Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

I’ve been taking Logest, and now I’m having to deal with Klavax—because life, apparently, isn't easy enough. According to the instructions (and my pharmacist was quite insistent about this too), I need to use extra protection... however, I didn't think to ask whether they mean strictly during the window when I'm actually on the antibiotic, or if I need to remain cautious for a while afterward until the medication has completely cleared my system?

granitepilot5 said:I’ve been taking Logest, and now I’m having to deal with Klavax—because life, apparently, isn't easy enough. According to the instructions (and my pharmacist was quite insistent about this too), I need to use extra protection... however, I didn't think to ask whether they mean strictly during the window when I'm actually on the antibiotic, or if I need to remain cautious for a while afterward until the medication has completely cleared my system?

I guess an antibiotic takes about another week after you finish to fully clear your system, though I've heard some doctors suggest staying protected until you've finished the entire blister pack.🤷

*Paul Rivera* said:
Apparently, an antibiotic needs about another week to fully clear out of your system—though I’ve heard some doctors suggest keeping up with protection until you've finished the entire pack 🤷... just to be safe, I suppose.

Thanks 🙂...

So, I was on the pill—just regular birth control—for about a year and a half, but I finally decided to stop because, honestly, they’ve become way too expensive and I’m not even sexually active right now. I actually went to see my gynecologist to ask about potential side effects from quitting, but she was incredibly rude about me wanting to stop taking them... which has left me feeling terrible, especially since my skin has turned absolutely HORRID. I mean, I haven't really noticed it myself, but my friends have been pointing out how much worse my complexion looks over the last couple of months. So, I guess I'm wondering—which brands actually helped you guys deal with acne?
And what's the deal with those new Lyndette pills? Has anyone here actually tried them? Like, are doctors even willing to write a prescription for them these days?

Does anyone know if I have to go back to my OB-GYN just to get another refill on my birth control because I lost my prescription? Or does the pharmacy where I buy my stuff keep some kind of record? Can I just ask them to keep issuing it since I’m a regular there?

I’ve been on Triquilar for a little over a year now and it was okay, I guess. No real side effects, maybe I’m just being more emotional, though my breasts haven't actually gotten bigger, which is a bummer 😢 and I might have put on a tiny bit of weight, but honestly, that’s probably just because I’ve been lazy and eating constantly 😁 ugh. I originally went with Triquilar because of the price ($20)—even though my boyfriend and I split the cost, it’s just easier on a student budget. My gynecologist told me those pills aren't exactly top-tier, but I grabbed them anyway. Now I'm just stuck feeling uneasy about it, thinking maybe I should just pay more for something better just so I don't feel so anxious. So today I went back and she gave me Yaz instead. Tomorrow is my last Triquilar pill, and I asked her if I should start Yaz the very next day or wait until the scheduled restart day (next Thursday), and she said to wait. But the instructions say you can start the new pack immediately after the old one ends. What’s the smarter move here? I mean, obviously I should listen to my doctor, but now I'm just stressing because the manual says something else 🤷

rowdywalker7 said:Does anyone know if I have to go back to my OB-GYN just to get another refill on my birth control because I lost my prescription? Or does the pharmacy where I buy my stuff keep some kind of record? Can I just ask them to keep issuing it since I’m a regular there?

You’re gonna need a new script. They won't hand it over at the pharmacy without one.

Just asking out of curiosity, purely for information.
Do you actually need to get blood work done again after six months on the pill, or can you just swing by the gynecologist to grab a new prescription since my current one for Yaz is only valid for six months?

Quick question. I’ve been on birth control since I was 19, and now I’m 33. For the last few months, my period has been starting before I even finish the pack. I went to see my OB-GYN, but he didn't really give me a straight answer. Are these pills just losing their edge because I’ve been taking them for so long? I'm on Celest, by the way.

I’m wondering how long it took for your first cycle to show up after you stopped taking birth control—assuming you actually took a break first.
Last time I was on the pill, my period came on November 6th and lasted until the 11th. Now? Still waiting. It’s been almost a week late, and honestly, it’s starting to get under my skin a little...
In the meantime, I’ve been donating blood—450ml, which isn't exactly nothing—and I've been pretty stressed out over the last two weeks. Could that be why it’s running late, or what...?😕

rapidorca6 said:I’ve been on Triquilar for a little over a year now and it was okay, I guess. No real side effects, maybe I’m just being more emotional, though my breasts haven't actually gotten bigger, which is a bummer 😢 and I might have put on a tiny bit of weight, but honestly, that’s probably just because I’ve been lazy and eating constantly 😁 ugh. I originally went with Triquilar because of the price ($20)—even though my boyfriend and I split the cost, it’s just easier on a student budget. My gynecologist told me those pills aren't exactly top-tier, but I grabbed them anyway. Now I'm just stuck feeling uneasy about it, thinking maybe I should just pay more for something better just so I don't feel so anxious. So today I went back and she gave me Yaz instead. Tomorrow is my last Triquilar pill, and I asked her if I should start Yaz the very next day or wait until the scheduled restart day (next Thursday), and she said to wait. But the instructions say you can start the new pack immediately after the old one ends. What’s the smarter move here? I mean, obviously I should listen to my doctor, but now I'm just stressing because the manual says something else 🤷

