Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

It’s really no trouble at all, so please just keep me posted on how the bleeding develops—though, if I’m being honest, my gut feeling is that you're simply waiting for your period to arrive and dealing with some low progesterone levels, which is something I mentioned earlier... that would explain why you're experiencing this spotting before the actual flow starts🙂.

So, I usually get this spotting before my period starts—it lasts maybe two or three days at most—but this has been dragging on for fifteen days now, which honestly makes no sense. Plus, I'm already on day 35 of my cycle, so I really should be getting my actual period sometime next week. I guess I'll just wait a few more days and then we'll see what happens.

Robert Rivera2 said:So, I usually get this spotting before my period starts—it lasts maybe two or three days at most—but this has been dragging on for fifteen days now, which honestly makes no sense. Plus, I'm already on day 35 of my cycle, so I really should be getting my actual period sometime next week. I guess I'll just wait a few more days and then we'll see what happens.

I know the feeling, I've definitely been there myself... that little bit of spotting right before everything starts. But from what I've gathered through my own reading, you can experience that kind of light bleeding anytime from ovulation all the way up to your actual period. You could certainly afford to wait a bit; just stick to what I mentioned above.

I’m gonna start on these in a few days. Once I see even a tiny bit more reddish blood, I’m hoping it just clears up within the first two or three blisters, I guess.

edit: and about that thing you wrote regarding low progesterone—that’s actually not my issue. Everything else seems to be within the normal range for me, except for my ferritin levels.

So, does anyone else deal with this weird pain right in the armpit area that kind of creeps toward the breast? For me, it’s usually the left side, and it always seems to flare up right after my period—though I know people say breasts can get sore before it even starts. To make things worse, I can feel these slightly swollen lymph nodes right under there, and honestly, I’m low-key freaking out that it might be something serious.

Chris Kern6 said:So, does anyone else deal with this weird pain right in the armpit area that kind of creeps toward the breast? For me, it’s usually the left side, and it always seems to flare up right after my period—though I know people say breasts can get sore before it even starts. To make things worse, I can feel these slightly swollen lymph nodes right under there, and honestly, I’m low-key freaking out that it might be something serious.

Personally, this doesn't strike me as something typically tied to your cycle at all🤷. When you say "somewhat prominent lymph nodes BELOW THAT ARMpit," what exactly do you mean by that? Just in that one specific spot? I wonder if you've been dealing with any lingering issues with your left arm or perhaps some tension in your cervical spine on that side of your body lately.

Honestly, I have zero clue. I can feel this little lump under my armpit, and it’s been there for years now. I even went in for an ultrasound on both armpits and my neck because the same thing is happening there too... If it isn't just something you can fix with a couple of Advil, I don't know. Maybe it's from waxing? But when I wax, I usually end up with these tiny little stubbly hairs everywhere. It’s not like I have inflamed follicles or anything that would cause a reaction like that...

Chris Kern6 said:Honestly, I have zero clue. I can feel this little lump under my armpit, and it’s been there for years now. I even went in for an ultrasound on both armpits and my neck because the same thing is happening there too... If it isn't just something you can fix with a couple of Advil, I don't know. Maybe it's from waxing? But when I wax, I usually end up with these tiny little stubbly hairs everywhere. It’s not like I have inflamed follicles or anything that would cause a reaction like that...

So, what did the ultrasound actually show?

For what it's worth, I've got a little bump in my right armpit area that I can feel, too. It’s been there for about three years now. On my ultrasound, they told me it was just a slightly enlarged lymph node.

Anyway, my doctor mentioned I probably shouldn't be waxing my armpits at all—said it could lead to ingrown hairs and inflammation.

Yeah, she told me the exact same thing—that they’re all basically a 5. Honestly, I don't know, waxing works fine for me, but the hair comes back way softer and grows slower. With wax, if I wait three sessions, it’s like the hair multiplies by a hundred and I end up with two hairs growing out of every single follicle, which is definitely not the vibe. If the pain keeps up, I'll just head back to my doctor, though it's been a few years since that last ultrasound anyway. Sorry for the random vent off-topic!

