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

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Avoid this birth control if you can. This was my first time going on birth control, and my doctor prescribed it because it apparently was a good 'starter birth control.' But the side effects were terrible. I had the common ones, headaches, nausea, etc. But the worst of all was that it gave me TERRIBLE anxiety, on top of depression. I got into a really dark place and was getting around 1-3 anxiety attacks per week. I also experienced terrible leg cramping, to the extent that I paid the hospital a visit because it was so bad, and there was the fear that it may be a blood clot. There are so many better birth control options out there."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Balcoltra is the first birth control that I’ve ever been on. The first 2-3 months, I had really bad headaches and bad mood swings that would come after taking the pill at night, and I was about to call my doctor to switch off of it. The only other side effect symptoms that I’ve noticed are my breasts becoming tender, headaches every now and then, mood swings, and abdominal cramping. Over the months, it’s gotten a lot better, and I really can’t complain about Balcoltra. It’s helped my acne, and I still sometimes get those other symptoms, but it’s not often, so it’s bearable. It’s a lot better than I expected it to be."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Aviane for a month and a half, and I can honestly say it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I never had a problem with acne, I would get a pimple here or there occasionally, but Aviane made me break out horribly. I am left with scarring from it, and although it has gotten a lot better, I am still trying to get rid of some of the acne. I felt depressed and emotional while taking it and definitely had mood changes while on it. My period lasted 7 days on this, and it came with horrible cramping and blood clots. I began to feel better just days after stopping this pill. I would not recommend it to anyone. The worst mistake I have made was to go on this pill."

• 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!"

• d59...
• August 20, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I went to pick up my Jolessa refill (I loved), and they gave me Quasense. Had spotting/bleeding all summer - 2 months, serious weight gain, terrible cramps, and no libido. With 30 days left in the pack - I could no longer bear the symptoms and stopped 3 days ago. It's nice to have my life back! Bleeding stopped, bloating diminished, and desired intimacy with my husband again. This was really a terrible experience. Lesson - stop sooner if not working, don't change your medicine."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2010

For Endometriosis "I've been on LoSeasonique for 2 sets (6 months). I've seen no weight gain, no changes in my skin, and my hair is as thick as ever. I like it, I went off of LoEstrin because I had bad cramps that got worse when I went off it for a year and pelvic pain (caused by cysts). So, this birth control certainly assisted with alleviating these issues. It's helpful, though, to exercise regularly, I think. I've had spotting, but it's nothing compared to my normal heavy periods. I am questioning what other benefits this pill may hold over others."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2014

For Birth Control "At the beginning of taking this medication, I didn't notice any bad side effects until a few weeks after I began taking it. I would get heavy periods throughout the entire month, bad cramps, weight gain like crazy, and it's making my hair fall out. Also, my mood swings have been all over the place. I would eat like I'm pregnant and be tired all the time. I haven't had any breast growth or pain, but my acne is horrible. I'm not pregnant, so the pill worked there, but I'm going to stop taking it."