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Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome User Reviews (Page 3)

Brand names: Lo Loestrin Fe, Junel Fe 1/20, Blisovi Fe 1/20, Junel Fe 24, Loestrin 21 1/20, Junel Fe 1.5/30, Larin Fe 1/20, Junel 1/20, Hailey 24 Fe, Microgestin 1/20, femhrt, Hailey Fe 1/20, Nortrel 1/35, Microgestin Fe 1/20, Hailey 1.5/30, Larin 24 Fe, Aurovela Fe 1/20, Gemmily, Larin Fe 1.5/30, Larin 1/20, Taytulla, Tarina Fe 1/20, Nortrel 7/7/7, Aranelle, Junel 1.5/30, Balziva, Alyacen 1/35, Layolis Fe, Microgestin 1.5/30, Nortrel 0.5/35, Nylia 1/35, Generess Fe, Minastrin 24 Fe, Jinteli, Estrostep Fe, Fyavolv, Nexesta Fe, Alyacen 7/7/7, Blisovi 24 Fe, Melodetta 24 Fe, Brevicon, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Necon 0.5/35, Microgestin Fe 1.5/30, Tri-Legest Fe, Briellyn, Philith, Dasetta 1/35, Hailey Fe 1.5/30, Charlotte 24 Fe, Wera, Wymzya Fe, Pirmella 1/35, Gildess Fe 1/20, Aurovela Fe 1.5/30, Aurovela 1/20, Tarina 24 Fe, Kaitlib Fe, Tilia Fe, Dasetta 7/7/7, Oshih, Vyfemla, Finzala, Blisovi Fe 1.5/30, Mibelas 24 Fe, Gildess 24 Fe, Pirmella 7/7/7, Cyclafem 1/35, Cyclafem 7/7/7, Gildess Fe 1.5/30, Norinyl 1+35, Necon 7/7/7 Leena Zenchent Fe Femcon Fe Nylia 7/7/7 Zenchent Cyonanz Aurovela 24 Fe Taysofy Leribane Aurovela 1.5/30 Cyclafem 0.5/35 Tri-Legest Gildagia Lomedia 24 Fe Dasetta Rhuzdah Gildess 1.5/30 Gildess 1/20 Merzee Larin 1.5/30 Chabelina Fe …show all brand names

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone has an average rating of 6.3 out of 10 from a total of 67 reviews for the treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. 48% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 28% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone

  • old_b...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 12, 2016

"What I have is a recurring ovarian cyst; what I need is an oophorectomy. However, no one will do it until I try, and fail, to control the condition with birth control. (disclosure: 45 years old, been sterile since 2002 after tubal ligation.) Was prescribed this form of birth control - caused the worst headaches I've ever had in my life. DEBILITATING headache - spent days on the couch with a heating pad on my face. Flushed the pills down the crapper - cyst pain/irregular cycles/heavy bleeding/ anemia is better than taking these."

1 / 10
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  • MilwMom
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 14, 2016

Microgestin Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "Hello, I have always believed my daughter might have PCOS because she had all the symptoms including weight gain despite diet/exercise, severe acne, facial hair and irregular periods. She was placed on BC as a freshman in high school and did a round of Accutane - which as difficult as it was, took care of her cystic acne. Now at 20, she has thinning hair, I need to know if we should keep her on microgestin or go with another BC pill. We will also be having her thyroid checked."

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  • Anonymous
  • May 5, 2011

Ortho-Novum 1/35 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "Since I cannot choose more than one option for condition, I will post both reasons here: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Birth Control. I first started with two other different brands of birth control before getting on Ortho Novum 1/35. The other two brands make me extremely moody and my periods were out of control. Once I got started on Ortho Novum 1/35, my periods started evening out, lasting 3 - 5 days out of the entire placebo week. The only downside I've noticed was a little bit of weight gain and vaginal dryness during intercourse. I'm not overly moody or irritable and I can actually do activities that would leave me curled up on the couch."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 21, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I took this Birth Control for about 10 months and stopped when I saw I was developing viscose veins on my thighs. I was only 19 years old at the time! I was always a chronic sufferer of serve headaches when I was in high school but I had a period of about two years without having headaches. As soon as I got on this pill I had severe headaches every single week! I also gained some weight."

