Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

On my second pack of Triquilar, twelve days in... now I've come down with something. Sore throat, likely going to need antibiotics... I know they can interfere with the pill, so I'll have to use backup protection while I'm on them... but is there still a chance I could be pregnant from previous encounters?

Look, it’s not a given that your protection is gonna take a hit... you should probably check with your doctor if those antibiotics actually clash with the Triquilar—it’s not a guaranteed thing, you know?
As for that other stuff, I’m keeping my mouth shut since I’m really not sure myself.

Jack Hall7 said:Look, it’s not a given that your protection is gonna take a hit... you should probably check with your doctor if those antibiotics actually clash with the Triquilar—it’s not a guaranteed thing, you know?
As for that other stuff, I’m keeping my mouth shut since I’m really not sure myself.

So, my doctor prescribed Sumamed... just took the first pill... last time we had sex was Friday...

I was on Sumamed myself just recently for a sore throat—asked my doctor about it too, and they basically told me not to sweat it since there’s absolutely zero interaction between them.

Hey, Andrew Anderson6 🙂
I have another question. Yesterday, I took just one pill from a two-pack, but since my digestion was acting up, I’m really not sure if I should just carry on with the second pill (and the rest of the pack) like normal, because honestly, I doubt that first one even did anything. Also, I'm wondering if my cycle is going to get thrown off because of that one "lost" 😁 pill? And should I be using extra protection for the rest of the month? It's not like it's just one question 🙂

What’s the consensus on progestin-only pills? Are they actually better, and can you even get them here in the States?
http://www.covermagazin.com/metode_k...rog_pilule.htm
After being on Diane for a year, I ended up with varicose veins in one leg—so yeah, I quit. I've been using condoms for a while now, but honestly, they're such a massive pain for a bunch of different reasons. That's why I'm looking into these other pill options.

So, that’s what they call the mini-pill—basically what women take when their progesterone levels are low... I don't know the exact medical criteria for deciding who gets what, but I know my friend takes them because if she used the combined ones, she’d end up with way too much of that other hormone—the name of which is totally slipping my mind right now

I’m aware that birth control can be compromised by things like antibiotics (and maybe St. John's Wort) or epilepsy medication, but now I'm hearing the same goes for certain vitamins and supplements.

Is there any truth to that?
I’ve been taking beta carotene—not naming names—alongside vitamin C and E in a single combo.

It sounds like a stretch, but honestly, I'm starting to panic.

Why did Joseph Anderson4's post get banned?😕

Alright, I’m asking this too—why on earth did she get a red card?
I don't see where she broke any rule in the PDF.

hey, just one question.
I’ve been on Logest for four months now and I’m dying to switch over to the patch. Can I just start using the patch right after my seven-day break? Like—instead of cracking open a new box of Logest, I just slap the patch on. Or do I actually have to wait for my period to show up first? You guys get what I'm asking?😕

Does anyone know if my primary care doctor can just write the referrals for things like morning tests, coagulation panels, and stuff like that, or am I stuck waiting for a gynecologist? I feel like I'll be waiting forever to see a specialist...

Alright, please give me your advice and share what you've been through...

So, here’s the deal: I’m on Yasmin, currently on my tenth pack, and for the last two months, these broken capillaries have been popping up on my breasts—intense pink ones—and they appeared incredibly fast. I went to see my OB-GYN and told him straight up that I want to switch pills. I mentioned this as a reason, thinking maybe a different brand, like Logest for instance, which has even lower hormone levels, might stop this from spreading.
Well, my doctor basically told me to just take a three-month break to "see" if those capillaries recede. His logic is that if they disappear, then Yasmin wasn't the culprit. Is anyone else finding this totally ridiculous? I’ve never heard that broken capillaries can just vanish on their own unless you go in for laser treatment or something similar...
And now, after waiting out those three months, he wants me to check back in if I feel like trying something else, though he claims it doesn't make much sense because Yasmin is "just like any other pill." Look, I already know I want to try something different, so does it really make sense to put my body through the shock of a hiatus for something that isn't going to change anything? Besides, if all birth control pills were identical, why would there be so many different types? He can't seriously argue that one size fits all, or that none of them work for anyone. 😕

I don't know, maybe I'm not the genius here, but I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences if you've dealt with anything similar. Am I out of line for doubting my doctor? (By the way, when I brought up these white patches on my breasts—which are obviously candidiasis—the guy just prescribed a cream, which is also super questionable to me 🙄). Honestly, what am I supposed to do? He has spoken, and he’s already noted the "break" in my medical file... 🤷

Nancy Campbell5 said:Does anyone know if my primary care doctor can just write the referrals for things like morning tests, coagulation panels, and stuff like that, or am I stuck waiting for a gynecologist? I feel like I'll be waiting forever to see a specialist...

I saw my doctor today, and she wouldn't even give me a referral for blood work—she said I had to go through a gynecologist for that. She finally gave me a lab slip, but then she started lecturing me about how blood counts can be misleading anyway.

Morgan Torres said:I saw my doctor today, and she wouldn't even give me a referral for blood work—she said I had to go through a gynecologist for that. She finally gave me a lab slip, but then she started lecturing me about how blood counts can be misleading anyway.

What do you mean by "a scam" when it comes to blood work?😕

Maybe he meant that a blood test only reflects the current situation.

Though, honestly, using the word "deception" feels a bit clunky and poorly chosen if you ask me.

nimbletrucker15 said:Alright, please give me your advice and share what you've been through...

