Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

jadelynx32 said:Birth control and smoking? Great combo. Just what everyone needs.
Thoughts, suggestions, advice? Give me something to work with. 😁

I feel like this thread probably isn't helping you much since there aren't many posts here—honestly, people will likely tell you the exact same thing elsewhere anyway. 😁
I don't know how old you are, but the general rule is that after age 35, you really shouldn't be doing that combo... it significantly bumps up the risks associated with the pill (like the chance of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes and stuff like that).

neonstag63 said:I feel like this thread probably isn't helping you much since there aren't many posts here—honestly, people will likely tell you the exact same thing elsewhere anyway. 😁
I don't know how old you are, but the general rule is that after age 35, you really shouldn't be doing that combo... it significantly bumps up the risks associated with the pill (like the chance of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes and stuff like that).

I'm 21. I'll try to cut back on smoking at least, maybe quit entirely down the road.😛

Anyone know if they still stock those older generation pills (Steridil)? I never had a single issue with them. This new stuff is a total disaster—they claim they’re "gentler" or whatever, but they do absolutely nothing for me. Makes you wonder if the doctors prescribing these newer brands like Yaz or Yasmin are getting kickbacks from the manufacturers just to push them. I can't even get my guy to prescribe my old ones since they supposedly aren't used anymore.😠

If they aren't manufacturing them anymore—then naturally, you can't just go out and demand them from anyone. It’s a simple matter of supply and demand, isn't it?
I haven't heard anything about them being prescribed at the moment—not that I know of, anyway. 🤷
Logest/Lindynette—have you ever actually given that a shot?
Unfortunately—and I say this with genuine empathy—finding the right medication can sometimes feel like playing a game of pure chance. It’s a bit of a lottery, isn't it? You try one, then another, hoping that eventually, you'll stumble upon the specific pill that actually works for your body.

quietfox384 said:If they aren't manufacturing them anymore—then naturally, you can't just go out and demand them from anyone. It’s a simple matter of supply and demand, isn't it?
I haven't heard anything about them being prescribed at the moment—not that I know of, anyway. 🤷
Logest/Lindynette—have you ever actually given that a shot?
Unfortunately—and I say this with genuine empathy—finding the right medication can sometimes feel like playing a game of pure chance. It’s a bit of a lottery, isn't it? You try one, then another, hoping that eventually, you'll stumble upon the specific pill that actually works for your body.

I tried Lindynette once and was a total wreck. I was picking fights with everyone—just pure irritability. A complete nightmare. Now I’m on Trinil, but my period starts seven days before I even finish the pack, and then it drags on after I stop. And I take them on time. Well, maybe I'm an hour late occasionally.

Hey, I’m honestly panicking right now.
Yesterday, around 7:40 PM, I took my Yaz (the 6-pill pack) just like I usually do. Then, somewhere between 9:20 and 9:40 PM, I ended up throwing up because, well, the alcohol interfered with things.
I didn't take an extra pill at the time since I wasn't home. However, about halfway through the night, I had unprotected sex.
Fast forward to today... I got home around 10:30 AM and took my scheduled pill, and then this evening, I took another one just as I normally would.

What should I do? Should I just keep panicking?
Do I actually have a reason to worry? I really don't know what to do with myself.

You were two or three hours late with that pill—if you had taken it by 7:40, we’d be looking at a full twelve-hour window.
It’s almost as if you didn't take that first one at all; the real question is how much of it actually managed to absorb.
Make sure to use backup protection for the next week.

So, which brand of birth control is actually worth it? And more importantly, what kind of side effects am I looking at? Like, give it to me straight.
I’m thinking about starting them up again these days—mostly just to get my cycle under some actual control. It’s been forever since I even touched a pill, so I’m basically a complete newbie all over again.🙂

quietfox384 said:You were two or three hours late with that pill—if you had taken it by 7:40, we’d be looking at a full twelve-hour window.
It’s almost as if you didn't take that first one at all; the real question is how much of it actually managed to absorb.
Make sure to use backup protection for the next week.

I picked up the morning-after pill last night, and I really hope everything turns out okay...

restlessstag9 said:I picked up the morning-after pill last night, and I really hope everything turns out okay...

Please don't take it.
Honestly, you might just end up throwing your whole system out of whack—it’s such a massive shock to the body, isn't it? It really isn't recommended to use emergency contraception while you're already on regular birth control pills.
The chances of you being pregnant are incredibly slim anyway; after all, preventing ovulation isn't the only thing those daily pills are designed to do.

Harold Cook2 said:So, which brand of birth control is actually worth it? And more importantly, what kind of side effects am I looking at? Like, give it to me straight.
I’m thinking about starting them up again these days—mostly just to get my cycle under some actual control. It’s been forever since I even touched a pill, so I’m basically a complete newbie all over again.🙂

Honestly, just scroll back through the last few pages. 😉

quietfox384 said:Please don't take it.
Honestly, you might just end up throwing your whole system out of whack—it’s such a massive shock to the body, isn't it? It really isn't recommended to use emergency contraception while you're already on regular birth control pills.
The chances of you being pregnant are incredibly slim anyway; after all, preventing ovulation isn't the only thing those daily pills are designed to do.

