Jolessa for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ak1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2017

"I've been on this birth control for over 7 months now, and I don't have much good to say. While it has been 100% effective for me as a contraceptive, the side effects have not been easy to handle. During the first 3-month pack, I gained 7 pounds, had breast tenderness, nausea, headaches every day, acne, spotting, and a never-resting appetite. That was 3 months straight. Now, at 7 months, I have lost all the weight I gained, I only have occasional headaches, no nausea, and no spotting. But the acne is still here and absolutely horrible! I've never had acne before I started using this birth control, and now it's all over my face and not going away with anything! I'll hopefully be switching at my next yearly exam."

• Fea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2018

"I’ve been taking Jolessa since 2016, and I’ve had some weird side effects from it. During the 3rd month, I would experience weird brown discharge and very slight bleeding for the whole month, which causes me to wear very thin liners for an entire month. I would also experience slight cramping, but nothing too terrible, and it isn’t an everyday thing. Other than these two effects, I don’t have any other complaints about Jolessa. (With the out-of-pocket expense, I found a coupon that does save me quite a bit on the pill itself, so I don’t actually spend that much every 3 months, but that’s how much it would normally cost.)"

• tha...
• October 5, 2014

"I've been on Jolessa since I was 17, and I'm now 23, and I absolutely love it! I had breakthrough bleeding the first month, but after that, only four periods a year, and they only last 2 days, 3 at the most. I recently changed doctors and got Camrese, and I hate it! I've been spotting the whole first month. At the end of the month, I had a full five-day period. I'm switching back to Jolessa. I thought that Jolessa and Camrese were the same, but they are not."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2009

"I just started my second pack of Jolessa. I started using this birth control because I was having migraines every period, so hopefully I will only have period-induced migraines every three months. I too experienced a lot of spotting during my end of the 2nd to the beginning of the 3rd month, almost 3 weeks. And my period did have some pretty good cramps but only lasted three days. Overall, I am glad I no longer have the monthly periods or migraines."

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2012

"It took 2 months for my body to adjust to the pill. I spotted frequently during those 2 months. I experienced some mood changes, which is a side effect. It got bad enough that I had to switch to a different birth control. I couldn't handle the constant 'sad' feeling. If it hadn't been for that experience, I would've stayed on Jolessa."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

"I have finished my first pack and started on my second pack. I absolutely love this birth control. I have had no extra weight gain (I'm a steady 120), I have had no acne breakouts, I haven't spotted, and my periods are light. I was so nervous to try it, but I'm glad I did. Like they say, it all depends on how it interacts with your body, so try it for yourself."

• Vee...
• January 16, 2013

"I first got on Jolessa because the menstrual cramps I suffered each period were horrible. I haven't had any cramps or spotting since starting the pill, other than the obvious period-related ones when that time finally does roll around. I'm mostly happy with this brand! However, one thing I have noticed since meeting my boyfriend and becoming sexually active with him is that this pill kills sex drive dramatically. I gave it a good rating because I'm pleased with its performance, but I'll be switching for a more healthy sex life with someone that I care deeply for."

• Moc...
• March 24, 2013

"I am on my 2nd pack, I recently switched from Seasonique. I am happy with both, I don't see any differences between one or the other. This is a great product since you only get a period every 3 months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2018

"I love this birth control pill. I haven’t had any issues, and it does its job, besides darkening discharge a couple of weeks before the period pills. I think this is a small price to pay to have a period every three months (I often don’t even get a period). I highly recommend this birth control if you’re considering a three-month prescription!"

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2016

"I have been on this pill for a month and gained 12 lbs! I went from 135 lbs to 147 lbs, and I look like I am 6 months pregnant! I am constantly hungry, and I continue my workout regimen, but I have decided this is simply not worth looking and feeling like the Goodyear Blimp!"

