Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Question about Evra patches:
So, after my first cycle (which was three weeks long), I didn't take a break. I actually wanted to delay my period, so I just went straight into the next pack. After finishing the first week of this second pack, my period finally showed up. That means it’s been 32 days since my last "real" period—usually, they show up every 28 days on the dot.
It feels weird because I'm already on day five of this thing, whereas my usual periods are super light and only last about three days. Other than that, I'm not feeling any different or dealing with any side effects.
Does this mean I've just had a regular period and I should expect the next one in about 28 to 30 days? I'm currently on the last patch of my second pack and I'll be taking a week-long break after this.

If I’m taking antibiotics, how much longer should I use backup protection while on Lindynette 20?
I started the antibiotics just a day after beginning a new pack—and I have a ten-day course to finish.
Does that mean I need to keep using extra protection until my next pack starts?

quietfox384 said:If I’m taking antibiotics, how much longer should I use backup protection while on Lindynette 20?
I started the antibiotics just a day after beginning a new pack—and I have a ten-day course to finish.
Does that mean I need to keep using extra protection until my next pack starts?

Honestly, you really ought to check with the doctor who prescribed those—most antibiotics don't even mess with birth control.
For me, I had to go on antibiotics twice at different times while on the pill—once for a week and once for two weeks—and I didn't need any backup at all.

Chloe Gray5 said:Honestly, you really ought to check with the doctor who prescribed those—most antibiotics don't even mess with birth control.
For me, I had to go on antibiotics twice at different times while on the pill—once for a week and once for two weeks—and I didn't need any backup at all.

The antibiotic I’m currently on (Novocef) definitely affects my protection, but I honestly have no idea how long I need to use backup methods.
When I asked the doctor who prescribed it, she just gave me this blank stare—then she actually asked where I even heard that an antibiotic could affect it in the first place—before finally telling me it doesn't. Which, let's be honest, isn't true.
Even at the pharmacy, they didn't offer much clarity; they just told me I needed extra protection, but left me hanging on how long that should last.

I find myself wondering if anyone else here is currently using Qlaira. I’ve just finished my first pack, and interestingly enough, my period hasn't arrived yet. According to the schedule, I was expecting it around the 26th day—specifically after taking the second red pill—but nothing has happened. Is this considered normal behavior for this medication, and should I proceed with the second pack as planned? To add a bit of context, I actually started the first pack on the very first day of my last cycle.

Gary Kern56 said:I find myself wondering if anyone else here is currently using Qlaira. I’ve just finished my first pack, and interestingly enough, my period hasn't arrived yet. According to the schedule, I was expecting it around the 26th day—specifically after taking the second red pill—but nothing has happened. Is this considered normal behavior for this medication, and should I proceed with the second pack as planned? To add a bit of context, I actually started the first pack on the very first day of my last cycle.

Yeah, just keep taking them like usual.

Hey,
I have a question and I’m hoping someone here can help. I’m currently working abroad, away from the US, so I can't just drop in to see my gynecologist for advice. I've been on Yaz for three months now, but I can't find it anywhere here—though I can get Yasmin. I was wondering if anyone has actually made the switch from Yaz to Yasmin before?
I finished my last cycle after taking the third white pill, so I'm trying to figure out the timing. Do I need to finish all four white pills first and then start Yasmin, or should I just wait until my period starts and begin the new pack then? It doesn't really matter how many placebo pills I took, right?

Thanks in advance.

Hey, does anyone know which pills are safe for girls who are already on antidepressants and sleeping meds? My gynecologist told me it’s not even about them messing with the effectiveness of the meds, but more about causing spotting or irregular periods.

So, I’ve been on antidepressants (Seroxat) and birth control (Lindynette) at the same time. Honestly, being a total anxiety wreck, I actually went out of my way to ask my gynecologist, my psychiatrist, AND my GP if they were going to cancel each other out. They all told me no. My OBGYN basically shut me down, too—she was like, "What kind of nonsense is that? Why would you even ask me that?" 😬

Yesterday on the German RTL midday news, they reported on how French pharmacies are pulling third-generation birth control pills off the shelves due to specific active ingredients. They listed three types—I didn't catch them all, though Qlaira sounded familiar—and showed pictures too. Apparently, these are twice as risky for heart and brain issues compared to older versions like Cilest. There were just too many cases that couldn't be linked to anything else except the pills, especially since we're talking about young women with zero other risk factors. If anyone wants to look it up, there should be a clip of the segment on their website.

