Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

vividsailor7 said:Talk to your gynecologist. Do you have edema in your lower legs? There are options like Lasix, Torsemide, or Indapamide, but they all require a prescription.

Please forgive my delay in getting back to you—thank you for waiting!
I don’t actually have any visible swelling or bulging veins; it’s more of this persistent, heavy sensation of being bloated and puffed up. Perhaps I sounded a bit more alarmist than I intended, but looking back, maybe it isn't quite as dire as I made it out to be.
What I was really trying to figure out is whether there exists some kind of supplement or remedy that can help flush out what the birth control pills seem to cause the body to hold onto. I'm thinking along the lines of a specific tea, a certain herb, or even just a particular vitamin or mineral... something that might nudge the system to shed that excess water without needing a doctor's note for a prescription drug.

Thanks again!

rapidorca6 said:So, on the last day of my second week, I totally blanked on my pill. I ended up taking it over 12 hours late. The instructions say if you miss a pill during the second week, just take it when you remember and keep going with the regular schedule, and you should be fine. But if you miss one in the third week, apparently it's best to just start a brand new pack immediately without any break. Since I wasn't really sure, I just went ahead and started a new pack anyway. Is that actually okay? I mean, did I mess up or make the wrong call here?

Your protection should be fine, but you probably won't get your period this month. Just a heads-up: there's a chance you might experience some breakthrough bleeding, which could actually last longer than a normal period, so don't freak out if that happens.

darkwalker2 said:Please forgive my delay in getting back to you—thank you for waiting!
I don’t actually have any visible swelling or bulging veins; it’s more of this persistent, heavy sensation of being bloated and puffed up. Perhaps I sounded a bit more alarmist than I intended, but looking back, maybe it isn't quite as dire as I made it out to be.
What I was really trying to figure out is whether there exists some kind of supplement or remedy that can help flush out what the birth control pills seem to cause the body to hold onto. I'm thinking along the lines of a specific tea, a certain herb, or even just a particular vitamin or mineral... something that might nudge the system to shed that excess water without needing a doctor's note for a prescription drug.

Thanks again!

You didn't mention what your diet is like. Regardless, try to cut out salty and highly seasoned foods as much as possible because they definitely cause fluid retention. Also, drink green tea! And I mean the real stuff—loose leaf, not those cheap tea bags. If you aren't already active, try adding some exercise into your routine too.

Laura Mendoza said:Your protection should be fine, but you probably won't get your period this month. Just a heads-up: there's a chance you might experience some breakthrough bleeding, which could actually last longer than a normal period, so don't freak out if that happens.

You didn't mention what your diet is like. Regardless, try to cut out salty and highly seasoned foods as much as possible because they definitely cause fluid retention. Also, drink green tea! And I mean the real stuff—loose leaf, not those cheap tea bags. If you aren't already active, try adding some exercise into your routine too.

Sorry... my diet is pretty standard. I eat plenty of vegetables, though maybe not quite enough fruit, and I indulge in sweets every now and then. I ride my bike regularly, and once classes and work pick up, I'll be doing even more exercise and running around.
So, green tea actually helps? Can I just grab it from any local grocery store? What does it actually do, specifically? I’ve read so much about it, but everyone seems to claim different things about every kind of tea out there that it's getting hard to know what's legitimate. It feels like there's an endless cycle—first it was yellow tea, then black, then green, all of them supposedly being these incredible miracle cures.
Anyway, I might give it a shot! 😉 Thanks

White, green, and black tea actually all come from the exact same plant; it just depends on when you harvest it. You could say white tea is the "youngest," followed by green, and then black. It’s packed with benefits, but honestly, I started drinking it because I wasn't urinating enough, and it works wonders as a diuretic. Now, coffee is a diuretic too, but green tea is definitely the superior choice. I have about one or two cups a day—I use half a teaspoon of sugar because, let’s be real, I can't handle it without a little sweetness. That’s how I enjoy it. Aside from helping with urination (which I know is your main goal right now to help your kidneys flush out excess water), my skin has improved significantly. I haven't dealt with acne for years, but since I started this habit, my complexion looks even better than before.
You can pick some up at any standard grocery store in the health food aisle. A 100-gram bag will run you about $6.75 (depending on the brand), but I personally stick with Whole Foods. If you just buy those cheap tea bags, you won't really feel the effects; loose leaf is much more potent and tastes way better. 😁

Thanks for the advice! I’ll probably end up picking it up 😉 then I'll get back to you all

You're very welcome. I certainly hope you can at least manage to dull that bloating sensation somewhat.

darkwalker2 said:Please forgive my delay in getting back to you—thank you for waiting!
I don’t actually have any visible swelling or bulging veins; it’s more of this persistent, heavy sensation of being bloated and puffed up. Perhaps I sounded a bit more alarmist than I intended, but looking back, maybe it isn't quite as dire as I made it out to be.
What I was really trying to figure out is whether there exists some kind of supplement or remedy that can help flush out what the birth control pills seem to cause the body to hold onto. I'm thinking along the lines of a specific tea, a certain herb, or even just a particular vitamin or mineral... something that might nudge the system to shed that excess water without needing a doctor's note for a prescription drug.

Thanks again!