• Lin...
• January 29, 2016

"Started taking Jolessa after using the NuvaRing and spotting almost non-stop. Jolessa does just fine at preventing pregnancy, and I have not had any other horrible side effects that others have had EXCEPT I literally gained 10-12 lbs the first month I took it. I have been on it for 7 months, and no matter how much I exercise and watch what I eat, I cannot shed any of this extra weight. I have always been able to maintain or lose weight, but not while taking this particular BC. I am switching to TriNessa next week, and hopefully will be able to lose what I have gained while on Jolessa."

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2016

"Update -- I just started my 6th month of Jolessa. As mentioned in my previous post, I switched because of hormonal migraines. I had a consistent period with variations of heaviness for the first 3 months. It finally went away, skin is clear, I no longer get hormonal migraines. I have no other complaints EXCEPT the weight gain. I've never had problems with weight gain from BC's except for this one...this is ridiculous. I went from 132 to 146 in a couple of months. No matter how much water I drink, work out, use supplements, watch carbs and calories, the weight just keeps trickling on! If the weight doesn't start shedding soon, I'm done! Also, the sugar pill week symptoms? You guessed it...migraines! All week! Ugh."

• kat...
• May 2, 2010

"I love Jolessa! I hated it at first. During the first pack, I bled for about 9 weeks. It was awful. Some days heavy, some days light. I talked to my doctor and decided to hang in there and try the second pack. I am so glad that I did. I had finished bleeding a couple of days before I started the second pack. The second pack worked perfectly. The third pack, which I just finished, worked the same. This period is super light. I kept waiting all week for it to start, and finally, on Friday it did, and it's Sunday, and it might be gone already. I knew one of the side effects was abnormal bleeding that diminished over time... it took 9 weeks... but I would do it all again for only having 4 periods a year. I love Jolessa!"

• sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 26, 2014

"I started this birth control because my body had a negative reaction to the Depo-Provera shot. I enjoy getting my period every three months, and it's always pretty light. The only bad side effect I have experienced is skin sensitivity. I more easily get acne, and whenever I scratch myself, the marks show. The most prominent example of skin sensitivity comes from my bra. It just hurts so bad at the end of the day that I have to take it off. Otherwise, this has been a great birth control, considering this is the fourth one I've tried."

• Ave...
• June 18, 2015

"Before leaving for a semester abroad, I requested that my doctor give me a birth control where I wouldn't have periods every month. That turned out to be a big mistake. Once I started taking Jolessa, I became much more moody and overall depressed. I started getting zits on my chest and back - something that hasn't happened to me since freshman year of high school! My acne on my face has gotten worse. I gained 10 pounds. I have always been the kind of person that could get away with eating whatever I want (fast food 5 times a week!) and not exercise and never weigh more than 134 pounds, but not anymore. No change after altering dietary and exercising habits. After 5 months taking Jolessa, I'm most definitely switching after I finish this pack."

• Liz...
• August 24, 2015

"I started Jolessa for my heavy periods and have been on it for about a month now. I haven't experienced any spotting, but I have gained 7 lbs (but feel like I appear much larger). I'm depressed, moody, and I have broken out like no other. I am using acne solution products, yet there are pimples all over my face, back, and arms (I had very clear skin to begin with). I honestly would rather have my heavy periods that came every 20 days back than feel the way I do on Jolessa."

• lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2012

"I'm on my second pack. I have not taken birth control in years, but my doctor recommended it to help with my endometriosis. Previously I had cramps, no cramps now. No spotting, period came as scheduled with the pills. No headaches. I have noticed some acne, but nothing to worry about really. I have gained weight, about 10 pounds, and went up 1 bra size without any change in diet or my exercise program. I find that I am hungry all the time and not sure how to lose these 10 pounds without going on a very strict diet. Other than the weight, I'm very happy with Jolessa."

• Ash...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2021

"Was put on this as a way to help subside PMDD symptoms. Instead of having crushing anxiety and depression 2 weeks out of every month, it would shorten it down to 4 times a year. Sounded great at the time, so I tried it. 7 months later, I have at least 15 pounds I can’t get rid of. I exercise 6 days a week and watch what I eat, but nothing works. Increased appetite, headaches almost daily, my anxiety has gotten to the point where it is every single day instead of just 2 weeks a month. Depressed. Sleep is not good. I would rather go back to my old birth control and just take antidepressants for my anxiety than to deal with these side effects. Already made an appointment to see my gynecologist to make changes."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2010

"Just started the second month of the three-month pack. I've had no spotting at all. I am breaking out, and I feel like I am always hungry even after I eat and have gained a few pounds. The acne is big red bumps, which sucks. I have been on other four-periods-a-year birth controls and had no problems at all, but insurance changes led to this."