2 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • September 29, 2011

Loestrin Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "This pill has given me nothing but trouble. I am now double dosing until my D&C to see if it will stop the bleeding that it caused me for over a month. I should have just lived with the irregular cycles instead of this constant bleeding!"

1 / 10
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  • Snark...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 21, 2017

"I have experienced many of the side effects- increased frequency of migraines, 10+ lbs weight gain, breast enlargement, worsened fatigue (I already have fibromyalgia), and I stopped getting my period. I was already overweight to begin with so this experience was very awful, to put it mildly. I stopped taking it and my period came back. It’s rubbish. I wouldn’t recommend it to an enemy."

1 / 10
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  • Chancyb
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 26, 2019

"I have been on nortrel 777 for about 4 months now. OMG! I had been dizzy for a month, very tired, worse cramps ever, night sweats and hot flashes, my anxiety and depression is way worse. I literally have no energy and I eat constantly. I would never recommend this birth control to as anyone. If you have PCOS..STAY AWAY! I'm getting mine changed this week."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • May 20, 2016

Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "WORST BC PILL EVER!!! First two weeks went great no side effects but third week was terrible! This pill made me super bloated and constipated. It really messed my stomach up it's so uncomfortable. Will never take this again."

1 / 10
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  • Yssp
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 29, 2016

"A sample was given to me by my doc. A week has past and I'm moody & bloated all the time. Is anybody else experiencing the same symptom? (I have been on many different birth controls and this is the first time I've had this much discomfort and continuous bloating)"

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  • Kontee
  • August 20, 2016

Gildess Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I am 31 and This is my first time taking birth control pills. this thing is giving me acne all over my face! Big ones that I have never seen before because I have never had acne in my life. I'm extremely tired and sleepy all day but I am loosing weight. I will have a talk with my GYN at my next appointment,I want something else!!! But I'm stuck between choosing to loose weight or keep getting acnes."

1 / 10
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  • Britall
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 8, 2015

Wera (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "Mostly I liked Wera. It was better than the necon 1/35 I had been on previously. I still had enough mood swings that I felt bad enough for my husband to want to change my b.c. I really didnt have much depression on this, a little lower libido, but it did not cause chronic migraines like the other b.c. I eventually switched"

7 / 10
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  • Camc
  • November 22, 2015

"I was given this right before (only 2 weeks before) I was diagnosed with PCOS. Yes, at the start I had really bad mood swings, it didn't help I was starting a new drug for stress headaches that had the same (mood swing) effect. I talked to my DR. about it and she advised me to stay on it for 3 months, then afterwards I can come back and discuss the pill and see if I need to be put on another. I have been on it for 4-5 months now, and I have little to no mood swings anymore. I love taking this, because before I wouldn't have any idea when I was about to get a period, sometimes would go for months without one. Now I know exactly when it will happen. This is a huge relief to me. As for my PCOS, I won't know until my next ultrasound."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 1, 2022

"I’m 26, struggling with PCOS and NCAH my endocrinologist put me on Tri Legest Fe to help with my cysts and hormones. I’ve been on it 3.5 months, I was told to skip the period week to alleviate my cysts and I’ve gotten a period every month like clockwork that lasts almost two weeks with really intense cramping. My libido is also in the trash. Other than that, I haven’t gotten any other side effects, no acne, no weight gain. I’ve asked to be switched to Seasonique, so let’s see how that goes. If you still want to have a period every month, this is a good pill but I was taking it specifically to stop my periods."

6 / 10
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  • Allie
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 9, 2021

"I’ve been taking this for 4-5 years now. No weight gain, took away all my acne, lighter periods, and no more ovarian cysts (the reason I was prescribed this in the first place). I do sometimes feel the occasional mood swing and get very emotional. Additionally, I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life, this medication has not worsened it in my experience though. It affects everyone differently, so try it out for at least 6 months and see how you like it!"

