Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Alexander Murphy94 said:Does anyone know my chances of getting a prescription for birth control from a private OB-GYN without having to do blood work first?

I actually just had some labs done recently—totally unrelated, by the way—and everything came back fine. So, I really don't feel like dealing with the hassle again. I need to get my cycle under control so I can have a predictable period every month, and I just want the doctor to write the script so I can start on day one of my period.

Or maybe they could just give me the prescription now and let me go for the blood work a day or two later?

I've never taken the pill before.

Also, am I allowed to suggest which specific brand I want them to prescribe?
I want Yaz.

And can I even make an appointment just for that—just to get the script—without needing a full exam or anything like that?

I know, I'm asking a ton of questions. 🙂
Thanks!

It’s definitely possible to book an appointment with an OB-GYN just for birth control. A friend of mine has been on them for a while now; she got her prescription from her doctor without ever having a physical exam. As for the bloodwork, I honestly can't say for sure. My own doctor never asked me for labs beforehand. But since you just had yours done and everything was fine, I doubt it would be an issue. And yeah, I think you can absolutely voice your preference. Just tell the doctor which ones you want, and based on your history, they’ll decide if they’re a good fit for you.😉

So, I was scrolling through this thread from ages ago—I think it was back when I first started obsessing over health stuff—and I saw a discussion about how to spot the warning signs that you might need blood clot tests. You know, the whole "how do I even recognize if something is actually wrong?" dilemma. I can't seem to track that specific post down again, no matter how much I dig. Would anyone mind pointing me in the right direction or giving me a quick rundown on what those symptoms look like?

@Taylor Howard7 - thanks 🙂

So, I called up this private OB-GYN clinic today. I told them straight up: I don’t need a full exam, I just want a prescription for birth control pills. And what does the receptionist say? She tells me they can't see me because I'm not an existing patient. Are you kidding me? Like, how am I supposed to become a patient if they won't even let me through the door!? Then she tries to direct me to a doctor covered by my insurance, but I don't have any. I'm not interested in waiting months for a state-subsidized doctor; I need these pills ASAP so I can start them on the first day of my cycle. What am I even supposed to do here? 😕

Alexander Murphy94 said:So, I called up this private OB-GYN clinic today. I told them straight up: I don’t need a full exam, I just want a prescription for birth control pills. And what does the receptionist say? She tells me they can't see me because I'm not an existing patient. Are you kidding me? Like, how am I supposed to become a patient if they won't even let me through the door!? Then she tries to direct me to a doctor covered by my insurance, but I don't have any. I'm not interested in waiting months for a state-subsidized doctor; I need these pills ASAP so I can start them on the first day of my cycle. What am I even supposed to do here? 😕

So, you're heading to the physical exam then? I guess that's one way to spend a day. Maybe. 🤷
I guess it’s probably better to get checked out first—ultrasounds, blood work, all that stuff. A friend of mine had her bloodwork come back showing clotting issues, so she couldn't even go on the pill. Maybe just play it safe.

What’s the point? You all sit here acting like you have the answers, but nobody actually knows anything. Just noise. Constant, endless noise. Why bother even typing? kaže:
So, what, you're just gonna head straight to the physical exam then? 🤷
Look, you’re better off getting checked out first. Get an ultrasound to make sure everything is clear, then get the bloodwork done. For instance, a friend of mine had her blood tested and they found she had issues with blood clotting. Because of that, she couldn't even touch birth control pills.

Can't even go in for a checkup because I'm still virginal. And honestly? I’m not planning on changing that until I can get my hands on the pill. But apparently, getting the pill is impossible right now. It’s like being stuck in some kind of endless, twisted loop. 🤷

Alexander Murphy94 said:

What’s the point? You all sit here acting like you have the answers, but nobody actually knows anything. Just noise. Constant, endless noise. Why bother even typing? kaže:
So, what, you're just gonna head straight to the physical exam then? 🤷
Look, you’re better off getting checked out first. Get an ultrasound to make sure everything is clear, then get the bloodwork done. For instance, a friend of mine had her blood tested and they found she had issues with blood clotting. Because of that, she couldn't even touch birth control pills.

