Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

I have a question... might sound silly, but I figured I’d ask here before my actual appointment with the gynecologist. When do birth control pills actually start working? Like, if I take one, does that mean I'm protected immediately, or is there a specific window of time I need to wait for?

If you start taking your period supplements from day one, then you’re pretty much protected right out of the gate.

Sarah Castillo74 said:Hey.
Does anyone here have any actual experience with Novynette pills?
My gynecologist recommended I take either Yaz or Loestrin because of these heavy bleeding issues I've been having. Honestly, if I have to go on hormones anyway, I might as well do it for my skin too. Might as well get the breakout control out of the way at the same time. 🙂
Last year I was on Diane for six months and they actually worked. But once I stopped, everything just went right back to how it was. Plus, while I was on them, I was absolutely insufferable.
So, she told me I should give Novynette a shot instead. Apparently, Yaz is supposed to be a total game-changer for your mood.
Please, if anyone actually knows anything about them, speak up. 🙂

I'm on Novynette right now and they've been great for me. Since I started, my periods have been shorter and way lighter. Also, they used to be pretty painful, but now the cramps are much more manageable. Honestly, they've really helped.

Thomas Roberts9 said:I wouldn't take it if I were you... it would be one thing if you had actually missed a pill yesterday and were trying to "make up" for it today, but taking an extra pill just because you have one left over doesn't make much sense. It’s happened to me quite often where I've skipped a dose, and I would never double up because I feel like that's just too much hormone to hit your system all at once; besides, if you already missed a pill, taking that "extra" one later won't actually compensate for what you missed yesterday or a few days ago..

Just letting everyone know how it turned out in the end

Anyway, I ended up taking it since I saw the message later. I shouldn't have, really. I was just about to start a new pack, and honestly, the pain wasn't that bad. Besides, I was happy to finally get my period, so I didn't care much.😁

Everything came normally, just a day late. Not sure if the extra pill caused the delay or not.

I'm sticking to the schedule on the pack now so this doesn't happen again.

And to answer that question above—since I started being on the pill, I haven't used condoms for about a year.🙂

vivideagle90 said:Two quick questions:

Regarding weight gain from the pill—does it happen because the medication spikes your appetite and you end up eating more, or do the hormones themselves cause direct weight gain?

Second thing, I’m planning to go get my birth control prescription this Monday. It’s my first time, and I don't want to wait until next month, but there's a chance my period might actually start this Monday. Will my gynecologist be willing to write a prescription without an exam if I happen to be on my period? From what I've read, you usually start taking them on the first day of your cycle. I’ll bring my blood work results, and I'll ask the doctor about any other requirements when I go in for the referral.

- In my experience, there was a slight increase in appetite, but certainly nothing that would result in gaining 8kg in just two months😲. I ate a bit more, but it wasn't significant
.
- My doctor wouldn't hand over a prescription without running tests, especially for a first-timer. He'd probably perform a pelvic exam and then send me off for blood work (I can't recall the exact list, so you should look into it yourself). I doubt you'll get all that sorted by Monday. Honestly, there's no rush. If you miss this window, you'll be ready for next month, and until then... just be careful.😉

Hey ladies! Figured I’d drop my experience with the pill here, specifically Yasmin. Been on them for 3 years now, haven't even taken a break yet, and my OBGYN hasn't mentioned anything weird. Started using them mainly to deal with PCOS, but they basically became my birth control too. Honestly, zero issues otherwise—weight is steady, libido is still a solid 5/5. BUT when it comes to my skin... I never had acne before, but these freaking cystic breakouts are killing me. I seriously expected the pill to give me baby-smooth skin, but here I am, 3 years in, still praying they'll vanish. Anyone else dealing with these deep ones while on Yasmin? I just want them gone. My face is literally full of scars from trying to squeeze them out since they don't work. Thinking about hitting up my doctor to see if she can switch me to something else that actually clears things up.

crimsonstag11 said:Maybe try switching brands? Perhaps something with a lower dosage would work better. I’ve dealt with the exact same thing—Yasmin works okay for me, but Cilest was a total disaster. I'm starting a cycle of Qlaira this month, so fingers crossed for some improvement...

