Balcoltra and Bloating: What Users Say

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Started Balcoltra about 4 months ago. I was so scared with all the bad reviews, but my gyno put me on it, so I went with it. Other than a little breakthrough bleeding, I haven't had any major side effects. I noticed the cramps during my period lasted a little longer the first couple of months, but now on month 4, I can say that my period is shorter and lighter than what it used to be. No acne, no bloating or weight gain. I'm happy with it!"

• eg1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Balcoltra for 9 months. I am only 18 years old and was 17 when I started on this medication in hopes it would help with my acne. I have always had a fast metabolism and never gained a significant amount of weight in my life and have always been able to drop off weight fast. However, after taking this, I gained about 20 pounds after a few months and tried everything I could to lose it, but never did until I switched to a different birth control. Balcoltra makes you feel bloated 24/7, even when you first wake up in the morning. I also did not notice any change in my acne. I would NOT recommend this to anyone, UNLESS you want to gain weight."

• Kan...
• January 14, 2021

"Literally the worst birth control on the market. I’ve been off birth control for three years and got back on due to irregular menstrual cycles. Back in 2017, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen and only experienced minor bloating as a symptom. My gyno gave me this script because of the low hormones, but I highly regret it. When I started the first pack, I started breaking out like CRAZY! I kept going because I figured my body just might be getting used to the pack. Come week three, I have a full-blown period before I even reached the blue pills. Two weeks after that, I have developed insomnia, chronic fatigue to a point where I can hardly stay awake during the day, accompanied by nausea and extreme hunger both at the same time. To top it off, I’m moody as anything and have been super irritable. Let's not forget the huge mountains forming on my chin and cheeks still. Safe to say I’m switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen ASAP! Stay away, ladies."

• JTE...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Everyone's chemistry is different, and what works for one woman will not necessarily work for another. This is the third hormonal birth control I've tried, and the side effects have been the most manageable on this medication. First, it does what it claims it will do; I've been on it for about a year now and am not pregnant. ;) For me, the side effects have been mild, much milder than other BCs I've tried (generic patches and LO Loestrin FE). I do experience mood swings (generally irritability, sometimes lethargy) and bloating (which goes away during period week). Acne doesn't seem to be affected; it's slightly better than when I was taking nothing, but it does not keep my skin entirely clear. Periods are shorter than normal on this medication, and I don't experience cramping any more or less than typical."

• bir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Balcoltra because I was experiencing breakthrough bleeding on Sprintec and Tri-Sprintec. At first, Balcoltra was great -- had NO breakthrough bleeding or side effects for the first 3 months. For some reason, at month 4, I started experiencing breakthrough bleeding again, as well as lots of gastrointestinal problems, bloating, mood swings, acne -- you name it. It was very frustrating, but my doc encouraged me to keep with it for a few more months. During these months, the pill was very inconsistent. Sometimes, I'd have a great month with no breakthrough bleeding and short periods. Others, I'd have every side effect in the book. I also gained about 5 pounds, but that could be for a number of reasons, even though I eat very healthily and work out 5 days a week. I've finally decided to switch off Balcoltra and try something else."

• jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2020

For Birth Control "Terrible. Developed chronic oral thrush and yeast infections from Balcoltra that I was not experiencing before. Also noticed bloating and digestive issues as well. Definitely getting off as soon as possible."

• Oan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2020

For Birth Control "WORST PILL OUT THERE! I have never been on birth control but recently diagnosed with PCOS, so this was recommended by my GYN. I was on it for 1 week and had THE worst anxiety ever!! Also, I bloated up so bad it looked like I was pregnant all over again. I had random dizzy spells. After consulting with the doctor, I stopped taking it 2 days ago, and my chest is still in pain! I would never recommend it to anyone who is new to BC!"

