LoSeasonique and Cramps: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am on my second, three-month pack of LoSeasonique, and I am seriously contemplating stopping the birth control. My first three-month pack, around week six, I started bleeding. This lasted about a week, and I thought my body was adjusting. Since then, my face has broken out - I have never had acne problems. I am now on week four of my second cycle of pills, and I am now bleeding lightly again. I am experiencing the worst cramps I have ever had in my life. All I do is sleep, and I am still exhausted all the time. I can't even get myself to do normal activities like grocery shopping."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2010

For Endometriosis "I've been on LoSeasonique for 2 sets (6 months). I've seen no weight gain, no changes in my skin, and my hair is as thick as ever. I like it, I went off of LoEstrin because I had bad cramps that got worse when I went off it for a year and pelvic pain (caused by cysts). So, this birth control certainly assisted with alleviating these issues. It's helpful, though, to exercise regularly, I think. I've had spotting, but it's nothing compared to my normal heavy periods. I am questioning what other benefits this pill may hold over others."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2010

For Birth Control "Lo-Seasonique is a good birth control, and awesome to not have a period for 3 months. I had stopped taking birth control for a year because of migraines, they improved and then worsened again. MD put me on Lo-Seasonique. Initially, I had breakthrough bleeding, had never had problems before. I read up on it, and to all of you that have problems, change the time you are taking the pill and take it with/after food and/or something acidic (orange juice). The reason for a lot of breakthrough is high estrogen not being absorbed. Otherwise, I have had minor cramping periodically if I miss ONE pill. I do notice a drop in sex drive and just a heavy feeling. But minor changes. Otherwise, now almost a year on it, it's awesome."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm on my third set of LoSeasonique. I originally started using LoSeasonique to help control my periods when I would experience extreme cramping and migraines to the point that I could not function. I started LoSeasonique and haven't experienced any migraines or cramps since. I haven't had any spotting. My periods are lighter and only last three days. My sex drive has increased, and I have been less moody. Overall, a GREAT pill."

• ksc...
• December 13, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was a little hesitant to try LoSeasonique due to all of the negative reviews, but thought it was worth a shot at no longer having a period every month, since I struggle with heavy periods for 11 days every month. I have just finished taking my first pack and never once experienced spotting during the three months on this pack. Nor did I have any changes in skin, weight, or cramping. My sex drive even increased. Some factors that may have helped ease my body onto this pill so smoothly might relate to the fact that I took the pill at the same time every day and have been on birth control for about nine years. Everyone's body reacts differently, so it may be worth taking the risk. I, for one, am very pleased with this pill."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2011

For Endometriosis "I started taking this a month ago for endometriosis and cysts, and so far I am miserable. 'Back in the day,' I used to have no problem with birth control, but after the birth of my boys, I now struggle with bad side effects (mostly mood related). I am not sure if this is because of my age (40) or if my hormones have changed (maybe both). I had the worst cramps of my life 4 days into my first pack, and I bled for 14 days straight and even now continue to have cramps. I also have *very* noticeable depression-but again, I am prone to this, so I think the pill just makes it worse. I also noticed today I have gained 3 pounds, and I am a hardcore marathon runner-so I know it has to be from this pill."

• Ano...
• March 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I had a good experience with my first pack of pills - no spotting. I lost weight, and my breasts grew a full cup size - friends keep asking if I had an enhancement done! I did have a lot of breast tenderness that continues and heavy cramping around my period. I'm now exactly halfway through my second 90-day pack and have had a light menstrual flow for the past 7 days. I take my pill at exactly the same time every day and never miss, so I'm disappointed this is happening. I hope it doesn't continue. Overall, I'm happy, and the pill works as I'm not pregnant, which is the most important thing!"

