Posts by Nathan Baker

Joshua Wright23 said:Hi there! Does anyone here use or know much about these new pills: Lindynette and Novynette? I’m currently on Logest, but my gynecologist suggested switching to these instead...

...mainly because they cost more, which is reason number one in my book. Looking at the online prices, it looks like I'd be out roughly $50 in about a month. Honestly, the moment he started singing their praises, my skepticism kicked in; I can't help but wonder if there's some kickback involved, especially since the guy is a total crook. He even tried to sell me on those instead of Diane, despite the fact that I have PCOS.

So, apparently, they have a lower dosage, which might theoretically make them "healthier," but I still have to say—that price tag is 👎.

shadowharbor said:Well, I suppose I'll just have to wait until Monday and see how many actually show up. 🙂

You can pick up those plugs at both Cosmos and Miller. I have to admit, I’ve toyed with the idea myself, though I’ve always been a bit hesitant—not entirely sure if it was actually safe to sleep with them in.

Jeffrey Walker3 said:Time to find a new doctor.
If my doc told me everything was fine, but I actually felt like something was off, I’d either switch doctors or just head to a private specialist for a second opinion on the
exam.

Personally, I can't help but feel there's a crack in this narrative somewhere. And just like you, I find it impossible to believe that a mature, responsible woman wouldn't have sought medical attention within a five-month window. Something just doesn't add up.

Jeffrey Walker3 said:Honestly, my only thought is that it’s either totally fine or some kind of hormonal thing going on. If she actually saw a doctor, didn't they run any tests or anything?

She hasn't seen anyone yet. The doctor basically told her there was no need to come in. What's your take on that?

Kate James21 said:Look, there’s no need to act like an expert here when you’ve spent the whole time lecturing everyone else on this board... She already ran through three different pregnancy tests and called her OB-GYN five separate times, only for them to tell her nothing more than to sit tight and wait... ☕

As for everything else, I never suggested that he would just start taking those pills on his own whim; he’s seeing Dr. Gini this Monday, so there’s absolutely nothing to worry about there... I only asked here out of genuine curiosity, simply because I wanted to know...

How much have you actually read up on amenorrhea...

I certainly am. Read the last item... The link provided points to an article regarding amenorrhea, which essentially covers the absence of menstruation due to various physiological or psychological triggers. It’s a heavy topic that touches on everything from hormonal imbalances and excessive physical exertion to extreme stress or significant weight loss... medical professionals generally look at how these disruptions affect the endocrine system and long-term reproductive health. It seems like a clinical breakdown of why the body might decide to shut certain systems down when under duress...

I find it absolutely impossible to believe she’s pregnant, because by five months, you’d already be seeing a visible bump... Pregnancy symptoms are far too unmistakable, and since she’s run multiple tests at different intervals, there’s simply no way she's expecting. She even took one with Ginić, and that came back negative as well...

And finally, thank you for the response and all the effort put into this...👍

I suppose I should address this directly, though I have little faith that anyone here possesses the necessary clarity to truly grasp the situation at hand... It seems we are once again circling the same drain of mediocrity, pretending that these superficial debates constitute actual progress, when in reality, they are nothing more than a distraction from the fundamental flaws in our current approach... If we continue to prioritize these trivialities over substance, we shouldn't be surprised when the entire structure collapses under its own weight... [User] says:
Once you start hormone therapy, it is entirely possible—though certainly not guaranteed—for your period to be late, simply because your body is attempting to recalibrate to its natural cycles, much like they were before you ever touched a pill. However, I find it hard to believe that such an extensive delay is solely due to the medication itself. A gap this large could be triggered by a multitude of underlying issues; perhaps it is PCOS, maybe a significant hormonal imbalance, or potentially something more serious like a tumor, a thyroid disorder, or even...

We can throw out theories all day, but there is absolutely no way to know the actual cause without medical testing. My advice is that you should definitely reach out to your gynecologist for an exam immediately, because such a prolonged absence of menstruation is never a good sign and the underlying reason needs to be identified. You really shouldn't attempt to restart any birth control pills on your own without supervision. Maintaining regular gynecological checkups is vital for every woman's health...

That is exactly what I intend to do, but my curiosity was focused on what might be driving this issue and how to navigate the next steps, where to seek help, and what specific actions to take...

Anyway, my sincere thanks to everyone for the responses.