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I needed to get on BC, and this was my first-ever prescription. Week 1 of the pills, I didn’t notice much-just tiny little pimples. Week 2 was absolutely horrible. Nauseous, always bloated, no motivation to do anything, weight gain, and the worst of all, dizzy all day, every day, and bad chest pains. I stopped taking the pill due to these side effects. Do not get on this BC!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

For Birth Control "DON’T use this! I’m 26. I’ve been on birth control (Ortho Tri-Cyclen) since I turned 20 with no major issues. I switched because of predisposition for heart conditions and blood clotting disorder, and Balcoltra is supposed to be lower in hormones. Gyno gave me 2 free packs. I don’t have insurance, and I quickly realized the pharmacy wanted to charge me $240 a month! I had already started taking them, so I figured I’d finish the free packs. Within maybe the first weeks, I had become extremely depressed and unmotivated. I’m usually a happy person, and I’ve never had issues with my body. I developed some sort of body dysmorphia. I lost my appetite and often skipped meals and somehow still managed to gain weight and had bloating. I started having severe acne, and I think I might be losing my hair too. I didn’t think it was the pill until the second month on it. I’m done with it now, but my recommendation is to save yourself the mental strain!"

• lex...
• November 16, 2020

For Birth Control "Balcoltra was my first form of birth control, and I just finished my third pack. For some reason, this birth control messed with my digestive system. After a couple of weeks, I noticed that I was really gassy, and my body looked like I was gaining weight. I realized it wasn't actually weight gain, but instead, I was having stomach issues. I had a lot of flatulence, bloating, and constipation that gradually got worse. I started taking expensive probiotics and being extra restrictive about what I was eating to make it go away. I tried cutting out food groups and only eating healthy, non-irritating foods, but nothing worked. This third month has been really bad, I'm constantly so bloated that I look pregnant, and it gives me stomach pain. It really messed with my body image, and being obsessive over what I eat consumes me. I'm really upset about this because other than that, Balcoltra has been perfect, maybe some mood swings, but that's it. Sadly, I have to switch to something else.:("

• cca...
• January 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I am coming up on the last pack of my 3-month supply. I would not recommend this brand to anyone. I got on birth control because my periods were incredibly irregular. Does it help regulate it? Yes. Balcoltra contains iron in it. Because of all that iron, you will feel bloated and have digestive issues. My acne was never bad, but after I started it, cystic acne started to show up. I thought birth control was supposed to reduce acne? After I’m done with this pack, I’ll be using a different brand."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2022

For Birth Control "I am about to start on the third month on it. I was also scared because of reviews and all. It was my first type of birth control. But honestly, so far I have not seen any side effects. Also, I have not yet felt any bloating, stomach pain, or any type of difference in my body. My periods are now lighter and shorter, and my cramps are gone. So good! I am happy so far!"

• Bro...
• April 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I switched to Balcoltra from Isibloom about 4 months ago. Since then, I’ve gained over 15 lbs, have had severe bloating, migraines, tender breasts, and horrible mood swings. Not to mention my acne is the worst it’s been since I was a teenager! It is awful! I’m on the verge of quitting birth control altogether because I’ve tried everything under the sun, and my OB said this was my last option! They said to finish my current pack and see if anything improves, but honestly, I would rather die than take it again."

• Jes...
• July 27, 2021

For Birth Control "At first, I felt that it definitely helped, light to normal bleeding, minor cramping, and my period start day was always on the same day of my pill pack and lasted 3-4 days max. I did have a week-long panic attack when I started it. Recently, I’ve been noticing some changes in myself mentally and physically. For instance, I’ve always been a bit paranoid, a big hypochondriac, moody, and short-fused, but for the past 2 years, I want to say it’s been pretty excessive, my stress level is horrid. I have never had anxiety, and I’ve recently been so anxious. I have noticed that I have been getting recurrent yeast infections since starting this. Another thing I have noticed is my start day has changed from the first placebo pill, now it’s the fourth. Along with this, it’s starting to last longer, about 5-7 days, with bad cramps and heavier bleeding. My skin has been having cystic breakouts. Lastly, I feel like this prescription has made my lower abdomen extremely bloated, not just during my period."