Seasonique and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• kni...
• June 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I went on this last year for PMDD, like severe PMS, and did fine the first 6 months. I'm not sure why, but suddenly my periods are 2 weeks long instead of one. I'm also having the same severity, if not more, of cramps that I had before I started. I think the issue was that I might have already had estrogen dominance, and the lack of ovulation made it even worse. (No ovulation means no progesterone to help your periods be lighter.) Also, I have zero sex drive. Seriously, doing dishes has been more appealing lately. It has made my mood issues improve, though. I don't feel nearly as depressed as I did before taking it."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2009

For Birth Control "I just started Seasonique almost two months ago. For about the first five weeks, it was fine and I didn't have a period or spotting. Although for the last three weeks, I've been bleeding like a normal period. Also, ever since I started taking it, my libido is really low and I simply have no sex drive. My gyno says that the bleeding is just my body getting used to the new drug, but honestly, a three-week period."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2009

For Birth Control "I just started Seasonique almost two months ago. For about the first five weeks, it was fine and I didn't have a period or spotting. Although for the last three weeks, I've been bleeding like a normal period. Also, ever since I started taking it, my libido is really low and I simply have no sex drive. My gyno says that the bleeding is just my body getting used to the new drug, but honestly, a three-week period."

• AMF...
• March 14, 2016

For Birth Control "It's birth control, and I feel with every birth control I have had, I have similar side effects - low sex drive, about 10 pounds weight gain that WILL NOT go away (workout 6 days a week & eat paleo). But it works in controlling my endometriosis pain, and my periods only last about 4-5 days. If you start spotting, stop taking the pill and have a period! That's how you get it to stop. I have been taking this for 10 years, and I take it at the same time and still have spotting, but that's just what happens when you try to tell your body to stop a natural process. If you have endometriosis, I recommend this pill, OTHERWISE, get a regular 1-month pill, which will give you less side effects while still working at a method of contraceptive."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Since age 12, I had cramps that would literally make me throw up, bleeding that was so heavy it took 10-12 super tampons a day, and prolonged periods of up to a month. This medication was a lifesaver. My period is now light, few cramps, and very short. It helps with my problems. But of course, there are some things I don't particularly like. My sex drive is absolutely zero (my boyfriend doesn't appreciate that), and I'm more emotional than ever. Random crying outbreaks happen, and the feeling of raging."

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2009

For Birth Control "I have only just begun taking Seasonique, but boy, is it effective. But who could get pregnant when your mood swings are off the charts and you have absolutely no sex drive, and even if I tried to be interested, it wouldn't be worth it because it's too dry. Seriously... my boyfriend and I hate it. Trying to wait it out and see if there is any improvement."

• unb...
• September 13, 2009

For Birth Control "I was on Seasonique for 2 years. Seasonique started out as an okay form of birth control. It took my body a while to get used to it (probably about 2 packs, so 6 months). When I did get used to it, it was great. But then the problems started. I've never had acne or even bad pimples, and my face started to really break out. Also, I don't know if my body got immune to the birth control, but after a while, my heavy periods came back as well as the cramps. Also, if I ever forgot to take my pill and had to double up, I would get really sick. Overall, it started out great, but the effects were not long-term. I've gained 15 pounds, and my libido is very low, and I'm very dry when having intercourse. Also, as mentioned earlier, it gave me very bad acne."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2009

For Ovarian Cysts "I am on my second pack of Seasonique. Day 2 of the yellow pills, and my period hasn't come yet. Could be because, 2 weeks ago, I had a 10-day period with heavy clotting. I have had no bad side effects other than lack of sex drive, which doesn't bother me since I am not having sex. I am using this to treat my ovarian cysts that have grown back."

• Add...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for 4 years! It was my first birth control I was ever on, and I originally got on it because I didn’t want to have periods anymore. Not having periods was the ONLY good thing about this birth control. I constantly got yeast infections, ZERO sex drive, I was so dry down there, and constant nausea. I didn’t realize it was my birth control making me feel that way for 4 years until I came off of it."

• mic...
• November 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonique for over a year. For the first six months, I had non-stop spotting, which made sex embarrassing. But I have endometriosis and thought having no pain outweighed the spotting. Now I have two new problems: I am overweight by 15 lbs and can't lose the weight even though I work out 4 times a week and eat very healthy. I have also lost all my sex drive! At this point, I am thinking of going back to my gyno and finding another solution. The cons far outweigh the pros for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking Seasonique for almost 9 months now. The first month is fine, I don't get my period or any bleeding or any other side effects. As soon as the second month is almost over, I start spotting, and I don't stop spotting until I receive my period at the end of the 3rd month. I spot for months straight, and it's actually ridiculous. This pill is very expensive, and it's only supposed to give 4 periods a year, yet all I do is bleed. The spotting is little to no blood, which is very annoying. My sex drive is non-existent, which ultimately makes being on the pill completely pointless."

