Jolessa and Spotting: What Users Say

• Abs...
• November 5, 2013

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

• Unh...
• March 19, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Pluses: clear skin, no mood swings or headaches. BUT, at first, I spotted every day for months. Light enough for a pantyliner. My period stopped for a while, went fine. Then, with no warning, I would have gigantic clots and blood gushing when I stood up. Then later on in the day and the next day... nothing. Happened a few times. Last straw: family goes to Disney World for the first time. Second day I’m walking around the park then stand up, start gushing blood. I spend the whole time afraid to stand because I’m going through a tampon and pad every hour. Next day nothing. Fourth day at Disney, same heavy gushing and clotting. Airport gushing. Arrive home, bleeding lightens. Then I stand up, heaviest bleeding ever! Soaked through a super tampon, pad, my underwear, pants were soaked with blood and it stained my bed. I am 39 years old and this didn’t happen before Jolessa. I had heavy periods but not random hemorrhaging in between cycles. I have stopped this birth control and my provider is trying me on something different!"

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Birth Control "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."

• Blo...
• November 9, 2016

For Birth Control "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!"

• sat...
• May 26, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Jolessa is awesome! I've been on it before and had spotting during the first pack, but then it worked great! I began using it again, and this time my doctor suggested taking the first month and stopping for a week to get a period and then continuing with the second and third month. (So two periods on the first pack) to minimize, if not eliminate, breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Worked well, and I couldn't be happier. Regulated and way less painful!"

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2010

For Birth Control "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!"

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

For Birth Control "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
• 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."

• Eli...
• April 30, 2015

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• tha...
• October 5, 2014

For Birth Control "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

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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2010

For Birth Control "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."

• Bro...
• July 10, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Started taking this pill 3 months ago. Worked fine the first month. No spotting or anything. Now I'm on month 3, and I have been on a heavy flow period for 3 weeks. Acne is acting out, and massive weight gain. Used to weigh 120 and now I weigh 134. Do not recommend this drug."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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
• December 15, 2010

"I do think it's important to note that Jolessa is NOT Seasonique. Jolessa is the generic form of Seasonale, and NO, they are not the same! Seasonale's last week is comprised of placebo, 'sugar' pills. I have been on Jolessa for 4 years and LOVE it! No acne, no weight gain, and no spotting! I have been on birth control in general for about 7 years now. I wouldn't be on anything else!"

• 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."