mellowcobra82 said:The water weight left just as fast as it arrived. A few months after I stopped the pills, I started seeing a real difference. After four months, my hips dropped by 4cm, and by nine months, it was down 7cm! Since I couldn't tell if I was losing water retention or actual fat, I tweaked my diet too, ending up losing about 18-20 lbs total. But here's the kicker: once I finally felt good about my body, I had to get back on the pills, and now I'm right back at square one (+12 lbs in the hips and +11 lbs total).😢
I don't know how long your break is, but you must have noticed a change if you were retaining water before. If you didn't pack on massive weight, maybe it all just sheds naturally once you stop... Try measuring yourself the way I suggested, then you'll know. I keep an entire spreadsheet of measurements spanning three years! It stops being a mystery when my jeans suddenly feel tight or start slipping off. It's always a question of whether it's the pills or not. 😁
I can't recall if you mentioned this already, but have you considered switching to a different brand or type of birth control altogether? Anyway, thanks for the input; I'll try to keep a tighter grip on all of this. 😉
Thanks, ladies! I’m trying not to get ahead of myself and spiral into a panic, mostly because I’ve actually been on Diane before a few years back, so I have a pretty decent handle on how they tend to affect my system. It’s less about making wild assumptions and more about expecting a repeat performance of what I’ve already lived through, if that makes sense. 😉 Anyway, thanks, we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out.
Did any of you deal with weight gain after you stopped taking those pills? If so, what kind of strategies did you use to manage it—besides just dieting, I assume? 🙂
mellowcobra82 said:There isn't any way!!😁 If your body decides to hold onto water, you're stuck. Your only move is to swap brands and pray the next one treats you better... Take my word for it, I’ve been through the ringer with this. I’ve tried four different types, and every single one left me with swollen legs (some worse than others). Last year, I took a break from them, and my legs practically deflated!😲 I was so used to my legs feeling like two heavy logs that I couldn't believe they actually looked normal! 😉 Six months ago, I went back on the pill—a new brand, obviously—and it’s the exact same story. I gained 6 inches around my legs just like that! 😠
And trust me, I tried everything under the sun: working out, using anti-cellulite creams, chugging water and green tea, snacking on carrots and celery... I didn't touch any actual diuretics, just natural stuff like drinks, fruits, and veggies. Nothing worked. That fluid is driven by hormones; it stays until you stop taking the hormones. That's the cold, hard truth.☕
Look, you might not even run into this issue, so there's no way to know for sure right now. Once you start, you'll see. Good luck!😉
Ugh, how awful... my doctor keeps telling me these aren't quite enough of a reason to switch medications because my current prescription is specifically for PCOS and acne, which helps me immensely. I really don't want to deal with that bloated feeling caused by hormones. I think I'll try increasing my potassium intake first; that should hopefully kickstart things, maybe 😁
How does one go about managing the water retention that often hitches a ride with birth control pills? I’m preparing to start on Diane soon, and I’d really like to be ahead of the curve on this. Would taking potassium help mitigate the swelling?
And honestly, ladies, how much do you actually trust oral contraceptives? Personally, I’ve always been a bit of a worrier—someone who prefers the peace of mind that comes from using condoms alongside the pill, just to be absolutely certain.😁
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?
Well, I have FINALLY officially retired from birth control. Honestly, I’ve been counting down the days. I see some people claiming that being on the pill actually works against unwanted hair growth, but if I’m being completely honest, I was far too busy enjoying my life to worry about that while I was taking them. Luckily, I’m a natural blonde—that fair, light type—so it’s not incredibly obvious, though I do notice a slight shadow on my face once I apply foundation. But here is what has been weighing on my mind 🙂: If these hormones were the reason for the extra hair, does that mean the hair should also start to recede now that I’m stopping? It seems to me that hair is a constant cycle of regrowth and shedding; if there isn't a hormonal surge driving it out, then logically, there shouldn't be as much to deal with. That’s just my own internal reasoning, anyway 🙂. Can anyone back that up for me?
And another thing... the same logic applies to weight. I’ve put on maybe ten pounds—at least according to my own scale, even if others say it isn't that noticeable—and I can't help but wonder if those pills were the primary culprit. If they caused the weight gain, perhaps it will be just as easy to shed once the hormones aren't actively supporting that extra mass. Obviously, diet and exercise are still the heavy lifters here, but it feels like the uphill battle might be a bit less steep now that the main offenders are out of the picture.
