Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ema...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control Alesse-28 for over 3 years now. I was fine for the first year, but then after that, I was so moody and irritable, always sad and depressed, and very emotional. I have no energy at all, and I’m always tired. Another thing is that for some reason I get really bad leg cramps and am always constipated. Something else that I have experienced is weight gain, ovaries always hurt, and painful intercourse. Another awful side effect is that I have ZERO sex drive and vaginal dryness! One good thing about this birth control is that it cleared up all my acne, but other than that, it’s definitely not worth the side effects."

• 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."

• cra...
• August 2, 2010

For Endometriosis "I've now been using Seasonique for a year, and I've been completely happy and unbelievably satisfied with this product. I have endometriosis, so when my period came before I was on birth control, it was dreadfully painful for the three to five days while I was on my period. I tried Yaz, and it only made my periods regular, then I tried NuvaRing, and that actually made my cramps worse and lasted for an entire week. After that, I did tons of research and decided to try Seasonique. And for the past year, I have only had maybe 2 hours' worth of cramps the entire time. During the second refill, I only blotted a little, but overall, every symptom that follows endometriosis has disappeared! I highly recommend Seasonique. It's fantastic!"

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2020

For Endometriosis "Started taking this pill, Levlen, continuously (no sugar pills) 3 months ago. I gained 15 pounds, I have no sex drive, leg cramping, higher blood pressure, anxiety, cramps, back pain, and spotting. This pill sucks! Just stopped taking it and hope to feel like myself again soon."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2020

For Endometriosis "Started taking this pill, Levlen, continuously (no sugar pills) 3 months ago. I gained 15 pounds, I have no sex drive, leg cramping, higher blood pressure, anxiety, cramps, back pain, and spotting. This pill sucks! Just stopped taking it and hope to feel like myself again soon."

• 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."

• 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."

• Jen...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I took Seasonique for 7 years. I did get occasional breakthrough bleeding-maybe once a year; however, this was faint, a tiny amount of brown blood and not bothersome. This pill was wonderful for me in every way-no more crazy PMS mood swings, and very light periods, no cramping. I did not take it at the perfect time every day, and it did not lead to any problems. I only stopped taking it in August as we want to have a baby."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2020

For Birth Control "Worst pill I have ever taken. Nonstop spotting and then very heavy periods with clots and cramps. Now I am anemic and will never take again. I liked Lo Loestrin Fe, but my insurance won't cover it. I know breakthrough bleeding can be normal the first few months, but this is like Niagara Falls. Please be careful if you start this pill."

• Mim...
• August 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I honestly don't know how to review this Amethia pack, this is my first time on a 3-monthly pack without periods. I've been on other pills before, but I've never, ever experienced anything like this. I got greedy, and I thought that maybe only having 4 periods a year would have been awesome. I should have just gone with the monthly. This is my first pack that I'm on, and I have been on my period for 3 weeks now! When it's not supposed to happen on the 3 pack/month. I have been moody, I have been depressed, I've been snapping at everybody, my heart has been doing all kinds of crazy somersaults, getting some wicked cramps, feeling dizzy at times. I have gone through a pack and a half of pads. I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt, but if this does not stop by the third pack when I'm SUPPOSED TO GET MY PERIOD, I will stop completely, and I will let nature take its course on its own and not alter it anymore."

• sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Vienva in September 2019. For the first month, I expected constant mood swings affecting me almost solely at night and abdominal soreness. After my first 3 weeks and skipping the placebos, I fell into a depression that was not pre-existing. This cost me personal relationships. Other symptoms included cramping, loss of appetite, headaches (not to mention 14 days of breakthrough bleeding). I didn’t get pregnant, though."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m on my 4th month of taking this pill, and honestly, it’s working better for me than any pill has yet! I know it’s still pretty early on to tell, but I am currently at a happy state with it. I was getting super freaked out about trying it after reading all the comments on here. For the first two weeks, I had light spotting, minimal cramping, and mentally felt super positive. Since then, I have experienced some light mood swings and nausea, but nothing compared to what I was dealing with before. My skin has cleared up a lot as well, which has really improved my day-to-day emotions. The worst and only downside is that my boobs are so tender and sore 50% of the time, but it’s worth the trade-off. I’m planning to write another review in a couple more months, though, so I’ll keep you all posted!"

• San...
• July 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been through the nightmare that is birth control for the last 2 years. I have tried 6 different BCs and had horrible side effects from all of them, including bipolar depression, mood swings, weight gain, hair loss, loss of sex drive, and horrible cramping. I was put on VIENVA 3 months ago and was nervous because of negative reviews. All was going well, my sex drive was back up (I’m 26 and in a happy, loving, long-term relationship!), but I ended my period a week ago, and 3 days ago, I started having some slight spotting. On the 2nd day, I started bleeding HEAVILY, and here we are on the 3rd, and I am still bleeding! I have never in my life had breakthrough bleeding, but this is like I’m having a 2nd period! Horrible cramps, full-on 2nd period of the month! I will be switching. Again, everything else was amazing about this pill. It made me feel normal again, high sex drive, no side effects, until this third month when I’ve been excessively bleeding even after my period."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Before using this brand for birth control, I saw all the reviews, and I was so scared to see all the negative reviews. It was my first time using birth control, and Larissia was my first one. I have been using it for four months now, and it has been great - no acne, no water weight, or anything. The only downside was the day before my period, I would get extreme cramps and a migraine, but after the first day of my period, it was completely gone. I honestly recommend this birth control. Don’t be afraid of the negative comments, you need to know that every girl's body works differently. I love Larissia, and you should try it, and if it doesn’t work for you, then you can let your doctor know, and s/he will change it up for you."

