Alesse and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m a first-time user, and my doctor prescribed me Alesse. I’ve been on it for 5 months, debating on switching pills for the last 2. This pill caused me acne when my skin was basically almost perfect before, and a little bit of weight gain. The only good it gave was some less bad cramps. But overall, would not recommend."

• Run...
• June 29, 2017

For Birth Control "There were many positives to Alesse (I was on the generic - Aviane). This was about my 4th or 5th kind of BC pill, as I tend to have issues and side effects with most others. The only side effects I had on this were spotty, random periods, and acne. I can handle the breakthrough bleeding, but the acne was just awful. I have acne-prone skin, and Yaz totally cleared it up, but made me gain weight. When I switched to Alesse, I lost weight (not entirely due to changing the pill), but my acne came back horribly. I am going to switch soon. I didn't have any mood swings. I have some cramps during my period. It didn't mess with my sex drive (Yaz killed it). I would recommend this ONLY if you don't have issues with acne."

• Gir...
• September 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking Alesse for 3 months now, and my experience was very poor. There's a number of problems I had with this birth control pill. Number one is the nausea. Every day for the last couple of months, I would feel slight nausea to the point where I thought maybe I was pregnant. I took pregnancy tests a number of times because I was worried if maybe I was really pregnant. I did some research that the pills give you nausea, so I waited and continued taking it with food before taking it, and still, nothing worked. On top of that, I've gotten severe acne. I don't usually get acne, my skin is clear, but once I started taking the pill, my acne grew worse. It's really bad now. Lastly, the mood swings and period cramps, which were terrible."

• kat...
• November 2, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed this pill by my primary care physician. I complained to her about heavy, painful periods and bad acne, and just in general wanted to be on a birth control pill. Because Alesse is such a low dosage, she thought it would be good to start me on. If you have a history of bad acne or are wanting a pill to help with clearing up acne, do not take this pill. It is not good for acne. I have a history of acne and mine worsened a lot (tons of breakouts). However, I didn’t experience any other negative side effects; my periods were light and virtually painless. My friend is currently on this pill and she loves it—though she’s always had clear skin and has no complaints. I think it largely depends on the person. In all other ways, it’s good, with minimal side effects. Just remember to give it a fair try; side effects may subside after 3-6 months, and 1 month or less isn’t enough time to determine your body’s response to a BC pill."

• S M...
• June 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I originally started taking this BC (having never before taken any others) as an attempt to regulate my acne. It did help the acne on my back and chest a bit, but I did not notice it help clear up my face. So it was disappointing in that regard. HOWEVER, I love how it regulates my period nicely with very few--if any--side effects. No nausea, no cramps, etc. BUT to be fair, I never experienced those during my normal periods. I guess if you're just looking for a birth control pill that regulates irregular/heavy periods (mine went from 7 down to 4 days), this could be a pill for you to consider."

• Lex...
• September 28, 2015

For Endometriosis "My doctor prescribed me this birth control to help with the pain of endometriosis as mine was getting to be very painful. The first couple of months were rough: nausea, vomiting, terrible mood swings to the point of crying at commercials! I stuck with it though and eventually leveled out. It really helped with my periods and the pain to the point that I went from calling off work for periods to barely noticing them! They lasted 4 days and were not heavy or terribly crampy. BUTTTT... I have been on it for about 2 years and now I am getting side effects again in the form of terrible headaches every day, zero sex drive, and terrible cramps during and in between periods. Also, my periods have gotten heavy again so I am going off it."

• jna...
• September 12, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I just started this birth control to help my heavy flow and period cramps, and when I began my pack, I was happy with the results because I had less acne and I never felt achy or crampy. As soon as I started the sugar pills, I got my period, and my cramps continued to be as bad as they were before. Although my flow wasn't as heavy, my cramps were bad enough that I had to miss school and my extracurricular activities."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I spent almost 2 years on Alesse 28. My first couple of months were okay. I experienced severe nausea and gained 10 pounds but lost them shortly after. I took Alesse routinely at 10 pm. My first month on it I woke up with sweats, seeing 'stars' and started vomiting. I assumed it was a bug until it happened the following week again. My doctor told me to give it 3 months, so I did. This continued about once every 1-2 months at the same time during the night. I began living with Gravol in my back pocket until I had enough. I came off Alesse and have not had any midnight 'episodes' and feel so much better. It was effective in preventing pregnancy although I always use backup methods anyway. My periods were short and light and minor cramps."

• TDO...
• September 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for less than a month, and it's been awful - I wanted to see if it would help lessen the duration and heaviness of my period, but I'm terrified that it's going to make it worse - my acne has been out of control this past month. On my other pill, I would get the occasional pimple around the start of my period, but this is just ridiculous. I've been experiencing cramps and digestive problems all month and didn't think it would be the pill, but I'm switching back to Yaz. This stuff sucks."

• con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for 5 months now, and at the beginning it seemed to work effectively - regulating my periods, preventing pregnancy, as well as partially helping my acne. Although by the 3rd month, I started getting my period before the placebo pills, and it became irregular again, coming any time throughout the month... I'm now switching to a different pill, but all in all, the pill was okay when it was working. Although my periods were irregular, it still prevented pregnancy, so that's great. Only thing is that I gained around 5 lbs, and it didn't help with cramps or lightening my period, which is one of the reasons I went on it in the first place."

• Car...
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "Remember, hormone drugs do vary per person. A little about me so you can judge how relevant my review is: 20, 5'6", 120 lbs, never had regular periods before (2.5 weeks apart, other times 6 months apart), history of horrible acne, needed to take Accutane for a year. Was on another birth control before with Accutane (Marvelon or something like that) which caused major mood issues including diagnosed depression. Pros: periods like clockwork, slightly bigger breasts, no pregnancy scares. Med Effects: cramping (not terrible) on day 20 of cycle, slightly moodier week before period. Cons: slight vaginal dryness, periods are starting on day 14 of packs consistently (3/3 packs in a row) so maybe I'm just lucky I'm not pregnant."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for 6 years now, and I have never had any issues. No cramping, no acne, no weight gain. I highly recommend this birth control. 24 yr old."

• kfi...
• November 9, 2016

For Birth Control "My skin was great before and after starting Alesse! I've had no weight gain, and my periods are extremely light. I no longer need to use painkillers for menstrual pain, and my moods have been stable."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2009

For Birth Control "I was on it for 2 years and never had any problems. My periods were predictable, and it decreased my cramping and bleeding. I still had a period for 6 days, but with light bleeding, it's not that bad."