Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Keith Thomas21 said:I wasn't talking about how you feel while you're taking them; I meant the difficulty of getting pregnant once you stop.

There are probably plenty of women out there who feel totally fine on the pill, but in my experience, there seem to be more people facing complications. Honestly, I used to think I was doing great on them too; at one point, I even thought I’d stick with them past the recommended year. But once I finally quit, I realized just how much better I felt. While I was on them, I felt heavy, sluggish, and constantly exhausted.

And honestly, I envy you having a libido... for me, that vanished along with everything else, and it was one of the primary reasons I decided to get off them for good.

I did bring up libido before, 🤔

but that wasn't really me talking—personally, I find sex is better on the pill because I’m just not constantly worrying about everything, which is a huge plus...
though I didn't exactly feel this massive surge in desire or anything... I don't know...

brightbear said:I did bring up libido before, 🤔

but that wasn't really me talking—personally, I find sex is better on the pill because I’m just not constantly worrying about everything, which is a huge plus...
though I didn't exactly feel this massive surge in desire or anything... I don't know...

I think we might have had a bit of a misunderstanding here... You mentioned your libido was staying steady, or perhaps someone else brought it up, but in my experience, mine plummeted straight down to zero. On top of that, intimacy became physically painful and frankly unbearable due to vaginal dryness. If I had stuck with the MM, I would have ended up having to find someone else just to satisfy the physical side of things.🤣 🤣

Brandon Reyes6 said:Aha, I see.
It means your hormone levels were fine, you’re healthy, there isn't a family history of certain issues, and so on—essentially, you meet the criteria to take them.
Birth control is prescribed for healthy individuals—and it *should* stay that way. You’re supposed to have your hormones and liver function checked at least once a year; I think that covers all the bases, doesn't it?

Yeah, but some of my hormone levels were actually running a little low too—maybe that’s what he was hinting at?
I remember his reaction vividly; it was like, "Ohhhhh, wow, you are the perfect candidate for the pill" ( 😕 ). "You'd probably handle Diane-35 just fine if you wanted to, since they're prescription anyway ( and you can get them in three months)."
I told him I could, but they felt way too strong for me... my chest honestly felt like it grew entirely too much...
though Mom said Diane worked okay for her.

Keith Thomas21 said:The previous post outlines all the potential benefits of these pills.
I would personally add a list of side effects I experienced firsthand; though, mind you, this isn't a universal rule, as every woman reacts differently to hormonal shifts.
I originally started taking them to deal with acne, but later discovered they had actually cleared up a large ovarian cyst I was dealing with.
The common side effects—things like breast tenderness, bloating, and weight gain—only plagued me during those first few months, and after that, I actually felt quite wonderful for a while. However, as my usage became more frequent, things took a turn for the worse. I began feeling an overwhelming, sudden fatigue; I slipped into bouts of depression, my vision started to blur, and I developed cellulite that I’d never struggled with before. The weight just seemed to cling to me, and I barely survived the summer because I found myself avoiding the sun at all costs. On top of that, I ended up with kidney stones—nothing was ever definitively linked to the medication, but it certainly couldn't be ruled out—my liver enzymes spiked, and my blood work looked absolutely catastrophic. To make matters worse, I dealt with extreme vaginal dryness, which made intimacy incredibly painful, and my libido seemed to dwindle with every single new pack I opened. By the end, even contraception wasn't really necessary because I was increasingly avoiding sex altogether.
I ultimately had to stop taking them just to protect my own health. I had read somewhere that once you stop, the very issues you were prescribed the pills for tend to resurface quite rapidly. Fortunately, my acne didn't return with the same intensity as before, but I did deal with unwanted hair growth above my upper lip, along with terrible hair loss and excessive oiliness.

Ultimately, if you decide to start this regimen, you have to go into it knowing there will come a day when you want to quit for one reason or another—and when that day comes, you need to be prepared for the fallout.
So, if you don't truly have an urgent necessity to take them, it might be better to just skip it entirely.

Looking back at everything you wrote, it’s striking how much overlap there is—I dealt with almost the exact same fallout after I finally stopped taking them:
- Hair around my nipples became darker and coarser, and I developed that unwanted fuzz above my lip too.
- Cellulite showed up out of nowhere.
- My hair became an absolute grease trap.
- Thankfully, the acne wasn't an issue once I quit.
- Vaginal dryness during sex—that was a massive struggle for me.

