Alesse for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2014

"Up until this past fall, I hadn't experienced any negative side effects while taking the pill. Then I started having anxiety attacks, feeling depressed about everything, rapid weight gain (25 lbs in 2 months despite living at the gym), extreme irritability, heavy bleeding (3-4 super tampons every 2 hours) halfway through a pack, intense cramping, new and powerful migraines, and horrible skin. I've been off of it for 2 months now, and I feel worlds better. I still have bad skin, and although my anxiety is manageable, it's still there, but at least I can get out of bed, and the headaches have slackened. I'm looking at other options now because abstinence is difficult."

• Bea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 8, 2019

"After trying a few types of birth control pills in high school, I settled on Alesse and have been using it most of my life. I liked that it was low estrogen, which for me meant less mood swings than other pills. I also eventually started only getting periods once every 3 months, and short when I had them, which was nice. The downside was that I realized now after quitting Alesse that the levonorgestrel was causing me increased facial hair growth. If it's happened to you as well, now you know why!"

• Ban...
• February 13, 2021

"To be honest, I really liked taking this pill. Only stopping because I get aura migraines and can't take estrogen because of the stroke risk. I was only on the pill for 2 months, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but here's my experience: I was a little emotional for the first 2 weeks, acne around my jaw for the first month, and I feel like my bowels were off a little at first too. Just a bit constipated and bloated, but that also adjusted over time. Acid reflux flared up a bit easier too. My boobs looked GREAT, which I loved, and I was super relieved that it didn't make me super emotional like other ones I have tried. My periods were lighter and less cramps. And I actually got my period on time, and I have always been irregular. Weight stayed the same, sex drive stayed the same (if anything, I think that my bigger boobs put me in the mood more lol). Overall, I had a good time taking this and wish I could stay on it!!"

• Snj...
• May 8, 2017

"Alesse was the first type of birth control I've ever taken, and I experienced many negative side effects. When I first started it, I had severe back pain, headaches, and mood swings. After a week or two, these symptoms subsided, but I began to feel depressed-this feeling went on for about a month and worsened whenever I drank alcohol. In total, I was on this pill for two cycles before I decided to switch. That being said, everyone is different! If Alesse doesn't work for you, there are probably others that will."

• Gin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2015

"So, recently I got switched off from Aviane, which was the best birth control ever! Because I moved out of province, they didn't carry Aviane, so they put me on Alesse. I'm going on 21 years old, I'm 5'3, and I've never passed 115 pounds using Aviane. Using Alesse, I have gained almost 10 pounds in the last few months of use! This birth control has worsened my acne, caused me severe headaches, worsened my abdominal pain throughout and off my period, heavy bloating, worsened my constipation, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and rather than 5 days, my periods are 7-9. I'm glad this birth control suits most of you ladies on here, for myself, it has been the worst! Obviously not for every woman, definitely not for me! Looking to switch ASAP!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2020

"At the beginning on Alesse, I had no side effects! My acne was clearing, and my periods were light and short. After being on this for 2 years, I have noticed my anxiety and stress get really bad. I never really stressed about anything that bad or cried that much, but I feel like the slightest thing will cause me to cry. I also started to experience a lot of bloating and stomach aches."

• zes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2015

"Background: 18-year-old, 5'4", 115 pounds, and works out regularly. Overall, I think it is good. I've always had clear skin, so acne wasn't a problem at all. PROS: super light periods that only last about 5 days (sometimes so light I can't even put a tampon in), no weight gain, no acne, no pregnancies, lol. CONS: discharge (fairly quite significant amount), backaches, and sometimes I get moderate to severe headaches. Overall, I would recommend this form of birth control. One thing I did notice: I don't get my period until 4 days after I finish the birth control packs. Is that normal? Considering some people get it at the same time every month and/or the day after they finish the pills."

• Ala...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2019

"I was on it for three years. It’s hard making sure to take the pill every day at the same time. At first, the pill was great, and I had no problems with it. However, I started to feel down all the time, cried without reason in front of people, and had no drive. I realized it must be because of the pill, and as soon as I got off the pill, I felt amazing! Would never want to experience this pill again."

