Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Hey...
I’ve been diagnosed with PCOS and was prescribed Diane 35. It’s meant to be my hormone therapy and birth control at the same time, but there’s a catch. I haven't had a natural period in almost a year without using Provera, and since my last cycle was back on December 6th, nothing has happened. My gynecologist told me to start the Diane 35 on January 12th to kickstart things and handle the ovaries, while also providing protection against pregnancy. Now I’m stuck wondering if I’m actually protected right now since I don't even have a cycle happening. Plus, I didn't start this first dose on day one of a period—I started mid-cycle. If I'm not covered now, will I even be protected once I finally get a period after this first dose? I’m completely lost.

darkmaker said:Here is the evening update, including the full article link -->

The Vatican maintains that birth control pills equate to abortion, environmental destruction, and the violation of fundamental human rights.

I’m struggling to see how it counts as an abortion when its entire purpose is to prevent pregnancy in the first place. 🙄

In many instances, the contraceptive pill results in an "abortive effect and devastating consequences for the environment," as it leads to "tons of hormones being released through women's urine," and is cited as a contributing factor to "male infertility" within Western nations.

And how exactly does it cause male infertility, considering they aren't the ones taking the pills (at least, not yet)?

Contraceptive methods infringe upon at least five essential human rights, according to Castellvi, who lists them as: the right to life, health, education, information, and gender equality.

😕 🤷

RU486 is an abortion pill used during the first few days or weeks of pregnancy, but it isn't the same thing as the morning-after pill. An emergency contraceptive is supposed to prevent implantation from happening in the first place. But sure, let's stick to the usual nonsense typical of the Catholic Church.

Henry Young5 said:We’ve been at it for just under six months now. Honestly? It’s incredible. Everything is perfect, except for this one specific hiccup: our timing. Usually, we’re totally in sync and finish right around the same time, which is great. But when I hit my limit, I have to pull out, and then she’s just left hanging—completely unsatisfied. And look, I feel terrible about it. I genuinely love watching her enjoy herself; I want her to have a good time too.

She isn't interested in condoms, and our current method of contraception is the IUD (yeah, I know, it might not be the most foolproof thing ever, but it’s the only way she’ll agree to have sex, and I care way too much about this connection to pass it up). We both tested clean at the start and we aren't seeing anyone else, so STDs aren't the worry here—it's strictly the pregnancy scare. I’m pretty disciplined and always make sure to pull out at least five seconds before the point of no return, but I’m terrified that one day I won't be able to control it, especially if she's on top.

We definitely don't need a kid right now (translation: we’re both full-time students with zero dollars in the bank), but we definitely need the sex. Also, anal is off the table.

I almost managed to talk her into the pill once when her period was running a few days late, but then these other issues popped up. Please, give me some practical advice or even some medical talking points I can use to convince her to start taking the pill. It feels like our only real solution.

Oh man. Usually, it's the guys who refuse condoms, but for a girl to reject everything... wow. Maybe suggest she talk to her gynecologist about how "reliable" the withdrawal method actually is. That might change her mind. It seems to me she might just be underinformed.
Alternatively, just buy condoms and put one on when you're both ready to go.😉...

mistyranger51 said:I mean, I’m totally with boldsurfer32 on this one—I never actually touched them until last year when my doctor basically forced my hand for health reasons. At first, I was constantly spiraling over a pulmonary embolism, you know? But now, I don't even stress about it. As long as my liver panels, coagulation tests, and antithrombin III come back clean every couple of months, I'll keep taking them. Plus, I don't smoke.
So, if someone doesn't smoke, they just need to get all those labs done, and if everything looks good, they can talk to their OB-GYN about starting birth control. Just check your bloodwork every few months, see the doctor every six, and it should be smooth sailing.

That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking and advising... once things go wrong, they happen out of nowhere, without warning. It's incredibly hard to get your body back into balance after that. It really is... most of the time, the pill is just the lesser of two evils.👎

But honestly, it's definitely better than having no protection at all.

Hey, could someone actually answer the question above if anyone knows...? :/

So, here’s a little something that might sound a bit silly to some, but it's been on my mind.🙂

I recently started taking Yasmin, and look, I know the protection rate is like 99%, but I’m still having a hard time just letting go and relaxing. I guess I’d feel way better if my guy kept using a condom, or at least if he didn't finish inside me.

