Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Con...
• July 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm very concerned about this pill. My daughter has been experiencing severe leg cramps. Actually, she has a hard time walking, and it lasts for two days. Her hands swell, and her legs swell, becoming very, very heavy. She is in tears. Actually, she had blood work, and her inflammatory markers were elevated. Anyone taking this pill, BE CAREFUL. Listen to your body and seek medical attention when needed. Don't wait. Reviewing reports about this medication, I realize that all medications have side effects, but this one is SCARY. Ladies, do your research and let a friend know."

• JH3...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2014

For Birth Control "A couple of years ago, I took Lutera for a year and didn't have too many problems. I stopped taking it, then re-started 6 months ago. This time was bad. My mood was off - little things would make me super aggravated or want to cry, while 'better' days made me extremely happy and hyper. I also had on-and-off dryness down there - pretty uncomfortable, especially sex-wise. The worst part was the 2-week periods I got on this pill. For five months straight, I had my period for half the month, with cramps, lower back pain, irritability, and heavy bleeding. The gyno kept saying it was my body adjusting, but after the fifth month of this, I'm taking a break from birth control for a month and then switching to another pill."

• Gyp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2017

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on birth control for 16 years now, Chateal for the past 6 months. This is the first pill that has actually lessened my bleeding and period pain. I have always had excessive bleeding and cramps (to the point I couldn't leave the house), this pill has changed all of that! I have PCOS and hypothyroidism. Since taking this pill, I have actually been able to lose 10 pounds. I would have given it 10/10, but I have been super emotional and cry a bit more than usual (commercials are the worst). No acne, no weight gain, no excessive bleeding, no cramps, no hair loss (as many reported), and the big one: I'm not pregnant!"

• jva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the worst periods. Cramps, nausea, dizziness, heavy bleeding, long periods, all of it. I gave in at 25 years old and went to get birth control for the first time in my life. The doctor gave me Vienva, and I was scared reading reviews, but I had to try it myself. I took the pill at night two hours before bedtime just in case I did get side effects, and I did go #2 more times than usual in the mornings at the beginning, but that was it. I didn't gain weight, wasn't 'depressed,' none of it. I am finishing my first period on it, and it took two and a half days to start bleeding, and I had minimal cramps and consistent regular bleeding. I had a semi-heavy day on the third day but nothing excessive. I am going to start my new pack today, and I am still spotting, hopefully, it stops by tomorrow."

• Lor...
• July 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this for about three months now. The first month and a half were great. No mood swings, no spotting or headaches, or depression, but then I got into my third month and was experiencing breakthrough bleeding a lot and then had several blood clots. And I am still having spotting. I've been depressed, acne is horrible, I have horrible food cravings, not to mention awful cramps to where I can't even move. I want to continue and try to see if it gets better, but I am just having the worst time with this and am miserable that I am over taking this. I know for some it has worked and maybe if I stick it out it will get better, but I have no interest in continuing with this bc."

• 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."

• Nur...
• August 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I am only on week 2 of Lutera, and I am stopping it. I know you should wait for the first few cycles to really get a feel for it, however, I cannot take the side effects anymore. Even after the first week in, I felt weird. My mood was so weird, I was all over the place. Crying for no reason, irrational thoughts, angry outbursts. Then I started having the weirdest cravings and nausea as bad as my morning sickness was. So bad that I went and bought a pregnancy test while I was spotting because I was convinced I was pregnant (negative). I haven’t been on it long enough to know if I would gain weight, but I can already tell by the way my appetite has been that I would have. Cramps and bloating with bleeding during week 2. BAD idea to use this form."

• mom...
• June 26, 2019

"Please read this if you have PCOS. This Vienva pill works! I tried it for three months before reviewing it. I'm in my 40s, a mom, and have PCOS. I've had multiple ruptured cysts and sharp pains in my ovaries for 5 years. Nothing helped. Looking at surgery, I tried this as a last resort. If you are a 'typical' woman, maybe this pill isn't for you! But if you're one of those people who reacts to the various medications that seem to help everybody else, then please try Vienva! Nothing works for me the way it 'should.' IT'S WONDERFUL. I take it in the morning. I have zero nausea. Zero cramps. Zero cyst pain (yes, that's gone!). The first two days it felt as if my ovaries were on fire. Since that passed, it's been SO nice not to have pain there! This pill has changed my life. If you tend to overreact to 'normal' pills, and you have issues with your ovaries, I wrote this because I know how bad it can be! Best of luck!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2010

