Lutera and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm on my 3rd pack of Lutera, and I haven't gotten pregnant, but I suffer from anxiety and depression, and these pills have absolutely increased that by 10. My sex drive has plummeted, and I’m unmotivated to the extent that I stay in my bed several days in a row. I’ve also been experiencing a lot of abnormal bleeding. Keep in mind that it is only my third month, and everyone is different. The pill does the job of me not getting pregnant, but I am more concerned about my mental health at this point."

• Goi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on birth control for over 6 years. I started with the depo (did that for 2 years) and stopped because I was bleeding constantly. Then I had Skyla (IUD) (I had it for 3 1/2 years) and had no problems but had to get it removed because it wasn’t going to be effective anymore. I decided to give the pill a shot, and I started taking Vienva in April of this year. I did notice that I was more emotional, and my libido declined a bit. The company that provides me with birth control switched my pills to Lutera. I’ve been taking it for a little over two months and a half, and I feel like I’m going insane. I started having irrational dark thoughts, and I break down crying all the time. Also, my sex drive has had a huge decline. I’m a mess, I don’t feel like myself, and I can’t take it anymore. With all that said, I decided to stop taking the pill, yesterday was my last day, and I hope I feel back to normal soon. My mental health is more important."

• Sap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I (23, 115 lbs., no kids) have been on Lutera since I was seventeen because it has been the only birth control pill that doesn't give me insane mood swings, heavy bleeding, and constant general discomfort. I was placed on this pill after going months having a continuous period on Yaz until I collapsed and lost consciousness from the fatigue and anemia I experienced. The only negative side effect I have had over the last six years on Lutera is occasional breast tenderness around my period. Aside from that, it has kept my skin clear, my hormones in check, and given me much more pleasant periods."

• Liz...
• December 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for a few years now. I could not be happier with the results! I noticed after the first few packs my period was diminishing. After about 4 months, I had no period at all: no spotting, no bleeding, no PMS, no cramps, no mood swings. I took several pregnancy tests over the next few months because I was scared that I didn't get a period. But I was never pregnant! So after all this time, I'm still having no period and no PMS symptoms. I have to explain every time I go to the doctor why I can't put an answer on the question, 'When was the last date of your menstrual cycle?'"

• Kan...
• October 14, 2014

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control that has ever gotten my cycle regulated for a long period of time. Usually, I will switch medicines only to have it regulated for 3-4 months, then everything goes haywire again. With Lutera, I have no breakthrough bleeding or spotting, no headaches or body aches, and no weight gain. I love this birth control. Before I was on this, I was very anemic from an abnormal period (bleeding 2-3 weeks out of the month), but now I don't even have to take my iron supplement. Also, I am not pregnant, so it works there, too, which is good."

• Cut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I was quite nervous about taking this pill, because I have had such a bad experience with the shot. I'm on my 11th day of taking Lutera. I started on them the first day I received my period... and I've been bleeding ever since... very heavy at that, not a very happy camper. I have never bled this long."

• Cut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I was quite nervous about taking this pill, because I have had such a bad experience with the shot. I'm on my 11th day of taking Lutera. I started on them the first day I received my period... and I've been bleeding ever since... very heavy at that, not a very happy camper. I have never bled this long."

• jas...
• March 21, 2014

For Birth Control "This is the first type of birth control that I have been on, and it has worked out great. I have been on Lutera for 9 months now and will be going back to have my doctor refill the prescription. The first month I experienced some mild headaches and irregular bleeding, nothing serious. My breasts have gotten a little larger, my period shorter and lighter. All is good so far!"

• JH3...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2014

For Birth Control "A couple of years ago, I took Lutera for a year and didn't have too many problems. I stopped taking it, then re-started 6 months ago. This time was bad. My mood was off - little things would make me super aggravated or want to cry, while 'better' days made me extremely happy and hyper. I also had on-and-off dryness down there - pretty uncomfortable, especially sex-wise. The worst part was the 2-week periods I got on this pill. For five months straight, I had my period for half the month, with cramps, lower back pain, irritability, and heavy bleeding. The gyno kept saying it was my body adjusting, but after the fifth month of this, I'm taking a break from birth control for a month and then switching to another pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Lutera since Aug 2012, and everything is good. I did gain a couple extra pounds (which I shed off pretty quickly due to having a fast metabolism), but that beats being pregnant when you are not ready. Also, my breasts are HUGE, and I am LOVING it! I have been taking this because of my irregular periods. I did have slight bleeding a few months ago for about 2-3 days, but after reading the pamphlet, that was listed as a side effect. I have noticed that I am a bit more moody, but all in all it works great for me. Everybody is different, so if it works for you, great. If not, there are dozens of other pills/methods."

