Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

I honestly don't know why I keep coming back to this. It’s like a bad habit I can't quite shake. Every time I think I've moved on, I find myself right back here, staring at the same old problems. I try to be optimistic, really I do, but sometimes it feels like I'm just running in circles. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment. Who knows? Anyway, thanks for listening to my rambling. kaže:
There are honestly so many different types of pills out there now that I think waiting 18 months just to see if something works for you is totally unnecessary. I got lucky—the first ones they prescribed actually hit the mark, and we’ve been getting along great for eight years already.

You think I didn't try? Honestly, tell that to my doctor. I didn't go to medical school, so I figured I knew what was going on. I actually stopped taking them on my own because I couldn't even make it to her office in time. If I hadn't, I’m pretty sure a heart attack or a stroke would have just finished me off.

Look, everyone, pills can be seriously dangerous. Got it. I'm ready to go. I'll make sure every post sounds like a real person—honest, direct, and keeping that specific, punchy energy you're looking for. No robot talk here. Just smooth, authentic American English. Standing by for the first one.

Regarding my gums—there’s no bleeding at all. I stay on top of my hygiene, and I don't have any tartar buildup issues. But the gum tissue has just... receded. You can actually see the necks of my teeth now, something that was never an issue before. There wasn't any pain or blood, it just pulled back slightly. At first, I honestly thought I was just imagining things, like I was being paranoid. Unfortunately, my dentist confirmed that what I'm seeing is definitely real.

I can be dangerous, obviously—just like any other medication.

I stayed on those pills for way too long because they kept telling me it was just an "adjustment period." My advice to everyone? If things aren't working properly after three months, that’s enough of an adjustment phase for me. Just quit working with the team.

All that "just be patient, your body needs to adapt" nonsense is pure garbage. They even had the nerve to tell me, "Well, you have a few extra pounds, so it might take a little longer for you."
If it isn't doing what it promised after three months, stop taking it. Period.

Anyone used Rosanne birth control before? They seem similar to Rosanelle, just a bit weaker I guess. My doctor prescribed them, but I don't see anyone else talking about them...

Hey ladies. I went to my OB-GYN yesterday because I'm dealing with hirsutism and those annoying breakouts along my jawline and chin. I ran blood work and a urinalysis before the appointment, but everything came back clean. No PCOS either—the doctor said my ovaries look perfectly fine. To address the hair and acne, he prescribed Axira 35 (which has the same formula as Diane 35). I’m wondering if anyone here has used these, especially if you're fighting the same issues? I’ve never had any intention of going on birth control, and honestly, I have zero experience with pills.

I have extensive experience with Diane-35; I took them continuously for over ten years without a single break to manage my PCOS.
Everyone seems terrified of these pills because of the long list of side effects, but I happen to be one of those rare cases who didn't even feel like I was taking anything at all—I never experienced any issues or complications whatsoever. 👍

driftingwolf4 said:I have extensive experience with Diane-35; I took them continuously for over ten years without a single break to manage my PCOS.
Everyone seems terrified of these pills because of the long list of side effects, but I happen to be one of those rare cases who didn't even feel like I was taking anything at all—I never experienced any issues or complications whatsoever. 👍

I've been on Diane for ages now. I actually cycled through a few other brands before this because my doctors kept trying to push those low-dose pills on me, but honestly, they were a total bust and left me feeling like absolute garbage. I don't have PCOS or anything, but it was pretty obvious my hormone levels were tanking, so these were basically handed to me as the fix.

I just finished my hormone testing, and sure enough, things are a mess. It’s been causing problems. I started on the pill four days ago. Honestly, the side effects terrify me, but I’ve decided to give it a shot anyway. It’s good to hear they’re working for you all. You’ve definitely made me feel a bit more optimistic 👍

Starting on Rosanelle birth control pills. Wondering if anyone here has used them? What kind of side effects did you run into? I'm 26 and this is my first time ever using hormonal contraceptives, so I’m trying to figure out what to expect. I know everyone reacts differently, obviously.

And I’m actually pretty curious about what people think of Rosanne...

Hey there,
I've been on hormone replacement therapy for four years straight now—spent a year on Yaz and then three years on Lyndinette 20.
My OB-GYN originally put me on them mainly because my periods were incredibly heavy and painful. Honestly, regarding that specific issue, they've been perfect since I started—about four days long, totally normal, and zero pain.
But everything else? It’s just... meh. I feel constantly bloated, like I'm retaining water, dealing with cellulite, and my libido is basically non-existent...
I actually just finished my current pack. I really should head back to the gynecologist for a check-up, but their next available opening isn't until after the New Year. So, I'm thinking about just stopping them on my own for maybe six months or so, just to see if I can "deflate" a bit.
I was wondering, if anyone here has dealt with this, will my period go back to how it used to be?

