Camrese for Birth Control User Reviews
Camrese has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 111 reviews for the treatment of Birth Control. 34% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 35% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Camrese
- suprach
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- March 1, 2016
"I was on Seasonique for a year or two, and then a generic was made available, and I switched to Camrese. I've been on Camrese for at least 5-6 years, and it is truly awesome for me. But here's my advice to everyone: Spotting. I spotted occasionally on Camrese/Seasonique, and yes, it's normal. But what my doctor told me and I have shared with friends experiencing the same is to stop your pill for 4 days. Allow the spotting to happen just as if it was a period, and then resume your pill. Be smart: use backup birth control those days. I found not always taking it at the same time, within 2 hours, to be the cause of the spotting. I've taken roughly 5 different pills over the past 10 years, and Camrese worked best for me. But everyone is different!!"
- 097
- February 6, 2016
"I'm currently taking Camrese. I had no complaints my periods are shorter and bearable and my face is clear. I thought I was perfectly content until I realized a few things. I have night sweats, my boobs hurt, I've gained like 20 pounds and I think I am depressed"
- Arden...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- August 30, 2016
"The first 6-8 months on this pill were not fun. But if you talk to any doctor about this type of pill, they will all tell you the same thing: it can take up to a year for your body to adjust, and you MUST take it every day at the same time!!! I spotted a lot during the first few months but after about 6-8 months, everything settled down. I now get a period every 3 months, and it's very very light. All those reviews that only know what it's like the first few weeks need to either remove their review or stick it out because I am very happy with this pill now that I've been on it for over 2 years."
- Tano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 23, 2019
"I was very excited to start this and get a hold of my endometriosis.. but as soon as I started this I started breaking out, gaining weight, couldn’t sleep anymore, my anxiety became so much worse than it had been, bleeding every day, cramping off and on and headaches... it has made me feel crazy and I just stopped taking it. I’m praying this goes away fast. I am highly disappointed"
Are you taking this medicine?
- Lornie
- July 2, 2017
"I've been on this for about three months now. The first month and a half were great. No mood swings, no spotting or headaches, or depression, but then I got into my third month and was experiencing breakthrough bleeding a lot and then had several blood clots. And I am still having spotting. I've been depressed, acne is horrible, I have horrible food cravings, not to mention awful cramps to where I can't even move. I want to continue and try to see if it gets better, but I am just having the worst time with this and am miserable that I am over taking this. I know for some it has worked and maybe if I stick it out it will get better but I have no interest in continuing with this bc."
- aem
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- September 23, 2014
"Started taking Camrese to combat PMS-related anxiety, and it totally leveled me out. Now I take it for contraceptive purposes and it has worked great. I gained 20 lbs the first time on it, went off, lost some of the weight, went back on it, and haven't gained since. No spotting after the first pack, once my body was regulated. The dose of constant hormones really helped me feel in control and normal again."
- Druqs
- September 30, 2014
"I developed terrible depression taking this medication. The first month and a half were fine, even energizing. I actually slept less and felt more alert the first few weeks.The first two nights I took the pill I only slept 4 hours, and woke up sweating and then couldn't sleep the rest of the night. This side effect went away, and then all was pretty normal for awhile. Then I felt myself slowly slipping into a funk. It started with a negative attitude towards things I used to enjoy, and progressed into terrible depression. I suspected the pill, and the day after the 3 months ended, I felt immediately better and happy again. It was like day and night. I went back to Nuvaring after this experience."
- Pam...
- November 8, 2016
"My daughter was on this birth control for a few years. I lost her to a pulmonary embolism last year. She was only 19. Do I feel this pill played some part in what happened absolutely. Be careful and weigh your options. I took birth control and not for one minute did I think this would happen but everyone's body acts differently and tolerates things differently. There needs to be a safer way for young girls."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 9, 2012
"I had never been on birth control and just 6 weeks after having my little boy I was placed on this birth control. This pill has given me such headaches that I had to start taking the product around 8 in the evening so that it wouldn't bother me. I have also not been able to lose any weight on this. I have been regularly exercising and eating under 1200 calories and not lost a pound. The side effects have pushed me to have to switch birth control."