• HTR...
• August 21, 2018

For Birth Control "In the last 10 years, I have literally tried almost every single method of BC. No matter what, I always end up coming back to Aubra. This was recommended to me by my Nurse Practitioner when I informed her I wanted a really low dosage of hormones so I wouldn't get high mood swings, weight gain, bad periods, etc. And she was right. Even on top of not getting any bad normal side effects with most BCs, this cleared my skin up AMAZING. My skin seriously glows when I'm on this, it's smooth and literally like baby skin. I hardly ever break out, and when I do, it's around my end of cycle, and it's very mild. It did, however, make my boobs grow a cup - two cups bigger, which can be a good and bad thing depending on you. :p Hope this helps! :)"

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2012

For Endometriosis "I started taking this medication for endometriosis as a last option before surgery. While I have only been on this medication for a little under three months, I must say I'm so impressed. After reading reviews, I was a little nervous. I have had very little pain, and my menstrual cramping is completely gone almost. I haven't had any spotting or hair loss! It does not make me sick and very little breast soreness. When compared to other medicines I have taken, this is like a Godsend. While I know this will not take care of my problems forever, it is working wonders right now! Everyone reacts to medicines differently, and I just had to share my experience to tell everyone how wonderful this one is if you are considering taking it."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I had taken Aviane for about 6 months straight, and I did not like it. My periods were a lot longer, my cramps were very bad, and I started breaking out on my face. I also had a loss of appetite and felt more tired every day. I do have to say it did help in preventing pregnancy, but I did not like the side effects. I am going to see if I can change birth control."

• Liz...
• October 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking Levora for about a year and a half now. It was definitely a rough start. I felt moody, like crazy moody, every single day for about a month when I started it. After that first month, it was smooth sailing. I love that it regulates my period. It comes on the same day, at the same time, every month (not to mention it only lasts 2-3 days and is super light!). I have experienced no weight gain, and the only cramps I get are the day before my period, and the pain there is mild. It's a great option if you don't mind taking it every day. Oh, and did I mention it has done its job in preventing pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2024

For Birth Control "I see a lot of not-so-great reviews, so I wanted to share my experience for anyone that is looking into this BC. Everyone’s experience is different, but I would definitely recommend this birth control. I was previously on the Xulane patch for almost 4 years. I was tired of the chemical burns it left on my skin, so I switched to the pill. Seasonal BC was recommended to me just based on how my periods were on the patch (consistency wouldn’t absorb into tampons — at all!). I will say, I switched from one birth control to another seamlessly, so I imagine that is why I didn’t have any of the issues some are talking about (spotting, cramping, etc.). On a Sunday, I took off the patch I had and immediately started the pill. I really do love it. I have been on it for about 7 months now. I love not getting my period, as it is safe to completely skip it (start new pack instead of the blue pill every three months — cleared by my OBGYN). Just give it a try!!"

• Amo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Read these reviews before going on Vienva and didn't believe it one bit... until it happened to me. WORST BC EVER. Save yourself, please. I never got cramps from my period, and now this pill makes it worse and increased my migraines. It makes me extremely sensitive and emotional, which is not me at all, and has given me the worst 2 months of depression and overthinking and insecurities. Please do not take this pill and save your mental health because this pill made me feel like I was a crybaby and crazy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2022

For Birth Control "Been on it for maybe 2 years. No side effects for me. No hair loss. Cramps are rare, periods are shorter. No acne. I’m 19, been using this since my senior year. I encourage you to try it for yourself."

• mom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on many different kinds of birth control, and Larissia was by far the absolute worst. The first three months on this birth control, I had intense sharp cramps that would be quick and scattered throughout the day and then would last hours in the middle of the night. They were so bad that I would cry and could never fall asleep. I wanted to get off it, but my doctor said to wait a couple more months. So I did, and after three months, they went away. But more symptoms came: migraines, boob tenderness 24/7, and back pain. I had extreme mood swings, and when I say extreme, I mean it. I would go from being happy to angry to manic to extremely depressed. I would cry over nothing. My boyfriend would see me cry on the couch for hours at a time, and there was nothing he could say to stop me. Also, I have developed a sensitivity to light, and when it is really bad, it will make me pass out. I'm finally getting off this garbage and getting a copper IUD. Don't take this, please. Save yourself."

• Anonymous
• April 21, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Seasonique for almost a year now and have had no problems until just recently. The past couple of months, I have been extremely bloated (to the point where I thought I was pregnant and took a pregnancy test) and have been very exhausted. I stay tired all day, and no matter how much sleep I get, I just want to lay in bed. I have also been bleeding very heavily for over 5 weeks now, and I am nowhere close to the time I'm supposed to bleed. The cramps and bleeding have been heavier/worse than I've ever had."

• Lou...
• December 1, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After reading all the horrible comments on sites about this medication, I thought I would add my positive ones. I have been on it a little over 4 months now. As of the 4th month, I stopped all bleeding. Very few side effects at first, maybe being tired (I was anemic too), a little nausea and cramps right at first, but getting past all that, the bleeding finally stopped. This is a wonderful medication. Don't let the negative comments impact you. Each of us reacts differently. I have fibroids, and the bleeding was very bad. They didn't know if this would help or not, worth the shot. Glad it is so far. Just don't give up at first, even if you want to. Give it at least until the 4th month for your body to adjust."