Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Michael Palmer4, I honestly think you should seek out a second opinion. I can't really offer much advice because your situation is quite complicated; perhaps finding someone who has dealt with a case similar to yours would be more helpful... In any case, unfortunately, sometimes you have to navigate through a whole revolving door of doctors just to find one who actually has the will to properly address a patient's case and resolve things correctly.

In the worst-case scenario, your remaining option is seeing a private specialist. I know it’s expensive, but considering you've barely survived two bouts of sepsis, I imagine you realize that any price is worth it if it solves your problem and allows you to live a normal life.

If you feel like a mild depression is setting in (I have some experience with that myself 😢), you might try going for a walk to boost your energy a bit, having some tea to calm your nerves, or simply creating a peaceful atmosphere to watch a movie or read a book 🙂

quietfox384 said:Psychological side effects can sometimes crop up when you first start on birth control—your body often needs a little window of time to adjust to the new hormones.
However, six months is a long time to be feeling this way—honestly, I think it might be time to step away from them altogether.
Especially since this isn't even your first time trying pills, right?
I don't know the specifics of why you need them, but reading through your experience, it just doesn't seem worth the mental toll it's taking on you.
It sounds like your gynecologist has been pretty incompetent here—they really should have sat down with you to discuss next steps, ordered some tests, and helped find a better alternative.
Maybe you could try something milder, like calming herbal teas, just to take the edge off—though I suppose I can't say for sure if they'll actually help or what's safe for you to take without medical advice.

The most ridiculous part is that my gynecologist is supposedly the best in my entire county. Every time I remember that, it genuinely terrifies me to think about how bad the others must be.
Regarding why I have to stay on them... well, I basically have to take her word for it. She claims my blood work was a complete disaster before I started, and that my ovaries were in really poor shape—my periods used to be late by months at a time. She insists we have to fix this because my grandmother dealt with severe gynecological issues and had to undergo two major surgeries. According to her, if I didn't get things back under control, there's a high chance I'd face the exact same fate. So, that's why I'm putting up with all these side effects. Actually, the psychological stuff is the only real issue I've had; I've read about endless lists of side effects, but nothing else has hit me so far.

Started on Adex last month, but it left me bone-dry and killed my libido, so my doctor switched me over to Naela. Finished my last Adex pill last Tuesday, got my period, and I’m supposed to start the new ones today. Is it too late to start now? Or should I just stick with Adex until this pack is done, then switch to Naela after the last active pill?

Anyway, if either > or > is on those supplements mentioned above, maybe you could help nightowl balance things out. That’s what my OB-GYN suggested—good for preventing clots without messing with the pills.👍

quietdriver4 said:Hey ladies!
About three years ago, I started taking some birth control pills strictly because of certain health and gynecological issues (honestly, I can't even remember the exact names anymore). They actually helped with everything that was going wrong physically, but they completely messed with my mood... I just felt depressed most of the time. I’d find myself crying over absolutely nothing on a regular basis. After begging my OB-GYN and spending months convincing her that I needed a change, she switched me over to what I'm on now, Diane 35. But honestly? Things have gone from bad to worse. These pills have absolutely destroyed me mentally... My doctor says I shouldn't switch again so soon, even though I've been on them for over six months now. I've fallen into such a deep depression that it's almost hard to believe...

And it isn't just the depression; it feels like nothing brings me joy anymore. I end up crying at least three or four times a month—not even counting PMS, haha—because my mental state has turned me into this paranoid person. Every time I talk to anyone, I take things way too personally, misinterpreting everything, and then I just break down crying, thinking everyone hates me and feeling like I've just had enough of everything. Between that and some ongoing family issues, resisting this mental downward spiral is becoming impossible...

I can't just stop taking the pills because my cycle was in a really bad state, and given my family medical history, I had to get things under control immediately. I still remember who I used to be... someone cheerful and full of life. Even with all the drama at home, I was always smiling and looking for solutions. Now, all the hobbies I used to love just feel like a chore, like they're just wasting time that I could spend feeding these "dark thoughts" that have taken over my brain... I don't even know where to start to find the will to change. Today was just one of those days, which is probably why I felt compelled to write this post. I was talking to my boyfriend on the phone this afternoon, and when he mentioned he was grabbing coffee with a friend after work and we’d talk later, I spent the entire afternoon spiraling, convinced he was planning to leave me the second he said it. If I had called him yesterday when I was actually feeling okay, I wouldn't have thought twice about it; I would have known it's perfectly normal to not spend an hour on the phone with your partner when you're out with friends. These mood swings happen overnight... they turn me into a completely different person. I try to hide it from everyone as much as possible because I'm terrified of pushing people away with how I'm acting...