I was on the pill for about ten years. I used to be a huge advocate for them. Honestly, part of me still misses that sense of security they provided. I don't trust much else that much. But because of a series of circumstances, I had to stop. Permanently. I remember every single doctor I saw for my other health issues would ask, "Are you on contraception?" If I said yes, the response was always, "You have to stop immediately." As time went on, I started saying "no" because I had already quit, but they would still write "on oral contraceptives for 10 years" on my medical records, even though I haven't taken them in two or three years. I'm not saying the pills made me sick, let’s be clear. I’m just pointing out how my checkups go. While I was taking them, all my tests came back perfect. Everything didn't start flaring up until three years ago. Why it still matters today that I took them once, I don't know, but clearly, it matters.

Looking at the big picture, taking the pill doesn't seem consequence-free anymore. I don't know... I'm certainly never going back to them. Plus, I'm over 35 now, which is an added risk factor and all that.

@fastidious: Your doctor's explanation feels a bit thin to me. Breakthrough bleeding usually happens precisely when the pill isn't working. That's when you switch to something else. It isn't normal to be on birth control and experience breakthrough bleeding.
I'd advise everyone to really dig into the medication leaflets and check for interactions—both for the pills and those psychiatric meds you mentioned. I don't think there's a universal answer because not every tablet has the same active ingredients. If the warning is there, it's there for a reason. Sure, manufacturers list a ton of stuff to protect themselves legally if an interaction occurs, but they wouldn't bother listing it if there wasn't a genuine possibility of it happening.
Maybe we shouldn't rely quite so heavily on what a doctor says. Two different gynecologists told me completely opposite things, so if the experts can't agree, how am I supposed to know? I found it better to stick to the instructions and even contact the manufacturer directly. That's what I eventually did, and it was the only way I felt satisfied with the answer.

First thing my immunologist asked was whether I’ve ever been on birth control. Since I haven't, we didn't really dig into the weeds, but she did mention seeing more and more young women coming in. She warned me that these hormonal pills aren't exactly harmless and can act as a trigger for all sorts of issues. At the end of the day, we're talking about hormones—the way they all interact within the body isn't even fully understood yet. That’s why it bugs me how doctors just hand them out left and right without much thought. Especially those emergency contraceptive pills; that's a total hormonal bomb. It might not hit you immediately, but it could show up as an issue five or ten years down the road.

Lisa Myers said:Yesterday on the German RTL midday news, they reported on how French pharmacies are pulling third-generation birth control pills off the shelves due to specific active ingredients. They listed three types—I didn't catch them all, though Qlaira sounded familiar—and showed pictures too. Apparently, these are twice as risky for heart and brain issues compared to older versions like Cilest. There were just too many cases that couldn't be linked to anything else except the pills, especially since we're talking about young women with zero other risk factors. If anyone wants to look it up, there should be a clip of the segment on their website.

I was on the pill for about ten years. I used to be a huge advocate for them. Honestly, part of me still misses that sense of security they provided. I don't trust much else that much. But because of a series of circumstances, I had to stop. Permanently. I remember every single doctor I saw for my other health issues would ask, "Are you on contraception?" If I said yes, the response was always, "You have to stop immediately." As time went on, I started saying "no" because I had already quit, but they would still write "on oral contraceptives for 10 years" on my medical records, even though I haven't taken them in two or three years. I'm not saying the pills made me sick, let’s be clear. I’m just pointing out how my checkups go. While I was taking them, all my tests came back perfect. Everything didn't start flaring up until three years ago. Why it still matters today that I took them once, I don't know, but clearly, it matters.

Looking at the big picture, taking the pill doesn't seem consequence-free anymore. I don't know... I'm certainly never going back to them. Plus, I'm over 35 now, which is an added risk factor and all that.

