Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I had very mild periods before starting Xulane. Now they are horrible. Severe cramps, 11-day period. Nausea, loss of appetite, hot flashes, and cramps for weeks on end now even after being off of it for a full cycle."

• suz...
• October 13, 2016

For Birth Control "My first month using the patch, I experienced cramping and had my period for about 2 weeks straight. Now it has been 10 months, and all is normal, my periods are much lighter than they used to be. I still have cramps the first 2 days, but Advil helps that. I love that it is only once a week I have to remember to replace the patch. The two things that I don't like about the patch are that it does tend to slide around like a band-aid, which can be annoying, and secondly, I feel it has made me gain some weight (bloating). I have not tried any other birth controls. I am still on the patch mainly because it has helped so much with my periods."

• Han...
• August 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on the patch for about 4 years, and I absolutely loved it. They switched from the Ortho Evra to the Xulane, and I loved them both. Xulane is just a little smaller and sticks a lot better. I had no bad side effects, I bled for about 3 days every month after taking off my patch. I recently switched to Skyla, and I am having horrible cramps with it. I am looking forward to switching back to the patch soon."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control has been great for me. I have been using it for about 3 months now. The only thing I've noticed is that sometimes I get mood swings. I haven't gotten nausea or thrown up due to the patch, but I have gotten normal period-like cramps when I first put it on or change it out. I also noticed the first month I seemed to get headaches frequently, but they weren't severe, and I could deal with them easily."

• Bel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this patch for about 2 years now, and I really love it. When I first started BC, I was on pill form. I had pretty bad side effects from the pill: headaches, bad cramps on my period, my period was never consistent, and I was always spotting between periods. I was also horrible at remembering to take it. I switched to the patch after enduring about 5 months of the pill. The change for me was incredible. With the patch, I have had no side effects. My periods have been 100% consistent and I've never had spotting between. It's so easy to remember changing once a week. The only negative thing for me was the first 4-5 months of use; I had some irritated skin around the patch area. That has since resolved. I personally love this patch!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2021

For Birth Control "They recently changed manufacturing and changed to a cheap plastic that unsticks after 2 days. Had it on for a week only to find out that it was holding on by the edges only, so I was not absorbing any medicine, so not protected, and now I get to welcome back my painful periods. Change the manufacturing back to the original."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I went on this because my friend recommended it and because I like the convenience. While on it, however, I experienced horrible anxiety and depression. I also had a weird headache and taste in my mouth all month. My appetite varied wildly; I would be so hungry and then not at all. My period, which usually lasts three days and is very light, lasted eight days, and I had horrible cramps. During my period, I also felt light-headed and out of it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2012

For Birth Control "I've only been on my first month of this patch. But I hope my review will still help. I usually put it on my butt cheek and alternate sides each week. The first week was fine, the skin around it after taking it off was kind of irritating, but that was no big deal. The second week, nothing unusual happened, my sex drive increased, but I would wake up in the middle of the night for some reason. The third week was the worst week, though. I had mood swings, light cramps, and anxiety. This fourth week, it'll be my off week, I hope my period comes normally (since I have been having an abnormal cycle for the past 2 years). So far, I am satisfied with Ortho Evra. I am usually forgetful, changing it every week is very convenient!"

• HM3...
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I started Xulane on a Sunday. Monday woke up super hyper and keyed up. Around supper time, I get so fatigued I can barely keep my eyes open. Started spotting Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday night, fatigued again. Started losing my appetite. Weds, full-blown bleeding, cramps, nausea...felt horrible! Ended up leaving work early because I felt so bad and my anxiety was high. Thursday, heavy bleeding and living like I'm pregnant on Saltines and Sprite. The nausea was constant. Felt so tired. Couldn't concentrate and felt dizzy every time I moved. Ended up leaving work early again because I had a sudden panic attack: couldn't breathe, my extremities and face went numb, crying hysterically, and felt like I was going to puke. Once it passed, I was so tired I slept for hours. Friday, I woke up with a headache and anxiety is already in full force. I ripped the thing off. I would rather see how I do without it than do this. DO NOT recommend at all!"

