Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Col...
• October 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for almost a year now, and I have no complaints! Used to have cramps that were so bad I fainted or threw up, and it was miserable. Was on Tri-Previfem before this, and it was mild and didn't help with cramps that much. This pill is higher in hormones, I believe, and I actually lost weight when I switched. My only reason I'm not giving it a 10 is I do break out before my period, a bit more than I used to, but it's worth feeling so much better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this for about 3 years and experience very little cramping and other period side effects, which is great. Also, I haven't gotten pregnant, so I guess it does the job. But I experience drastic mood swings, no sex drive whatsoever, and my hooha is like a desert. I stayed on it because I'm too lazy to make a new appointment with my gyno, but it's starting to drive a wedge in my relationship as the side effects are getting increasingly worse, so I plan to change soon."

• Cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2019

"I absolutely loved Isibloom for Primary Dysmenorrhea! I had to stop taking it because after three months I was having two periods a month (not fun, of course), but it completely helped with my awful cramps. I basically have no acne (a miracle!), although my forehead has been very dry since taking it (I'm not sure if that's actually a side effect of the pill though). No weight gain, no extra anxiety, I don't recall ever feeling nauseous - overall a great experience, minus the periods. I did experience some strong cramps and a little breast tenderness, but it wasn't bad enough to make me switch. As a little side note... Of course everyone is different, but reading these reviews always makes me scared to try new birth control. Everyone is different, please don't be scared off by all the reviews!"

• smh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I am a 22-year-old, and I was only on Apri for almost three months, and I couldn't handle the effects it was giving me. Before Apri, I was on Tri-Sprintec for like five years, and I had breakthrough bleeding, so my doctor prescribed me this. No joke, just two days after taking it, I started getting migraines, and I fell into depression, and I have never gotten migraines before. Since I was in finals, I had to fight through the effects, but it was not fun. Before getting my period, I would get some strong cramps that felt like someone was stabbing me in my pelvic area, having hot flashes, and wanting to just sleep all day. In addition to this, my discharge started to become heavy; I would have to go to the bathroom to clean myself down there because I felt it leaking; it was not fun. This was my effect on this, and I don't think everyone would get this; this was how my body handled it. Just take precautions and ask your doctor too if this formula is okay for you."

• pes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I had been on Reclipsen for a year and use it to regulate and skip periods. From the very start, everything was going well. I had better skin, no weight gain, when I skipped, there was no spotting or anything. But I did notice that when I would stand up too fast, I would have a slight and short cramp. And it wasn't until I just tried out a new birth control (Microgestin for 3 weeks) that I noticed how Reclipsen depleted my sex drive completely. I might end up switching back to Reclipsen and try taking B vitamins."

• apr...
• January 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I like this Apri birth control pill a lot! I was quite surprised running across all these negative reviews. I understand everyone has a different experience with Apri and is affected everyone differently. Personally, I’ve had no problems, although it’s only been a few weeks of being on it. If anything, my mood swings (from when I was BC free) have gone down DRASTICALLY. I feel much more chilled out and content. No cramping, headaches, etc., but slight anxiety. I have noticed a little weight gain, but this is something that isn’t that big of a problem for me or detrimental. I was initially taking Depo, which caused me to bleed every day straight for 3 months (the same amount I normally would at the start of a period, except EVERYDAY) and suffered from cramps from time to time and nausea. My doctor switched me over to Apri, and so far I have little to no complaints. My skin has been consistently clear and I don’t feel fatigued."

• unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have only been on this birth control for two weeks, and within the first day, I began experiencing cramps. I switched from my previous BC (Junel Fe) because I get very painful menstrual cramps, and Junel Fe was not getting rid of them. My OBGYN recommended Viorele to fix my cramps. I cannot even wait to find out if my period will be better because of the awful side effects I have been experiencing. I have the worst acne to the point where I couldn't look at myself in the mirror without crying, random cramping, back pains, and awful mood swings. I have already emailed my OBGYN to switch back to my previous BC, where I had no side effects. I will just suck up my cramps and take Midol and some Aleve. Do not recommend."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control is amazing! I was definitely skeptical about it reading all of the mixed reviews, but I cannot really complain. The first month I started, I had a week of migraines and a strenuous and painful menstrual period. But after that week, the migraines were gone and I literally had no cramps, headache, nausea, or any menstrual signs. My period only lasted 4 days, I'm in the best moods ever. I cannot say this medication affected my sexual desires. But the medication did lighten my discharge, which I am very thankful for. CVS did try to switch me to the generic brand, but I could not take the risk. Literally, it's great!"

