Jolessa for Birth Control User Reviews

• Hap...
• August 27, 2020

"39 YO with two kids 6 and under. Not planning to have any more kids. Heavy periods with clotting and anemia. Doctor recommended birth control to lighten periods. I also wanted to stop having monthly periods. First week on Jolessa, I had headaches. Three weeks in, headaches stopped. My skin is clearer. No mood swings. I feel happy but was not prone to depression before. I did feel bloated the first two weeks, but that has gotten better by week three, drinking lots of water, exercising, and watching calories. No spotting at all. Not having a period for three months is improving my quality of life! I had lost nearly 20 lbs before the birth control. I’m not gaining-working out vigorously and counting calories, BUT I do feel like I’m hungrier, craving sweets when I normally don’t, and weight loss is slower than before. Overall, I’m loving this birth control, Jolessa. As far as fitness, it will just motivate me to work harder at working out and monitoring what I eat. I recommend giving it a try. Don’t let negative reviews deter you. I let that stop me for years and suffered."

• Jol...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2014

"I have been on Jolessa for 9 years. I have my period 2 days after starting the sugar pill, and it's always been the same and right on time. I don't have acne except an occasional zit or two, my weight for the nine years has been the same besides small weight gain. I started Jolessa when I was 15-16, and I'm 24 now. I've never had a problem, and I haven't gotten pregnant. I don't take it at the exact same time, I just take it when I wake up or remember. Thus far, I love it! I'm also very active in sports, so it's nice only having a period every 3 months. I will say that after a year or so of taking Jolessa, I did lose the sex drive. That lasted about 1-2 years, but it came back twofold."

• Abs...
• November 5, 2013

"I am on my first pack, one and a half weeks before my placebo week. I had dark brown spotting for three weeks, starting the second month. It has progressed into a period. I'm going to do one more pack to see if anything changes, but this is a horrible side effect. I chose Jolessa because I'm a newlywed, and I didn't want as many periods. In addition to the spotting, my sex drive doesn't exist. This is very challenging, as my breasts have grown significantly, and my husband likes breasts. On a positive note, I didn't get pregnant while I was able to have sex. That's wonderful. Now, I can't get pregnant because I'm not having sex. Thanks, Jolessa."

• Dra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2012

"I have been on Jolessa for 7 years. I don't take the placebo pills and have not had a period in the 7 years except for once when the doctor's office and mail-order pharmacy my former insurance made me use got their wires crossed. If I don't take the pill at exactly the same time every day, my body lets me know that it needs its dose! No acne, and I have not had any weight gain. Slight spotting here and there, maybe once or twice a year. I don't plan on having any more children (I have a 10 1/2-year-old), but am only 28, so the doctors won't let me get a tubal ligation. I thought of the IUD, but quite frankly, I like never having a period. No ill effects after 7 years without it. Healthy as ever."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2020

"I started Jolessa in April 2019, and I’ve had an overall good experience with it. The last 3 weeks, I had to wear a liner (most times no spotting would actually make it on there. The first 2 weeks, I would notice the spotting when wiping while using the bathroom). When my cycle would actually come, it wasn’t super heavy; only needing to change my pad maybe twice a day (if that). Cramps during my cycle were very manageable with ibuprofen, and I had a lot of bloating during the second month. The only thing I didn’t like about Jolessa is I think it contributed to my weight gain, about 15 lbs, during this year. I’m considering stopping the pill to try to get my weight back under control, though. Other than that, I haven’t had any bad side effects, and my experience has been good with it!"

• Phi...
• June 10, 2016

"Last update... I gave these pills six months and that's all I could take. The last straw was when I started my period randomly while in Key West on vacation. I switched back to my Ortho Lo, but not before I went from 132 to now 153 in a matter of months. I'm frustrated, bloated, and desperate. I hired a personal trainer, have been running, drinking a ton of water, eating only around 1200-1400 calories a day, and I'm not even exaggerating, I GAIN a pound and a half a week. Stay away. Remember when Caty gave Regina the Swedish weight gain bars and said they were for losing weight, and then Regina ended up wearing sweatsuits every day, but Caty said to 'give them a chance?' IT'S THE SAME THING. These are mean pills."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2009

"I've been on Jolessa for 6 months. I decided to try this because I get bad headaches during my period (even though they'd only last 3 days, 4 days at most), and I wanted to avoid it altogether. The first two months, it was great. Then my period arrived a month early, and the bleeding lasted for 25 days, mostly light. I had already picked up my next 90-day pack, so I figured I'd try to get through that, and if I still had the bleeding, I'd talk to my doctor about another birth control. No need to do that because Jolessa is now working perfectly for me. It's been wonderful not having a period for a few months. I'd recommend this birth control to anyone."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

"This pill didn't work for me. I was on it for 3 months. I spotted for several weeks (probably 6 weeks), gained weight (went from size 0 to a 4-6), and felt depressed and suicidal. I switched back to a pill I had been on several years ago (Levora/Portia). It's been 2.5 weeks since I switched pills, and I already feel back to normal. I'm back to size 0, mental health is normal, and no more spotting. Jolessa didn't work with my body's chemistry, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. The birth control pill is trial and error, in my opinion. Find what works for you."

