Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Ema...
• January 19, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the Vienva pill for two months. I read so many reviews and was scared to take it because of all of the side effects everyone seems to have, but I decided to take it anyway. My boobs have grown a full size (from C to D), and that is the only place my body has gained weight. I will say though, they were VERY sore and sensitive every day for about a month. Now they don’t bother me, but they will be tender here and there. The pill has not made me feel nauseous or get migraines, but I will say it does make me more gassy and use the bathroom more. I went on this pill in the hopes that I would not have too many cramps when I get my period, and BOY did this pill exceed my expectations! I did not get any cramps and I bled very lightly! (I’m 19, 5’1 and weigh 125 so honestly my period would keep me bedridden with cramps and very heavy bleeding, especially because I’m on the petite side.) I overall love the pill and will continue to stay on it."

• Mol...
• July 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I was VERY wary about being switched to this birth control. I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 3 years without any problems, but then I started having breakthrough bleeding and increased skin breakouts, including lots of cystic acne. Doctor put me on Levora, and after reading a lot of reviews of side effects, I was super worried I'd end up with worse acne. It's been 4 months and I LOVE THIS PILL. My skin has never looked better. I didn't experience any emotional issues with the switch. My period is regular again and lighter than it even was on the other pill. I barely get any cramps. I love it. If you're reading all these negative reviews, remember people are more likely to post negative experiences than positive ones."

• KD2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I have had a great experience with this medication so far. I started Aviane (Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol 0.1mg/0.02mg) a little over a month ago. I was prescribed by a telehealth care provider and was initially very skeptical because of all of the negative reviews here, but so far so good! I did get bloated the first 2-3 weeks and gained like 4 lbs in water weight, but I drank lots of water and ate clean and exercised regularly; now I am at my normal weight again. The first week I started, I did get some headaches, but nothing too bad. During the placebo week, I decided to skip the placebo pills and move on to my next pack to skip my period, but I started bleeding anyway and bled for about 10 days. I know that breakthrough bleeding is one of the side effects, so I was not too alarmed. My sex drive has been way better and my mood swings have kind of settled down. Please do not let these reviews scare you; try it for yourself. Each body is unique and reacts differently."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on many different birth controls, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, Yasmin, Mercette, and this is by far the best. Initially when you start it, the first few months you may experience breakthrough bleeding, but this stops by month three. I usually take it around the same time every day, which prevents spotting. It has cleared up my skin for the most part, besides that occasional pimple before my period. My mood swings are the best on this pill, and there is absolutely no weight gain or off-balance of hormones where you feel the side effects of taking hormones. I recommend this birth control to anyone, but just be patient with the adjustment it takes to get acclimated to your body."

• 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!"

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Started Balcoltra about 4 months ago. I was so scared with all the bad reviews, but my gyno put me on it, so I went with it. Other than a little breakthrough bleeding, I haven't had any major side effects. I noticed the cramps during my period lasted a little longer the first couple of months, but now on month 4, I can say that my period is shorter and lighter than what it used to be. No acne, no bloating or weight gain. I'm happy with it!"

• Oce...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I had a great experience on this birth control. I had no weight gain, no hair loss, my skin was generally pretty clear, and the best part was the 4 periods a year. My hair also grew very fast and was super long and shiny. The only con was that if I didn’t always take it at the same time every day, I would get breakthrough bleeding."

• Kri...
• December 27, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Lybrel since it came out. It is an absolute miracle pill for me. I tell everyone about it. I have had no bleeding, no cramps since I have been on it. I used to have very heavy bleeding and terrible cramps. This pill has changed my life."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I saw a lot of negative reviews, but gave it a go. I had a few headaches and crying spells; however, after my body adjusted, I’m completely content. Don’t be too scared and try it once your period starts. I started to wear a pad after the brown discharge (breakthrough bleeding) started, but that’s the worst it’s gotten. Expect some bloating, do your research, and stick with what your body accepts. Stay safe."

• In ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2021

For Birth Control "First and last time using this drug. I just started my 3rd pack and have been bleeding nonstop since week 2. It has made me emotional, sluggish, bloated, abdominal cramps, acne, and bad gas with multiple poops a day. I’ve never felt this bad before, ever. Stopping the pill today and hoping to get my life back. DO NOT take unless you like to be miserable and in constant pain."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on this for a little over a year (it just came on the market in the summer of 2007), and I have had no problems with it whatsoever. No breakthrough bleeding, no spotting, no periods (unless I missed more than a pill, then I had some light spotting). I've had so many problems with other birth controls, ranging from Depo to the patch, to the ring, to 13 different types of pills, and I finally found one that worked for me!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Ashlyna for 2 years. You have to give it 6 months for the breakthrough bleeding to stop and for your hormones to level out, that's with any birth control. I still am currently on it and enjoy it very much. I skip the placebo pills, so I don't have a period."