Has anyone else experienced this kind of sudden personality shift due to hormonal contraceptives? Has anyone found an alternative that worked, or does anyone have advice on how to find my "old self" again?
Thanks in advance to everyone... any message at all is welcome, and I'm sure it'll help brighten up these dark days just a little bit... 🙂

Diane is pretty heavy-duty stuff. My doctor told me that matters—the less estrogen, the better. For me, things like Lyndinete, Yaz, and other combos were total disasters. I was so irritable, having tantrums like a toddler, always wanting to pick fights. Nothing felt right.
I finally found a private doctor, a specialist who moved back from Germany, and she actually explained things clearly. She even made me a chart to show how everything rises and falls during my cycle.
Before I stopped the pill, I had estrogen dominance, and getting it balanced calmed me down. Before that, my mental health was non-existent, my hair was falling out, and my period was two weeks late.
You just have to find the specific ones that work for you. The newer ones they prescribe most often definitely didn't work for me.
She suggested pairing my pills with evening primrose oil to help balance everything out.
Up until last week, I was on Lexapro, but my libido completely vanished, the dryness was brutal, and my mood was all over the place. Nothing extreme, just annoying.
I’m pretty sensitive, honestly...🙂
Now she’s put me on NuvaRing, which supposedly has the lowest estrogen levels.
Funny thing is, while I was digging into estrogen dominance, I stumbled onto an article about how to flush excess estrogen from your system.
1. sweating
2. regular bowel movements
3. occasional fasting
4. urination.
That’s how you deal with too much estrogen. And they weren't lying—as soon as my digestion leveled out and I started working out, my mental state actually improved.
I do intermittent fasting (16/8) every now and then, and it feels good. My hair stopped falling out, I'm feeling much better mentally, and we'll see how it goes.
Find a good private doctor and you'll see. There are so many better options out there; I'm sure they'll find something that works for you too. Good luck!🎉

I’m not entirely sure if this works for everyone, but personally, switching to the Evra patch for contraception has been an absolute game-changer for me.

To give you some context, over twenty years ago, I was on Diane-35. They were just okay—I dealt with headaches, water retention, and things of that nature. Later, I moved on to Cilest, but once those were discontinued, I switched to Lyndinette. Every single pill I tried seemed to trigger these intense headaches during the first few days of my cycle. After a few years of being off hormonal birth control altogether, I transitioned to the patches about two years ago. Honestly, the difference is night and day. My mood is much more stable, the breakouts on my chest—which had been a complete disaster without hormones—have cleared up beautifully, and my cycle, which had become quite irregular when I wasn't taking anything, has returned to a perfectly normal rhythm. But the absolute best part? I never have to worry about forgetting a dose. With pills, it was a total nightmare trying to take one at roughly the same time every single day. Out of twelve cycles a year, I’d miss at least one pill ten different times, which meant I constantly had to be extra cautious... it was just awful.

The patches are truly wonderful.

Hey there! I’m currently on my second pack and finishing up my second week of taking Yaz
. I originally got switched over to these because I was dealing with breakouts on my chest, shoulders, and back, and I was secretly hoping they might clear up some other issues too, though they haven't quite hit those marks yet—not that it's a huge deal.
On the plus side, I'm feeling pretty great overall; I haven't dealt with any bloating, weight gain, or those nasty headaches, and honestly, it feels like they've given me this unexpected little boost of energy where I don't feel nearly as lazy or unmotivated as I used to.
If I had to pick some annoying side effects, I'd say my breasts have been feeling a bit tender and itchy, and yeah, okay, they've definitely gotten a little larger. 🙂
And man, the mood swings are real—I’ve been incredibly irritable, like if anyone breathes the wrong way near me, I just snap, and then I immediately feel guilty afterward. I've been reading that hitting the gym can help balance things out, so I’m going to give that a shot.
As far as the acne goes, I haven't seen much of an improvement; if anything, it seems slightly worse right now, but I know it usually takes about three months to really see a shift.
My ovaries seem fine, and my periods have always been somewhat irregular, so this month was pretty much business as usual, except I didn't even need to reach for the Advil.
I was actually pretty terrified at first because I read so many horror stories about Yaz online, but now that I'm in it, I'm actually feeling really satisfied.
I don't really have a specific question for everyone, I just wanted to jump on here and share how well it's working for me! 😁