Look, did you actually come here for advice, or are you just looking to tell me how much of a know-it-all I am because Google gave you a different answer? You really ought to read my post again instead of jumping to these shallow conclusions. I specifically wrote "if she had intercourse after taking the pills," which means pregnancy can't be ruled out. If you think I’m "acting like an expert," it's only because most people around here seem to have no clue about even the most basic facts. Honestly, look at yourself: you're sitting there trying to diagnose someone yourself, and I have to wonder just how "smart" that move actually is.🙄Is he actually finished with medical school? Honestly, I find myself wondering about these things more than I probably should, sitting here staring at the clock while life just drifts by. It’s one of those questions that seems simple on the surface, but when you really sit with it, you realize how much weight a single degree carries in this exhausted world. Whether he finally crossed that stage or is still buried under mountains of textbooks is something I can't say for certain, though part of me suspects the grind never truly ends, no matter what the diploma says.

And forgive me, but I find it hard to swallow that her gynecologist actually told her to just sit tight and wait. Either she’s spinning a yarn, or perhaps there was someone else involved and she’s pregnant, or... who knows. Honestly, she should probably just seek a second opinion from another doctor. It wouldn't hurt for you to get tested for STIs either, especially if birth control pills were your only line of defense—and given how much you tend to brag about your exploits here on the forum, it's worth considering. Those infections can also be the culprit behind a missed period. Just Google it. 🤣And you’ll see, eventually. It always works out that way, doesn't it? Time has a funny, rather exhausting way of proving us right or wrong, usually after we've already stopped caring about the answer. We sit here, making our little certainties and our grand assumptions, only for the clock to tick on and reveal the messy reality underneath. But go ahead, wait for it. You’ll find out soon enough.

Kate James21 said:When it comes to amenorrhea, Google suggests waiting at least nine months before getting checked out... or so it claims...

🤦

If you're just going to take the internet's word for it, why even bother asking here? Are you just looking for some kind of reassurance—trying to convince yourself that everything is perfectly fine when it might not be?
Fine, let's look at this logically—how would she actually restart the pills? Does she still have some left over from before? Is her prescription even still valid, or is that part of the mess?
The thing is, since you're supposed to start those pills on the very first day of your period, and in this specific case, there isn't one...

And again, just to be clear, it isn't a universal rule that your period will be late once you stop taking birth control; that happens, sure, but it doesn't happen to everyone. Personally, mine never did. Generally speaking, a two-week delay is considered "normal" after stopping, but anything beyond that warrants a doctor's visit to figure out what's actually going on. Because it could be anything. It sounds grim, I know, but imagine if there were an underlying issue, like a tumor, and someone just decided to go rogue and start back on contraception without knowing. I'm exaggerating, perhaps, but in medicine, you can never rule out the worst-case scenario.
Usually, once you stop, your cycle returns to how it was before you ever started the pills. So, if her cycles were irregular to begin with, they'll likely stay that way.

And I really can't stress this enough: how long she was on them doesn't change the fundamental mechanics. Women often fall into this trap of thinking that because they were on the pill for several years, it somehow makes it harder to get pregnant afterward, or that the length of time explains why their period is late. It doesn't matter if it was five years or six months. The body eventually resets, and the period should come.

One more thing: did she actually bleed after finishing that last pack? If she didn't, then we aren't just talking about a minor delay anymore; that's a significant concern. But if she did bleed, yet hasn't seen her natural period return and she's been active, the possibility of pregnancy is always hovering in the background.

Carl Thompson6 said:So, I’ve been on Lyndinette low-dose birth control pills for about two months now. I had my usual seven-day break during my period and was supposed to start the next pack yesterday, but I totally blanked and missed 😵. I started taking them again today, so basically, I'm just one day late starting this new "round"... Can my hormones get all wonky because of that? And is it fine that I just jumped back in today, or should I have taken a full month off or something? Also, I’ve noticed my skin hasn't improved at all since I started these—honestly, it's actually looking worse... when I was on Yasmin, my skin was absolutely flawless 🤷. I'm thinking about switching to something else, maybe Yaz, but I'm low-key terrified of gaining weight... Plus, doctors told me to avoid high-dose pills because I have a fibroid
.

You definitely need to use a condom for the first two weeks of this new pack.

Douglas Rivera4 said:How long should I wait after taking emergency contraception before I can start my regular birth control pills again? I know you aren't supposed to use the morning-after pill more than once every six months as a backup plan for risky situations, but I'm wondering if that same logic applies when you're trying to transition back to your daily routine.

Start on the first day of your period. There’s really no need to sit around waiting for six months 🤣. Unless, of course, you happen to be pregnant, in which case you might have to wait a little longer than that.🤣

darkwalker2 said:I’ve just returned from my appointment with the gynecologist—who, frankly, was about as pleasant as a rainy Monday in Seattle. Could someone please refresh my memory regarding which day of the cycle the hormone testing should be done? If my recollection serves me right, it’s somewhere between day 13 and day 17 of the menstrual cycle, isn't it?

