Posts by Kimberly Castillo2

darkwalker2 said:Dear friends,
I have a question I’d like to pose, almost like a little informal survey for the group. I truly hope many of you will feel inclined to weigh in. 🙂

What I’m wondering is whether you find birth control pills to be sufficient protection on their own. Do you supplement them with other forms of contraception, or perhaps just rely on the withdrawal method?

The reason this is weighing on my mind is that I frequently find myself spiraling into anxiety about pregnancy, even though I’ve been on the pill for months—even years, actually. This month, I had a bit of a crisis; I ended up with a stomach bug and was vomiting about two hours after taking my pill, and I wasn't quick enough to realize I needed to take another dose immediately. Fortunately, my period arrived and everything seems fine, but it has left me questioning if relying solely on the pill is a gamble I shouldn't be taking.
I am well aware that no contraceptive is a hundred percent foolproof, but I am genuinely curious how the rest of you handle things. If you use extra precautions, what are they? And more importantly, do you deal with that same gnawing dread, waiting for your cycle to arrive with your heart in your throat?

Historically, I’ve always used secondary methods alongside the pill, but as I spent time reading through your posts here, I started to wonder if I was being overly cautious. Now, looking back, I suspect my old instincts were actually the wiser ones. 🙂

Please, do share your thoughts and advice, as I am incredibly eager to hear your perspectives!

No extra protection and honestly? I’m not even worried. I trust my gynecologist—she says if I'm actually staying on top of my pill, I don't need anything else. 😉

Look, life’s just a series of bad decisions wrapped in fancy packaging. You think you're making progress, but you're really just running on a treadmill that's bolted to the floor. Everything's a hustle. Everyone's got an angle. Honestly? Just grab a coffee, accept the chaos, and try not to let the cynicism bite too hard. Or do. It’s your funeral. kaže:
Ugh, I’m feeling so incredibly bitter right now. Just totally consumed by jealousy. It's pathetic, honestly. 😁 Half a chance for me. Honestly, maybe I should just ditch Yaza and jump over to Qlaira instead. 😬

Give it a shot. 😁 Look, unfortunately, there’s no magic formula for success. It’s different for everyone. Period.
Some people got theirs from Yazmina, some from Yaz, and as for me? I got mine from Claire! 😁

Oh, give me a break! Seriously? What a joke. 😉

David Evans9 said:You hit the nail right on the head—you understood my dilemma perfectly.

I ended up holding off on calling my doctor—mostly because I’d been reading online that most women deal with brown spotting throughout the month, yet I haven't seen anyone else mention actually missing their period entirely... But honestly? Looking at myself, nothing seems to be changing—no curves developing, no bloating—so I’m not exactly spiraling into a panic just yet.

Thanks for the response! — truly appreciated.

missing your period is super common during those first few months. My OB-GYN told me the same thing, so seriously, don't sweat it😉

Personally, my curves popped out by almost two sizes! 🙂

David Evans9 said:So, I’m currently on my second pack of Yaz—before this, I was on Diane for about three years. After finishing the last dose of Diane, I switched over to Yaz the very next day (following the instructions)... and well, that’s when things started going sideways.

I didn't even get my period until I was on the seventh pack of Yaz, which lasted ten days—and it was actually quite heavy. Now, I've already gone through seven pills from this current pack and still haven't seen any bleeding, even though I have these daily abdominal cramps that feel exactly like my period is right around the corner...

What is going on here? What should I do???

Look, it’s totally normal to skip your period for the first few months—two or three at most. Your body basically has to figure out how to deal with new birth control, or any hormonal stuff for that matter.😉

Personally, when I was on Yasmin or Yaz, my periods were super light, short, and painless. But now on Qlair, I've been dealing with long-ass periods for four months now, sometimes lasting until the fifth pill of a new pack.🙄

It's all different for everyone; you just have to adjust. Though, I'm not entirely sure I follow your exact situation.
You mentioned getting your period by the seventh pill of the first pack, which isn't weird at all.
But now you're on day seven of the second pack and haven't had the period you were supposed to get after finishing the first pack?

