birth control articles • Page 2 of 8 • Lara Briden

4 Types of PCOS (a Flowchart)

February 24, 2026April 8, 2025 by Lara Briden

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not one disease. Instead, it’s “a heterogeneous disorder with different underlying biological mechanisms.” In other words, PCOS is a collection of symptoms—primarily androgen excess and anovulatory cycles—caused by different underlying mechanisms or drivers.

To effectively treat PCOS, you need to identify which mechanism (or combination of mechanisms) is driving your symptoms.

That’s why it’s helpful to identify your functional type of PCOS. These include:

Insulin-resistant PCOS (most common)
Post-pill PCOS (usually temporary)
Inflammatory PCOS
Adrenal PCOS (least common)

How Birth Control Affects Hormones

May 24, 2026October 4, 2024 by Lara Briden

Almost all types of hormonal birth control switch off ovarian function and, therefore, switch off the ovarian hormones estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone. Here’s a bit more about each method.

Pill Bleeds Are Not Periods

August 7, 2024July 31, 2024 by Lara Briden

The pill is commonly prescribed to “regulate periods,” but it can’t actually do that because withdrawal bleeds from contraceptive drugs are not real menstrual cycles.

In episode one of my podcast/YouTube video, I discuss real periods versus pill bleeds and why there’s no medical reason to bleed monthly on the pill.

I also look at the difference between contraceptive drugs and real hormones.

The Crucial Difference Between Progesterone and Progestins

October 5, 2024July 2, 2024 by Lara Briden

progesterone versus progestin Progestins such as drospirenone, levonorgestrel, or medroxyprogesterone are not progesterone.

That’s because progesterone is not a generic term like estrogen. Instead, progesterone refers only to the hormone made by the corpus luteum or taken as oral micronized progesterone.