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

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I'm currently on my third pack of the generic version Alysena 28, and there are basically no side effects for me anymore. I did have spotting like every day for the whole first pack when I started it, but that went away. Also, I think it increased my anxiety a bit for the first few months, but that also went away. The only things I still notice are headaches on the placebo pills and sore boobs, but other than that, it's good, just takes some time getting used to. Also, this was just my experience, and it affects everyone differently!"

• 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?"

• Lib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve only been on this pill, Sronyx, for 6 weeks and am choosing to stop taking this pill. In the beginning, I was nauseous, leg pain, face broke out, and I grew some brown spots that don’t exactly look like moles. I bled irregularly for the first 2-3 weeks and then did not get my period at all the first month. My libido is up, but I have a hard time to orgasm. Then the pain that started in my lower leg slowly crept up to my thigh, it randomly hurts and feels deep, massaging does not help. I am now getting pains in my arms and neck and will no longer take this garbage. WAY too many side effects for me! And I’m scared it could be an embolism and kill me... ABSOLUTELY NOT WORTH TAKING! I read the insert, I read what the website says, and they make many of these symptoms seem incredibly minimal... so why did I get so many so fast? I’m done! Change your birth control!"

• Ban...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control, Alesse-28, for about 4 years now. At first, it was great. I did notice weight gain, every three months, I found my period would go from heavy to light, and then my boobs would become extremely sore on the third month. Extreme mood swings, depressed. Since May of this year, my periods have been almost nonexistent, sometimes I’ll have some spotting. I’m not pregnant. My stress has increased. I am a university student, but I had major life changes, so I’m not sure if the increased stress is what is causing the missed periods. Last month, my period did last for about three days. I’ve had to go onto an antidepressant recently as well. I’m currently trying to switch pills, as I cannot stand the missed periods and worrying every single month if I’m pregnant. As much as I like light periods, I would like to have at least something so I don’t have a heart attack."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2012

For Birth Control "This was the first pill my doctor prescribed me when I started on birth control, and I only took it for one month because of the side effects. I had spotting the first week, acne worsened, and my moods were absolutely uncontrollable. During the third week of my pack, I cried every day at little things that would normally not faze me. I stopped the pill before I even finished the month because of how out of control I felt. This was not a good first experience for me and made me skeptical to try any other pills."

• Sov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I was put on Alesse 28, it's the first birth control I've been on, and my overall experience has been good. When I first went on it, I could barely keep my hands off my boyfriend, but I blame it mostly on having a slight hormone imbalance. I also experienced an increase in breast size, but I was told that it was a possible side effect. Then I missed a pill, and even though I followed the procedure, it triggered my period. Then after that, I kept spotting and was getting really frustrated. It would stop for a couple of days, then start up again for a couple of days, then it magically stopped, and I didn't have any problems after that. I found out later that you can have spotting within the first three months. Other than that, I have less acne and lighter periods."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2024

For Birth Control "First couple weeks I had some nausea and first couple months I had some spotting, nothing a panty-liner couldn't fix. This has been a life-changer. No more painful periods and bloody messes. It cleared up my acne. My skin hasn't looked this good in decades! I haven't gained any weight and my mood hasn't been affected. No headaches or side effects now. I love this stuff. I take it continuously so I don't get a period. I'm 43 and started this about 7 months ago. I should have been on it for the past 30 years!"

• 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
• April 2, 2012

For Endometriosis "I have a condition called endometrial hyperplasia. Basically, my uterus is thick, my uterine cells produce quickly and cause pain that feeds into my muscle cells during menstruation. I have had two children and constant pain during my cycles. My OB suggested Seasonique to get rid of my cycle and end my pain. After a while, my abdominal pain is totally gone. I also have a much more stable mood. Once you get through one full cycle, the spotting decreases and things level out. I suggest not stopping until you have tried it for at least 3-6 months."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I love this pill! I only had spotting the first week of taking it, and my hormones were a little whack at first, but they went away very quickly. My period is very regular, and this helped with my acne a lot. I’ve been on this for almost a year, and I’ve never considered switching to another pill."

• MsI...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2020

For Premenstrual Syndrome "I’m starting my 3rd month on this pill and am using it to treat PMDD. I take the pills continuously, only the active ones. The first two weeks I had a few mood swings (nothing like PMDD, so manageable), chills, and nausea rarely. I used to get menstrual migraines every month and still do, but am hoping those go away as my body adjusts. I’ve been spotting for 2-3 weeks and hope that will go away too. Most importantly, I haven’t had PMDD in two months!! This is life-changing, and the side effects of spotting and one pimple here and there are 100% worth it to me."