• car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2018

"This medication is awful. I immediately started with breast tenderness/soreness, then came joint pains and massive headaches. Then there were sharp pains in my lower abdomen that would last about ten seconds, and I would have them throughout the day. I’m barely 19, healthy, and have had regular periods for the past two years. I just wanted something to help cramps, and it sounded like a dream when my gynecologist told me I’d only bleed 4 times a year! I just finished my second month, and I’ve been bleeding for 6 days now! I’m not even supposed to be bleeding! I’m not even talking about spotting, I’m talking about HEAVY bleeding. Before I started this medication, my periods were light/regular and only lasted 5 days MAX. This is one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made, the side effects are not worth it. I’d rather get my period every month than deal with this. Don’t get on this medication."

• Blo...
• November 9, 2016

"When I started Jolessa, I had been on the Depo Provera shot for almost two years. While on Depo, I gained 30 lbs, and I experienced every side effect. When I switched to Jolessa, I didn't experience spotting, and my weight plateaued. I am very pleased with Jolessa, and I love that my periods are only every three months, also that they are only heavy for three days. I know I keep water weight given that I am on birth control, but that's the only negative thing I have to say about Jolessa!"

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2010

"I have used Jolessa for several years, and I love it. I used Seasonique for about two years before that and did not notice a big difference (except reduced co-pay) when I changed. I have never had spotting. I LOVE not having a monthly visit, and it is very light when I do have it. The downside would be reduced libido. I have just learned to live with it. I also think this causes me to have some acne that seems to have started about the time I began taking it. However, I would rather buy pimple cream than tampons. Weight has not really been an issue. I wish it would make my boobs grow! No such luck. I would recommend it to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2015

"I have been on Jolessa for 4 years and am quite pleased with it. I chose to go on birth control because I used to get really bad cramps and have heavy bleeding. The reason it doesn't get a 10-star review from me is because the first month of adjusting to it was awful for me. I had horrible cramps and pretty much nonstop bleeding. But 4 years removed from the situation, I would say it was worth it. I did not experience weight gain, and it's so nice to have control over my body. Now my periods are predictable, and the cramps aren't as bad."

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2010

"I absolutely love this birth control. I did experience some light spotting, nothing scary or really inconvenient, during some of the 1st months and definitely towards my period pills. My first period was really heavy (I think because I didn't take a break with the pills to allow a period), but after the first period, things have been great! I don't spot, and I don't think I have gained any weight at all. I love, love, love this birth control!"

• Bra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 1, 2016

"I began taking this because I had very heavy periods, and I was tired of having a period every month. After the first pack, I was a little concerned because I had breakthrough bleeding the entire 3rd month. This happened every pack. I decided to stick with it. Nov. 30, 2015, I had a severe abdominal attack. I went to 2 ERs that did nothing for me. They told me I had gas and to go home and take Miralax. It did not work. I followed up with a gastroenterologist on Monday. He immediately admitted me to the hospital. Long story short... I had major liver surgery on Dec. 4, 2015, to remove a hepatic adenoma that had ruptured. These were completely hormonal, caused by the birth control. PLEASE STOP TAKING THIS. MY LIFE WAS BARELY SAVED."

• Tig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2014

"I have been on Jolessa for about a month due to having excessive cramps and bleeding, so I was excited to try not having a period for three months. But so far, everything is fine, no bad side effects except a little acne. So far, a good birth control."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2013

"This is my third month on this birth control, and so far my breasts have gotten bigger, they have been sore, I happen to be hungry all the time, and have gained a good 10 pounds. Other than the weight gain, being hungry all the time, and soreness in my breasts, this birth control is pretty good. Hey, only four periods every year! I think I'll stick to this for a while. I'll just have to exercise and have self-control on what I eat!"