And while I was actually on them:
- Swollen breasts.
- Constant exhaustion.
- A total intolerance to sunlight; I couldn't stand being out in it.
- And the nausea... god, the nausea.

Keith Thomas21 said:I think we might have had a bit of a misunderstanding here... You mentioned your libido was staying steady, or perhaps someone else brought it up, but in my experience, mine plummeted straight down to zero. On top of that, intimacy became physically painful and frankly unbearable due to vaginal dryness. If I had stuck with the MM, I would have ended up having to find someone else just to satisfy the physical side of things.🤣 🤣

But I really didn't bring up libido earlier 😁 😉

I've heard stories about libido dropping, especially with those older brands like Trinovum or Triqvilar...
For me, my drive was always a little low before I ever went on birth control—the desire was there, sure, but hitting an orgasm was a struggle...
Then after starting the pill, it flipped completely. Now, the desire is weaker, but reaching an orgasm is actually easier... maybe it's just because I'm more relaxed now that I'm not constantly worrying about getting pregnant...

brightbear said:Yeah, but some of my hormone levels were actually running a little low too—maybe that’s what he was hinting at?
I remember his reaction vividly; it was like, "Ohhhhh, wow, you are the perfect candidate for the pill" ( 😕 ). "You'd probably handle Diane-35 just fine if you wanted to, since they're prescription anyway ( and you can get them in three months)."
I told him I could, but they felt way too strong for me... my chest honestly felt like it grew entirely too much...
though Mom said Diane worked okay for her.

Aha, so he clearly decided the best way to fix those deficiencies was to throw pills at you—just like he did with my friend. Though, honestly, I don't know how good that is for you long-term, or if you'll run into issues later once you stop taking them, because the pills don't actually solve the underlying hormone deficiency, as I've mentioned before!!
The real question is just how much you're lacking and whether those levels are even within a "normal" range—but look, I wouldn't know for sure, I'm not a doctor.
It seems to me that for young women, it would be better to encourage their bodies to regulate hormones naturally rather than just flooding them with pills.
At the end of the day, playing around with hormones is a dangerous game—messing with one thing inevitably triggers a domino effect elsewhere.

And then there’s this other case—a friend of mine dealing with PCOS—who was also given those contraceptive patches. Apparently, the hormones in them act just like the pills, and she absolutely could not handle it; she felt completely physically devastated by the whole thing.
She was struggling with cysts and periods that seemed to drag on forever. Basically, once she stopped using those patches, she was left feeling utterly exhausted and just... off. Finally, they went in and removed her hormones, only to find out her thyroid is a complete mess too! But the real kicker? The doctors insisted on shoving pills down her throat first before ever considering hormonal removal. It really makes you wonder—with most PCOS cases, can we actually trust anything being done with these hormones?

Brandon Reyes6 said:Aha, so he clearly decided the best way to fix those deficiencies was to throw pills at you—just like he did with my friend. Though, honestly, I don't know how good that is for you long-term, or if you'll run into issues later once you stop taking them, because the pills don't actually solve the underlying hormone deficiency, as I've mentioned before!!
The real question is just how much you're lacking and whether those levels are even within a "normal" range—but look, I wouldn't know for sure, I'm not a doctor.
It seems to me that for young women, it would be better to encourage their bodies to regulate hormones naturally rather than just flooding them with pills.
At the end of the day, playing around with hormones is a dangerous game—messing with one thing inevitably triggers a domino effect elsewhere.

But wait, how else are you supposed to regulate hormonal function if not by using hormones? Even thyroid issues require hormone replacement therapy.
It’s not like everything can just fix itself magically, but pills actually work; look at this example:
Ovarian cysts can lead to excess hair growth, acne, and oily skin. Taking birth control can shrink those cysts, which in turn helps stabilize the hormonal fallout—like testosterone levels—that the cysts were causing...
If a woman’s hormones get thrown completely out of whack because of a major life crisis, extreme stress, or whatever, and she develops cysts and all those nasty side effects, then yes, the pill can help resolve those specific problems. And once she's past the stress, maybe things will stay balanced... without the pills, who knows when or if those cysts would have ever cleared up on their own...

