Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

briskfox4 said:Hey, I’ve been running a fever for three days now, so I’ve been taking Advil and Motrin. It makes me wonder—could that potentially interfere with how Diana 35 works, or is that just overthinking it? I haven't actually been sick since I started the pill, so I'm feeling a bit out of practice here! :-) Would it be a smart move to use extra protection this month, especially since I was under the weather right at the start of the pack?

Pain relievers won't interfere with your pills.

frozenhawk0 said:Got a bit of a situation... :/
I take birth control pills—mostly for health reasons—but I’ve run out, and I managed to lose my prescription... though I do have the medical report where my doctor officially prescribed them.
Do you think it makes any sense to hit up a pharmacy and try to talk them into giving me the pills without a script, just by showing them that paperwork?
Thanks for any help.

It’s definitely worth a shot. Make sure you bring those medical records showing the recommendation! Just explain the situation exactly like you did here.

frozenhawk0 said:Got a bit of a situation... :/
I take birth control pills—mostly for health reasons—but I’ve run out, and I managed to lose my prescription... though I do have the medical report where my doctor officially prescribed them.
Do you think it makes any sense to hit up a pharmacy and try to talk them into giving me the pills without a script, just by showing them that paperwork?
Thanks for any help.

Well, maybe just head back to your OB-GYN and tell her you accidentally lost the script. I bet she'll just write you a new one... 🙂

I've actually forgotten my prescription at home a few times when heading to the pharmacy, and they wouldn't give me anything without it... but, I guess it depends on the person... 🤷

I could really use some advice here.

So, here’s the situation: I’ve been taking birth control pills to manage my acne. It’s been about five or six months now, and things are finally starting to clear up. My gynecologist and I have discussed transitioning to a milder formulation for my next pack. He hinted that Yaz might be an option. However, if I’m being honest, I can't shake this feeling that women in the medical field are often treated like guinea pigs when it comes to these newer hormonal formulations, and the thought of switching makes me incredibly anxious.
Standard options like Diane-35 have been on the market for years; we know the side effects, the risks, and the statistical data inside and out. These newer brands haven't been around long enough to truly prove their long-term safety profile or reveal all their potential downsides. It reminds me of how Jasmin was marketed—touted as a low-dose, "safe" alternative with minimal side effects, only for us to hear reports of serious health complications later on.

Because of that, I’m looking for recommendations. Does anyone know of a pill that is considered milder than Diane but has actually been around long enough to have a proven track record? I want something I can bring to my doctor so I don't feel like I'm just part of a clinical trial.

Also, has anyone here actually used Yaz? If you have, what was your experience like, and roughly what does it run for in terms of monthly cost?

amberheron64 said:So, my doctor handed me these referrals for a full panel—CBC, glucose, urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT, iron levels, kidney function, a metabolic profile, plus a urinalysis and sediment microscopy... he even checked my blood pressure and listened to my lungs yesterday.
It isn’t that shortness of breath you get after a workout; it’s just... out of nowhere. That’s what’s getting to me. In the morning, I feel fine, but by the evening, I feel like I absolutely cannot catch my breath.
The doctor thinks it might not be lung-related, but I haven't found anything in the Logest literature regarding this—so, who knows?
Should I ask him about a coagulation profile? Honestly, I have no idea anymore. I scoured the Logest instructions and couldn't find anything about respiratory side effects, but I'm planning to tell my OB-GYN today that Logest just isn't working for me... because this breathing issue started right after I finished the first pack.
I was originally on Diane to clear up acne—which, of course, has come crawling back—but now I don't even have coverage for them anymore.
My GP won't approve any contraception, so even if I told him I was taking something, he’d probably just insist it's my own fault anyway. That’s why I’m heading to the gynecologist instead; there’s really no point arguing with him. There's also a chance I'm anemic since I have, like, nine out of ten symptoms, but then again, I'm terrified it might actually be the pills.

And yeah, I was planning on getting my bloodwork done this Friday. I emailed my professor to see if I could skip the first hour or two of class, but he shot that down immediately—said it wasn't an option because I'd lose my attendance credit.😲The referral isn't marked "urgent," either; if it were urgent, I could just go in the afternoon or whenever I had a spare moment.
So, I'm stuck not knowing when I can actually get this sorted out. It is truly unbelievable how unreasonable they are at the university.😢
Plus, I need to switch gynecologists ASAP. I have a feeling that when I show up today, they'll just tell me to get a CBC for my primary doctor, claim I still don't qualify for Diane, and tell me to just stick with Logest... but like I said, I took Diane specifically for the acne, and Logest does absolutely nothing for it.😢

That probably isn't what you're dealing with, and look, I don't want to freak you out or anything, but better safe than sorry, right? One potential side effect of being on birth control is a pulmonary embolism. You really should get that checked out, like, ASAP.

Let us know if you're okay 😉

So, I just got back from seeing my GP. After two whole years, this guy won't even give me an ultrasound or a blood panel. He just did some basic paperwork and a quick check-up.
I actually asked him if I should get my blood drawn, and he was just like, "Nah." 😠 Like, excuse me? Does he realize how much can change in the body in two years? We’re talking hormones here, not candy! And honestly, when I first came in two years ago, he was actually pretty thorough. 😢

Whatever, I'm just gonna head to a private clinic now. I'll tell them I want a full exam and blood work—somewhere that definitely has an on-site lab—and I'll explain exactly why I need it...

Jose Williams78 said:That probably isn't what you're dealing with, and look, I don't want to freak you out or anything, but better safe than sorry, right? One potential side effect of being on birth control is a pulmonary embolism. You really should get that checked out, like, ASAP.

