Posts by Chloe Gray5

Got a thread here for birth control pills
And some stuff for gynecologists

Hey, what’s up—just hanging out. Hope everyone’s having a good one! kaže:
Can we please chill with the militant promotion of the pill? Everyone knows those things are basically poison—they should only be used for medical reasons, not just tossed around as a primary contraceptive.

I know you guys are all trigger-happy and ready to come for me—but seriously, just look at the facts.
You guys are out here swallowing these pills like cattle headed for the slaughter—just taking them without a word and acting all proud about it. Just wait until your health hits rock bottom; you’ll be the first ones whining about it.

I'm not out here attacking anyone—just responding so there’s no confusion, since I'm clearly being such a militant about this. 😁.
Look, Svatko’s entitled to his take—but honestly, women who opt for birth control pills have usually done their homework. It’s not like some doctor just hands them out like candy without a ton of tests and follow-up checkups first.

John Thomas2 isn't out here pushing an agenda—and from what I can see, this thread is strictly for advice on birth control pills, not a debate on whether they’re good or bad. If you want to get into the whole "for or against" thing, there's probably another thread somewhere for that, so maybe take it over there.

velvetmoose9 said:If you’re feeling fine, then things are probably looking up. 😉
Could just be some bacteria—maybe even a contamination issue during the test (you know how tricky those samples can be).
It’d still be a good move to give your doctor a quick ring just to run the results by her—she cares about you too, after all. 😉

Thanks 🙂. I’m pretty sure I did the sample right, so maybe there’s just a tiny bit of bacteria left—I'll just chug a ton of water and call it a day. I really don't want to mess with antibiotics if I'm not actually feeling sick.

My doctor told me to reach out if anything feels off; she has my labs on file at the clinic, but since it's always slammed there, she hasn't had a second to look. I figured I'd just check in if I start feeling crappy. Since I feel totally fine, I'll just flush that bacteria out with plenty of fluids.

So about ten days ago, I dealt with a bladder infection—nothing crazy like pain when peeing or blood, just that constant, annoying need to run to the bathroom. My urinalysis showed a bunch of bacteria, mucus, leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelial cells, and some calcium oxalate too. Plus, my leukocyte esterase came back positive.
I was prescribed Progressive and took it for seven days along with some unknown tea, then waited three days before getting another test done.
The frequent bathroom trips are gone and I’m feeling totally fine—like the infection is basically history. But I just picked up my latest results and they show:
just a little bacteria, mucus, epithelial cells, and 1-3 small epithelial cells. Leukocytes are at 0-2, which is right in the normal range.
Basically, the red blood cells, crystals, and epithelial stuff all cleared up. There's still a tiny bit of bacteria, mucus, and those few epithelial cells left, but everything has scaled way down and I feel great.
Do I really need another round of antibiotics, or can I just flush it out by drinking tons of water? I mean, I don't actually feel sick, the lab results are just being picky.

Edit: Honestly, I don't have the patience for doctor runs, lugging urine samples around, and all that. If I start feeling crappy again, I'll go, obviously, but I'm just asking for peace of mind so I don't waste time sitting in a waiting room. Last time, I sat there for two hours just for the doctor to tell me my culture was fine even though there was a trace of bacteria, saying it was totally normal anyway.

Hopefully someone can help me out 🙂.

Lisa Myers said:That phase doesn't work. It’s a relic from when pills were actually "stronger." Honestly, some doctors still push it today. But for most people, that break serves absolutely no purpose other than giving you a positive pregnancy test. You end up cycling through three weeks on and one week off, right? It's pointless. You don't need a break unless there's a legitimate medical reason to stop—like an upcoming surgery or if bloodwork shows something needs attention. Doing it just to "cleanse" the system? No.

Even during that week off, hormone levels stay elevated—so it’s not really a "break" in the way people think, since you aren't seeing those massive swings you'd get if, say, you stopped taking them for an entire month.

Just wanted to clear that up so there's no confusion—she's still protected during that week without pills, provided she gets right back on her regular schedule after. 🙂

swiftpanther11 said:Here’s my deal:
I was on them for about a year and a half, and for the most part, things were totally fine,
but then I stopped taking them two months ago because I lost my prescription (now I’m just doing
a break before heading in to get my bloodwork and everything else checked)
only now my hormones have gone absolutely haywire. I’ve broken out in these nasty pimples—not just on my face, but all over my body,
it’s honestly gross. I'm wondering how many of you guys deal with symptoms like this and how you handle it? I mean, I’ve heard this happens all the time, but I am so done suffering through this. I actually caught myself thinking about just starting back up on my own since I stupidly found my old prescription in the meantime. How smart is that move? Or should I just wait to hear what my doctor says? :/

Look, if you didn't have issues during that first year and a half, you probably won't once you restart. Plus, honestly, your doctor will likely just tell you to try them again and see how you react.
What you're feeling is totally standard—that's why they don't really recommend taking breaks for short periods.

