Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

amberfox4 said:Now, please don't take everything I say as gospel, because I am certainly no doctor.
From what I understand, older generations of birth control pills used to affect carbohydrate metabolism in certain ways (specifically the progestin component, depending on its strength and type)—essentially affecting glucose tolerance.
And it affected lipid metabolism, too, or fat metabolism.
I believe modern formulations have reduced these specific side effects to a minimum, though.
Why don't you just bring all of this up during your next check-up and ask your doctor if they can switch you to a different brand? It seems to me that your symptoms stem from the progestin component, especially since you aren't experiencing nausea.
For instance, they say Yasmin contains drospirenone, a progestin that is supposedly very body-friendly and doesn't cause water retention.
Yasmin didn't work for me personally because I dealt with nausea—which was clearly a side effect of the estradiol component—since the progestin in Yasmin was evidently too weak for my system. On the other hand, Diane works fine for me; even though it has more estradiol, I don't feel sick, despite it having a strong progestin component (cyproterone acetate) used to treat hyperandrogenism.
If any of this sounds confusing, the bottom line is this: you need to present your physician with every single symptom you're feeling. They will be able to pinpoint exactly which part of the pill is causing the issue and then suggest a better alternative that fits your biology.

It would be great if things worked like that in practice... unfortunately, our doctors tend to swap medications based on a "trial and error" logic: if Celest isn't working, try Yasmin?

Hey, I need some advice here. Please. 😢


I’m honestly terrified of messing up my body again. It’s only been a month on these pills, and now I’m scared I’m going to spend the next 3 or 4 months dealing with nothing but side effects.

Is there any way—like, any specific supplement or pill—that can stop these mood swings? Look, I really don't want to go heavy on the antidepressants, but maybe something mild and herbal would work?
It’s this sudden crying spell. Like, we’re just about to watch Kung Fu Panda 🙄 with my guy, getting the food ready, settling onto the couch, starting a movie, and suddenly I just start sobbing. My whole day was actually great. I feel like this might be crossing into deeper psychological territory (it doesn't feel like "normal" behavior or how a healthy brain should function).

shadowfox49 said:Hey, I need some advice here. Please. 😢


I’m honestly terrified of messing up my body again. It’s only been a month on these pills, and now I’m scared I’m going to spend the next 3 or 4 months dealing with nothing but side effects.

Is there any way—like, any specific supplement or pill—that can stop these mood swings? Look, I really don't want to go heavy on the antidepressants, but maybe something mild and herbal would work?
It’s this sudden crying spell. Like, we’re just about to watch Kung Fu Panda 🙄 with my guy, getting the food ready, settling onto the couch, starting a movie, and suddenly I just start sobbing. My whole day was actually great. I feel like this might be crossing into deeper psychological territory (it doesn't feel like "normal" behavior or how a healthy brain should function).

Man. 😢
Based on the post you linked, those symptoms aren't exactly trivial...
Are you sure it's the pills?
Were you prone to mood swings or depression before this?
If you've dealt with any trauma lately, or if things are just rough with people around you, it might not be the medication.

But if it is the pills, go straight to the OB-GYN. Nothing is worth suffering like this.
I was argumentative for about seven days when I first started pills, and then it stopped.
I don't get these side effects from Triquilar, though I did struggle with depression and anxiety back when I was younger.

Not really. I’m usually pretty chill (well, except for when PMS hits). 😍
Here, today’s been fine, but yesterday was just awful (and that was only for a few hours in the afternoon 😕).

shadowfox49 said:Not really. I’m usually pretty chill (well, except for when PMS hits). 😍
Here, today’s been fine, but yesterday was just awful (and that was only for a few hours in the afternoon 😕).

Just a few hours in the afternoon? Hmm... I mean, it probably depends on exactly when you’re feeling it. Like, maybe that’s just when your hormone levels are hitting their lowest point, or maybe they're peaking—who knows, right? Biology is such a weird roller coaster sometimes. But seriously, you should definitely go see Dr. Miller at the Mayo Clinic, or honestly, even just hit up your regular family doctor at CVS. A GP might actually be able to connect the dots, especially if there are other health things you've been dealing with lately. It’s always better to get a professional to look at the whole picture instead of just guessing!

