Posts by Thomas Roberts9

steelheron15 said:So, I was on the pill for three long years—just a massive stretch of time, really. After about eighteen months, I decided to take a little break for a few months just to let my body reset and clear things out. I finally stopped taking them back in 2007, and honestly, looking back, I don't think I ever will again.
The side effects were... well, they were something else. My chest size jumped up two whole sizes! I went from being a solid B cup to rocking a D that’s practically pushing its way toward an DD. But the real kicker—the thing that truly sucked—was how they completely nuked my libido. It was like my sex drive just vanished into thin air. Ever since I kicked them to the curb, though? It’s been a total renaissance...
I mean, sure, they did help manage my cramps and kept the flow a bit lighter, which was nice at the time!

I personally don't see much of an issue here, aside from the fact that they tend to tank your libido. 🤣

That sounds about right, though you might find your cycle arriving just a day earlier during your next break. 🙂
But please, don't let it worry you too much. 👍

Chris Lopez59 said:Why does it seem like every high-profile case of thromboembolism in a young woman here in America is linked directly to Yasmin?

I tend to think it’s simply because Yasmin is one of the most frequently prescribed oral contraceptives out there. There are certainly individuals who shouldn't be taking birth control at all, yet quite often, a gynecologist might prescribe them without running any necessary tests, and the patient themselves usually keeps taking them even if they start noticing certain symptoms—things like headaches, mood swings, nausea, or general aches. It’s possible that Yasmin has some property that "converts" those symptoms into a serious illness, though I honestly doubt people are dying solely because of birth control pills.🤔
I feel like the media coverage here in the States is perhaps a bit excessive. I mean, aside from that one tragic case in Australia, it doesn't seem like there's a widespread problem anywhere else, right?
It is an established fact that these pills increase blood clotting, which leads to thrombosis and all the subsequent complications, but the primary fault lies with the doctors who fail to perform the required screenings.
The responsibility also falls on the individual, as I don't believe anyone dies overnight from a pill. In my view, these patients experience various warning signs, but they often brush them off because life gets too busy. That was the situation with the girl in Australia; she had symptoms, but being a college student, she was just too overwhelmed with her studies to go to the doctor. So...🤷

Frank Hughes56 said:So, I’ve got this little situation going on... I had my period from November 21st through the 29th, but now this brownish discharge has suddenly shown up. It looks kind of like chocolate color, and honestly, it's been happening for a few days already. Just to give some context, I’m currently on Diane and dealing with PCOS. I actually went to schedule an appointment with my gynecologist today, but I ended up missing it because this whole discharge thing happened out of nowhere.

If you already had an appointment lined up, why didn't you just go? Even if it's just to ask her about the discharge instead of typing away on a forum,😛 she would surely be able to give you much better advice.

redgardener5 said:I’m actually curious, how many of you have had blood work done lately?

I did get my blood tested 🙂
It was just a few months ago, right around the time I stopped taking Yasmin, and everything came back perfectly normal.
However, due to some recent budget constraints, I’m looking to switch to a different brand of birth control (for those who aren't familiar, the price of Yasmin has jumped from $86 up to $33).
So, I was wondering if anyone might be able to offer some advice on what else I should consider switching to? ☕

Jeffrey Walker3 said:

Thomas Roberts9: Hey everyone! Just popping in to say hi! Hope you're all having an awesome day! ✨ kaže:
Why do you even care? lol 😕
If it says a certain med cuts down on how well something works, then that’s exactly what it means. And if it says you need extra protection—like, say, using condoms—then yeah, take it at face value!
So, check this out: Activated charcoal can totally mess with your birth control. If you aren't looking to deal with an unplanned little surprise next month—definitely use some extra protection!
It doesn't mean you're definitely gonna hit some side effects (if that's what you're worried about), just—watch what you're doing! 😁

I’m definitely not the type to freak out, honestly—I'm usually the one keeping everyone else from losing their minds!
Ugh, honestly, I’m just low-key stressing about whether I’ll actually get my full portion during the break or what. I know nobody can give me a straight answer or a guarantee, but I just had to vent it out somewhere, even if it sounds totally silly! 😬

Don't worry too much, it should arrive 😉 (unless you happen to be pregnant...)
I suspect it might just be some spotting? You know, just a little bit of bleeding rather than a full cycle... nothing to truly worry about

Sam Williams53 said:I have an internal hemorrhoid surgery scheduled at Mayo Clinic.
I was hoping those who have undergone this procedure might be willing to share their experiences—specifically regarding how much pain to expect during recovery and anything else that comes to mind.