• Not...
• October 9, 2013

"When I first became sexually active, I started a one-month-at-a-time pack, (I don't remember which one), but after a few months, I couldn't take the nausea anymore. I went to the doctor and was prescribed Jolessa. I've now been on Jolessa for about a year now, and I absolutely love it. I have no side effects, except for the first week after the 'sugar pills.' I get nausea shortly during this time, but it's nothing compared to before. My period is easy and comes and goes on the same two days every three months!"

• tri...
• March 13, 2017

"I am 19 years old and have been on Jolessa for a little over seven months now. I have had no problems with this contraceptive, except for the obvious, when being on an antibiotic, I had spotting. I have always had headaches and migraines growing up, which is also a side effect of this contraceptive, they go away easily if I just drink plenty of water when I take the pill. I get most of the side effects, which are exactly like my usual period symptoms, and they only happen the week before or during my period. Which is exactly how it was before I was on Jolessa. I was put on this because of overheating, severe cramps, heavy bleeding, and shaking from my periods. I have none of these side effects except heavy bleeding, other than that, all good."

• hwa...
• June 9, 2011

"Taking Jolessa started out good, no bleeding the first month, but then the second month started spotting, which lasted a pretty long while, maybe 3 weeks. I just now got to my actual period, and wow, the cramps are unbelievable. I used to never have cramps, but now my cramps have been so terrible that I can't sleep, but maybe since this is my first period while on the pill. After my body gets used to it, maybe I won't have such severe cramps."

• Lar...
• January 10, 2017

"I'm going on month 3 on Jolessa, and the bleeding hasn't stopped since the month prior. As a BC, it's great because I'm not pregnant, but the bleeding sucks. I haven't gained any weight, which is great, but I've become super irritable. I had this same reaction to the Depo shot. I'm waiting on a doctor's appointment to change my BC."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2013

"I have been on Jolessa since about a month before I got married, so about a year and a half. I started on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, but it literally gave me blinding migraines. So, I started Jolessa and had minor spotting during the first few months, but nothing major. I also had minor (compared to the previous ones) migraines, but haven't had any in at least 8 months. Unfortunately, I have gained at least 20 lbs and have gone from a 36D to a 36DD (possibly larger). I loved that I had no breakouts in the beginning, but now it has returned with a vengeance. All in all, I love only having 4 periods a year, despite the side effects."

• sdt...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 16, 2016

"This medication caused massive and sub-massive pulmonary embolisms, as well as a major saddle embolus. Thus, causing my right ventricle to become enlarged, resting pulse to become over 150, and lowered my oxygen levels. If I had not had a CT scan because I repetitively complained about how it was getting harder and harder to breathe, I would be dead! My cardiologist doesn't know how I am still alive. I am a healthy female in my 20s who took low-dose estrogen B.C. pills for years until I switched to this drug. Months later, I am on blood thinners and unable to continue my schooling or physically demanding job. It seemed to be working fine. Over time, I started developing what I thought was back strain or from overworking my abs. Turns out the pain was actually caused by the lack of oxygen to my lung tissue, which is now dead (infarction). I was in physical therapy for weeks until the shortness of breath kicked in. I'm a runner. There was no way I got out of shape that fast. I pushed. They considered asthma. After my heart 'was nearly beating out of your chest and I could hear it without my stethoscope,' said my NP, I got a CT which revealed the clots and was immediately admitted for EKOS surgery (direct catheter thrombolysis). I had to lay on my back for over 24 hours. They had to put wires into my lungs and legs. Blood work following the procedure shows that my ONLY risk factor was this birth control; it nearly killed me in my early 20s."