Hold on, now that I think about it—a friend of mine was on Diane-35 since she was about 18 because her skin was an absolute disaster from acne. Within a year, she looked like a totally different person. It was a complete transformation...
Once she finally stopped taking them, her skin stayed clear because she was already through puberty... if she hadn't used them, she might be dealing with permanent acne scarring right now.
To me, it seems like the benefits of these pills outweigh the downsides. At the end of the day, having clear skin and being able to plan a pregnancy later are huge advantages...

brightbear said:But wait, how else are you supposed to regulate hormonal function if not by using hormones? Even thyroid issues require hormone replacement therapy.
It’s not like everything can just fix itself magically, but pills actually work; look at this example:
Ovarian cysts can lead to excess hair growth, acne, and oily skin. Taking birth control can shrink those cysts, which in turn helps stabilize the hormonal fallout—like testosterone levels—that the cysts were causing...
If a woman’s hormones get thrown completely out of whack because of a major life crisis, extreme stress, or whatever, and she develops cysts and all those nasty side effects, then yes, the pill can help resolve those specific problems. And once she's past the stress, maybe things will stay balanced... without the pills, who knows when or if those cysts would have ever cleared up on their own...

Hold on, now that I think about it—a friend of mine was on Diane-35 since she was about 18 because her skin was an absolute disaster from acne. Within a year, she looked like a totally different person. It was a complete transformation...
Once she finally stopped taking them, her skin stayed clear because she was already through puberty... if she hadn't used them, she might be dealing with permanent acne scarring right now.
To me, it seems like the benefits of these pills outweigh the downsides. At the end of the day, having clear skin and being able to plan a pregnancy later are huge advantages...

Sure, but for a thyroid disorder, you're replacing a specific hormone that’s missing. Depending on which one we're talking about, it’s possible to stabilize everything after a few years. But with the pill, you're taking a cocktail of hormones designed to induce an artificial period—and let me tell you, that isn't going to help you much once you stop taking it, do you see my point now??
The real question is what specifically someone is lacking and which exact hormones they actually need. I’m certainly not advocating for everyone to be prescribed the exact same pill for every different problem.
Technically, while you're on the pill, your ovaries aren't ovulating—which means you can't get pregnant during that time—and I suspect that's precisely why they're used to manage those cysts.
As for the acne, that part is true; almost everyone sees their skin clear up when they take them.

Brandon Reyes6 said:Sure, but for a thyroid disorder, you're replacing a specific hormone that’s missing. Depending on which one we're talking about, it’s possible to stabilize everything after a few years. But with the pill, you're taking a cocktail of hormones designed to induce an artificial period—and let me tell you, that isn't going to help you much once you stop taking it, do you see my point now??
The real question is what specifically someone is lacking and which exact hormones they actually need. I’m certainly not advocating for everyone to be prescribed the exact same pill for every different problem.
Technically, while you're on the pill, your ovaries aren't ovulating—which means you can't get pregnant during that time—and I suspect that's precisely why they're used to manage those cysts.
As for the acne, that part is true; almost everyone sees their skin clear up when they take them.

Look, I hear you, and I hope you hear me too. I was just trying to use my own experience as an example because, honestly, for some women, these pills really work wonders. Things have been looking pretty grim in the discussions lately, so I wanted to offer a bit of a bright spot—even if I have rambled about birth control quite a bit before...
For a healthy woman, the pill can actually be a little gift—better skin, better hair, and reliable protection against pregnancy. At the end of the day, that's what they're for, after all...😉
And we're talking over 99% effectiveness, which is something no condom can realistically claim to match.
There you go... looks like I might be a pill enthusiast after all...😍

Sure, they offer protection against pregnancy—but they do absolutely nothing for STIs. And honestly, that’s exactly why I think we should be careful about pushing pills on young women; it creates this false sense of security that leads them to skip condoms entirely, which is just plain reckless. If you're using the pill, condoms should still be non-negotiable!
Yeah, but my point stands—once you stop taking them, that "perfect" hair can turn incredibly greasy all of a sudden, and then there's the acne. It hits some people like a freight train while others don't notice a thing, I suppose.
Well, if they suit you and you actually enjoy them, then far be it from me to complain.

Look, you’re primarily discussing personal anecdotes gathered from your own stint on hormonal pills. I truly believe it is impossible to generalize these experiences to the entire female population or to all types of birth control. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if those side effects simply vanished had you switched to a different brand that actually suited your biology better.
Of course, introducing chemicals into our systems isn't ideal, and there is always a darker side to the story. However, you’ve framed this as if one person is entirely pro-pill and two are entirely against it, when everything you’re saying is just individual experience—highly biased stuff fueled by a healthy dose of urban myths.

