Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

thanks for the help 👍
I’m actually being really consistent about this—I take it almost every single day at roughly the same time (within an hour or so)—so I find it hard to believe (I mean, I know things happen, but surely I haven't been hit that hard by bad luck 😁 )

I did end up missing two doses once, but that was way back four months ago and I made sure to catch up within a 12-hour window...

It feels like everything is still just starting to align and finally click into place 😉

Hey, quick question for you.

I’ve been on Yasmin for quite a while now—I did some research and they seem to work perfectly for me. I actually thought about switching over to Gin, just because I wanted to try something with even lower hormone levels, but my doctor basically told me there was no real reason to change since everything is running smoothly... so I decided to stick with the Yasmin... but anyway, that's not really what I'm asking about right now!

What I really want to know is, when it comes to weight loss supplements and birth control, is there any actual chance that those diet pills could mess with how well the pill works as contraception?...

Andrew Lopez2 said:I have a question for all the women out there using birth control... how much has your period changed or decreased since you started taking the pill?
Right now, I’m honestly spiraling a bit—I’ve never actually taken any hormonal contraceptives before. After I gave birth, my cycle came back almost immediately, so my doctor prescribed Yaz because they said it wouldn't mess with my milk supply (and honestly, it hasn't—everything was totally fine while I was breastfeeding). But, during those few months of nursing, I was dealing with these weird, random bleeding episodes both mid-cycle and at the end. Once I stopped breastfeeding, as my supply dried up, that spotting stopped, and for the last two months, I've been bleeding regularly starting on day 28, but... this "period" only lasts three days total. And the volume? It's such that everything would literally fit onto one large maxi pad (sorry if that's too much detail!!). Before I got pregnant, my periods were moderately heavy and lasted quite a while...

What’s really making me panic is the possibility of getting pregnant again—which is the absolute last thing I want right now. I am so incredibly eager to get back to work and move past this whole maternity leave phase (I just can't stay stuck at home anymore😉). Lately, my breasts have also felt sort of swollen/tender, even though they haven't really reacted to anything in a long time since I finished nursing...

What have your experiences been like?

Hey there... honestly, there's no such thing as absorption... as long as you're being consistent with your pills... and if you make sure your partner doesn't finish inside during your fertile window... (I'm a total worrier myself, so I always speak up when my fertile days are coming or if I think they might be 😉 ).

It’s totally possible that you're just feeling that same wave of panic and fear about an unplanned pregnancy, which is probably why you're doubting things. Just wait for your period to show up, and then make a solemn promise to yourself that you and your partner will be extra careful moving forward (that's what I do 😂 ) and then consider the matter closed.

urbanpanther said:Hey, quick question for you.

I’ve been on Yasmin for quite a while now—I did some research and they seem to work perfectly for me. I actually thought about switching over to Gin, just because I wanted to try something with even lower hormone levels, but my doctor basically told me there was no real reason to change since everything is running smoothly... so I decided to stick with the Yasmin... but anyway, that's not really what I'm asking about right now!

What I really want to know is, when it comes to weight loss supplements and birth control, is there any actual chance that those diet pills could mess with how well the pill works as contraception?...

I don't think so. As far as I know, it's really just certain antibiotics and specific medications that can interfere with the effectiveness. 🤷

So, I was just sitting here thinking about it, and I figured I’d reach out to see if anyone else has gone through something similar...

And yeah... I’ve actually been taking them for four years straight without even a break... Does anyone have any insight on what long-term use looks like? I’m starting to feel a little bit of panic setting in because of how long I've been at this...

John Thomas2 said:So, I had to start this thread because I need answers.
Basically, I just started taking these [ 🙄]—and my doctor didn't even bother sending me for blood work—and now my breasts have grown so much I feel like they’re actually going to explode! 😲 😲

Does anyone know if this ever actually goes down?? 😲

Seriously, my bras don't even fit anymore. It's ridiculous. Now everyone around me is staring and making comments about how I've "put on weight in my chest area" or whatever. 😁

And the worst part? They actually hurt. 🙄

I don't get why you're stressing—better to have bigger boobs than whatever else could be happening, right?😉
Unfortunately, I haven't noticed any change at all, even though I've been on Yasmin for a few years now.😢

urbanpanther said:So, I was just sitting here thinking about it, and I figured I’d reach out to see if anyone else has gone through something similar...

