Chateal and Cramps: What Users Say

• dre...
• November 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 2 months now and have been experiencing breast pain, bloating, fatigue. I have really bad mood swings, and I yell for no apparent reason. And severe cramps. And during the second month, I've had my period twice. This is my first time using birth control."

• Gyp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2017

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on birth control for 16 years now, Chateal for the past 6 months. This is the first pill that has actually lessened my bleeding and period pain. I have always had excessive bleeding and cramps (to the point I couldn't leave the house), this pill has changed all of that! I have PCOS and hypothyroidism. Since taking this pill, I have actually been able to lose 10 pounds. I would have given it 10/10, but I have been super emotional and cry a bit more than usual (commercials are the worst). No acne, no weight gain, no excessive bleeding, no cramps, no hair loss (as many reported), and the big one: I'm not pregnant!"

• sar...
• September 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on Levora for a year and absolutely loved it. Never a negative side effect. I'm finishing my second month on Chateal and have gained weight, experienced extreme mood swings, crying and yelling for no reason. I'm also cramping like crazy before my period. I'm in more pain than before the birth control. (Which was the reason I started in the first place.)"

• Pix...
• July 27, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my first ever birth control. When I first started, I had lots of cramping, but nothing I wasn't used to before taking it. So I took some Advil and continued using this birth control. Periods are a lot lighter. The first one was really heavy, but the second one was light and lasted only a couple of days. Haven't had any other negative symptoms that are over the top or causing me stress or pain. Overall, I think it's great and haven't gotten pregnant yet."

• Jas...
• January 13, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my first time taking birth control pills and so far LOVE it! I had an IUD put in last year and had it taken out within 2 months because I was consistently bleeding, got a rash all over my body, and I had horrible cramping, but so far I haven't had any side effects with Chateal, yet. I read about this birth control before I took it and I was so afraid to even try it out, but I did and so far so good, everyone's bodies are different so don't be afraid to try it! I even asked my husband to help me keep track of any side effects that he may notice, especially mood swings, but he hasn't noticed anything either. I will update this review if I start to experience any side effects."

• Dre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 6 months. Sure, I'm not pregnant, but I have noticed a drastic change in my personality and body. I have had mood swings in the past, but nothing like when I started Chateal. I find myself crying for no reason at all a lot of the time. I get severe cramps when I start my period and about a week and a half prior to starting my period. I don't know if it's the pills that are causing this, but my periods on average last 10+ days, and the bleeding is always very heavy, and my bad cramps last at least 5 days. No acne, though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 18, and this is the first birth control I have ever been on. I have really heavy and painful periods, so I decided to give it a try. It has been almost 3 weeks since I've taken it, and I've had an awful experience. A lot of nausea, headaches, really painful cramps last 30 seconds or so, but the worst has been my mental state. I wake up sometimes and feel almost numb, no energy, and sometimes I sit there with blank thoughts, but other times I just cry. I actually cry a lot, everything upsets me. My appetite has gone down, and I'm feeling like this just isn't worth it anymore."

• Jor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 10, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this same birth control for 6 years. I haven’t had any unwanted weight gain, no cramps. I do have an awesome regulated period, and finally, my acne has been gone for about 8 months now, and I struggled hardcore with deep cystic acne, and I’m only left with scars. (Thank you!!!!) I don’t have any issues with depression or any signs like that. I do normally have some anxiety, but it hasn’t gotten worse from taking the pill. There is one thing that I struggle with on a day-to-day basis. I have been with the same partner for 4 years, and while we have always had a great sex life (no problems with orgasms), I just have an extremely low sex drive, and I believe this birth control has caused that. It feels like it’s only getting worse. I hope my review helps you. It’s great because no pregnancy, but everyone’s side effects will be different."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2016

For Birth Control "It kept me from getting pregnant, but gave me horrible cramps, even in between periods. My mood was out of control. I had extreme anger and depression, I've never felt so crazy in my life. Mild headaches, but they were daily. Lost my sex drive and got a yeast infection like immediately. Couldn't eat anything, which may sound like a dream come true, but it was really unhealthy. Forcing myself to eat made me nauseous. Also had vaginal dryness, felt really dehydrated, and was constipated. Definitely not the right pill for me. Good luck, ladies, I hope you have a better experience on this. * Take it at the same time every day or you'll get nauseous!"

