Hormonal Contraception: The Pill [General Discussion]

Has anyone here made the switch from Yaz to Novynette? I’m completely lost. Am I supposed to finish the entire Yaz pack—the full 24+4 cycle—before starting the new ones, or do I just start the new brand right after the last active pill? If it's the latter, does that mean I'm skipping my period this month since I'm switching mid-stream?

My gynecologist told me to just finish the current pack, but now reading the Novynette instructions, it sounds like I should start immediately after the last active pill. Please, if anyone can give me a quick answer, I’m taking my very last active pill today...

You can do either. Both ways work.
Generally, some gynecologists suggest skipping the break when switching from higher to lower hormone doses, but taking a break if you're going from low to high—like with Yaza, where you have four inactive pills.
My doctor told me it didn't matter, though, when I switched from Yaza to Triquilar, so I just took the break.
To be safe, use backup protection for the first seven days if you decide to take a break.
I don't know much about Novynette, so I can't tell you if it has more or less hormones than Yaza or if it’s just different.

briskmoose90 said:You can do either. Both ways work.
Generally, some gynecologists suggest skipping the break when switching from higher to lower hormone doses, but taking a break if you're going from low to high—like with Yaza, where you have four inactive pills.
My doctor told me it didn't matter, though, when I switched from Yaza to Triquilar, so I just took the break.
To be safe, use backup protection for the first seven days if you decide to take a break.
I don't know much about Novynette, so I can't tell you if it has more or less hormones than Yaza or if it’s just different.

Thanks a million. I think I’ll just finish this pack (all 28 pills) and then start the new ones. Yaza has 0.02mg ethinyl estradiol and 3mg drospirenone, while Novynette has 0.02mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15mg desogestrel. So the estrogen is identical, but that progesterone component is different...

So what actually defines "stronger" versus "weaker"? Apparently, the drospirenone in Yaza is supposed to help with water retention, but it did the exact opposite for me—I gained 7cm around my legs and hips!! That's ridiculous. Plus, I'm swapping them out because of other side effects too... When I asked my doctor if I needed stronger pills, he just said I needed *different* ones. It's all a balancing act, I guess. You just have to find the right fit...

I'm in the dark regarding Novynette too. I'll see how it goes once I start in a few days. Thanks again!😉

I’ve been taking Yasmin quite consistently for a long while now—about three years, actually.
It was just today that I realized I’d missed a pill. To be honest, I only noticed because I went to check my supply to see how many tablets I had left until the end of the pack—since I know I always run out by Friday—and, surprise, surprise, there’s still one extra pill left over for Saturday.😕
And the best part? I have absolutely no memory of when I actually missed it... which is just wonderful!
So, what’s the move here?
Normally, I take them right at 10:00 PM; I even have an alarm set on my phone every single night just to make sure I don't forget.

p.s. I’m not exactly worried about pregnancy, since my partner has been away on a trip for three weeks already.😉

I'm just wondering how to proceed with the pack now. Since I can't even pinpoint which day I skipped the dose...🙄 should I just take two pills tonight all at once, or...?
And what about the next pack? Do I just carry on as if I’d taken them all perfectly, or is there a different way to handle it?😁

Taylor Smith3 said:I’ve been on Yaz for about a month and a half now. I was on it a year ago, took a break, and decided to start up again. Everything is being monitored by my gynecologist and all that,
.
Basically, I’ve noticed I’m becoming incredibly sensitive, prone to crying, and just plain hysterical. For instance, I got into an argument with my boyfriend; normally, I wouldn't give it a second thought because it wasn't anything major, but instead, I spent the entire day overanalyzing everything, teetering on the edge of tears and feeling completely anxious. I know I acted this way when I was on them last time, though back then I just blamed it on having a bad relationship; now I realize it’s more or less due to the pills. And I honestly don't know what to do. I need birth control because without it, my periods are irregular or non-existent, and I can't stand using condoms. On the other hand, if I stay on these pills, I feel like I’m going to alienate everyone in my life and lose my mind in the process. Is there some sort of adjustment period where things settle down, or should I look into other options like the ring, a patch, or something similar? Before switching to Yaz, I was taking Yasmin, but I was in an even worse headspace then, so I felt like I was making progress on Yaz—but now, I just feel.. 😢.