• kat...
• October 17, 2017

"Alesse was the first birth control that my doctor had put me on. I had no side effects and was confused due to all of the complaints I had heard about taking birth control in general from my peers. I began to wonder if there was anything better than Alesse, and that is my biggest regret. I took Lolo as well as Tricera Lo, and both of those helped me realize what side effects and tolls some birth control pills can have on women. I was breaking out in cystic acne, my breasts hurt, I had gained weight, my appetite was immense, etc. I went back on Alesse, and lo and behold, my skin is at its best, I have ZERO side effects, and most importantly, it prevents me from getting pregnant."

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2009

"I've been on this for a month, and after the first two days, I had spotting occur, and it hasn't stopped since. I never had this problem when I was off birth control and when I was on Seasonique, unfortunately, it's quite costly. I've also been extremely tired and experienced depression while on this pill. I'm switching as soon as this month ends."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2016

"I've been on Alesse a month now, and it's been absolute hell. I'm not an emotional person by any means, and I eat like a full-grown man usually, but since starting this, I haven't been able to eat at all because of the nausea and have had random uncontrollable mood swings. I've lost 10 lbs, and every time I take one of these pills, I get an instant headache. My period was hell as well, I got bad cramps for a week before and all during. This is not normal for me. My period also went from 4 days to 7, which really ticked me off. It caused my acne to get far worse and scar like I've never had before. Not only this, but my anxiety levels went through the roof, and my depression did the same, causing me suicidal thoughts, and I had ABSOLUTELY no energy."

• Aje...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2019

"Well, where to start. Thankfully, I have been off of this for almost two years now. But looking back at photos, I remember something very prominent: hair loss. My hair was receding like crazy on both sides of my head. Six months after I stopped taking it, the hair thankfully started to grow back. It's shorter and thin, but it's enough to cover my scalp. Be very careful... This is the first birth control I have ever been on that I experienced this kind of side effect."

• Lou...
• October 8, 2019

"I think I've been on Alesse now for 3 or 4 years... can't really remember now. Prior to that, I was on a couple of other higher dose hormone pills since I was 19; 31 years old now! I started this pill because of the lower dose of hormones. I was struggling with depression and anxiety at that point and thought the pill may be affecting that. I still have periods of depression and anxiety, but I can control it better. My skin has changed though... I have super sensitive skin with painful cystic acne. It's not a lot of spots, but they are painful and stay for a really long time. I've had weight gain, but I don't know if that's more me or the pill. I've decided to come off the pill, which I'm kind of nervous to do! It's more about the fact that I've been on it for almost 13 years and I want to see what I'm like off of it. Right now, I would say that I would go back on it, because I don't find the side effects that bad, but we'll see in the future after I've been off it for a while."

• lis...
• January 31, 2016

"First time using Alesse. Been gaining weight like crazy, my mood swings are all over the place, my period has been starting a week early, so now my period lasts about 2 weeks. This pill is definitely not for me."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2017

"I've started taking this type of birth control. It's my first birth control in general, and my first pack. I've been getting sharp cramps and am now bleeding (even after my period has stopped) and huge migraines on the right side only of my head (whether or not this is a side effect, I don't know, but it has occurred ever since I started taking Alesse). I don't know if I should be alarmed about the sharp cramps, as they are extremely painful, but do go away and come back within seconds. I want to play it safe, but I also want to make sure there is nothing wrong with myself down there. Anyone else having these issues?"

• Gab...
• May 3, 2016

"I've been on Alesse for 2 months now. I feel extremely tired all the time, even after drinking coffee, and usually coffee makes me wired. I constantly feel bloated even when I haven't eaten anything. Then when I do eat something, I feel like I'm about to throw up. I've noticed that I've gained a little bit of weight, especially around my tummy/hips. My mood swings are all over the place (I'll cry and get cranky over the dumbest things ALL THE TIME). Definitely would not recommend this birth control and plan to go off it ASAP."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2016

"I'm on day 9 on Alesse so far, not very far into it yet, but so far I really like Alesse. I was so badly traumatized from my first birth control experience as a teen, it scared me to go on birth control again. Yasmin was really bad for depression and weight gain, I didn't like it. Now I am married with children and wanted to try something else again. Alesse is low dose, so I figured maybe it might be different this time, it's way better! My mental health is extremely important, I feel a little tired on this pill, but only minor. I will update again to see how it continues, so far, so great."