Lisa Myers said:She can certainly suggest which doctor she wants to see, but that really depends on the physician. Let's be honest—most of them have their favorites they like to prescribe, usually because of those kickbacks from specific manufacturers. She’ll just take whatever they hand her. It's not really her call. For instance, my partner prefers Celest if she's looking at older options, or Qlair for the newer stuff. 🤣

I know it depends on the OB-GYN, but honestly, a doctor shouldn't just refuse to prescribe something because it's covered by supplemental insurance—not if the ingredients are right for her and there aren't any medical reasons to avoid it.

Like, my doctor told me Qlaira is usually prescribed when periods are super heavy or the cramps are way worse than usual, so they'll swap it for something like Yaz—same manufacturer, similar price point. They won't just toss out random pills, though.
Basically, you always gotta ask.

Lisa Myers said:See, she also thinks you're on a low dose of hormones. By the way, I’d suggest using extra protection while you're bleeding. If you're bleeding because the hormone dose is too low, it means you might not be protected.

I'm no doctor, so I don't know which one you should switch to. Most likely something from an older generation of pills that are "stronger." Yasmin is one of those.

When the hormone dose is too low, your cycle just can't regulate itself properly—that's why you get that breakthrough bleeding. As for protection, though, you should be fine. No need for extra backup.

If you want something stronger, look into Lindynette 30 instead of the 20. That should help get your cycle back on track—plus, they're pretty affordable $11 since you can pick them up with your insurance supplement.

I was on Yaz for two years and it just wasn't for me for a bunch of reasons—one being that annoying bleeding—but I've been on Lindynette 30 for about six months now and I feel way better.

quietfox384 said:If I’m taking antibiotics, how much longer should I use backup protection while on Lindynette 20?
I started the antibiotics just a day after beginning a new pack—and I have a ten-day course to finish.
Does that mean I need to keep using extra protection until my next pack starts?

Honestly, you really ought to check with the doctor who prescribed those—most antibiotics don't even mess with birth control.
For me, I had to go on antibiotics twice at different times while on the pill—once for a week and once for two weeks—and I didn't need any backup at all.

Thanks so much—I was actually getting a little worried there—but honestly, if I need some ice, I can just swing by any CVS in downtown Chicago 🙂.

Can I pick up my birth control without a prescription? I’m currently on Lindynette 30—my OBGYN usually just writes me two boxes at a time so I'm set for two months. Well, I popped my last pill yesterday, so now I'm stuck in that seven-day break period. I've tried calling the clinic a bunch of times today to get a new script, but they won't even let me get through—it’s like the phone line is totally dead. I can't tell if they're all out on vacation, if it's just super busy, if someone's filling in, or if the phone system is just glitching out 😕.
I need to have my next pack by next Friday, and since most people are basically off work next week anyway, what happens if I can't get this script sorted? I really don't want to go a whole month without them and then have to deal with my body readjusting to the hormones all over again.

Is there any chance that when the pharmacist swipes my insurance card, they'll see I'm a regular user and just give me the pills without a script? Maybe if I explain the situation. My doctor was fine with prescribing them before, but now, on the very first day I actually need her, I can't even get a dial tone. Honestly, I'm at a loss.

And even if they do give me the pills without a script and tell me to come back later to verify everything, I can't make that happen—I'm traveling back home today and I'll only be there for a bit, so there's no way I'm driving all the way back from the city just to show them a piece of paper.
I'm seriously stressing out here and I have no idea why the phone isn't even ringing through. 🙂🙂🙂

Larry King said:So, I switched from Yasmin to Novynette last month. Because of that—long story short—I’ve officially finished my first pack.
I started taking them on the very first day of my period; at least, that's what my doctor told me to do.
Anyway, I'm currently in that seven-day break period, and there's absolutely nothing happening down there. I've been super disciplined about taking everything right on schedule, so pregnancy isn't even on the table.
Has anyone else dealt with their period potentially skipping during that first month after switching to a different pill?

Mine showed up right at the end of the break. So if you're still in your 7-day window, maybe hang tight until day 5 or 6.

On another note, does anyone know if these pills mess with blood sugar levels? I was at college today—had tea and a muffin (yeah, sugar) for breakfast, ate a standard lunch in the dining hall, and grabbed two sweet juices before heading straight to chem lab. One of the exercises was using those glucose meters, and mine read 3.4. If I hadn't eaten all day, I might say "whatever," especially since a normal range is usually around 4.1 to 5.9. But after eating breakfast AND lunch, seeing it that low... honestly, I'm stumped 😕.
Not sure if it matters, but I'm definitely not underweight—I'm about 155 lbs at 5'8". 😁

Donna Miller14 said:I'm gonna order the Implanon at the pharmacy—not totally sure what the price tag looks like yet, they should get back to me today... Once it arrives, you just head over to the Harni Clinic in the suburbs to get it put in. $73 🙂

Can someone please let me know how much an Implanon costs these days? 🙂.

Arthur Sanchez5 said:Does anyone know if St. John's Wort interferes with the effectiveness of birth control pills? I've spent my afternoon Googling every single ingredient individually and came up empty, but I'd still appreciate some confirmation if anyone has any insight on this... Thanks. 🙂
And more broadly, what else should be avoided while on the pill? You have the standard medication lists, obviously, then St. John's Wort, and I've heard rumors about grapefruit... Is there anything else out there?

