Camrese and Spotting: What Users Say

• sup...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "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!!"

• Ard...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2016

For Birth Control "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."

• aem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2014

For Birth Control "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."

• L00...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on the Camrese three-month birth control for a total of six 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 heavily 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."

• Flo...
• August 6, 2014

For Birth Control "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."

• Tin...
• November 5, 2015

For Birth Control "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 birth control 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 absolutely not worth it."

• J T...
• March 6, 2017

For Birth Control "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 breakthrough 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."

• 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."

• BZZ...
• August 29, 2017

For Birth Control "Been on this for 4 years; started about 2 months after dating my boyfriend. Occasional spotting, but nothing compared to what others have described. I am fortunate in that I have always had extremely light periods anyway, and there hasn't really been a change except for frequency. No weight gain, and no acne or hair loss or any of the other things people have unfortunately described. The only thing I've noticed is a significant decrease in libido. Like, went from 100 to zero within weeks of starting the pill. By the time I figured out it wasn't going away, I was too hesitant to switch since it's the only side effect, and any BC is a gamble, so I just deal with it."

• Mel...
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "My doctor prescribed Camrese to lessen my increasing heavy periods (presumably due to perimenopause). I'm at the end of the sixth month taking this drug and have nothing positive to say about it. I've gained 10 pounds in 5 months and am depressed that it's summer and I can't fit in my size 4 clothes anymore. What's worse is that I've had consistent breakthrough bleeding for the last 2 weeks and expecting the 'forced' period next week. (I'm wondering if I should just DEAL with the uber heavy periods - at least they were predictable and only lasted 5-7 days). There was also 5 weeks of spotting during the first 3 months on this pill. Needless to say I'm consulting my ObGyn next week to try something different. This pill's not for me."

• Mal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I am on the third month of this birth control. Since I have started Camrese, my face remains clear and my breasts grew a bit as well. And I like the idea of having only four periods a year. However, the spotting has been an absolute nightmare. I had no spotting at all up until the end of month two, and the spotting has not stopped since (I am nearing the end of month three). Sometimes it will seem like it has stopped, but then an hour later I will be bleeding again. It is exhausting. I don't know when it will stop, but I hope it will stop soon, or I'll definitely switch pills again. The spotting is the only negative side effect I have had thus far."

• 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."

• 685...
• July 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I was taking this for three months and will be switching. I've had 'spotting' for about 2.5 months (some days worse than others), and I feel as though I am overly emotional and anxious on it. I'm not sure if it's due to BC, but I also feel as though it's causing my hair to fall out much more rapidly. Giving it a 3 only because I didn't gain weight while taking it, which was a concern for me."

• Too...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "After 5 months on this birth control, I must say that I really like it. After the first month, I started spotting, but I stopped taking the pills to allow myself to have a period, and I have not spotted ever since. My skin has cleared, I have no PMS, no mood swings, and obviously rarely have periods. Only complaints are my sugar cravings (can't lose weight to save my life). But other than that, I enjoy it. I save so much on feminine hygiene products and book travels with no worries."

• Ash...
• August 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I am on the last week of the second month of this pill, and I have been spotting a brown discharge (not heavy enough for a pad or tampon, but annoying) since the last week of the first month. It won't stop. I'm getting ready to start my third month, so my first period week on the pill is three weeks away. If the spotting doesn't stop after my period week, I'm calling my doc for a new pill."

• Lau...
• July 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for about 6 years. I originally was taking Lo Seasonique, but had to switch to this as it is the generic option. I began taking this in high school after suffering from crippling cramps and missing school due to these symptoms. The first three months were full of spotting (which I was warned of ahead of time). After my first pack, my body started to get used to this BC. It is a low dosage of hormones, which works great for my body right now. One thing I have noticed is that if I don't take my pill at exactly the same time each day, I do begin spotting for a day or two. There have been a few occasions where I have forgotten or taken it 3 or so hours late, which has caused spotting to begin."

• JM2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on this BC for 8 months. I had almost constant spotting. The most I would make it without spotting was three weeks, and then I would spot with no sign of slowing down, so I'd have to skip pills to let myself have a period. I couldn't take it anymore-I was on Camrese to control really heavy periods, and here I was bleeding not as heavy, but all the freaking time. I also gained 6 pounds almost immediately upon taking it, felt constantly bloated, and developed cellulite. I wanted sugar constantly. Within two weeks of stopping this pill, I lost 3 pounds and don't crave sweets nearly as much. I also developed three prominent patches of melasma on my face, including one that looks like a mustache. They have not even lightened yet."

• Kel...
• March 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Been on Camrese for about 3 years, after trying 2 other birth control methods. For the first two months, you will have a lot of spotting, but if you push through those two months, it goes away completely. I haven't had any spotting in months and used to have an extremely heavy period. I have endometriosis, and this pill helps a lot. If I forget a day by accident, I will have endo pain the next day almost immediately. I did used to break out the first few months as well, but not anything anymore. No weight gain or any other side effects."

• 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."

• Kod...
• February 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm currently taking this, and the first two entire packs were fine, some minimal spotting that went away within a few days. This 3rd pack was fine until the cycle was supposed to start, I had breakthrough bleeding for 2 weeks. It has finally slowed down but hasn't stopped completely. Other than that, this has worked decently, but I feel there are too many other options for me to suffer like this."

• 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."

• mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for 3 months now (just got through my first pack), and honestly, I have very little complaints. I haven't gained weight, no spotting, no nausea or dizziness, no change in libido. However, I did notice that I've become much more emotional since I started Camrese. It used to be kind of hard to make me cry, now I will at the drop of a hat, but for me, the pros outweigh the cons majorly."

• Zel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been taking this for 6 months (just got my 3rd package) in order to control the bleeding from my Nexplanon implant (a whole different, hormonal and acne-driven story). I can't tell if the birth control cleared my skin, or simply leaving teenagehood and entering adulthood did. Either way, it's done its job as far as controlling the bleeding caused by the implant. Libido seems lower (except on the period pill lol), but I can't say for sure if it's the medication or not. No weight gain, no change in breast size, less acne (not attributing it to the medication though), and no mood issues. It does its job. 7/10 because by the time the 3rd month comes around I get some spotting before I even start the period pills, although I don't really care that much."