Jolessa and Migraine: What Users Say

• bnc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am shocked at how many bad reviews this BC has! I was on this pill for around 5 years and recently got off due to getting migraines with aura, and now am switching to an IUD because it has no estrogen. However, my time on this pill was great. Everyone’s body is different, but when I got put on this, I had little to no spotting-it was so nice only getting a period 4 times a year as someone who suffers from heavy bleeding and cramps. For people who are worried or experiencing spotting, give your body a chance to get used to it! You aren't bleeding for 3 months straight, so it’s normal to get a little bit of spotting as you are approaching the placebo week. The only cons I would give this BC are the fact that I did get migraines on it, it definitely made me a little more emotional (but any BC will), and I did notice a little thinning of my hair. However, I never got pregnant, my boobs grew a size, I didn’t gain any weight, and it improved my period significantly. Don’t believe the hype on this site!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Mor...
• October 2, 2020

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• tri...
• March 13, 2017

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Phi...
• December 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I was switched to Jolessa by my OBGYN after 7 years of hormonal migraines the day before or of starting my period while on Spintec. So far, I've had a light to moderate period the first two months and have gained around 6-7 pounds. My skin is fine, can't comment on the headaches because I've had a consistent tension headache the entire time. I'm lazy and just want to sit around and eat ice cream. Something extremely annoying above all, I think, is the constipation. I'm so bloated and uncomfortable. I have a fiber-rich diet, so I'm assuming this is the problem. Not happy so far, but I'm gonna stick with it. Will re-review later after I'm done cleaning out the freezer section at the grocery store."

• Kay...
• January 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking Jolessa Lo on October 16, 2014. At first I hated it because I was nauseous the first week with bad migraines, then it went away. My appetite has increased, and I have a little acne here and there. After the first month, I was spotting until I ended the entire pack. When my period started in the last 7 days, I got my new pack (91 pills), then there was no more spotting. So the first three months is a breakthrough, after that, you should be good! It's my 4th month now (1/22/15). Also, my sex drive did not decrease, but I have several mood swings."