Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome User Reviews

• Haley
• January 3, 2020

Lessina (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "For 4 months or more my periods lasted 10-18 days. Then, I started getting infection after infection. I had UTIs, yeast infections, staph, a parasite, and was experiencing random intense burning pain in my vagina that would send me to the ER until they gave me pain meds to treat at home. Then, I started getting circulation issues. My fingers, arms, legs would tingle and go numb periodically. Then, I occasionally started getting extreme pain when having bowel movements. Now the pain is every day, and I have constant abdominal pain and cramping. I’m in so much pain and have missed so much work I’m worried I’ll lose my job. I’m so glad that I had an epiphany that all this started when my BC was switched. I have also noticed my breath is disgusting, my mouth is always dry, I’m tired all the time, depressed, forgetful and have started getting Irrationally paranoid about stupid stuff. I’m never taking BC again."

• Kat
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2020

Lutera (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I loveeee Lutera!! So I switched to Lutera 3 months ago from Junel Fe 1.5/30 & Lutera was so much better! It was a change from higher dose to lower dose so maybe my body reacts better to lower dose, not sure but Junel Fe gave me so much mood swings, cramps & anxiety which is not normal for me I don’t usually experience mental health issues so it was totally out of the normal for me & it was horrible. Before Junel, I was on Tarina Fe 1/20 & that one gave me spotting all the time! & the spotting was always brown. Very annoying. It defeated the purpose of me being on birth control because my main reason to be on it was to regulate my period. But after going from Tarina to Junel to Lutera, I’m happy to say I found a BC that reacts well with my body. I’m sticking with Lutera! Only side effect I have is tender breast’s & some slight PMS. My period is regular, on point & I’m not pregnant so I recommend !!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 13, 2012

Seasonique (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I love this pill! I used to have very painful periods and other birth controls would make me feel worse. My Doctor didn't want to prescribe me this but I wanted it anyway. I only get 4 periods a year. This pill doesn't make me gain weight and it has helped my acne more than others. I have been on this pill for over a year now and I will never switch to anything else. I trust this pill and am very satisfied with it! I would definitely recommend this to any woman out there!"

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2020

Falmina (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I was really hesitant to take this birth control after reading the reviews on here. I have been on a variety of BC including Aviane and a bunch of others but none have stabilized my moods as much as Falmina. In the first month, I definitely had an increase is breast size and a little bit of weight gain. Acne hasn't been that extreme except for one zit on my chin (spironolactone helps with that) but that's minimal in comparison to PCOS symptoms in general. I've had a really good response to the medication and I have had the most emotionally stable month I've had in a long time. Please try it for yourself before freaking out about the comments. I know how anxiety-provoking it can be to be switching hormones up."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

Aviane (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "My periods were fine. I was ovulating, had normal blood flow, slightly heavy cramps. I started this pill for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome symptoms. While it did clear up my skin a little, it has made me borderline suicidal. Within 3 days I started hating people, crying at the drop of a hat, becoming irrationally angry, entertaining thoughts of suicide and becoming severely depressed. I would be losing weight since I have no appetite, except I'm so bloated it doesn't matter. "

• Cyster
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2019

Falmina (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "This medicine is terrible. 3 weeks in I started having severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and hideous dark thoughts. I had zero history of mental illness prior and have never experienced any of this prior to taking this medication. If your doctor suggests it, ask for something else!"

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

Chateal (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "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!"

• LucyLou
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

Levlen (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "Was worried about switching from Brenda (a high dose pill) to Levlen but after 10 years on Brenda felt it was time to try. Brenda has made my acne go away and so was concerned that would come back. Pleased to say skin has been fantastic.. clearer than before actually and smoother and not as dry? Small patch of break through bleed once but only minor. No other side effects or problems. This pill is SO much cheaper than Brenda too so I’m wishing I’d given it a go much sooner."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2010

LoSeasonique (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I really like this pill. I have been on several types of birth control and this is the only one that has helped clear up my skin. I did have some spotting during the first pack of pills, but that has always been pretty typical with me. Other than that I have done well. My moods are good, body feels good, very short period, and now great skin. This is the best birth control pill I have taken and I can definitely tell it has helped with the PCOS and side effects. Also, my sex drive may have even increased which is a plus with the fiance."