P.S. These are internal ones.

Thank you.🙏

I haven't personally gone through that, though I find myself wondering what led to your decision to opt for surgery; is it an urgent matter or just a matter of managing the current symptoms? It’s purely out of curiosity for my own understanding, so thank you for sharing.🙂

I am looking for some advice 👋
To be honest, I have been on birth control for several years now. For the first three years, I was taking Diane (which I really wouldn't recommend to anyone—it was a terrible experience for me), followed by three years of Yasmin. I have been off them for about three months now, but I am considering starting a new brand again. Primarily for financial reasons, and also because I heard certain options have lower hormone levels than Yasmin, I am currently torn between Celest and Logest. Any recommendations, information, or even just a quick comment would be deeply appreciated.
Thank you 🙂

Rachel Hernandez2 said:So, here’s the situation... A friend of mine came over today and told me her stomach is hurting like crazy. It’s not even that typical menstrual cramp feeling; she said it feels like everything inside is just being wrenched apart. To quote her: "I feel like my intestines are literally falling apart." 😲
Basically, she’s asking me if this could be related to birth control. She was on Yasmin for about two or three months, took a break for a month or two, and then started Logest this past Saturday. Now she’s wondering if these pains have anything to do with the pills. I honestly didn't know what to tell her, since I’ve been on Yasmin for three months now and haven't had any issues at all... 🤷

Has she actually read the fine print on the medication's side effects? It might be mentioned in there somewhere. Perhaps it just doesn't sit right with her, much like how Yasmin used to feel. 🤷 I won't react; I'm planning to organize this every single time.

Jason Morgan54 said:Adding to that,
I’m actually wondering if it’s possible to experience what people call "spotting" during ovulation while on the pill?
Even though I’ve been on birth control for a few years now, I still feel like I’m ovulating. My libido spikes during those fertile days, and I basically deal with all the usual symptoms—discharge, PMS, the whole works—just like I wasn't even on them. The only real difference is my skin; it’s been absolutely perfect since I started, except for maybe a little breakout right before my period.
btw, I’m super consistent with taking my pills.

It certainly is... especially if you happen to be dealing with a bit of stress lately... I personally went through that for two months straight, and it eventually just resolved itself without any intervention. That said, if you find yourself worrying about it too much, it might be best to give your doctor a call.
As for those physical sensations, like PMS and things of that nature, it's quite possible that your specific brand isn't the right fit for your body. My cousin actually found her symptoms were even more intense once she started taking them; the pills seemed to take quite a toll on her mental state and left her feeling constantly on edge. If you don't mind my asking, what kind of medication are you currently taking?🤔

Jeffrey Walker3 said:Does it actually matter if my birth control pills aren't going to be as effective as they should be? 🤷
I ended up losing one because of some nasty diarrhea and vomiting, and since I’m still recovering, I just took some activated charcoal. The instructions say that if you're on oral contraceptives, you really ought to use backup protection...

I'm not quite sure why this is causing you such anxiety. 😕
If the label states that a specific medication reduces efficacy, then it simply means exactly that. If it says, "additional protection required (e.g., condoms)," then it’s just straightforward advice.
So, to put it plainly: activated charcoal can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you aren't looking to deal with an unplanned pregnancy in a month or so, please just use extra protection.
It isn't suggesting that you'll experience any physical side effects, if that's what you were worried about; it's really just a way of saying—please be careful with your choices.😁

I find myself in need of some guidance.👋
To be honest, I have been on hormonal contraceptives for quite a few years now; I spent the first three years on Diane—which I wouldn't recommend to anyone based on my own difficult experiences—followed by another three years on Yasmin. Although I have been taking a break for about three months now, I am considering starting on something again. Primarily for financial reasons, and because I’ve heard certain options contain lower hormone levels than Yasmin, I am currently torn between choosing Celest or Logest. Any recommendations, insights, or even just a quick comment would be deeply appreciated.
Thank you.🙂

Jeffrey Walker3 said:Ugh, here’s another one with issues—I started right on schedule, but then I spent the entire night dealing with some major stomach trouble, so it feels like I didn't even take my 😢 I thought about taking another dose this morning just to make up for it, but I still felt super nauseous so I didn't
Now they're saying I need to be extra careful with protection for the next 7 days and everything should be fine. Honestly though, I think I'll be playing it safe until I finish this whole pack...
Sorry, just had to vent...

