Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Bar...
• October 5, 2017

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "My daughter was switched from Azurette (no side effects) to Viorelle, by the pharmacy. She's miserable. Periods are still unstable, the breakouts have stopped, but that's the only plus! Her periods last forever, she's always exhausted, looks like a zombie half the time, got sick with a cough and took a month to kick it, has no energy, no strength, gaining weight, horrible headaches and period cramps. After reading the other problems ladies have had with this pill, she will be stopping it! Thanks, ladies, for coming on here to tell your stories!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "When I first took the pill, I lost 10-15 pounds, which was great. It made me extremely nauseous the first week to the point where I didn’t want to even eat. The nausea went away, and I was eating again but feeling more full, so I wasn’t eating as much. My acne got a little better, but since I suffer from PCOS, I still get acne, so it didn’t totally help in that department. Period cramps are a little better. BUT I NOTICED over the past couple of months, I received bad headaches, and I was really tired and craving sweets like crazy. Would I recommend it in the beginning? Yes. Would I recommend it now? No. My OBGYN switched me to Yaz, so we will see where that takes me."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2022

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This medication is terrible! I realize it’s different for everyone, however, I have been on birth control in the past (I used to take Yaz and did well on it). I’ve been off for 6 years and just started Isibloom as my first step before IVF. Birth control is typically prescribed to suppress your natural cycle prior to starting the ovulation stimulation medication. I’m only on day 3 of the pack, and I’ve had terrible headaches/migraines/head pressure, facial/jaw pain/facial joint pain, breakthrough bleeding/cramping. I had to stop taking this and wait for my next cycle for IVF because it was so uncomfortable."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2022

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This medication is terrible! I realize it’s different for everyone, however, I have been on birth control in the past (I used to take Yaz and did well on it). I’ve been off for 6 years and just started Isibloom as my first step before IVF. Birth control is typically prescribed to suppress your natural cycle prior to starting the ovulation stimulation medication. I’m only on day 3 of the pack, and I’ve had terrible headaches/migraines/head pressure, facial/jaw pain/facial joint pain, breakthrough bleeding/cramping. I had to stop taking this and wait for my next cycle for IVF because it was so uncomfortable."

• Kar...
• October 23, 2018

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Started on the Depo shot when I was 14. Although not having periods was nice, I still had every symptom of periods but without bleeding (headaches, cramping, mood swings, increased appetite, etc.). So, 6 months later, I got switched to Kariva, costing me approximately $50 a month, without insurance. I can’t say I’ve had any “major experiences” with Kariva. I started birth control with the intention of lighter periods, which have gone from heavier 2-week-long periods to a medium flow of 3-4 days. I still have a few symptoms, but I can’t 100% say it’s due to Kariva since I’ve been on it so long, such as moderate cramping, weight gain (due to large appetite), and occasional moodiness, but definitely nothing that I would say is ‘out of the ordinary.’ As for the pregnancy preventative aspect, I’ve had sex occasionally throughout my time on Kariva but haven’t gotten pregnant even due to occasionally forgetting 2-3 pills a month. Overall, I would recommend Kariva."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2022

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I started using birth control through the Pill Club and was originally prescribed Cyred EQ, which works wonders for me, but then my orders of it were replaced with Isibloom, which apparently is the generic version. Within days, I started spotting dark blood and noticed other changes. My breasts were so swollen my bras didn’t fit, I experienced horrible headaches and joint pains, I was irritable, moody, and so unbelievably anxious and paranoid. I constantly felt on edge and even had suicidal thoughts. If you have a history of mental illness, DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. It amplified my anxiety and BPD times 10. Isibloom has been a nightmare."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2010

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol "I've been taking Desogen for almost 1 year now. I get it from Planned Parenthood for about 20 dollars. The only side effects I have seen are a slight headache at the onset of my period and sometimes moodiness around that time as well (I guess it is to be expected anyway). Other than that, I do get dark freckles now when out in the sun. They don't seem too bad now, but if it gets worse, I will switch. This is why I changed from my last brand (I think it was Estrostep) because it caused bad facial discoloration whenever I went out in the sun! It looked like I had a mustache for months!"

• Bum...
• June 19, 2016

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 2 months. I don't have cramps anymore. Thank goodness! My appetite is smaller. Breasts have stayed the same size and that's fine by me. My period is now 6-7 days (used to be 3-4 days when I wasn't on birth control). No babies, though. I do notice that I get more headaches. I'm not sure if it's from the pill because I've been more active and the sun in FL is strong."

• Anonymous
• February 19, 2011

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I've only been on this for a week, but I wanted to write a positive review because there are a lot of terrible reviews of this product out there. I can't say much about weight gain, because I've only been on it a week, but I haven't noticed any change as far as that goes. The first day I took it in the morning and had a bad headache that evening. It didn't go away even after taking painkillers. The second day, right after I took it, I was pretty uncomfortable for a few hours. It felt like really bad cramps. The third day, and ever since, I've learned to take it while eating breakfast (not right before or after, but rather during). I haven't had any more problems. I had noticed increased breast size and clearing skin already."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Started taking Viorele about a week ago because the birth control that I was on before (Kariva) wasn’t in stock at Walgreens. So they just switched me to Viorele. I have been feeling super sick all week. Very bad mood swings, bad neck and head pains, and also was very bloated. Once I figured out that it was the birth control that made me feel this way, I immediately switched back to Kariva."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I tried this pill to help with cramps, and I haven’t had the greatest experience. It’s definitely not the worst pill ever, but I’ve had a few problems with it. I noticed that it’s made my anxiety worse (I was previously diagnosed with it), and I get a lot of random headaches. Periods are pretty normal, you get little weird cramps when PMSing. You get them for a few minutes, and they go away all throughout the week. Didn’t make the period much lighter or shorter. Usually lasts 5 days, but cramps aren’t bad. It’s probably different for everybody."