• Jgi...
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "It's been over half a year since I've been on this birth control, Lutera, and I have nothing but great things to say. It's affordable through means such as the pill club (online) for people with no insurance, and I experienced little to no side effects. I used to have excruciating cramps that would immobilize me, and I would have to take prescription-strength 800 mg ibuprofen to manage the pain, and even then it wouldn't go away. I used to bleed a lot with a lot of clotting, but since I've gotten on this pill, I only bleed lightly for about 2-3 days, and my cramps aren't even noticeable anymore. No weight gain, no acne. I feel beautiful, and my sex drive is also the same. I absolutely love this birth control. Especially after switching from Seasonique, which was the worst experience of my life, I was a completely different person, always moody, had food cravings and aversions, and basically felt pregnant all the time. I love, love, love this BC, it's perfect for me!"

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the Aviane equivalent for a year, and it was fine. My insurance switched me to this. Now, for the past four months, I’ve become depressed, angry, and irrational. My periods have become altogether 10x worse on all accounts, including migraines, weight gain, emotional breakdowns, horrible cramps and backaches, and heavy bleeding. Stopped taking it for two weeks and feel so much better already. Beware this pill! Made me crazy :("

• zdy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking Lutera because I have horrible pain and insane cramps, hot flashes, etc., on my period. I could've taken a pain killer, but I chose I could just go on birth control again. I used to be on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. This was a low dose of Lutera they told me, so I said ok. It worked as far as birth control and took my cramps and pain away right away, which was a plus. On my 4th pack, I started noticing I had very bad anxiety, I was sweating in my sleep, feeling zoned out after a full night's sleep. I hated how it made me feel. So, I stopped taking it. After 3 days of stopping, I started having light brown discharge and horrible cramps. The longer I've been off it now for a week, the worse it is: heavier discharge, headaches, body hurts, and I have bleeding."

• Cha...
• January 23, 2016

For Birth Control "Before I was on Lutera, I was on Lo Loestrin FE (which was awful! I would bleed literally two weeks out of the month, had no sex drive, and gained 10 lbs). After switching to Lutera, which I have been on for a month now, my mood swings have been consistent (even though I cried when a dog commercial came on). I have actually lost weight, there is no breakthrough bleeding, and my sex drive is back to normal, and this is covered 100% by my insurance. Also, no bad side effects such as acne, stomach pain, or severe discomfort in any form. The only thing is my boobs swell up a little bit, but no complaints there. This is such a great pill! I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to start a new BC or wanting to switch."

• Cha...
• January 23, 2016

For Birth Control "Before I was on Lutera, I was on Lo Loestrin FE (which was awful! I would bleed literally two weeks out of the month, had no sex drive, and gained 10 lbs). After switching to Lutera, which I have been on for a month now, my mood swings have been consistent (even though I cried when a dog commercial came on). I have actually lost weight, there is no breakthrough bleeding, and my sex drive is back to normal, and this is covered 100% by my insurance. Also, no bad side effects such as acne, stomach pain, or severe discomfort in any form. The only thing is my boobs swell up a little bit, but no complaints there. This is such a great pill! I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to start a new BC or wanting to switch."

• Ext...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

For Birth Control "As a disclaimer, I have not taken birth control for over ten years. That said, I decided it would be the right choice with a new partner in tow. The first week I started Lutera, I experienced dryness around my lips. As I entered week two, I began experiencing dryness around the labia. The change in hormones affected me adversely as I became irritable and anxious for no reason apparent. It became very clear the pill was thinning the walls of my vagina and natural lubrication disappeared when I had normal intercourse with my partner, and I was torn inside. I experienced quite a bit of tearing and consequent bleeding from those rips. I remained on the pill for a full month. My lips progressively became more dry and cracked."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Lutera for 5 months now, and I absolutely love it! I was very hesitant to ever get on birth control because you never know how hormones will affect your body. Lucky for me, never any spotting or random bleeding. Took my PMS symptoms from severe to barely there... Cramps? I used to cry and puke for my first 2 days, and now that time of the month isn't affecting my job and life. Weight gain? I was a very unhealthy 77 lbs before I started this. My doctor explained the pill itself does not cause weight gain, but increases your appetite and helps slow metabolism. I am now 95 lbs. I also suffer from anxiety and mild bipolar disorder, so I was worried this pill would make my symptoms worse, but I'm happy and healthy as could be right now!"

