Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 5)

• Ell...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2023

"I've been on BC for 8 years, been on the Xulane transdermal patch for 6 years. In July 2022, I went to pick up my BC and was given Zafemy. I asked why? Even though my script was for Xulane, I was told Xulane is on backorder. Three months later, in October, I asked my doctor to specify Xulane. She did. I went to pick up my BC and it was Zafemy again! Xulane is still on backorder per pharmacy. January rolls around and I go to pick up my 3-month script. Zafemy. Again. I have had a horrible experience with this patch, my menstrual cycle is different, I get horrible cramps, and the patches don't stick! I do not feel secure or safe using this patch! I'm in the process of finding a pharmacy that can get Xulane because that's what worked for the past 6 years."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

"I took this Xulane patch because I struggle with remembering the pill. This was the worst option for me. I started this on a Sunday morning, and by Monday night, I was having horrible symptoms. I have a very sensitive body, and it caused me to throw up nonstop for 5 hours the first night I was on it. I was instructed to remove it immediately from my doctor. This is not a good option for people whose bodies are sensitive."

• Mar...
• May 3, 2016

"So, I've had the patch for six and a half years now... I remember my first month with it... it was crazy! I had some mood swings and terrible headaches, but I decided to be brave and just give it a try since it was my very first birth control, and after four weeks, all the symptoms went away.... Ever since, I've been super happy with it, and I just love it. I never gained a pound with it, never had mood swings with it, never had a baby, hahahar... I wear it on my back, switching from side to side every week, and never had irritation of the skin. It has never fallen off in six years either... The only issue is now, after six years of it, I'm starting to get some spotting. So... Don't give up so easily on the patch!! Haha, it's not for everyone, but it might be for you."

• Kit...
• April 7, 2017

"I've been on Xulane for several months now, and I hadn't had a problem until February, when the patch started to give me huge raised rashes. I tried it on multiple spots on my body, tried washing with different soaps, using different lotions-nothing worked. I feel like they must've switched the adhesive recently, because this problem happened out of the blue and wasn't isolated to one patch (I even got a new package and still had the same issue occur). I'm really disappointed because I loved this birth control, but I suppose I'll just have to find something new when I have the time. It's really ruined all the skin I've put it on. The skin where the rashes appeared seems to have scarred."

• HWD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2013

"This is the best birth control I've ever been on! I was put on the pill when I was 14 because I bled for around 15 days a month. Not fun. The pill didn't really help, I always had a lot of breakthrough bleeding, acne, and migraines. After 9 years of trying different 'types' of birth control pills (monophasic, biphasic, triphasic, high dose, low dose, Yaz, you name it, I was on it!), Implanon, and Paragard, and no success, my doctor said that I could try the patch, but otherwise, she didn't know what to tell me. It worked! I have normal periods, no acne or headaches, and I'm so happy! My only complaint is sometimes the patch is kind of itchy, but it depends on where you put it. A great bet for people who've had problems with other kinds of birth control!"

• Ama...
• March 4, 2013

"I originally took the pill, but the mood swings were too intense for me. I have not experienced any mood swings on the patch. I really like the patch because it cleared up my moderate teenage hormonal acne. I also like that I just have to change it once a week around the same time, and then I can forget about it. In addition, it has been my only form of birth control as long as I've been on it (other than pulling out), and having sex regularly, I have not gotten pregnant. However, it does leave my skin irritated and dry, and it can be very itchy. I prefer to put it on my back, which makes it hard to wear tank tops or other shirts that expose my back without having people ask about it. Overall, I think more people should look into the patch."

• Cha...
• April 30, 2014

"I am on day 6 of wearing the patch for the first time. On the 3rd day, nausea began, and it has come in waves every day since. I also feel extremely tired. I have had moments where I want to rip it off, but I have read that the symptoms will lessen if I stick it out. I am 31 years old and have not been on any birth control in at least 13 years and have no children. So, at this point, I am going to stick it out a bit longer."

