Seasonique and Spotting: What Users Say

• Kaa...
• April 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Keep the faith! My first 6 weeks was pure misery. Constantly bloated, crying, never-ending period. Had it for the whole first 6 weeks. I called my doctor after the first month, begging her to change my BC, but she asked for me to finish out the 3 months. I'm so happy I did, as soon as the 6th week, all side effects faded away. I am no longer emotionally all over the place, sex drive has returned. No bleeding or even spotting. Yay!!! I was scared reading the reviews, so I wanted to post that it did change for me. Hope this helps!"

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I was so scared to try this birth control but my doctor recommended it to me. I wanted to try Yaz, 'miracle pill,' because I suffer from PMDD and I thought that it would work out for me. However, she advised me to try Seasonique because you only get your period 3-4 times a year. So this is my second month, and it is working out great - no weight gain and no acne. A little spotting, but that's not a problem. I thought nothing would help me. This pill has saved my life and my marriage. I would get so crazy when it was time for my period. Love this. It worked out for me, but everybody is different. You just have to try to find the right one for you. I would read a lot of reviews and get scared, but just try a birth control for 3 months then you will know."

• ECl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Seasonique for over 6 months. I have had continuous spotting along with cramps for the last 16 days. My doctor informed me to skip the pills at the end of the pack so that I do not have any periods due to my periods being extremely painful. However, I hate the fact that I have been spotting for over 2 weeks. I started this birth control to treat endometriosis and to regulate my periods. Yet, spotting every day is not any better. I am looking into other options right now. I don't like bleeding all the time."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2013

For Birth Control "It's been 2 years. I spotted for almost six weeks straight on the first pack until I had the first period. I gained about 10 lbs, but most of it was in my chest. I'm just now getting back to my 'normal' weight, which also means my breasts are going back down. Periods are really light, the last two packs nonexistent. If I'm not careful to take them at around the same time, I will get cramping and sometimes spotting. If the spotting doesn't stop within a few days, I stop taking the pack for a week and have a period, and then start the pack again. Overall, I love it, though I have noticed increased night sweats but don't know for sure it's related."

• pel...
• September 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 5 months now, and I love it. However, for the first two months, I had irregular spotting and cramping. This eventually went away, I'm assuming it was just my body adjusting to the change. I would recommend this birth control to anyone."

• Jun...
• February 2, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The worst decision of my life was to start this birth control. After just five weeks of being on it, I started spotting, then it moved into a full-blown heavy period. With the worst cramps I’ve ever experienced in my life! I would be changing my pad every hour along with taking pain medicine to try and help with cramping, but even that didn’t help. I was in so much pain I was calling in to not go to work, which I have worked for over 35 years and never call in sick. Starting this birth control has messed with my life physically and emotionally the past month and a half that I’ve been on this, so I stopped taking the pill and my symptoms have been getting worse. I talked to my doctor and she said to just stay on the pill. I refuse to continue to take it. I’m just praying that the symptoms will go away as soon as the hormones withdraw from my body. I took this birth control to help not get my period, and it’s only been the opposite and a nightmare of symptoms since taking it."

• jas...
• August 29, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Been on Seasonique for just over 2 years. While getting periods only four times a year is great, it's never been a true reality for me. Out of the three months that are within a pack, the first two are great, but every time I hit the third month, I start spotting. But not even just a regular little bit of brown discharge. It starts like that for a few days, and about a week or so into that 3rd month, I begin getting very large clots. It resembles a light period almost, as if my entire uterine lining comes out in these clots. This lasts for a few weeks, all the way up until my last week of pills... which is when I'm supposed to get my period, which I don’t because I lost all the blood in the 2-3 weeks prior to that. This medication has also made me gradually gain 20 pounds since I first began it. I cannot wait until I get off this pill. 2 more weeks and then I will not be getting a refill. I have had enough. Do not recommend this medication."

• Roy...
• October 31, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the pill for a little over a month, and I'm stopping. I'm extremely anemic, and I asked my doc for this to help with my periods. They were getting increasingly heavy and painful and making my anemia worse. I started taking the generic of this pill, and in 1 month, gained 10 pounds. Then I started spotting and got a full-blown period month 1. This period is heavier than normal and has zapped me of all my energy. It has lasted 7 days of constant normal to heavy bleeding that doesn't seem like it's going to stop. The blood is still fresh bright red, so it doesn't look like it's stopping soon. Also, this week of bleeding has made me extremely emotional. I almost quit my job! I feel very angry, irritated, annoyed, and depressed."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2012

For Endometriosis "I have a condition called endometrial hyperplasia. Basically, my uterus is thick, my uterine cells produce quickly and cause pain that feeds into my muscle cells during menstruation. I have had two children and constant pain during my cycles. My OB suggested Seasonique to get rid of my cycle and end my pain. After a while, my abdominal pain is totally gone. I also have a much more stable mood. Once you get through one full cycle, the spotting decreases and things level out. I suggest not stopping until you have tried it for at least 3-6 months."

• Nik...
• May 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Most of these reviews are terrifying, so I wanted to share my experience... 1) One of the biggest differences with tricyclic BC (3 months) from the once-a-month kind is the likelihood of spotting is much greater. On the first pack, I spotted months 2-3. (Yep.. 2 months pretty much). That being said, it was so light I could've probably used the same panty liner all day and been fine. Also, my BF isn't a child and wasn't bothered by it. I found it mostly annoying. The second pack, I'm still spotting, but only for 1 month, also very light. I suspect it will not happen on the next pack. Minor nausea was my only other side effect. No libido change, no weight gain, mood change, etc. Not perfect, but I love it. It's going to be different for each person."