I get these nauseous stomach cramps every single afternoon, and honestly, I feel like I’m going to throw up. It’s almost certainly from my pills—nothing else makes sense—because I take them every day right at 11:00 AM. I’m thinking about switching things up with the next pack and maybe taking them late at night, like around 11:00 PM, just so I can sleep through the nausea. What do you guys think? When is the best time to take them so I can hopefully dodge these side effects?

Hello
Does anyone happen to know if there is any specific factor regarding hormonal fluctuations—perhaps genetic—especially for women who haven't given birth yet?
My doctor mentioned that I should probably take them if I want to maintain my health, since I've been dealing with fasting and irregular cycles.

Ughhhhhhhhhhh.

silverowl92 said:Just a few hours in the afternoon? Hmm... I mean, it probably depends on exactly when you’re feeling it. Like, maybe that’s just when your hormone levels are hitting their lowest point, or maybe they're peaking—who knows, right? Biology is such a weird roller coaster sometimes. But seriously, you should definitely go see Dr. Miller at the Mayo Clinic, or honestly, even just hit up your regular family doctor at CVS. A GP might actually be able to connect the dots, especially if there are other health things you've been dealing with lately. It’s always better to get a professional to look at the whole picture instead of just guessing!

Hmm, I take them in the evening, around 10 PM. That’s usually when it works best for me.
Most nights (regardless of whether I've taken the pills), my mood is more sensitive—you know, easier to get sad, angry, or just totally zonked out.
Honestly? I think I'm going to run for the hills and ditch this poison. I'm not against medication in general, but these pills have backfired on me twice now. It’s just not worth being mentally unstable, moody, or constantly overanalyzing things just for a slightly better time in bed. I don't dare keep taking this stuff for another few months; I'm terrified of pushing my partner away.🙄

If you’ve already tried two of them and they didn't work, just give it a third shot—there’s definitely one out there that’ll actually click for you. For me, Yasmin was an absolute nightmare—I was dealing with constant PMS the entire time I was on it. And don't even get me started on Cilest; it made me feel sick to my stomach and I was constantly throwing up. Right now, I’ve been on Logest for about six months, and I just had bloodwork done this week—everything came back totally normal, zero side effects so far...

mellowsurfer34 said:I get these nauseous stomach cramps every single afternoon, and honestly, I feel like I’m going to throw up. It’s almost certainly from my pills—nothing else makes sense—because I take them every day right at 11:00 AM. I’m thinking about switching things up with the next pack and maybe taking them late at night, like around 11:00 PM, just so I can sleep through the nausea. What do you guys think? When is the best time to take them so I can hopefully dodge these side effects?

Right before bed at night.
If the nausea isn't too overwhelming, you should be able to sleep right through it.

Grace Jones3 said:If you’ve already tried two of them and they didn't work, just give it a third shot—there’s definitely one out there that’ll actually click for you. For me, Yasmin was an absolute nightmare—I was dealing with constant PMS the entire time I was on it. And don't even get me started on Cilest; it made me feel sick to my stomach and I was constantly throwing up. Right now, I’ve been on Logest for about six months, and I just had bloodwork done this week—everything came back totally normal, zero side effects so far...

I thought about trying Yasmin or Yaz, but maybe in a year or so. They’re just too expensive for us right now (it gets brutally hot here in the summer, and the rest of the year we only see each other once a month). Honestly, sticking with condoms makes more sense; they cost us about $25 a month, and we can use the extra cash for movies or whatever.

Oh, and I forgot to mention my lovely little problem—Candida. Yeast infections seem to go absolutely crazy whenever I'm on the pill.😍🙂
No thanks, I’m not interested in having to go to bed every night with some herbal or "synthetic" remedy shoved inside me. 🙄

Hello
I am simply looking for someone to provide me with a bit of reassurance regarding my current situation.
I have been taking Yasmin for approximately three years now, though this particular month I was also taking Hiramicin to treat some vein inflammation, and once this specific course is finished, I intend to stop taking the Yasmin entirely.
Today marks the third day of my break, meaning I am currently not taking any medication, yet I am still waiting for my period to arrive, which hasn't happened yet despite the fact that it usually begins by noon.
I have not had any sexual intercourse this month, so I would truly appreciate it if someone could offer me some peace of mind.

There is zero chance you're pregnant if you haven't had sex (assuming that’s what you're worried about). 😍
Hey, yours will show up soon. Mine just started—it's day three of my break. Sometimes it hits on day one, sometimes day four.
Maybe that erythromycin messed with your pills or threw your hormones out of whack? Just wait for a few more replies.

