Safyral and Cramps: What Users Say

• Mis...
• December 4, 2013

For Birth Control "As far as birth control and periods went, this was fine. My periods were much less crampy and painful, my skin didn't change at all. However, it was like my personality completely flipped. I felt robbed of my sense of adventure, I had absolutely no interest in going and doing fun things with my family. I've never had depression, but I think this must be what it feels like. I stopped taking it and am almost back to my old self, even though I'm back to having terrible periods. I will take cramps over how I was acting any day of the week."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm about to finish my first pack, and I have mixed reviews. During the first 2 weeks, I was craving sugar like crazy. About the third week, that calmed down, though. I started taking Safyral because I was having breakthrough bleeding with LoEstrin, and already Safyral has regulated my period to just the week of my placebo pills. My period started late, but that's not a big deal considering this is my first month on this birth control. The most annoying side effect is the bloating. I don't think I've ever felt this bloated, and I NEVER get cramps on my period, but I'm having cramps with this pill. I'm sure these symptoms will calm down as my body gets used to it, if not, I'm switching to something different."

• Bet...
• September 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I was concerned about starting Safyral after reading some of the reviews here, but have been pleasantly surprised by how easy my transition onto it has been. I was not on any contraceptive previously, and when I started my Safyral regimen my only side effect was very light spotting for the first month. Not only did I escape mood swings, weight gain, acne, nausea, etc., but my usual menstrual symptoms (bloating, cramps, breakouts) have become almost nonexistent. I am not yet sexually active, so I can't speak to Safyral's effectiveness as a contraceptive, but I've been very happy with it in the meantime."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2012

For Birth Control "I had been taking Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for 2 years until it started giving me bad cramping and breakthrough bleeding on the active pills. I think my body was starting to reject it, or the dosage just wasn't high enough anymore. Then my doctor suggested trying Safyral and gave me 2 free samples. I just finished my first month, and it wasn't too bad. The worst side effect I had was nausea. My breasts felt fuller, but they went back to their normal size after my period. My period was lighter, and the cramping wasn't that bad. I didn't gain any weight or feel bloated. I will have to see how this next month is... I plan on staying on this pill!"

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2012

For Birth Control "Been on this birth control now for 4 months. It works well as it prevents pregnancy, but so far, I've had very heavy periods and severe cramps and tons of chin acne. Yaz never gave me these issues. I want to switch, but the doctor told me to give it another 3 months to see what happens. If I still don't like it, then she said I can switch. I must stick it out until then."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2012

For Birth Control "I haven't been on this pill for very long, but my doctor gave me some free samples because I was having breakthrough bleeding with LoEstrin. So far, my main complaint is nausea. I have never felt so consistently sick in my life - not even with the flu! I'll post again when I've been on it longer about weight gain, mood swings, cramps, etc."

• not...
• March 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I was put on Safyral two months ago after being on Camrese due to breakthrough bleeding. Safyral definitely took care of that issue, but it came with several others. I now have very painful cramps just before and on my period. My periods last 7 days and are very heavy (which is normal for me off of birth control), and I'm constantly bloated. I also get headaches more than usual and have gained about 4 lbs and cannot lose weight at all. Going tomorrow to hopefully switch to a lower dose again."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2012

For Birth Control "Have almost been on Safyral for a year, and I love it. I used to have really heavy periods, but I know exactly when I am going to start (usually a Tuesday night to Wednesday morning), and I know I'll stop on Sunday. It's lighter. I have noticed that sometimes my bad cramps I used to have are starting to return. It has definitely kept the babies away, which is the reason I went on the birth control and will continue to keep using it."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 2 to 3 months. I have terrible menstrual cramps, acne did clear up. Heavy bleeding during the period, but no breakthrough bleeding. Not pregnant! Very moody and cry over sad songs and sad commercials. I'm going back to the doctor in a few weeks and changing."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for five months now, going on 6. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for years, almost 10, then my body started to reject it. But I loved it. Perfectly timed periods and no side effects whatsoever. My doctor switched me to Natazia. Terrible. I had terrible acne and ridiculous bloating and weight gain all in my stomach area. I work out regularly and eat healthy. My only vice is alcohol. So after three months on that pill, I was switched to Safyral. I get very bloated one week before my period. My period is very heavy. I get bad cramps, although this month they seem to have subsided, as today is the first of my placebo pills and no cramps this month. But I am very bloated. Acne minimum."

• 113...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I started this pill about a year ago. I was on a couple of other birth control pills before. This pill made me gain a bunch of weight, frequent breast pain, and horrible cramps. My emotions are always out of control. I eat healthy and work out at least three days a week and shouldn't be gaining all of this weight. The bloating when on my period has gotten dramatically worse. I would recommend not taking this pill. I am in the process of getting a different pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for two years. I switched to this from Ortho Tri-Cyclen because I was having breakthrough bleeding. One month into it, I was having terrible cystic acne, two months into it, I had a severe panic attack. Two years later, I am incredibly depressed and bloated before my period, along with crazy migraines for 3-4 days straight. I am unable to lose weight even with running 4 miles a day. I am switching to Lo Loestrin 24 Fe and will try a lower-dosed pill. I have also experienced terrible leg cramps and fatigue like never before."

