Larissia and Cramps: What Users Say

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2020

For Birth Control "Worst pill I have ever taken. Nonstop spotting and then very heavy periods with clots and cramps. Now I am anemic and will never take again. I liked Lo Loestrin Fe, but my insurance won't cover it. I know breakthrough bleeding can be normal the first few months, but this is like Niagara Falls. Please be careful if you start this pill."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Before using this brand for birth control, I saw all the reviews, and I was so scared to see all the negative reviews. It was my first time using birth control, and Larissia was my first one. I have been using it for four months now, and it has been great - no acne, no water weight, or anything. The only downside was the day before my period, I would get extreme cramps and a migraine, but after the first day of my period, it was completely gone. I honestly recommend this birth control. Don’t be afraid of the negative comments, you need to know that every girl's body works differently. I love Larissia, and you should try it, and if it doesn’t work for you, then you can let your doctor know, and s/he will change it up for you."

• mom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on many different kinds of birth control, and Larissia was by far the absolute worst. The first three months on this birth control, I had intense sharp cramps that would be quick and scattered throughout the day and then would last hours in the middle of the night. They were so bad that I would cry and could never fall asleep. I wanted to get off it, but my doctor said to wait a couple more months. So I did, and after three months, they went away. But more symptoms came: migraines, boob tenderness 24/7, and back pain. I had extreme mood swings, and when I say extreme, I mean it. I would go from being happy to angry to manic to extremely depressed. I would cry over nothing. My boyfriend would see me cry on the couch for hours at a time, and there was nothing he could say to stop me. Also, I have developed a sensitivity to light, and when it is really bad, it will make me pass out. I'm finally getting off this garbage and getting a copper IUD. Don't take this, please. Save yourself."

• kek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I switched from Microgestin FE to Larissia. Microgestin FE gave me terrible anxiety and depression and made me feel like I was an alien in my own body. Switching to Larissia, I definitely had some cramping, breakthrough bleeding, mood swings, and acne during my first 2-3 packs of this pill, but after a couple months, all of those symptoms went away. My first pack, I could tell that my boobs were bigger, but that went away as well over time. I haven’t gained any weight on this pill (I was actually hoping that I would) and have less acne than I did while on other pills. I would recommend this to a friend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Nexplanon for about 6 years before switching to Larissia. I have been on Larissia going on 3 months and feel like my appetite is uncontrollable, and I’ve gained about 20 pounds. I also have noticed I cry much easier now, and I get heavier cramps and back pain. I got off of the Nexplanon for irregular spotting, but I’ll take that any day over this BC. I understand everyone is different, but I’ve never gained weight as easily as I have this past 3 months."

• ct4...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2020

For Birth Control "Prior to Larissa, I experienced incredibly painful, heavy, and irregular periods. I wasn't able to eat, as my cramps were so bad I'd throw up everything I ate. I'd bleed through a super tampon and a heavy pad within 2 hours. For the first few, my periods were still somewhat irregular and heavy-this is typical, though, birth control doesn't magically fix all your problems from day 1, it takes a couple of months to regulate. Now, though, my periods are light, I can predict when they come, and when I do have cramps, some acetaminophen or ibuprofen usually takes care of it. I have not gotten pregnant on Larissa, without the supplementation of any other forms of contraceptive, though I am very religious in properly taking the pill."

• Jam...
• January 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Larissa 2 months ago and recently stopped because the side effects are horrible. The first two weeks I had horrible mood swings and was very depressed. It made my cramps more painful and my acne much worse, to the point where I’m breaking out all over my face and have no more self-confidence. I do NOT recommend."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2018

For Birth Control "My pharmacy randomly switched me to Larissia. I’ve been taking it for 3 months. Within these 3 months, I’ve been breaking out like crazy (generally pretty clear skin), got canker sores (never get them), have had awful mood swings and hormone imbalances, my face has been swollen, and during my last couple of periods I’ve had cramps (which is the whole reason I started birth control so long ago). I’m actually livid at this brand, company, and my pharmacy for randomly switching me to this stuff. At first, I thought it was cute since the brand on the box is my name, but it’s the worst birth control I’ve ever been on. Not even worth a 1/10."

• car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2021

For Birth Control "Been on it for almost 3 years and have not had a bad experience! I do think it helped with acne a little, although I still get the occasional zit, especially around my period. I don’t think I’ve gained any weight because of it, and it’s made my periods super light! Seriously, I only use the small size tampons and panty liners now! I still get cramps and mood swings around the start of my period, but this was something I dealt with before going on the pill. As for my sex drive, I do feel it’s a bit lower, but I’ve been on the pill so long that I really can’t remember! Finally, my partner and I never use condoms, and I’ve never had a problem or a scare. My cycles are generally consistent as well. Overall, a good experience compared to some horror stories I have heard."

• MMI...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2019

For Birth Control "WORST BIRTH CONTROL ever! I was using Sronyx, and for some unknown reason, they switched me to the generic Larissia, and not even a month after I started, I began to break out. I was a person who, not even on my period, would break out for nothing. I went from that to my cheeks and my chin covered in huge bumps that hurt like crazy. I couldn't even wash my face without feeling pain. In the second month, my period lasted 3 days with the worst cramps EVER!! I know everyone reacts differently, but most reviews say the same as what I experienced. So I suggest not to try this, it will mess up your face!!"