• Ken...
• May 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm on month one of Xulane, my last patch of the month. I love this method 'cause it's so easy. BUT let me tell you, I get the craziest mood swings, and my emotions are all over the place. There are days when I'm randomly sad over the silliest things or just don't want to deal with people, PMS but times ten! I get nausea here and there too, not too often, but when I do, it really sucks. My breasts are extremely tender, sometimes I'll wake up in the morning to my boobs feeling so heavy and sensitive. Also, my appetite... I eat a lot! Now for my periods, I haven't gotten it, but most of the time I feel like I'm on it. I'll get minor cramps or get bloated and fatigued. I will probably get off the patch, which is unfortunate 'cause of how easy it is, but it's just not for me. I have every negative symptom."

• VVD...
• October 9, 2015

For Birth Control "BE CAREFUL!! After being on Ortho Evra for 2 years, my insurance switched me to Xulane, and I got pregnant within the second month of being on it. My periods were consistent while I was on Ortho, but when I switched to Xulane, they became very spotty/unpredictable, not to mention the bloating and cramping I felt. I was on my 3rd month before I realized I was pregnant. Even though my insurance covered part of the Ortho, I still had to pay $50, with Xulane, it was completely free. But now we know why, you get what you pay for."

• ano...
• July 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for 10 months and finally stopped. Every month my side effects would increase just a little to the point that they were unbearable. At the end, I had unexplained muscle and joint pain, chronic headaches, nonstop for 1 month straight at one point, and migraines 3-4 times a week. Also, I had bad cramps and breakthrough bleeding. Muscle and nerve spasms that required physio and nerve blocks and developed hypertension. I am a healthy weight and live a healthy lifestyle, 30 years old and have never had a regular BP over 100/60. When I stopped the patch, I had a regular running BP of approx 150/110 and was being put on beta blockers. I am still waiting for these side effects to fully correct, but within a week, I've improved."

• Dcl...
• September 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for 2 months now, and I love it! It's easy to remember, and I don't have to swallow a pill. I found that I had some cramping and felt nauseous the first month, but other than that, everything was fine. It also gives me lighter and shorter periods, which is a huge perk."

• fie...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2019

For Birth Control "First 6 months of using the Xulane patch are chaotic. Nausea, headaches, random cramps/spotting, and overall uncomfortable side effects. After the 6-month peak, you start feeling normal again. Period “regularity,” clean skin, lighter/less cramps, and bigger breasts/butt. Only true unexpected issue is the patch partially detaching recently, but that may be from using the same spots over and over. First cycle using, I had the worst cramps of my life. The cramps ease over time. I overall recommend."

• She...
• November 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for less than 2 months. My experience hasn't been good at all using this product. The application sites (shoulders and upper arms) where I placed the patch had very dark and red spots as if I had 2nd degree burns after I took the patch off. I also experienced extreme itchiness at those sites while the patch was on and even after it was taken off. I also experienced spot periods while on the patch. Cramping for me was intense while on the patch. I also seemed to have a dry cough while on the product. I couldn't sleep while on the patch due to really bad headaches. This product was a nightmare. I'm going to have to consider other birth control methods."

• lil...
• October 24, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 7 months now, and I love it. I only get cramping, but it's only right about the time I'm going to get my period. I lost weight with the patch, and I don't experience any bad side effects."