• Becca
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2020

Alesse-28 (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I had taken this birth control last year and decided to get off of it for almost a year. I didn't experienced any side effects and my periods were coming regularly. I've been put back on it and it's been about 2 weeks now. However, I'm experiencing side effects that seem rather detrimental to my health. Every time I take my pill for the day, I experience chest pain and arm warmness. I was also experiencing horrible back pain on my left side for the first few days. I'm gonna discontinue taking it"

• AMano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 15, 2018

Alesse-28 (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I went on this birth control to regulate my period because I have PCOS so it is what my doctor recommended. I never had any side effects and it worked well for the first year. Last month, I started noticing very weird feelings and was literally questioning my sanity. I had days where I was my normal self and then others where I was totally not. I felt loopy and out of it, like I was high. I have never had anxiety or any mental health issues, so this was terrifying. I told myself it was NOT worth it and got off them right away after reading similar experiences and reviews on this birth control. Will never go back on them!"

• 1ahs1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 24, 2014

Sronyx (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "Taken the pill for 4 months now, after having no period for 6 months. Since I started the pill I have had two periods each pack, despite taking the pills like clockwork. I've also developed sore breasts and super painful cyst - like acne all the time. No weight gain, nausea, or blood pressure issues though. Not going to take this anymore!"

• Erin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2020

Alesse (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I was prescribed Alesse for PCOS, and developed severe depression, crying almost every day for several months, to the point that I could hardly function. I also developed melasma (hyper-pigmentation / brown splotches) on my face. My doctor did not warn me about either of these possibilities, and I did not connect them to the pill at first. I was about to go on antidepressants AND use bleaching cream on my face when a friend who had been through something similar suggested I try going off the pill first. I did and the depression vanished within about a week and has not returned. The melasma took a few years to go away, but eventually did. (I have also found much better ways to manage the PCOS through herbs, diet & exercise.)"

• Ana_M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2019

Levora (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I was given Levora because I was diagnosed with PCOS. I have been on a different pill about 2 years ago and I went off due to side effects. I must say that Levora is HORRIBLE. Not only did it give me stomach cramps and bloating 30 min after taking it, but it also made me feel really really tired just 2 weeks into my first set. I am also moody, depressed and with absolutely no sex drive. So bad so that I can't even stand my husband touching me. So yeah, job well done on one hand: I will never get pregnant because I don't feel like having sex. At the end of this one month, I am going off the pill and I will try more natural ways. Goodbye pills for the rest of my life!"

• Jasmi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2021

Levlen (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "TRIGGER warning I started this medication about a month and a bit ago and I already have mental health issues and it made me really moody and gave me suicidal ideation anyway a week and a half a go I stopped it due to this issue and Thursday I got my monthlys back after 4 years of not having it"

• Tamar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2012

Jolessa (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I have been on Jolessa for 41 days and for the last 16 I have been bleeding some days with terrible terrible cramping then clotting like crazy and just when I think it's over it remains and I am bleeding again. I can't wait for my appointment, I may stop before then."

• Pcoser
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 6, 2014

Lutera (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I took Lutera for a year, it was my second try on the pill since my first attempt with Loestrin Fe was horrid. I got acne spots every once in a while, but nothing big. My breasts were insanely tender almost constantly. My sex drive was destroyed by the end of my one year of trying this pill, and I would get SO moody. My poor boyfriend had to go through a lot with me taking this pill and I gained 50lbs. I never did notice a difference in my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome-related symptoms, which was a bummer. It could work for someone else, I'm sure though, since birth control affect everyone differently. I'm on Nexplanon now, which has given me absolute clear skin, my sex drive is back and my moodiness is normal again. No more crying at the drop of a hat."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2016

Seasonique (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "My journey with this BC has been extremely rough, but worth it! I have been diagnosed with PCOS, GERD, IBS - D, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and manic depressive disorder. My gynecologist instructed me to give it 6 months before discontinuing. The first 2 weeks were normal. Then I had spotting for 4 weeks straight. I could deal with that. I figured I hadn't had my period in months due to PCOS so it would take time to regulate. At the 6 week mark I got the heaviest menses of my life with extreme cramping. Ended up in ER twice. Had my period for 12 weeks straight. Off for 3 weeks, back on for 4 weeks. And then it started working normally. Now I have no symptoms at all and get my period every 3 months like clockwork!"