So, here’s the deal: I’m on Yasmin, currently on my tenth pack, and for the last two months, these broken capillaries have been popping up on my breasts—intense pink ones—and they appeared incredibly fast. I went to see my OB-GYN and told him straight up that I want to switch pills. I mentioned this as a reason, thinking maybe a different brand, like Logest for instance, which has even lower hormone levels, might stop this from spreading.
Well, my doctor basically told me to just take a three-month break to "see" if those capillaries recede. His logic is that if they disappear, then Yasmin wasn't the culprit. Is anyone else finding this totally ridiculous? I’ve never heard that broken capillaries can just vanish on their own unless you go in for laser treatment or something similar...
And now, after waiting out those three months, he wants me to check back in if I feel like trying something else, though he claims it doesn't make much sense because Yasmin is "just like any other pill." Look, I already know I want to try something different, so does it really make sense to put my body through the shock of a hiatus for something that isn't going to change anything? Besides, if all birth control pills were identical, why would there be so many different types? He can't seriously argue that one size fits all, or that none of them work for anyone. 😕

I don't know, maybe I'm not the genius here, but I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences if you've dealt with anything similar. Am I out of line for doubting my doctor? (By the way, when I brought up these white patches on my breasts—which are obviously candidiasis—the guy just prescribed a cream, which is also super questionable to me 🙄). Honestly, what am I supposed to do? He has spoken, and he’s already noted the "break" in my medical file... 🤷

Find a new gynecologist.
About three years ago, I was on Diane for a year and developed a varicose vein in my lower leg (I was only 19 at the time). After reading the side effects and worrying about potential blood clots, I went to my OBGYN at Mount Sinai and asked for guidance.
She suggested switching to Logest. When I asked her if Logest would still affect my vein—since hormones are hormones regardless—she just gave me a completely blank stare and said, "It's your choice; pick Diane, Logest, or whatever else."😲
Honestly, I was thinking, "Excuse me? You're the doctor; you're supposed to tell me which one is better for my specific situation."🙄👎
She’s nearing retirement and seems a bit scattered lately, so that probably explains why her advice was so dismissive.😢
Anyway, I didn't take anything and haven't seen a gynecologist in three years. Now I'm looking for someone new, because it's definitely time to move on.

...So, just this past Friday, I went ahead and got the copper non-hormonal IUD installed. Honestly, it’s a game-changer for girls who haven't given birth yet—I just really wanted to get away from Yasmin.
I shelled out $205, by the way.

And look, whatever you do, stay far away from Mirena—seriously, don't even think about it, at least based on everything I’ve gathered and figured out. As for IUDs in general... the whole possibility of an ectopic pregnancy thing... well, that’s why you actually need to get checked out properly.

Hormonal birth control totally kills your libido , which is hands down the worst side effect imaginable. I mean, what's the point of taking pills to prevent pregnancy if I don't even have any drive left to enjoy the sex in the first place (you know what I mean?), not to mention how it messes with your mood...

Do your homework online, look up every single reason, all the pros and cons of whatever you're eyeing, and just remember that we're all different people and everyone reacts to hormonal stuff in their own unique way , but if there's an option, please talk to your OB-GYN about non-hormonal alternatives.

...or just stick to condoms if you aren't interested in having some foreign object inside you... because hormonal therapy—and I'm talking pills here—causes so many issues that you might as well just get used to using condoms that actually work for you.

Anyway, bye and good luck,

Signing off from this thread with the cold, hard truth: there is no such thing as 100% foolproof protection.

rustyowl63 said:...So, just this past Friday, I went ahead and got the copper non-hormonal IUD installed. Honestly, it’s a game-changer for girls who haven't given birth yet—I just really wanted to get away from Yasmin.
I shelled out $205, by the way.

And look, whatever you do, stay far away from Mirena—seriously, don't even think about it, at least based on everything I’ve gathered and figured out. As for IUDs in general... the whole possibility of an ectopic pregnancy thing... well, that’s why you actually need to get checked out properly.

Hormonal birth control totally kills your libido , which is hands down the worst side effect imaginable. I mean, what's the point of taking pills to prevent pregnancy if I don't even have any drive left to enjoy the sex in the first place (you know what I mean?), not to mention how it messes with your mood...

Do your homework online, look up every single reason, all the pros and cons of whatever you're eyeing, and just remember that we're all different people and everyone reacts to hormonal stuff in their own unique way , but if there's an option, please talk to your OB-GYN about non-hormonal alternatives.

...or just stick to condoms if you aren't interested in having some foreign object inside you... because hormonal therapy—and I'm talking pills here—causes so many issues that you might as well just get used to using condoms that actually work for you.

Anyway, bye and good luck,

Signing off from this thread with the cold, hard truth: there is no such thing as 100% foolproof protection.

I agree with you on everything, except for that bolded part. Everywhere I read, it says an IUD isn't recommended for women who haven't had children?😕

Just one question here:
A friend of mine had a dermatologist recommend Diane 35, but when she finally got her test results back and went in to review everything, the doctor just said, "I've actually never prescribed these pills to anyone before, but I suppose I could for you..." 😲
Can you believe that? She basically admitted she’d never even given them to a patient.
I should probably mention that the doctor is over 45... and by that, I mean her age, of course.

I'm wondering, is that kind of response even remotely normal, and should I really be questioning the doctor's expertise at this point?😕