Does anyone have any actual experience that could shed some light on this? This feels like a whole new chapter of my life, starting fresh without the pills, so I want to understand everything so I can properly plan my next moves and get things moving in the right direction.🙂
I was wondering if anyone here might have some firsthand experience working with Dr. Mirjana Lelas, the dentist located over by Times Square. I've been on the hunt for a new provider lately, which is always such a tedious process, and I happened to come across this 🙂 entry for Dr. Antunović, who is also a dentist, if anyone there happens to know their work. Thanks a million! 🙂
I’m honestly not entirely sure if this sub is intended for culinary discussions or health advice, but I suppose it doesn't much matter in the grand scheme of things: Has any of you actually gained weight from taking those pills—I’m talking at least ten or fifteen pounds? Personally, I feel like I have, and frankly, it feels incredibly foolish. If I do stop taking them, will that extra weight just vanish into thin air, or is it the kind of stubborn baggage that sticks to your ribs and refuses to budge? I’ve had quite enough of these mindless little tablets already; I am counting down the days until I can finally quit. I’m hoping to wrap this up within the month, as I really need to be in decent shape before my trip to the lake house.
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?
Michelle Ward4 said:on the rebound, is it actually.. 🙂 a perfect film 🙏
Daaaaaa! Good grief, bravo! Honestly, you’ve actually managed to brighten my mood just now. That song is such a burst of pure joy! Well, thank YOU!!! 😉 😍 😍
Thank you so much, but it's nowhere to be found! I've already tried looking that way and came up empty-handed. It's such a shame, because it really is wonderful. Ahh... If I happen to track it down, I'll post it here. 😉
I honestly think the movie is fantastic! However, I’ve been struggling to track down that one song from the very beginning—it’s just so indescribably charming. It plays right at the start during that opening sequence while they're filming Jenny and her friends, back when the credits are still rolling over the screen. It has this upbeat rhythm with a piano playing such a cheerful melody, though it does have a slight old-school rock vibe to it. Does anyone happen to know what it is? 😉
I’m hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this for me. It seems like a fairly straightforward question, really.
I was looking over my recent lab results and noticed my Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels came back at 37, while the standard reference range is listed between 54 and 119. My gut tells me it’s probably nothing to lose sleep over—maybe even perfectly fine in the grand scheme of things—but I’d love a second opinion from anyone who understands these numbers. Could someone confirm if this is actually something worth worrying about? I’ve got an appointment scheduled with my doctor in two weeks, 🙂
So, thanks in advance for any insight you can offer!
I decided to drop into this psychology forum specifically to start a thread like this, mostly because I genuinely didn't think anyone else out there felt this way. So, let's just dive right in. This is my central struggle. For years now, I’ve been battling this paralyzing indecisiveness. And the absolute worst part—the part that keeps me up at night—is that my loved ones are always the ones who pay the price for my hesitation. It’s a cycle. For instance, I’ll get this sudden burst of energy, organize something out of nowhere, round up a group of friends, and everything seems to be going perfectly—only for me to suddenly pull the plug. Just like that. Indecision strikes, and I start spiraling: *Is this really what I wanted? Is this actually a good idea? Oh god, what am I doing?* I end up retreating into myself, which inevitably hurts people and ruins the momentum, but I feel completely powerless to stop it. It eats at me. When I mess up like this, I lose sleep for days on end, caught in this exhausting loop of second-guessing every single move. I’m constantly searching for some kind of external validation, needing a hundred different voices to tell me I’m doing the right thing just so I can feel steady. I truly wish I could be more decisive; I look at my girlfriends and see how effortlessly they make choices, and honestly, I envy them so much. Why is it that I can’t just take action without a thousand questions swirling in my head for days, leading to sleepless nights and a desperate need for outside advice? On paper, everything is fine—I'm a capable, hardworking student, I have a great social circle, and a wonderful family—so there isn't any obvious external chaos to explain why my mind works this way. Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts. 🙂 And, if I'm being honest: I'm currently losing my mind over a decision that is objectively trivial, yet it’s haunting me. Someone else would have settled it in three seconds and moved on because it’s clearly not worth this level of mental gymnastics... but that’s just who I am.