For Birth Control "I am on my fourth week of taking Aviane, and the past 3 weeks have been miserable. The first week had little side effects, but my mood swings have been getting progressively worse throughout this month. In the past week, I have started noticing extreme anxiety and cramping (even though I'm not on my period). Now that I am PMSing as well, I cannot stop eating, and I feel extremely bloated all the time. Also, my breasts have enlarged, but they feel as if they are covered in bruises. I am going to give this pill one more trial month, but so far it has not been good."

• Hea...
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this 13-week birth control for 2 years now and have had no issues. My first pack did come with some irregular spotting, however, after my second pack, the spotting disappeared, and I have a regular period every 13 weeks as expected. I've gone through 3 other varieties of birth control that left me spotting no matter how long I took them, but this birth control actually works for me. I have very painful cramps and a heavy flow, but it has reduced the mere 4 periods that I do have a year to very light and painless ones. The only downside is my insurance doesn't cover it, and it's crazy expensive, but I'm at least happy it exists at all."

• Tor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on this for a month, and I was in horrible shape. Spotting, mood swings, headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, weight gain, major cramps, and tummy gurgling. I was in a bad mood every day, and I couldn't be nice to my children. I stopped taking them, and it's like magic, all my symptoms disappeared. I'm so upset. My new doctor recommended this since they do not carry Chateal. I loved Chateal. It worked great! I wish my insurance carried these. Never will I take nor recommend this because."

• apa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I used to get extreme cramps, and I would get super nauseous while on my period. And they would be heavy and super irregular. So I got on birth control to get my period to be regular. I love only getting my period four times a year. I haven’t had any crazy side effects like weight gain. I do get mild mood swings, but I don’t think it’s because of the birth control. I highly recommend this birth control."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I never have a problem with this birth control. I've been on Orsythia for at least 3 years. I see all of the bad reviews, which I find interesting. I've never had a problem. I don't get cramps anymore, and I have a very light, short period. I've never gotten pregnant. Very effective for me."

• Bal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I’m usually not one to leave bad reviews, but I’ve been on 3 different pills, and this was the worst experience I have ever had. Cystic acne on my jawline, neck, cheeks, back, and chest. 2 periods every month. Made my suicidal thoughts so much worse. Horrible cramps and super heavy period. MAJOR hair loss and scalp issues (that stopped immediately after I stopped taking it). I took it for 3 months, but I should have listened to the reviews before I started taking it. Everyone’s experience is different, but I would 100% not risk it."

• D_H...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 3, 2017

For Birth Control "Side effects I've had in exact order: - Dairy allergy (not sure if it's from the pill, occurred a few months after taking). - Constant right lower abdominal pain, with trapped gas pains, and bubbling after eating anything. - Extreme bloating after meals. Random changes: - Period was normal up until the past few months of being on it. (Been on it for over 3 years.) Super light and barely get a period. Also made me skip a month. - Cramps became more excruciating. (A week before and then during my period.) (Wasn't always like this.) After almost 4 years I dealt with all of the other side effects until I had - CHEST TIGHTNESS and HEART PALPITATIONS. Beware of your body and your symptoms. Always go with your gut. Every birth control has symptoms."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2009

For Birth Control "I have taken various pills for the past 20 years, I am 38. Quasense allows just 4 periods a year, which is a great thing. The periods I do get are normal length (for a pill user, about 4 days) and slightly heavier than those I got with the regular monthly pills. I have slightly more cramping the day before it starts than I did with the monthly pills (but still NOTHING like the agony of no pill cramps, which were a nightmare). Overall, I love not having to deal with messy bleeding more than four times a year, and the slight increase in cramping for one day is more than worth it to me. Hope this helps!"

• Jft...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 11, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my second birth control pill. I have been taking Aviane for 1 year and 3.5 months now, and I love it! I used to have cramping so bad on the first day of my period that I would throw up, but since I started Aviane, my period symptoms are practically non-existent (except for minor breakouts on my face right before it starts, but this was a symptom prior to taking Aviane as well). I also used to get frequent yeast infections and BV, but since starting this BC, those breakouts have occurred way less often. I experience no negative side effects physically or mentally."

