Jolessa and Cramps: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2012

For Endometriosis "I started taking this medication for endometriosis as a last option before surgery. While I have only been on this medication for a little under three months, I must say I'm so impressed. After reading reviews, I was a little nervous. I have had very little pain, and my menstrual cramping is completely gone almost. I haven't had any spotting or hair loss! It does not make me sick and very little breast soreness. When compared to other medicines I have taken, this is like a Godsend. While I know this will not take care of my problems forever, it is working wonders right now! Everyone reacts to medicines differently, and I just had to share my experience to tell everyone how wonderful this one is if you are considering taking it."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Ban...
• December 14, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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.)"

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2009

For Birth Control "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."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Switched from Tri-Sprintec because of side effects. Started Jolessa. The first 7 weeks were great, no side effects, no issues. I'm now ten weeks in. I started spotting at the end of week 7, which was normal, but it kept getting heavier. I've been bleeding heavily for 14 days now, longer than any of my periods before birth control. I've also had cramps so bad that they caused vomiting, which has never happened before. I'm nearly doubled over in pain half the day and constantly nauseous. I saw one doctor, they told me to stick with the pill, so I did, but my symptoms only continued to get worse, so I got a second opinion from a doctor trained in this field. She recommended stopping the pill. So, I did, the bleeding is the same after being pill-free for three days. I've been really sick: nausea and headache. Starting Jolessa was great, and I thought it was helping, but if I knew it would have been such a nightmare, I never would have gone on this pill."

• Vee...
• January 16, 2013

For Birth Control "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."

• Lad...
• June 12, 2017

For Endometriosis "I've been on this for 8 months, and I'm still adjusting. I started last November, and in December I spotted the entire month. My doctor told me to take half the placebos to flush out my system. I missed Christmas Eve and Christmas, it was so heavy and painful. The worst 2 days I've ever had on my period. Round two wasn't so bad, with the exception of one day. I'm halfway through my 3rd package. I've been breaking out like crazy and getting random cramps and bladder infections as I normally would before my period, but I still have another 45 days until placebo week. I might check with my doctor again soon because my body doesn't seem to want to cooperate with this drug. I'm only on this to treat endometriosis. I'm not sexually active."

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

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "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."

• hwa...
• June 9, 2011

For Birth Control "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."

• jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2014

For Birth Control "Since getting a tubal ligation 10 years ago, I have had heavy periods. Over the years, it has gotten heavier and more painful. I got anemia and so fatigue at least 2 weeks before the period, and then my cycle would last at least 9-10 days. So basically a week out of the month I was semi-normal. The beginning of this year, I barely found out you can take birth control to stop your period. Obviously, I jumped on that and got a prescription for Jolessa. Started it and my period still came as usual but wasn't that heavy. Then for the next 2 months, I had spotting every day... but then the 3rd month maybe 1 or 2 days of breakthrough bleeding because I forgot to take a pill. Now, after 10 months of taking Jolessa, I don't have a period at all."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2012

"I have suffered nearly every side effect possible from Jolessa. I am 23 and my acne is now worse than it was during high school, and that is with daily acne medication! I have some days with no appetite, and other days where I throw up every time I eat. I have light to heavy bleeding every day, and cramping at least every few days. I also have really bad vaginal pain and itching. If having your period 4 times a year apparently doesn't harm your body, I don't know how this is supposed to be normal. Switching as soon as possible."

• Kai...
• March 28, 2012

For Birth Control "I just started my second month of Jolessa. A month ago, I weighed 105-115, depending on the week, I guess. Now I weigh 140 pounds! I also am getting acne on my shoulders and sometimes my face, but I wash it multiple times a day because it is so oily! My skin has also been extremely irritated. I have never used lotion, my skin has never needed it, and now it is extremely dry and itchy, and recently I started getting bumps on my arms, like underneath the skin. Cramps are horrible around the time I am supposed to have my period. I haven't had my period or spotting since I started, however, if you miss a day, you will get it! I have been extremely up and down with my moods."

