darkwalker2 said:Dear friends, here I am, having been on Diane-35 for about a year and a half now, primarily because my skin was a complete battlefield of acne. While the breakouts have finally retreated and things have settled down, I’m left grappling with some rather unwelcome side effects. As for the heightened sensitivity—well, I won't even go there; that’s practically a rite of passage with these things 🙂 but what has truly caught my attention is this inexplicable weight gain. I’ve put on maybe five or six kilograms despite the fact that I haven't been overindulging, and I've actually been keeping up with a regular exercise routine. To make matters worse, the cellulite has decided to make an appearance too! And then there’s the facial hair; thankfully, being a natural blonde, the fine hairs aren't quite as glaring, but they are definitely there.
So, here we are... summer is upon us, and I’m feeling the urge to shed a few pounds. My complexion looks fantastic thanks to all the sunshine and time by the ocean, but I really want to address the cellulite, so I’ve officially signed up at a local gym. But here is the question weighing on my mind: am I allowed to just skip my pills for a few months? Just enough to see how my body reacts—how my skin holds up, whether the weight stabilizes, or if the hair issues resolve themselves. What do you all think? Will my doctor, Dr. Miller, come down hard on me for this? 🙂
The thing is, I’m supposed to start my next cycle tomorrow, and since I’m currently on my period, the timing is right there. But I’m honestly tempted to just take a three-month hiatus. Is that actually safe to do? Besides, I can't even get my hands on the prescription until tomorrow, and I'm currently out of town, away from my usual pharmacy in Chicago. What would you all suggest I do?
I certainly wouldn't advise stopping your medication on your own without consulting a physician first. Beyond that, there is a very real possibility that your acne could return once you stop; your skin might look great right now because of the sun and the ocean, but in my opinion, that clarity is primarily due to the Diane, given that you were prescribed them specifically for acne issues. By all means, follow exactly what your doctor laid out for you, and if you aren't satisfied with the results, seek out a second opinion from another specialist, but please, do not take matters into your own hands.
I ended up being prescribed Diane because of some absolutely horrific acne and elevated DHEA levels, and I’m currently working my way through the third cycle. Honestly, I haven't experienced any side effects whatsoever—not even a single thing, zero. During the third week of my very first cycle, I noticed a massive improvement in my skin, and as of right now, I'm left with just one tiny little pimple under my jawline and one on my back. My face is completely clear. Before this, I looked like a walking medical textbook illustration, and frankly, at thirty-eight years old, I shouldn't have been dealing with such gruesome breakouts; even teenagers don't usually suffer through acne that intense. Diane contains cyproterone acetate, which acts as an anti-androgen; it’s specifically designed to address issues in women whose acne is triggered by hyperandrogenism—essentially, an excess of male hormones or their precursors. My gynecologist actually advised me to take a four-week course for these initial three cycles instead of the standard three weeks, just to speed up the results. So, I do four weeks on the pill followed by a one-week break. It follows the same logic as the regular three-week regimen, just extended to four. After that, I’ll just transition back to the normal schedule. It feels like I’ve been completely reborn. I did try Yasmin a couple of times over the last few years, but it just wasn't a good fit for me; it made me feel quite wretched and miserable, and my blood pressure even spiked. Apparently, Diane has slightly more estradiol than Yasmin, but its progesterone component is stronger, which is why I haven't dealt with any nausea despite the higher estradiol dose—at least, that's how it was explained to me. For me, they have worked wonders.
Ethan Garcia8 said:I usually knock back some glucose right before my workout, and honestly, I feel like I can just take flight during my sets. Being an ecto-mesomorph definitely helps.
As for me, if I were to consume nothing but pure glucose, I’d likely crash into such a brutal case of reactive hypoglycemia after about an hour that the paramedics would be hauling me out of the gym on a stretcher; I find I absolutely have to eat a more balanced, complex meal to stay upright.