Consider this example: say some girl, perhaps the niece of a neighbor’s uncle, was on the pill, stopped taking it, and suddenly they discovered a three-pound tumor on her... I don't know, liver. You might think, "Wow, that could definitely be linked." But then imagine finding out that this same girl lived on an endless supply of toxic junk food, drank heavily every single day, and has a family history of cancer. On top of that, the tumor was actually present before she ever touched the pill, but doctors just failed to catch it in time. Do you see how the exact same narrative can sound completely different depending on the context?
Yes, I will concede that the pill can cause quite a few issues and complications, but please do not assume that every single thing that happens to you after starting them is solely their doing. Hair thinning is one thing, but kidney stones? Give me a break.
Provided they are handled responsibly and you have a competent doctor, there is absolutely no reason not to take them. They offer significant benefits, provided one accepts a certain level of risk.
I started taking them because of endometriosis, but I would have used them for contraception regardless. I was fortunate enough that my Yasmin worked perfectly from the start, though I realize others require more trial and error.
But please, try not to be so exclusionary. You have constructed such an unobjective anti-pill propaganda campaign that even I am starting to feel less informed about the issue than I actually am.
Approach the subject with objectivity; the world becomes a much better place when you do.

P.S. Regarding the comments in previous posts: first, there is no such thing as a condom that protects you from HPV. Second, the point of the pill isn't to induce artificial menstruation, but to prevent "natural" cycles altogether. Third, children need comprehensive sex education, not "the pill is evil" propaganda.

Brandon Reyes6 said:Sure, they offer protection against pregnancy—but they do absolutely nothing for STIs. And honestly, that’s exactly why I think we should be careful about pushing pills on young women; it creates this false sense of security that leads them to skip condoms entirely, which is just plain reckless. If you're using the pill, condoms should still be non-negotiable!
Yeah, but my point stands—once you stop taking them, that "perfect" hair can turn incredibly greasy all of a sudden, and then there's the acne. It hits some people like a freight train while others don't notice a thing, I suppose.
Well, if they suit you and you actually enjoy them, then far be it from me to complain.

.......well, if you're constantly cycling through partners, sure. If not, maybe not. Personally, I can't stand condoms, which is just one more reason why I lean toward the pill... and yeah, I hate them because once, a long time ago, a condom got stuck inside me. Just sitting there, all crumpled up... I completely lost it. Instead of actually using my fingers to find it and fix things, I just broke down crying and spiraled into total hysteria..🤣, but yeah, ever since then, I can never truly relax. I'm always sitting there wondering, "Is it still where it's supposed to be?"

slybadger22 said:Hey guys, I need some advice... I totally blanked on taking my pill yesterday and just realized it now while grabbing today's dose... I still have 5 pills left from the pack... what should I do about this one "extra" pill?

It's Logest.
I don't have the instructions because I tossed the box.

For the final week, the instructions say you can stop taking them and start the next pack seven days later.

Don't throw away those leftovers; you might always need them. 😉

Christian Smith6 said:Hey there!
So, here’s the deal—I’m trying to shift my cycle around a bit. Basically, by month eight, I want to move everything up by about a week. Right now, I’m supposed to start on a Thursday. Since I can adjust things by two days at a time—like, starting on a Tuesday instead, which pushes that whole month to a Sunday, and just keeping that rhythm going until it lands where I want it—I was wondering if that works... or would it be better if I just shifted it one day at a time?

It’s better to just combine two packs.

Thomas Roberts9 said:You could certainly take a week-long break like you normally would, or you could just jump straight into the next pack. This idea of "continuing without a break" is really just about maintaining protection, since you aren't actually protected anymore once you miss a pill. Personally, I might suggest taking that seven-day break and then using some extra protection during the next month, because I've heard that skipping the break can sometimes lead to a much heavier and more painful period next time, though I suppose everyone reacts differently. It might be best to touch base with your gynecologist to be safe.😕

Mine has always been normal.
A and I always combine two packs every summer.🤷

stormymaker24 said:Look, you’re primarily discussing personal anecdotes gathered from your own stint on hormonal pills. I truly believe it is impossible to generalize these experiences to the entire female population or to all types of birth control. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if those side effects simply vanished had you switched to a different brand that actually suited your biology better.
Of course, introducing chemicals into our systems isn't ideal, and there is always a darker side to the story. However, you’ve framed this as if one person is entirely pro-pill and two are entirely against it, when everything you’re saying is just individual experience—highly biased stuff fueled by a healthy dose of urban myths.