I went through the exact same thing. My periods were heavy, painful, lasted about 6 or 7 days, and were totally all over the place—sometimes I’d get them again after just 15 days, other times I’d go two whole months without one. Then I started on Lyndinette. While I was on them, everything was awesome. My flow dropped to 5 days, barely even noticed it, and my cycle became super predictable. But man, once I stopped, everything rushed right back to how it used to be. :-(
The cramps weren't as bad anymore, but that irregularity was driving me absolutely insane. Plus, they were so heavy. So yeah, I'm back on them now and I don't plan on stopping until I'm ready to try for a baby.
But hey, it might not work out the same way for you...

Hey, Andrew Anderson6, you should look into Yasmin. I’ve been on it for seven years, and apparently, it has an ingredient specifically designed to fight water retention. As for the bloating, maybe check if it’s just something you're eating.

Matthew Adams4 said:Hey, Andrew Anderson6, you should look into Yasmin. I’ve been on it for seven years, and apparently, it has an ingredient specifically designed to fight water retention. As for the bloating, maybe check if it’s just something you're eating.

Will do, thanks.🙂
Regarding the bloating, I don't think it's my diet—I've eaten pretty healthy for years—so I honestly feel like this started once I began the pills.👎

I've decided to just quit them on my own, I guess. If my cycle stays normal through the summer, then great! As for my boyfriend, I'll see what he has to say after our summer vacation.😁

I’m posting here because I’m honestly not sure where else to put this... searching on my phone is a total nightmare with how the threads load up... Moderators, if there’s a more appropriate sub-forum for this, please move it.

So, I’ve been dealing with PCOS, and over the last year, the symptoms have really started kicking in—mostly breakouts on my face and some slight hair growth around my neck area. I know how intense this can get for some people, which is why I say "slight," since a pair of tweezers usually handles it... but still, it’s driving me crazy. Every single morning, I’m standing there in front of the mirror like some sort of undercover cop on stakeout, armed with nothing but tweezers. 🙂

I actually have surgery scheduled for a dermoid cyst in October, and my OB-GYN suggested I start birth control to keep everything under control. So, I’ve just started the pill.

To be honest, I’ve always had a pretty high libido. I used to just assume that was part of my personality—you know, just being a high-drive kind of person. But once the PCOS diagnosis came through, I started wondering if it was all tied to hormonal imbalances and likely elevated testosterone levels.

I’ve read online that excess testosterone can lead to a more "masculine" appearance... though it’s hard for me to judge myself objectively. Physically, I don't feel masculine at all; I’ve got curves and all that. The only thing is that I love physical exertion and maybe some more extreme sports, but I’m pretty sure plenty of women enjoy that without needing extra testosterone to fuel it.

Anyway, I’ve completely lost the thread of what I was saying... Long story short: I was actually hoping the pill would dial my libido down, but then I read two different articles claiming the exact opposite—that birth control can actually increase female libido. I’ve only been on them for a week now, and I can already tell I’m feeling pretty high-strung. Are the hormones starting to kick in already? Based on what you guys have experienced—should I expect my drive to drop, and if so, how long does it usually take?

Being constantly turned on is exhausting. :-p

I’m being totally serious here, not trolling.

Ladies, anyone else dealing with dryness below the belt from Lindynette? Does anyone know which pills actually skip that side effect entirely...?🤔

I’m not entirely certain if this qualifies under the scope of this specific thread, but here goes... so, I have PCOS, and I’ve been on Yaz for about a year and a half now. I never really dealt with any skin issues before, at least not until a few weeks ago. Now, I’ve developed these breakouts—or maybe they're just blemishes, I can't quite tell—on both sides of my neck. I suppose I’m looking for some perspective here. Is it possible that this is a reaction to the pill, or perhaps my hormone levels are fluctuating too much, or some other issue entirely? Has anyone else experienced their skin worsening after being on hormonal contraceptives for an extended period?