Hey everyone,

Has anyone here actually tried Novynette or Lyndinette pills? Looking for some real experiences.

I've been taking Naelia, but my doctor switched me over to Lyndinette. I’ve got about seven active pills left, so I'm wondering how to make the jump. Do I start the new pack right after the last active pill, or should I finish the placebos first and wait for my period before starting the Lyndinette?🤔

Sarah Perez28 said:Hey everyone,

Has anyone here actually tried Novynette or Lyndinette pills? Looking for some real experiences.

I was on Lyndinette for years. They were fine by me. They eventually pulled me off because of headaches, but turns out it wasn't even the meds—just food intolerances. Mood was good, no water retention, no cellulite, and my libido stayed decent enough.

I’ve already posted here about my experiences with the pill, but now I find myself needing another perspective.

So, last Friday, I went to see my OB-GYN. I specifically scheduled this appointment to have a serious talk with her about stopping my birth control—basically to make her realize that I just don't want to be on them anymore. To put it bluntly, they make me feel terrible, and after doing some digging, I’ve developed a massive distaste for the whole idea of consuming them. I’ve started working out more consistently and have switched entirely to a whole-foods diet, even diving into keto because so many women I know swear by it for fixing hormonal imbalances and PCOS. My doctor actually confirmed that diagnosis during my exam and even gave me a nod of approval for sticking to the diet, which was a big deal considering how ice-cold she usually is... 😉 .

BUT, there's always a "but"... 😢 She told me straight up that she doesn't plan on letting me come off the pill and insisted I keep taking them. Obviously, she can't actually force me, but she managed to completely undermine my confidence in the decision I walked in with. According to her, my reasons aren't "strong enough" to justify stopping.

So, I’m wondering... what actually counts as a "good enough" reason to stop, assuming there isn't some catastrophic medical emergency? The side effects I'm currently dealing with are scary enough, but the thought that things could potentially get worse is even scarier. Plus, I really dislike the idea of constantly pumping this much synthetic chemistry into my body. I have this deep desire to actually solve the underlying issue rather than just using medication to mask the symptoms and push them to the sidelines.

quietdriver4 said:I’ve already posted here about my experiences with the pill, but now I find myself needing another perspective.

So, last Friday, I went to see my OB-GYN. I specifically scheduled this appointment to have a serious talk with her about stopping my birth control—basically to make her realize that I just don't want to be on them anymore. To put it bluntly, they make me feel terrible, and after doing some digging, I’ve developed a massive distaste for the whole idea of consuming them. I’ve started working out more consistently and have switched entirely to a whole-foods diet, even diving into keto because so many women I know swear by it for fixing hormonal imbalances and PCOS. My doctor actually confirmed that diagnosis during my exam and even gave me a nod of approval for sticking to the diet, which was a big deal considering how ice-cold she usually is... 😉 .

BUT, there's always a "but"... 😢 She told me straight up that she doesn't plan on letting me come off the pill and insisted I keep taking them. Obviously, she can't actually force me, but she managed to completely undermine my confidence in the decision I walked in with. According to her, my reasons aren't "strong enough" to justify stopping.

So, I’m wondering... what actually counts as a "good enough" reason to stop, assuming there isn't some catastrophic medical emergency? The side effects I'm currently dealing with are scary enough, but the thought that things could potentially get worse is even scarier. Plus, I really dislike the idea of constantly pumping this much synthetic chemistry into my body. I have this deep desire to actually solve the underlying issue rather than just using medication to mask the symptoms and push them to the sidelines.