So, here's the situation. I've been in a relationship for a while now, and I've started thinking seriously about birth control pills. I have an appointment with my OB-GYN next week, so I'll make a final call then, but I’d love to hear your experiences first. I’ve been scrolling through your posts and noticed everyone has such different takes. Generally speaking, are you satisfied with this method? Also, how much truth is there to the claims about weight gain, breast enlargement, or cellulite? I know it varies from person to person, but I would truly appreciate it if you could share your stories with me.

thanks 🙂

I have a question... regarding oral contraceptives—is it actually necessary to take breaks from them? For instance, should you take them for a year and then pause for a few months, or what's the deal?

copperrider18 said:I have a question... regarding oral contraceptives—is it actually necessary to take breaks from them? For instance, should you take them for a year and then pause for a few months, or what's the deal?

No. There was a time, back when the dosage in those pills was much higher, where that actually made sense. Nowadays, those scheduled breaks are really just an opportunity for someone to end up pregnant 😁. Even though you still run into some doctors who suggest it, most medical professionals agree it's just nonsense
.

I’ve just finished my second pack of pills (there are 21 in a box), and I have 5 left to go, but my period has already started. Should I keep taking those last 5 to finish the pack, or just stop now? I’m assuming once the 7-day break hits, my period will be gone by then... thanks, cheers!

Michael Newman5 said:I’ve just finished my second pack of pills (there are 21 in a box), and I have 5 left to go, but my period has already started. Should I keep taking those last 5 to finish the pack, or just stop now? I’m assuming once the 7-day break hits, my period will be gone by then... thanks, cheers!

You’re acting like this is just another Tuesday. Are you actually bleeding heavily, or is it more of a light spotting situation?

Look, I'm no doctor, but from what I gather, some women experience irregular bleeding outside of their scheduled breaks—it's just how their bodies react to the hormones. If this becomes a constant thing, you'd probably need to talk to your physician about switching brands entirely. However, since you're only on your second cycle, it might just be your body settling in; you should probably just keep going as planned to ensure you stay protected. If you decide to stop now and take that 7-day break, you won't be fully protected at the start of your next cycle, because you really need to complete the full 21-day count to maintain that hormonal shield. If you do take the break early, you’d definitely need to use extra protection during the first two weeks of the next pack, unless you just stick to the schedule.

Thanks! I guess I'll just keep drinking water like usual then.... It seemed pretty light at first, but now that it's day two, things have picked up a bit, including some small clots. Plus, I’m feeling all those typical period symptoms. I'm hoping it arrived early because my immune system took a hit recently—I started with a sore throat, a slight fever, and just felt run down, like I was coming down with a cold. Hopefully, everything gets back to normal by next month. :/

Gary Lewis8 said:So, here's the situation. I've been in a relationship for a while now, and I've started thinking seriously about birth control pills. I have an appointment with my OB-GYN next week, so I'll make a final call then, but I’d love to hear your experiences first. I’ve been scrolling through your posts and noticed everyone has such different takes. Generally speaking, are you satisfied with this method? Also, how much truth is there to the claims about weight gain, breast enlargement, or cellulite? I know it varies from person to person, but I would truly appreciate it if you could share your stories with me.

thanks 🙂

I’ve cycled through a few different brands over the years—Triquilar, Cilest, Logest, Yasmin—and honestly, the cellulite thing is real; it definitely seemed to show up more often than before, and my breasts did get significantly larger. With Cilest, I put on about 6 or 7 pounds... it doesn't sound like much to some people, but for someone like me who was training intensely at the time, it felt like a lot. Yasmin was a disaster for me because of the migraines, so I couldn't stick with it for more than two months. With Triquilar, I dealt with some spotting, though I'm not entirely sure why. Logest was actually the best one for me; I tolerated it so well it almost felt like I wasn't even taking anything. I used it for a while, but these days, I’ve moved away from pills altogether. My biggest issue, aside from all those physical side effects, is that they completely killed my libido... which feels pretty ridiculous when you consider why people take them in the first place...🙂 🙂.Right now, I just track my cycle and use condoms, which, unfortunately, is probably the least reliable method out there. My advice to you? Give the pills a shot. You'll likely be fine for the first two or three months. If they don't sit right with you, just switch brands after talking it over with your doctor. I’d love to be back on them, but for me, it’s just not an option anymore. I've come to terms with that, even though I still think they're one of the most effective ways to stay protected if you're with a steady partner...