• roz...
• April 24, 2015

For Birth Control "The first two weeks of being on Apri, my appetite increased. I was hungry all the time. But after the two weeks, my appetite went back to normal. I gained maybe 5 lbs. I didn't get any acne. My periods have always been heavy, and I went on birth control for them to get lighter, but this pill did nothing. My periods were still heavy, and I got bad cramps. It did what it's supposed to do, and that was prevent pregnancy. I liked Apri overall."

• Not...
• October 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I was having extremely heavy, painful periods about 2-3 weeks apart, so my doctor decided we should try a pill. I had stopped bleeding, and on day 3 of Viorele, I started bleeding again, and I’ve bled through the entire pack! I have had cramps, migraines, low sex drive, and I’m extremely irritable. This is not normal for me! I do not recommend this one!"

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking Apri about three weeks ago. It was nothing but a horrible experience for me. From the start, it was nausea, dizziness, throwing up, on-and-off eating habits, some days I could eat, and some days I couldn’t. I had extreme mood changes, I was snappy towards everyone all the time. I had severe cramps that seemed like they would never go away. All of these issues I thought would only last about a week to two weeks, then go away. But they only worsened as I kept taking Apri. I started having pain in my kidney, it started to hurt when I used the bathroom. Then the pain went to both sides and then down my legs. My legs would ache to the point I could barely walk. All I could do was sleep. I’ve never had any other issues with any other birth control until Apri. I do not recommend."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Cyred for about a month now, I just finished the first pack. I started taking BC to avoid pregnancy and to regulate my period because I wouldn’t have it for months at a time. The first week my breasts started to get tender, but nothing unbearable. I would get some cramps and constipation, but again, nothing too bad. I did notice some weight gain and an increase in appetite. My breasts have noticeably grown, but I guess that’s a plus. I had clear skin before starting Cyred, and I still have clear skin now. I had moments where I was more emotional and irritable than normal, but it occurred around the time I would start my period. Before Cyred, my heavy periods would last about 5-7 days, but now I would bleed heavily the first day and have a light period the following two days. I take the pill at 8 pm every day (sometimes 1/2 an hour before/after) because I don’t usually wake up at the same time every morning, but I am at least awake at 8 pm every day."

• Jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Literally do not ever take this pill. I’ve been on the pill for 3-4 years. I’m not sure what I was prescribed, but everything was beautiful. Light periods. No cramping. No mood swings. Nothing. Then randomly, 2 years ago, they switched me to Enskyce and told me, “same pill, different packaging.” A month in, and I haven’t stopped bleeding for 2 years. I get 3 days of bliss off my period (mind you, I still spot during this time) and then boom. Blood clots. UNBEARABLE cramps. Migraines. Sore muscles and bones. Hot flashes. My feet tend to get very cold and numb. I lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks. I even had to go see a doctor because my parents thought I had an eating disorder. I thought that something was wrong with me, but now, reading these other reviews, I realize the pill is the problem. Please, for the love of God, do not take this pill ever. The only thing that’s good is I never got pregnant."

• Kat...
• September 29, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control made me extremely depressed and suicidal. I also had mild cramps, tender breasts, and acne. No spotting so far, but I am going to finish this month and stop taking the pills. I probably will not try any form of hormones for birth control again after this experience."

• Kyl...
• February 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about a year, personally, it helped stabilize my emotions. The pill I was on previously made it so that I was constantly emotional. Sobbing constantly, snappy, and always frustrated, plus extremely tired. The only problems I have with Azurette are that I now have extreme cramps, and I also have issues with my sex drive. My sex drive is super high, but sex is extremely painful if I'm taking my pill."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2010

For Birth Control "This is my 1st month taking the pill. I don't know why people are saying that their sex drive is gone. It has not affected me that way at all. The only problem for me is that it makes me have more discharge. After researching, the pill does this to make it harder for sperm to reach the uterus, which is fine by me! I have cramps for about 2 days, and my periods are short. No weight gain at all, no bigger boobs either, but it beats having babies! I also used to feel sick, but I don't know if it's because of the pill."