I don't think missing a day is a big deal; if I remember correctly, the Triquilar instructions say you can actually shorten the break if you want to shift your period by a day

Technically, you can approach it that way with any pill, though my own little trick would be to start the next pack a day early so that your cycle arrives sooner, rather than just skipping the gap entirely... or something like that. 😕
Either way, please do use extra protection or just be incredibly careful until you finish the entire pack.😁

Jesse Cruz3 said:I was planning on starting my new box of Logesta today, but I didn't actually pick it up until now. I headed over to the 24-hour pharmacy since it's Sunday, but they were out of stock.
Is it really a massive deal if I just start tomorrow instead?😠

I wouldn't recommend it; honestly, you’re better off calling your OB-GYN first thing in the morning to see what they advise, because you might end up having to wait until your next cycle altogether.🤷
I'm really not sure... I don't know, but if I were in your shoes, that's definitely what I would do.
Alternatively, maybe you could just take the first dose tomorrow morning and then stick to taking them in the morning for the rest of the month?
It's probably best to just check with your doctor first.👍

Sarah Castillo74 said:Hey
I have a question
I was having issues with my period, and I’m hoping they’ve cleared up, but my gynecologist recommended Diane for a maximum of six months. Apparently, my hormone levels aren't quite where they should be. It's nothing life-threatening, but she told me to start taking them because my iron is low, and she mentioned a risk that I might struggle to have kids someday if I don't ovulate properly
My dermatologist agreed with the plan too, which has me stressed out—now that my skin has finally cleared up, I'm terrified it's going to go crazy again
I mean, I assume these doctors know whether I need the pill or not, but I'm not exactly thrilled about the situation, so I wanted to see what you all think

I ended up taking Diane-35 for about three years, though I made sure to take a break for six months to a year every so often. To be honest, I absolutely loathed those pills... 😠 They didn't help my mood or my libido at all; instead, they just wreaked havoc on my body. I originally started them to combat acne and excess hair growth, but the side effects were brutal—while on them, I gained significant weight, and the moment I stopped, all my original issues came back even worse, including more breakouts and even more hair growth. On top of that, I lost weight so rapidly once I quit that my mother was genuinely worried I might be getting sick. 😲
After that experience, I switched over to Yasmin and have been on it for the last three or four years, and honestly, it has been wonderful; I haven't gained any weight or dealt with any other issues. 👍
So, if I may offer a bit of advice, I would suggest seeing how you react to Diane first. If it doesn't sit well with you, definitely ask about alternatives with lower hormone doses.
Generally speaking, Diane is typically prescribed for polycystic ovary syndrome or for women managing hormonal imbalances and acne.

Emily Diaz5 said:I haven't been able to find an answer to this anywhere, so I was wondering if anyone might know.
How long does it actually take for hormones to level out and stabilize after stopping birth control, just so I can get bloodwork done for a new prescription? Is it really three months, like they suggest when you're taking a break?

I recall hearing somewhere that it can actually take up to five or six months for the body to feel completely "cleared out," though I suppose it’s best to just ask your gynecologist, as they would be the ones to truly know.

But, if your intention is simply to continue with a different brand of pills, I don't think you need to wait nearly that long; usually, a standard CBC (complete blood count) should suffice, and if those results look healthy, you should be fine to proceed with the medication.

Could someone please clarify what this refers to?

I am truly relieved to hear that things are starting to settle down for you 😉 just please be mindful of your diet and try to stick to foods that promote easier digestion; you really want to avoid anything that causes constipation, because dealing with hard stools alongside hemorrhoids can lead to significant pain and bleeding 👎
as for staying active, just move as much as you reasonably can—whether that’s walking to campus and back, heading to the grocery store, or even just a quick trip to the local convenience store... all those little movements eventually add up. if only we students actually had enough free time to commit to a regular workout routine or some kind of physical activity at least three times a week, everything would be so much easier, but I suppose that's just the reality of student life for us 🤷

Don't worry about it at all. Honestly, I didn't even deal with hemorrhoids before I started college. It seems to me that sitting for way too long while studying—not to mention the questionable food they serve in the dining hall—only makes things worse.
If you need anything else, just let me know.🙂
Best,

P.S.—I have heard people suggest using cold water, but if I’m being completely honest, I tend to avoid that because I've always been told that cold can actually trigger or worsen the condition. I personally try to stay away from anything cold; my understanding is that the chill constricts your blood vessels, which might hinder proper circulation, though I suppose I should probably look into that more deeply. That's just my own little theory, anyway.😉

Hehe, I honestly don't know... I've never really dealt with that myself. But it sounds unpleasant. Maybe give it another shot? If that doesn't work, you might want to stop by a CVS to see if they have something similar over the counter, or perhaps just reach out to your doctor... 😁