Amethia and Spotting: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2019

"I have been on Amethia contraceptive pill for about a month and a half. At first, everything was going great with no side effects. Now, for the last 2 weeks, I have had nothing but heavy spotting that seems more like a light flow period. The blood is dark brown, almost blackish in color, with a lot of blood clots, and the cramping is terrible. I'm really trying to stick it out, but I don't know how much longer I can take it. I switched from Generess FE to this because that pill was starting to give me month-long periods. I really hope things don't end up being the same with this new one. I'm also super moody and cranky. Has anyone else had any success? Does the spotting last for much longer?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I do not recommend this pill. I’m officially getting off it today. I have had nothing but issues with it. The first three months, I was experiencing “spotting,” although I’m not sure what they consider spotting because this was a lot. Then it ended for about 3 weeks, then spotting reoccurred. So I was told to go off the pill for a week to let my body do its thing and then go back on. Did that and was fine for about 3 weeks, and now I’m back to spotting. It’s like instead of getting my period once a month, it’s like I’m not getting my period once a month. Every 3 weeks, I get a break, and then it’s back to bleeding. It’s not fair, and it’s not something I recommend."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Amethia for 2 years now (I am 24 years old). The first 3 months were tough, as your body gets used to it; you will have spotting for about half of that time. After that, it seemed to be working as expected. Do not ever forget a pill in the first 6 months, or you will have another period. Once I hit the 9-month mark, if I missed a day or two, then I would be fine to continue taking them without issue. It is worth the rough patch in the beginning. Going 3 months without a period is amazing; I get to enjoy my entire summer without dealing with one. I never had a problem with mood swings, acne (what I did have went away after taking this), or weight gain."

• Moj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

For Birth Control "My mail prescription pharmacy switched me twice in 6 months from Seasonique to Camresse to this, saying my insurance. But anyways, my side effects started the 1st week in the first pack. Just ended my period the week before - this one was back with a vengeance. Flow was so heavy I went through a pack of pads in less than 5 days, and none of my natural remedies worked. Cramps were unbearable and made my legs go numb. Period goes away after a week. No spotting in week 2. Spotting comes back to the point of a light period in week 3 with cramps. Just finished out week 4, still spotting after attempting some sexual activity, where that got ruined too. Got the night sweats like I have menopause too. DO NOT take this, especially after you originally have been on Seasonique or Camresse - it will ruin everything!!!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I've taken other generic versions of this before. Camrese made me gain weight, and while I was okay in the short term, I began experiencing depression in the long term. I've just finished my first 3-month cycle, and overall I am happy with Amethia. One big pro: it cleared up my skin a lot, more than any acne medication I have ever tried. For that reason alone, I'd probably keep taking it. The first month I had more intense mood swings than I normally do, but by the end of the 2nd month, everything seemed back to normal. I did experience spotting and slight cramping my 3rd month, but not nearly as severely as I usually cramp, and it went away. I'm hoping my next 3-month cycle the spotting and mood swings will go away completely."

• 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."

• 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."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm halfway through week nine on this medication and have no complaints at all. I've had absolutely no spotting or cramping. I had bad hormonal acne before starting this pill (I was not on any birth control prior to taking Amethia), but now I rarely break out except for a few stress-related pimples in the past couple of weeks. I haven't had a period on this yet, but so far my body has taken to this medication very well. No weight gain or mood changes either that I have noticed!"

• Deb...
• May 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm on the 10th week of my first 3-month cycle. So far, this pill seems quite good, other than spotting, which stopped once I started taking it within the same 5 minutes every day. I recently had spotting again, which my doctor advised to take 2 pills daily for 3-5 days until it stopped. It now stopped completely. I did have period cramps after 2 months, which should have been my period timing. I also have a huge increase in appetite, but I'm not sure if it's from the pill or just from switching my job to part-time and being home more. I plan to continue using this for a while."

• ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this birth control for 2-ish years and have no complaints. Since I’ve started this BC, I've had like 1, maybe 2 painful periods, other than that, I have almost no side effects from periods. Sometimes I will begin to spot during the 3rd month of the pill pack, but I understand that it has been roughly 80 days since my last period, and my body knows it’s time for another one. The only thing I really have to say is, if you are really nervous and anxious about pregnancy, I wouldn’t fully recommend this. Waiting 3 months for a period can be stressful, especially if you are sexually active. I’ve had my trouble with scares while waiting for the next placebo week, but it’s all just been in my head. I love this medication!"

• 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."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Amethia low three-month pack. The first month of taking the birth control, I got the common side effect of depression but kept taking it. It got better with time, and I thought it was actually working pretty well with my body. Boy, was I wrong; once I started my second month, I started to spot. I have never spotted in my entire life, so I didn’t know what was going on. By the time my period was supposed to happen, I just kept spotting, not getting my period. I was freaking out, thinking I was pregnant because I was experiencing the first trimester symptoms. Not pregnant, just still spotting. I got woken up in the morning with the worst stomach pain of my entire life; it felt like I was getting stabbed and punched in my lower abdomen. I have been spotting for eight days now, and I just want it to stop."

• Mee...
• February 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I have nothing but great results from these pills. I was put on Amethia when I was 15 for very heavy and extremely painful periods, so bad I would live on a heating pad for a week and miss school or work a few days each month. I've been taking it for 8 years now and have not had any noticeable side effects: no spotting, moodiness, weight gain, or acne. My periods are much lighter and shorter, much more manageable. My only complaint is the price, normally, my insurance covers it fully, but between coverage when my deductible resets, I end up paying close to $300 for a 3-month cycle pack."

• Ede...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Absolutely the worst birth control I have ever taken. I was on Jolessa for years to regulate my heavy periods and help with cystic acne, I never had any issues. Light period every 3 months and clear skin. When I switched jobs, my doctor prescribed this because it’s cheaper without insurance, and I had to wait 90 days for insurance to start. The side effects have been horrible. I started bleeding the second week of taking this pill, and it has not stopped, it has been almost 2 months. Supposedly “spotting,” but it’s heavy and requires multiple pads/tampons daily. Forget sleeping, having sex, or wearing any nice pants. Also, the cystic acne that was treated with Accutane years ago and Seasonique has kept at bay is back, worse than it has ever been. I have at least 5-7 large, painful, cystic pimples on my face at any given time. So, in conclusion, if you want your period 365 days a year and horrible acne, this is a great choice. I stopped taking it, it’s not worth it."

• 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."