And yeah... I’ve actually been taking them for four years straight without even a break... Does anyone have any insight on what long-term use looks like? I’m starting to feel a little bit of panic setting in because of how long I've been at this...

I’m actually curious about this too. A friend of mine completely spooked me, so I figured I'd come here to see what you all think...

Basically, she nearly had a meltdown when I told her I've been taking birth control pills—with varying breaks—since I was 18. I'm 30 now. She is absolutely convinced that this is way too long and that I should just quit cold turkey.

Personally, I don't think I should, 😁 for a few specific reasons:
- I still have zero interest in having kids.
- I really don't want to deal with those hormonal breakouts I got after my last long break; I only managed to clear my skin once I started back on the pill.
- Over these 12 years, I haven't been on them constantly; there were several breaks of different lengths (about four instances of three months each, one two-year stretch, and one three-year gap).
- And finally, the most important point—I go to my OB-GYN regularly for checkups. I've had blood work done, and everything comes back perfectly fine. So, I figure if stopping were actually necessary for my health, my doctor would have mentioned it by now, right?

So here’s the deal: I’ve been on Cileste, but I’m planning to make the switch over to Flaster, mostly because these pills are absolutely wrecking my stomach. Total nightmare.
What I really need to figure out is this:
My gynecologist told me (assuming I caught everything she said right) that I should start the new ones on the day I would’ve normally started my next pack of Cileste, right after my period ends. ???
But then I’m looking at the instructions, and they seem to say I should kick them off on the very first day of my period. ???
Honestly, what the doctor said makes way more sense to me, because I have zero clue how you’re supposed to jump from one hormone to another without any kind of break in between.
And there is just no way I can afford to take a break, even if I wanted to. I’ve dealt with an endometriotic cyst before, so I’m staying on hormones strictly to make sure that thing doesn't decide to show up again.

Just do exactly what the doctor told you to do. 🙂

Question 😬

When someone misses their period for any reason—excluding pregnancy, obviously—and discusses switching to birth control pills with their gynecologist, why is it necessary to take tablets like Dabroston to induce a withdrawal bleed before actually starting the pill regimen? I understand you shouldn't just start oral contraceptives out of thin air; I wouldn't dream of doing that, but I am curious about the specific medical reasoning behind this step.

urbanpanther said:Hey, quick question for you.

I’ve been on Yasmin for quite a while now—I did some research and they seem to work perfectly for me. I actually thought about switching over to Gin, just because I wanted to try something with even lower hormone levels, but my doctor basically told me there was no real reason to change since everything is running smoothly... so I decided to stick with the Yasmin... but anyway, that's not really what I'm asking about right now!

What I really want to know is, when it comes to weight loss supplements and birth control, is there any actual chance that those diet pills could mess with how well the pill works as contraception?...

Ugh, let me ask you something else.😉
My OBGYN switched me over to Yasmin after I spent two years on Diane-35... Honestly, I don't even get the logic behind swapping pills if your body has already adjusted (my skin cleared up, my hair looks great, and Diane worked wonders for me)... So, since you're currently on them, what's the verdict based on your experience? I absolutely have to know—did your breasts get bigger?😁 That's my biggest fear, seriously... Because on Diane, they went up a full cup size... And if I'm on a size 4 now, I am definitely not looking to go any higher than that, haha!😁

Look, Pixie, just because she—or anyone else—had certain side effects doesn't mean you're destined for the same thing. It's not a one-size-fits-all deal. You could end up with something totally different or honestly, nothing at all. For me, Yasmin was an absolute nightmare—constant PMS, eating everything in sight, mood swings that would drive you crazy, just being pissed off all the time. So yeah, it’s all super individual.

Nathan Gomez8 said:Question 😬

When someone misses their period for any reason—excluding pregnancy, obviously—and discusses switching to birth control pills with their gynecologist, why is it necessary to take tablets like Dabroston to induce a withdrawal bleed before actually starting the pill regimen? I understand you shouldn't just start oral contraceptives out of thin air; I wouldn't dream of doing that, but I am curious about the specific medical reasoning behind this step.

First time I'm hearing that. 🤷 When I started the pill, my doctor basically just told me to kick things off on the first day of my next period.

Now, if your cycle is a total mess and irregular—meaning you have no clue when it’s coming—they probably give you those pills so you can get on the regular schedule ASAP and stabilize everything faster.