• Spo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 13, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I loved the thought of not having a period every month, as advertised. It worked great for 6 and 1/2 years. Light spotting when I started back then, and lighter periods and not buying so many tampons was very nice! I got off the pill for 6 months (for financial reasons). Decided to go back on it, and now I'm in month two and on my 11th day bleeding. Started as spotting, then got heavier each day after, and minor clotting. I saw dark brown blood on day 9 of bleeding, thought it was ending finally, then the next day...BAM, back to bright red bleeding again, and horrible cramping to go with it! I'm a mess emotionally. It's like PMS, but not going away once the period starts. I think it's turned on me. Time for a switch! I can't afford all these pads."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2010

For Birth Control "I am almost through my first pack of Seasonique, and I love it. My doctor instructed me to take the pills for 6 weeks, and then let myself have a period and then take the next six weeks and have a period. She told me to do this in order to reduce any spotting. I think that method may work because I haven't had any spotting at all. I have had an amazing experience with it. I also make sure to take it around the same time every day and not to miss a pill. That also helps reduce spotting."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been so happy on this medication. I actually take the generic version and am on my 3rd month. I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for years. I am 32. Just some occasional light spotting so far. I have suffered from migraines for a long time, especially around my period, and on these pills they have decreased. My breasts have increased at least a cup size and are super firm (boyfriend approved!). No loss of sex drive at all. I have gained about 10 pounds, but I don't really mind the weight gain with having no period, no migraines, and a free increase in breast size."

• De2...
• July 29, 2015

For Birth Control "So I totally agree with some of the comments below. I've been on Seasonique since grade 9 (in my second year of college as of Sept 2015). I'm not gonna say why, but I will say that it was definitely great in the beginning. Periods became regular, I had my period for about 5 days, which I find healthy in my opinion since I don't get it for 3 months, and it has cleared up my face from acne and pimples. As of this year, I have noticed that the pill isn't working as it should. During the last week or 2 before the yellow pills or 'period pills,' I get constant on and off spotting. Then, during the week of my period pills, I don't get my period until the last few days. Usually Wed to Fri if following the actual week. Been taking it for 5 yrs now."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Seasonique for almost three months now. The first month and a half, it was perfect, then I missed it for three days when I misplaced it and began spotting. I want to try to have my period and then get back on it and take it on time this time. It kept my skin clear. My breast size increased close to a full cup size, and I didn't have much weight gain. My sex drive was not lost at all. If anything, it increased."

• taj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2016

For Birth Control "An incredible birth control. Do not be turned off by people saying they bled or spotted for weeks or months - this is only because it must be started at a specific point in your cycle. It stopped my period for three months without any spotting until it was finally due. My only complaint is that the bleeding lasted a few days longer than usual, but that is it. I didn't even experience the horrible cramps I previously did. An excellent birth control I recommend for both regulating/stopping your period and as actual birth control."

• lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2014

For Birth Control "I love this birth control so far! I've been on it for 2 months. I spotted on and off for the first 3 weeks. I just used a Poise pantyliner and was fine. I have had slight acne, but I wash and use Bentonite clay 3 times a week. I've heard of excessive spotting, you have to take it at the same time every day. I take it at 7 pm like clockwork, sometimes 6:30. Take it at night."

• nic...
• September 25, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Seasonique made my face break out. I had a lot of spotting and abdominal cramps. I was prescribed Seasonique to regulate my periods, and it did the exact opposite! Since day one of starting this product, I have had to wear a pad because of the spotting."

• 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
• May 17, 2010

For Endometriosis "I've been on Seasonique for a few years, and I love it. Only four periods a year, and they are much lighter. I do have some spotting in between periods, but only four periods a year outweighs the occasional spotting. It has really helped me with my endometriosis. I rarely experience symptoms from the endometriosis, and when I do, they are usually milder. I would recommend Seasonique to everyone!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on Seasonique for 8 years. Had tiny spotting only twice in these 8 years. Otherwise, my body has fully followed the pack as I think it's supposed to be. I still get migraines on my period, but 4 times a year is way less than 12 times a year. My period at first was a bit more normal, after all these years, I'm now a bit lighter than what I used to be."

• Efa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on the Seasonique birth control for 2.5 months. It's been terrible. I started spotting within the first month, which wasn't a big deal. It went away. But then it became more frequent, and anytime I'd get stressed, I'd get a period for 5-6 days. If you miss a pill by an hour, you get your period. I have now been bleeding every day for the past 3 weeks. I had to buy reusable/washable panty liners because I've destroyed most of my underwear. This past week, I got super stressed, and I've been bleeding extremely heavily. Not just bleeding, but passing massive clots. I'm terrified. I just decided to stop taking this pill and stopped halfway through the 3rd pack. 4 periods a year? Misnomer. This is having your period every day."

• Bri...
• September 22, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been using Seasonique for a little over a year now. The first month and a half on Seasonique is great, but then the spotting starts. For the past 2 1/2 weeks on the last pack, I have been bleeding. It has given me acne and very painful cramps. I am switching to another birth control."

• Me2...
• February 1, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking this pill 8 years ago. It was awesome. Light periods that lasted only a few days! Recently, on the third month, spotting started. I figured the period was coming early because of stress. About 3 weeks later, I’m having the heaviest period I’ve had in YEARS! Painful cramps, clots, and just so much bleeding! I am miserable!"

• Con...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 17, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Seasonique since grade 10 of high school because my periods were very irregular. For the first year and a half, it worked perfectly with no side effects whatsoever. But now, every third month of the pack, I spot heavily the whole time. I have brought more liners and pads than I ever would have had to. I absolutely love having my period only 4 times a year, but now it's like I'm having a month-long period every 3 months. I am considering switching to something else because I don't know if I can keep living with it. If anyone has an explanation for why this is happening, please share it with me."