So, where are you picking up Qlaira, and what kind of pills are we talking about here?

Sarah Castillo74 said:Hey, I’ve been taking Novynette pills and everything seems fine, except my breasts are hurting 😁
I've been on them for 10 days now, so I'm wondering why my breasts ache?
I mean, this really doesn't feel normal to me 😁

Same question here—are you on Novynette too?? Any info would be great.😁

vivideagle90 said:Two quick questions:

Regarding weight gain from the pill—does it happen because the medication spikes your appetite and you end up eating more, or do the hormones themselves cause direct weight gain?

Second thing, I’m planning to go get my birth control prescription this Monday. It’s my first time, and I don't want to wait until next month, but there's a chance my period might actually start this Monday. Will my gynecologist be willing to write a prescription without an exam if I happen to be on my period? From what I've read, you usually start taking them on the first day of your cycle. I’ll bring my blood work results, and I'll ask the doctor about any other requirements when I go in for the referral.

Some people claim that’s how it works, though I can’t say I personally agree since I gained quite a bit of weight on Diane 35 without even increasing my food intake.
Essentially, birth control often causes the body to retain water, which leads to that feeling of swelling. I won't try to explain the biology too deeply because, if I'm being honest, I'm not entirely certain myself. I only experienced the weight gain back when I was on Diane 35, and since I was younger then and the internet wasn't nearly as saturated with medical info as it is now, I never really looked into the specifics.

vivideagle90 said:Two quick questions:

Regarding weight gain from the pill—does it happen because the medication spikes your appetite and you end up eating more, or do the hormones themselves cause direct weight gain?

Second thing, I’m planning to go get my birth control prescription this Monday. It’s my first time, and I don't want to wait until next month, but there's a chance my period might actually start this Monday. Will my gynecologist be willing to write a prescription without an exam if I happen to be on my period? From what I've read, you usually start taking them on the first day of your cycle. I’ll bring my blood work results, and I'll ask the doctor about any other requirements when I go in for the referral.

Well, if it is truly your first time taking these, you really ought to go in for a checkup. In fact, it isn't just a suggestion; it's actually mandatory. I don't recall exactly how it worked with my first pack, but I know I had an exam, though I don't think they sent me for extra testing. Back then, things weren't quite as strictly regulated regarding pill safety, so maybe it wasn't as much of a requirement as it is today.
Regardless, please do see a gynecologist. Perhaps you could coordinate with them to get the prescription now and schedule the physical for as soon as your period ends, while having your blood drawn immediately...
We shall see. Best of luck!

rowdyotter65 said:I’m going to post this here—even though I know there’s already an open thread about Diane 35.

I was taking them for about a year straight. I finally stopped at the end of November, and my period came back totally normal right after I quit—but now, this current cycle without any pills, my period just isn't showing up. It was supposed to arrive on December 21st; if I had just kept messing around with the pills, I probably would have gotten it by then. At that time, I was dealing with some pretty intense PMS symptoms, but nothing regarding the actual period itself. I actually went in for an ultrasound on December 29th, and they told me both ovaries look clear—they basically said the period will come, just not anytime soon.

How late has yours been, and how much of a delay is considered normal?

For me, everything actually became perfectly regular once I started the pills, so I’m probably not the best person to offer advice... but if the doctors said it will come, then you likely aren't pregnant. Just try to be patient...🤷

Andrew Walker24 said:Hey ladies! Figured I’d drop my experience with the pill here, specifically Yasmin. Been on them for 3 years now, haven't even taken a break yet, and my OBGYN hasn't mentioned anything weird. Started using them mainly to deal with PCOS, but they basically became my birth control too. Honestly, zero issues otherwise—weight is steady, libido is still a solid 5/5. BUT when it comes to my skin... I never had acne before, but these freaking cystic breakouts are killing me. I seriously expected the pill to give me baby-smooth skin, but here I am, 3 years in, still praying they'll vanish. Anyone else dealing with these deep ones while on Yasmin? I just want them gone. My face is literally full of scars from trying to squeeze them out since they don't work. Thinking about hitting up my doctor to see if she can switch me to something else that actually clears things up.