I've been taking Cilest for years. At first, the first few months were terrible, but then I adjusted and things were mostly fine... I didn't gain weight (even though I quit smoking), and my mood and libido were okay.

But now, it feels like I just started all over again. I'm losing my mind—irritable, needy, and constantly craving snacks. :S I've gained a ton of cellulite even though the scale hasn't moved. :S

I don't know whether I should switch pills or just wait it out or what.🤷

A few years ago, in a different relationship, I tried Logest and Triquilar, and they weren't any better; actually, they were just awful.

I’ve been on Yasmin for quite some time now—really quite a while—and honestly, I haven't dealt with any side effects at all... not even a single hiccup regarding my mood or my weight. If anything, I’ve actually lost a bit of weight, which isn't exactly a complaint, is it?😍
Since I haven't had any negative experiences with Yasmin, I think I'll just stick with it for the time being...
I did consider switching brands, purely because the price tag is a bit steep—it's definitely an expensive option—but I've managed to figure out a workaround for that.🙂Whenever I travel East, I just pick up some Yasmin for about $17😁 and I can get it without needing a prescription right then and there!
p.s. Just for the record, I do have a valid prescription from Dr. Ginić.🙂

Anthony Cruz12 said:I’ve been taking Yasmin quite consistently for a long while now—about three years, actually.
It was just today that I realized I’d missed a pill. To be honest, I only noticed because I went to check my supply to see how many tablets I had left until the end of the pack—since I know I always run out by Friday—and, surprise, surprise, there’s still one extra pill left over for Saturday.😕
And the best part? I have absolutely no memory of when I actually missed it... which is just wonderful!
So, what’s the move here?
Normally, I take them right at 10:00 PM; I even have an alarm set on my phone every single night just to make sure I don't forget.

p.s. I’m not exactly worried about pregnancy, since my partner has been away on a trip for three weeks already.😉

I'm just wondering how to proceed with the pack now. Since I can't even pinpoint which day I skipped the dose...🙄 should I just take two pills tonight all at once, or...?
And what about the next pack? Do I just carry on as if I’d taken them all perfectly, or is there a different way to handle it?😁

Either take two pills today, or shorten your break from 7 days down to 6. Then, start your next pack normally with the standard 21 + 7 schedule.

I took two yesterday—though my stomach has been acting up ever since, feeling all crampy, almost like I’m about to start my period... then I went to the bathroom and noticed a tiny bit of spotting, but nothing else after that.
But today, starting this morning, my abdomen just feels like I have😕

If I finish this entire pack, this Friday would be my last pill. Then I take a seven-day break, and on the eighth day, I start a new pack of 21, right? Is my protection compromised now because I missed one—and if so, how long am I actually at risk?🤷

Hey.. I'm still young and there are some things I'm curious about..
I need to head in for a checkup to see if my hormones are acting up. If they are, am I going to be stuck taking birth control pills?
I have a few friends who gained a massive amount of weight while on them—they basically lost their shape entirely..
Is that always what happens? Summer is coming up and I definitely don't want to pack on pounds; if anything, I need to drop about 10 or 15 lbs..
🙂
Also, what does a hormone screening actually look like??

ambermarlin40 said:Hey.. I'm still young and there are some things I'm curious about..
I need to head in for a checkup to see if my hormones are acting up. If they are, am I going to be stuck taking birth control pills?
I have a few friends who gained a massive amount of weight while on them—they basically lost their shape entirely..
Is that always what happens? Summer is coming up and I definitely don't want to pack on pounds; if anything, I need to drop about 10 or 15 lbs..
🙂
Also, what does a hormone screening actually look like??