I was totally fine after drinking—honestly, shouldn't have messed with the effects at all.

Jamie Thompson2 said:Have any new birth control pills "come out" lately? The last thing I used was Yaz, and honestly, I haven't heard anything since... what are you guys using, if there’s even anything new? Any specific symptoms to watch for? Yaz worked pretty well for me before, but lately, it hasn't been hitting the mark, so I'm thinking about maybe trying something stronger... or just something newer...

I already replied to you on the Yaz thread. Honestly, if your current ones aren't cutting it, just ask your OB-GYN about other options—there are tons out there and some will definitely suit you better. As for going "stronger," unless you’re dealing with breakthrough bleeding, there’s really no point in upgrading. It won't magically clear up your skin or make your chest bigger than what the lower doses could do. Actually, my skin gets a bit worse on the stronger stuff—maybe it's stress, who knows—but I can't go back to the lighter ones because then I deal with spotting for like 15 days straight. You should be glad you don't have that issue and that you're on the milder stuff 😉.

Nicholas Scott71 said:Hey, quick question for the girls who stopped taking the pill. I was on it for about a year and a half, but I finally quit last month. When should I actually expect my period to show up? It’s already five days late and I’m starting to get a little anxious about it... :/

I'm actually still on them myself, but honestly, don't sweat it—it's totally normal. Every woman's body works differently, right? Some people get it sooner, some later... stopping the pill just throws your hormones out of whack for a bit, and your body needs some time to recalibrate..

Anyway, don't worry 🙂.

boldnomad45 said:My gynecologist switched my brand from Diana to Bela and told me to take a standard seven-day break, then start the new ones on day eight.
Is there an issue with that?😕

I’m not super familiar with Belara specifically, but I remember when I switched from Yaz to Lindynette—Yaz has 24 active ones plus 4 placebos to trigger your period. My doctor told me to start the first pack of Lindynette right after the last active pill from the Yaz pack, basically before my period even started. Sadly, I thought I had to wait until after the 28th pill, so by the time I saw my doctor, I was already on day 27. I ended up having to use backup protection for those first ten days.

Check the actual instructions inside the Belara box—they’ll definitely have a section on switching from other brands, so just follow their lead. If what your doctor said matches the manual, you’re probably good to go—but if they don't align, I'd honestly grab a second opinion. Better to trust the manufacturer who knows their own formula than to play guessing games, you know? 🙂.

From what I've heard, it's pretty rare for anyone to refill your prescription without doing their own check first. And honestly, those pills go for around $120—I don't think it really matters where the script comes from.
For referrals, you still get that physical paperwork—it’s not all digital through some portal yet 😉.

As for cellulite, personally, I haven't noticed my pills having any effect on it at all.

Bottom line though—just ask your OBGYN. I'm pretty sure you don't take a break when switching brands. That's how it worked for me when I moved from Yaza over to Lindy.

Once you start taking them, just use extra protection for the first 10 days—then you're good to go, even if your period doesn't show up right away. And don't worry, the pills will get your cycle back on track eventually 😉.

Regarding the actual pills, everyone pretty much prescribes Yaz since it's a fourth-generation option. Those are basically $50. Other brands fall into that same ballpark too, maybe around $20 bucks
. There's also an option you can get through supplemental insurance called Lindynette, which costs about $11. You've got Lindynette 20 and Lindynette 30. The 20s are comparable to Yaz, while the 30s are a bit stronger. It’s always better to start with the lower dose—not because of protection, obviously, but just for cycle control. If you end up getting those annoying breakthrough bleeds, then you can always switch to the stronger one.

(I'm not saying Lindy is the "holy grail" or anything—personally, they work way better for me than Yaz did. I just wish someone had pointed them out before I started my current ones, especially since the price difference isn't exactly small)

Hey—just dropping in to say hi! Hope everyone's having a chill one. — Anthony Watson7 kaže:
Hey girls—first time posting here!🙂
Heading to a private OB-GYN for the first time—seeing Dr. Silvia Babic. I’ve heard nothing but great things about her—fingers crossed!😁
The main thing is that I just can't deal with the waiting game anymore—my cycle is always all over the place, and since my last one on September 11th, absolutely nothing has happened.🤷

So, here’s what I’m actually wondering about—I’ll probably end up taking those pills, the ones you know you start on day one of your period. But if my cycle isn't even happening right now, what am I supposed to do? Just sit around waiting for nature to decide to show up so I can start the meds? Or is there like, a different kind of pill she can give me to actually get things moving? Pretty sure that's a thing.😕
What are you guys seeing out there—anyone got any experiences or thoughts to share??

Thanks!🙂

So, there are pills specifically for triggering your period. Then you've got birth control—if you start those on day one, they kick in right away, but if you miss that window, you’ve gotta use backup protection for the first ten days before they actually start working properly.
Maybe better to not mix up period induction stuff with birth control—that sounds like a recipe for disaster. You should definitely run it by your OBGYN first. They’ll probably send you for some extra tests anyway to figure out why your cycle is MIA. Hope everything's all good! 🙂.