• Rhe...
• November 30, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Lutera has been a nightmare for me. I started it because of heavy bleeding and bad cramps. I just finished my 2nd pack, not taking the placebo pills. I haven't stopped bleeding since the end of the 1st pack's 2nd week. Four weeks straight of bleeding. Not spotting either-I'm going through a box of super tampons each week and clotting just as bad as my period off the pill. Instead of awful cramps, I'm having mild cramps and occasional sharp pelvic pain. But... it's every day now, not just two days of my period. It also left me unmotivated for the first several weeks and worsened my depression during that time. Thankfully, the mental side effects seem to be subsiding. So, not only dangerous to my mental health, it's also doing the exact opposite of what I started it for. All the nurses will say is 'the spotting could continue for the first 3-6 months.' At the rate I am having periods, SIX MONTHS is 45 periods (almost 4 years' worth of bleeding for me). If it doesn't stop by the end of this pack, I'm beyond done."

• Jay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 27 years old, 5'6", and 125 lbs. I'm a mother of a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old. My first time on any kind of birth control was after the birth of my 3-year-old and was the implant Implanon. I had a horrible experience overall with the side effects (extremely hormonal, excessive bleeding, horrible removal, and much more). After lots of research to avoid another disaster experience, I chose Lutera. Within a week and little by little, I started noticing a difference in everything. Pros: For the first time since I was a teenager, my periods were on time and even better, only lasted 3-4 days. My skin is clearer, my breasts are fuller, and no more mood swings. I feel like a normal woman. Cons: My breasts are a little sore, possibly because I'm a DD with now fuller breasts."

• amb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for over a year now, and it has worked great. There have been no mood swings, no weight gain, and I have seen a decrease in my period cramps and the length of my period. In the first few months, I did have breakthrough bleeding, but that went away by the third month. I take my pill at 8 pm every night, a few times later (but still within a 3-hour window), and have not gotten pregnant, though I have had unprotected sex on more than one occasion. I would recommend it to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lutera for 6 years now. I really love these pills. I have never had any bad side effects while taking these. Before I started taking Lutera, my periods were horrible. I used to have debilitating cramps, heavy bleeding, nausea, and vomiting on the 1st day of every period. With Lutera, my periods last about 3-4 days with little to no cramping. Also, I've been having unprotected sex with my significant other for almost 5 years now, and I have never gotten pregnant. I'm extremely nervous though because I went to pick up my BC pills today and was told that they are no longer making Lutera. I was given some pills called Aviane. I'm just hoping that these pills will give me the same results as Lutera did."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2012

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control pill I have ever been on, and I have been taking it since January. It is good for the most part. However, when I first started the pill, I bled for about three weeks straight, like a crazy period, and I am constantly dealing with bleeding between periods. Often, it seems to be caused by having sex with my boyfriend. Sex seems to be a trigger to start bleeding. I'm still the same happy person I was before I started the pill, I just bleed a whole lot more than I used to."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2012

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control pill I have ever been on, and I have been taking it since January. It is good for the most part. However, when I first started the pill, I bled for about three weeks straight, like a crazy period, and I am constantly dealing with bleeding between periods. Often, it seems to be caused by having sex with my boyfriend. Sex seems to be a trigger to start bleeding. I'm still the same happy person I was before I started the pill, I just bleed a whole lot more than I used to."

• mym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been taking Lutera for dilated veins in the uterus (PVC). I've been on it for about 3 months to ease cramps and decrease bleeding, but it hasn't really done either. During the first month of the pill, I bled daily, so I didn't necessarily have a period. I also gained about 5 pounds within 2 weeks, became extremely moody, and still had issues with cramps. Month 2, I still experienced a lot of spotting, but it would be suppressed for about a day or two, then continue for a week. I actually had a lighter period, and some of the cramping was eased, but the weight gain and moodiness came with depression, lack of energy, and made my skin break out (seeing I never really had acne issues). I'm almost done with my 3rd pack, and I plan to switch pills once I'm able to visit my doctor again."

• Ale...
• August 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Pros: 1. I'm not pregnant, nor have I had any pregnancy scares while on Lutera. 2. My period cramps, which used to be super bad, are virtually gone since my body has adjusted. 3. It's non-invasive, which I like. IUDs scare me, so taking a little pill every night is nothing for me. Cons: 1. I had light but continuous bleeding for about 3.5 months straight when I first got on it. 2. After the bleeding stopped, I thought my period would be gone unless I took the placebo pack- wrong. I never take the placebo week, however, about every 6 weeks, I have a light, 10-day period. 3. Once my body adjusted to it, I noticed I've had a lot lower libido than normal. That's a pretty huge con for me as I'm not ready to have a reduced sex drive, so I'm planning to switch soon. Overall thoughts: I'm pretty scared of IUDs, so the annoyingness of bleeding a bit more than normal and not getting pregnant is okay. The lower libido thing is largely why I'm giving 3 stars."