Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

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Is there some kind of short-term alternative for just 20 days 😲???
It seems to me—though I could be wrong—that you’re clearly playing a rather dangerous game with your girlfriend's health and her hormones. These aren't exactly candy; you don't just pop them for 20 days and then take a break—not even in a fever dream, and certainly not just because you feel like it in the moment. I honestly have no idea where you got this idea 😕. Even before starting anything, absolutely a full blood panel needs to be done to prevent any potential complications or, frankly, things ending badly for her health.

There really is no such thing as "reliable" or "unreliable" pills, because a gynecologist prescribes specifically what they believe is best for your partner. Every woman is fundamentally different, and I doubt anyone here can confidently tell you "these are the best" or "those are the worst," since we all react to various brands differently and deal with unique side effects. One woman might find a specific brand perfect, another might struggle immensely with it, a third might have issues with a fourth, and so on. It's entirely individual.

This entire process should happen under the strict supervision of a gynecologist—and as for the excuse of "not having time" to see a doctor, I'm not even going to dignify that with a comment. Sorry if I'm being brutally honest here, but what you're doing is incredibly irresponsible, primarily regarding your girlfriend's well-being, just to cover a roughly 20-day period. These aren't sweets; these are hormones, and you simply shouldn't mess around with them or attempt short-term usage without medical guidance. You have condoms and toys, and when it comes to sex, she really ought to be seeing a doctor anyway.

By the way, if you had looked at the first page, you would have noticed at least three or four other threads regarding various types of pills, including the general one: Hormonal Contraception - Pills. There really isn't a need to open yet another identical topic.

Look, I’m just gonna say it—some people really think they can just wander into these discussions without having a single clue what they're talking about. It’s exhausting. You see it all the time—people dropping opinions like they're gospel, when honestly? They haven't even done the bare minimum research. It’s pure delusion. Anyway, my two cents. Don't @ me. kaže:
Hey ladies!🙂
So my sixteen-year-old sister is seriously thinking about hitting up the local pharmacy to score some birth control. She’s asking me if it’s a smart move—and honestly? I’m sitting here totally stumped on how to even respond without sounding like a total buzzkill or an idiot. What do you guys think? Is this just part of growing up in America these days, or is she moving way too fast? 😕
I mean, is it actually smart to start drinking them this early? :S
Honestly, I have this massive, paralyzing fear of pregnancy... just totally freaks me out.

I can't even deal with this right now—honestly. It’s like nobody actually thinks before they hit "post" anymore. Just constant noise, zero substance, and everyone acting like their opinion is some kind of absolute truth. It’s exhausting. Seriously, if you’re going to jump into a debate, at least have a clue what you're talking about first. Otherwise, just stay quiet. It’s not that hard. kaže:
Look, let’s be real here—starting birth control at 15, or basically right when you hit 16, isn't some crazy "too early" thing. Honestly? It’s pretty standard in the States. Most doctors aren't going to blink an eye if a teenager needs to start using them. Whether it's for regulating a cycle that's acting like a roller coaster or just basic protection, it’s a decision between you and your healthcare provider. Just go talk to a doctor—they've heard it all before, and they're the only ones who can actually give you the green light based on your own health history. 😕
I mean, can I even start messing with things at such a young age?🤷

It’s not too early—honestly. You just go see the gynecologist, lay everything out on the table, get all the tests done, and you’ll end up with whatever options actually work for you. It's not that deep, blah, blah, blah... 🙂

Yeah, this thread is probably like a billion years old and been raided just as many times. I tried digging through it but gave up after page 20. -.-'

Still, one thing’s bugging me. I’m about to start the pill, already set up an appointment with my OB-GYN and everything, but I gotta know: how long do I actually have to take them before I'm actually protected during sex?
Like, if I get them tomorrow, there's no way I can just go at it the day after without worrying, right?🙂 How much time usually needs to pass?

Thanks.😉

I just finished transferring everything over from the LJES system,
and honestly, it feels like such a weight off my shoulders to have it all settled!

alright, but I wanna know about you guys—how much time did it actually take you?

Not sure if this is an answer to my old post that got deleted, but I'll say it again—it depends on which pills you're taking and what day of your cycle you start. It’ll be on the label, and your doctor will tell you too. Pills are solid contraception; don't rely on other people's anecdotes.

