Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Jerry Walker79 said:Look, I don't know the exact science behind how they interact, but generally speaking, doctors tell women over 35 who smoke that they shouldn't be on the pill—or at the very least, they need to cut back on the cigarettes way down to almost nothing.

It basically comes down to the increased risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Plus, smokers often deal with high blood pressure, so that just adds another layer to the danger.
It’s really nothing to mess around with. Honestly, I don't know why some gynecologists don't make a bigger deal out of it; maybe they just assume it's clearly stated in the fine print of the prescription and expect you to actually read it before starting. Every doctor I’ve ever talked to—even an immunologist once—hammered home the warning about smoking while on the pill, even though I don't smoke myself. It’s something they always make sure to note in my medical records.

I am asking for some help here...
So, here is the situation. I was on Triquilar for about two years, then switched to Cilest for another two, and most recently, I have been taking Logest for a year. My gynecologist actually suggested I take a break, but my real issue is this... while I was on Triquilar and Cilest, I struggled with constant nausea, which is why I made the jump to Logest. However, Logest has absolutely crushed my libido. Now, I am considering starting something else—a fourth option, really—specifically looking for one where it is proven not to kill your sex drive... though I am hoping that after a little break, things might return to normal. Does anyone have any recommendations?

swiftbison25 said:I am asking for some help here...
So, here is the situation. I was on Triquilar for about two years, then switched to Cilest for another two, and most recently, I have been taking Logest for a year. My gynecologist actually suggested I take a break, but my real issue is this... while I was on Triquilar and Cilest, I struggled with constant nausea, which is why I made the jump to Logest. However, Logest has absolutely crushed my libido. Now, I am considering starting something else—a fourth option, really—specifically looking for one where it is proven not to kill your sex drive... though I am hoping that after a little break, things might return to normal. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Look, nobody can give you a "guaranteed" answer. You might switch to a different brand and find your libido coming back, but then you'll probably end up dealing with a whole new set of side effects. 🤷 Everyone's body reacts differently. For example, when I was on Yasmin, I ended up with a ton of cellulite, whereas someone else might lose weight instead. ☕

This whole recent situation surrounding contraceptive pills is honestly starting to get under my skin... It really scares people who have absolutely no reason to be afraid, especially those who are taking them under strict medical supervision...

After that case involving the woman in Australia, I heard about another tragedy somewhere else in the world where a woman passed away from Yasmin... Then, just last week, a girl from my college died. It was a mysterious death, and then rumors started flying that she had just broken up with her boyfriend. What a painful way to go—she stopped taking her Yasmin and Puf, and then she died because of it. And now, we hear about this girl over in San Diego...

Is every single sudden death of a young woman going to be linked back to this now? I realize there are plenty of women out there managing their health without professional guidance, but why does it suddenly seem like everyone is dying from Yasmin tablets all at once?

Actually, about a week ago, I decided to stop taking Yasmin since I didn't need it anymore, and I happened to be sick on antibiotics at the time. Between that and the stress of finals at the university, I started experiencing cramps, digestive issues, and these horrific headaches. For a moment there, I genuinely thought I might be next...

Just jumping in here to back up the girls who didn't bother with tests before they were on the pill. My OB-GYN says it’s totally unnecessary—and honestly, he's probably right—but I was being stubborn and insisted on getting bloodwork done through my GP. He thinks I'm overthinking it. It’s been two years since my last labs, and now I’m actually feeling like I should go get checked out just for peace of mind. It sucks that our healthcare system is set up like this—where you can't even get basic preventative screenings without everything hitting the fan first.

Where can I go in downtown Chicago to get blood drawn privately for a coagulation test near Millennium Park or Lincoln Park, and what's the typical cost?

Jeremy Mendoza said:So, which gynecologist in NYC would you recommend? I’m looking for someone good, even if they’re private practice, who can actually figure out my specific hormone levels and bloodwork and then prescribe the exact pills that work for my body??

Look, nobody can give you a guarantee on that. 😉 What I mean is, if your labs show you have, say, excess testosterone or something similar, they’ll likely put you on something like Diane-35 or Yasmin. But honestly? No doctor on earth can predict exactly how your unique system is going to react to a specific brand of pill. It’s all trial and error.

I took Diane for four years, through my entire college career, and never even bothered checking my bloodwork. I was using them to manage PCOS. Later, I stopped, but my acne came back in full force, so I switched to Yasmin for a year. I quit this past summer, so I’ve been off them for three months now, but I’m thinking about starting again. They worked wonders for me—zero issues, no cellulite, no breakouts, and no side effects. Still, I should probably get my blood checked first...

I think Diane is definitely superior to Yasmin... she would have killed me if she had the chance.😁

I don't really get all this panic regarding contraception. Think about how things used to be, when hormone doses were through the roof. By pure chance, pills like Yasmin ended up being among the options for girls. And I find it hard to believe they didn't experience any symptoms before ending up in the hospital, right? Now, people would rather just stop taking them halfway through a pack, without any regard for the hormonal shock the body will endure—nobody cares about that.