In my estimation, training six times a week isn't excessive, provided that the woman in question is rotating through various types of exercise rather than engaging in grueling heavy weightlifting sessions six days on end. For ten years, I dedicated about six to seven hours weekly to a regimen consisting of step aerobics, kickboxing, body toning, and Callanetics... However, over the last three years, I have transitioned exclusively to the gym because I felt a sudden urge for change; currently, that amounts to four sessions a week—two focusing on the lower body and two on the upper body—while I forgo traditional cardio in favor of vigorous daily hikes with my dog through the woods and up steep trails. I believe this is quite sufficient for someone my age (38), and frankly, one ought to respect their own physical limits, pausing occasionally to consider whether a specific exercise volume remains beneficial or has crossed the line into being detrimental. Regarding nutrition, I maintain that eating regular, high-quality meals is paramount—and I suspect everyone here understands what constitutes an appropriate diet for an active individual—but one should absolutely never work out while hungry. It is always wise to assemble a small pre-workout snack containing a decent balance of protein and carbohydrates to sustain you through the session without making your stomach feel overly heavy. If I were in your shoes, instead of reaching for that Dukakis, I would much rather opt for a bottle of whole milk yogurt or kefir—unless, of course, you are dieting, in which case low-fat would be the choice—simply because the protein-to-carb ratio is superior; alternatively, perhaps a protein shake and a banana, or some cottage cheese and fruit. Something along those lines. Of course, this assumes you have eaten a proper lunch that day, as such a light snack is certainly no substitute for a full meal.
It isn't so much that these topics are strictly forbidden or shrouded in mystery, but rather a matter of fundamental social etiquette; one simply doesn't pry into certain matters unless the individual chooses to volunteer that information themselves. Perhaps it is my own disposition that finds this behavior particularly grating, as I have never once felt the inclination to subject someone to intrusive, private inquiries, nor do I possess any genuine curiosity regarding their personal affairs—in fact, I struggle to grasp why anyone would find such details worthy of interest in the first place. It never even occurs to me to dwell on the private lives of others, let alone pose questions of such a nature, so I don't really require a formal code of conduct to guide me; I suppose I simply possess an innate sense of propriety and decorum.
crimsongull20 said:That response you suggested isn't rude at all; it's incredibly soft.
Even if their intentions are good, remember that the road to hell is paved with them. Why are you so afraid of coming across as blunt?
If you're worried about the confrontation, just pretend you didn't hear them. Turn your head, look away, and change the subject immediately.
And you know what, I recall a time when a female acquaintance of mine, someone roughly my age, decided to pry into the specifics of how my husband and I manage our finances—given that I don't hold a traditional job, he works abroad, and I tend to travel quite a bit, though there are various private reasons for our lifestyle that we certainly feel no obligation to explain to anyone... but that is beside the point. To be perfectly honest, I found myself quite taken aback by her inquiry, even though this isn't the first instance where someone has directed such culturally insensitive and intrusive questions toward me regarding matters that involve absolutely no one else but my spouse and myself. I always find myself stumbling when faced with these kinds of interrogations, primarily because it remains utterly incomprehensible to me why people feel entitled to ask such things, and consequently, I struggle to formulate a response. I am acutely aware that I owe no one an elaborate explanation regarding the private affairs of my husband and me.
crimsongull20 said:Deep down, you actually want to 😁, you're just scared.
Give it a shot next time and let us know how it goes. 🙂
I honestly suspect the core issue here isn't even that people are being intentionally or maliciously rude, though it certainly feels that way; rather, I think they genuinely believe that asking such questions is perfectly acceptable social behavior. And if I were to push back—saying something along the lines of, "Well, excuse me, but I find that a bit intrusive, don't you think? Those are private matters..."—then the other person would simply offer some defensive retort like, "Oh, don't be so sensitive, I didn't mean anything by it, I don't see what the big deal is..." And just like that, I end up looking like the aggressor, acting brusque or difficult, while the other party maintains this air of innocence, claiming they had no ill intent whatsoever. Please, I am in desperate need of some actual advice on how to navigate this.
crimsongull20 said:Where on earth did you get the idea that you and I are supposed to think and feel exactly the same way... 😕
I just think that, generally speaking, people are better off when others don't mess with their privacy. But if you don't mind... fine. Then you clearly don't have that issue...
Not that any neighbor, old lady, colleague, or even my own mother ever bothered asking... I guess they know me well enough to be intimidated...
Lucky you. I certainly seem to give off the impression that people feel entitled to ask me such things and, quite frankly, offer their unsolicited commentary on top of it.
crimsongull20 said:That's because you've been conditioned to think being "rude" is inherently wrong. It isn't. It's actually much more dangerous to maintain this facade of politeness while letting resentment build up inside. That's not just bad advice; it's a health hazard in the long run.
It’s perfectly normal—and justified—to stop caring about people like that and let them know where they stand. At least then everyone knows exactly where they sit...
Suppressing all that anger is definitely a recipe for health problems. I wouldn't say I get truly furious over things like this—it's hardly worth my energy—but I do find myself feeling quite frustrated with my own reactions when I get defensive, mostly because I have this nagging desire to avoid being harsh.
crimsongull20 said:It's easier than you think. You just have to practice. It's rough the first few times you snap back, but eventually, you get used to it. Might even enjoy it...