I read your post from November, and unfortunately, based on my own experiences, I have to say that gynecologists don't really seem to care about our mental well-being at all...
I have been battling endometriosis for over ten years now, enduring countless surgeries and even more rounds of hormone therapy...
Unfortunately, none of those supplements provided any relief for me, as I’ve been battling a rather severe and chronic illness... I don't know exactly what health issues you're facing, though that isn't really the point here. In our medical system, doctors identify a problem and prescribe a treatment, and if one doesn't work, they just suggest trying another one as if they were handing out candy, which is how they spoke to me... Even after seeing various specialists and private practitioners, my mental well-being was never truly taken into account. If you spend any time researching online, you'll find endless articles and studies explaining how an illness or its treatment impacts the psyche and destroys one's quality of life, but that information seems to only exist on paper... In reality, they aren't interested in playing psychologist or actually sitting down to talk through things with a woman about how she's feeling. They understand that therapy can have side effects, yet when you bring up your mental state, they brush it aside like it's irrelevant. If you report heavy bleeding, they might react, but if you mention feeling depressed, it’s treated as secondary as long as there isn't a massive hemorrhage or you haven't fainted... It's such a shame that this is how mental health is handled in America, where they try to sweep everything under the rug for as long as possible...
Managing my condition requires some kind of hormone therapy just to keep things somewhat under control, so if the treatment doesn't feel quite right for me personally, they usually end up choosing whatever option seems like the least of all evils...
It’s quite possible that things are working out just that same way for you too...
I gave the alternative route a shot, but it didn't seem to do much for me... so it looks like I'm heading right back to the prescription meds again...
Regarding my mental well-being, I’ve been trying to take matters into my own hands quite a bit lately. Focusing on the things I truly love—the activities that bring me a sense of peace—really goes both ways, and I find that applies to others too... For me, centering everything around my family has made the whole process much easier to navigate. It can be such a struggle when you feel like therapy isn't an option unless things get significantly worse, though I suppose if there's another alternative that actually works, then maybe that's enough, provided it isn't a severe case, which I wouldn't know since it didn't quite do the trick for me...

wiredpuma5 said:Hello.

I’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, which has forced me into a cycle of hormone therapy. For six months, I was on continuous birth control, then they switched me over to Visanne, which relies on a progesterone component. Honestly, the contraceptive phase brought every side effect imaginable—the chest pressure was particularly unbearable. Interestingly, even though I suffer from migraines, those vanished completely, though my neurologist strictly forbade me from using typical treatments for them. Since switching to Visanne, however, I feel as though I’ve hit menopause prematurely. What worries me most isn't just the physical shift, but this crushing fatigue. I can't tell if I'm sliding into depression or if this exhaustion is just a byproduct of everything else, perhaps stress. To make matters worse, I have to stay on these medications until menopause because the endometriosis is attacking my bowels—essentially causing perforations. Having barely survived two bouts of sepsis, I honestly don't know how much more of these side effects I can handle. Surgery isn't an option for me right now, either. I feel somewhat desperate, and quite irritable. Does anyone have any advice? My doctors seem to be at a loss...

Wait, why did they tell you to take Visanne all the way until menopause?
I'm also living with endo and I'm currently on Visanne myself, though they haven't been a huge help either—not that the birth control was any better. I'm not sure how long I'll be on them, but I've heard several times that people shouldn't take them for more than a year or maybe eighteen months at most...
The last time I was on them, it was for a full year, and then they told me a break was absolutely mandatory.

Jack Cruz21 said:Hey there! I’m currently on my second pack and finishing up my second week of taking Yaz
. I originally got switched over to these because I was dealing with breakouts on my chest, shoulders, and back, and I was secretly hoping they might clear up some other issues too, though they haven't quite hit those marks yet—not that it's a huge deal.
On the plus side, I'm feeling pretty great overall; I haven't dealt with any bloating, weight gain, or those nasty headaches, and honestly, it feels like they've given me this unexpected little boost of energy where I don't feel nearly as lazy or unmotivated as I used to.
If I had to pick some annoying side effects, I'd say my breasts have been feeling a bit tender and itchy, and yeah, okay, they've definitely gotten a little larger. 🙂
And man, the mood swings are real—I’ve been incredibly irritable, like if anyone breathes the wrong way near me, I just snap, and then I immediately feel guilty afterward. I've been reading that hitting the gym can help balance things out, so I’m going to give that a shot.
As far as the acne goes, I haven't seen much of an improvement; if anything, it seems slightly worse right now, but I know it usually takes about three months to really see a shift.
My ovaries seem fine, and my periods have always been somewhat irregular, so this month was pretty much business as usual, except I didn't even need to reach for the Advil.
I was actually pretty terrified at first because I read so many horror stories about Yaz online, but now that I'm in it, I'm actually feeling really satisfied.
I don't really have a specific question for everyone, I just wanted to jump on here and share how well it's working for me! 😁