@fastidious: Your doctor's explanation feels a bit thin to me. Breakthrough bleeding usually happens precisely when the pill isn't working. That's when you switch to something else. It isn't normal to be on birth control and experience breakthrough bleeding.
I'd advise everyone to really dig into the medication leaflets and check for interactions—both for the pills and those psychiatric meds you mentioned. I don't think there's a universal answer because not every tablet has the same active ingredients. If the warning is there, it's there for a reason. Sure, manufacturers list a ton of stuff to protect themselves legally if an interaction occurs, but they wouldn't bother listing it if there wasn't a genuine possibility of it happening.
Maybe we shouldn't rely quite so heavily on what a doctor says. Two different gynecologists told me completely opposite things, so if the experts can't agree, how am I supposed to know? I found it better to stick to the instructions and even contact the manufacturer directly. That's what I eventually did, and it was the only way I felt satisfied with the answer.

Figured I'd jump in here too, since this topic has come up for me again.
I had a very similar experience to yours, Victora. I was on Logest for about eight years or so. My labs were always stellar—liver was fine, weight stayed steady, zero side effects. It was honestly a period of pure bliss. Then, out of nowhere, my blood pressure spiked through the roof. I did every test imaginable, and my doctor finally suspected the birth control. When I told him I’d been on Logest for eight years, he practically snapped at me, "Stop it right now." He told me to track my pressure for the next fifteen days and bring him the numbers. My pressure dropped within the first week and hasn't acted up again in about five years.
For some reason, every gynecologist gets this look on their face when they read "on Logest for 8 years." When I went in for a thyroid and adrenal ultrasound, the specialist asked about my symptoms. I gave him a brief rundown about the blood pressure, and he basically told me, "Let's rule these things out, and then try getting off the hormones. Just stay away from the pills and you'll see, it's definitely that." ?! I know that isn't his specialty, but unfortunately, it turned out he was right.
Now I'm reading up on the Mirena IUD. Actually, I haven't just started looking; I've been obsessing over whether to do it for a long time. It feels a little freaky. I see women losing their periods—more hormones, just a different kind—and I'm spiraling a bit. I really need to talk to my OBGYN. Honestly, I never regretted the pills, 😢 maybe I should try something with lower hormone levels, who knows. Oh, and regarding the Mirena, you aren't supposed to have any active inflammation. I've dealt with a small lesion and HPV for years; it seems controlled, or at least it isn't getting worse, but it's not going away either.
I have an appointment tomorrow, so I'm spending tonight reading through everyone's experiences again... I'm honestly terrified of those damn hormones, even though the pill was my favorite thing. 😢 I'm just hoping there's an alternative option so we can see how my body reacts.
We'll see what the doctor says tomorrow.
I really miss that feeling I had when I was on the pill...

I’ve just been diagnosed with PCOS, and as a direct consequence, my blood pressure has shot up, so I was wondering if any of you have ever used oral contraceptives as part of your treatment plan while also successfully getting your blood pressure back under control?

I have PCOS and high blood pressure, though most people think my BP issues are caused by the pill—which I actually agree with. Since I’m on blood pressure medication, my gynecologist told me I could take Diane if my levels stayed under control. However, all my other doctors and specialists advised me that it’s smarter to just quit them for good, and I trust their judgment more. Besides, whenever I take them, my blood pressure starts acting up again, so I'm done with them.

Don't play games here. If you're dealing with high blood pressure as a direct side effect of the pill like you mentioned, then no form of hormonal contraception is right for you.

Since I’ve already gone through the full battery of tests—everything from my EKG and thyroid checks to monitoring my hormone levels—the consensus seems to be that my blood pressure issues are just a byproduct of PCOS. On top of that, I was told that I can safely take birth control specifically for PCOS alongside my current treatment, which honestly feels like it flies in the face of everything I’ve been reading online and in various medical guides.

Which medications can you take alongside birth control? Like blood pressure pills or what? For PCOS, they usually prescribe Diane, which doubles as contraception. But you can't touch those if you have high blood pressure. Look, you could try them and see how your pressure reacts... but with those pills, if your BP is already wonky, it’s just going to spike. It certainly isn't going to drop. At least, that's my experience.

Basically, it's a vicious cycle. I'm not sure how much of the blood pressure issue stems from PCOS itself; often they just come as a package deal. It's like the classic "chicken or the egg" scenario. You mentioned earlier that the high blood pressure was a side effect of the pills. There's a big difference between which one came first.

Google "PCOS and high blood pressure"... you'll see everywhere that the pills are linked to it 🙂.

