Camrese and Cramps: What Users Say

• hey...
• February 2, 2014

For Birth Control "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."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

• Lor...
• July 2, 2017

For Birth Control "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."

• Nae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2016

For Birth Control "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. Then, when that went away, I would get normal cramping, which I don't really care about, but every other day my bleeding is different. One day the bleeding can be very light and feels like it's going to stop, then later that night or the next, I would be gushing to where I have to wear a tampon and a pad."

• bbe...
• January 19, 2017

For Birth Control "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."

• Mai...
• November 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I loved this birth control. I've been on 5 or so different pills, but this is the best so far. Only complaint is the intense cramps around the time of my period. My period lasts 6 days with normal bleeding and painful cramps. The cramps are bad but not strong enough to stop taking them, especially because they only occur every 3 months. I think the reason for my positive time on the pills was because I've been on steady birth control for 4 years straight. Sad news, I've had to change to non-estrogen birth control because of my high blood pressure. I miss this so much, lol."

• Mai...
• November 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I loved this birth control. I've been on 5 or so different pills, but this is the best so far. Only complaint is the intense cramps around the time of my period. My period lasts 6 days with normal bleeding and painful cramps. The cramps are bad but not strong enough to stop taking them, especially because they only occur every 3 months. I think the reason for my positive time on the pills was because I've been on steady birth control for 4 years straight. Sad news, I've had to change to non-estrogen birth control because of my high blood pressure. I miss this so much, lol."

• sni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2016

For Birth Control "When I first started this medication, the whole first month, I would feel super nauseous and sick. This continued for about a month. I had no spotting at all until the 3rd month. My spotting lasted about 3 weeks until I finished my first 3 months and had my first period. Those would be the only downsides this has given me. The positives, though, are that I have had zero cramps, which is huge considering I used to have horrible ones. It has also cleared up all my acne, and my periods only last about 3 days. I have been on this for about 5 months now, and it is great to me."

• she...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this medication for a little over a year now to prevent my period altogether, as I used to have extremely painful cramping, and it has made my life so much easier. The first pack of the pills (3 months) was mostly fine, no major mood swings or weight gain, however, at the end of the third month, I did experience about 12 days of very painful cramping and light spotting, which is not typical for me. However, since then, I've not experienced any cramping or bleeding, which has been amazing. I'd highly recommend this medication, though be prepared for a bit of an adjustment period during the beginning."

• Ama...
• June 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking this BC for 6 years. There is still spotting, very randomly, and cramping. I get constant mood swings. I take it at night and feel super hungry in the morning, but just eat breakfast and I'm fine. My weight is normal. I would say it works great as it's supposed to, just a few side effects."

• Sst...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2015

For Birth Control "At first, the Camrese was great. It successfully treated my cramping, mood swings, and acne. The first two cycles, I did experience some spotting, but it decreased and eventually ended. For about another 6-9 months, I experienced nearly no problems with the Camrese. A little over a year from starting the Camrese, I began to get significant spotting (and I would take the pill at the EXACT same time every day). I also began to develop an insatiable appetite that would last a week before my period and a week after I started the new pack. What prompted me to look for other forms of BC was that my mood swings would occur a week before, during, and after my period, to the point where I was overwhelmed with unexplained anger/frustration."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve only been taking Camrese for a few weeks now (almost a month), and I’ve noticed I’m hungry all the time. I also have had mood swings. I’m just now adjusting and not feeling sad all the time. I also have had some minor cramping, as well as occasional breakouts that fortunately go away within a day or two. However, I haven’t been taking this for very long, so these side effects may go away. Hopefully!"

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I wouldn't even rate this oral contraceptive as high as 1 out of 10. I was prescribed this by my doctor for birth control as well as issues with P.M.S. This medication is horrible. Upon starting it, my depression was off the charts, I was so irritable that people closest to me asked, 'Why am I so miserable?' I had acne breakouts, which I have not had since the age of 15, so 12 years later and not sexy outbreaks. My sex drive went to zero. Insomnia constantly. When I did get my period, Jesus, heavy flow, fatigue, fever-like feeling/hard time getting out of bed and functioning, and cramps worse than without being on this med. The PMS is horrible. This website won't let me write more. Hair loss as well. 4 periods a month is not worth this med."