Yasmin worked wonders for me!! My skin was absolutely dreamy... 😍
Look, you can always ask your doctor to prescribe something different, though you should probably keep in mind that changing things up carries its own set of risks. For instance, I was on Yasmin for years before switching to Loestrin because the price of Yasmin suddenly spiked. Switching to Loestrin absolutely tanked my libido and left me feeling incredibly irritable—it was a nightmare. I went right back to Yasmin immediately, but even then, it didn't feel quite right anymore.
So, just be honest with your doctor about what's bothering you and let her give you her professional take. Regarding the pills themselves, I think they can be amazing for your complexion, but you really have to find the specific formula that clicks with your body. If Yasmin is perfect for everything except those persistent breakouts, maybe ask your doctor about adjusting the hormone levels; they usually have a better handle on those nuances than we do.
Good luck! Please let us know how it goes. 👍

Scott Moore8 said:Please don't judge me for asking such a superficial question, but which specific pills actually caused your breasts to "grow"?
Personally, I’m as flat as a board. When I was on Yaz, my bust size went up by a full cup, which, admittedly, I absolutely loved. However, Yaz also caused me to pack on five pounds, all of it concentrated as cellulite 😢. I didn't initially believe the weight gain was linked to the medication, but the moment I stopped taking it, the pounds started dropping off and the cellulite completely vanished... so, there you have it.

I'm on Yaz right now and haven't seen any growth at all. How long did it take for yours to show results?

Andrew Walker24 said:Hey ladies! Figured I’d drop my experience with the pill here, specifically Yasmin. Been on them for 3 years now, haven't even taken a break yet, and my OBGYN hasn't mentioned anything weird. Started using them mainly to deal with PCOS, but they basically became my birth control too. Honestly, zero issues otherwise—weight is steady, libido is still a solid 5/5. BUT when it comes to my skin... I never had acne before, but these freaking cystic breakouts are killing me. I seriously expected the pill to give me baby-smooth skin, but here I am, 3 years in, still praying they'll vanish. Anyone else dealing with these deep ones while on Yasmin? I just want them gone. My face is literally full of scars from trying to squeeze them out since they don't work. Thinking about hitting up my doctor to see if she can switch me to something else that actually clears things up.

If I were you, I'd try tackling the skin issue through dermatological treatments—like specialized creams or facials—rather than switching pills if the ones you're on are working well for everything else. It's hard to find a brand that hits all the right notes, you know?

Hey everyone, I really need some advice from anyone who’s dealt with something similar to this
So, here’s my situation—I started taking Yaz back in July, but then I had to go cold turkey in September because I had to have surgery. Everything seemed fine once I restarted in October, but before that break, I was dealing with some pretty intense side effects—specifically these massive headaches and dizzy spells. Honestly, looking through the threads here, it seems like almost nobody mentions dizziness from Yasmin or Yaz, which is... well, a bit unsettling. The vertigo was actually so bad that I ended up in the ER. Thankfully, all my tests came back totally normal, and the doctors suggested the pills might be the culprit behind the dizziness. But here’s the catch—I really don't want to stop taking them. First off, they’re my primary birth control, and second, since I just recently got back on them after that medical hiatus, I feel like if I quit now, I might as well just never start again—you know how it is, it feels wrong to constantly start and stop cycles like that. Plus, I’m hesitant to switch brands entirely because I worry about increasing health risks, and based on what you all have shared, Yaz seems to be the "gold standard" for most of you. If this dizziness hits me again, I’m honestly at a loss. What should I even do?

So, from what I've gathered, you're supposed to start birth control on the first day of your period to get immediate protection. Well, I was planning to pick up my pills tomorrow since my period wasn't due until Tuesday, but it actually just started right now. Should I count tomorrow as the first day since it arrived this evening, or should I count today instead?

Thanks🙂

shadowbear49 said:I'm on Yaz right now and haven't seen any growth at all. How long did it take for yours to show results?