• Kat...
• April 10, 2017

"I've been on Alesse now for about 5 years, and I'm going to switch pills. It's never helped with my acne nor my period pain, and it's made me EXTREMELY irritable and very, very moody and depressed. I went off it for a year, and I was instantly happier, and my skin wasn't as bad, and I had regular period pain. As far as being a contraceptive, it's worked so far *knock* *knock*. I would not recommend this if you are sensitive to medication."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2017

"I'm 24, and this is my first ever contraceptive pill. Taking it for a month now. I don't have a problem aside from gaining weight, and I'm emotional, but not this much since I started this pill. I'm happy that my acne is slowly fading, my cramps are not as severe as the last one I had, and I don't have a problem at all. I've noticed that my breasts are gaining some extra fat too. Lol."

• Cat...
• November 1, 2016

"I've been on this pill for a year, and I think I'm gonna stop taking it. Honestly, not really happy with this pill! For someone who had relatively clear skin, I got the worst acne from using it! Like little bumps all over my forehead and painful zits on my jawline and cheeks. Tried every possible skin care line and couldn't understand how I went from clear skin to a face full of acne... and now some acne scars too. Finally pinpointed it to Alesse being the cause. Also pretty sure I gained some weight while on it. Definitely don't recommend it!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 4, 2021

"I've been on Alesse for 6 years, and I had no negative side effects at first (aside from gaining weight), but then I became severely depressed, and my face broke out in cystic acne. I feel completely numb on this pill. My self-confidence is terrible, and I'm never happy even though I have so many things to be happy about. I just feel dull, and I feel like I have no personality anymore. I took a break from this pill last year and felt like a completely different person. I had my confidence back and overall had a sense of mental clarity and happiness, but went back on for the sole purpose of preventing pregnancy. The positives are that I've never had any pregnancy scares, and my periods are very light and regular, but the impact it has on my mental and physical health isn't worth it anymore. If you're looking to start this pill, I would just say be careful and pay attention to the way you feel. It took a while for me to realize that this birth control was the problem."

• Jen...
• March 27, 2015

"I used Alesse for a few months and had a lot of trouble with it. I was extremely moody, depressed, and felt like a completely different person. Even my mother noticed a huge change. I was crying all the time and overwhelmed. When I told my doctor, he took me off Alesse and started me on Tri-Cyclen Lo. I noticed a change immediately, and I am still using Tri-Cyclen. It's easy to blame mood swings and being upset on other parts of your life, but for me, it was ongoing, and I knew it wasn't normal for me. Glad I got off of it when I did!"

• Tif...
• August 17, 2017

"This is the first pill I've tried as my doctor recommended it as being the safest. My experience was so terrible that I had to discontinue Alesse after day 6. I got bad chest pains, racing heart, anxiety, and GERD. The sharp chest pain in particular freaked me out the most as the medication carried a black box warning for DVT and pulmonary embolism. Please be very cautious before trying any hormonal birth control. I know stats say that the chances to get clots are small, but I feel that reality is different. Threw the rest of the box in the garbage where it belongs and would never recommend it to anyone. This piece of trash could seriously sabotage your health, please be cautious."

• VPg...
• June 4, 2015

"I've been using Alesse for about 2 years now. It was the first BC pill that I was prescribed. I was hesitant to use hormonal contraceptives because of mood swings and spotting. However, with Alesse, I experienced neither of those side effects. I can't say it made my skin any clearer. I don't have severe acne, but it didn't clear up my pimples. One side effect I did experience was weight gain. I am normally about 105 pounds, but on the pill, I gain about 3-4 pounds. I just feel very bloated. However, when I stop the pill temporarily (the week of my period), I go back to my regular weight. I realized I could manage this by just watching what I eat, and I exercise a bit more. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with Alesse!"

• rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2017

"So far, Alesse 28 has been a pretty good experience! I've only been on it for over a month, but the good outweighs the bad! This is the first birth control I've tried. I was very nervous this birth control would increase my breast size, just because I have naturally big boobs (38DD) and don't want them bigger. Haven't really noticed an increase in breast size, maybe just made them a bit fuller. The first two weeks on the pill, I started to break out, which freaked me out because my skin was perfect pre-pill, and I've read reviews where it ruins some people's skin! Breakouts cleared by week 3. The only negative side effect I've been noticing a lot is I'm always hungry! Haven't gained weight because I eat pretty healthy and go to the gym regularly."