Let us know if you're okay 😉

I had blood work and urine tests done yesterday...
I’m getting the results today...
He did mention that embolism thing as a possibility too—honestly, it wouldn't surprise me—even though my breathing issues seem to be returning to normal

Regarding the coagulation profile, I didn't do it because there's a fee $13(I didn't have cash on me) and I had no idea they charged for it😲

Jeffrey Walker3 said:So, I just got back from seeing my GP. After two whole years, this guy won't even give me an ultrasound or a blood panel. He just did some basic paperwork and a quick check-up.
I actually asked him if I should get my blood drawn, and he was just like, "Nah." 😠 Like, excuse me? Does he realize how much can change in the body in two years? We’re talking hormones here, not candy! And honestly, when I first came in two years ago, he was actually pretty thorough. 😢

Whatever, I'm just gonna head to a private clinic now. I'll tell them I want a full exam and blood work—somewhere that definitely has an on-site lab—and I'll explain exactly why I need it...

It's the exact same story with the blood work; they say it isn't necessary. But I went ahead and did it anyway since my primary care physician wrote me the referral.

Honestly, he used to be totally chill about doing any kind of checkups except for his doctor visits. 😢
Back when we were together, he was always so sweet. When I mentioned some health stuff going on in my family, he didn't even blink—just went ahead with the ultrasound, blood work, everything by the book... but now? It’s like I’m dealing with a complete stranger.

But hey, to be fair, regarding the actual exams, he isn't being rude or anything...

It’s nothing to worry about—I just got my lab results back
😁 Turns out my iron levels were running a little low, but that's really the whole story. 😁
Everything else looks absolutely perfect😛
It doesn't have anything to do with the tablets—though, honestly, now I'm second-guessing my timing. I was supposed to take them on Friday, but since I missed that, can I just take them whenever I want now? Or should I wait?

So glad to hear that! 🙂
They told me I should just wait until my next period before starting again after taking a break...

Well, I suppose I'll be doing the exact same thing then 🙂

Hey girls... quick question! I'm on the Yaz pills and could really use some help if anyone's got a second... 🙂
So, I had some stomach issues on Sunday and ended up skipping my pill that day—then just popped two the next morning!
My big question is... am I still good to go with protection, or am I basically flying blind until my period shows up next Tuesday?
I did have sex Saturday morning, but we used a condom... honestly, I pretty much always use them anyway even though I'm on the pill...
Since the instructions say to just finish this pack and not start the white placebo pills yet, and I actually want to skip my period this month, I figured this might be the best way to handle it!
So... basically, I missed one pill... then took two the following day... once my period arrives and I finish those white ones and start the next pack, will I be back to 100% protection?
I’m totally getting lost with these Yaz pills...

So, my girlfriend and I decided it’s probably time to ditch the condoms and have her start on the pill. Problem is—we’ve been doing a deep dive online and found some pretty terrifying stuff about side effects. That said, she actually used them once or twice before and didn't feel any different—plus, her OBGYN gave her the green light. She does smoke, though; her mom is a doctor and basically told her five cigarettes a day isn't going to kill her. Anyway, I'm wondering...
1.) If her doctor cleared her for it, does that mean she's essentially safe from major side effects now or down the road?
2.) Does those five cigarettes actually matter—right now or later on?
3.) If she quits smoking entirely, what are the odds of running into side effects if the doctor already said it was okay to start?

Seriously, nobody knows anything... I'm starting to think there isn't a single psychic in this whole group.🙂

I'm just wondering if there's a general rule for this—or does it really just depend on the individual woman? Like, can a gynecologist actually predict whether someone is going to deal with side effects or not?

Look, don't make this more complicated than it needs to be—let the woman take her pills and call it a day.🙄

Robert Diaz10 said:I'm just wondering if there's a general rule for this—or does it really just depend on the individual woman? Like, can a gynecologist actually predict whether someone is going to deal with side effects or not?

No way.☕ If I had to give you the odds, there's a 99% chance it won't happen. But honestly, if that 1% actually hits, I don't think your girlfriend would even care about the math.😉

Robert Diaz10 said:So, my girlfriend and I decided it’s probably time to ditch the condoms and have her start on the pill. Problem is—we’ve been doing a deep dive online and found some pretty terrifying stuff about side effects. That said, she actually used them once or twice before and didn't feel any different—plus, her OBGYN gave her the green light. She does smoke, though; her mom is a doctor and basically told her five cigarettes a day isn't going to kill her. Anyway, I'm wondering...
1.) If her doctor cleared her for it, does that mean she's essentially safe from major side effects now or down the road?
2.) Does those five cigarettes actually matter—right now or later on?
3.) If she quits smoking entirely, what are the odds of running into side effects if the doctor already said it was okay to start?

Yeah, I was just saying that maybe only the rare ones should bother posting anything written, because honestly, it hasn't exactly done anyone any favors so far... 🤣
Oh my goodness, have you guys actually read this? Good grief!😲
Wait, hold on a second... are we talking about being on the pill for like, one or two months? Or what?
So, her gynecologist and her doctor both told her there’s absolutely nothing to worry about regarding side effects, yet here she is, coming to us for reassurance? Honestly, if the pros have already given her the green light, why is she still stressing out and asking us? 🤷
Honestly, I’ve been drinking them for four years now while still smoking, so I guess I'm right there with you!🙂

What on earth could a gynecologist possibly guarantee without even performing an exam?!