Alesse and Headaches: What Users Say

• Ivy...
• March 31, 2015

For Birth Control "This has been my first form of birth control, and so far, so good! I researched reviews on this one, which freaked me out. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I haven't had any nausea, headaches, or mood changes. I have been on it for about 2 weeks, so things could change, but I like it a lot so far. Also, the type of hormones in this pill does provide the lowest chance of more serious side effects like blood clots. This was something that was nice to know since I was so worried about those chances (even though I had no reason to be). Everyone is different, but just give it a chance! It's not as bad as you think it might be, and if it is, you can always change pills! Hope this helps those who are worried about starting BC :)"

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Just quit Alesse after 4 months. I tried to tough it out, but it just wasn't working. I was always hungry, then I would eat and feel constantly nauseous and bloated. I had no energy and felt tired, always wanting to eat sweet stuff. Didn't really gain much weight, just water weight around my hips and boobs (those were constantly sore as well), such bad mood swings and depressed and anxious often. Got lots of headaches, acne got worse (cystic acne on my chin, back, and chest), and lower sex drive. This is my first day without birth control (period will start in a few days), and I can honestly say that I feel so much better, which is weird because Alesse is 'ultra low dose hormones.'"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Avoid this birth control if you can. This was my first time going on birth control, and my doctor prescribed it because it apparently was a good 'starter birth control.' But the side effects were terrible. I had the common ones, headaches, nausea, etc. But the worst of all was that it gave me TERRIBLE anxiety, on top of depression. I got into a really dark place and was getting around 1-3 anxiety attacks per week. I also experienced terrible leg cramping, to the extent that I paid the hospital a visit because it was so bad, and there was the fear that it may be a blood clot. There are so many better birth control options out there."

• Mis...
• August 8, 2014

For Birth Control "First time, first month on Alesse 28! This first month on Alesse has been really something. I have had really no side effects except the odd feeling weird until about 4 days ago. I started bleeding with 5 days left on the pill and feeling nauseous with a headache here and there, fatigued, and achy everywhere! While I'm still able to eat, I have no energy and feel like crap all the time... Will this get better going into the second month? The cramps start off heavy then get lighter, it's really off and on, but for my period right now, it's a bit lighter than before, but I haven't seen a big difference yet? Is this because it's only the first month? Just wanted to share my experience because it's really been something!"

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I was skeptical after reading the many negative views, but now I'm on month three, and here's what I have to say (every body is different, ps): The first month was hard. I broke out and got back acne. I was exhausted to the point of fatigue (and a real weird eye twitch). I had a few moments of intense nauseousness and a couple headaches. My first period week was rough - my energy levels depleted immensely, and I was an emotional crybaby. My boobs grew a lot, which was fabulous. And I even noticed my nails and skin (I have really dry, dry skin) and hair all strengthen and become healthier. By month three, everything subsided, and I feel back to normal, with healthier nails even ;) Give it time - at least three months to see if it works!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2014

For Birth Control "I started on Alesse when I was 15, and it was the first birth control pill I had ever used. The first night, I got awful headaches, and they carried on for the rest of the week. After that, I became very moody, and just about anything could make me cry. Honestly, that was the worst part, I've never been more moody and sad in my life. After about four months, I began getting two periods a month, and I finally got fed up and switched pills."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Alesse 28 is the first birth control pill my doctor prescribed and the only pill I have ever taken and am still currently taking. I chose to go on the pill because I believe it is the best option and the most convenient for me to prevent pregnancy while regulating my period. My average period cycle is 36-39 days and tends to be more irregular than most. I have been on the pill for almost 2 weeks now, and so far, so good. My body seems to have adjusted well to Alesse 28. The only side effects I experienced were very mild headaches and nausea during the first 2 days of starting the pill. I also experienced a little breast tenderness during the first week. But no mood swings or weight gain/loss. Overall, a great birth control pill."

• Snj...
• May 8, 2017

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2016

For Birth Control "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."

• Ano...
• February 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I was taken off of Yaz and put onto this because it was causing me migraines with aura. I have been on it for a couple of years now, I'd say. I never really noticed it until my boyfriend mentioned to me how I never am 'in the mood' anymore. We used to have a very steady sex life together, and now maybe 1 time a month. I went to the doctor a while ago, and she ran blood tests on me, and they came back that my iron is severely low. I've never had that before until I started taking this pill. I also seem to get angry very easily and upset easily. I'm not saying that's the pill's fault, but I was never like that before I started taking it. I started getting regular headaches again, so my doctor switched me to a different brand that I have yet to try."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Took Alesse for about 9 months. The only good thing is that it made my period less painful, but besides that, it gave me bad headaches, completely lost my sex drive, and made me irritable (mood swings). Most recently, it caused me to have depression, which I had never experienced until now. So I stopped taking it and felt like my normal self again within 2 days of stopping it."

• ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill about 3 years ago. At first, I wanted to use it as a birth control and to clear up my acne (which wasn't that bad; I had light to moderate acne with no cysts). However, my acne got a lot worse (severe cystic acne), and I didn't know it was from that pill. I had acne like I never had before, and I started experiencing violent headaches (at least 1 or 2 per week). I tried a lot of treatments for acne, but none of them worked. Due to a breakup with my ex-boyfriend from the last 5 years, I stopped the pill about 3 months ago. Honestly, my face cleared up now, and it's as smooth as a baby's butt! Also, I never experienced headaches again since I stopped that pill. So yeah, that pill did its job as a birth control, but it wasn't the great one for me, and it's too bad that I realized it 3 years later!"

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I tried the generic brand of Alesse called AlySensa 28 for 3 months, and I can safely say it's been the absolute worst 3 months of my life. I experienced almost all possible side effects: painful cramping, increased bleeding, headaches, body pain, mood swings, panic attacks, everything. I also never had this birth control actually regulate my period, my period came when it wanted and was just super heavy and incredibly painful, and I had some major mood swings, which is not even close to normal for me. Although, I didn't get pregnant, so there's that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2018

For Ovarian Cysts "Nonstop bleeding for 3 months after having a regular period for 30+ years. Anxiety, depression. Headache, nausea. Increased facial hair, breast size, and retained water. Would NEVER recommend. 3 days after I stopped taking it, my mental health immediately stabilized, but the 'breakthrough bleeding' continues. Glad I survived this preposterous experiment. Should be a class action suit!"

• Jc4...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2017

For Birth Control "Started taking Alesse 4 months after first baby. Within the first 24 hours, I developed a headache. For a week, I took my pill at the same time every day. On day 7, my headache had become unbearably bad. By the next morning, I started pain puking, unable to open my right eye. I went into emergency at the hospital and was treated for a migraine... a migraine was not what the problem was. I have a blood clot in my brain caused by being on this pill for 1 week. I am now on blood thinners and treatment for the clot. Luckily, I did not keep waiting for what I thought was my body adjusting to this BC. I saved my life by going to the hospital."

• Xcv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for almost 4 months now. The first month I had breakthrough bleeding, no other side effects other than that. The third and 4th month was when the side effects all hit me at once: bloating, weight gain, slight headaches, and uncomfortable cramps. My period has gotten a lot lighter, but I am thinking of switching if these side effects still occur."

• Ale...
• March 28, 2016

For Ovarian Cysts "I was on Alesse for two full months. I had breakthrough bleeding for the entire first month. Throughout the two months, I was nauseous, had stomach cramps, and had terrible headaches two to three times a week. I have never had a problem with headaches before, and these were unbearable. I had night sweats, and worst of all, my depression and anxiety became the worst that I have ever seen them. Whenever I went on the 7 days of sugar pills, my mood would improve. It worked wonders as a contraceptive, and it got rid of my hormonal acne, which is the reason I went on it. However, I'll deal with the acne because it's better than me wanting to die. This won't happen to everyone because I do have other mental health issues."

• Ban...
• January 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on and off Alesse for 3/4 years, and aside from the headaches, it's been a smooth ride. I also gained some weight, but it went to the right places, so no complaints, haha. If you get headaches from the birth control, try changing the time to taking it before bed. I stopped getting headaches that way, I guess I'm sleeping through them. Also, the best plus was my boobs became super full, so overall very happy with it. Disclaimer: just because one birth control works for one person doesn't mean it'll be the same, my friend didn't like Alesse, so truthfully it just depends on your body's makeup."

• not...
• August 15, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Second BC pill I've tried. First one had headaches and double vision. Since I've started Alesse, I have had a swollen ankle and leg pain. So today was my last dose, and off to my doctor again. Used to be on BC pills for years with no problems."

• 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."

• Lpe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2018

For Endometriosis "I've been taking this BC pill for about 4 months now (on my 4th month pack, day 5), and I can tell you that the side effects are horrible and have yet to get any better. I've been having nasty headaches, insomnia, REALLY BAD depression (never been this badly depressed before), major mood swings (never had mood swings before), and days where I'm nauseated 24/7. I can hardly function. The only thing it has helped was lessen my period pain. I feel like this pill is ruining my life more than the pain I was experiencing during my period that put me in bed for 2-3 days. I'm looking to get off of it ASAP, and will be scheduling an appointment with my doctor very soon."

• Des...
• April 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I just started taking Alesse, but I was using it before. Due to lack of money, I had to go off and come back on again. I'm constantly spotting from a lot to a little in a matter of hours. I'm a lot more snappy than I have ever been. I get sassy quickly. Headaches almost all the time."

• Hel...
• August 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I've only been on this pill for two days. That's why I gave it 5 stars, and I know it's a bit rushed, but oh boy. I've had an insane headache all day. I also feel very nauseous, like I could throw up any minute. My heart is also pounding pretty fast and hard. Not sure what that's about, but if it doesn't fix within a month, I'll definitely be discontinuing this brand."