Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Sorry ladies, I really don't have the stamina to read through all the previous pages just to ask you this. Does anyone here have experience using Triquilar or Logest? And has anyone actually made the switch from three-phase pills (Triquilar) over to the one-phase kind (Logest)?

So, I finished my first pack of birth control pills on Wednesday. According to the instructions, my period should show up in about two days. Based on what I've dealt with before using different brands, it usually takes three days, and I typically feel this weird pressure in my ovaries—more like an annoying discomfort than actual pain—about a day or two beforehand. But right now? Nothing. No bleeding, and honestly, zero signs that it’s even coming. I’m not feeling any of those usual symptoms I get whether I'm on the pill or just going natural.

I was wondering, is it actually possible to skip your period during the very first pack? I have this nagging feeling I read somewhere that it happens, but since I can't remember for sure, I figured I'd ask here. Also, if nothing happens, should I give my OB-GYN a call, or should I just start the next pack and wait until next month to see if things normalize?

It’s totally standard—when I made the switch from Yasmin to Novynette, I didn't even get my period during that first month. Not a single drop. I actually called up my OB-GYN to double-check, and she told me it was completely normal; since the hormone levels are different, the thickness of the uterine lining shifts too, so the best move was just to start the next pack as scheduled. After that, my cycle came back, though it was way lighter than what I used to deal with on Yasmin.

Hey ladies!
So, I’ve got a bit of a situation... I was planning on finally starting birth control once my period kicked in, but of course, I forgot to pack my pills since I’m away from home right now. I’ve been digging through the fine print in the instructions, and apparently, you can start taking them anytime up until the fifth day of your cycle. Well, today is day five, and honestly, I’m barely spotting—it’s like nothing. Now I’m stuck wondering: should I just bite the bullet and start them today anyway? Or would it be smarter to just wait until next month and start fresh on day one when things are actually moving along? 🙂

Look, I’m not here to dance around the subject or sugarcoat things for anyone who needs their hand held. If you want a polite conversation where everyone agrees and feels warm and fuzzy, go find another corner of the internet. I don’t do fluff, and I certainly don't do drama for the sake of entertainment. I say what I see, and if that hits a nerve, that’s on you, not me. It’s like watching someone try to drive through a blizzard in a sedan thinking they can outrun the wind—you can pretend the weather isn't happening all you want, but eventually, you're going to hit the wall. I'm just here to point out where the walls are. Simple as that. kaže:
Hey ladies!
I have a question... I was supposed to start my birth control pills for the first time once my period started, but I forgot to bring them with me (I'm away from home right now). I’ve been reading the instructions, and it says you can start anytime up to the fifth day of your cycle, but today is that fifth day and my bleeding has already slowed down to almost nothing. So now I’m wondering: should I just start taking them today, or would it be better to just wait until my next period comes around and start fresh on day one then? 🙂

You can start today if you want, but you’re going to need to layer on some extra protection—I'm not exactly sure how long we'll be able to hold the line like this.

Alright, thanks a ton! And yeah, it says here there's an extra 7 days of coverage included.

Larry King said:It’s totally standard—when I made the switch from Yasmin to Novynette, I didn't even get my period during that first month. Not a single drop. I actually called up my OB-GYN to double-check, and she told me it was completely normal; since the hormone levels are different, the thickness of the uterine lining shifts too, so the best move was just to start the next pack as scheduled. After that, my cycle came back, though it was way lighter than what I used to deal with on Yasmin.

I wasn't actually switching from another pill (might have phrased that weirdly in my first post), I just started taking them because I'd gone months without a period again. This is the first time I haven't bled during that first month, since usually, it kicks in right when I start the new pack...

Aha... Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue—it’s probably just standard procedure since your body is busy trying to adjust to the hormones. I don't have any personal experience with this specific thing, though. You should probably give your gynecologist a call, but if I'm being totally blunt, I doubt they’ll suggest anything other than sticking with the pills. I mean, what else could they really say? They aren't going to tell you to just stop taking them mid-stream.

Look, I know she won't dump me, I was just wondering if I actually need to give her a heads-up or not. My wife isn't exactly the most delightful woman on the planet, so I’d rather not call her unless it's absolutely necessary.

If I were you, I’d probably go ahead and take a pregnancy test—assuming you haven't already—just because it’s usually the best move in these situations, right? It’s better to be safe before you start a brand-new pack.
Beyond that, I don't think there's anything else you need to worry about—you should just keep taking your pills as usual.

I'm not feeling 100% at all—honestly, I don't even need a test to tell me that. Just dealing with some light spotting right now (even though my ovaries aren't acting up or giving me any of those usual "it's coming" vibes). Might end up bleeding a bit later on 🎉.