I’m just going to keep sipping this jasmine tea; my lower back is absolutely killing me.
If I end up kicking the bucket... well, good grief... eventually, we all have to go out from something, I suppose. Cheers to that!😁

I don't know about you guys, but I am absolutely losing my mind today. Seriously, someone needs to come grab me before I start yelling at inanimate objects. It’s just one of those days where everything feels like a personal affront from the universe. You ever wake up feeling like you’re already ten steps behind, and then the coffee machine decides it’s done being a functional part of society? That was my morning. Just standing there, staring at a puddle of lukewarm sludge, wondering if this is actually my life now. And don't even get me started on the traffic on the I-95 this afternoon. Absolute madness. I was stuck behind this guy in a massive lifted truck—you know the type, probably thinks he owns the entire interstate because he spent three grand on chrome rims—and he’s just hovering in the left lane, doing fifty miles an hour. Fifty! In the fast lane! I was sitting there gripping the steering wheel so hard I thought I might actually snap the plastic. I wanted to lean out the window and give him a piece of my mind, but I figured I’d save the energy for my inevitable meltdown later tonight. It’s just constant, isn't it? Little inconveniences piling up until you feel like you're drowning in them. I tried to go to that new bistro downtown—the one everyone's been raving about—only to find out they don't take reservations and the wait was two hours. Two hours! I could have cooked a five-course meal in my own kitchen in the time it takes to sit on a bench outside waiting for a table. I ended up grabbing a greasy burger from a drive-thru, which honestly felt like a defeat. A total, crushing defeat. Anyway, I'm rambling. I just needed to vent to someone who wouldn't look at me like I've lost my marbles. Or maybe I have. Honestly, at this point, it's hard to tell. How’s everyone else holding up? Please tell me your day hasn't been a complete dumpster fire, because I really need some good news to balance out this chaos. kaže:
Ugh, I’m back at it again, sipping on this Yasmin and honestly? My stomach is absolutely killing me. Like, seriously, it hurts so bad right now.
I’m just saying... man, good grief... at the end of the day, you've gotta let some things die. You've gotta let go or it'll take you with it. So, cheers to that! Live it up!😁

Me too! Cheers! 🙂

Jerry Walker79 said:

I don't know about you guys, but I am absolutely losing my mind today. Seriously, someone needs to come grab me before I start yelling at inanimate objects. It’s just one of those days where everything feels like a personal affront from the universe. You ever wake up feeling like you’re already ten steps behind, and then the coffee machine decides it’s done being a functional part of society? That was my morning. Just standing there, staring at a puddle of lukewarm sludge, wondering if this is actually my life now. And don't even get me started on the traffic on the I-95 this afternoon. Absolute madness. I was stuck behind this guy in a massive lifted truck—you know the type, probably thinks he owns the entire interstate because he spent three grand on chrome rims—and he’s just hovering in the left lane, doing fifty miles an hour. Fifty! In the fast lane! I was sitting there gripping the steering wheel so hard I thought I might actually snap the plastic. I wanted to lean out the window and give him a piece of my mind, but I figured I’d save the energy for my inevitable meltdown later tonight. It’s just constant, isn't it? Little inconveniences piling up until you feel like you're drowning in them. I tried to go to that new bistro downtown—the one everyone's been raving about—only to find out they don't take reservations and the wait was two hours. Two hours! I could have cooked a five-course meal in my own kitchen in the time it takes to sit on a bench outside waiting for a table. I ended up grabbing a greasy burger from a drive-thru, which honestly felt like a defeat. A total, crushing defeat. Anyway, I'm rambling. I just needed to vent to someone who wouldn't look at me like I've lost my marbles. Or maybe I have. Honestly, at this point, it's hard to tell. How’s everyone else holding up? Please tell me your day hasn't been a complete dumpster fire, because I really need some good news to balance out this chaos. kaže:
Ugh, I’m back at it again, sipping on this Yasmin and honestly? My stomach is absolutely killing me. Like, seriously, it hurts so bad right now.
I’m just saying... man, good grief... at the end of the day, you've gotta let some things die. You've gotta let go or it'll take you with it. So, cheers to that! Live it up!😁

Me too! Cheers! 🙂

And I'm moving forward... with Triquilar...😛

I suppose I'll run some additional searches through the private databases... hoping for nothing more than a confirmation that everything is in order...👍

I’ve been on Yasmin for about six months now... and my dentist just handed them over without even running basic tests or anything... It totally set me off—then he actually had the nerve to ask which ones I wanted... and I was like, "Well, what do you recommend? What would work best for me?" blah blah... then he starts asking about money and how much I'm willing to spend... and obviously, when it comes to this stuff, price isn't my main concern. At that moment, Yasmin was the only thing on my mind, so I just said them and grabbed them... damn. What really worries me is this shortness of breath... I mean, it happened a few times before I started the pills, but now it's coming back again... It might not be related, but I'm definitely heading back to the doctor soon... I still have so much living left to do! 😁

Jeremy Mendoza said:Which OB-GYN in the city would you recommend? Looking for someone good—private is fine—who can actually look at my hormone levels and blood work after the fact and prescribe what I actually need.