• Chr...
• November 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched to Safyral two months ago after losing my insurance and needing free samples to carry me until my new job provided me with coverage. I have been on Ocella and Yasmin, depending on which was free at the time of refill, since I was 15 (now 26) and have had a great experience. My periods were always regular, minimal breakthrough bleeding (only occurring when I missed a pill or two), no cramps, 3-4 day periods with very light bleeding. Since switching to Safyral, I experience consistent breakthrough bleeding. Three to four days before I expect my period, I get nauseous, dizzy/faint, and get horrible cramps. I'm really looking forward to going back to Ocella. This is not similar to Ocella and Yasmin as I was told previously."

• Hai...
• October 18, 2015

For Birth Control "So I am on the sugar pills of my third month on this birth control, and I have finally concluded, I am not going crazy, it's the pills. The first month was great, I lost about 5-6 pounds, felt wonderful, and no babies! The second month was just as good until I got to 2 days before the sugar pills. I began getting terrible cramps (not normal for me) and even worse back aches (normal but not this severe). I was crying uncontrollably over my 'friend' who hadn't texted me that day and went through at least 3 uncontrollable rage spells, and got so exhausted I couldn't keep my eyes open (I go through insomnia, one bonus about this pill is that I got a lot of sleep). This month it's worse, I can't even speak to my doctor without wanting to scream."

• JJa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Safyral for years. I'm in my forties. In my 20s, I had major cramps, bloating, cysts, heavy periods, and severe mood swings. The mood swings included me crying at commercials, yelling, and snapping at the smallest thing. I was so not myself the week before, during, and a few days after my period. I was then diagnosed with PMDD and put on Yaz; it was a life changer. No mood swings or heavy periods. Then my doctor recommended I move to Safyral after reported issues with blood clots while on Yaz. It was an easy transition, and even better, I don't get a period at all. I would recommend if you don't have mood swings, depression, or changes in your behavior during or before your period, this may not be the pill for you. The good thing about pills is you can always try, and if it doesn't work for you, stop taking it; not like the shots where you're stuck for three months. Talk with your doctor and really list your symptoms and work together to make the right decision on your pill."

• msl...
• November 16, 2011

"I've been on Safyral for one month, and I love it! I had been taking Orth Tri-Cyclen for four years, and I started having heavy breakthrough bleeding, so my doctor gave me samples of Safyral, and I am very pleased. I have not had any breakthrough bleeding. My periods are not heavy at all. I had some cramping during my period, but not bad. I haven't noticed any weight gain or acne. I get very moody before my period, but that happened before I started taking birth control pills. I highly recommend Safyral, it's wonderful."

• Tis...
• January 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I'm 29 and have been on Safyral for 3 months now for irregular bleeding. I have breast tenderness, bad cramps, acne, and I am also very moody! My anxiety level has raised a little, and the bleeding is heavier than normal. This is also my first time ever taking the pill. This is my last pack I'm taking."

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2011

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control pill I've ever been on, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I am 16 years old and have 11-day periods, which are extremely heavy, with terrible cramps, fatigue, and headaches. My gyn put me on this, and everything was great for the first 3 weeks. I never had any breakthrough bleeding. I did have some slight cramps for the first week, but they were nothing compared to what I've been on. I am on the first day of the placebo, and so far no bleeding, but I do have awful cramps again, which I thought the pill was supposed to take care of. If this is the way my period is going to be every month, I might ask my doctor about Seasonique so I only have to deal with this once every 3 months."

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2011

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control pill I've ever been on, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I am 16 years old and have 11-day periods, which are extremely heavy, with terrible cramps, fatigue, and headaches. My gyn put me on this, and everything was great for the first 3 weeks. I never had any breakthrough bleeding. I did have some slight cramps for the first week, but they were nothing compared to what I've been on. I am on the first day of the placebo, and so far no bleeding, but I do have awful cramps again, which I thought the pill was supposed to take care of. If this is the way my period is going to be every month, I might ask my doctor about Seasonique so I only have to deal with this once every 3 months."

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2011

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control pill I've ever been on, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I am 16 years old and have 11-day periods, which are extremely heavy, with terrible cramps, fatigue, and headaches. My gyn put me on this, and everything was great for the first 3 weeks. I never had any breakthrough bleeding. I did have some slight cramps for the first week, but they were nothing compared to what I've been on. I am on the first day of the placebo, and so far no bleeding, but I do have awful cramps again, which I thought the pill was supposed to take care of. If this is the way my period is going to be every month, I might ask my doctor about Seasonique so I only have to deal with this once every 3 months."

• Anonymous
• July 8, 2011

For Birth Control "Was on this pill for 2 months and had extreme mood swings, heavier periods, cramping, and acne. I did not experience any weight gain. This is the 3rd pill I have tried but did not like."