• Nel...
• April 26, 2018

For Birth Control "This is my first time taking birth control pills, and this has been the WORST experience EVER!!! Spotting for 2 weeks, followed by an extremely heavy period with the biggest blood clots I've ever seen!! In addition, I've had migraines, bloating, canker sores (which I've never had in my entire 40 years of life), horrible cramping, and mood swings!!! I got on BC to avoid having a period because of my anemia, and yet on this pill, I've been spotting/bleeding for 3 weeks now!! Worst medicine EVER!! Will be discontinuing IMMEDIATELY!!!!!"

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Larissa for almost 3 weeks now. This is by far the worst birth control after I switched from Taytulla because my insurance did not cover it anymore. My doctor gave me Larissa, and ever since I took it, I have had terrible acne like never before, my back always hurts, I am ALWAYS bloated and look fat. I have the worst stomach pains, cramps, and I’m very bipolar. The back pains truly are the worst as well. I do not recommend."

• Cai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 3 months. I was originally on Orsythia, which worked well for me, then my pharmacy gave me Larissia instead since they are both generics. It gave me cystic acne the first month, and now I have not had a withdrawal bleed for 2 months, which made me think I was pregnant when I really wasn't. I also had cramps all throughout the last 3 months."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on MonoNessa for years in college, and it was great. My doctor switched me when I moved to Alabama because she said it was “too high in hormones,” even though I liked it. I’ve been on Larissia for over a year and HATE it. It made me stop having bleeding altogether, but I still get cramps, breast tenderness, and mood swings during my “period,” so what’s the point! I gained nearly 30 pounds in the year I was taking it! I’ve only been off of it for a few weeks, and I am already losing weight, so it is definitely the culprit. I think I will be trying non-hormonal birth control."

• Tif...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Larissia for about 6 months now. I switched over from Junel BC because I was having severe emotional issues whenever I had PMS. Larissia has been so much worse than Junel. I have major depressive/anxiety problems whenever I PMS now. One of the original reasons I started on BC was because of how bad my flow and cramps were. I regularly spot for 1-2 weeks before getting my actual period, which is the heaviest it’s been since I started BC. And my cramps are still pretty severe on top of awful migraines before and during my period. Honestly, one of the worst BC pills I’ve been on, and I’m planning to get it switched soon."

• hbh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Only positive is I'm not pregnant after being on it for 2 months, and my acne has cleared up. Otherwise, I've gained 10 lbs (also have PCOS), have been extremely moody, have had horrible cramping (especially on my period), and my periods are either a week late or a week early with spotting in between. I'm going back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. This is the worst BC ever!"

• Fia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I started this pill almost 3 weeks ago after having my second child. My doctor said it was great and one of her favorites to prescribe. I have never had any trouble with any of my other brands of birth control, but this one has caused a 3-week-long period (bright red with no end in sight) and bad cramps (I am switching as soon as I can)."

• i r...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control I have been on. I started in Jan 2021, so I've been on it for 9 months. I wanted to start bc to protect from pregnancy, and my period was very heavy, and my cramps were terrible. My doc recommended Larissia. It took about 3-4 months for my period to sync up with the active/placebo pills. My period is now so light with minimal cramps. It starts on the same day every month. I have never had a scare being on these pills. The reviews scared me; I almost didn't go through with them! Everyone has a different body; please be considerate of that! I have not gained any weight, and my acne is minimal. The only complaint I have, which this is only MY experience, is the terrible mood swings. The thing is, I have always had mood swings, and I've always been dramatic and very, VERY sensitive, so it isn't much of a difference. Don't let the reviews scare you! This bc has been incredible to me; I highly recommend it! :))))"

• msm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Larissa over a month ago to manage PCOS. I went from barely having any period symptoms besides vaginal tenderness to experiencing headaches, tender breasts, cramps, fatigue, and sometimes nausea. However, I think this is because my body is still adjusting to the hormones. I don’t have any mental symptoms. I’m not sexually active, but this med makes me super wet and horny all the time, especially when I normally would be ovulating. It has worked really well for me, though, regulated my period right away and is preventing infertility and reproductive cancers. So I’m good with popping some Midol to treat side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2021

For Birth Control "Started this because I struggle with cramps and mood swings during my periods, but this pill was 10 times worse. Definitely be careful if you already have mental health struggles— I have bipolar disorder, and this pill made me more depressed than I'd been in years, and I was almost hospitalized multiple times. I already get migraines, but they got much more severe, and the nausea was constant. I couldn’t eat anything without feeling awful. Other fun side effects have included digestion issues and constant bloating, getting acne for the first time in my life, gaining weight consistently, breasts growing in size, breast tenderness, and periods that became even more painful and irregular than when I started. Not to mention, I feel awful self-esteem-wise and have grown to hate my appearance. I’m glad this works for some people, but I will be getting off of it as soon as possible!!"

• lyn...
• January 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Larissia for 2 years now, and I would recommend it if you take the pill continuously. The biggest side effect is a heavier period with intense cramps the first couple of days. However, it is tolerable since taking the pill continuously means only getting your period 4 times a year (ask your doctor if it’s okay to skip periods). Other side effects have been eye sensitivity and increased appetite, which have only been mild."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2018

For Birth Control "The pharmacy ran out of my normal BC (Falmina) and gave me this, saying it was the same thing. Whew, they were horribly wrong. I had the worst acne of my life on my face and back (I’ve never had back acne, and my face cleared up while on Falmina), and I would get horrible cramps on Larissia. I had to endure this for 6 months until they finally received my Falmina again."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I would not recommend. Not only have I gained weight, I started breakthrough bleeding in the middle of taking these pills. Along with cramps, mood swings, the whole works."