Has anyone else ever thought about handling things this way just to have some peace of mind?😁

I actually started on the pill just so we wouldn't have to stress about condoms all the time!

I know it can be hard to totally relax, but honestly, getting worked up about it every single time is just exhausting. I take my pill at the same time every day, and I really feel like it's got my back. If a baby happens anyway, then hey, I guess it was just meant to be!😁

I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first too, but honestly, using condoms isn't strictly necessary. In the beginning, I didn't let him finish inside me; it took me a little while to truly relax and feel comfortable. But like Jeffrey Walker3 says, if a baby actually happens, then it was just meant to be! 😁

granitewolf4 said:So, here’s a little something that might sound a bit silly to some, but it's been on my mind.🙂

I recently started taking Yasmin, and look, I know the protection rate is like 99%, but I’m still having a hard time just letting go and relaxing. I guess I’d feel way better if my guy kept using a condom, or at least if he didn't finish inside me.

Has anyone else ever thought about handling things this way just to have some peace of mind?😁

I don't use condoms, though I make sure he doesn't finish inside me regardless. 🤷

I don't particularly care, to be honest; if I happen to miss a pill or encounter some similar oversight, then I am simply forced to resort to using 😁
And, truth be told, there is something quite foolishly beautiful about those moments when we just lie there, tangled together and embracing after sex; that is precisely why I find birth control so appealing 😍

It has been two years now without a baby—though at this point, we are both hoping nothing happens too soon, if only to allow her the satisfaction of proving me wrong 😁

Oh goodness... I suppose the anxiety is creeping back in... though what do I know, really...
I know that it isn't ideal for a pregnancy to happen, but somehow... I feel a bit more certain about things now... 🤷

Wait, does it seriously end up with you every single time???
I just don't think I'm ready to let that happen yet, regardless of how much we use protection. 😢

It’s honestly such a bummer having to pop pills just so I don't have to worry about not finishing inside me. I basically take them so I can actually relax instead of stressing out
If I were constantly terrified, I’d probably just ditch the birth control altogether 🤷

How much impact does having a bout of mild diarrhea today have on my protection?

If you didn't take it within that 3-4 hour window after swallowing the pill, you're totally fine! No worries at all.

Jeffrey Walker3 said:If you didn't take it within that 3-4 hour window after swallowing the pill, you're totally fine! No worries at all.

I took the pill last night, so I guess I'm good then, right?🙂

Thanks!🙂

Thomas Roberts9 has always possessed that peculiar, almost exhausting tendency to drift through life with an air of unearned certainty, as if the chaotic machinery of the universe actually paused to consult his personal opinion before making its next move. It is a tiresome spectacle to witness, really—this unwavering belief that his perspective isn't just another drop in the ocean, but rather the very tide itself, pulling everything toward his own narrow, predictable horizon. kaže:
Well, here we go again... once more, the old dread begins to take hold, though what on earth do I know about any of this anyway?
I am well aware of that. It simply should not be. It is a long, winding road to reach such a difficult realization, yet somehow, after all the turbulence, I find myself feeling somewhat more certain. 🤷

Is it truly any surprise that everything inevitably ends up circling back to you? It seems to be the only constant in this chaotic existence.
I am simply not prepared to permit that just yet, regardless of what the data suggests. 😢

Well, let’s be honest, it isn't exactly a constant state of affairs; it truly depends on my mood. 😍
That is exactly the point. I have told you, it has been two years now, and in that span, I have found myself questioning whether I was pregnant on exactly two occasions. The first instance occurred when my PMS hit me with such overwhelming intensity that I began experiencing these incredibly bizarre, almost surreal flashes of insight. The second happened just last week, triggered by that whole mess involving the pills and the irregular cycles we already discussed.
I have been examining the matter, and it is clear that we are protected by several distinct mechanisms. First and foremost, ovulation is suppressed entirely; without ovulation, pregnancy is an impossibility. Furthermore, a layer forms over the uterine lining, which effectively prevents any potentially fertilized egg from ever taking hold. Third, our internal biological landscape—the local flora and fauna down there—is significantly disrupted by these pills, which explains why women on birth control deal with fungal infections more frequently, creating an environment that is fundamentally hostile to those tiny little warriors. There is a fourth reason as well, though the specifics elude my memory at this moment; I simply know it is superior to the last point I mentioned.