I think I caused a bit of a panic. I'm currently out of the country, so I suppose this just seemed like my only option in this situation. :/

So, I officially started over at Adexom yesterday. Now I’m just sitting here wondering how this whole thing is actually gonna play out for me. Honestly? Who knows. Just one of those things where you dive in headfirst and hope the landing isn't too brutal.
Seriously though, did you guys actually let yourselves get played like that by them? Honestly, it’s pathetic. You just stood there and took it. Total sucker move.

Not sure if this is even the right place to be asking...

Mostly just looking for some advice—or honestly, anything at all
Since my cycles are completely irregular—and sometimes mid-month I’ll start spotting this blackish discharge, which turns brown after a few days
During those times, my actual period just disappears—this weird bleeding can drag on for up to 20 days, yet when my regular cycle actually shows up, it barely lasts a day or two

But the real nightmare here is my hair—it’s been falling out in clumps for 28 months now. I have visible bald patches everywhere—I even bought a wig, but even that doesn't help, not to mention how much this has wrecked my mental state
It seems obvious to me that what's happening with my head is tied to these strange hormonal shifts
Every lab result I’ve had comes back perfect—bloodwork, kidneys, thyroid—everything is fine, except for a slight hormonal imbalance

So, my question is: are there any birth control pills out there that actually help with hair regrowth?
Please, if anyone has insight, I'd appreciate it—I just can't keep living like this...😢

Harold Cook2 said:So, I officially started over at Adexom yesterday. Now I’m just sitting here wondering how this whole thing is actually gonna play out for me. Honestly? Who knows. Just one of those things where you dive in headfirst and hope the landing isn't too brutal.
Seriously though, did you guys actually let yourselves get played like that by them? Honestly, it’s pathetic. You just stood there and took it. Total sucker move.

Not for me. Well, over the last couple of months I've seen about six pounds pop up on the scale, even though my clothes still fit the same way...🤷 And honestly, I don't think it's from the pills since I've been on them for eight months now and everything was totally fine until recently...

Did you ask her if she’s also been managing her other hormone levels? What does her testosterone reading actually look like?
I suppose if we’re talking about effectiveness, any contraceptive with anti-androgenic properties—something like Yaz, Yasmin, or Belara—should theoretically work. A friend of mine dealt with the exact same issue and was prescribed Diane; it cleared things up initially, but once she stopped taking them, everything became even more problematic than before.
So, you have to consider the possibility that the pills might provide relief while you're actively on them, but there is a significant chance that once you stop, everything will revert to how it was, if not worse.
If you do decide to go the pill route, I’d suggest taking a folic acid supplement alongside them, as they tend to deplete your folate reserves.
Have you had a chance to sit down with a gynecologist to get a professional opinion yet?

Jesse Evans85 said:Did you ask her if she’s also been managing her other hormone levels? What does her testosterone reading actually look like?
I suppose if we’re talking about effectiveness, any contraceptive with anti-androgenic properties—something like Yaz, Yasmin, or Belara—should theoretically work. A friend of mine dealt with the exact same issue and was prescribed Diane; it cleared things up initially, but once she stopped taking them, everything became even more problematic than before.
So, you have to consider the possibility that the pills might provide relief while you're actively on them, but there is a significant chance that once you stop, everything will revert to how it was, if not worse.
If you do decide to go the pill route, I’d suggest taking a folic acid supplement alongside them, as they tend to deplete your folate reserves.
Have you had a chance to sit down with a gynecologist to get a professional opinion yet?

These are my results from day 4:
estradiol 80.6
LH 6.7
FSH 3.9
prolactin (4-23)
total testosterone 1.4 (0.2-2.6)
free testosterone 15.4 (3.5-30)
SHBG 69 (15-120)
androstenedione 11.2 (1-12)
DHEA-S 9.8 (normal range is 2-10)
T3 1.85 (1.34-2.73)
TSH 4.9 (0.34-5.6)
T4 109 (78.4-157.4)

When I asked my OB-GYN to include progesterone in the tests, she refused—said I didn't need it. But I've been reading up online about the symptoms of progesterone deficiency, and honestly, I have every single one... I just can't find a way to explain it to her.

I was prescribed Belara and Duphaston, but I got terrified because the side effects list mentioned even more hair loss. 🤦 As if I don't have enough to lose already...
I'd take something for the rest of my life if I just knew it would fix this—this is becoming unbearable, and I'm at a total loss for who to turn to.
Whenever I mention my hair loss, everyone acts like it's nothing—until they see me without my half-wig, then suddenly it's a huge deal.
The last time I spoke to an endocrinologist, she basically told me my hair is just "like this" and there's nothing to be done—claiming that in 99% of cases, the actual cause is never found.

If anyone knows of any other tests I should run, or can recommend a good specialist—even a private practice—please let me know. I'm truly desperate and don't know what else to try. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

-In what way did your friend's condition improve? Did the shedding stop, or did she actually get new growth?
Because I'm going to need some kind of heavy-duty therapy given the state of my poor hair...