You've already received an answer to that.

vividsailor7 said:You've already received an answer to that.

Thanks! So, you’re also suggesting green tea? Is there anything else on your radar—maybe a specific tincture, some vitamins, minerals, capsules, or even just a standard supplement... Honestly, I’ve reached that point where I don't even know anymore. It can be taken alongside the green tea!

darkwalker2 said:Thanks! So, you’re also suggesting green tea? Is there anything else on your radar—maybe a specific tincture, some vitamins, minerals, capsules, or even just a standard supplement... Honestly, I’ve reached that point where I don't even know anymore. It can be taken alongside the green tea!

Some formula, vitamins, minerals, pills, supplements... Listen, if you ask me, most of that stuff is just a "fool's tax." You want results? Stick to the basics. Green tea is fine, or maybe a natural diuretic—something like nettle or birch, for example.

vividsailor7 said:Some formula, vitamins, minerals, pills, supplements... Listen, if you ask me, most of that stuff is just a "fool's tax." You want results? Stick to the basics. Green tea is fine, or maybe a natural diuretic—something like nettle or birch, for example.

Thanks anyway, truly! I’ll give it a shot and let you know how it goes. 😉

Does it make any difference if I pop the tea in the fridge to cool down? It’s always nagged at the back of my mind—does the effect change whether you drink it hot or cold? 🙂

Hey there 😁
I had my first appointment with the gynecologist today regarding birth control. He told me to go get some blood work done first and then come back once the results are ready. Now, I’m wondering when they actually perform the Pap smear? Does that happen after the blood tests are finished?

One quick question or two🙂>

If you don't have supplemental insurance, do you still have to pay out of pocket for a coagulogram, liver function tests, and a CBC? And if so, roughly how much?
I’ve been on the pill for over a year now and it just isn't working for me anymore. I’d like to get all these tests done before I switch so I can see where my levels actually stand.

Also, if anyone happens to know, what’s the cost for a Pap smear and an ultrasound without supplemental coverage?
Everything would be at the local community health clinic.

Thanks

darkwalker2 said:Thanks anyway, truly! I’ll give it a shot and let you know how it goes. 😉

Does it make any difference if I pop the tea in the fridge to cool down? It’s always nagged at the back of my mind—does the effect change whether you drink it hot or cold? 🙂

Green tea is excellent and crisp—just don't go overboard with the sweetener. It’s incredibly refreshing.

copperraven53 said:Can we please keep the tea talk to this thread: Good teas for gynecological issues 😉

Sorry if I'm going a bit off-topic here—I didn't mean to write a novel—but this girl is dealing with some real issues because of her birth control. We didn't just start rambling about herbal tea for no reason. 😁

Steven Miller56 said:Hey there 😁
I had my first appointment with the gynecologist today regarding birth control. He told me to go get some blood work done first and then come back once the results are ready. Now, I’m wondering when they actually perform the Pap smear? Does that happen after the blood tests are finished?

Dad's test is just one part of the review, so he’ll include it in the final evaluation.
It doesn't matter how fast you get your blood drawn; you’re still going to be waiting weeks for those lab results to come back—unless, of course, you see a private specialist, in which case things move a bit faster.

Laura Mendoza said:Green tea is excellent and crisp—just don't go overboard with the sweetener. It’s incredibly refreshing.

Sorry if I'm going a bit off-topic here—I didn't mean to write a novel—but this girl is dealing with some real issues because of her birth control. We didn't just start rambling about herbal tea for no reason. 😁

Dad's test is just one part of the review, so he’ll include it in the final evaluation.
It doesn't matter how fast you get your blood drawn; you’re still going to be waiting weeks for those lab results to come back—unless, of course, you see a private specialist, in which case things move a bit faster.

Hmm, is it possible he actually performed it on me yesterday then? Aside from the birth control consultation, I went in because of a yeast infection, and he told me to call back in three or four weeks for the results. Now I'm not sure if those results are for specific pathologies or if it was just the Pap smear itself.

Andrew Anderson6

Thanks! 😉
Honestly, I’ve always harbored this nagging suspicion that tea only actually works while it’s steaming hot 😁—as if the moment it hits room temperature, all those supposed medicinal properties just evaporate into thin air. Since I’ve always been much more partial to iced drinks than anything warm, I suppose I can finally dive into this green tea without any guilt. If the efficacy remains the same regardless of the temperature, then honestly, it’s a win in my book!

Sugar - I didn't quite catch your drift from the first post—did you actually go in for an exam yesterday, or did they just send you off to get lab work done? It makes more sense now. Most likely, the doctor handled everything during the visit, because there's no way they'd make you come back twice in just a few days. He probably told you to get the tests finished before renewing your prescription, but I’d bet the full physical was already completed.

LadyMA - Just go for it!

Yeah, okay, we are completely off track here—entirely off base. And honestly, this has zero to do with gynecological teas, but whatever. 🙄
I don't really care; I've already had several thousand posts wiped anyway, so you might as well ban me for eternity.
*will result in 🙂

Look, specifically regarding my last post, it wasn't even aimed at you. It was about some other girl because you didn't keep the conversation going on that topic. So now you're sitting there feeling slighted for no reason, but honestly, what am I supposed to do about that?