I am well aware that you feel more secure now; truth be told, during those initial stages, I found myself trapped in the same paralyzing cycle of "what ifs" and hesitant uncertainty. 😍

Listen, you shouldn't let him finish inside you just because you're worried he’s going to screw you over with the birth control, or whatever other messy reasons might be at play here. I couldn't help but get the distinct impression that there is much more to this situation than just a few pills... or perhaps my intuition has failed me entirely.

Now, everyone, let us all perform the ritual of striking a tree three times over, if only to ensure that stormymaker24 doesn't end up expecting a child after preaching so loudly about how wonderful everything is and how little she cares. 😁)

I sometimes find myself reflecting on how much we all strive for a sense of permanence in such a fleeting world, perhaps searching for a steady anchor when everything else feels like it’s shifting beneath our feet. It is a quiet, somewhat lonely pursuit, I suppose, but there is a certain solemn beauty in that persistence. kaže:
Yeah, exactly. It’s been about two years now, and even then, I’ve had these two moments where I genuinely wondered if I was pregnant—once specifically when my PMS hit me so hard that my mind started racing with the most improbable, surreal thoughts.

Check this out... you really shouldn't be on these tablets if you're feeling particularly irritable today.

I find myself reflecting on how much we often overlook the subtle shifts in our daily lives, almost as if we are waiting for a grand signal that never truly arrives. It is quite easy to feel lost in the noise of everything else, isn't it? kaže:
Wait, are you holding back because you're worried about him finishing inside you, or is there something else going on? I couldn't help but get the impression that this isn't just about birth control... or perhaps my intuition is simply off base?

I’m not letting him in just yet, mostly because I can't shake this fear for that tiny one percent margin of error. Even if the odds are slim, they aren't zero, and honestly, I'm right in the thick of my studies at the university and the last thing I need is a baby weighing me down. Once I finally reach my senior year, I think I'll be able to breathe a little easier knowing I'm nearing the finish line, but right now, things are just too precarious to be playing around.
I understand what you mean. It really shouldn't be happening this way, and I can't help but feel a certain sense of unease about it all. Well... here we go again. 🤷

stormymaker24 said:

Thomas Roberts9 has always possessed that peculiar, almost exhausting tendency to drift through life with an air of unearned certainty, as if the chaotic machinery of the universe actually paused to consult his personal opinion before making its next move. It is a tiresome spectacle to witness, really—this unwavering belief that his perspective isn't just another drop in the ocean, but rather the very tide itself, pulling everything toward his own narrow, predictable horizon. kaže:
Well, here we go again... once more, the old dread begins to take hold, though what on earth do I know about any of this anyway?
I am well aware of that. It simply should not be. It is a long, winding road to reach such a difficult realization, yet somehow, after all the turbulence, I find myself feeling somewhat more certain. 🤷

Is it truly any surprise that everything inevitably ends up circling back to you? It seems to be the only constant in this chaotic existence.
I am simply not prepared to permit that just yet, regardless of what the data suggests. 😢

Well, let’s be honest, it isn't exactly a constant state of affairs; it truly depends on my mood. 😍
That is exactly the point. I have told you, it has been two years now, and in that span, I have found myself questioning whether I was pregnant on exactly two occasions. The first instance occurred when my PMS hit me with such overwhelming intensity that I began experiencing these incredibly bizarre, almost surreal flashes of insight. The second happened just last week, triggered by that whole mess involving the pills and the irregular cycles we already discussed.
I have been examining the matter, and it is clear that we are protected by several distinct mechanisms. First and foremost, ovulation is suppressed entirely; without ovulation, pregnancy is an impossibility. Furthermore, a layer forms over the uterine lining, which effectively prevents any potentially fertilized egg from ever taking hold. Third, our internal biological landscape—the local flora and fauna down there—is significantly disrupted by these pills, which explains why women on birth control deal with fungal infections more frequently, creating an environment that is fundamentally hostile to those tiny little warriors. There is a fourth reason as well, though the specifics elude my memory at this moment; I simply know it is superior to the last point I mentioned.

