Seasonique and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• MJ7...
• May 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I started the pill 3 weeks ago. I'm spotting almost every day, and I am trying to take it in the morning at the same time between 7am and 9am. But not consistent, so I may have to change my timing. I have a few cramps, but nothing compared to before. So hopefully, things will get better as many explained here."

• Del...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this for 2.5 years so far. I started this about 8 months after I stopped smoking cigarettes, so regardless, I gained a bunch of weight back, and I think Seasonique and my other medicine (for sleep) are what is keeping me from not getting back to my skinnier self. The effects of this are worth it to me, though: not getting my period for 2.5 months, then the last 3 weeks I begin to spot (only needing a liner), and then get my period the last week. I used to deal with extreme cramps to the point of sweating hunched over in pain, I began this and have felt 1000x better during my period. I still get cramps, of course, but they are nothing compared to what I used to go through every month. I also have a much lower libido than when I was 3 years younger, but this medication has worked well for me enough that the pros outweigh the cons."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2018

For Birth Control "Getting on this BC has been the worst decision of my life. I never had any issues with my previous BC, but I wanted to switch to something that I would only have to get refilled every 3 months and that would eliminate me from having periods altogether. The first 3 weeks were okay. I had cramping, but nothing too major, then the 4th week came and all hell broke loose. I only have 2 more weeks left of the 3-pack, and I've been on my period for the last 6 weeks! For a BC that's supposed to eliminate you from having a period, this is insanity. I hate this stuff and wouldn't recommend anyone getting on it."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2017

For Endometriosis "I have been on Seasonique for a month and a week, and I am having the worst time of my life! I am on BC due to an endometriosis flare-up, soreness during sex, and hormonal changes in my system. I have never taken this particular pill before; I was prescribed Lo-Seasonique in the past, which was perfect! Seasonique is damaging! My body is aching; my breasts feel 20 lbs heavier in that area alone; the cramping, OMG, is on another level! I’m so frustrated right now because now I’m not sure if I should stop cold turkey or not; bleeding is now out of control! Every review I have read, I can relate to, and it’s unfortunate because normally I would stand by Lo-Seasonique, but this dosage is the worst. READ THE REVIEWS— THEY HAVE BEEN SPOT ON!"

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Seasonique for a little over a month now, and about two weeks ago, I started my period, which I thought would be normal because of my body adjusting, but it isn't. It is the heaviest it has ever been, and I have extreme cramps, so I will change my pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Well, I was on this BC Seasonique for 3 years. It has been great. I have stopped the BC because I want to try and have my last baby. Well, since I stopped it on October 10, 2019, I have been bleeding very heavily, very bad cramping, and headaches. Has anyone else gone through this after stopping this BC? I have tried a few other BCs, but nothing ever happened like this after stopping it. Please let me know if you have had this problem after stopping this BC. Thank you all."

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I have really good insurance, so the cost was not a problem. I've been on this pill for 4 1/2 months, and for the first three months, everything was fine besides the bleeding and breast tenderness. I started month 4, and everything was perfect! Halfway through week 5, I experienced awful cramping, bloating, constipation, and headaches, hopefully, they will go away! As long as I can get rid of that, it would be a great pill due to the fact I'm anemic, and it helps to not have a period but 4 times a year!"

• Kit...
• January 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 16 years old. I've been taking Seasonique since I was 14 and all I can say is that Seasonique is a great birth control. I've only had one side effect and that is a little cramps, but nothing big. I love it because I've never gotten pregnant on it and I suffer from body and face acne, and Seasonique did a great job on clearing that up. So now I have beautiful skin. Seasonique is very good. My skin cleared up the first week I took it!"

• Cam...
• October 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonique for 6 days, and I am not losing hope just yet! The first 3 days were horrific. Mood swings, nausea, hot/cold flashes, sensitive breasts, and weird appetite changes causing me to undereat. The nausea is still there, but it is slowly getting better. My period started on a Sunday, and that's the first day I took the pill. My period lasted a little longer than normal, but I have stopped bleeding today. Cramps were terrible, and I also had really bad gas and a feeling of needing to make a BM in the night. Coming onto day 7, I feel confident in this BC. I've always had terrible, irregular periods, heavy flows, cramps so bad I would call in sick from work, and I was sick of it! I am also anemic, so between the painful cramps and blood loss, my doctor thought BC would be best for me. I'm determined to take at least the full 3 months prescribed so I can get a better idea of its effects on my body and if it's beneficial or not. So far, could be better, could be worse!"