It isn't a guaranteed outcome that you'll gain weight. Personally, I did experience some weight gain and developed quite a bit of cellulite, though that actually cleared up on its own once I stopped taking the pill (though I had been on it for ten years).
I know plenty of women who didn't gain even a single pound, and others where the only noticeable change was an increase in breast size... it’s highly individual, so it's impossible to predict exactly how your body will react.

Regarding hormones—they'll just draw your blood, and that's basically it. They will likely also perform an ultrasound to ensure everything looks fine with your ovaries.

Anthony Cruz12 said:I took two yesterday—though my stomach has been acting up ever since, feeling all crampy, almost like I’m about to start my period... then I went to the bathroom and noticed a tiny bit of spotting, but nothing else after that.
But today, starting this morning, my abdomen just feels like I have😕

If I finish this entire pack, this Friday would be my last pill. Then I take a seven-day break, and on the eighth day, I start a new pack of 21, right? Is my protection compromised now because I missed one—and if so, how long am I actually at risk?🤷

I don't think the stomach pain is because you took two pills. That used to happen to me too, and everything was always fine. My period would just come as usual, maybe a day early. Look, I can't tell you 100% regarding the protection level because it depends on which week you missed the pill. If it was during the first week, protection might be slightly lowered. If it was during the second week, protection should stay the same.
And yes, a 7-day break, then you resume normally with the next pack on the 8th day.

Gossip Girlstrong> says:

I'm pretty young and there are some things I'm curious about...
I need to go for a checkup to see if I have hormone issues. In that case, will I have to take birth control pills?
I have a few friends who gained a massive amount of weight while taking those pills—they looked completely different..
Is that always the case? Summer is coming, and I don't want to gain weight; actually, I need to lose about 10-15 pounds.
🙂
And one more thing, what does a hormone checkup look like??

It’s not the pills that make you gain weight; it’s the increased appetite. It’s possible your appetite will spike, causing you to eat more, which leads to weight gain—but the pills themselves aren't the direct cause.

A hormone checkup usually involves blood work (like liver function tests) and potentially a coagulation test (to check blood clotting).

—well, I managed to drop about 22 pounds in just six months... though, I suppose everything is highly individual depending on the person...🤷

seriously, these birth control pills are making me lose weight like crazy 🙂

Anthony Cruz12 said:I took two yesterday—though my stomach has been acting up ever since, feeling all crampy, almost like I’m about to start my period... then I went to the bathroom and noticed a tiny bit of spotting, but nothing else after that.
But today, starting this morning, my abdomen just feels like I have😕

If I finish this entire pack, this Friday would be my last pill. Then I take a seven-day break, and on the eighth day, I start a new pack of 21, right? Is my protection compromised now because I missed one—and if so, how long am I actually at risk?🤷

Honestly, you shouldn't have just taken two—how can you even know which one you actually missed? I really don't know who would suggest such nonsense to you. Just go back to taking them normally until Friday, assuming that’s your last pill for this pack. And you should probably skip the usual break and start the next pack immediately. That’s the only way to truly feel secure about your protection level, provided that enough time passes between when you missed that pill and whenever you might have sex—more than seven days, ideally. If you decide to skip the break and jump straight to the next pack, just be prepared for some spotting or heavier bleeding during that first week of the new pack; it’s not the most pleasant experience, but your protection should remain intact.
You could always take the standard 7-day break, but if you choose that route, I’d personally use backup protection for at least the first week of the new pack just to be safe.

Thanks for the info, ladies.
So there isn't any standard gynecological exam—vaginal, I mean—to check hormones?

Nathan Baker said:Honestly, you shouldn't have just taken two—how can you even know which one you actually missed? I really don't know who would suggest such nonsense to you. Just go back to taking them normally until Friday, assuming that’s your last pill for this pack. And you should probably skip the usual break and start the next pack immediately. That’s the only way to truly feel secure about your protection level, provided that enough time passes between when you missed that pill and whenever you might have sex—more than seven days, ideally. If you decide to skip the break and jump straight to the next pack, just be prepared for some spotting or heavier bleeding during that first week of the new pack; it’s not the most pleasant experience, but your protection should remain intact.
You could always take the standard 7-day break, but if you choose that route, I’d personally use backup protection for at least the first week of the new pack just to be safe.