If I were you, I'd try tackling the skin issue through dermatological treatments—like specialized creams or facials—rather than switching pills if the ones you're on are working well for everything else. It's hard to find a brand that hits all the right notes, you know?

For me, they actually started getting bigger toward the end of the first pack, and they stayed that way for the entire six months I was on them. As soon as I stopped, they shrank right back to their original size. A friend of mine had the exact same experience.

I have a few questions regarding birth control pills...
My gynecologist gave me a referral for some blood work, which I’ve already gone ahead and done.
She also handed me a referral for a coagulation profile—but honestly, I have no idea what that actually entails. Is it just a standard blood draw like the other tests, or is there something more to it?
Also, I was wondering about the cost. Are these pills covered, or do I have to pay out of pocket? I have supplemental insurance and I'm an adult, so I wasn't sure. And do they require a prescription every single time? Specifically, do I need to keep heading back to the gynecologist for a new script after I finish every single pack, or is there a different process?

Getting a coagulogram is pretty straightforward—you just head in for a blood draw.
I’ve only ever used Diane 35 myself, and honestly, I never had to pay out of pocket for them—though it feels like they might be the only ones that work that way. You basically just get a prescription for a single box that covers you for three cycles.

rowdyotter65 said:Getting a coagulogram is pretty straightforward—you just head in for a blood draw.
I’ve only ever used Diane 35 myself, and honestly, I never had to pay out of pocket for them—though it feels like they might be the only ones that work that way. You basically just get a prescription for a single box that covers you for three cycles.

thanks...🙂

Hey everyone, so I'm 16 and I was thinking about heading over to my doctor's office to get a prescription for birth control. I guess I just want to be prepared and stay protected, you know? I wanted to see if any of you have experience with pills in general? Also, has anyone here heard of Novynette? I heard they might be a newer option on the market, so I was wondering if anyone actually uses them and what they think?

slyfox72 said:I have a few questions regarding birth control pills...
My gynecologist gave me a referral for some blood work, which I’ve already gone ahead and done.
She also handed me a referral for a coagulation profile—but honestly, I have no idea what that actually entails. Is it just a standard blood draw like the other tests, or is there something more to it?
Also, I was wondering about the cost. Are these pills covered, or do I have to pay out of pocket? I have supplemental insurance and I'm an adult, so I wasn't sure. And do they require a prescription every single time? Specifically, do I need to keep heading back to the gynecologist for a new script after I finish every single pack, or is there a different process?

Well, if you're taking them for contraception, yeah, you'll need a prescription and you'll have to pay for them. Prices vary depending on which brand you end up on—something like Estaryll might be around $20, Yaz is roughly $40, so that's the general ballpark for what you'll be looking at.

If you're taking them specifically to deal with acne or skin issues, then your doctor will write the prescription for that, and usually, they'll prescribe something like Diane-35, which in those cases is typically covered by insurance.

When you get the prescription, it'll actually specify how many packs it covers—say, for 6 months or even a year—so you definitely don't have to go back to the doctor every single month for a new script.

As for the coagulogram—you were actually supposed to hand over that second referral when you went in for your blood work. They would've just taken an extra tube of blood to run that specific test. Basically, they just want to make sure your blood clots normally.

Robert Watson25 said:Hey everyone, so I'm 16 and I was thinking about heading over to my doctor's office to get a prescription for birth control. I guess I just want to be prepared and stay protected, you know? I wanted to see if any of you have experience with pills in general? Also, has anyone here heard of Novynette? I heard they might be a newer option on the market, so I was wondering if anyone actually uses them and what they think?

I’m currently using Novynette myself, and honestly, they work perfectly for protection and have been wonderful for me. I haven't dealt with any side effects at all, so I can sincerely say I’m quite satisfied with them. When you eventually make that appointment with your doctor, I would definitely suggest bringing them up; doctors generally appreciate it when patients take the initiative to express which specific brands they are interested in trying. If he thinks they are a good fit for your health profile, he should be able to write you that prescription.😉div>