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2011

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I am at the end of my first pack of LoSeasonique. I am contemplating restarting another pack. I saw no improvement. I would bleed for 3 weeks straight. So much for my sex life. On the 5th week, I started a flow like a regular period, which lasted for 2 weeks. I am getting the exact opposite of what the pill is indicated for, which is supposed to give you a period at the end of the pack, making it 4 periods per year. Instead, I have more than tripled that, if I continue taking it. Everyone is different. It might work for some and not for others. I am still bleeding and cramping. I quit; I will go back to my old birth control."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking LoSeasonique because my doctor suggested I do so. Every month just before my period, I get a horrible headache that lasts about three days, and nothing I take will make it go away. It has really begun to interfere with my life. My doctor said that it was an estrogen withdrawal headache and there is nothing that could really be done. However, he said that if I only had a period once every three months, I would only have to tolerate the headache once every three months. I have now been on my first three-month pack for six weeks, and I have started bleeding, cramping, and yes, I have the headache. I have been tired, very emotional, and have had migraines since I started LoSeasonique."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been inadvertently taking this for over a year now. I stopped my period myself with Lutera, which is the same strength and medication as LoSeasonique, so I've switched to LoSeasonique to save money. When I first started taking it, I spotted for a long, long time, and if I take it even one hour later than my scheduled 4 pm time, I inevitably get cramps for two days. If I miss more than one day in a row, I will spot for a week or two and feel as crappy as I used to whenever I got a period. My periods did NOT get less painful on the pill, and that is why I stopped it altogether, and I couldn't be happier. If you can wait out the spotting, it is so worth it."

• Anonymous
• June 23, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been taking LoSeasonique for 6 1/2 weeks, thought I was going to really like it but started my period 7 days ago with cramps and all, and it is still going on. I have a call in to my doctor, just waiting for a phone call. I am seriously thinking about giving it up as it was only to alleviate PMS symptoms, as I am done having kids, and my periods before were only 3 days, so I would rather have 3 days with severe cramps than non-stop spotting or period, as I would call it. Oh, and I have also gained weight from it, not much, but it has only been 6 weeks."

• ssl...
• October 1, 2009

For Birth Control "Starting off with my condition before LoSeasonique... I had heavy periods. By the time I turned 20, my cramps were so bad that I had to rest a day and apply a heat pack. My skin was always breaking out, and it was only worse in the summer. I went to my doctor, and he offered me three options: herb supplements, hormone pills, or BC pills. I chose the last one. I'm not sexually active, but college worries me, so I figured better be safe than sorry. After starting it, my skin was clearing up, my periods are still existing but are so light that I usually don't have to wear anything, and my cramps are very mild. The only thing I recently experienced was a 2-week period and some spotting, but as I said, it was very light. I'm glad I chose option three."

• NVa...
• March 20, 2011

For Ovarian Cysts "I started using LoSeasonique a little over a week ago, mainly for irregular periods and the periodical ovarian cysts. I started my period on a Friday and started taking the pill on the following Sunday. I did not take the pill right away because I heard that if you begin taking the pill after the first day of a period, you will have lots of spotting. Anyway, my period stopped that Sunday, and I have not had any spotting since. It has been exactly one week, and I haven't experienced any cramps, bleeding, bloating, or anything uncomfortable. I take it at 3 pm every day and usually take it with a whole glass of water so I won't experience any headaches. I really like this pill so far and hope that I can continue."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm on my second pack of LoSeasonique, about five or six weeks away from my first 'real' period on this BC. For the past few days, I've been experiencing brownish discharge (from blood) and moderate cramping. Other than that, no complaints really. The pill didn't clear up my skin, but neither did my other one. I really hope this cramping stops now though, it's very painful. Enough that I can't go out much. I've heard that it gets better once your body has adjusted, but I don't know how long that will take."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm on my second pack of LoSeasonique, about five or six weeks away from my first 'real' period on this BC. For the past few days, I've been experiencing brownish discharge (from blood) and moderate cramping. Other than that, no complaints really. The pill didn't clear up my skin, but neither did my other one. I really hope this cramping stops now though, it's very painful. Enough that I can't go out much. I've heard that it gets better once your body has adjusted, but I don't know how long that will take."

• bri...
• November 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I also started an endless period beginning month #2 of the pill. It started as spotting, then turned into a full-on period. I'm going on week 3 of bleeding and maintaining worse cramps than I had before I was on the pill. I'm calling my doctor today to see if I should stop taking the pill, I just don't understand why it is extending my period."