If that's the case, don't freak out. Give it another month, maybe two, and things should level out. If two months pass and it's still a mess, call your OB-GYN and ask for a different prescription because these clearly aren't working for you.

Just stay consistent with taking them and stop stressing. 😉

*Paul Rivera* said:
Hey, just asking for info here.
Do I seriously need to get bloodwork done again after six months on the pill? Or can I just swing by the OBGYN to grab a new prescription since this Yaz one only lasts me six months?

You probably won't need to do bloodwork again. I get mine checked once a year and honestly, that’s plenty.😉
My Yaz prescription used to last a whole year.
And that was a while back, maybe sometime last year.😕

rowdywalker7 said:Does anyone know if I have to go back to my OB-GYN just to get another refill on my birth control because I lost my prescription? Or does the pharmacy where I buy my stuff keep some kind of record? Can I just ask them to keep issuing it since I’m a regular there?

You’re gonna need a new script. They won't hand it over at the pharmacy without one.

wiredlynx66 said:Hey everyone... I really need some advice here.

So, I was supposed to start on birth control pills this month. Usually, my cycle is pretty predictable—exactly 28 days—but I always get this light brown spotting about three days before my period actually hits (which is totally normal for me). This month, though, the spotting started way early, around day 20. I’ve been traveling a ton lately, so I'm guessing the constant movement just threw my hormones for a loop. By day 24, it felt like the bleeding was getting heavier, so I honestly thought my period had finally arrived. I went ahead and took my first pill, but now, a day later, I realized it’s still just spotting. Should I just keep going with the pack, or did I mess everything up by starting too soon?

If anyone has dealt with something similar, please let me know what you did!!

Thanks

Keep taking them, but just so you know, you aren't protected right now. I'm not 100% sure how long, but if you don't start on the very first day of your actual period, you definitely need backup protection for a while.

Honestly, just call your OBGYN and ask exactly how many days you need to use condoms. 😉

Look, I don’t care what anyone says—life isn't some Hallmark movie. It’s messy, it’s loud, and most of the time, it’s just plain exhausting. You spend half your time trying to hold it all together and the other half wondering why you even bother. But hey, that’s just how it goes. Deal with it or don't. Your call. kaže:
I know all this already, but whatever. Here we go again—some tiny, stupid little problem keeping me from getting any peace. 🙂
Anyway, I'm on that Lyndette 20.

It’ll happen, don't sweat it! 😉

graniteviper92 said:I’m bored. I’ve been taking these for five months now. My period always used to show up on the third day. Today is the third day, and nothing yet. I’m starting to worry. I know I have no actual reason to be anxious, but here I am. Why does that happen? Just an irrational feeling, I suppose. But still. 😁

Don't sweat it. If I remember right, with Yasmin birth control, you get a 7-day break. One time mine showed up on day one, another time on the very last day, day 7.

You can totally freak out over those 6 days if you want. 🙄

And honestly, if you’ve been taking them properly—like, you didn't miss a single pill—you're fine. You probably already know that! 😉

graniteviper92 said:Ladies, does your period arrive at the exact same time every single cycle (like, say, on the third day of the break), or is every month a complete wildcard?

In my experience, things were all over the place when I first started, but after a few months, it basically settled into a routine. Now I’m on Qlaira, which only has a two-day break—just two placebo pills—and I always get it on that second pill.

If you ask me, the longer you stay on them, the more your body just gets used to the rhythm. It should start coming at the same time every single cycle, like clockwork on the same day of the break. 😉

Benjamin Robinson3 said:I saw someone online saying that if you miss a pill, you have to use backup contraception for two weeks, but my Cestazol box says only seven days. Which one is actually right?
Does the protection still hold during that seven-day break between packs?