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2018

"My experience with Jolessa hasn’t been bad. I started the pill about a year ago. Just like with most birth control pills, they all come with a few side effects. I noticed while on this pill during the last month of taking it I would have a lot of spotting but not an actual full-blown period, I found it annoying because I’d constantly have to wear a pad/liner over the course of the month because of the spotting. Birth control pills definitely affect your mood change as well, especially for me. I tend to feel more grumpy and short-tempered. I also feel like you gain more weight while on birth control. My recommendation before starting this pill is to know that you’re basically shutting down hormones in your body, which causes these side effects, so don’t think the entire experience with birth control will be terrific. All the while, it does help prevent pregnancy and menstrual cramps, which are the reasons why I’m on Jolessa. But give it a try and see how your body adjusts to it."

• Anonymous
• December 25, 2011

"Jolessa is my favorite birth control so far. I have tried many, including Yasmin, Depo-Provera, the patch, NuvaRing, and Beyaz. None of these helped my acne, and a few had horrible breakthrough bleeding. However, since I've been on Jolessa, I haven't experienced any negative side effects, and surprisingly, my breakouts are few and far between. When I do breakout, it's usually one pimple at a time and heals much faster than before. No weight gain or increased appetite, and my sex drive is thriving. No breakthrough bleeding whatsoever. Love it."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2015

"I got on Jolessa because I get horrible migraines when I get my period, so having it just 4 times a year is much better than 12/13 (I got it every 22 days). I gained a little weight, but other than that, I love it. I've never had any issues with other side effects, and I've been on it for a year and a half."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 13, 2019

"I started taking Jolessa in May 2018, and it worked very well for me until recently. I started Jolessa because I had really bad cramps while on my period and heavy bleeding, Jolessa seemed to fix that problem where I never really had any cramps and had a very light period. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that I was spotting, which I had never had on this birth control before, but I thought it was normal. Then, I started to have awful cramps to the point where it would bring me to tears. After this went on for about three weeks, I made an appointment with my OBGYN for an ultrasound, where she found that Jolessa caused me to have a blood clot in my uterus. Ever since I stopped taking Jolessa, my problems have stopped, and I’m hopeful that my blood clot will dissolve by my next ultrasound appointment."

• Ban...
• December 14, 2019

"So far, I am 4 days from finishing up my 2nd month of Jolessa, and I am miserable. I have been on my period since the day I started my 2nd month, and it just keeps getting heavier. I feel like it's never going to stop. I am moody, mentally unstable, super depressed, my cramps are starting to get worse and worse with every day. So far, not happy at all, and all the doctor can tell me is to stick with it."

• Mor...
• October 2, 2020

"Was on Jolessa birth control for a year and recently stopped taking it because of side effects. I had very frequent migraines that lasted 2-3 days. I lost my appetite and 10 pounds, as someone who is already very skinny, it was concerning. As far as acne, it cleared up a lot until the last three months I was on it, I started getting monster pimples that were painful. I got the chills and fevers almost every day. My boobs got a full cup size bigger, so that's something to look forward to! I also experienced pain during sex and itching in nether regions while on this. I've tried 4 birth controls, and none of them have worked out, so you may experience fewer or more side effects."

• Jun...
• February 16, 2014

"This has been better than past birth control pills that I have used. I have been on Jolessa for probably 1 1/2 years. I like that you only get 4 periods a year, however, I have noticed my sexual drive decrease the longer I have been on it, and my sensitivity to sex has decreased. Other than that, I like the pill."

• Rox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 19, 2017

"6 years I've been on this pill. It's a great pill if you hate having a period every month. But being 22 is a lot different than being 16, and my body just isn't liking the pill anymore. Main cons - heavy bleeding, ZERO sex drive. Cons of taking the pill in the 1st to 3 years - painful sex due to vaginal dryness, slight nausea if taken in the morning. Cons at the end & why I'm stopping (4-6 years) - hair loss (just more hairs come out when I would brush it), more pee breaks, breakthrough bleeding, cramps & spotting when climaxing, & spotting during vigorous workouts. Pros - never got pregnant, stable mood, no breakouts, hair thinner on arms & legs. I never had spotting in between packs (until now) or gained any weight, & I'm pretty sedentary."

• Eli...
• April 30, 2015

"I went on this pill so that I didn't have to have my period every month, but within the first 2 weeks, I gained 10 pounds. I've been on it for 4 months now, and for 2 months straight, I was spotting every single day. I tried absolutely everything to lose the weight, including dramatic changes, and nothing has worked. I am now having a full period, so I am going off the pill because it doesn't seem to be effective. My face did get better while on it, but nothing is worth the emotional unstableness and weight gain I am experiencing."