I am well aware that you feel more secure now; truth be told, during those initial stages, I found myself trapped in the same paralyzing cycle of "what ifs" and hesitant uncertainty. 😍

Listen, you shouldn't let him finish inside you just because you're worried he’s going to screw you over with the birth control, or whatever other messy reasons might be at play here. I couldn't help but get the distinct impression that there is much more to this situation than just a few pills... or perhaps my intuition has failed me entirely.

Now, everyone, let us all perform the ritual of striking a tree three times over, if only to ensure that stormymaker24 doesn't end up expecting a child after preaching so loudly about how wonderful everything is and how little she cares. 😁)

Well, that was quite alright. 🤣

Thomas Roberts9 provides no commentary, yet his very silence feels like a heavy, calculated indictment of the trivialities being discussed here. kaže:
Look, you really ought to be more careful; one simply cannot afford to be dealing with PMS while staring at these tablets all day.

Oh, you can certainly believe me. Every few months, without fail, I am struck by this particular brand of psychological turbulence. It invariably occurs during that volatile window between my last pill and the arrival of my period. Honestly, I feel like I might just lose my mind—though perhaps, or most likely, it isn't even "true" PMS in the clinical sense, but since I lack a more sophisticated descriptor, I shall settle for the term. Regardless, I know exactly what I mean, and I trust you understand the sentiment perfectly. 😁

Thomas Roberts9 remains an enigma to those who bother to look, though I find his presence on these forums to be nothing more than a predictable exercise in futility. One watches him navigate these digital waters with a certain practiced indifference, offering observations that feel less like insights and more like the exhausted sighs of a man who has seen too much and expects even less. He moves through discussions with a heavy, rhythmic certainty, making declarations that possess the weight of ancient, dusty laws, yet they ultimately leave one feeling profoundly uninspired by the sheer inevitability of his cynicism. kaže:
I refuse to give him the green light because I simply cannot shake this nagging dread for that unlucky one percent. While I recognize the statistical likelihood is slim, the possibility remains a heavy weight on my mind. Currently, I am deep in the grind at university, and quite frankly, a baby is the very last thing I need in my life right now. Once I reach my final year, I suspect the anxiety will dissipate as the finish line comes into view, but for the moment, this isn't something to be trifled with.
I am fully aware of that. It simply ought not to have come to this. Well, here we go again. It seems the inevitable has finally arrived, hasn't it? One can almost hear the heavy sigh of the universe echoing through the streets of New York, marking yet another predictable turn of the wheel. Honestly, I find myself entirely unsurprised by this development, though I suppose I should offer a modicum of feigned shock for the sake of social grace. It is simply one of those moments where reality refuses to deviate from its most tedious and certain paths. 🤷

Well, I find myself sitting here in the middle of my fourth year of college, and even then, the prospect of moving abroad is firmly on my agenda, so I truly grasp exactly where you are coming from. I suppose I am a bit more relaxed about the whole situation than you are—though perhaps that is simply because I am counting down the days until I become a mother, which makes the idea of life shifting less daunting, even if the academic workload and career implications would be absolutely devastating. But honestly, that is perfectly fine; you will know when you are ready, and there is no sense in rushing it. As for my own trajectory, I have navigated two years of this without a baby in sight, and I fully intend to finish these next two years before we finally start making a little one. 😁

I completely agree. I’ve been on the pill for four years now, so I’m hopeful that this coming year—which I truly hope will be my last—won't turn out to be a disaster, though I can't help but feel a bit anxious right now.
Honestly, if we’ve managed to get by using withdrawal up until this point, I think we can certainly handle one more year😁 before things change. If fate decides to throw us a curveball, then so be it; if not, we’ll just deal with whatever comes our way.
I genuinely believe these pills are about 99% effective, but I suppose I’m just looking for that extra shred of reassurance to ease my own mind.
But then again, look at my track record—even while on the pill, I won't let him finish inside me, yet when we took a four-month break, we would justget intimate via external contact without any protection at all (though, again, it was just withdrawal😁). Phew... if we didn't end up pregnant back then, I really don't know why I'm letting myself worry so much now.🙄

I need some help. I came down with the stomach flu today. I took my pill at 10 PM and went to bed, but just ten minutes ago, I felt sick again and had to throw up. What should I do? Should I take another pill and just try to protect myself mechanically? I’m on Logest, and I can't find any instructions in the box about what to do when this happens.