John James2 said:Not sure if this is an answer to my old post that got deleted, but I'll say it again—it depends on which pills you're taking and what day of your cycle you start. It’ll be on the label, and your doctor will tell you too. Pills are solid contraception; don't rely on other people's anecdotes.

heh, for sure 🙂
ok, thanks

Well, I guess I'm finally jumping into the fray here too. I’m turning 16 soon—almost 17—and I’ve been thinking quite a bit about starting birth control pills. To be honest, I feel like I can trust them a little more than condoms, if that makes sense? So, I was wondering how the whole process actually works. Also, my first step is really just finding a solid gynecologist I can actually talk to—so if anyone has any leads or recommendations there, maybe you could help me out with that too? Any advice would be appreciated.

If you’re looking for gynecologist recommendations, there are already several threads open for that—it really just depends on which city you're in, though there is also that general discussion thread: Gynecologists 😉
Once they've finished your exam, the doctor will likely send you off for some blood work, and then—after those results come back—you'll probably be prescribed one of those birth control pills.

Hmm, I’m curious about this six-month window mentioned on the prescription I received for my pills—I'm currently on Logest—and whether it actually means I can pick up six boxes before needing a new script, or if I could technically grab a seventh if I buy it before that date expires... I'm asking because I have this nagging feeling I won't be able to snag an appointment with my gynecologist fast enough to get a refill, and honestly, I'm starting to panic a little bit.😲

First off, that only applies for six months—but honestly, you can probably just grab two boxes at once to be safe. And another thing, you don't even need to pre-order a prescription at Gin—you just show up, knock on the door, tell them you need a script, and they print it out right then and there. At least, that’s how everyone in my neck of the woods handles it.

I've already tried Yasmine, and I was wondering if there's any way to pick some up at a local pharmacy without a prescription?

Nope.

Thanks, Daniel Lopez—I’m really hoping it works out that way, because trying to pull this up on my phone is an absolute nightmare...

You sure they aren't just out on vacation? 😬

redpanther26 said:I've already tried Yasmine, and I was wondering if there's any way to pick some up at a local pharmacy without a prescription?

I actually witnessed this firsthand—this young girl, just a kid really, was trying to get them at the pharmacy right in front of me because she’d apparently misplaced her script. They ended up just taking her personal information instead. Honestly, ever since that whole Yasmin scandal broke, I suspect they've become a lot more meticulous about how they handle these things.

Nathan Baker said:I actually witnessed this firsthand—this young girl, just a kid really, was trying to get them at the pharmacy right in front of me because she’d apparently misplaced her script. They ended up just taking her personal information instead. Honestly, ever since that whole Yasmin scandal broke, I suspect they've become a lot more meticulous about how they handle these things.

Are you from NYC? Which pills do you use?

I need some advice here... My girlfriend just started taking the Diane-35 birth control pills. She finished the first 21 tablets and she's now on day 4 of her break, but her period hasn't shown up yet. Is this normal?

Wait, you think they just stop? Like, you think there’s always a hard 7-day break? Please—it varies. It could be a 6-day gap, a 7-day gap, maybe even just 3 days depending on things... basically, once the break is over, they just move straight onto the next pack, regardless of whether their period actually started or what the flow looks like.

Nathan Baker said:I actually witnessed this firsthand—this young girl, just a kid really, was trying to get them at the pharmacy right in front of me because she’d apparently misplaced her script. They ended up just taking her personal information instead. Honestly, ever since that whole Yasmin scandal broke, I suspect they've become a lot more meticulous about how they handle these things.

I wouldn't know, but legally they aren't supposed to hand those out without a script. 🤷 Maybe she was already in their system from before, so that's why they let it slide. Because every single time I show up with my actual prescription, they still insist on asking for my full name—even though it's printed right there on the paper. 🤷

Nicole Martin4 said:I need some advice here... My girlfriend just started taking the Diane-35 birth control pills. She finished the first 21 tablets and she's now on day 4 of her break, but her period hasn't shown up yet. Is this normal?

It doesn't usually start the second you run out of pills; you typically see things start moving about 3 or 4 days later. It sounds perfectly normal to me. 😉