• Cut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I LOVE the patch. I used to use BCP, but the thought of swallowing a pill every day yearly made me feel literally nauseous when I took it...to the point I stopped and used condoms only. Needless to say, I have a beautiful 1.5-year-old :-) after him I wanted to wait for another. Mind you, before having him, my periods were 'normal.' After having him, my period was EXTREMELY heavy, lasting 5 to 7 days. I was going through 3 and 4 super pads WITH super tampons. I used it each day until the last day. It was horrible! That lasted for a year because I breastfed. I got on the patch, and I never thought I'd say my period is pleasant, but I call it 'cute and petite'-no cramps. This is my 3rd or 4th month. I love it."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I'll write another review on the Xulane patch, given I only put it on a few days ago. I'm 25, 120 lbs, a nonsmoker, healthy foodie. My doctor prescribed the Xulane patch due to my PMDD. So far, I've noticed that my skin has cleared up rapidly. My symptoms have massively lessened-usually I deal with bad migraines, heavy bleeding, chest tension, swollen breasts, and debilitating cramps before and during cycles. An hour prior to putting the patch on, I had a migraine. I noticed my new cycle was beginning, so I started it. The pain began fading off within an hour tops. Pain from cramps is barely there, haven't had swelling or aches so far, and the flow lightened up immediately. No itching, took a shower, and it didn't budge one bit. My doctor did talk to me about the risk of blood clots, which is also stated in the papers in the Xulane box. I'm not worried, though. 10/10, hope the next review I write will be a great one."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I started using Xulane patches because I have such heavy and long periods, and I never really liked the pill. The first two months were terrible, I was bleeding so heavily and was cramping so bad. Eventually, the bleeding stopped, and my period came, which was super light but still bad cramps. Now I’m back to spotting with stomach cramps, and I've been on Xulane since May, so I’m hoping my body adjusts soon. Haven’t gotten pregnant either, but I'm not having sex, so lol. Besides the side effects, I’ve never had problems with the application process, and it never falls off as long as I place it around my butt area. I would recommend giving it a try, though, despite all the negative reviews."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2012

For Birth Control "In the fourth month of using the patch, and my first time on hormonal birth control. I'm in my mid-40s, never smoked, slightly high blood pressure, but my doctor didn't think it would cause further elevation. I really like it. It's not as cheap as a generic pill, but wonderful not to worry about missing a dose. The patch sticks on fine and adhered again well if caught on a slipped bra strap when I wore it on my outer arm. I'm now wearing it on my butt and it's fine. It will leave a mark that doesn't easily come off for days and is prone to picking up lint on the sides, but I am okay with that. No weight gain, moodiness, or other issues. May have had a pimple or two in the first months, short nausea with the very first application, and heavier periods with additional but slight cramping. My sex drive dropped for a time but has returned to normal and I have no problems there. I think I feel a bit low emotionally the week it's off. Overall, no concerns I can't live with, and I love the easy protection and confidence of seeing it on."

• Meg...
• February 4, 2018

For Birth Control "This patch sucks! I haven't been on birth control in over 4 years, and I'm 22. At this point, the pregnancy scares are more manageable than dealing with this crap. I've worn this patch for two weeks; the first week didn't seem too bad, minor headaches and moodiness, but that's fairly common for me. Week two and three days in, I can't stop crying because my nausea and cramps are so horrible, and I have a high pain tolerance. It's frustrating and aggravating to not be able to eat or even stand up for more than a few minutes without feeling like I'm going to puke or pass out. I just took the nasty thing off, screw it. DO NOT USE THIS PATCH."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for months now. At first, there was stomach pain and nausea, which I still have sometimes, but now there's weight gain. I'm fatigued 24/7, and my menstrual cramps are 10,000 times worse than they were before."

• jes...
• August 25, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for a month, and I absolutely love it. It's my first form of birth control, and personally, I gag at taking pills. Within the first month of using the patch, I lost 3 pounds. My sex drive is high, and my breasts got a little larger. Slightly. I had cramps during my week of the patch, but I didn't mind. I'd rather have cramps than have my period for an entire month. I recommend the patch for anyone who wants a form of birth control and doesn't want to gain weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for a month now, going on my 2nd. This is also my first time using any birth control, and so far I'm happy with it. It definitely has done its job with preventing pregnancy. I started on a Monday. Tuesday morning, the 2nd day of use, I was very nauseous for just a little while, and it went away. After that, it was mostly just my poor boyfriend dealing with my mood swings. I was pretty emotional, as expected with all those hormones, and it didn't last long. Aside from that, no other side effects since week one/two. It's perfect for just remembering it once a week. It has stuck very well to the arms. I'll also mention that I got pretty bad cramps before my period. Not sure if that was a side effect, but they were worse than normal."

• foz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 9, 2017

For Birth Control "My experience is mixed, it was good to start with no problems, but as time went on, I got loads of bad side effects. When I tried to come off it, I had really heavy periods for over a month. Then I had to go back on it again. Now I'm coming off for the second time. It is very, very painful with the cramps and sickness, to the point I can't keep still for too long, and it takes a while for your periods and your fertility to come back."