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Chateal for 3 plus years, and so far I’ve been happy with it. It sucks for those who had the really bad side effects with Chateal. I mean we all have different body types, and we’re gonna experience it differently. So far, from what I experienced were the constant headaches I get before I get my period and the cramping. I’ve never had cramps before I started using birth control, but I can live with the minor problems. I had regular periods that last up to 4-7 days, never had irregular spotting/periods or tenderness on my breasts, and my emotions weren’t affected. Besides that, it’s been so effective for me, and it has been doing its job, so I’m going to continue with Chateal.(:"

• Jhf...
• October 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I honestly started taking this pill and loved it. I wasn't getting any acne or weight gain; however, 3 months into taking this pill, my periods suddenly stopped. My periods stopped, but I was still having cramps. It's actually become very concerning."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I woke up last night at 1 a.m. to serious cramps and a heavy flow after taking Chateal for three months. The cramps slowly got worse, keeping me up until 4 a.m. when they felt like contractions. At this point, I woke my boyfriend up and asked him to take me to the hospital. On our way, I started gushing bright red blood, and many, many blood clots came along with that. As soon as I got into the ER, I had lost so much blood that they thought I was miscarrying, so they didn't make me wait. I was passing out, bleeding out, getting hot, and throwing up profusely. I literally thought I was dying. They were talking about the possibility of me needing a blood transfusion. After a pregnancy test, ultrasound, pelvic exam, and blood tests, they told me I was not miscarrying but was likely caused by the birth control I was on at the time. Five hours later, I had been given enough blood to leave the hospital, but I am still weak and tired from the blood loss. I will no longer take Chateal."

• Oll...
• August 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had a great experience on Chateal. I used to have terrible migraines and unbearable cramps that on more than one occasion threatened to send me to the ER (and only didn't because I couldn't stand up and walk to the car to get there), and that all stopped when I got on birth control. I started on Levora and switched to Chateal, the transition was seamless. I haven't had any of my previous problems and... it just works. If you are the kind of person who is able to take your pill at the same time each day (and really be consistent), then I would absolutely suggest this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I am going into the second week of taking birth control. I was super stoked for it, not going to lie, but after all these symptoms I'm having, I'm not so sure anymore. I know everyone's body is different, but if you are anywhere near as sensitive as I am, I wouldn't recommend taking it. Within the first week, I had woken up with extreme nausea and eventually vomited. With that occurrence, I had automatically thought the pill didn't work and I was pregnant, but I did take a test, and so far so good. Anyway, I am now starting to get period-type symptoms of tender breasts and cramps, which those are easy for me to look past and not worry too much about. However, not too long ago, I woke up and felt almost empty, sad, and depressed."

• End...
• November 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I took Chateal for 3 months. I was depressed, got nauseous every day, got horrible headaches, gained 20 pounds, got horrible acne, had the worst cramps, lost my sex drive. I stopped taking them 3 weeks ago, my acne is clearing up, my headaches are gone, my sex drive is back, but I have been bleeding since I stopped taking them."

• Kie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2016

For Endometriosis "I started Chateal four months ago to stop endometriosis pain. It does the job, all I have is minor bloating and cramping occasionally. However, it has worsened my depression and made me irritable and mean. I get panic attacks too now, which never happened before. It's changed my personality. It makes me incredibly nauseous, and my appetite has lessened as well. I also get acne on my chest and back, which is new as well. Other than the lack of period pain, this pill has been a horrible experience."

• Oll...
• August 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had a great experience on Chateal. I used to have terrible migraines and unbearable cramps that on more than one occasion threatened to send me to the ER (and only didn't because I couldn't stand up and walk to the car to get there), and that all stopped when I got on birth control. I started on Levora and switched to Chateal, the transition was seamless. I haven't had any of my previous problems and... it just works. If you are the kind of person who is able to take your pill at the same time each day (and really be consistent), then I would absolutely suggest this pill."

• Vma...
• August 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking Chateal for 7 months now. It's been effective the whole time I've been on it, but it's been a horrible experience overall. It did not help with my period in any way. My periods are still the same length, they're heavier, and my cramps are worse. Acne never played a part in this as a side effect since I've never had a problem with acne. Taking Chateal literally made me feel insane. I have never in my life felt so sad, angry, and depressed for no reason. I used to only cry getting close to my period, and now I cry all the time the whole month about anything. I constantly felt depressed without a way out because I couldn't figure out why I felt this way. No one should have to feel this way."