I mean, how are you even supposed to start taking the pills on the first day of your cycle if the whole point is that you aren't getting your period in the first place? It feels a bit like a catch-22, doesn't it? 😁
Most of the time, when your period decides to skip town, it’s because of something like PCOS, and since birth control pills are often the go-to treatment for that, I suppose there's an added urgency to get started—just so things don't get too out of hand with hormone levels or whatever.

I have a bit of a problem... basically, I've been on birth control (Diane) for a year now, and for the first time, I missed my window to get to the doctor for a refill. I was supposed to start the new pack on Friday (since I took my last pill from the old pack on Thursday, May 6th)... so I'm wondering, can I just start taking them tomorrow, even though I'm running a little late?? Help me out!!

I’ve been on this for about three months now, so I’m just finishing up my third pack.
And I have a bit of a question... 🙂 With every single pack I've used, I end up getting bleeding right in the middle, usually around the 14th pill... and it isn't just some light spotting, either; it feels quite a lot like an actual period. It stays like that until the pack runs out, maybe tapering off a little toward the very end, and then just in time, I get my actual period when it's supposed to happen. In other words, I’m basically bleeding for at least 15 days every single month. -.-
Has anyone else ever dealt with something like this? 🙄

I'm wondering if it's actually necessary to get blood work done before starting birth control?
Thanks a lot 🙂

Sean Lopez3 said:I'm wondering if it's actually necessary to get blood work done before starting birth control?
Thanks a lot 🙂

I don't think that's right... my doctor didn't even bother telling me to research how these pills might affect my body until six months in...

Does anyone know if there’s actually any point in getting hormone levels tested while you're still on birth control? I took a one-month break when I switched from Yasmin to Triquilar, and since then, my skin has been an absolute disaster. The pharmacist suggested it might be due to the dosage—apparently, Triquilar has a lower dose than Yasmin.
Should I go through another break just to get an accurate hormonal reading?
I’ve never dealt with PCOS, but honestly, my skin was much clearer back when I was using Yasmin.

vividtinker89 said:I don't think that's right... my doctor didn't even bother telling me to research how these pills might affect my body until six months in...

Exactly—but honestly, you're better off getting them done sooner. If you've got some underlying clot or some issue you weren't even aware of... 🤷 then you can just blame the medication for those six months, even though you were walking around with it the whole time anyway.

Grace Jones3 said:Look, Pixie, just because she—or anyone else—had certain side effects doesn't mean you're destined for the same thing. It's not a one-size-fits-all deal. You could end up with something totally different or honestly, nothing at all. For me, Yasmin was an absolute nightmare—constant PMS, eating everything in sight, mood swings that would drive you crazy, just being pissed off all the time. So yeah, it’s all super individual.

First time I'm hearing that. 🤷 When I started the pill, my doctor basically just told me to kick things off on the first day of my next period.

Now, if your cycle is a total mess and irregular—meaning you have no clue when it’s coming—they probably give you those pills so you can get on the regular schedule ASAP and stabilize everything faster.

Olivia Cox77 said:I mean, how are you even supposed to start taking the pills on the first day of your cycle if the whole point is that you aren't getting your period in the first place? It feels a bit like a catch-22, doesn't it? 😁
Most of the time, when your period decides to skip town, it’s because of something like PCOS, and since birth control pills are often the go-to treatment for that, I suppose there's an added urgency to get started—just so things don't get too out of hand with hormone levels or whatever.

Yeah, I agree regarding that first day. The real issue arises when you don't get that initial day at all, which leaves you with no window to actually start the regimen. I understand the logic behind the process, but I am genuinely curious about why the timing has to be so specific. There is clearly a reason for starting exactly then, even if the reasoning isn't immediately obvious. 😁

My mother thinks there might be a connection here. She believes that because we don't know exactly where I am in my cycle, it’s possible the uterine lining is quite thick, which could be causing the heavy bleeding while on the pill. Honestly, I have no idea if her theory holds any water or if she's just overthinking it. 🤷

Sean Lopez3 said:I'm wondering if it's actually necessary to get blood work done before starting birth control?
Thanks a lot 🙂

Yes, a blood panel will clearly indicate whether you should be taking them at all. Don't take chances with this; it only takes about half an hour, yet in certain situations, it can be life-saving.