Consider this example: say some girl, perhaps the niece of a neighbor’s uncle, was on the pill, stopped taking it, and suddenly they discovered a three-pound tumor on her... I don't know, liver. You might think, "Wow, that could definitely be linked." But then imagine finding out that this same girl lived on an endless supply of toxic junk food, drank heavily every single day, and has a family history of cancer. On top of that, the tumor was actually present before she ever touched the pill, but doctors just failed to catch it in time. Do you see how the exact same narrative can sound completely different depending on the context?
Yes, I will concede that the pill can cause quite a few issues and complications, but please do not assume that every single thing that happens to you after starting them is solely their doing. Hair thinning is one thing, but kidney stones? Give me a break.
Provided they are handled responsibly and you have a competent doctor, there is absolutely no reason not to take them. They offer significant benefits, provided one accepts a certain level of risk.
I started taking them because of endometriosis, but I would have used them for contraception regardless. I was fortunate enough that my Yasmin worked perfectly from the start, though I realize others require more trial and error.
But please, try not to be so exclusionary. You have constructed such an unobjective anti-pill propaganda campaign that even I am starting to feel less informed about the issue than I actually am.
Approach the subject with objectivity; the world becomes a much better place when you do.

P.S. Regarding the comments in previous posts: first, there is no such thing as a condom that protects you from HPV. Second, the point of the pill isn't to induce artificial menstruation, but to prevent "natural" cycles altogether. Third, children need comprehensive sex education, not "the pill is evil" propaganda.

It won't give you absolute immunity against HPV, sure, but it does lower the transmission risk if we're talking about those high-risk strains that actually cause cancer—effectively cutting down the chances of infection. Not to mention, if you catch Chlamydia, you could end up infertile without even realizing it happened. But hey, that’s not really what we’re discussing right now, so I guess it doesn't matter.
And nobody is making sweeping generalizations here—we’re just sharing our own experiences with what happens when you start taking the Pill versus when you stop. Other women can chime in with their positive experiences, and that’s really all there is to it.
So, it either prevents a natural cycle or induces an artificial one! It’s the same thing. And I don't see why we shouldn't tell kids that these cycles are artificially induced when, quite frankly, they are. Why lie to them?

brightbear said:.......well, if you're constantly cycling through partners, sure. If not, maybe not. Personally, I can't stand condoms, which is just one more reason why I lean toward the pill... and yeah, I hate them because once, a long time ago, a condom got stuck inside me. Just sitting there, all crumpled up... I completely lost it. Instead of actually using my fingers to find it and fix things, I just broke down crying and spiraled into total hysteria..🤣, but yeah, ever since then, I can never truly relax. I'm always sitting there wondering, "Is it still where it's supposed to be?"

So you just had a bad experience with condoms
Well, I was with a partner for two years—two whole years—where we didn't use protection, and they were breaking, and I ended up contracting HPV. So, really, you can't determine anything with any certainty regarding whether someone is infected or not unless your guy is strictly innocent, can you?

Brandon Reyes6 said:So you just had a bad experience with condoms
Well, I was with a partner for two years—two whole years—where we didn't use protection, and they were breaking, and I ended up contracting HPV. So, really, you can't determine anything with any certainty regarding whether someone is infected or not unless your guy is strictly innocent, can you?

I understand that feeling. I was with my partner for eight years, and back when I was on the pill, I dealt with constant inflammation and infections. That’s why I always advocate for using high-quality condoms... though I suppose there's some truth to what people say about being more relaxed on birth control since you don't have to constantly worry or plan everything out.
But if you ask me, based on everything I went through, I am never touching the pill again.

I've got a question: can I just stop taking my pills right now without any issues, even though I had unprotected sex during the week after my last pill...?

If we were discussing my personal connections, they certainly haven't been present over the last forty-eight hours—though even if they had, the entire situation would have felt incredibly strained regardless.

last time we hooked up was Saturday night, haha... and I guess I should probably start drinking tomorrow morning...