• Anonymous
• June 23, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on this pill for almost 3 months, only 1 week away, but I've been bleeding since the second week I started this pill. I haven't had any weight gain or acne problems, but I have had a significant decrease in energy (which, with how much I enjoy running, is not working out because I would rather sleep all day and lay around, and that's not me at all). Also, sex drive = non-existent, and I should have the urge at 23, but it just isn't there. So, this definitely isn't the right pill for me. It did eliminate the cramping, though, but the bleeding and being worn out are too much to handle."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been taking Seasonique for two years. When I first started using it, nothing major really changed with my body, but after the first couple of months, I started to break out more often, and my sex drive was practically non-existent. Two years later, the acne problem isn't as bad, but my sex drive is still gone, and during intercourse, I am also dry, which makes intercourse uncomfortable. This was my first birth control, and I am now switching."

• Ste...
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this BC for about 5 years. It was absolutely amazing for the first four years, with the exception of having spotting here or there, but once we got through about 3-6 months, that ended, and only getting my period every three months was AMAZING! I had a very light period with little to no cramps while on this pill. About a year ago, I stopped taking it after having been on it for close to 5 years. I went on vacation and continued to take my pill at the same time every day, and I had my period for the ENTIRE three weeks I was gone. A very heavy and painful period, too, which was completely abnormal. I also completely lost my sex drive before stopping using this and have now stopped taking it, and I am honestly scared to experiment with new pills."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2011

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I started this birth control six months ago. I was prescribed it for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and mild Endometriosis. It helped quite a bit with my frequent periods and cystic acne. However, I had constant spotting for the six months I was taking it. I took the pill at the same time every single night, and I would still spot! I know this is common with this pill since it is supposed to give you four periods a year, but I couldn't take the spotting anymore. I also have absolutely no sex drive."

• Nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Seasonique going on 5 years now. I originally got on it to try to help clear up my skin. 6 months later, I started taking medication from my dermatologist to treat my acne, and it was cured by that treatment I believe, but the BC could have helped it as well. The first 3 months I bled every day, so that sucked, but after that I regulated, and as long as I took it at the same time every day, I had a period every 3 months that lasted 3-4 days when I was previously used to 7-day periods. The only thing that really was awful about this pill is that it killed my sex drive after about 3 1/2 - 4 years of being on the pill, which obviously took a toll on my relationship, so I’m on the last pack and switching to Sprintec."

• 0Su...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill was great for a while. I had one period every 3 months, and it helps with mild acne. My only problem is the headaches! They are hell, some have even brought me to tears. There's no stopping it with pain pills, it just stops randomly. Also, your sex drive will hit rock bottom."

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2008

"I'm very happy with Seasonique. I had my tubes tied about a year and a half ago after the birth of my third son. I have very bad PMS and very painful ovulation. I could not take being miserable three weeks out of the month anymore, so my doctor put me on Seasonique. I found that my face is clearer and my appetite is less. Only downside is lack of sex drive. I get like that no matter what pill I'm on. I'm looking forward to fewer periods a year."

• 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."

• Pix...
• June 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I spent 2 years on this medication. 2 years of my life I'll never get back. I thought the crippling exhaustion, anger, anxiety, and depression were from being a working mom of a young child. For 2 years I had no libido, no desire to do anything other than sit on my couch. Cooking, cleaning, and simple things like playing with my child were nearly impossible. After a day at work, I was too mentally fatigued to do anything. Less than a month back on Loestrin, and it's like a light switch has been flipped. I'd rather bleed monthly and be happy."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2009

For Birth Control "No sex drive at all, thought it was me, but after reading a multitude of other comments, it wasn't. Also had continual 'breakthrough' bleeding, which of course, how is that preventing periods?? It isn't! It's one long menstrual cycle for almost a constant month. Plus, it is expensive even with good insurance. Definitely switching to something else and at least plan my period, have enjoyable sex with my husband again."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonique for almost 2 years now - it has drastically reduced my sex drive, but I thought the convenience of the 4 periods per year was worth it. However, I am now on almost week 2 of my current period and having some serious issues with heavy bleeding - it may be my age (38) or other reasons, but at this point, I'm ready to find other options."

• CNW...
• April 25, 2010

"I have used this birth control for over 4 years. This birth control is amazing. 4 periods a year maximum. Sometimes I would only have 3 or 2. Recently, though, I found out that any birth control with estrogen is a health concern for women who get migraines that have vision issues, it can lead to stroke. My new insurance provider refuses to provide me any birth control with estrogen. I started to cry when the doctor sprung this on me. I am so sad about not being on this birth control now. The only side effects that I have had are: 1. I don't lubricate well when trying to have sex, so lubricant is a must. 2. Loss of sex drive."

• 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!"

• mrs...
• October 24, 2011

For Birth Control "I decided to switch from Tri-Sprintec to Seasonique right before I got married because having four periods a year sounded great to both me and my new husband! As far as fewer periods, it was great. I never had any problems with spotting or heavy periods at all. As far as preventing pregnancy, still no baby here, so I guess that part worked pretty well too. On the negative side... I have gained close to 20 pounds in the last four months since I started taking Seasonique and have not been able to drop the weight with diet and exercise. I actually continued to gain weight while trying hard to lose it. Also, my libido dropped like crazy, I was not interested in sex at all, but I wanted to be. And I experienced extreme vaginal dryness, which was no fun."