Wait, you’re actually asking me to respond to just a single username? That’s about as productive as trying to start a campfire with a wet match in a thunderstorm. If you're looking for some profound monologue from Rebecca White, you're going to have to give me something more substantial to work with than a solitary handle. I can't exactly pull a full-blown essay out of thin air without a prompt, much like trying to find a decent cup of coffee in a desert wasteland. Give me some actual text to transform, and I'll get to work. kaže:
I went through a phase that was almost a mirror image of yours; my periods were absolutely brutal, lasting six or seven days at a time, and they were about as predictable as the weather in Seattle. One month I’d be dealing with them again after just fifteen days, and the next, I’d go two whole months without a single thing happening. It was a constant, exhausting cycle of uncertainty. Eventually, I decided to try Lyndinette. While I was on it, everything felt perfectly balanced—like someone had finally tuned a chaotic instrument. My flow dropped down to five days, I barely even noticed it was happening, and my cycle became as regular as a Swiss watch. But the moment I stopped taking them, it was like flipping a switch; everything rushed right back to that old, messy reality, maybe even slightly worse than before. :-(
The physical pain from my periods isn't quite what it used to be, but honestly, the sheer unpredictability was driving me absolutely insane. It felt like my body had completely lost its internal rhythm, and on top of that, the flow became so heavy it was practically unmanageable. So, I’ve decided to start back on the pill, and frankly, I have zero intention of stopping until I’m ready to actually start trying for a baby.
But let’s be real for a second—just because you see everyone else hitting the jackpot doesn't mean the universe is currently drafting an invitation for you to join the party. It’s easy to look around and think there’s some kind of cosmic rule stating that if one person catches a break, the rest of us are somehow owed a turn, like waiting in line at a busy Starbucks thinking your latte is magically guaranteed just because the guy in front of you got his pumpkin spice. Life doesn't work on that kind of predictable, linear logic. You can watch the parade go by and feel like you're standing on the sidewalk while everyone else is riding the float, but that doesn't mean your ride is scheduled for this afternoon. Success, luck, or even just a decent run of events isn't a zero-sum game where one person's win necessitates your loss, nor is it a buffet where once the first person clears the tray, the kitchen is obligated to refill it specifically for you. It simply isn't a given.

I just wanted to chime in and build on what you were saying based on my own experience. I was on Logest 3 for a few years before finally deciding to pull the plug on my own accord; honestly, the mood swings and those depressive dips were becoming way too much to handle, and frankly, I didn't need that extra weight on my shoulders. Aside from the mental toll, I didn't really deal with any other side effects. However, once I stopped taking them, things haven't exactly been smooth sailing. My periods have become somewhat irregular again, but they’ve returned with a vengeance—just as heavy as they were before I started birth control. We're talking about cycles that drag on for ten days straight and leave me feeling like I’ve lost a literal ocean of blood. I’ve read all over the internet that once you quit, everything eventually reverts to its original state, which seems to be exactly what's happening here. So, I'm actually thinking about starting up again, though I'll definitely be hunting for a different brand this time, even if the only real issue with these was how they messed with my head.
The only thing that was absolutely abysmal about being with him was his libido. 👎 Honestly, life without them is just fine. Isn't that just peak irony for you?

Hey there
So, I’ve been on the pill for about two and a half years now... This month, my period came in a little early, like maybe ten days ago. Everything seemed totally fine at first, so I started a fresh pack, but then life happened and I got hit with some nasty stomach issues—basically constant vomiting and diarrhea... Because of that, I ended up missing my 4th and 5th pills for this cycle. Today, things got weird because I noticed some dark discharge first, and then it turned into actual bleeding... I'm wondering if this is just breakthrough bleeding since I stopped taking them after the 4th day, or what exactly is going on...

I took my Lyndette on day seven of my break instead of waiting for day eight—basically, I thought I was running late and just took it now at 8 PM, even though I really should have waited until tomorrow morning at 8... :/ So what now? Am I going to mess everything up by starting a new pack a day early? And more importantly—am I still protected this month?

Reading... Here you go...

I’ve been taking Diane 35 since '99—the instructions say to take them for 21 days, then have a 7-day break. I took that literally... basically, seven days off and then starting again on the eighth day. But recently, a nurse told me I was actually supposed to start back up on the seventh day, so now I'm stuck wondering what's right. If she's correct, what kind of mess am I looking at...?

There are different schools of thought on when you should actually kick off a new pack of birth control pills. Some people swear by starting the new box on day seven of your break—others say wait until day eight. If you ask the German medical experts, they lean toward starting on that seventh day. The logic there is pretty straightforward—you want to minimize the chance of some random follicle in a "dormant" ovary deciding to wake up and start growing, which could lead to ovulation even though you're technically on the pill...
This recommendation is based on how you’d track a standard menstrual cycle—basically, the day bleeding starts counts as both the final day of the old cycle (say, day 28) and the very first day of the new one. So, that 7-day break... that's actually Day 1 of your next cycle of pills...

Whatever... the instructions on these pills say day eight. So what now—are we less protected if we just keep going past the eighth? Great, just what I needed, a little more paranoia... 👎