• Noc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started the Seasonale pill because the heavy bleeding caused me to become very anemic to the point I had to get iron infusions. It does make me crave everything, my sex drive is going down a little, and I have been bleeding for a while. It went from using a panty liner to using pads, and I'm not even through my third pack of pills. Not sure if I can handle the bleeding like this. And let's not mention the cramps. I have never in my life had cramps like this, like someone is on the inside of me scraping out my insides. I don't think I can hang."

• Aki...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I love Lutera. I am very sensitive to other forms of birth control. Lutera has been one of the only kinds I can take. Pros: light periods, no cramping, no intense side effects, bigger boobs. Cons: brown periods, slight weight gain. I also tend to get a bit emotional 1 or 2 days before my period, however, I am always an emotional person, so this could just be me. I have been on Lutera for 6 years."

• Sap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2022

For Birth Control "My doctor put me on Ashlyna to try and help my periods. The first 3 weeks was fine. Week 4 hit and I started bleeding like a period (not breakthrough bleeding), along with having horrible mood swings, dizziness every now and then, cramps, and hot flashes, and from time to time passing big blood clots. After 2 weeks of this, I started to get concerned because I have never had this reaction to birth control before, so I called my doctor, she said to ride it out because all those were side effects of Ashlyna, and it will eventually stop. I did my best to ride it out, but I felt absolutely horrible. I didn't feel like myself. So I called my doctor back and told her she needs to give me something else because my body is having a hard time adjusting to this pill. So I finished my pill pack and she switched me to a different Sprintec. After a few weeks on the new one, I started to feel better. I had a 28-day period on Ashlyna. Everyone is different, but for me, I will never use Ashlyna again."

• jem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Have had a period with cramps since Sept 2019. Started Seasonique to try to get rid of my abnormal bleeding. I had heavy periods, migraines, nausea, and cramps prior to starting, and weeks of spotting. Now I'm on my 46th pill of Seasonique and am STILL experiencing moderate bleeding, must wear tampons or pads daily since Sept, and I have nausea, upset bowels, and horrible cramps. Sometimes I can't even stand up. My doctor said to keep taking it and finish the pack and it will get better. WILL IT? I have not stopped bleeding for months, and it's so difficult to explain to a spouse why I feel sick and am STILL also bleeding."

• L L...
• December 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I am on my 4th month taking this pill. This is my first time regularly having sex without a condom, and I have not gotten pregnant. My sex drive is great, but I have a lot of cramps and breast tenderness. I gained some weight at first, but I went back down when I stopped eating as much. My periods have been long, but relatively light. Considering I can overcome the side effects, and I get this brand for free, it works for me."

• CHE...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonique (generic Camrese) for almost 9 years! This drug is great. I got on it when it was new to the market. I take it at night and NEVER miss a dose. I've never had any spotting between periods, and sometimes I skip 2 quarters, meaning I have 2 periods a year. Even my OBGYN can't believe it's still working, she says many women's bodies just won't let them stay on this drug for long. Until I'm ready to start a family, Seasonique is the birth control for me. No more heavy periods, cramps, mood swings, or missed work. I also save on feminine products, when I do have a period, it's light and usually 2 days. My advice: give it a try, take it at the same time every day (I have 2 alarms). Hopefully, it will work for you too!"

• Jgi...
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "It's been over half a year since I've been on this birth control, Lutera, and I have nothing but great things to say. It's affordable through means such as the pill club (online) for people with no insurance, and I experienced little to no side effects. I used to have excruciating cramps that would immobilize me, and I would have to take prescription-strength 800 mg ibuprofen to manage the pain, and even then it wouldn't go away. I used to bleed a lot with a lot of clotting, but since I've gotten on this pill, I only bleed lightly for about 2-3 days, and my cramps aren't even noticeable anymore. No weight gain, no acne. I feel beautiful, and my sex drive is also the same. I absolutely love this birth control. Especially after switching from Seasonique, which was the worst experience of my life, I was a completely different person, always moody, had food cravings and aversions, and basically felt pregnant all the time. I love, love, love this BC, it's perfect for me!"