- Kimsom
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 3, 2015
"I just wish the bleeding would stop. It's light, but annoying. I took Seasonique before and I loved the comfort of having only 4 periods a year. I just hope I can make it long enough for this discomfort to end. I'm on my third month and the bleeding started 3 weeks ago."
- K9ano
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- September 26, 2018
"I was on Camrese for a few years. I absolutely loved it since I only got my period every 3 months and I wouldn't have to worry about it besides then. The only reason I got off of this pill is because I had a blood clot scare so I decided to stop taking birth control with estrogen. If this wasn't a risk, I would be more than happy with taking Camrese for longer since I had such good results with it. Upon ending this BCP, I have noticed breast tenderness, more happiness, and more PMS effects. My period started a few days right after taking my last pill too. If you can look past the blood clot, stroke, and heart attack risk with the combined pill, I would definitely recommend Camrese!"
- L0000
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 2, 2017
"I've been on the Camrese three month birth control for a total of 6 months now. The first three month pack did not go too well, which is why I gave it an eight for a rating. After the first month, I spotted heavy enough to ruin underwear, but not enough to use a pad/tampon, up until month three when it was time for my actual period. I would have specific periods of sadness as well, but no weight gain. But, I decided to see if it got any better. IT DID! My second three month pack, I did not have any spotting, and there is no weight gain with me, or mood swings that I have noticed. I have fallen in love with this birth control."
- hope...
- July 31, 2012
"I am taking this to try and prevent 9-15 monthly migraines. I do not need it for birth control, I've had a tubaligation, and a uterine ablation to prevent extremely heavy menstrual cycles. I am on week 9 of this medicine. On week 2 to the present I've had extreme left breast tenderness and nausea, week 3-5 I had gross brown discharge, on week 5 to present I've had a heavier than normal menstrual cycle. My Dr says to give it time, that it takes sometimes at least 3-6 months. If this was just for birth control I would have switched because, there are so many other options available. I am waiting this out only because I have such severe migraines. I am still having migraines but, there not as severe."
- Mia
- July 22, 2018
"I love Camrese. Before I started taking it I had a lot of acne. After being on it for a few weeks, my skin cleared up completely. I get a pimple every now and then but I think it’s from other reasons. My excruciating pains from my periods have significantly decreased. I’ve been on it for about a year now. I haven’t gained any weight, I’m not emotional anymore, Iibido is the same, BUT.. I have one complaint. I’m STILL having breakthrough bleeding! I thought it was just my body being stupid & forcing periods because of my irregular normal periods w/o the pill, but I’ve read a lot of the same type of complaints. It’s once a month. It's about 7 days of bleeding, (warning, TMI) and it’s not normal blood, it’s dark brown. It’s very very irritating and it stresses me out! I specifically got on this pill to stop my periods and here I am having them still. It’s a huge deal for me, if this wasn’t happening, would rate this pill 100/10."
- Naebae
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 23, 2016
"I have only been taking camrese for 2 weeks and i have been bleeding ever since. I was told by my doctor to take it the first day of my period which i did. Now usually my periods last 3-4 days. very little cramping if any and usually moderate to light. Since taking this i feel like my guts are going to fall out, The first few days i started having weird cramps in my upper stomach which felt like contractions when you are going to give birth than when that went away i would get normal cramping which i dont really care about but every other day my bleeding is different. One day the bleeding can be very light and feels like its going to stop than later that night or the next i would be gushing to where i have to wear a tampon and a pad."
- EmiSue
- March 22, 2017
"I'm 6 weeks into this pill. I have PMDD and treat it with other Medication but it makes me sad and depressed even with the other medication. The anxiety is through the roof. This pill makes me so tired. I also have horrible night sweats every night. I also can't sleep. The insomnia is awful. Headaches everyday. I have spent the last month trying to figure out what my deal was and its this awful pill. I thought I may of had another condition. The idea of 4 periods a year is amazing but this pill just isn't worth it. I am stopping this pill ASAP and hoping that everything returns to normal in a few days. Oh and the fact that I have completely lost my sex drive! Yeah that sucks too. I just want to sleep and not sweat at night."
- Briea...