But to actually do it, you have to stop caring what they think. Whether that neighbor thinks you're great or hates your guts, it doesn't change anything. It's true, but we were raised on those silly American myths about being nice to everyone and how everyone is inherently good... lies that take years to unlearn. In the meantime, you just waste time and energy you'll never get back.
You’ve articulated this perfectly; it is precisely the case.
feralcobra92 said:Honestly, I really don't think you owe anyone an explanation or any kind of sympathy, and frankly, what the neighbors or your extended family thinks shouldn't matter one bit! It feels so much less exhausting and way less stressful to just say you can't have kids rather than admitting you simply don't want them. I wouldn't even call that lying in the traditional sense; it's more like just gracefully steering clear of a conversation you have no interest in having. People who push those kinds of intrusive questions haven't earned the right to an honest answer, especially since being totally blunt would likely just trigger their outrage and leave everyone feeling miserable anyway.
I find myself feeling poorly primarily because I am far too polite, and I simply haven't mastered the art of telling people that their business is none of their own and that their inquiries are quite uncouth. It leaves me feeling frustrated with my own temperament, almost as if I've been foolish. And this isn't limited to this specific subject; it happens whenever someone becomes overly inquisitive and oversteps a boundary, and I fail to react appropriately because I am terrified of appearing rude.
feralcobra92 said:I honestly think everyone needs to realize that questions like these are just a mix of nosy curiosity, a total lack of manners, and that annoying urge people get to poke at things when they see life isn't following some perfect script, not to mention just plain old rudeness. It has never even crossed my mind to grill someone about whether they go to church, what their religion is, or why they don't have kids—or why they have eight of them (like one acquaintance of mine who has a huge family but zero romantic life, which is just tragic to me). Even though I make sure to stay discreet with those kinds of topics, I am perfectly capable of having deep, serious, and totally uninhibited conversations about anything from abortion and sex to death, faith, and all those other supposedly "taboo" subjects. In my opinion, the mere fact that a woman hasn't tied the knot or decided she doesn't want children is enough to trigger a mountain of these intrusive questions. You really shouldn't let it get to you or feel like you have to snap back aggressively. If I were in that position, I’d probably just tell them I want kids but can't have them, because that seems like such a convenient way to shut the conversation down! Instead of getting anger or disgust from them, you'll just get sympathy and maybe some unsolicited advice about herbal teas, compresses, steam treatments, or vitamins... ☕
Precisely. My neighbor is constantly implying that my husband and I ought to have a child. And it doesn't stop there. He is clearly attempting to "nudge" the situation, perceiving that things aren't progressing as he envisions.🙄 He intends to exert this pressure by posing intrusive questions about matters that, quite frankly, have absolutely nothing to do with him.
Gerald Scott4 said:🙄 Why on earth would anyone lie about something like that? And besides, who actually wants pity?☕
Exactly. It seems I am trapped in a rather tiresome paradox where, if I choose to be candid, I am branded as unpleasant and subsequently loathed, yet if I were to resort to fabrication, people would simply offer pity or, perhaps more insultingly, mock my supposed "misfortunes."
I find myself hoping that, in the near future, I might finally possess the fortitude to simply state, without feeling such profound discomfort, "That is a private matter, and I do not answer questions of that nature."
crimsongull20 said:She’s calling it rude because she’s too dim to know where public life ends and privacy begins. Honestly though, I'm pretty sure all she cares about is profanity... so if you hit her back with something like, "Hey neighbor, what color is your lady parts hair?" she'll probably just pass out from the sheer audacity and stop questioning you altogether.
😂 Do you truly believe she would even comprehend the subtext?
crimsongull20 said:There are plenty of people like that out there. Don't let them get under your skin... don't even take it personally. Most of the time, they aren't being malicious; they just lack the basic social intelligence to realize how rude and inappropriate they're being. It's not really their fault... Just quietly walk away from them.