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2010

"Before I started this birth control, I would go months (6-7) without a period. I have been on Seasonique for 8 weeks now. The first week everything went fine, but as the weeks progressed, I have been having horrible cramps to where all I can do is lay on the couch. I've experienced headaches, which I have never had before, and severe acne. Lastly, I have had bleeding for 14 days now, which hasn't even begun to lighten up or show signs of stopping soon."

• Car...
• February 8, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Two weeks after beginning Seasonique, I began developing severe cramps and heavy bleeding. I went to the doctor who prescribed it to me, and he told me to wait it out and to continue taking it. However, about a week later, I was in such severe pain (and extremely nauseous) that I had to be taken to the emergency room. The ER doc said that my symptoms were likely due to the birth control pill, as the body can take two to three months to adjust to it. However, she advised me to stop the pill because I had been bleeding for three weeks and was having severe cramps (worse than my usual periods). I would not recommend this pill to anyone, and I don't know if I'd ever be willing to try another birth control pill again after this awful experience."

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I took Seasonique for one month, and the side effects have been so debilitating I had to stop. My side effects: weight gain of 6+ lbs in one month, breast tenderness, constipation accompanied by gas and bloating, lethargy spanning from feeling 'run-down' to complete exhaustion where I slept for 19 hours, extremely painful cramping with diarrhea. When I started bleeding, the cramps were worse than ever before (part of the reason I began taking Seasonique was to lessen the pain and cramping associated with my cycle). The cramping has been debilitating for 4 days now and is only mildly relieved with Pamprin. My intention was to ride out the adjustment period, but I couldn't and stopped taking the medication 2 days ago."

• JMa...
• February 26, 2018

For Birth Control "The first 1.5 packs of this pill I had a little bit of breakthrough bleeding at the end of each month, but as time has gone by, this has stopped. I do get moody around the 4th week mark of each month, but that's normal for me. I've also been getting migraines and have gained around 25 lbs, which is very abnormal for me. Although, with time, these side effects have been improving, and I've found ways to reverse them. When I first started taking this pill, I was really tempted to give up as I was extremely moody all of the time, had literally zero libido, and terrible migraines every single day. These things subsided within the first month, and I found ways to improve the negative effects (personal lubricant, taking 5-HTP). Ultimately, I'm glad I stuck with it because it's totally worth it to only have my period 4 times per year (and it also only lasts about 3 days now, albeit with bad cramping). PS: CBD oil helped me a lot with the migraines!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2022

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I take the generic of this med, and I tell you! I got on this medicine to have less periods due to heavy bleeding and ovarian cysts, and oh my gosh, it’s the worst experience I’ve ever experienced. I started my period a month into this pill. Let’s just say I started my period July 8th… it’s August 13th, and I am STILL BLEEDING!!!! My cramps are excruciating, I’m gaining weight!!! My energy levels are ZERO. It’s been an absolute nightmare! I also have passed what looks like the whole lining of my uterus, and it is the worst pain I have ever experienced, worse than any of the ovarian cysts I have experienced. I feel like the definition of insanity every day I take another pill."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because other birth controls were either not working for my acne or giving me bad cramps. I wanted to quit after week 8. I was moody all the time, my appetite grew, and it really did nothing for my acne. My boyfriend thought I was pregnant, it was getting so bad. I am now on my period with the worst cramps I've ever had, they started at least 2 days before my actual period, and I feel like I have bipolar disorder. One minute I am crying over not having tea, the next I am happy and bubbly like nothing was ever wrong. I am changing back to a previous birth control as soon as possible."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because other birth controls were either not working for my acne or giving me bad cramps. I wanted to quit after week 8. I was moody all the time, my appetite grew, and it really did nothing for my acne. My boyfriend thought I was pregnant, it was getting so bad. I am now on my period with the worst cramps I've ever had, they started at least 2 days before my actual period, and I feel like I have bipolar disorder. One minute I am crying over not having tea, the next I am happy and bubbly like nothing was ever wrong. I am changing back to a previous birth control as soon as possible."

• Aud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill for about 8 months now. During the last month of the pack (because it’s a 3-month pack), I constantly spot, and the last week of the 3rd month, I have VERY heavy periods with horrible cramping. I’m on my 8th month and still have 2 weeks left and started spotting today. I thought it would subside, but it hasn’t. My anxiety is the worst it’s ever been. I thought it would get better with the spotting and bleeding, but it hasn’t. The only good thing is my face has cleared up, but it’s not worth being on my period for a whole month. Definitely switching ASAP."