To give some context, I haven't been on Diane-35 for about six months now. I decided to step away from them back in September because I started noticing some rather unwelcome changes: cellulite, an extra ten pounds on the scale, and a noticeable increase in unwanted hair growth. After two years on the pill, I made the call to stop and informed her of my decision. Aside from that, I deal with mild PCOS and some ongoing skin issues.
Now, I’m considering restarting the regimen, partly for contraception and partly to address those same old symptoms. However, when I mentioned my intention to go back on them, she became incredibly awkward and condescending. She actually had the nerve to tell me that I should never have stopped in the first place, and then claimed she felt "foolish" listening to me talk about increased hair growth, given that Diane-35 is specifically designed to combat that very issue.

Has anyone else experienced this strange tug-of-war with Diane-35 and hair growth? Am I losing my mind here, or is this actually happening?

She made a valid point there—honestly, why did you decide to quit? Taking breaks like that doesn't really hold up anymore, especially considering you're dealing with PCOS on top of everything else. It’s just one of those things where the math doesn't quite add up. 🤷Even if I had gone ahead and told her back then that you were planning on quitting the booze, I can’t help but wonder why she didn't just step up and suggest some alternative medication. It's one of those nagging thoughts that lingers, isn't it? Perhaps if she had actually reacted instead of just sitting there, some of these issues you're dealing with might have been dialed down a notch.

Michael Newman5 said:I’ve just finished my second pack of pills (there are 21 in a box), and I have 5 left to go, but my period has already started. Should I keep taking those last 5 to finish the pack, or just stop now? I’m assuming once the 7-day break hits, my period will be gone by then... thanks, cheers!

You’re acting like this is just another Tuesday. Are you actually bleeding heavily, or is it more of a light spotting situation?

Look, I'm no doctor, but from what I gather, some women experience irregular bleeding outside of their scheduled breaks—it's just how their bodies react to the hormones. If this becomes a constant thing, you'd probably need to talk to your physician about switching brands entirely. However, since you're only on your second cycle, it might just be your body settling in; you should probably just keep going as planned to ensure you stay protected. If you decide to stop now and take that 7-day break, you won't be fully protected at the start of your next cycle, because you really need to complete the full 21-day count to maintain that hormonal shield. If you do take the break early, you’d definitely need to use extra protection during the first two weeks of the next pack, unless you just stick to the schedule.

copperrider18 said:I have a question... regarding oral contraceptives—is it actually necessary to take breaks from them? For instance, should you take them for a year and then pause for a few months, or what's the deal?

No. There was a time, back when the dosage in those pills was much higher, where that actually made sense. Nowadays, those scheduled breaks are really just an opportunity for someone to end up pregnant 😁. Even though you still run into some doctors who suggest it, most medical professionals agree it's just nonsense
.

Chris Kern6 said:So, does anyone else deal with this weird pain right in the armpit area that kind of creeps toward the breast? For me, it’s usually the left side, and it always seems to flare up right after my period—though I know people say breasts can get sore before it even starts. To make things worse, I can feel these slightly swollen lymph nodes right under there, and honestly, I’m low-key freaking out that it might be something serious.

Personally, this doesn't strike me as something typically tied to your cycle at all🤷. When you say "somewhat prominent lymph nodes BELOW THAT ARMpit," what exactly do you mean by that? Just in that one specific spot? I wonder if you've been dealing with any lingering issues with your left arm or perhaps some tension in your cervical spine on that side of your body lately.

Robert Rivera2 said:So, I usually get this spotting before my period starts—it lasts maybe two or three days at most—but this has been dragging on for fifteen days now, which honestly makes no sense. Plus, I'm already on day 35 of my cycle, so I really should be getting my actual period sometime next week. I guess I'll just wait a few more days and then we'll see what happens.

I know the feeling, I've definitely been there myself... that little bit of spotting right before everything starts. But from what I've gathered through my own reading, you can experience that kind of light bleeding anytime from ovulation all the way up to your actual period. You could certainly afford to wait a bit; just stick to what I mentioned above.

It’s really no trouble at all, so please just keep me posted on how the bleeding develops—though, if I’m being honest, my gut feeling is that you're simply waiting for your period to arrive and dealing with some low progesterone levels, which is something I mentioned earlier... that would explain why you're experiencing this spotting before the actual flow starts🙂.

Robert Rivera2 said:Hey guys, ladies, I need some advice.

So, over the last five or six months, my cycle has gone totally haywire. It’s stretched out to 42 days now, and I’ve started getting this brownish, light spotting right around ovulation. And since everything is such a mess, I’m supposed to start on birth control—specifically Yaz. My OB-GYN told me to start taking the first pill on the very first day of my period, which I get, but here’s the catch: this "spotting during ovulation" thing lasts way too long. I honestly can’t tell if what I'm seeing right now is still just that weird discharge or if my actual period has finally started. So, I'm stuck wondering if I should just take the first pill or not.

Anyway, the doctor basically told me not to sweat the spotting, said it happens, especially since my whole cycle is out of whack anyway.