• Unh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 9, 2018

For Birth Control "Reason for medication also includes irregular menstrual cycle, bilateral breast pain (ongoing), menstrual migraines. Years ago; I was on the brand name Seasonelle and had minimal issues. When my insurance changed at 23, I tried Jolessa due to the brand name being $235 (circa 2012). I remember having terrible mood swings, weight gain, acne, so I stopped taking it. Fast forward to 2018, I asked my doctor to try BC again due to irregularity and breast pain. Since the name brand drug now costs $435, I was forced to try Jolessa again. I have bled for 26 days straight and have stopped taking the pill. There has been no “trade-off” as far as my symptoms being reduced. I have had cramping, breast pain, headaches, and excessive bleeding. I do not recommend this generic medication."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2011

"I am almost on my third month of my first pack of Jolessa, and I have been bleeding for four weeks now. Spotting some of the time and full-on heavy bleeding the rest. I like the weight loss and the fact that nothing seems to stress me out anymore, but I would really like for this to stop. Plus, the cramps were terrible at first, but now they have kind of subsided. Hopefully, the next pack will be better."

• Anonymous
• February 25, 2010

For Birth Control "I love the fact that I only get my period a few times a year. I was on the name brand version of Jolessa, Seasonique, for 6 months, and when I would get my period, I would have terrible cramps...even when I wouldn't get bad cramps before being on birth control. I would spot a month before I was supposed to get my period. My twin sister started taking Jolessa and told me to try it. I love it. I rarely spot, and if I do, it's a few days before I'm scheduled to get my period. I highly recommend it."

• TJ9...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 12, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Since being put on Jolessa by my gyno about a year ago, I have experienced mood swings, increased appetite, excessive weight gain, and most of all, extreme fatigue. No matter how much sleep or rest I get, I am ALWAYS tired. I actually only feel well-rested and energized when I'm on my period (which makes no sense!). Needless to say, I won't be using this birth control much longer. The only good thing that has come out of my experience with Jolessa is lighter periods. My horrible cramping is still the same though. Heavy periods and horrible cramping are the reason my gyno put me on this birth control! VERY disappointed."

• Ano...
• December 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Horrible experience with this birth control. Had intense cramping start within the first week, and it has only gotten worse. It’s a constant dull aching pain with waves of extreme stabbing pains all day, every day. After 8 weeks, I am calling it quits. Also, I started my period after 4 weeks... it was strange. However, I did not experience any weight gain as many others have... overall, would not recommend at all. Stay away!"

• Med...
• April 4, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on Jolessa for 2 months now. I've been spotting for a month straight. My doctor put me on Motrin 600, 3 times a day for 5 days, and that was supposed to help stop the spotting. It did make it lighter, but after the 5th day, I had really bad cramping, and spotting went to a heavier flow. I'm going to try and hang in there because the pills did increase my breast size, which is great for someone that's 31 and wearing 34A. Hoping the spotting would stop soon since I start my 3rd month in a couple of days."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking Jolessa since October 2016. I have only had a few months this whole time that I did not spot or bleed heavily. I have bad cramps during my period and clotting while on this pill. I noticed that my sex drive is much less, and I am drier during sex. I was not like this before I started taking this. It does prevent pregnancy. I am not sure if it is worth taking anymore. I recently found out I have a corn intolerance, and microcrystalline cellulose is in this pill. My skin is super dry, and I did gain weight. Some of these symptoms could be perimenopause since I am 45. I did read that it is supposed to help prevent those symptoms, but it has not for me."

• Ano...
• January 19, 2011

For Birth Control "I am halfway through my first pack, and so far I love it. No bleeding or nausea. No weight gain. My gynecologist suggested I take birth control because I'm a wreck when I get my period-terrible cramps that nothing helps, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue. Hopefully, I'll have a lighter period (my period lasts 5-7 days) when I finish the pack and no cramps, fatigue, or headaches."

• Cle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the BC pill since 13 years old for severe periods. I'm now 43. My previous OB-GYN put me on Jolessa two months after I gave birth last year. My previous prescription of Kelnor worked wonderfully, and I told her that. Still, she insisted on giving me this garbage. I've had the worst experience with this pill. It hasn't helped at all. I've had my most recent period for a month and a half now with terrible pain and an incredible amount of huge blood clots. A month after starting Jolessa, I started having random horrible cramps without bleeding. I would occasionally have spotting with or without pain. I ditched that OB-GYN and am about to start a different prescription thanks to my PCP, who I trust completely."

• aun...
• July 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because I hate my period. I was on it for about a month and a half, and I felt horrible. I had serious mood swings, making me so mean and a totally different person. I also had terrible cramping and a loss of libido. I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for acne and thought that this would keep my acne at bay. Um, no, I was wrong, I broke out everywhere! So I decided to go back to my old birth control, and I am back to normal again."