whenever you get a chance. And while you’re at it, definitely ask them whether you should just keep powering through this current pack without stopping, or if it’s wiser to take a seven-day break. From what I can gather—and from what I’ve spent quite a few years digging through medical literature—what happened is that your period actually started, but the pills essentially stepped in to halt the process, which is a perfectly standard side effect. You can find confirmation on sites like WebMD under their contraception sections; there's really nothing to worry about. Generally speaking, these pills are effective from day one if you start them on the very first day of your cycle, though if you don't, you're supposed to use backup protection for those first fourteen days. At least, that’s how I remember reading it in the textbooks, and if I recall correctly, some of the instruction leaflets say the exact same thing. Still, if I were you, I might just play it safe and stick to using extra protection for the entire first cycle, just to be absolutely certain.
Yeah, definitely ask her about taking a break or not, but for heaven's sake, don't stop drinking your water. I suspect she’ll just tell you everything is perfectly fine, that you're fully protected, and suggest you take a seven-day hiatus once you've finished that first blister pack.

Go ahead then, let me know what she actually said... if there's anything else you're curious about, feel free to hit me up in a private message.

I had a similar experience when I first started taking pills (Trinovum, specifically). They told me it was just an extra layer of protection for that month, just to be safe, and emphasized that I absolutely had to stay on schedule.
You finish the entire pack, you get your period during that seven-day break, and then you just pick up right where you left off. It’s like recalibrating a scale; it takes a little while for the hormones to find their equilibrium.😉

Thanks a million 🙂

I’m not going to stop drinking—well, the breaks fit right into my regular Truvada routine since there are 21 in a pack,
so once I finish those, I take a 7-day break, and then it's back to square one...

Anyway, it’s all going to be fine... and I’ll let you guys know what she says as soon as I get a chance to talk or meet up with her...
I was just really worried about whether things could get messed up if the initial start gets all out of whack...

But you guys have totally calmed me down, thanks again! 😉

Kimberly Ross3 said:Thanks a million 🙂

I’m not going to stop drinking—well, the breaks fit right into my regular Truvada routine since there are 21 in a pack,
so once I finish those, I take a 7-day break, and then it's back to square one...

Anyway, it’s all going to be fine... and I’ll let you guys know what she says as soon as I get a chance to talk or meet up with her...
I was just really worried about whether things could get messed up if the initial start gets all out of whack...

But you guys have totally calmed me down, thanks again! 😉

You don't need to take a break just because you made a mistake with the timing, like starting on the wrong day or something similar, which is why I mentioned it. It’s most likely noted right there in the instructions too.

I think everything is perfectly fine; just keep going and give the doctor a call.

I have a question 🙂

I’ve been on the Logest three-month pill regimen, and everything was going smoothly up until now..

After my seven-day break, I was supposed to start the new pack yesterday at 9 PM.. however, due to some issues, I wasn't able to pick up my pills until today.. will there be any trouble if I take the first pill tonight (even though it should have been last night)? Also, do I need to use backup protection, and if so, for how long?

Thanks 😁

Drink both the one from yesterday and the one from today
and make sure to use protection this month

I had a remarkably similar mishap... last night around 10:30 PM, I was supposed to take my first pill after the break—but I wasn't home, and I didn't actually get around to taking it until 9 this morning... which means I was running about ten and a half hours late. I know the medical consensus is that protection remains effective if you're within a twelve-hour window, but since this was the very first pill, I can't help but feel a bit of anxiety regarding it 🤷

I’ll be back on schedule tonight and take the second one at the usual time...

If you happen to miss that first pill, you’re essentially giving your body an extra window of time to potentially trigger ovulation—so, honestly, just use backup protection for the duration of that cycle, or at the very least for those initial 14 days.

Hey, just curious, what time do you guys usually take your pills?

vivideagle90 said:Hey, just curious, what time do you guys usually take your pills?

What does that even have to do with anything? From my own experience, it’s probably best to take them at whatever time you’re least likely to forget. Some people swear by taking them right before bed, whereas I always found it easiest to do it in the morning before heading into work. Honestly, I used to just leave them sitting right next to my makeup kit, so...

Oh sorry, just wondering since it's my first time trying them... thanks!🙂

I usually take them at 10 in the morning—I always seem to be home by then. If I’ve been out during the day, I’m already back, and if I’m planning to head out in the evening, I haven't even left yet 🙂 even though they’re right there in my wallet... and I literally have an alarm set on my phone just to remind me...

Oh, absolutely—keep a spare pill tucked away in your bag at all times. Just for peace of mind.

And another thing, which might be a tad awkward to bring up, but I suppose I’ll just say it: I honestly think it’s better to take it in the evening. Personally, since I have a rather sensitive stomach, when I tried taking it in the morning, I experienced this... well, let's just call it digestive issues, shall we? And then you're left sitting there wondering if the medication actually even absorbed, how much time has passed, and all that nonsense. But if you just take it before bed, well... 🙂.

So, I’ve got a question. Basically, I’m on Diane, and I started taking them right on the first day of my period. I’ve only got about four or five pills left until the pack is finished, but then today I noticed some spotting—like, actual blood. My period basically decided to show up right in the middle of my cycle. So, what do you think? Should I just push through and finish these last few pills, or should I do something else?

Frank Hughes56 said:So, I’ve got a question. Basically, I’m on Diane, and I started taking them right on the first day of my period. I’ve only got about four or five pills left until the pack is finished, but then today I noticed some spotting—like, actual blood. My period basically decided to show up right in the middle of my cycle. So, what do you think? Should I just push through and finish these last few pills, or should I do something else?

Keep taking them; honestly, it’s perfectly normal. It’s just called spotting. Just finish the pack, take your break, and then start the next 21 pills as if nothing even happened.

For the ladies out there—most of the side effects you encounter are quite standard. Just don't make the mistake of stopping because of them, unless you want to lose your protection entirely.

thanks a ton for the reply!