• Mor...
• November 16, 2011

"I started taking LoSeasonique because I wanted fewer and lighter periods. I'm on my first package and second month of LoSeasonique and have started spotting and having a light flow. This has lasted 8 days, and just when I think it might be over, it starts up again. I also have cramping. The first month of the pack was great, no spotting or nothing, but at the end of the second month, it sneaks up and bites."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2022

For Birth Control "Hate this pill. I wanted an IUD, but the doctor I saw didn’t want to do it because I am not sexually active. All I wanted were lighter, more manageable periods. The breakthrough bleeding is horrible and makes me miss my normal, albeit messy, 4-5 day cycle. I am so angry that I let her talk me into this because it’s NOT DOING ANYTHING! Yes, my period is somewhat lighter, but it’s been 7+ days of continuous bleeding. Not spotting, but like 3rd-4th day flow for me. Cramps and nausea, plus diarrhea, and starting to feel the beginning of depressive/suicidal episodes creeping in. - I was happy before I started taking this pill. Also, annoying, stinky, hormonal sweating under my arms and groin that stings and kept going and going in the night…I am only 27! Makes me scared to try another BC pill, but the reviews do not lie. I really think the dosage is far too low for most women; it just extends your period."

• Ter...
• February 16, 2012

"I love it! I have been on it for two years and have only had two periods, both of which pantyliners were more than enough! No mood swings, no bloating, no cramping, and no weight gain. It does not get any better than this, and I have tried it all (shots, rings, IUDs, and other pills)."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the absolutely worst time with this birth control. At first, I was on the original Seasonique - I had to switch to the LoSeasonique because with the original, I had the worst cramping, moodiness, bleeding, ever. I thought the lower strength would be the perfect pill for me. Boy, was I ever wrong. I haven't had a regular period yet, and I have been taking this medication for over a year. I bleed an average of 21 days - I am period-free one week and then have a full brown cycle for five days. The 3-month period-free thing sounded so good - especially because I usually miss work or class because of horrible periods, but this was very counterproductive. I'm going to try the implant or go back to the regular pill."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2010

For Birth Control "I started taking LoSeasonique about 3 weeks ago. Since I've started taking it, I've experienced many negative side effects, such as cramping, gaining 10 lbs, intense mood swings where I will cry for no reason, get angry extremely easily, and a significant increase in acne. I will continue to take this medication for the next 3 months and see if things will change once the medication has been in my system for long enough. But like they say, this pill is different for everyone."

• Bon...
• January 23, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on LoSeasonique for 6 weeks now. The first 2 weeks, I had no breakthrough bleeding. Around week 3, I started spotting for a couple of days, then it would stop for a couple of days. I am now on week 6, and the breakthrough hasn't stopped. It's putting a damper on my thoughts of the pill. I will continue taking this pill through the first pack (3 months) and decide then if I want to continue taking it. The main purpose for taking this pill was to decrease my periods, and I have been bleeding more than before. I usually have very mild cramping and have noticed the cramping has worsened these past 3 weeks."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2011

"Pain. Cramps. Heavy bleeding. I had been on this for 2 and 1/2 weeks, and the bleeding and pain started. Will get a sonogram this week to check everything because the doctor said this should not be happening, but after reading the reviews, this seems to be normal. With no medical insurance, I am mad. This is costly, painful, unnecessary."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2018

For Endometriosis "I was prescribed LoSeasonique to help manage endometriosis. I’ve been on it for three months. I felt horrible the first week. I decided to give it time. My cramps and periods are worse. I got headaches, depression, increased appetite, excruciating cramps, bleeding a lot more than before; constantly changing pads. I would get no relief from analgesics or the heat pack. I am 43 years old and do not have kids. I asked my gynecologist for a hysterectomy, but she said that would push me into menopause. The whole point is for me to live as pain-free as possible. I don’t care if I have a period every month; I am just tired of the pain and having to miss work. I would rate this a -0. I personally don’t recommend it."

• Ske...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this for over 3 years, and I would say it's the best one I've been on. Pros: Dramatic reduction in pain from cramps. Cons: Nauseous on the first pack, spotting during the first few packs. After 3 years, I get about 2 hours of spotting as my 'period.' Kind of unnerving when you're sexually active. To me, the pro makes the cons worth it, because my cramping was so bad it made me vomit from pain. 100% worth it to me."