• Ric...
• January 2, 2019

For Birth Control "The first three weeks were terrible, dizzy, moody, brain fog...you name the side effect; I had it. After three weeks, I was ready to give up. I would ask my husband every day what his thoughts were. He knew the yo-yo of emotions my monthly cycle brought, how it affected work, relationships, sleep, and parenting. This has CHANGED MY LIFE! The first twelve weeks (yup, three full months) I spot bled every day. I probably gained a few pounds due to water retention, but that's gone. Sex drive was eliminated; it has since resurfaced. All the side effects are now gone, I'm clear-minded, level-headed, and NO emotional rollercoaster each month. No monthly bloating, mood swings, or feeling like my blood was boiling. I would do it all again. If you are questioning this or any pill, you will want to give it twelve weeks...stinks at times, but your body takes time. I've tried every other pill, IUD, antidepressants, no sugar, no caffeine...etc. I don't get a period anymore."

• 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
• November 10, 2009

For Birth Control "I love this medicine! I have never experienced breakthrough bleeding and have been on it for a year and a half now. I had tried everything before this, generic birth control (made me emotionally crazy), the NuvaRing (could never remember to put it back in, and it bothered him), Mirena (the wire bothered him) -- finally found this after all that, and it's all about me -- NO PERIODS! NO CRAMPING. NO MESS. Life, normal... everyday."

• hey...
• February 2, 2014

For Birth Control "Taking this pill was an awful experience. Everything was going fine until right around the time that I started the second month of it, and since then, I have had nasty breakthrough bleeding ever since then! (Not to mention the breast soreness, leg cramps, and depression.) I'm finishing the pill this week, and it hasn't gotten any better or worse. So basically, I've had my period for 8 weeks straight."

• Sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I tried taking this for birth control for about a month and had light brown discharge/bleeding. I got discouraged and stopped taking it. I restarted taking it and am on my third pack now, I have a little acne and bleeding that's about every other week, really lightly mostly. I feel good, no mood swings, and not bloated or gassy. I am super optimistic and think it's starting to adjust now. My breasts did hurt for the first two packs pretty bad, but now they're very minimally sore and about 2 sizes bigger, lol! I suggest sticking to it, give it a shot! It takes up to 6 months to adjust to these pills, girls, we know that. Don't be discouraged!"

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2018

For Birth Control "You do have to give your body a lot of time to get used to this one. I bled for a few months straight, as it worked in my body, now I don’t have a period at all, and no spotting! Any birth control is going to mess with your hormones and cause bleeding the first few months. They warn you before taking it! They tell you to expect bleeding for the first six months. You can also read it on the paper they give you with the pill pack. I know everybody’s body will not react the same, but it takes almost a year for your body to be regulated with a new birth control."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I was switched to this birth control to help regulate my periods and help with breakthrough bleeding I’ve had with another pill. I haven’t been on this pill for a week, and for the first few days, I kept telling myself that I need to continue this birth control at least 3 months because maybe my mood will level out. It has not. I have become extremely depressed and unmotivated. I was not struggling with depression before the pill, and I was generally in a happy mood. However, I did suffer from depression in my early teen years. I have been on this pill for 5 days, and I am already having suicidal thoughts. Because of this, I have decided to quit taking the pills. There is no reason I should have bad thoughts about myself and my body and my existence this much from one pill. It has also made me lose my appetite, and I cannot sleep."

• Mal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill since 2008. I've been period-free since 2009 - I skip the placebo week and move straight to the next pack. When I first started the pill, I had horrible side effects (mood swings, breakthrough bleeding), but these have all gone away. I used to have horrible cramps back when I was a teen, and that was the initial reason for going on the pill - I actually would go home sick due to the pain. Obviously not an issue now. Definitely would recommend if you want to be period-free. It may take a few months to get to that stage, but well worth it."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This birth control has literally ruined the past few months of my life. Not only have I gained almost ten pounds, about a week after I started taking it, I started bleeding. I have since been bleeding, and today is day number 16. I have the worst cramps, headaches, and heavy flow that I have had in YEARS! Not only does it keep happening, I am clotting... and the blood looks horrible. I also developed a rash on my legs, and my doctor told me to keep taking it! I will absolutely NOT keep taking these pills."

• bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2020

For Birth Control "So I have really bad anxiety and depression, and I told my doctor this and told her I didn’t want a birth control that would make it worse, and she put me on this birth control. I looked up all the reviews, and everyone is saying it made them depressed, but I decided to try it anyway because I know medicine works differently on everyone. So I started the medicine, and it made my depression and anxiety so bad I started getting suicidal and self-harm thoughts, which I haven’t had in a while. I also have completely no sex drive, and when I orgasm, it was only small. I only took the medicine for 2 weeks, and then I stopped it. I’ve been bleeding and spotting, and I’m not on my period, and I’ve been off of it for over a week. I don’t recommend you take this if you have mental health problems."

• Sus...
• July 13, 2021

For Birth Control "If Vienva works for you, that's great, but for me, my body isn’t reacting so well. It made me feel tired all the time and moody. During the 3-4 weeks, I've been bleeding heavily for about 12 days straight. I don't know if this is normal or not, but I do regret taking the pill."