Can't even go in for a checkup because I'm still virginal. And honestly? I’m not planning on changing that until I can get my hands on the pill. But apparently, getting the pill is impossible right now. It’s like being stuck in some kind of endless, twisted loop. 🤷

You can definitely get an exam regardless of whether you're a virgin, though the procedure is a bit different. And honestly, don't mess around with birth control; I guess no decent OB-GYN is going to prescribe anything until they've actually seen you first. 🤷
If you're looking for pills for protection, maybe you could just use condoms for the first few times? Then you can head in for a proper exam whenever you feel ready. Birth control isn't exactly a prerequisite for sex, especially if it's your first time. 🤷

Justin Rogers5 said: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.

Anyone know anything about this? I have an appointment with a specialist in Seattle soon, but I'm wondering if switching brands actually makes sense. Also, I noticed something else—I gained a lot of weight because I stopped exercising and ate too much. When I tried to lose weight without the pill, the pounds were finally dropping off. But once I started back on Cilest, the weight loss just hit a wall, even though I'm barely eating anything besides soup and veggies.

Alexander Murphy94 said:

What’s the point? You all sit here acting like you have the answers, but nobody actually knows anything. Just noise. Constant, endless noise. Why bother even typing? kaže:
So, what, you're just gonna head straight to the physical exam then? 🤷
Look, you’re better off getting checked out first. Get an ultrasound to make sure everything is clear, then get the bloodwork done. For instance, a friend of mine had her blood tested and they found she had issues with blood clotting. Because of that, she couldn't even touch birth control pills.

Can't even go in for a checkup because I'm still virginal. And honestly? I’m not planning on changing that until I can get my hands on the pill. But apparently, getting the pill is impossible right now. It’s like being stuck in some kind of endless, twisted loop. 🤷

Before I actually started getting intimate with anyone, I made a point to visit my gynecologist. I was upfront with him—told him straight out that I wasn't a virgin anymore, but honestly, I had no intention of continuing down that path, so I asked him to just put me on the pill. It wasn't some dramatic ordeal or a major confrontation; he was perfectly fine with it. I also went in for some routine blood work beforehand, and that was pretty much the extent of it. 🤷

I have a question for the group. My gynecologist isn't seeing me until tomorrow afternoon, and I’ve just experienced my second unusual period in a row. It doesn't even look like blood; it’s more of this jammy, brownish consistency—sort of what I usually see at the very end of a cycle, but this time the whole thing lasted only two days before completely vanishing.
Actually, I was just in for my checkup about three weeks ago, and everything came back perfectly fine.
Is this actually normal? I’ve been on the pill for years now—with the occasional break here and there—but I have never experienced anything quite like this before...

It happened right after I stopped my pills. Just seven days in, this brown spotting showed up. I figured it was just my period, so I quit the meds.
It lasted a couple of days and then cleared right up.

Wait, did I miss something? I feel like I’m staring at a blank screen here. Or maybe it’s just me. I guess I’m just waiting for the actual point to show up. Maybe it’ll happen in five minutes. Or ten. Who knows? I’ll probably just sit here and overthink it anyway. Typical. kaže:
I don't know much about Cilest, but I guess I've heard quite a few girls raving about Qlair. It’s pretty new on the market, I think. Apparently, it releases natural hormones and is supposedly a lot milder than other options. Maybe that's why people like it? Just a thought. 🤷
It’s just weird to me that your period lasted like ten days on the YAZ... I mean, mine barely lasts two or three. Maybe it's just how my body handles it, I guess. 😲

It didn't actually last that long, not constantly or anything, just once—that last month I was on Yaz. It just wouldn't stop, you know? And then I switched over to Yasmin, and now, after everything, I feel like I want to switch them both out again in two years. I guess. Maybe.

So, here’s what I need to get done. Honestly, I’ve got such a massive migraine today that my eyes are practically twitching, and as for my mood? Total gremlin vibes. I saw some stuff about Qlaira online and I’m thinking about just asking my OB-GYN about them. Only thing is, since Yasmin is currently out in Canada... $6.75 Whatever, I gotta use up everything I've got left for the next two months. Probably should have gone shopping sooner, I guess. Maybe. 🙂

Quick question—about ten minutes after I took my pill, I ended up with a massive bout of diarrhea... so, what now? Do I need to take another dose, or am I basically flying without a parachute regarding protection right now?

I’m currently on Lyndionette 20—low-dose pills—and my leg hair growth has slowed down significantly. It used to sprout fast enough that I could shave every three days; now, it’s just... less.
The constant spotting is what really gets to me—though calling it "spotting" feels wrong. It’s more like this brownish discharge, weird smell, not heavy, but certainly not just a few spots, either...??
Maybe I’m overthinking it, but after sitting with my legs crossed for a while, they start to go numb. It doesn't clear up even after ten minutes—something that never used to happen before.

slyraven82 said:..I swear, I’m going to kill my gynecologist!!!!