Hey ladies,

I wanted to scroll through the whole page, but honestly, that feels like way too much work. I was hoping someone here has tried Yaz and could share their experience. I’m only on my fourth pill—this is my first time ever using birth control, mostly just to deal with heavy and really painful periods. Lately, I’ve been feeling short of breath, like it's hard to catch my breath. It usually happens at night, and it started with the very first pill. I figured it was just a coincidence because I had a super stressful, exhausting day, but now I'm not so sure. I actually missed today's dose (my doctor told me if I miss one, just take it when I remember, and since I'm not active right now, it's not a huge deal), and I noticed breathing felt a little easier and I felt better. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of thing with any specific brands? These have actually helped with my cycle—it was two days shorter and less painful—but I'm getting a bit worried. I can't see my OB-GYN until Friday, and I’d rather not go down a Google rabbit hole of scary symptoms if I don't have to. If anyone’s had something similar, let me know. Thanks for the help.

Hey guys, just wanted to check in with you all 🙂 after that whole situation back on day 12! So, get this—I didn't get anything at all when my period was supposed to start?! Honestly, I was on the verge of a total meltdown, LOL.
I finally made it to an appointment with my OB-GYN. We did an ultrasound, ran some blood work, and everything looks totally fine on paper.
He told me that this can happen since those hormones can be pretty weak sometimes, and if things keep going this way, he’s going to switch me over to a stronger prescription. 🙂

Hey guys,

What happens if my break between pill packs lasts longer than seven days? I’ve been on birth control for about a year now and have always been super consistent, but my student grant didn't hit my account on time so I couldn't grab a new pack. Will anything major happen, or should I just use backup protection until I start the next box?

Thanks in advance!

I have been taking Yaz tablets, and because of some bloating issues, my gynecologist prescribed Qlaira. It was only after I actually bought them that I noticed they also contain lactose, just like Yaz does. Now that I am nearing the end of this pack, my stomach is still feeling bloated.
I am wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? Once the body adjusts to these pills over the next two months, will the bloating subside, or should I consider switching to Yasmine since it has a diuretic effect?

fadedsurfer59 said:I have been taking Yaz tablets, and because of some bloating issues, my gynecologist prescribed Qlaira. It was only after I actually bought them that I noticed they also contain lactose, just like Yaz does. Now that I am nearing the end of this pack, my stomach is still feeling bloated.
I am wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? Once the body adjusts to these pills over the next two months, will the bloating subside, or should I consider switching to Yasmine since it has a diuretic effect?

Ugh, I honestly have no clue how it'll play out for you—I switched from Trinovar to Yaz, and for about the first week, I felt like a literal balloon, just this constant heaviness in my gut. But I’ve finished about three-quarters of my first pack now and I feel way better; the bloating isn't nearly as bad anymore, at least.

Are you totally sure it’s the pills, though? Like, did you deal with this kind of stuff before you started them?
It might actually be something related to what you're eating... I get these random bouts of bloating sometimes that have nothing to do with birth control, and honestly, I never know what to do about it—it gets so frustrating! Maybe it really is just a diet thing.

Thank you for the response. I have never dealt with bloating before, except for when I’ve had too much soda. However, my stomach has been constantly bloated for three months now, despite the fact that I watch my diet, stay active, and drink plenty of water... It isn't helping. I will consult with my doctor; perhaps the medication isn't the culprit after all.

I wanted to ask you all: is it actually necessary to take a break between packs of contraceptive pills? I’ve been on Brala for about a year and a half now, and when I consulted my doctor, she told me there’s no need to pause. Honestly, that caught me a bit off guard. Since I primarily take them to manage PCOS, the idea of using them continuously for years on end makes me a little nervous.

Does anyone here have experience with this? Is continuous use generally recommended? Should I perhaps seek out a second opinion?

Charles Martinez16 said:I wanted to ask you all: is it actually necessary to take a break between packs of contraceptive pills? I’ve been on Brala for about a year and a half now, and when I consulted my doctor, she told me there’s no need to pause. Honestly, that caught me a bit off guard. Since I primarily take them to manage PCOS, the idea of using them continuously for years on end makes me a little nervous.

Does anyone here have experience with this? Is continuous use generally recommended? Should I perhaps seek out a second opinion?

From what I understand—and please keep in mind I'm just sharing my own perspective here—breaks during usage aren't strictly necessary. It sounds like your gynecologist gave you sound advice; in fact, quite a few specialists would likely agree with her.
You might want to read this and this. Also, take a look at this.

Hey, so quick question—is it actually okay to take emergency contraception if I’m already on birth control pills, specifically Logest 5+5? I totally messed up and missed a pill, and then had unprotected sex during that third day of the week where you're supposed to be using extra protection. Can I even combine them?