Seriously, I have no clue who gave her such terrible advice.
These paranoid lines of yours are much better. 🙄

I've been on birth control for years and I've forgotten doses or taken them late in every possible combination imaginable—I don't even remember half of it anymore. And of course, nothing ever happened.

Laura Mendoza said:I don't think the stomach pain is because you took two pills. That used to happen to me too, and everything was always fine. My period would just come as usual, maybe a day early. Look, I can't tell you 100% regarding the protection level because it depends on which week you missed the pill. If it was during the first week, protection might be slightly lowered. If it was during the second week, protection should stay the same.
And yes, a 7-day break, then you resume normally with the next pack on the 8th day.

Gossip Girlstrong> says:

I'm pretty young and there are some things I'm curious about...
I need to go for a checkup to see if I have hormone issues. In that case, will I have to take birth control pills?
I have a few friends who gained a massive amount of weight while taking those pills—they looked completely different..
Is that always the case? Summer is coming, and I don't want to gain weight; actually, I need to lose about 10-15 pounds.
🙂
And one more thing, what does a hormone checkup look like??

It’s not the pills that make you gain weight; it’s the increased appetite. It’s possible your appetite will spike, causing you to eat more, which leads to weight gain—but the pills themselves aren't the direct cause.

A hormone checkup usually involves blood work (like liver function tests) and potentially a coagulation test (to check blood clotting).

I’ll jump in here with another point: water retention is a real factor too! For instance, during my six months on Yaz, I gained about 2-3 inches around my hips and thighs just from bloating. That translated to an extra 10 pounds on the scale. I didn't change my diet at all; it was purely fluid retention.😠

Bottom line: everyone reacts differently. Honestly, you guys are lucky if they actually helped you lose weight!😢

You're absolutely right. That can definitely lead to water retention and increased cellulite.

Those didn't make a dent in my weight, even though I was on Cilest, Yaz, and Yasmin. For me, the only thing that actually worked was my diet—either eating or not eating. 😁

Laura Mendoza6 and Nathan Baker, seriously, chill out with the attitude. Please stop fighting like this.

Anthony Cruz12 said:I took two yesterday—though my stomach has been acting up ever since, feeling all crampy, almost like I’m about to start my period... then I went to the bathroom and noticed a tiny bit of spotting, but nothing else after that.
But today, starting this morning, my abdomen just feels like I have😕

If I finish this entire pack, this Friday would be my last pill. Then I take a seven-day break, and on the eighth day, I start a new pack of 21, right? Is my protection compromised now because I missed one—and if so, how long am I actually at risk?🤷

I honestly don't get why you won't just read the medication guide. The Yasmin instructions explain exactly what to do if you miss a pill—it breaks it down by week, telling you precisely when you're still protected and when you aren't.

Laura Mendoza said:Seriously, I have no clue who gave her such terrible advice.
These paranoid lines of yours are much better. 🙄

I've been on birth control for years and I've forgotten doses or taken them late in every possible combination imaginable—I don't even remember half of it anymore. And of course, nothing ever happened.

A missed pill could always result in pregnancy. It might, or it might not. Even having unprotected sex during fertile days doesn't necessarily lead to pregnancy. Taking your pills consistently isn't paranoia; it's just a sign of maturity and responsibility.

Look, Sashica, please—every warning is welcome here, truly. But I hadn't even given Noah Myers8 a second thought until this post appeared, and then her advice telling another user to just double up on their dose actually led that person to do exactly that. It was completely useless, and frankly, I don't know what else to call it besides sheer stupidity. The original quote is just as bad. People on these forums tend to follow the lead of a single post like that. Next time, someone might think, "Oh, look at that, if I miss one, it won't matter, there's no chance I'll get pregnant." Honestly, it surprises me that posts like these aren't deleted immediately. I suspect I'd be banned less often if I didn't feel the need to constantly step in and point out these kinds of things.