I know there are pills out there that prevent pregnancy while simultaneously helping with acne, yet he didn't bother prescribing them to me... honestly, I’m calling him right now and dragging him straight to the nearest Starbucks just to give him a piece of my mind.🙂

I'm currently on the old-school brand (the generic kind) and I handle it reasonably well...
During those first two or three months, I tend to put on a few pounds—unfortunately, mostly around the hips and stomach—but after that, the constant snacking stops, and the weight slowly starts to drop off...

And the hair growth? Good grief, it grows back like some sort of curse...
I feel like I might need to curl up and pluck myself every ten days or so. It’s terrifying how fast it comes back.🙂

By the way, reading through the fine print in the instructions—everything that could possibly go wrong—doesn't exactly sit well with me. Especially considering I smoke about a pack of cigarettes a day...
But then again, it’s the only contraceptive method I actually trust.

I’ve noticed I smoke way more since I started taking them too... anyone know why? I'm on the low-dose ones, Lyndinette 20.

I’m thinking about starting on them... so I was wondering: are there any side effects, and are they actually safe to take if you're planning on breastfeeding? (I mean, do they impact your health at all?) Also, I heard somewhere that you aren't supposed to smoke while you're using them... and is it true that they make your breasts grow? haha 🙂

I drink on the weekends... and I smoke... though I’ve noticed the smoking has definitely ramped up since I started drinking—a predictable downward spiral, really.
Nerves, most likely—just another day in this beautiful mess.

casualtinker14: Just another day in this beautiful mess—though "beautiful" might be a stretch today. Life goes on, I suppose. [User] says:
They haven't raised me right—not even close. 😢 It seems like they only ever grow for the people who already have too many to begin with—unfair, really. 😢

They’ve piled on for me too—still growing, actually—but the real kicker is knowing they’ll probably just crawl right back to their old weight once I stop the pills. Just my luck.
I’ve just said that some people should probably stay exactly the size they reached while they were popping those pills—honestly, it’s for the best.
Is that even possible? — honestly, I doubt it. 😕

I’ve got this specific issue I'm dealing with. I have a mild case of PCOS, but lately, everything has just spiraled out of control... I exercise regularly, I eat clean... and yet, I can't drop these few pounds I want to lose, and I feel constantly bloated. It hurts terribly, and honestly, I feel like I'm stuck in a permanent state of PMS. Basically, I have all the PMS symptoms every single day except when I actually have my period. That's the only time I feel okay. My gynecologist prescribed Yaz. So, I guess we'll see... I've never taken birth control before, so I have zero experience with it, but my current situation is becoming unbearable. I know of cases where a girl started pills and actually lost weight and felt much better once her hormones stabilized. I'm wondering, though—do these pills have any impact on causing depression or anxiety...? What has your experience been like??? I mean, my situation is pretty dire, so I don't think I have much to lose...🙂

gemini1206 said:Mine have grown, and they’re still growing, too. It’s just a shame they’ll probably shrink back to their old size once I stop taking the pill...
but I heard that for some people, they actually stay at the size they reached while on them.
Is that even possible??! 😕

It’s probably possible, I guess, but in 90% of cases, they just go right back to how they were. 😁
For example, mine grew during my first month on the pill, but now—just four months in—they’re already back to their original size. 😬
Everything is different for everyone, maybe.

steelheron15 said:So, I was on the pill for three long years—just a massive stretch of time, really. After about eighteen months, I decided to take a little break for a few months just to let my body reset and clear things out. I finally stopped taking them back in 2007, and honestly, looking back, I don't think I ever will again.
The side effects were... well, they were something else. My chest size jumped up two whole sizes! I went from being a solid B cup to rocking a D that’s practically pushing its way toward an DD. But the real kicker—the thing that truly sucked—was how they completely nuked my libido. It was like my sex drive just vanished into thin air. Ever since I kicked them to the curb, though? It’s been a total renaissance...
I mean, sure, they did help manage my cramps and kept the flow a bit lighter, which was nice at the time!

I haven't heard of that happening... how long did it take for the size change to kick in? And once you stopped—did things shrink back down to a B, or are you stuck at a D now?
I can't believe that... going from a B to a D... 😲