Still, something is bugging me. I started taking the pills on the first day of my period, November 20th, 2020. During my first break, my period arrived on Monday, December 14th, 2020, and the next one came on January 12th, 2021—making it a 29-day cycle. My current period started yesterday, which puts me at day 26. Is that normal? Shouldn't a period on oral contraceptives arrive strictly every 28 days?

I should mention that I take them religiously every single day, except during the placebo break when I take them at 6 PM. I've finished three packs and I'm starting my fourth this Friday.
Also, since I'm seeing absolutely zero change in my skin, is there still hope that things will eventually clear up?

Hello, if an information check is possible—are only progesterone pills available in the US, or is the progesterone-only option limited to the Mirena, the Depo shot, and the contraceptive implant (which I hear isn't actually impossible to get, but nobody seems willing to go through the trouble for you)...

I’ve been sipping on this Yaz drink, and honestly, it feels like my body is just holding onto every single drop of fluid imaginable... I can't help but feel like I'm constantly retaining water after consuming it. Does anyone have any actual advice on how to flush this excess out of my system?

Timothy Wells9 said:I’ve been sipping on this Yaz drink, and honestly, it feels like my body is just holding onto every single drop of fluid imaginable... I can't help but feel like I'm constantly retaining water after consuming it. Does anyone have any actual advice on how to flush this excess out of my system?

Ugh, I totally went through the exact same thing when I was on Yaz! My appetite went through the roof, plus all that annoying cellulite and bloating that comes with birth control—it was such a struggle. Honestly, you'll probably find that the water retention finally clears up once you stop taking Yaz, or maybe you could talk to your doctor about switching to a different pill that might be a much better fit for your body!

It all started creeping up on me about a year ago, even though I’ve been at this for five years now... and unfortunately, the cellulite just seems to be getting worse by the day.

I’ve got an appointment with my OB-GYN in about three weeks, and my plan is to ask for a prescription for birth control pills since my periods have been incredibly heavy and painful lately.

So, there are a few things I'm wondering about.
Since I don't have supplemental insurance, does anyone know roughly how much those pills would run me every month out-of-pocket?
Also, can I choose between using a patch or taking the pills, and what’s the price tag on the patch—is that something I can even get covered by a standard prescription?☕

These patches aren't covered by Medicare. The price is $39 for a single box containing three patches (which should last you a month).
I believe Lyndinette used to get hers via prescription with just a small co-pay of about $10. However, that was five or six years ago; I haven't a clue how the system works these days.

Back in the day, maybe 6 or 7 years ago, I was on Lyndinette and honestly? Loved it. My period went from lasting 8 days down to just 5, it was way lighter, and always perfectly on schedule. Zero side effects for me.
Since then, I’ve had two pregnancies, and now my doctor says I can't touch birth control pills anymore. He said hormonal patches were my only option, so I’ve been using those for about a year and a half now—and man, I am nowhere near as happy as I was on the pill. Not to mention they’re way pricier since you need a private prescription. My cycle is regular, sure, but it’s still incredibly heavy; it only dropped from 8 days to 7. Plus, after a couple of days, the patch starts looking a mess. The edges lift up and catch on my clothes, and by day 7, the borders look absolutely gross. I don't even dare scrub too hard when I shower because it’s peeled off on me twice already. And get this—after a year and a half, I’m still getting a rash under it. At first, the itching was driving me insane, and even though it doesn't itch as much now, my skin looks terrible whenever I peel it off.

Look, I know everyone reacts differently, and maybe someone else might actually prefer the patch over pills, but personally? I wouldn't recommend it. If I had any other choice, I’d ditch it tomorrow in a heartbeat.