Hi everyone...
Here’s my situation: I was taking Yaz and Qlaira birth control pills—both on my gynecologist's recommendation, of course. Before starting the pills, my blood work was perfectly fine. However, after a few months, my results were a disaster; my cholesterol and triglycerides spiked significantly. Once I stopped taking them, everything returned to normal. The exact same thing happened when I switched to Qlaira. I even went to see a gastroenterologist about it. It isn't a diet issue; it's definitely the pills. I don't understand why this happens. My doctor couldn't provide any explanation and claimed she had never seen anything like it. I haven't been able to find anyone else with a similar experience. I would like to be back on birth control for protection, but I'm terrified of ruining my lab results again. If anyone has had similar experiences, advice, or recommendations, please let me know... 🙂 Best,

You might want to check this out:

...we’ve actually been talking about this for the last few days, and I was the one who brought up Qlair.

Lisa Myers said:Yesterday on the German RTL midday news, they reported on how French pharmacies are pulling third-generation birth control pills off the shelves due to specific active ingredients. They listed three types—I didn't catch them all, though Qlaira sounded familiar—and showed pictures too. Apparently, these are twice as risky for heart and brain issues compared to older versions like Cilest. There were just too many cases that couldn't be linked to anything else except the pills, especially since we're talking about young women with zero other risk factors. If anyone wants to look it up, there should be a clip of the segment on their website.

I was on the pill for about ten years. I used to be a huge advocate for them. Honestly, part of me still misses that sense of security they provided. I don't trust much else that much. But because of a series of circumstances, I had to stop. Permanently. I remember every single doctor I saw for my other health issues would ask, "Are you on contraception?" If I said yes, the response was always, "You have to stop immediately." As time went on, I started saying "no" because I had already quit, but they would still write "on oral contraceptives for 10 years" on my medical records, even though I haven't taken them in two or three years. I'm not saying the pills made me sick, let’s be clear. I’m just pointing out how my checkups go. While I was taking them, all my tests came back perfect. Everything didn't start flaring up until three years ago. Why it still matters today that I took them once, I don't know, but clearly, it matters.

Looking at the big picture, taking the pill doesn't seem consequence-free anymore. I don't know... I'm certainly never going back to them. Plus, I'm over 35 now, which is an added risk factor and all that.

@fastidious: Your doctor's explanation feels a bit thin to me. Breakthrough bleeding usually happens precisely when the pill isn't working. That's when you switch to something else. It isn't normal to be on birth control and experience breakthrough bleeding.
I'd advise everyone to really dig into the medication leaflets and check for interactions—both for the pills and those psychiatric meds you mentioned. I don't think there's a universal answer because not every tablet has the same active ingredients. If the warning is there, it's there for a reason. Sure, manufacturers list a ton of stuff to protect themselves legally if an interaction occurs, but they wouldn't bother listing it if there wasn't a genuine possibility of it happening.
Maybe we shouldn't rely quite so heavily on what a doctor says. Two different gynecologists told me completely opposite things, so if the experts can't agree, how am I supposed to know? I found it better to stick to the instructions and even contact the manufacturer directly. That's what I eventually did, and it was the only way I felt satisfied with the answer.

My experience with birth control hasn't been great either. Bad bloodwork, mood swings, spotting, chest pains, high blood pressure, and gaining 10 pounds after just one year on them... 🤷 Maybe they aren't actually good for women's health, despite how much everyone praises them.

So, I’ve been using Yasmin as a way to manage my PCOS, and my doctor mentioned it’s perfectly fine to take alongside my blood pressure medication, since the PCOS seems to be the underlying culprit—basically, the reason my blood pressure spiked in the first place once all these symptoms started hitting me, like the irregular cycles, sudden weight gain, and the high readings. It actually caught me off guard how both my gynecologist and my primary care physician, and even some medical experts on health portals, all agreed that there shouldn't be any issues combining them. What I’m really wondering about now, though, is whether I could switch to a different kind of treatment for the PCOS, something like Duphaston. I don't mean birth control—even though everyone keeps insisting that's the only way—because I’ve finally found some real momentum lately. Between adjusting my diet, getting consistent with exercise, and sticking to herbal teas like lemon balm, spearmint, and licorice root, everything has stabilized; my period has actually come on time for the last three months, which hasn't happened in two years. I really don't want to mess with hormonal contraceptives right now when they might just do more harm than good, yet I’m fully aware that I still need to be proactive about treating the PCOS itself.