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  • mmp
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 14, 2015

"Generess was recommended by my ob/gyn as it was new to the market and with low dose progestin. I take this to regulate my periods due to pcos. I have taken it for close to a year and I love it. Great taste, no side effects. Can't say if it has any advantage on acne as I have mild acne anyway, but it did not worsen. No weight gain. What sucks the most is now the manufacturer does not provide a coupon anymore and the generess website is pretty much a blank slate. What happened generess? This med is VERY expensive without a coupon. I did alot of research and found there is a generic for it with no copay for me! Let's see how it goes! I hope it works well. Fingers crossed."

9 / 10
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  • Lizzo
  • April 15, 2017

"I started this over a year ago because I have PCOS and before taking this some months I would miss my period completely, sometimes I get these horrible excruciating 2 month periods. Now after taking this I haven't had any new growths. I have sweet cravings but I haven't had my period in about 5 months (though that could be the PCOS). I haven't gained weight but I'm also working out and eating better. The main complaint I have for this is the gas and the constant nausea for me. I take this at 8:00 am and I still feel horrible 12 hours later. I've heard it helps to take it at night so I'll try that eventually. Still, not pregnant so."

8 / 10
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  • Taras...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 7, 2015

"This was the first pill my specialist me on for PCOS and EXTREMELY irregular cycles. A few days before I went in for him to see him I was spotting. While taking this pill, I have never stopped bleeding. The only time I stopped bleeding was when I was on the 2nd to last sugar pill of the 1st pack, and I started bleeding again a week after starting the active pills again. So obviously these pills weren't for me. Even after taking 2 a day for a week as told to do so by my doctor, hasn't COMPLETELY stopped the spotting. It's still very light. He's put me on Necon 1/50 now, and to take 2 pills as well for a week and to call him back to see if it helped. I hope this doesn't reek havoc on my body taking this much estrogen"

3 / 10
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  • Blisovi...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 18, 2017

"I was diagnosed years ago with PCOS . This year I was having some issues with night sweats headaches and nausea and asked my OB/Gyn to check my hormones. To my surprise I have a hormone imbalance my FSH and LH levels were backwards. Treatment is to go back on birth control pills . She prescribed me blisovi- I hadn't heard of these but I am taking them. At first I head a mild headache that went away after the first week of pills. My only complaint is since I started this first pill pack I have bleed the whole month and almost done with my nonactive pills. My doc says this is normal the first 3 pill packs and should stop on the 4th pill pack..she says my body is adjusting to hormones. I'm hoping that is all it is."

5 / 10
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  • Nat...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 16, 2015

"I have experienced what my doctor calls "spotting" which I completely disagree. I've had my monthly cycle for 2 weeks & a half. Just as heavy as normal and same pain level in cramps. I was giving this to shrink the size of my ovarian cyst to make it go away pretty much but I'm not exactly quite sure if it's even shrinking. I have also experienced weight gain and I'm in the process of losing weight so that really does not help. I have also experienced mood swings. Maybe it will be worth it after my next sonogram."

6 / 10
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  • KrisA...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 30, 2016

"I started this pill to help the pain that followed my most recent mass removal on my right ovary. While I can't say too many great things, this was the fourth pill I've tried in the past five years. And I gained the least amount of weight from it than any of the others. However, I started this pill four weeks ago and I have had nonstop heavy bleeding ever since. I have terrible cramps, back aches, migraines, nausea, and dizziness. I'm way more emotional. And I'm constantly exhausted but can never sleep. I would not recommend to the people I know."

1 / 10
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  • Heather
  • April 24, 2014

Junel Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "No menstrual at all. No cramps or bloating. Works really well for me."

10 / 10
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  • Berinky
  • August 30, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "Loestrin Fe is great. Not only did it clear up my cysts, but it cleared up my adult acne too."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • October 25, 2012

Microgestin Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "Severe depression and irritability, acne, and oily skin starting the 3rd month of this pill"

2 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Symptoms and treatments