Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2020

For Birth Control "This is a follow-up to my Oct 2019 review. Quitting today to save my marriage! Kidding. Sort of. I’ve basically been bleeding 3 months out of the 5 that I’ve been taking this pill. Totally defeated the purpose. Had no other side effects, but the bleeding just won’t stop."

• bir...
• February 15, 2020

For Birth Control "Ashlyna was my first experience with birth control, and I was looking forward to having my period every 3 months. The first 2 months on the pill, everything was great! Some mood swings, but no spotting, maintained my weight, and no change in skin quality. But about 2/3 into the pack, I started spotting daily. Along with the several weeks of spotting, my sex drive decreased drastically. During the placebo week, my period was relatively normal and lasted 3-4 days. When I started my second pack, it was similar to the first, where I was completely fine for about 1.5 months, then the spotting started again. However, after 2 weeks of spotting, I began to bleed heavily to the point where I would fill pads/tampons within a few hours. I also passed blood clots every day. Obviously, this was concerning, and I made an appointment to see my doctor ASAP! That will be in the next week or two. I have never stopped taking the pill and have been on schedule every day for the past 6 months."

• zoe...
• March 25, 2023

For Birth Control "I received my first free birth control at the health department in January 2023. The first week was tough, and I had a difficult time adjusting to the hormones, which caused emotional turmoil, leading to arguments with my partner. However, after a month, things began to improve significantly. My skin cleared up, and my breasts and buttocks increased in size. Additionally, my hair grew longer, and I was overall very pleased with the results. My period became lighter, and I only experienced heavy bleeding for one day out of four. Best of all, the birth control is free. Although I have been considering Nexplanon, I think that this birth control is better suited for me since I don't want to risk forgetting a pill. I've been taking the pills consistently at 8:00 PM, regardless of my sleep schedule, and have had no issues. I'm considering continuing with this birth control, but I'll have to see how things go as I've only been on it for three months so far."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2013

For Birth Control "First time ever starting birth control, and the reviews on here scared me! So glad I decided to tough it out! I've been taking it for 4 months, and the only symptoms I have had are a little more emotional outburst two days before my period (not that big of a deal, I was always prone to PMS emotional outbursts anyways) and breakthrough bleeding the first month. No weight gain, no acne (actually, less acne). I realize all women are different, but just thought I'd share my mostly pleasant experience with this pill! Oh, and of course...it works! Not pregnant!"

• mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2021

For Birth Control "This birth control is horrible. I bled for the entire 4 months I was on this, and it gave me my first yeast infection ever. I have never had issues with dryness, itching, or irritation, or any kind of infections until this horrible medication. I am still recovering from these issues this medication caused after being completely off it for 2 weeks. I was extremely moody and sad. I'm not one who really gets headaches, but I had horrible headaches when I was taking Vienva. I had to take 3 prescription medications to counteract the side effects this birth control gave me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2019

"I have been on Amethia contraceptive pill for about a month and a half. At first, everything was going great with no side effects. Now, for the last 2 weeks, I have had nothing but heavy spotting that seems more like a light flow period. The blood is dark brown, almost blackish in color, with a lot of blood clots, and the cramping is terrible. I'm really trying to stick it out, but I don't know how much longer I can take it. I switched from Generess FE to this because that pill was starting to give me month-long periods. I really hope things don't end up being the same with this new one. I'm also super moody and cranky. Has anyone else had any success? Does the spotting last for much longer?"

• vic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I was getting the Depo-Provera shot consistently for 2 years and I got pregnant. I decided to get a medical abortion (the pill) and the doctor prescribed me Larissia. I cannot comment much about the first 2 weeks because I was bleeding heavily due to the abortion. My face cleared up a lot in the 6 months I have been taking it. I have not gained any weight and have not experienced nausea. I do have fibroids on my ovaries causing extremely painful periods. While taking this birth control, I have not had a single cramp while menstruating. In addition, I have not gotten pregnant on it, so it seems to be working. Everyone's bodies are different, so please keep that in mind. Also, people are quick to report the negative and are not so quick to report the positive. So please keep that in mind when reading all of the comments."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2010

"LOVE this pill. I'm in the last week of active pills for the 3-month pack, and I have yet to experience any negative side effects. No breakthrough bleeding, no sudden flares in acne, my weight has not fluctuated, and my sex drive is still kickin! Definitely recommend this pill to anyone considering Seasonique."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this medication hoping it would stop my periods, as it claims. It's supposed to be a generic of Lybrel. I took it for 8 months, never stopped my period. In fact, I had spotting and bleeding every day. I also became emotional and moody."

• Unh...
• March 19, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Pluses: clear skin, no mood swings or headaches. BUT, at first, I spotted every day for months. Light enough for a pantyliner. My period stopped for a while, went fine. Then, with no warning, I would have gigantic clots and blood gushing when I stood up. Then later on in the day and the next day... nothing. Happened a few times. Last straw: family goes to Disney World for the first time. Second day I’m walking around the park then stand up, start gushing blood. I spend the whole time afraid to stand because I’m going through a tampon and pad every hour. Next day nothing. Fourth day at Disney, same heavy gushing and clotting. Airport gushing. Arrive home, bleeding lightens. Then I stand up, heaviest bleeding ever! Soaked through a super tampon, pad, my underwear, pants were soaked with blood and it stained my bed. I am 39 years old and this didn’t happen before Jolessa. I had heavy periods but not random hemorrhaging in between cycles. I have stopped this birth control and my provider is trying me on something different!"