• Anonymous
• July 30, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control is not for me. It can put me in the worst mood imaginable. If I don’t take it at the same exact time every day, I cramp the next day. Makes my boobs sore 2 weeks in and made my chin break out more. This is the 2nd one I’ve been on, I got put on BC for bad cramps, and so far it’s helped, but I still cramp. I do feel like I have lost some weight, though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2019

For Birth Control "So far, I have been taking Isibloom for about a week now. The only things I have noticed are that my boobs are more tender than usual, even after my period was finished. I am hoping they get bigger after seeing a previous review on this page with a girl around the same age as me saying her boobs got bigger on this pill as well. I haven’t had any horrible cramping anymore, and my flow is a lot lighter. I wouldn’t say it negatively affected my mood swings during my period, usually, my mood is really bad, but I have not felt that after using this pill. (Again, I have only taken it for about a week, so I'll come back after like a month and do another update.)"

• Rhy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Isibloom in April, and I wanted something that would stop my period. It works, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, the pill does its job. But in the beginning, I experienced mood swings and nausea, which is understandable because your hormones are changing once you begin. But one thing for anyone looking at taking this pill, I will warn you about now: don't miss a single day. Doesn't matter if it's past the time you're supposed to take it, still take it. I missed two days, and I'm having the worst cramps and heaviest period I've ever had. And for me, that's insane, I used to vomit from pain and had heavy periods before the pill, but this takes the cake. It's a sharp, persistent pain, almost to the point I want to see a doctor. But so far, that has been the worst thing to happen to me. So if you want to take Isibloom, do so. But be warned about the side effects of missing even just one day."

• Vid...
• June 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I was really excited to start taking birth control. I was almost 19, in a relationship, and wanted to be safe. Plus, there were other benefits to taking birth control, such as lighter, regular periods and improvement in acne. When I first started taking Isibloom, I felt myself getting nauseous sometimes and cramps in my pelvic area. About a week after I started, I had gotten a cramping feeling in both of my calves, so I had to take ultrasounds to make sure there was no clotting. Nothing there, and I continued to use it. I noticed myself getting more sensitive and very irritable, but I figured it was a side effect. I would get sad for no reason. I would get really anxious sometimes. I disconnected with a lot around me. I didn’t have the energy that I did pre-birth control, and I definitely did not feel like myself. It progressively got worse, and my mental health was bad. Everyone’s experience is different. I stopped the birth control a week ago, and now I feel more like myself!"

• Hal...
• May 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been using Isibloom for about 2 years now, and the only bad side effects I’ve had are cramps and acne. I never had cramps before taking this birth control, but they’re not terrible, I can still manage to work and be fine. As for the acne, not sure if it's caused by this birth control or not, but once my period starts, I start to see a few. Other than that, I’ve had no other issues, and I'm going to continue to use this because I am scared to try anything else. The reviews on this website for other birth controls and this one are kinda scary."

• Mar...
• February 6, 2015

For Birth Control "Tried lots of different pills after the one I was on was discontinued, and nothing worked for me, so I stopped trying for about 3 years. When my doctor suggested the pill for acne, I said, sure, why not. This pill is one of the few I don't have spotting or crazy 3-week periods with. The only downside is that I find my cramps are 10x worse, and I have gained some weight, I've especially seen that my breasts have grown. My acne has been a lot better, and my periods are more normal, although they do last a bit longer, my mood has also been consistent. Overall, I have had a good experience and am happy to have normal, predictable periods."

• Run...
• May 30, 2015

For Birth Control "At first, I had no problems on Apri. Then, about a month in, I gained over 10 pounds even though I didn't change my diet or exercise. I also noticed that I became very moody and had random crying spells around my period, which has never happened before. My breasts are also very tender and itchy, and my acne has gotten worse. I never had bad period cramps before I started taking this pill, and now they are extremely painful. Hopefully, my doctor switches me to a different pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I haven't even been taking this pill for two weeks. In this time, I am having extreme trouble sleeping (even with the help of sleep aid pills), back pain, horrible cramping, and not to mention mood swings. I have been extremely irritated. I will be fine one minute, then start crying for absolutely no reason. I have no desire to be on a medication that completely alters my personality. This kind of depression is not okay, and in my opinion, not worth it."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for 6 months now. My acne has come back, I have horrible and frequent mood swings. I've gained at least 8 pounds around my hips. I completely lost my sex drive, which is ruining my relationship with my boyfriend. I have horrible cramps the whole week before and during my period, and I get it for at least 5 days. The kicker is, it was the perfect pill for the first couple of months, so watch out. I'm going to the doctor this week to switch."