- October 4, 2015
"I have been on this birth control for two months now. The first month I had no bleeding. The first day that I started the second month I started bleeding and I have been bleeding every single day since. It's freaking miserable!!!"
- AmyD
- December 2, 2013
"Only on day 7 of this pill and my chest, back and face are broken out completely! I have bumps literally everywhere. Little clusters of bumps are popping up too! My breasts are starting to hurt and I've had bad menstrual cramps today! I'm also super emotional as well. Cried all evening for no reason and got so mad I thought my chest was going to explode. So mood swings are definitely a side effect. Maybe I'll see some better effects in the next month!"
- Tina
- November 5, 2015
"Been taking this for a year and my body never regulated to it. I spotted through almost the whole pack, every single time. Sexual intercourse became painful for me. This has personally been the worst experience with birthcontrol for me. I thought it would have been nice having a 91 day cycle, but given that I have bled through over 65 days of it, it is just absolutley not worth it."
- Insane...
- November 28, 2015
"Good birth control for preventing against pregnancy. However, I thought it would be great to only have period sometimes. I was wrong! I had my period all of the time literally. It got to the point where I had it for a full month with only a couple days without it!! Only take if you for sure have a regulated period with birth control."
- Briana
- October 27, 2015
"This is the generic version of Seasonique. I had been on Seasonique up until I Got pregnant, which was about 6 years. After I gave birth, my doctor put me on Camrese. For the longest time I thought the terrible side effects were because I gave birth. 2 years later, I am realizing it is Camrese. I have been tired non stop, depressed, super emotional over the most simple things, have gained 15 pounds that I can't seem to shake, headaches, and my appetite has increased. I would not recommend getting this birth control. I will be switching back to Seasonique tomorrow, it never gave me any problems!"
- J Tri...
- March 6, 2017
"I have been on Camrese for 2+ years and I am very happy with it- I ask for this specific brand every time I refill and won't accept anything else. For me Camrese has not caused any weight gain whereas other extended cycle brands did cause weight gain, acne, and constant/heavy break through bleeding. I did have to be patient through the first several months for mild spotting to cease being an issue with Camrese. Understand that extending your cycle from the typical 28 days to nearly 90 days does take time for your body to get used to. As I adjusted to Camrese if mid-cycle spotting lasted for more than a day or two I would simply take a week off from the pills and allow myself to have a period before picking back up with the pills again."
- Flowe...
- August 6, 2014
"I've spent 11 months on Camrese and it's been great. No period, my acne and mood swings were under control. I had occasional spotting, and over the course of the past year I've gained 10 lbs (with no other lifestyle changes), which are the only reasons I will be discussing changing medication with my doctor."
- bbehr
- January 19, 2017
"Everything was okay until the end of the first pack. Then, I spotted for 2 months straight. I am now having my period, and it is just like how they were before the medicine, only with more cramps. I usually have awful cramps the first day, then they go away. I'm 3 days in and the cramps haven't gotten better. I am remaining hopeful for the next 3 month set though."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
Learn more about Birth Control
- Antibiotics and Birth Control Pill Interactions
- Birth Control and Alcohol: Do They Interact?
- Birth Control Guide
- Birth Control Pills and Your Period
- Birth Control Pills: Why Do I Get Breakthrough Bleeding?
- Emergency Contraception: What You Need to Know
- Grapefruit and Birth Control Pills: Your Questions Answered
- Hormonal Birth Control Methods (Non-Pill Options)
- Missed your birth control pill? Here's what to do
- Non-hormonal Methods of Birth Control
- Permanent Birth Control Methods
Medicine.com guides (external)
More about Camrese (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: contraceptives
- En español
Patient resources
Other brands
Vienva, Aviane, Lutera, Seasonique, ... +48 more
Professional resources
Other brands
Vienva, Aviane, Lutera, Seasonique, ... +47 more
"Taking this pill was an awful experience. Everything was going fine until right around the time that I started the second month of it, and since then, I have had nasty breakthrough bleeding ever since then! (Not to mention the breast soreness, leg cramps, and depression.) I'm finishing the pill this week, and it hasn't gotten any better or worse. So basically, I've had my period for 8 weeks straight."