Regarding cellulite and water retention—do those things actually fade at all, or do they just completely "disappear" once you stop taking birth control?

My gynecologist wants to switch me over to a milder option (I'm on Diane 35 right now), so I was wondering if it's possible for the negative side effects to go away with a different pill, or at least become less intense? For instance, if I end up switching to Yaz, Yasmin, or something else entirely?

It’s not an issue for me personally... I still have some on my hips even today, but I make sure to use cellulite creams constantly, so it stays hidden. A close friend of mine doesn't have any at all, even though she's been on birth control for ten years now. So, I suppose it really depends on the individual... though she is incredibly thin, basically just skin and bones, so I honestly don't know where it would even show up on her body.🙄Look, maybe give the pills a try... but if you have a sweet tooth, you really should try cutting back on sweets from your diet. Drink less coffee, or stick to black coffee... mostly just try to avoid sugar altogether.
I manage to fight off cellulite quite successfully, but it's because I drink my tea without any sugar, I stay away from sweets whenever I'm on the pill, I avoid fatty foods, and I make sure to exercise...

I’ve just returned from my appointment with the gynecologist—who, frankly, was about as pleasant as a rainy Monday in Seattle. Could someone please refresh my memory regarding which day of the cycle the hormone testing should be done? If my recollection serves me right, it’s somewhere between day 13 and day 17 of the menstrual cycle, isn't it?

To give some context, I haven't been on Diane-35 for about six months now. I decided to step away from them back in September because I started noticing some rather unwelcome changes: cellulite, an extra ten pounds on the scale, and a noticeable increase in unwanted hair growth. After two years on the pill, I made the call to stop and informed her of my decision. Aside from that, I deal with mild PCOS and some ongoing skin issues.
Now, I’m considering restarting the regimen, partly for contraception and partly to address those same old symptoms. However, when I mentioned my intention to go back on them, she became incredibly awkward and condescending. She actually had the nerve to tell me that I should never have stopped in the first place, and then claimed she felt "foolish" listening to me talk about increased hair growth, given that Diane-35 is specifically designed to combat that very issue.

Has anyone else experienced this strange tug-of-war with Diane-35 and hair growth? Am I losing my mind here, or is this actually happening?

darkwalker2 said:I’ve just returned from my appointment with the gynecologist—who, frankly, was about as pleasant as a rainy Monday in Seattle. Could someone please refresh my memory regarding which day of the cycle the hormone testing should be done? If my recollection serves me right, it’s somewhere between day 13 and day 17 of the menstrual cycle, isn't it?

To give some context, I haven't been on Diane-35 for about six months now. I decided to step away from them back in September because I started noticing some rather unwelcome changes: cellulite, an extra ten pounds on the scale, and a noticeable increase in unwanted hair growth. After two years on the pill, I made the call to stop and informed her of my decision. Aside from that, I deal with mild PCOS and some ongoing skin issues.
Now, I’m considering restarting the regimen, partly for contraception and partly to address those same old symptoms. However, when I mentioned my intention to go back on them, she became incredibly awkward and condescending. She actually had the nerve to tell me that I should never have stopped in the first place, and then claimed she felt "foolish" listening to me talk about increased hair growth, given that Diane-35 is specifically designed to combat that very issue.

Has anyone else experienced this strange tug-of-war with Diane-35 and hair growth? Am I losing my mind here, or is this actually happening?

She made a valid point there—honestly, why did you decide to quit? Taking breaks like that doesn't really hold up anymore, especially considering you're dealing with PCOS on top of everything else. It’s just one of those things where the math doesn't quite add up. 🤷Even if I had gone ahead and told her back then that you were planning on quitting the booze, I can’t help but wonder why she didn't just step up and suggest some alternative medication. It's one of those nagging thoughts that lingers, isn't it? Perhaps if she had actually reacted instead of just sitting there, some of these issues you're dealing with might have been dialed down a notch.