• Nik...
• May 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Most of these reviews are terrifying, so I wanted to share my experience... 1) One of the biggest differences with tricyclic BC (3 months) from the once-a-month kind is the likelihood of spotting is much greater. On the first pack, I spotted months 2-3. (Yep.. 2 months pretty much). That being said, it was so light I could've probably used the same panty liner all day and been fine. Also, my BF isn't a child and wasn't bothered by it. I found it mostly annoying. The second pack, I'm still spotting, but only for 1 month, also very light. I suspect it will not happen on the next pack. Minor nausea was my only other side effect. No libido change, no weight gain, mood change, etc. Not perfect, but I love it. It's going to be different for each person."

• Use...
• December 2, 2013

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I have tried, and so far I love it. I'm heading into my third week being on this pill, and so far I have experienced very minimal side effects, something I did not expect after reading such horror stories about this pill and others similar to it. I have had no spotting yet (fingers crossed this continues). The most noticeable side effect thus far has been breast tenderness. It's not unbearable-and usually an Advil helps-but they're definitely more sore than usual. This tends to vary by day as well. I haven't noticed any severe change in my mood, maybe a little more sensitive than normal, and definitely no change in my sex drive. I am loving this pill so far! Hopefully, these side effects continue to be minimal."

• 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."

• Mag...
• January 12, 2015

For Birth Control "Got on Orsythia because of PMDD. Used to be suicidal right before my period. After taking the pill, I'm MUCH more balanced. Only criticism is it makes my breasts extra sore during PMS. And the first couple of months I had spotting. But, overall, it's great. And it's definitely done its job to prevent pregnancy!"

• 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!"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This is the second pill I’ve been put on due to switching clinics, and it’s awful. Worsened my depression and anxiety and makes me so irritable. I’m not sure if it’s coincidental or not, but I’ve never weighed more in my life than I do right now, and I’m a fairly small person that has a hard time putting on weight. Also, my period has been irregular the entire six months of taking it, and I’m almost always spotting. What’s the point of having contraceptive if I can’t even have/enjoy sex because I’m bleeding a majority of the time??? I never had this problem with my old prescription. This pill is literally the stem of all my problems, and I cannot wait to switch."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2010

For Birth Control "I am almost through my first pack of Seasonique, and I love it. My doctor instructed me to take the pills for 6 weeks, and then let myself have a period and then take the next six weeks and have a period. She told me to do this in order to reduce any spotting. I think that method may work because I haven't had any spotting at all. I have had an amazing experience with it. I also make sure to take it around the same time every day and not to miss a pill. That also helps reduce spotting."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I just switched to a Seasonale generic about 2 months ago after being on Junel Fe for about 10 years. I switched because I noticed my hormones started to change, periods were getting heavier, and I had been getting cystic acne breakouts at least 2x a month. Ever since I switched, I haven’t had any breakouts. I’m on the extended version, so I have not gotten my period yet (it comes once every 3 months), but so far no spotting or cramps for the 2 months that I’ve been on it. Overall, I’m happy with the switch."

• Hel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I am a healthy 27-year-old female and have been on Altavera as a birth control method for the past 2 years. In the first 2 months, I had some issues of stomach upset and increased emotional fluctuations, but after 2 months of usage, my hormone levels evened out, and I have not had any side effects since. Also, sometimes when I schedule my period around vacation or an important event, it has been very easy to quicken my period (take only 2 weeks of pink before white). However, when I tried to skip my period (skip the white sugar pills and go to a new pack), I did have some spotting in the 5th week on the pink pills. I have not experienced any weight gain, headaches, increased cramps, nor acne in the 2 years I have been on Altavera."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been so happy on this medication. I actually take the generic version and am on my 3rd month. I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for years. I am 32. Just some occasional light spotting so far. I have suffered from migraines for a long time, especially around my period, and on these pills they have decreased. My breasts have increased at least a cup size and are super firm (boyfriend approved!). No loss of sex drive at all. I have gained about 10 pounds, but I don't really mind the weight gain with having no period, no migraines, and a free increase in breast size."

• Eri...
• August 10, 2013

For Birth Control "My doctor prescribed Alesse for me after convincing me to get off of Diane 35, as it had a much lower hormone dose. Almost immediately, I began suffering from abdominal cramps, spotting unpredictably, and increased acne on my back, shoulders, and jawline. I expected much of this from reading about coming off of Diane, and my doctor assured me it would only last a few months. It's been nearly a year later, and although the spotting and cramping have subsided, the acne is still there (I can't even wear a top without a hood, let alone a tank top or bathing suit!), and I'm displaying a huge lack of interest in life. I have some good days, but spend a lot of time feeling unmotivated, tired, uninterested, etc. I want my life back."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Birth Control "This pill didn't work for me. I was on it for 3 months. I spotted for several weeks (probably 6 weeks), gained weight (went from size 0 to a 4-6), and felt depressed and suicidal. I switched back to a pill I had been on several years ago (Levora/Portia). It's been 2.5 weeks since I switched pills, and I already feel back to normal. I'm back to size 0, mental health is normal, and no more spotting. Jolessa didn't work with my body's chemistry, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. The birth control pill is trial and error, in my opinion. Find what works for you."