Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Honestly, I’m not sure how smart it is to be handing out pills like candy without a prescription... unless you're just passing them to someone who’s already on the same cocktail, but even then, without a paper trail at the pharmacy, I wouldn't dare get mixed up in that mess... 🤔

I’ve been taking Qlairu for about three months now—and unfortunately, my period this month was roughly 15 days long, starting the day before yesterday and still going today, day 12. Is this actually normal?

It isn't exactly a heavy flow, per se, but there is enough bleeding that I have to change my pads constantly just to avoid leaking. I’m on this medication because of endometriosis—which I have to take—but now I’m starting to get genuinely worried.

Has any of you ladies experimented with pills to delay your period?

It’s hitting at such an inconvenient time. I'm thinking about taking half a blister pack a month beforehand. That way, I can just get it over with early, then go back to my regular schedule the following month.

I’ll ask my doctor what they think, obviously, but I’d much rather hear real experiences from people. One year, I took them for two months straight because my physician told me it was fine as long as I wasn't doing it constantly—and god, did I pay for it. Nothing life-threatening, but I wouldn't go through that again unless absolutely necessary.

This idea of just messing with half a month sounds a lot more manageable for my system.

Hey ladies, sorry for the stupid question, but I was wondering—how does that whole gynecologist visit actually go when you're trying to get on the pill? Is it just a conversation, or what? Thanks in advance.

Discussing and securing the referral for blood work.
And presumably—if it’s that time of year—the gynecological exam and a Pap smear.

My gynecologist is on vacation—didn't even realize when she was heading out—and I really need her to resend my prescription for these pills I’m supposed to start in three days. Can I just call some other OB-GYN I don't normally see... or should I just wait until she’s back and push the start date later?

There really should be some kind of indication somewhere—you know?—as to who her replacement is supposed to be.
I think I’d call her that.

I was wondering if any of you ladies undergo regular private hormone testing once a year while on birth control?

Between my work schedule and everything else, I just can't make it over to the clinic in downtown Chicago to get them drawn and then sit around there for two hours waiting.

I would truly appreciate any recommendations on where to go, and perhaps an idea of what the approximate cost might be.👍

Ladies, when are you actually getting your blood work done for the pill? Like, what's the schedule? 🙂

I usually knock mine out during my break—maybe a day or two after my last pill, or about 2-3 days before my period starts. Plus once a year, roughly around that window.

I really should get mine done next week since I already have the referral, but honestly, I’m a total neurotic mess when it comes to health stuff and I tend to spiral. Also, since my sinuses have been acting up lately, I’ve got a question...

I haven't caught a cold or anything, but a few days ago when the weather turned chilly, my sinuses started acting crazy—lots of drainage and I'm blowing my nose constantly. It's even made me sound a bit hoarse (even though I don't feel sick!). So, is there any way this could mess with my blood test results?

Basically, I feel totally fine overall, but I really don't want to push my labs back another four weeks just because of some sinus drainage and pressure... especially since this won't clear up until the weather finally warms back up.
🤔 My nose isn't even stuffed up, physically I'm good, no sore throat or anything like that, it's just these sinuses being annoying and... now what?!

That’s got absolutely nothing to do with the ingredients you need for the pills. Just make them 😉

That’s just how it is.

And what kind of searches are we even talking about—the ones where a specific day in your cycle suddenly becomes this massive deal? Is that really what they told you?

Thanks for all the input! 🙂

Man, I gotta ask... I wouldn't call myself a total hypochondriac, but I definitely lean that way 😂 so I tend to overthink pretty much everything 😁.

And honestly, as far as I know, there isn't anything super specific going on—just your standard blood work you'd get for birth control. If my memory serves me right, my sister told me ages ago that it’s best to just knock it all out during the break, so I just stick to that routine because it's what she suggested and I guess I'm just a creature of habit, that's about it. 🤔 😁

Sophia Lopez112 said:So, after being on hormonal birth control for years on and off—mostly just taking breaks every six months or so—I finally had to call it quits two months ago.
I was on Lyndinette from February through September this year, and honestly, I realized I just couldn't deal with it anymore.
The reason: my mood went absolutely south, with these insane bouts of rage, crying spells, and constant depression... plus I put on five pounds or more because I was perpetually starving. The hunger I felt when I wasn't on the pill was actually manageable, but while I was on it, the hunger was unbearable, way more frequent, I was eating massive portions and nothing ever felt like enough.
The worst part was definitely those episodes of anger and crying; I’d be sitting there knowing there was no actual reason to feel that way, and then it would hit me that I’d been going through the exact same misery before when I was on Logest.
My question is, has anyone else gone through something similar, and are there any alternatives out there? I've heard about things like patches or even subcutaneous implants, so to speak. I really want to look into other options because I'm way too paranoid to rely solely on condoms for protection. I'm not currently in a relationship, but if I were, I’d definitely use both methods together.
Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, or advice?

Hey,
I actually switched off Lyndinette because of the weight gain. I moved over to something containing drospifene, and I finally managed to drop about 10 pounds.
At the same time, I started taking some herbal supplements for my mental health—though, truth be told, I'm not sure which one did the heavy lifting.
Your best bet is to sit down with your gynecologist and see what they recommend for your specific situation.