So, I just started taking birth control, and I’m wondering if anyone else deals with these same side effects—or if maybe something is actually wrong here? Just to give some context, these are my very first pills, and my OB-GYN prescribed them to me. I wanted to check in here first for some advice because, honestly, I don't really feel like rushing back to my doctor right away—partly because she’s private practice and it’s just a whole thing 🙂
Basically, my period lasted ten whole days!! The first day was totally normal, but then for the next nine, it was just this constant, weak flow—like every single day felt like the last one. I checked the pamphlet, and it doesn't say anything about the bleeding lasting that long?!
And my libido? It is absolutely zero.
Plus, I can't stop crying—my moods are all over the place, and I’ve been having these dark, heavy thoughts. The side effects list mentions "mood swings," but is it really possible for them to be *this* intense? I’m usually such an optimistic person—I haven't even had bad PMS before, maybe just a little bit sometimes...

Mood swings—they’re definitely a thing. They used to absolutely wreck me (I went through six months of it and didn't even realize I was becoming "a little" mentally unstable; it just felt "normal" at the time. It wasn't until I stopped taking Loestrin that I realized what those last six months were actually like and how much I'd changed 😂). People say it takes three months to adjust... Good luck during those few months if you decide to keep taking them. I really hope you feel better soon. 😉

Regarding your period—are we talking about the withdrawal bleeding after finishing your first pack, or the bleeding you get right when you first start the pills?
Spotting, or those random little bits of bleeding throughout the month, is totally possible and listed as a side effect. I had it once; it was just a lighter extension of my period (the one that started when I kicked off my first pack), lasting maybe a week. But check out the previous question and wait for someone smarter and more experienced than me to chime in.

shadowbear49 said:So, I just started taking birth control, and I’m wondering if anyone else deals with these same side effects—or if maybe something is actually wrong here? Just to give some context, these are my very first pills, and my OB-GYN prescribed them to me. I wanted to check in here first for some advice because, honestly, I don't really feel like rushing back to my doctor right away—partly because she’s private practice and it’s just a whole thing 🙂
Basically, my period lasted ten whole days!! The first day was totally normal, but then for the next nine, it was just this constant, weak flow—like every single day felt like the last one. I checked the pamphlet, and it doesn't say anything about the bleeding lasting that long?!
And my libido? It is absolutely zero.
Plus, I can't stop crying—my moods are all over the place, and I’ve been having these dark, heavy thoughts. The side effects list mentions "mood swings," but is it really possible for them to be *this* intense? I’m usually such an optimistic person—I haven't even had bad PMS before, maybe just a little bit sometimes...

Regarding the bleeding issue, yeah, that happened to me when I first started Yasmin.
But personally, those pills just didn't sit right with me at all; I had frequent spotting, and they caused me significant issues with my blood pressure and my mental state.

Hey, does anyone know the deal with flying while on birth control? My gynecologist keeps telling me I should probably stop taking the pill during long-haul flights, but this trip is only about two hours. I don't want to bother my doctor if it's unnecessary... if anyone actually knows more about this, thanks.

I don't think a 2-hour flight makes much of a difference 🤷

It’s possible you shouldn't take blood thinner pills on longer flights though 🤔

shadowfox49 said:Hey, can I make a suggestion? 😬
Ladies on birth control, would you mind sharing the current prices of the pills you’re taking or have used? If possible, maybe the mod could compile them into a single post titled something like "Contraceptive Pill Prices"?
I think it would help everyone out. This info is surprisingly hard to find online, and what little you do find is usually outdated. It feels kind of silly having to walk into a CVS just to ask for a price list. 😍
So far, here's what I know:
Logest - $26
Triquilar - $20

I heard Trinovum is $5.00—can anyone currently on it confirm that?
Also, we probably need prices for Yasmin, Yaz, Cilest, and whatever else is available here in the States (if there are others I'm forgetting)?
I heard Diane 35 is covered by insurance for minors, but adults have to pay out of pocket $50; apparently, you get a pack of three "tabs" of pills. Is that right? They're a bit of a special case since they're mainly for treating hormonal issues.

Yeah, I can confirm that.😁

Yasmin is probably somewhere around $34, maybe hitting the 100 mark.
yaz $39