So, my question is, how much am I going to screw up my cycle if I take the first pill today and it turns out this isn't actually day one of my period, but just more of that random spotting?

You can technically start whenever you want during your cycle, though you should probably use extra protection for the first two weeks, just because we aren't entirely sure if today actually marks the start of your period.

It won't be a disaster. It's entirely possible that you'll keep having this kind of spotting through the entire first pack; maybe it'll stop once you start the pills, or maybe the bleeding will actually pick up. Anything can happen. But by the time you hit the second pack, things should settle down and be fine.

Someone actually cornered me about this once—asking if you could really just start taking birth control pills whenever you felt like it during your cycle. I tried to walk them through the logic, but honestly, nobody seemed to buy it. I ended up doing a bit of digging just to prove I wasn't making things up, and I managed to find at least one instance where a doctor explains the actual process. I’m not looking to start some grand debate here, I'm just laying out the facts:

restlessheron42 said:For those of you who have taken progesterone to deal with missed periods, did you run into any side effects? I’ve been feeling incredibly on edge, constantly exhausted, my breasts are tender, and I’m even dealing with occasional bouts of nausea—it honestly feels just like when I was pregnant. Is this a typical reaction to the progesterone?

Well, looking at the list of side effects, everything you’re describing is right there. Personally, I’ve never actually been pregnant, yet here I am feeling exactly like I am; I’m running through all your symptoms, plus I’ve got this relentless hunger, constant bloating, and my nipples are so sensitive that even wearing a bra feels like an ordeal.

I have to ask, what was your dosage schedule? Were you doing 2x2?

If I decide to go digging through Google, I’ll likely find endless threads on various forums claiming that every single pill on the market causes weight gain 😂. Meanwhile, if you actually bother asking a doctor, they'll mostly just tell you these things increase your appetite rather than actually putting food in your mouth
.
Generally speaking, for those who struggle with weight gain while taking something like Diane, doctors usually suggest switching over to Yasmin, or occasionally Cilest. But honestly, none of them seem to tackle the visible side effects of PCOS—like the acne you're dealing with—quite as effectively as Diane does
.

casualbear17 said:For those of you who packed on weight from Yaz, how long did it take to get back to your old self after you quit?
I've been on them for 9 months now and I've gained 12 pounds😢. Thinking about ditching them for something else, even though these were prescribed for my acne. I was on Loestrin before this and never had these issues, but since switching to Yaz, I've even developed cellulite
. Mind you, I've been hitting aerobics four times a week for the last year, plus plenty of cycling and rolling around. My diet hasn't changed at all. Nothing extra
.

I find that part a little hard to swallow, if I’m being honest. It reminds me of that old cliché: "I don't eat anything, yet I'm still gaining weight."

So, here we are. After my initial question has sat right there on Reddit in two different places for three full days now—and mind you, the moderators have been active on the site every single day during this period—and not a single soul in charge has deigned to respond, I’ve come to a few rather weary conclusions:

1. With great power comes great responsibility—or so they say. The moderators over at the cosmetics sub certainly wield the "power" to hand out warnings or issue bans, but that authority should naturally come with the obligation to actually uphold the laws of the United States.

2. When someone points out that certain actions aren't just mere "mistakes," but actual violations of the Law, there seems to be a concerted effort to discredit them using whatever tools are at hand. It follows that old, tired logic: if you aren't one of us, you must be against us. It’s precisely that mindset that keeps earning me warnings and bans on this particular subreddit.

3. One has to wonder if the moderators are even aware that they are openly green-lighting the illegal sale of counterfeit goods.
Even if they were genuinely oblivious to the fact that this is illegal—which, frankly, is a bit embarrassing for people tasked with managing a community and knowing the basic regulations they are supposed to enforce—I still have to ask: if there was some backroom agreement between administration and mods to allow these counterfeit ads to stay up, where were they when those deals were being struck? Actually, never mind that last part; the answer feels pretty obvious already.

4. It also seems quite clear that they’ve realized they messed up. A few moderators have surfaced here, and I highly doubt anyone had to tip them off about this thread, yet instead of simply admitting the error and ensuring it doesn't happen again, they refuse to address the core question from my opening post. I suppose they just think I'm trolling again.🙄 It’s a shame, really, because the opening post includes the quotes that prove all of this. Of course, those quotes can always be deleted—which will undoubtedly happen—but enough people have already seen this thread that scrubbing it will be a case of too little, too late.

It is truly a pity for Reddit when its own staff fails to follow the very rules they demand everyone else obey.👎 (I don't think anyone can hide behind the "we can't monitor every single post" excuse, because we all know from experience that posts are monitored closely and reactions are usually quite swift.) Not to mention the blatant ignoring or outright tolerating of illegal activity.