• Dont...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2013

Sronyx (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I have more headaches than usual and I am always bloated and hungry with non-stop cravings. The only good thing is that my periods go from light to barely there. I love that aspect. I never had any skin issues so that was not my concern. I take pills to regulate my cycle, which it does. But I can do without the headaches and weight gain."

• YeetHaw
• April 7, 2020

Jolessa (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "Background: 26 y/o female with PCOS since the age of 12. Been on and off 21/7 day birth controls many years. They worked fine, but with how bad my PCOS has gotten, I wanted to avoid having a period every. dang. month. so I finally found a doctor that *allowed* me to use a 84/7 pack. It is hard to get different medications at this exact point as my husband is in the military and they only dole out 1 month at a time and not a day before. I am almost done with week 7 of my first pack and I am getting bleeding on and off since week 6. I am trying to manage this problem by taking Exedrin's NSAIDs ingredient to manage the bleeding and pain. My main complaint is that the whole world is in the middle of a toilet paper crisis as it's COVID-19 time.. So if I started my period by stopping the pills and just toughed it out, I would be out of tp well before I stopped bleeding (and I JUST bought 12 rolls..) OR I have to stick it out for who knows how long (these comments have me fretting)."

• NCano
• June 22, 2020

Levlen (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "After 13 years on Diane35 (Estelle) I switched to Levlen. At first it seemed fine and for quite a long time it appeared to be keeping my PCOS under control. Around the two year mark hair growth and acne reappeared at quite a fast pace and nothing I tried seemed to help. After 6 months of battling acne I’ve moved back to Diane35."

• TheOn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2016

Orsythia (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "As I am not sexually active, I cannot state upon the effectiveness of this as a birth control, however upon taking this my anxiety and depression flared to the point that therapist is suggesting medication for that. I have no experienced any odd weight gain, although my hunger signals are off (I do not get hungry, nor full anymore). My acne is the same as usual, with no more or less cystic acne. I am choosing to switch birth control brands to see if it will change, but the emotional symptoms are just too much for me to handle."

• Wildh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2014

Lutera (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "Lutera left me exhausted, and I felt nauseated all the time. Yet unlike other birth controls I've tried it did not give me nasty mood swings. It made me feel calm and pleasant. My breasts grew at least another cup size, which some would consider a positive, but I've paid a lot of money for a breast reduction and do not want large breasts! So overall, it was great for my mood but left me feeling so tired and sick that I just couldn't stay on it."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2011

Seasonique (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I started this birth control six months ago. I was prescribed it for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and mild Endometrioses. It helped quite a bit with my frequent periods and cystic acne. However, I had constant spotting for the six months I was taking it. I took the pill at the same time every single night and I would still spot! I know this is common with this pill since it is supposed to give you 4 periods a year, but I couldn't take the spotting anymore. I also have absolutely no sex drive. "

• Alesse...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2015

Alesse (ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel) "I've been on Alesse for five months now and I had every side effect. Crazy acne (I've never had until I started taking Alesse), mood swings, weight gain (I was 120lb before starting Alesse and not five months later 145lb - I am a petit woman and I don't eat very much, my food intake and Excerise has not changed thus, the weight gain is depressing), chest pain, swelling breast and no sex drive. The pro about Alesse is that it regulates. I had regular periods for five months. The only reason I was put in birth control was to maintain my polycystic ovarian syndrome. I'm 23 and was diagnosed with PCOS last year. I am now switching to a new birth control (Tri Cyclen Lo) and hopefully this one is better. Finger crossed!"