Amethia and Nausea: What Users Say

• Ria...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2021

For Birth Control "So I have been on Amethia for almost a month now, and I absolutely hate it. I was extremely nauseous for the first 3 weeks. I take Zoloft for anxiety, and I had to up my dose because the birth control was making me so anxious. Previous to starting Amethia, my Zoloft made me mostly lose my appetite, but now the birth control is making me so hungry all the time, and it’s horrible. I’m on my fourth week of the first pack, and I’ve had a mostly light period for about 8 days. They’ve stopped for the most part now, but for the first several days, I was having the most painful cramps in the morning and nighttime. I’ve noticed I’ve also become more tired. I realize I need to give it more time for my body to adjust, but right now, the threat of weight gain is really stressing me out, and I’m also worried my period will continue for weeks."

• jka...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2019

For Birth Control "The first 3 months of this Amethia pill were rough. I'm on it to control acne, cramps, breakthrough bleeds, skipping periods (while I'm on the copper IUD). I started a whole new regimen of vitamins and various other things because I felt nauseous every moment of the day. It felt like I was pregnant. Going into the second pack, I started to even out and enjoy the benefits that I was hoping for-cramp prevention. I have a copper IUD, and it sometimes throws a random huge cramp at me out of nowhere. This pill put a stop to it, and not having to juggle picking up a new pack every 3-4 weeks was nice-everything neatly tucked into one big pack. However, by the time my nausea subsided, I started breaking out a bit and gaining weight. I've just finished my third pack, and I've certainly put on several pounds since I started. I haven't changed my eating habits (other than eating less of everything). I honestly would stay on this drug if it weren't for the weight gain because cramping and breakthrough bleeds have become a very distant headache."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

For Birth Control "My gyno prescribed this pill to help with my menstrual cramps. My gyno warned that spotting was the most common side effect of this pill. The first four weeks, there was nothing, all was well, other than a little nausea while adjusting to the new pill. I started week 5, the first week in the second container, and instantly started spotting. At first, it was nothing serious, nothing a panty liner couldn't handle. About a week goes by, and the bleeding became much heavier. I'm now going through 3-4 tampons a day. Called the DR, and he said it's just my body getting used to it and to stick it out for the rest of the 3-month pack, and after that, my body should be adjusted. Wish me luck, the cramps and bleeding are worse now than before."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Amethia when my go-to birth control for at least 5 years wasn’t available (Amethyst). I started taking it as prescribed, and 5 days in I started experiencing menstrual cramps. They slowly started coming on more often, and by day 7, I was rudely awakened by profuse sweating and extreme cramping for 30 or so minutes. I am not one to easily feel nauseated, but this pain drew me to near vomiting. I was miserable and sitting on the floor waiting to throw up into the toilet when I finally, the cramp released, and I was covered in sweat. I admit, I have not tried many BC pills and have not strayed far from Lybrel/Amethyst in all the years I’ve taken the pill, so I have no idea if I was just sensitive or if anyone else experienced this. Needless to say, I quit taking this med and have been off hormonal BC for 4 months."

• Mgi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I started taking Amethia in September 2020. This was my first time taking birth control in 5 years. My first month on it, I had no symptoms other than spotting. My doctor recommended I go ahead and start my period early, so I did, and my spotting was not an issue anymore. Now I am 5 months in on the birth control, and I love it! I don’t seem to have any symptoms. All my symptoms were just in the first month of taking Amethia. I don’t notice any change in my skin, I don’t get headaches, and I don’t get nausea. I feel just like I did before I started taking birth control, with the extra benefit of not having periods."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2018

For Birth Control "Before starting Amethia Lo three-month packs, I was on ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone for four years. I switched due to increasingly worsened acne/PMS symptoms. I switched in August, it’s now November! At first, my acne got worse, and my face was very greasy for a couple of weeks, but now my skin is clearer than ever, which is a HUGE plus! In the second and third month, I spotted for three weeks straight, then nothing during the placebo week. I haven’t been sleeping as well as I used to, waking up during the night and having issues falling asleep. Now, in the first week of the fourth month, I have been mildly to moderately nauseous 24/7, I’m hoping this goes away! Otherwise, I’ll start taking it during the night rather than the morning, as I've read that can help. I plan to continue using Amethia Lo, but I’m really hoping this nausea goes away!"

• Chi...
• May 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I am new to birth control. I first took it when I was 19 and turned 20 shortly after. My first three months were hell. My nausea was terrible that I could not eat anything, engage in sexual activities without the urge of vomiting, and be dizzy. My period was very off. My body was almost on a whole month of just my menstrual cycle. It was nasty. HOWEVER, I decided to stay on it because those side effects are normal. On my second pack (4-6 months), my acne cleared up!!! Since I had gone through puberty at 11 and had acne since then, now my skin is like a baby again. My period is officially 2 weeks long (I begin spotting and gradually have a heavier flow). I have gained about 17 pounds, but I think that's because I stopped exercising rigorously since graduating high school."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2022

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control about 8 weeks ago. I have to say, I am not loving it. I was taking it first thing in the morning, but the headache and nausea were so bad, I switched to taking it at night. That seemed to help. Then, I started spotting. Every day. I was going through so many pads. It was not a lot, but enough that I needed a light pad, which is annoying. I am struggling to stay on this pill. I have a hard time falling asleep, and I wake up sweating. I am sure that is due to the fact that I take it at night before sleep. Either way, I am hoping these symptoms even out since I have been on them for 8 weeks now, and the first period I am supposed to have is coming up. If not, I will discontinue use."

• Taa...
• June 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I didn't have great experiences with this birth control. I've been using it for six months (Jan/Jun). Before my period, I had a lot of headaches, nausea; it was terrible. One month after my period, my ovaries started to hurt a lot, I had spotting, like brown (read super dark), migraines every day, I tasted iron in my mouth; it was terrible. I changed my birth control. Definitely, I don't have great experiences with it, including the price $$$$."

• Oh ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this birth control 3 months ago, currently on my 2nd pack, 1st month of it. I will be switching. My first 3 months I spent pretty much spotting and having a period every 2 weeks. I had one period (spotting large amounts) come and stay for 19 whole days, and I thought I was going to bleed to death. I hated it so much. I’ve gained 15 pounds since starting it. My breasts are so tender to the point I can’t really touch them. My acne got so bad, and I’ve stayed pretty nauseous. Even after changing it to taking it at night, I’m still so nauseous with it. I’m always tired, and very, very cranky and angry on it. I’d much rather have a regular period with regular BC pills and have one monthly than this."

• Ath...
• December 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I’m on my second month of my three-month cycle with Amethia, and I love it! The only real side effect I’ve had is a little bit of nausea, so I really can’t complain. My skin is actually clearer as well. No weight gain, no mood swings, no change in appetite, no sleeplessness, nothing! Really impressed so far."

• Jax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2020

For Birth Control "So, I am approaching my first period on this pill. After being off birth control for 2 years, I don't mind this one. I will suggest that you take it at nighttime. Most people get very nauseous on the pill. My first week taking it, I threw it up twice because I was taking it in the morning. I have been spotting nonstop for about half of this pack. Apparently, it can take 6 months for your body to get used to the every 3 months cycle, especially if you have a normal cycle. Overall, no crazy PMS anymore, and I haven't noticed any weight gain. Also, as a person with chronic migraines, I can't say this has made it better or worse."