• 007...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2017

"Xulane was my first experience with birth control. I had been on the patch for a little over 3 months. I experienced many common (and rare) side effects. However, they either dissipated within a couple of weeks or became manageable. This last month, though, I began to heavily battle depression to the point where I was very anxious and having suicidal thoughts. I also used to have flawless, clear skin. Pimples began to cover my face even with a super diligent skincare routine. My depression did not seem to subside either. As soon as I got the okay from my doctor to take the patch off, my skin began to rapidly bounce back, along with my mental health. It's been a week since being off Xulane, and it's such a relief to be rid of it!"

• Evr...
• August 4, 2019

"I was on the patch in my teen years for six years, went off for about five, and have just stopped it again after another two years of use. There are many upsides to Evra. During my first experience with Evra, I went off of it because I was trying to deal with fatigue and depression. I will admit that it helped a lot! A few years later, I developed cystic acne on my chin and could not fix it naturally. I gathered my hormones were imbalanced and decided to go back on the patch. The first year was great, no side effects, and periods were healthy and quick. This year, I seem to have a lot of severe mood swings and anxiety episodes-often heart palpitations with chest pressure and shortness of breath. As there is no actual trigger for this and I'm happy in my life, it's come down to me once again wondering if the hormones are just too much again. I decided yesterday to quit the patch again and have high hopes of returning to my usual self!"

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 23, 2019

"I have been on Xulane for almost 3 years now. I tried the pill and would forget to take it. So, my doctor prescribed the patch! It has worked perfectly! Every once in a while, I’ll get a minor headache, but nothing other than that. I wear it on my lower abdomen and switch sides every week. I would recommend it to any woman that doesn’t want to get pregnant right now."

• Nel...
• December 22, 2014

"I first decided to try the patch after trying the pills for several months. I liked the idea of only having to worry about changing it once a week, as opposed to having to worry about the pill every day. At first, everything was perfect, I had some spotting here and there, but nothing major. My mood was normal, and I had no weight gain. The downside of it for me was the headaches. I got terrible headaches from it."

• Dan...
• March 12, 2017

"I've been on the patch for two years now and have had a pretty positive experience. I choose the patch because, unlike the pill, it was only once a week and didn't have many horrifying side effects like some other options out there. I place my patch on my stomach, near my belly button area, per the instructions. I find that on my skin it stays put, but removal can be a bit painful, hence, why I always remove it in the shower while using plenty of soap. My periods while on the patch are short and sweet and on the day. I usually have two days of light bleeding and two medium days to end my cycle. I did notice some weight gain, but nothing crazy and nothing I worried myself with. Just remember, every body reacts differently to birth control!"

• Rac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2020

"I took the Xulane patch because I wanted another option for birth control. This was the worst. I put the patch on a Sunday, and by Sunday night, I was having an extreme headache, and on Monday morning, I was violently vomiting uncontrollably. I took the patch off and felt fine for the rest of the day despite a horrible headache for the rest of the day and the next day. I switched back to a new pill (Lo Loestrin), and I love it. No side effects so far, and very happy with it."

• Sag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2020

"The patch was effective, however, it was itchy and hard to know if it was working because a lot of times it would fall off partially. When it fell off, I would be one week short, and it was hard to get a new pack. My insurance wouldn’t cover it, and there was a miscommunication between my doctor and pharmacy. The timing of when to put a new one on if there is an issue is very confusing. I had a few rashes. Wouldn’t recommend."

• CKL...
• October 26, 2016

"Been on Xulane patch a week and my vaginal dryness from the depot is completely gone! My libido has greatly increased too. Before, it would take everything in me to even want to have sex, but not anymore! The only off thing is that the past two nights after dinner I get very nauseated and have lots of indigestion and burping. My cravings for KitKats has also increased, which tells me that it really does mimic some pregnancy signs. I bled almost every day on the depot and now that I'm on the patch I feel great!"

• Pia...
• January 22, 2017

"I have been on the patch for 4 years. This is the best birth control method. Of course, like anything, your body has to get used to a foreign object that's attached to your body and lets estrogen through your skin. Your body will go through changes (nausea, sweats, headaches), but good luck finding a method that will leave you symptom-free. Once you get through that yucky part, you'll notice weight gain and also your breasts will get larger and tender. For most, I don't think this goes away. For myself, I do have a little bit of a tummy (I'm 105 lbs), and my boobs have gone up a whole cup size. I find the patch to be insanely convenient. After years of using it, I have zero problems with it. I can only say great things about this BC method!"