• 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?'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2014

For Birth Control "Effective form of birth control, yet caused excessive abnormal bleeding during the three-month cycle in which I should not have gotten my period. Eventually removed from medication due to abnormal uterine bleeding while taking this product."

• Yaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. Experienced terrible mood swings and increased depression and anxiety, plus cystic acne that I never experienced before this pill. I’ve also been constantly bleeding for the past 4 weeks because of it, wouldn’t recommend at all."

• 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."

• 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."

• Kat...
• February 24, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking these pills January 12, 2017, because I didn't want to deal with having a period anymore... the worst mistake, do not take! My hormones are jacked up. I'm very moody, my appetite is crazy, I have gained 10 pounds, and also I have been bleeding for 3 weeks straight. My doctor told me to continue to take it, but I will not take this medication - he even tried to change the dosage and give me some menopause meds. I said I'm not taking any of those meds, it had me so messed up bad. I'm bleeding so much from my uterus. They are recommending that I have NovaSure surgery done. I will keep you posted, but beware, this birth control is not good at all, these reviews are the truth."

• Sup...
• December 29, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this pill to only have 4 periods a year. I don't need the birth control because my husband is 'fixed.' I was like clockwork every 28 days, but my period would last 7 horrible days. I had major bleeding, clotting, and cramps. So, I thought this would help with both the flow and amount of time. I started the pill 8 weeks ago, since then, I have been bleeding (enough to wear a pad) for 4.5 of those weeks. My breasts are super sore and have grown a cup size. I have had cramping for most of the time. I'm going to stop because it's causing the very thing I'm trying to eliminate."

• bry...
• November 14, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on this pill for about a month, and on my second week, I am bloated, never hungry, have mood swings, and don't want to get out of bed in the mornings. Also, I started light bleeding, like when you are coming off your period."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2024

For Birth Control "This birth control requires incredible patience for your body to get used to it. In the first year of taking it, I was bleeding every day and gained 25 lbs. After the first year though, light spotting every now and then. Normal period bleeding (light bleeding) now occurs every 3-4 months, which I'm super thankful for. I’ve been taking Amethyst for almost 5 years now and have no regrets!"

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I was very excited to start this and get a hold of my endometriosis, but as soon as I started this, I started breaking out, gaining weight, couldn’t sleep anymore, my anxiety became so much worse than it had been, bleeding every day, cramping off and on, and headaches. It has made me feel crazy, and I just stopped taking it. I’m praying this goes away fast. I am highly disappointed."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking Levora 3 months ago with the initial goal to correct my anemia and reduce bleeding. My Dr. prescribed it for a short period of time, 6 months max. I must say, I started bleeding heavily before the first 'scheduled' period on the pack. I bled for nearly 2 weeks, which never happened before. The Dr. office nurse said it was normal to get used to the medication. Fine. Now, I'm on the 4th month of taking Levora and I'm quitting it because I'm outraged that, again, I have heavy bleeding for nearly two weeks, and it's not even close to the 'period' mark on the blister. Again, that's very concerning and causing my anxiety to spike. I haven't noticed any weight gain, however, acne appeared on my face and chest, which hasn't happened since my teenage years. Also, I noticed worsening symptoms of gas, bloating, cramping, and pain in my ovaries."

• 38...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I wanted to try Seasonique for the 4 periods a year. On my 1st month, I started bleeding on the 3rd week and still bleeding 3 weeks later. The bleeding is really annoying and doesn't seem to be letting up. It's a thicker consistency and small clots. I will give this a little more time, but so far, I'm not happy at all! After reading other comments, it seems more bleeding is expected than what's advertised! :("

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2019

For Birth Control "It’s important to remember everyone reacts differently to medications. Just because someone may scream “DON’T TAKE THIS” doesn’t mean you’ll have the same experience they did. Sronyx, for me, has worked great. I was switched multiple times to different pills out of nowhere, and I’ve been on this one for almost a year now. I haven’t had any real issues. It’s done the job it’s intended to, along with helping clear up any acne I had. I’m 27, and Proactiv only did so much for my skin. I had breakthrough bleeding during the first pack. Now my “period” always comes 3 days after my last active pill. It’s made my life a breeze. The ONLY downside for me is I’ve gotten multiple cold sores over the past 2 years, so it’s a birth control con in general, not just this one. I hadn’t had any since I was really little. But the cold sores don’t happen enough for me to stop taking this birth control."

• 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."

• Gia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I tried Ashlyna as my first-ever birth control to stop my oh-so-frequent and annoying periods and to just have more control over my body. The first 6 weeks on this pill went pretty well besides some nausea. However, once I hit around the end of the 6th week, the breakthrough bleeding began and hasn’t stopped since (I’m now almost three weeks away from finishing the pack). It really sucks because I feel more out of control of my body than ever before. A lot of women in the reviews talk about a lack of sex drive, but for me, mine never went away, which I wish it did because the breakthrough bleeding makes it virtually impossible for me to have sex. All in all, this birth control has really put a downer on my overall life and I’ve never been more exhausted and annoyed. I’ve been bleeding every day for almost 5 weeks, and I can’t wait to get off this pill."