Jolessa User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

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."

• Not...
• October 9, 2013

For Birth Control "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

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."

• Lar...
• January 10, 2017

For Birth Control "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

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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• ham...
• February 12, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started Jolessa in October 2013, right when my period started at the beginning of the month. Right away, I was sick to my stomach several days, and my periods normally last the full 7 days, but on this pill it never stopped. It went to a light period and gradually, throughout the 3 months, got heavier until I started the white pills-the period week, at the end of December. Once I started the new pack January 1st, the bleeding finally stopped until February 1st, I started the second month of pills and right away started bleeding again. It is now February 12, and I went to the doctor yesterday, she put me on a different birth control, Low-Ogestrel 28, and we're hoping this stops my bleeding and works better for me."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2010

For Birth Control "I absolutely love this birth control. I have always had really terrible periods that lasted for several days, and I'm only 16. My doctor told me the best thing to do was use birth control, and I picked this one. I am so glad I did: no spotting, no cramps, some weight gain, but it comes off, and my breasts have grown a little. I'm starting the second pack soon, and I hope the next pack will be as good as the first!"

• 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."

• K i...
• December 28, 2017

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was on Jolessa for 5 months. I had to stop because of the constant bleeding. I've literally been bleeding for four months. I'm depressed, sometimes have thoughts that I'm dying, feeling hopeless, have gained 13 lbs that I can't seem to shake, and am exhausted. If I clean house, walk somewhere, or take out the trash, the bleeding increases. My doctor put me on Beyaz a week ago, and the bleeding hasn't stopped. I'm starting to wonder if it ever will. I think Jolessa broke my uterus."

• 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!"

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2018

For Birth Control "The first month went smoothly. The second month is when the side effects started. I had a dark brown (not the usually dark post-period blood) but brown brown discharge and terrible headaches. After two weeks of this madness, I stopped taking them! I read on other sites that this has happened to numerous other females. It was gross— I’m never taking this again! I still have the headaches two days off the pill."

• 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."

• Yee...
• April 7, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Background: 26 y/o female with PCOS since the age of 12. Been on and off 21/7 day birth controls for many years. They worked fine, but with how bad my PCOS has gotten, I wanted to avoid having a period every dang month. So I finally found a doctor that *allowed* me to use an 84/7 pack. It is hard to get different medications at this exact point, as my husband is in the military and they only dole out one month at a time and not a day before. I am almost done with week 7 of my first pack, and I am getting bleeding on and off since week 6. I am trying to manage this problem by taking Excedrin's NSAIDs ingredient to manage the bleeding and pain. My main complaint is that the whole world is in the middle of a toilet paper crisis as it's COVID-19 time. So if I started my period by stopping the pills and just toughed it out, I would be out of TP well before I stopped bleeding (and I just bought 12 rolls) OR I have to stick it out for who knows how long (these comments have me fretting)."

• Jus...
• March 20, 2017

For Birth Control "So I'm this person that hates birth control, as in hate them to the core. But since we have one child and wanted to wait to have another, and the latex on the condom was getting me sick all the time, I decided to look into BC. My doc suggested Jolessa because I have painful cramps. The pill was great, no spotting, no periods at all. I mean, I had nothing, and it never killed my sex drive like the depo. I had some bad side effects: nausea, a little headache, but the worst of all was the weight gain, 20 lbs in 3 months. I mean, I work out 5 times a week, eat healthy like I'm told, but the scale keeps going up. I can't do this anymore, I'm going to try another one. Been told Jazmin helps with weight loss, so I may give that a shot, but I can't stand the way I look."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2023

For Birth Control "This medication is horrible. I've had really bad anxiety and panic attacks constantly. I've never had this bad anxiety before, and I am definitely not going to take it anymore. I've also had headaches and a lack of appetite. I was restless and couldn't fall asleep. I wish I never would have taken this at all. I also was bleeding constantly. I have read that your body has to get used to the medicine, but with all the other side effects, I just couldn't take it anymore. I also have had a very low sex drive because of it and have mood swings. Hopefully, I can get back to normal soon because I am miserable. Please don't take this medicine, I hate it."

• 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."