Harold Cook2 said:So, I officially started over at Adexom yesterday. Now I’m just sitting here wondering how this whole thing is actually gonna play out for me. Honestly? Who knows. Just one of those things where you dive in headfirst and hope the landing isn't too brutal.
Seriously though, did you guys actually let yourselves get played like that by them? Honestly, it’s pathetic. You just stood there and took it. Total sucker move.

Nah, and you won't either if you don't go overboard with the eating. 😬
I was totally expecting to gain a few pounds or deal with crazy hunger pangs—I mean, who knows—but honestly, nothing like that happened at all...🎉

Justin Castillo9 said:These are my results from day 4:
estradiol 80.6
LH 6.7
FSH 3.9
prolactin (4-23)
total testosterone 1.4 (0.2-2.6)
free testosterone 15.4 (3.5-30)
SHBG 69 (15-120)
androstenedione 11.2 (1-12)
DHEA-S 9.8 (normal range is 2-10)
T3 1.85 (1.34-2.73)
TSH 4.9 (0.34-5.6)
T4 109 (78.4-157.4)

When I asked my OB-GYN to include progesterone in the tests, she refused—said I didn't need it. But I've been reading up online about the symptoms of progesterone deficiency, and honestly, I have every single one... I just can't find a way to explain it to her.

I was prescribed Belara and Duphaston, but I got terrified because the side effects list mentioned even more hair loss. 🤦 As if I don't have enough to lose already...
I'd take something for the rest of my life if I just knew it would fix this—this is becoming unbearable, and I'm at a total loss for who to turn to.
Whenever I mention my hair loss, everyone acts like it's nothing—until they see me without my half-wig, then suddenly it's a huge deal.
The last time I spoke to an endocrinologist, she basically told me my hair is just "like this" and there's nothing to be done—claiming that in 99% of cases, the actual cause is never found.

If anyone knows of any other tests I should run, or can recommend a good specialist—even a private practice—please let me know. I'm truly desperate and don't know what else to try. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

-In what way did your friend's condition improve? Did the shedding stop, or did she actually get new growth?
Because I'm going to need some kind of heavy-duty therapy given the state of my poor hair...

I was just quoting a portion of your post—technically, these values fall within the reference ranges, but you also have to look at the ratio between FSH and LH. If the LH level is significantly higher than the FSH, it can be an indicator of PCOS, which seems to be trending slightly elevated for you. Have you had an ultrasound done? Are you dealing with any other symptoms, like increased hair growth or acne?
If you're also experiencing cycle irregularities, then there's clearly a hormonal imbalance at play.
I'm curious if you've experimented with any natural supplements, herbal teas, or botanical remedies?
I’m not trying to push anything specific, but you have to keep in mind that you can't stay on birth control pills forever; they might not even be the right fit for you, or you could end up facing unwanted side effects.
Regarding my friend, her situation improved in the sense that her hair stopped falling out and she actually started seeing new growth—you could visibly see the little baby hairs coming in. While her hair never became thick, it certainly looked better. During her worst period, you could literally see her scalp, but once she started the pills, that changed.

I really am sorry you're going through this. I know how draining it is because I dealt with hair loss myself (though nothing quite as severe as yours). For me, the fallout from the pills was actually increased hair growth elsewhere, which is just as frustrating.

Jesse Evans85 said:I was just quoting a portion of your post—technically, these values fall within the reference ranges, but you also have to look at the ratio between FSH and LH. If the LH level is significantly higher than the FSH, it can be an indicator of PCOS, which seems to be trending slightly elevated for you. Have you had an ultrasound done? Are you dealing with any other symptoms, like increased hair growth or acne?
If you're also experiencing cycle irregularities, then there's clearly a hormonal imbalance at play.
I'm curious if you've experimented with any natural supplements, herbal teas, or botanical remedies?
I’m not trying to push anything specific, but you have to keep in mind that you can't stay on birth control pills forever; they might not even be the right fit for you, or you could end up facing unwanted side effects.
Regarding my friend, her situation improved in the sense that her hair stopped falling out and she actually started seeing new growth—you could visibly see the little baby hairs coming in. While her hair never became thick, it certainly looked better. During her worst period, you could literally see her scalp, but once she started the pills, that changed.

I really am sorry you're going through this. I know how draining it is because I dealt with hair loss myself (though nothing quite as severe as yours). For me, the fallout from the pills was actually increased hair growth elsewhere, which is just as frustrating.

For example, my last period started on November 4th at night, and by the evening of the 5th, it was already over... so yeah, my hormones are definitely acting up.
I tried some herbal teas, but they didn't really do much.
My skin is clear—no acne or anything... and no excess hair growth either.
It's just this hair situation that I can't seem to fix.
I went to get my referral for hormone testing today, so we'll see what happens... I just have to wait until my next cycle.

Thanks for the advice.👍
I read that those Jeanine pills are mild and effective, but apparently, they aren't available here in the States...