Look, I only know the answer to the second part: yeah, you're protected the whole time. Even during those 7 days when you aren't taking anything—as long as you actually start the next pack on time after the week is up, obviously.😉

Justin Kelly8 said:Thanks.
Mainly, the stomach cramps were brutal. Nausea while eating, then headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and these awful mood swings.
I know these side effects are expected, but mine were so intense I just couldn't deal with it anymore.
So, I decided to try something else, and I just picked up some Lindynette.

holy crap, I've never heard of someone hitting such heavy side effects after only 8 days. 😲

At least now you know they aren't for you. And about your period—honestly, I think it's totally fine since you aren't even that late. Some women have cycles that run 32 days easy, plus you were on hormones and then suddenly quit cold turkey, so everything's obviously a mess right now.

By my logic, it's completely normal, but if you're freaking out, just call your OB-GYN to get some reassurance. 😉

Justin Kelly8 said:Hi,

I started taking birth control pills (Yaz) for the first time ever. I took them for eight days—starting right at the beginning of my period—and then stopped because they just didn't sit right with me. My period lasted about seven days back then.
The thing is, after I quit on day eight, I didn't get any bleeding. It’s been 32 days now, and my period still hasn't shown up.
Is it normal for my cycle to get this messed up after only taking eight pills?
For context, I have clear skin, but my cycle has always been quite short and unpredictable, usually running between 20 and 26 days.

I think it's possible, but honestly, who knows? 🤷

What I really want to know is, how did you realize after only 8 days that they weren't working for you?

Whatever. Just another day in this mess. Life’s basically just a series of bad decisions wrapped in fancy packaging, isn't it? Honestly, don't even get me started on the whole "everything happens for a reason" nonsense. Total garbage. Most things happen because someone was being an idiot. Anyway, here I am. Still breathing, unfortunately. Don't expect much. kaže:
Seriously, I had no clue things could be this uneven. Like, one friend of mine saw her numbers jump by an entire digit on Diana, while another friend didn't get even a single cent from Cica on Jasmin. It's wild. 😁 Look, Makar, it’s all relative. Honestly? I’d be thrilled if they grew even a tiny bit—I definitely wasn't born with a natural gift for this. 🤣

So, how does someone just flip from Yaz to Qlaira like it's nothing? Honestly, I’m totally fine with it. I was low-key stressing that the switch would wreck my mood or give me killer headaches, but nope—zero issues so far. Turns out they’re both made by Bayer. Case closed.

I bet they’re all from Bayer. Honestly, I took a break between Yaza and Qlaire because my boyfriend and I called it quits. 🙄

And my gynecologist is at it again, pushing some new pill with an even lower hormone dose. First it was Yasmin like three or four years ago, then Yaz, and now she’s trying to get me on Qlaira. Real groundbreaking stuff.

I haven't had side effects from any birth control before this—except now with Qlaira. But like I said, I’m definitely not complaining about my chest getting bigger. 😁

Listen, I’m just gonna say it. Most of this stuff we see online? Pure garbage. Total noise. You spend half your life scrolling through absolute nonsense thinking you’re actually learning something, only to realize you’ve just wasted another hour of your life on nothing. It’s exhausting. Everything feels fake, everyone’s playing a part, and honestly, the cynicism is starting to feel like the only honest thing left. Just my two cents. Don't @ me. kaže:
How long did it take for them to grow that much? 😲 😍
Been on Yaz 2 for two weeks now. No side effects yet, just a tiny bit of weight gain. 😬

I honestly couldn't believe it, but now I’m on a whole different level. Not a single bra fits anymore—I actually had to raid my mom's closet just to find something that works. 🤣

My nails and my hair aren't even growing that much, and I’ve been using this stuff for a year already. I noticed a bit of a difference when I was on Yasmin, but honestly? Nothing like what I'm seeing now on Qlaira. I actually couldn't believe it—they are literally growing every single day. 😂

I swear, people are just too sensitive. They start growing an attitude the second you try to set a boundary or talk about numbers, acting like the whole world’s gonna blow up. That's how it is with me all the time. Constant drama. 😁

So, before, my numbers were floating somewhere between a two and a three, but now? Yeah, I’m sitting at a solid four. 😁

darkwalker2 said:Has anyone here ever actually taken Qlaire? My gynecologist was practically insisting on it today, framing it as an anti-lipid medication for cholesterol management. Has anyone else gone down that particular path?