Hey, I’m actually switching brands too. I’ve been on Triquilar for about two and a half years.
I went to my doctor to ask for a different prescription due to some issues, and she put me on Novyette. When I asked how to handle the transition, she just told me to take them normally.
So, I finished my last Triquilar pill on Friday, and I’m starting my first Novyette today, Saturday.
The instructions say something different for me too, but from what I gather, that part is meant for women who are just starting birth control for the first time. For those of us already on a cycle, you just keep going. I’m pretty sure our doctors know what they’re doing 🙂

Daniel Palmer said:Hey, I’m actually switching brands too. I’ve been on Triquilar for about two and a half years.
I went to my doctor to ask for a different prescription due to some issues, and she put me on Novyette. When I asked how to handle the transition, she just told me to take them normally.
So, I finished my last Triquilar pill on Friday, and I’m starting my first Novyette today, Saturday.
The instructions say something different for me too, but from what I gather, that part is meant for women who are just starting birth control for the first time. For those of us already on a cycle, you just keep going. I’m pretty sure our doctors know what they’re doing 🙂

Hey, thanks for getting back to me. 🙂
Mine specifically mentions switching from another hormonal contraceptive, but it lists it as an option—it doesn't give any other choice, unlike what my doctor suggested regarding taking Triquilar instead. I'll stick to what my doctor said anyway, I just wanted to see what anyone else thought. 😁

Hey, does anyone know anything about those new birth control pills hitting the market here... apparently there's this one kind where you just take a single pill on the first day of your cycle and that's it... full protection for the whole month... I can't recall the names, but supposedly they're easy to tolerate without all those side effects like spotting... maybe someone knows, if not, I guess I won't have to bother asking my OB-GYN...

Hey everyone, just dropping in to say hi! Hope you’re all having a killer week so far. Life's been a bit of a whirlwind on my end—just one of those "too many errands, not enough coffee" kind of situations, you know? Anyway, I was thinking about some of our recent chats and wanted to check in. What's everyone up to? Any big plans for the weekend? Looking forward to catching up with you all! kaže:
Hey, thanks for getting back to me! 🙂
It says here that this happens right when you're switching from another type of hormonal birth control. It mentions that it *can* be an option, but it doesn't actually list what the other choice is—you know, the one the doctor suggested we take if we decided to go back on Triquilar. Honestly, I’m definitely going to listen to my doctor regardless, but I just wanted to see if anyone else had any thoughts on it. 😁

No worries at all! 😉
Honestly, maybe they actually know what they're talking about. I usually forget half of what my doctor tells me, but even I had to double-check things twice this time. 😁
I don't think there's much of a massive difference when switching from Triquilar to Yaz or Novyette, since they both pretty much work with a lower dose of hormones anyway.

*Paul Rivera* said:
Hey, just asking for info here.
Do I seriously need to get bloodwork done again after six months on the pill? Or can I just swing by the OBGYN to grab a new prescription since this Yaz one only lasts me six months?

You probably won't need to do bloodwork again. I get mine checked once a year and honestly, that’s plenty.😉
My Yaz prescription used to last a whole year.
And that was a while back, maybe sometime last year.😕

Hello there, ladies. 🙂
So, I was wondering if perhaps someone here might be able to offer me some guidance.
I have an appointment scheduled with my gynecologist today at 5:00 PM; I need to pick up a prescription for birth control pills because my cycles have been quite irregular lately—it essentially functions as a sort of hormone therapy for me—and, honestly, they’ll probably be quite helpful when I'm being intimate. 🙂 😁

Basically, since my periods are so unpredictable, I suppose I'm wondering whether I actually need to wait until my next cycle starts before I can begin taking them, or if I could potentially just start right away, given that my periods can sometimes be delayed by several months and I don't really have the patience to sit around waiting.

Anyway, thank you all so much for any insight you might have. Best, 🙂

Honestly, you should just go ahead and have a chat with a gynecologist...

If I took my pill at 6:15 in the morning instead of during the usual window between 10:30 PM and midnight, does that lower my protection? Do I need to use a condom? It’s the third pill in the pack.

Benjamin Robinson3 said:If I took my pill at 6:15 in the morning instead of during the usual window between 10:30 PM and midnight, does that lower my protection? Do I need to use a condom? It’s the third pill in the pack.

I don't think so. I guess the real trouble starts if you're more than 12 hours late.🤷

Brandon White said:Hello there, ladies. 🙂
So, I was wondering if perhaps someone here might be able to offer me some guidance.
I have an appointment scheduled with my gynecologist today at 5:00 PM; I need to pick up a prescription for birth control pills because my cycles have been quite irregular lately—it essentially functions as a sort of hormone therapy for me—and, honestly, they’ll probably be quite helpful when I'm being intimate. 🙂 😁

Basically, since my periods are so unpredictable, I suppose I'm wondering whether I actually need to wait until my next cycle starts before I can begin taking them, or if I could potentially just start right away, given that my periods can sometimes be delayed by several months and I don't really have the patience to sit around waiting.

Anyway, thank you all so much for any insight you might have. Best, 🙂

I actually dealt with very similar issues myself. My doctor initially prescribed a different type of hormone pill—not specifically for contraception—which I took for about a week just to jumpstart my cycle. Then, almost immediately after finishing those, my period arrived, and I was able to transition straight onto the birth control pills...