• Dom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This is absolute rubbish. I have been recently changed from Microgynon to this Desogen just because I am almost 35 and smoking. On this new one, I have headaches daily, muscle pains, apparently I am so moody, and I have blood coming nonstop. (What is the point of taking these pills if I can’t have sex anyway?)"

• TLF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Been on this Desogen about 3 months, and the cramps are unreal. I'm bleeding 5x heavier than normal. I've gained almost 15 lbs while on this pill, and my poor boyfriend has to deal with my severe mood swings. I have constant headaches, and I'm breaking out worse than I ever have all over my body. I'm using facial cleansers, toners, special foundation, but every day there is a new breakout. I'm getting off this pill ASAP."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I first started taking the pill 3 weeks ago. I’ve had nothing but constant nausea, dizziness, my stomach burns, headaches, where I feel like I’m having the symptoms of pregnancy. I don’t know how much longer I can last. I think I’m going to opt out and call my OB and get an IUD or my tubes clamped. There’s no sense of feeling like rubbish every day."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I started this pill a little over 2 weeks ago, and I was completely fine the first week. Around 6 days ago, I have been very weak and very tired. I’m having the worst headaches every day, and I can’t even get out of bed half the time. I’ve been using ibuprofen for it, it doesn’t help. I’m going off the pill, and I hope this helps everyone thinking about going on this pill."

• far...
• February 8, 2011

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "As far as birth control goes, well I'm not pregnant yet (and I don't use alternate protection), so I'd say it works well in that aspect, so I gave it a 6. However, I have had severe nausea, headaches (on the verge of migraines), and slight bloating. I have also been seriously tired all the time. I fall asleep all the time, anywhere, anytime, without control. I never had a problem staying awake for even a couple of days without sleep until I started taking Apri."

• Mar...
• July 27, 2011

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I was on Marvelon for 2 years and then switched to Apri after losing my 'student' status and therefore needed a cheaper pill. I've been on it for 4 months, and although my periods are regular, the side effects are horrible. I have noticed frequent headaches, at least a 15-pound weight gain, and ZERO sex drive. I eat healthy and started exercising, not realizing why I was gaining and keeping all this weight. It's not going anywhere. The zero sex drive is NOT like me and has affected my relationship. All of these side effects have been occurring since being on Apri. It may work for some people, but I'd gladly pay the extra for Marvelon in order to have these effects go away."

• Not...
• May 25, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I was put on Viorele pill, and overall experience wasn't too bad. I did experience bad mood swings, and that just isn't me. Frequent headaches and no sex drive. The worst part of all... losing my hair! After a year, I started to notice my hair thinning and wondering what the heck was going on. I look back at the side effects, and lo and behold, I see loss of scalp hair. Stopped taking it for a few months now, but will have my gyno switch me to something else."

• Nat...
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill is the worst thing I have ever experienced. Made my body so out of whack. First, problems started with a yeast infection, pounding headaches, and my body could not regulate temperature. Then I got depressed, but I have only been on it a month, so I was still able to tell that those feelings were not mine. Everything seemed so dark. My boyfriend even noticed a change in my behavior. Do yourself a favor and get on the lowest dose of hormones or get ya man snipped. We need to stop doing these crazy hormone tricks on our bodies, ladies, PLEASE BEWARE!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This has been an awful experience for me. I’m having a polyp removed from my uterus and have to go on birth control for the surgery. I’ve been on it for 2 weeks, and since the start, I’ve had extreme nausea, bad headaches, tired all the time, moody, and trouble sleeping. I just feel awful! I do NOT recommend this particular pill!!!"

• Eva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2019

For Birth Control "This is actually a cheaper version of Cerazette. My doctor switched the two, and the generic made me ill, as in horrific mood swings, constant spotting, headaches... I could go on. After much debate with my doctor, they switched me back to Cerazette!"

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Cramping, spotting, headaches, slight sinus pain, severe paranoia and anxiety, and awful mood swings. I've only been on Isibloom for 2 weeks but can tell the changes. I'll stick it out, but if it doesn't get better by the time this month is up, I'm contacting my doctor to change my meds."

• ary...
• December 6, 2017

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I was switched from Azurette to Viorele by my pharmacy. Took Viorele for almost 3 months because I got 3 packs at a time. It gave me frequent headaches that I didn't experience on the Azurette even though they are supposed to be the same. The biggest issue is I thought I had a UTI because it made me have to pee all the time. I had no other changes in my life except the pill, so after going to the doctor and getting checked for UTI and it being negative, I have switched back. My boobs were always sore, but it made them look bigger, so I didn't mind too much. If you have already big boobs, though, this might be a problem. Skin looks great on both pills. Period is light, but cramps can be horrible sometimes."

• Nik...
• September 16, 2016

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I'm on this BC because I recently found out that I have 2 cysts in my uterus. My right one caused extreme pain and caused me to be at 2 different hospitals all in the same week. (I'm 19) by the way, lol, 5'4" if that helps. Today is my first day on the pill, so far I've had a crazy sex drive and mild headache. As a side effect, I'm hungry every 30 minutes, lol. The pain from my cysts cooled down, which I love! And yeah, so far so good, I'll keep you ladies updated with more info!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2018

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "When I first started taking Apri, which was a year ago, I found that it changed my mood a lot, making me depressed, anxious, and angry all the time for no reason. Also, I have been having lots of cravings. But on the good side, I feel like I can trust this brand of birth control a lot to keep me from being pregnant. Also, not many side effects, no headaches or nausea. I’ve now been taking it for almost a year now, and my body has been getting used to it a lot."