There's already a whole thread on Qlaire if you want to dig through the details. 😉 Personally, I'm on them, so hit me up if you have questions.

Honestly, they're great for me; no weight gain, no mood swings, zero side effects except for one thing—my boobs went up two cup sizes. 😁

That's a "side effect" I am more than willing to accept and celebrate. 🤣

hiddenfalcon27 said:Hey ladies, 🙂
I’m on Loestrin, currently in my second month.
First week was a wash. Second week? Total nightmare—dizziness, nausea, hunger spikes, headaches, just constant misery. Third week felt fine, maybe just a little anxious 😁, and then during my break, my period showed up on day two. Lasted five days, totally normal. Oh, and I smoke. I’ve cut back to about six or seven a day, but I used to go through a whole pack daily.
I’m under 35. ☕
But here’s the thing... the real issue... I started reading up on embolisms, heart issues, venous thrombosis, and honestly, I'm an idiot 🙂 because now I'm absolutely terrified. Look, being on birth control is great—it’s such a relief to finally stop worrying about pregnancy—but I’d rather not drop dead in the process, you know? 😁
Now the panic is setting in. My left shoulder hurts, then I get this sharp stabbing sensation in my chest, and now my left leg is acting up too... 😠

Any smokers out there or women who've been on the pill for a while? Help me out. 😁
Should I actually go to my doctor and ask for tests or bloodwork? Or should I just sit here and shut up about it? Has anyone else felt like this? Has anyone actually gotten sick from the pill? Ugh. 😕

Sit down and shut up. 😂
I'm just kidding, obviously. But seriously, listen up.

Look, I've been through the ringer with birth control. Been on it for ages, actually. Tried three different kinds already—so I know the drill. Also, I'm a smoker, and yeah, I'm under 35. Just putting that out there. 😁

Look, if you went ahead and got all your bloodwork done before starting the pill and everything checked out fine, you aren't gonna drop dead from a blood clot in two days. It’s not that deep. 😉

Look, I’m not saying getting a blood clot is impossible. But if you’re actually smart enough to get your labs checked regularly—once a year should be plenty, I think—and everything comes back clean? Then you’re fine. You've got nothing to worry about. Period.

Look, sure, you can catch a blood clot. It’s a thing. But honestly? You’d notice it happening way before it became an issue. You'd feel it, see it, deal with it—you aren't just gonna drop dead from it out of nowhere. 😁 My OB-GYN actually talked to me about this. Basically, if you don't just ignore the symptoms—and they’re pretty obvious once you notice them—you’re gonna be fine. I’m not 100% sure which specific signs point to thrombosis, but I think it involves those blue bruises popping up on your skin. Honestly, everything is laid out clearly in the instructions. Just read them. 😉

So, about those stories where women supposedly dropped dead from birth control—back when Yasmin was the big thing everyone was freaking out over, I was actually on that stuff myself. The claim is they died from pulmonary embolisms. Look, if someone wants to correct me, go ahead, but from what I know, you have to pretty much ignore a massive amount of deep vein thrombosis warning signs before it spreads to your lungs. I’m not trying to be an asshole here, but honestly, how oblivious do you have to be to miss that happening to your own body? 🙄

Honestly, we don't even know if these girls actually had their own custom prescriptions or if they just photocopied some formulas from their buddies—and yeah, let’s be real, some people actually do that. Plus, you've got the blood work, which is the absolute dealbreaker here. If your labs are looking clean and you're getting them checked regularly, everything should be fine. 😉

Look, if you're checking your labs, you gotta see if your blood clotting is messed up. It’s huge. If that's off, you're basically begging for clots to start forming. Simple as that.

Look, I had all those same fears at first. I was dealing with every psychosomatic symptom in the book. But hey—three years into the pill and I’m still standing. So, don't freak out. Just be smart about it, get your bloodwork done, stay on top of your checkups, and you'll be fine. No big deal. 😁

electriccanyon said:My throat is absolutely killing me—so I’m thinking about starting some lichen tablets—but since I’m also on Diane 35, I have to wonder: does Icelandic lichen actually mess with the effectiveness of contraceptive pills??

It doesn't. ☕