• Opt...
• December 28, 2010

For Birth Control "I am on my 5th week of Seasonique. I will repost as I am further along. The first 3 1/2 weeks, I had that normal 'somewhat odd' (bloating, irritability) that comes with starting any new birth control (my personal experience). At 3 1/2 weeks, I had to take painkillers every couple of days. Random cramping. However, the week that my period was expected, week 4, I had only light spotting. No blood, just a few smears of super light brown discharge. I often have PMS, so I think the irritability I had was just around PMS time. So the irritability/slight moodiness was okay with. Now I am on week 5. Irritability gone. Still light spotting, but I'm optimistic so far. Looks like this may work. Will repost to share."

• MLA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this for 6 months now. As far as not getting my period for 3 months, it’s great. Then my period comes and all hell breaks loose. My first period on this was longer, heavier, and more uncomfortable than normal, but not awful. Then this time around, it started super early, a whole week before my placebo week. Consistently for over 10 days, my uterus woke up and chose violence. My toilet was like the kitchen floor scene from Gone Girl every time I went to empty my menstrual cup-which I needed to do several times a day. I had heavy cramping and I passed several large clots. Then one time in the middle of the night, I got up to go to the bathroom, suddenly, I became really faint to the point where I nearly passed out and almost woke up my BF to take me to the ER. I’m now on day 11, and it’s just now starting to let up. I’m starting to think I’d rather deal with my monthly periods and have minimal issues than to feel like this for 10-14 days when I do get my period."

• Hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have used 3 different birth control brands (Yasmin, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and Yaz) before trying out the generic of Seasonique. It worked great for the first 2 months, then I had some light spotting that got heavier every day until it was heavier than any past menstrual cycle. I bled (regular to very heavy) and cramped every day for the next 4 months. Even when starting a new pack, taking it at the same time, at night, with iron-nothing I did made this bleeding get lighter or go away until I stopped taking them. Then I got my period normally every month, but it's been far heavier than it has ever been in my life. Last month, my period came early, and this month it came only 2 weeks after my last period. This RX has my body all out of whack."

• ae2...
• February 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I was attracted to the four periods a year setup. I had really bad cramps and spotting for the first 8 to 9 months on Seasonique. I continued to have intermittent cramps and spotting after. One strange side effect is that after an orgasm I would have terrible cramping and blood a little later. Not pleasant. I also gained about 10 lbs in one year, which is not normal for me. I go to a gym and avoid junk food. I was generally puffy, and no matter how much weight training and cardio I did, could NOT GET IN SHAPE. I'm switching back to Loestrin after I get my weight back to normal. This is an effective birth control, but the side effects were a bit unpleasant in my experience."

• ae2...
• February 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I was attracted to the four periods a year setup. I had really bad cramps and spotting for the first 8 to 9 months on Seasonique. I continued to have intermittent cramps and spotting after. One strange side effect is that after an orgasm I would have terrible cramping and blood a little later. Not pleasant. I also gained about 10 lbs in one year, which is not normal for me. I go to a gym and avoid junk food. I was generally puffy, and no matter how much weight training and cardio I did, could NOT GET IN SHAPE. I'm switching back to Loestrin after I get my weight back to normal. This is an effective birth control, but the side effects were a bit unpleasant in my experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2016

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "My journey with this BC has been extremely rough, but worth it! I have been diagnosed with PCOS, GERD, IBS-D, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and manic depressive disorder. My gynecologist instructed me to give it 6 months before discontinuing. The first 2 weeks were normal. Then I had spotting for 4 weeks straight. I could deal with that. I figured I hadn't had my period in months due to PCOS, so it would take time to regulate. At the 6-week mark, I got the heaviest menses of my life with extreme cramping. Ended up in the ER twice. Had my period for 12 weeks straight. Off for 3 weeks, back on for 4 weeks. And then it started working normally. Now I have no symptoms at all and get my period every 3 months like clockwork!"

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I started taking Seasonique around October after I finished my last pack of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I was fine with Ortho Tri-Cyclen, but I wanted to try something new. So far, it's been okay. I've noticed my acne has flared up much more than when I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen, but I thought it would clear up. As of yet, it hasn't gotten much better. My cramps are definitely not making things any better. It's only been 2 months... So I'll keep on taking Seasonique and hopefully things will improve!"

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Seasonique for almost 2 years, and I love it. I had some light spotting the first month or two, but I have had no problem since. My periods are much shorter, and I have less severe cramping. Before I started taking it, I would get extremely sick on my periods and have heavy bleeding, and that's why I started the pill. It helps so much, and I am very happy with it."