• jay...
• June 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I just started using this BC, and it has been horrible. I was told to just push through it and that the pain would go away after the first full month. I constantly have cramps (as if I'm starting my period) and I feel nauseous every other day. I'm also starting to develop headaches frequently, but not sure if that's directly correlated."

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for almost 4 years. The first month, I remember being very hungry all the time, but that either stopped or I learned to deal with it. I didn't get any other side effects from it. The only reason I'm not giving it a 10 is because every cycle I start spotting about two weeks before I'm supposed to get my period. I just end up taking the period pills two weeks early to get it over with and start the next pack. My periods have gotten much lighter; most days I don't even need a tampon, but I get bad cramps on 1 or 2 of the days, which I never used to get before BC. Overall, I would recommend this birth control. Although you MUST take it at exactly the same time every day, or you will spot earlier."

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm on this to decrease heavy, painful periods. It was good for the first 2 months, then suddenly I started bleeding like a period. Now going on 7 weeks of everyday spotting, sometimes with clots and severe cramping."

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I've taken this medication for about two years. Everything about it is wonderful, except the cramps I get right before my period are so intense. I wake up in the middle of the night throwing up from the pain. I've never been through or experienced anything like it and contemplate going to the ER every time it happens. It's like one intense cramp that won't let go for 30 minutes or so and typically leaves me in tears. I've asked my doctor about it, and he says it's normal, but after going through this every period, enough is finally enough. I'm going to ask to switch back to a typical 1-month dosage. Otherwise, it's been wonderful only having a period every 3 months with little side effects!"

• mjo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control where I haven't had spotting or had an allergic reaction to! I just finished my third pack last night, and the week I was supposed to have my period was the best it's been in a long time. I did cramp a little the first two days, but nothing ibuprofen can't fix. My period was so light I could get away with just wearing a liner, and it only lasted about 2-3 days. This birth control hasn't helped with my acne at all, but I don't think it's necessarily worse, which is a good thing. I'll be going on Accutane soon for that anyways. Another thing to note is I ALWAYS take it at exactly the same time every day, with maybe a minute or so to spare, which I'm sure is the reason I've had such luck with it!"

• Eli...
• November 15, 2016

For Birth Control "The first contraceptive pill that works for me. No depression with this pill, just a few weeks of heavy PMS-like symptoms (cramps, exhaustion, moodiness) at first, then it stabilized. Trustworthy, predictable, and not having a period but once a quarter has been nice."

• Bex...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2022

For Birth Control "I suggest this BC anytime someone asks or complains about their BC or their period. However, I will note it is best when you take the actual Camrese and not a “comparable” med. I switched pharmacies because one always gave me Ashlynna as a substitute, and I definitely noticed way more breakthrough bleeding, plus the package is cardboard, and if it gets wet (I travel a lot and carry water bottles), the case will fall apart, vs. actual Camrese the package is plastic and much more durable. I have taken this almost 3 years now, and it’s GREAT. No pregnancies and a period only 3 months. The only thing I will say is I start spotting that third month and randomly sometimes before the placebo week, but it is just as stated... spotting. NOT a full-blown period. Cramps are barely existent, and my flow is not as heavy. Plus, an actual period only comes during placebos. Best pill I’ve ever tried, and I’ve been on birth control almost a decade."

• Eco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I've only been on this for a few days, and I know my body needs time to adjust, but I just spent the last 4 hours (3-7 am!) throwing up without cease. I have had horrible, horrible cramps, like on-the-floor-screaming cramps (which is why I started taking these pills), but at least those only lasted an hour at a time tops! I'm worried about missing school, and I can at least try to manage my cramps like I have before. I can't vouch for its effectiveness, only the side effects I suffered, but I may consider trying it again during a break when my body has time to adjust without worrying about missing classes."

• bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2015

For Birth Control "Been on it for 4 weeks, started off with the meanest night sweats like somebody threw a bucket of water on me, my appetite is more controlled meaning I get full fast, and when I first started I had the worst fatigue ever but everything is fine now just dull cramps every here and there."