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2015

"This is a Godsend! No more worries about taking a pill every day! I have had no side effects in the 3 years I've been on it. Also, at the end of each week, I have to rip the patch off... even after gym sessions/daily showers/swimming... it's stuck on real good! Definitely highly recommended here in England! Also, it's free as it's contraception!"

• Sun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 15, 2019

"I’ve been on the patch off and on for 5 years! I tried Mirena IUD, and this was 1000x better and easier on my body. Normally, without any birth control, I suffered from extreme hormonal acne, massive depressive mood (PPMD), along with all the typical side effects of the monthly cycle. I report on Ortho Evra everything got easier for me! The occasional headache or breakout, slight cramping from time to time. Overall, this patch saved my life. The only downfall is finding a spot that it stays for a week at a time, managing activities around patch placement, lol. One small note is I went off in hopes to conceive and ended up with an ectopic pregnancy, that I was very lucky to notice on day 5 before. So patch has slowed down my egg release for sure. I was 29 at the time, I am 31 now and continue to stay on the patch with no problems."

• hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2013

"I just began the second week of the patch, and so far, I love it! I put the patch on my bum, and I alternate which sides every week. It stays on through showers, school, sex, etc. I haven't really had any side effects except a little bit of a headache every now and then, but I don't know if that even has anything to do with the patch because I have a problem staying hydrated. It's not the most attractive looking thing, but my boyfriend likes to see it because it lowers his stress and thus makes sex more enjoyable. Once this month is over, I'll make another review to see if anything has changed!"

• Bro...
• June 10, 2017

"I have been on this for over 8 years. It was my first and only birth control brand. Made my breasts swell and hurt for a couple of months, and then that completely went away. I had no other side effects. By this point, my periods are so light I will do 4-6 patches before removing it (yes, you can do this with the patch!). I highly recommend this. I put the patch on a butt cheek and alternate sides each week."

• Cai...
• September 15, 2016

"I've been on the patch for about 3 months now, and I love it! My periods are shorter, I haven't gained any weight either. The only thing I'm on the edge about is that my boobs are bigger and perky, which I love, but they're more sensitive and sore. But other than that, it's great. Mood swings aren't that bad either. :) I recommend it, ladies!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2021

"I'm 18, and I started Xulane as my first form of birth control. I thought the patch would be easy, but it is the worst. :( I would put it on at night feeling totally fine, and the next morning I would feel absolutely sick to my stomach. This happened my first time using it, and after my period, I tried it again, and it's the same thing. I didn't consider my chest pains a side effect until I saw that other women experience it too. I simply cannot function daily and do things like go to work or drive for long periods of time because the nausea is TOO MUCH. I don't like Xulane."

• So...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2021

"This terrible thing made me gain a ton of weight in a matter of weeks, a day in water pills, and I’m literally sizes down. It made me so irritable and moody, and my breasts hurt so bad. Passssss. The adhesive left a rash on my leg, and the patch attached to clothing and got messed up too."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2014

"I want to share my experience from being on Ortho Evra. I have only been on the patch for a month, and this is my week off of the patch. I got to say being on the patch has been the best experience I've had on birth control. Before this, I was on two different kinds of birth control pills. The first one I wasn't even on for a month, I was always sick. The second one was a little better, but after a year, it made me sick. So, I started Ortho Evra, and the only bad side effect has been that my breasts are a little sore. But they also seem fuller, which is great. I love knowing when I'm going to get my period since I was never regular before. I got it on time now, and that's great. I also love the fact that I only have to change it once a week."

• Anonymous
• August 6, 2009

"I've been using it for 4 years. Never had a problem. I never had side effects until I got off it for a couple of months and then went back on. I got some nausea and vomiting, but I've always had a sensitive stomach, so it had to do with a combination of things. All in all, it's the best. I switch from butt cheek to butt cheek each week. It's less likely to fall off if you're sitting on it."