Sophia Lopez112 said:So, after being on hormonal birth control for years on and off—mostly just taking breaks every six months or so—I finally had to call it quits two months ago.
I was on Lyndinette from February through September this year, and honestly, I realized I just couldn't deal with it anymore.
The reason: my mood went absolutely south, with these insane bouts of rage, crying spells, and constant depression... plus I put on five pounds or more because I was perpetually starving. The hunger I felt when I wasn't on the pill was actually manageable, but while I was on it, the hunger was unbearable, way more frequent, I was eating massive portions and nothing ever felt like enough.
The worst part was definitely those episodes of anger and crying; I’d be sitting there knowing there was no actual reason to feel that way, and then it would hit me that I’d been going through the exact same misery before when I was on Logest.
My question is, has anyone else gone through something similar, and are there any alternatives out there? I've heard about things like patches or even subcutaneous implants, so to speak. I really want to look into other options because I'm way too paranoid to rely solely on condoms for protection. I'm not currently in a relationship, but if I were, I’d definitely use both methods together.
Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, or advice?

Hey,
It feels like you're reading my mind. I had the exact same experience with Yaz. I kept taking them mostly because they made my skin look amazing and kept my cycles super predictable.
But yeah, I stopped two months ago because the mood swings, weight gain, and that nonstop hunger became totally unbearable.

I'm planning on taking a long break now. My weight is already coming back along with my irregular cycles, so for now, I'm staying far away from the pill—especially not Yaz.

Hi there!

I asked my OB-GYN about birth control because my periods have been incredibly heavy and painful. After some consultations and tests, she prescribed LYNDYNETTE 20.
Now, I’m getting a bit anxious. I really don't want to gain weight—I’ve spent years shedding pounds and I’ve finally reached a weight I actually feel good in.
The biggest concern, though, is my family history. My mother had a heart attack at 46, and my grandmother suffered several strokes starting from age 35 and onwards.

Does anyone have any advice? Should I take it or skip it?
I was on Yaz for a year; the only issue I had was with digestion, but after a year, I started experiencing panic attacks and things like that. That was about five years ago, though.

wiredpilot25 said:Hi there!

I asked my OB-GYN about birth control because my periods have been incredibly heavy and painful. After some consultations and tests, she prescribed LYNDYNETTE 20.
Now, I’m getting a bit anxious. I really don't want to gain weight—I’ve spent years shedding pounds and I’ve finally reached a weight I actually feel good in.
The biggest concern, though, is my family history. My mother had a heart attack at 46, and my grandmother suffered several strokes starting from age 35 and onwards.

Does anyone have any advice? Should I take it or skip it?
I was on Yaz for a year; the only issue I had was with digestion, but after a year, I started experiencing panic attacks and things like that. That was about five years ago, though.

It isn't strictly the pills that cause weight gain, but rather the increase in appetite they can trigger. Ultimately, how you manage those cravings is entirely up to you.
I always found that keeping healthy snacks on hand helped immensely. For me personally, that intense hunger lasted for about the first six months of being on the pill, and then it just tapered off.
If you maintain discipline and don't find yourself constantly reaching for pastries and sweets, you won't end up gaining weight simply because you're taking oral contraceptives.🙂

Regarding your mother and grandmother, I'm honestly not sure what to say. Did you happen to mention that specific medical history to your doctor? To be perfectly frank, I wouldn't be certain if these pills are recommended given such a strong family history of cardiovascular issues.🤔
It might be worth seeking a second opinion, assuming you haven't already shared those details with her.

What is this? Seriously? Just look at this mess. Absolute chaos. Unbelievable... kaže:
You aren't getting fat from the tablet, you're getting fat from the cravings it triggers. It’s on you how you manage that appetite...
You can always find something healthy to snack on. For me, that constant hunger lasted for the first six months while I was on the pills, but then it finally passed...
If you don't cut yourself some slack and stop craving those cookies, you aren't just gonna gain weight from the pills alone... 🙂

I'm not really sure what to say about Mom and Grandma. Did you actually mention this to your OB-GYN? Honestly, I have my doubts about whether taking supplements is even a good idea given that medical history... 🤔
Maybe you should try getting another opinion, if you haven't already asked him?

So I told her, and she just said I should track my symptoms—basically, if I feel anything at all, I need to stop immediately. She thinks I’m perfectly healthy since all my lab results came back normal. My blood pressure is always on the low side, which is the complete opposite of my mom, who actually has to take medication just to bring hers down. I stay active, lots of walking and working out... though I know that’s not a guarantee for everything...
I don't smoke, and I haven't started either. I’m on my fourth pill today, and I can already feel these painful cramps hitting me. Plus, my period is lasting way longer than usual...

Hey, has anyone else dealt with stomach pains as a side effect? Mine feels like I’m about to start my period, and I’m only on the 14th pill of the first pack.

Question, has anyone else heard that we should only be taking these pills for 5 or 6 days instead of the full 8?

It’s the first thing my doctor mentioned at my last check-up, and honestly, I’m totally tripping out about it. 🤔

What exactly does it say in your instructions?
Is there actually any logical reason why someone would say that? — I mean, if you really sit down and think about the underlying motivation, does it even make sense?
Is there... perhaps something feeling a little off with your cycle lately?