I certainly understand the sentiment. Just the other day, my neighbor actually had the audacity to ask me, "And what about your husband? What does he think of all this?" I mean, excuse me??? I find it perfectly reasonable to assume that being in total alignment on fundamental issues is a prerequisite for marriage. One would think it goes without saying that we decided to tie the knot because, beyond our mutual affection and shared values, we are deeply compatible and see eye-to-eye on the things that truly matter in life. Honestly, how can anyone consider such a question anything other than incredibly intrusive and rude!?
feralcobra92 said:I honestly love animals, and little kittens and puppies are just absolutely precious to me! And look, I totally get that some people choose to bring a dog into their home instead of having a child, and I completely respect and accept that choice—it’s really fine. But for those of you who don't have kids, please understand that having a dog is nothing like raising a child. It isn't even close, let alone similar! You get a dog when you want some companionship or when you want to satisfy your own needs, but once you have a child, your entire life becomes centered around caring for them. You're constantly second-guessing whether you've made the right moves, and that deep sense of worry and love doesn't just vanish once they grow up. If you're a good parent, your child's well-being often becomes way more important than your own, and that is a massive responsibility that definitely isn't for everyone. Still, I truly believe most people want children and have the capacity to be wonderful parents, though if someone doesn't, that's perfectly okay too because we aren't all cut from the same cloth. I just don't get why people get so worked up when others ask them about it! You can always come up with a polite, clever response that won't offend the person asking while still effectively shutting down the conversation. If you've chosen a path that differs from the majority, you really have to be prepared for those kinds of interactions.
No, none of us who don't have children think that having a dog is the same as having a child. For instance, I personally see absolutely zero resemblance between owning a dog and raising a child, and I honestly don't know what anyone is trying to link together here; besides, I haven't compared the two in any of my posts, because in my view, there is no connection to be made. I was merely commenting on a previous post where human beings and animals were being compared. And yes, we must be prepared for questions and objections, but not because we chose not to have children, rather because we live among rude people who have no concept of privacy or knowing when to mind their own business. It has nothing to do with whether or not you have kids. For example, my neighbor has a child and tells me she is constantly driven to madness by questions regarding breastfeeding and negative comments that border on outright accusations just because she stopped nursing early. Honestly, where does it even occur to someone to ask such invasive personal questions and then proceed to lecture someone else on how to live their life?! As for my age, I am much closer to 40 than 30.
I find myself wondering why this specific discussion regarding psychology and eating disorders has been relegated to the women's corner of the forum, rather than being given its own dedicated space. I have actually raised this question before, yet I seem to be met with nothing but silence from the community. It strikes me as somewhat illogical, if not outright counterintuitive—wouldn't it make far more sense for the topics to be categorized the other way around?
By all means, feel free to conduct your little investigation—though perhaps you might consider looking up some basic grammar rules first, specifically regarding "nouns"... I believe you're struggling there. As for my position, I maintain that any form of comparison is utterly distasteful, much as you suggested earlier, though our motivations differ; I still firmly believe that we humans are a species capable of being thoroughly shamed by almost any other animal, not to mention the sheer magnitude of evil we are capable of inflicting upon one another, on wildlife, and on the natural world at large. Anyway, goodbye. We have drifted far too far from the actual topic.
Chris Watson3 said:I never once stated that it was "abnormal" to choose not to have children. In fact, if someone doesn't want them, it's much better than having them just because society expects it of them. My issue is solely that comparing children to cats is absolutely revolting. I don't find other people's children annoying either—I'm not the type to fawn over every kid I see—but my nephews are wonderful, though I didn't realize how much I'd love them until they were actually born. It also irritates me when parents talk exclusively about diapers and every single movement their baby makes. A friend of mine has a six-month-old and she's a totally normal, happy mom who isn't limited to talking only about her child. There are all kinds of people in this world; you have the right to not have children, and you have the right not to be stigmatized for that choice. But if I respect your choice, then you should respect the choices of others to have children, rather than following the logic many of you have used here—that most people have them simply because they feel "forced" to by their social circles.
Yes, comparing humans to animals is indeed repulsive, though perhaps only because humans, as a species, might actually feel a sense of shame if we stood before the rest of the animal kingdom. It is humans who slaughter other species merely for sport and call it a noble pursuit. It is humans who abandon their own offspring in homes or leave them in trash bins. It is humans who consider themselves superior to all other species based solely on having a higher degree of intelligence. And we are not superior. We simply happened to have more luck in the evolutionary lottery than a beautiful gorilla whose hands are currently being harvested by poachers for trinkets. Indeed, I too find such comparisons distasteful, but for entirely different reasons. A human female is capable of leaving her child in a dumpster. An elephant, however, is capable of carrying its deceased baby for days, dragging it along while the entire herd slows its pace just so she won't fall behind. Perhaps we ought to take a moment to model our behavior after certain other species instead of assuming we are inherently more valuable, because we truly are not.