• Moa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2019

For Endometriosis "Began July 2019 for severe period pains. My period was always 4 days and very regular. But my first day of bleeding came with severe cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in my rectum. I could not do anything for 18-22 hours. I decided to try birth control. PP gave me a free year supply of Chateal. No mood swings or depression, and my skin is beautiful. And my cramps - gone! I am taking the pills non-stop because I'm terrified of cramps returning. One con - I have not stopped bleeding since I began. But the last two months have only been spotting. In the first few months, I did experience minimal cramping and heavier bleeding... but I could still walk, talk, and work finally! This has been life-changing. I may get a cramp here or there, but nothing like before. I'm going to talk to my doc about doing the 7-day placebo pills to see if I can stop this spotting. I'm not having sex, so I really don't care. Give it a try if your cramps are debilitating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control is insane. No, I have not gotten pregnant, but after visiting my local Planned Parenthood, they told me they stopped carrying Apri, my original birth control. I was on Apri for about 2 years, and it was amazing. But I didn't have a choice besides switching due to my lack of health insurance. So, the first three months, totally fine. Yeah, a little moody here and there, but nothing out of the usual. By the time the fourth month rolled around, I gained almost 15 lbs, had the worst mood swings and cramps around my ovulation time, spotted every week, and my period just keeps getting longer and longer. Before, it was like clockwork, down to the very hour, 11 months out of the 12. I have one month left to go, then switching."

• Lex...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 13, 2017

For Birth Control "When I first started taking it, I was skeptical. I was nauseous for the entire first month I was on it, it was really bad. But once I got used to it, about four months in, my period became super regular, came on the night of the fourth pill every month since then, and I loved that about this pill. I did gain weight, not because of the pill, simply because of my eating habits and lack of exercise. One negative is that I got super crampy a week before my period and during up until the third day, then it stopped. My cramps actually got worse on the pill, but that was the only bad part. My periods did get even lighter (they were always light) and shorter. My periods ended up being four days, with the fifth day really being about not messing up my good panties."

• Lex...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 13, 2017

For Birth Control "When I first started taking it, I was skeptical. I was nauseous for the entire first month I was on it, it was really bad. But once I got used to it, about four months in, my period became super regular, came on the night of the fourth pill every month since then, and I loved that about this pill. I did gain weight, not because of the pill, simply because of my eating habits and lack of exercise. One negative is that I got super crampy a week before my period and during up until the third day, then it stopped. My cramps actually got worse on the pill, but that was the only bad part. My periods did get even lighter (they were always light) and shorter. My periods ended up being four days, with the fifth day really being about not messing up my good panties."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 3 weeks now... I haven't had any problems except more cramping than I would normally have. My cycle is due for next week, so basically lots of cramping a week before my cycle. Hopefully, this means I might not get a cycle or very light. Other than that, no other side effects, and hope my skin clears up like everyone else's reviews, haha."

• chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2016

For Birth Control "Been on Chateal for about a month now. Tried Depo previously, which was terrible. I bled for 6 months straight, my face broke out terribly, and my sex drive was in the gutter. So far, the only thing I notice with this pill is that my cramps during the placebo week are WAAAAY worse than my cramps prior to taking Chateal. And my sex drive went down a bit, but not too bad. Also, breakthrough bleeding since I started taking it, but I'm giving it a 3-month window to see improvement with that to see how my body adjusts to the hormones. Prior to taking Chateal, I had a 'luxury' period. About 4 days, barely any cramps or mood changes. Just a bit of nausea. I hope that doesn't change drastically."

• Sam...
• October 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I started this birth control when I was 18 and have been on it for about 8 months now. Once I first started it, I was so nauseous and had horrible headaches. When it came time for me to get my period, I missed it, then it came the next month with the worst cramps I have ever experienced. My face is kind of acne-prone, and it cleared up a little bit, but not a whole lot. I've gained about 15 pounds, and after I take the pill, I get so hungry. My periods are about the same, I'm just a little bit lighter, and it's like a day shorter, but my period does come EXACTLY 28 days from my first day. I experience really bad cramps, like going to the ER cramps, and they got a little better, but not to the point where I have no cramps. I guess it's alright."