Personally, I’d suggest Dr. Gudelj over at the Harni clinic.
Though, if I recall correctly, there's already plenty of talk about her in the other OB-GYN threads...

Jeremy Mendoza said:Where can I go in downtown Chicago to get blood drawn privately for a coagulation test near Millennium Park or Lincoln Park, and what's the typical cost?

Try Brayer’s lab—everything I needed cost roughly $67. It's just a quick 15-minute tram ride from downtown, out toward the West Side...

Morgan Torres said:I don't really get all this panic regarding contraception. Think about how things used to be, when hormone doses were through the roof. By pure chance, pills like Yasmin ended up being among the options for girls. And I find it hard to believe they didn't experience any symptoms before ending up in the hospital, right? Now, people would rather just stop taking them halfway through a pack, without any regard for the hormonal shock the body will endure—nobody cares about that.

For me, it's not even about that. I usually just take a break for about three months once my issues settle down😁. I honestly don't think I could go without them—like, it feels way more dangerous to just pop three Advils every single month just to deal with these massive pains😁.

Hey everyone! Can someone please give me a heads-up on what kind of tests you’re supposed to get done before starting birth control pills? So, basically, my girlfriend's doctor didn't actually send her for any specific screenings either, but she's totally decided she wants to be super thorough and get everything checked out first. I figured I'd ask here so we can figure out exactly which tests to request when she goes back to the clinic to ask for them, you know? Like, is it all just a bunch of blood work, or is there more to it than that?

Emily Davis9 said:Hey everyone! Can someone please give me a heads-up on what kind of tests you’re supposed to get done before starting birth control pills? So, basically, my girlfriend's doctor didn't actually send her for any specific screenings either, but she's totally decided she wants to be super thorough and get everything checked out first. I figured I'd ask here so we can figure out exactly which tests to request when she goes back to the clinic to ask for them, you know? Like, is it all just a bunch of blood work, or is there more to it than that?

A full blood count, liver function tests, and coagulation profiles. You won't see coagulation results on a standard blood count; that requires its own specific testing.

I've got my checkup at 12:00 today for some new meds and blood work. 😁I’m definitely gonna grill the doc about those coagulation levels. Not saying I'm totally panicking or anything, but I really need answers!

Jerry Walker79 said:

I don't know about you guys, but I am absolutely losing my mind today. Seriously, someone needs to come grab me before I start yelling at inanimate objects. It’s just one of those days where everything feels like a personal affront from the universe. You ever wake up feeling like you’re already ten steps behind, and then the coffee machine decides it’s done being a functional part of society? That was my morning. Just standing there, staring at a puddle of lukewarm sludge, wondering if this is actually my life now. And don't even get me started on the traffic on the I-95 this afternoon. Absolute madness. I was stuck behind this guy in a massive lifted truck—you know the type, probably thinks he owns the entire interstate because he spent three grand on chrome rims—and he’s just hovering in the left lane, doing fifty miles an hour. Fifty! In the fast lane! I was sitting there gripping the steering wheel so hard I thought I might actually snap the plastic. I wanted to lean out the window and give him a piece of my mind, but I figured I’d save the energy for my inevitable meltdown later tonight. It’s just constant, isn't it? Little inconveniences piling up until you feel like you're drowning in them. I tried to go to that new bistro downtown—the one everyone's been raving about—only to find out they don't take reservations and the wait was two hours. Two hours! I could have cooked a five-course meal in my own kitchen in the time it takes to sit on a bench outside waiting for a table. I ended up grabbing a greasy burger from a drive-thru, which honestly felt like a defeat. A total, crushing defeat. Anyway, I'm rambling. I just needed to vent to someone who wouldn't look at me like I've lost my marbles. Or maybe I have. Honestly, at this point, it's hard to tell. How’s everyone else holding up? Please tell me your day hasn't been a complete dumpster fire, because I really need some good news to balance out this chaos. kaže:
Ugh, I’m back at it again, sipping on this Yasmin and honestly? My stomach is absolutely killing me. Like, seriously, it hurts so bad right now.
I’m just saying... man, good grief... at the end of the day, you've gotta let some things die. You've gotta let go or it'll take you with it. So, cheers to that! Live it up!😁

Me too! Cheers! 🙂

Exactly! To health! (even if you're living on life support! 😬 )