Balcoltra and Cramps: 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!"

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Balcoltra is the first birth control that I’ve ever been on. The first 2-3 months, I had really bad headaches and bad mood swings that would come after taking the pill at night, and I was about to call my doctor to switch off of it. The only other side effect symptoms that I’ve noticed are my breasts becoming tender, headaches every now and then, mood swings, and abdominal cramping. Over the months, it’s gotten a lot better, and I really can’t complain about Balcoltra. It’s helped my acne, and I still sometimes get those other symptoms, but it’s not often, so it’s bearable. It’s a lot better than I expected it to be."

• Bal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I’m usually not one to leave bad reviews, but I’ve been on 3 different pills, and this was the worst experience I have ever had. Cystic acne on my jawline, neck, cheeks, back, and chest. 2 periods every month. Made my suicidal thoughts so much worse. Horrible cramps and super heavy period. MAJOR hair loss and scalp issues (that stopped immediately after I stopped taking it). I took it for 3 months, but I should have listened to the reviews before I started taking it. Everyone’s experience is different, but I would 100% not risk it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2021

For Birth Control "This is my first time ever being on birth control. I’m not sure how other brands work, but this brand really works for me. It helped with acne, lighter and shorter periods, less cramps, and everything."

• Roa...
• March 4, 2021

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control I've ever taken. I was prescribed this due to abnormal bleeding I had prior, and it was supposed to “regulate” my period. It worked for about 4 weeks, and I started bleeding again. When I tell you I've become depressed! I was bleeding for about 4 weeks, HEAVY! Heavy blood clots. I went to the gyno to get switched, and they told me this brand is designed to make you bleed compared to other birth control, which stops your period! Overall, this is the worst birth control, I wouldn't recommend! I kept cramping, it's just ridiculous."

• Bal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I have lost count of how many birth controls I have been on at this point to manage my period pain. I will generally skip my blue pills and start a new pack to avoid my period symptoms, as recommended by my doctor. This birth control, however, has caused SEVERE cramping and bleeding. I am on my third month of this pill and am currently up at 4 am writing this review since the pain woke me up. This has nowhere near made a dent in my normal pain, if not made it way worse. I have taken multiple pills over the past ten years, and this is one of the first times I’ve experienced this kind of pain so early since I am now only three months into taking it. I have a consultation for endometriosis surgery in May, so ladies, if you are having similar symptoms of endo, I suggest staying away."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I really don't know how to feel about this pill. My doctor prescribed it to me after being diagnosed with PCOS and to help regulate my periods. I had very long, heavy periods, and this was to regulate my cycles. The first month of taking it was fine. I didn't experience any adverse side effects, besides some breast tenderness and occasional cramps at random with no spotting. No weight gain, and my mood actually became better. However, during the placebo week, the cramps that came with my period put me in the ER. TERRIBLE CRAMPS while taking Balcoltra. They're more intense than I ever experience in my life."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched to this BC pill because I wasn't getting my period and was starting to have a low sex drive. I took this for 3 months, and I experienced the worst side effects ever. I started having cramps while on the pill, off the pill, and while being intimate with my boyfriend. I got headaches every time I was on my period, and I completely blew up like a balloon (went up 2 jean sizes). To top it off, I completely lost my sex drive (which was initially one of the reasons my doctor switched me to this BC pill). I also experienced my very first anxiety attack ever. I know everyone's body is different, but I had horrible side effects to this pill."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2022

For Birth Control "This is truly the worst possible birth control ever. I started this when I was 15, and I immediately noticed poor acne on my face that I never got before. It made me really depressed, anxious, and angry at small things. I had terrible period cramps on this pill, I even had an ovarian cyst, which was extremely painful. This pill was awful for me, and it's different for everyone, but it did not help me at all."

• Whi...
• February 4, 2022

For Birth Control "Went to the gyno about chronic yeast infections, and all I was told was to stop wearing tight pants and cut caffeine. The doctor then fixated on the fact that I’m married and not on BC. I had no insurance, and instead of prescribing me something affordable, she gives me a few sample boxes of Balcoltra. The nurse who retrieved these boxes had a look of concern on her face, and I should have walked away from the whole situation. I gave them a try instead. The first week was fine, but then spotting began, followed by six straight days of the worst period pain I’ve ever felt. This was also during COVID lockdown (the least stressed six weeks of my life). I was in the middle of writing a novel, and all of a sudden my brain was too foggy to think. The pain was excruciating, and all of a sudden I was depressed and borderline suicidal. Upon nearly crashing my car into the side of a bridge, I stopped taking them. And everything went right back to normal. These pills are not okay."

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this for a month, and it really works for me! I was very nervous about depression/anxiety side effects since I struggled with both as a teen, however, I haven’t had any major mood side effects. I also used to have a really heavy period, and this lightened it up. My cramps were a bit worse than usual, but honestly, considering all the other PMS symptoms it alleviated, I don’t think it’s an issue. No weight gain or other side effects either."

• Lot...
• June 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Strong headaches the first 2 months. I NEVER get headaches. Random cramping here and there, easy to manage, no breakthrough bleeding. My period became longer and less painful, but the mood swings and cravings intensified. I started getting acne and bad scars, but I found that 10% benzoyl peroxide helps! I skip the bottom row of pills, so my period is sometimes longer and less noticeable bleeding."