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

• Dej...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I've been using Xulane for about a year now, and before getting switched to Xulane, I used Ortho for about a year and a half. Sometimes, the patch starts to lift on the sides, but that was with both Ortho and Xulane. The only side effects I've experienced with both types of patches are cramps. I didn't get cramps with my period until I began using the patches. Other than that, I haven't had any other problems with either brand."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "This is horrible. I never used to get cramps, and BAM, they came. I was vomiting, I couldn't get up. They were terrible! I went on vacation, and I kept on vomiting, and I wasn't even on my period! This made me have mood swings, and I would get dizzy for hours during the day. 10 out of 10. I do not recommend, this is terrible."

• 22F...
• February 7, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I could even last two days with the Xulane. I had the Evra patch years ago and liked it, so I thought I'd give this patch a try. Literally, after having it on for a couple of hours, I got a migraine and then woke up to medium-severe cramps that lasted all day along with the headaches and then nausea. I literally felt sick to my stomach. After taking it off, I was able to feel a little better, no more major cramps but still feel sick. Hoping this goes away soon. I'm absolutely done with BC. Rather be celibate. Oh, and I forgot to mention I literally gained 3/4 lbs within 2 damn days."

• Sex...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I can't say enough good things! To start off with, I run low on estrogen, and the patch is packing! My libido is back up, cramps gone, not to mention perky breasts! I feel fantastic. I've tried so many forms of BC, from the IUD (which is godawful) to the patch, and the patch really is great. It's easy to remember and apply. I rotate it from one butt cheek to the other, and it stays on just fine. If you are someone who does well on estrogen-based BC, I recommend the patch."

• Ken...
• April 5, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I've been on the Xulane patch for a year now. When I first started, everything was great. My periods got lighter, I had a moderate libido, I wasn't nauseous at all, and I had almost zero negative effects. After about four or five months of use, I started getting morning sickness after having my period and putting the patch back on. Now I also have unusual chest pain, back and neck pain all in one, and my mood swings are crazy. My periods have also gotten heavier and my cramps worse than when I first started. I tried switching to the progestin-only pill, but because of the dramatic hormone level change, I was not able to use this very long. Five stars for Xulane because it's done its job at not getting me pregnant."

• Nev...
• May 30, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I started the patch because I had difficulty remembering to take the pill every night. At first, I liked it, yes, it shows, but it was not a problem to me. However, I would apply it, and the corners would never stick to my skin, which is a problem since the active ingredient is on the whole patch. Plus, the menstrual cramps were much stronger, and my period lasted longer than usual. But the last day that I changed my patch, I went into the shower right after and fainted. When I got back up, I was so dizzy I couldn't walk straight. I lay down and threw up. It was like being super hungover, but I barely ever drink. I removed the patch, and 30 minutes later, I was feeling way better. I'm going back to the pill."

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "Xulane has been effective as far as keeping me from getting pregnant. However, I have an appointment with my ob-gyn to switch to a new method ASAP. I was on Ortho Evra for about 14 years and absolutely loved it. I experienced no side effects. When I was switched by my insurance to Xulane, the symptoms have multiplied. Started with lack of sex drive and intermittent bleeding. More recently, the cramps have become debilitating, and I have them 2-3 weeks a month. I feel bloated all the time these days. And upon reading everyone else's reviews, I am beginning to wonder if these extra 5-10 lbs are the result of this medicine as well since I haven't been eating any more calories than normal."

• Zee...
• February 2, 2016

For Birth Control "Terrible experience, bad cramping, nausea, terrible mood swings at home and work. My co-workers and kids are wondering what's going on. I've never suffered migraines before. I'm literally lying here with a cold cloth on my head, left arm is sore, forgetfulness, can't remember anything, bladder is going haywire, feeling exhausted. I'm actually taking vitamins my gyn told me my body has to get used to the medicine. But now on my second month, these side effects are affecting my life, family life, and professional life. I'm digging deeper to find out more about this patch because this is ridiculous. My children are terrified because I lay on the floor and can't move, and my doctor seems not to want to do anything, so I removed it and am doing further research myself."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I started the patch a month ago. I am still bleeding non-stop, really bad cramps, started having bad mood swings, and it makes me want to eat all day. I was on the Depo shot before the patch, I loved the shot way better. I've been off Depo for a year and a half before I got on anything else. My period just finally became normal, but they suggested the patch as a birth control because I wasn't on anything. But so far, I absolutely hate it."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I do not like the patch at all. I'd used the Ortho Evra version years ago in college, and the only downside was the constant tiredness and mood swings. This version of the patch has produced the worst body systems ever. The constant gas/bloating, heavy periods with cramps that last over a week, constant hunger/weight gain, and the mood swings. I've gained roughly 15 lbs, but the kicker is that I do not eat a lot. I don't even have dairy in my normal diet, and I do not eat fried food or junk food. It just seems like my body is packing on the weight still. The only reason why I even gave it a 3 is because of the ease of use and not having to worry about taking it. I am switching off of this soon."

• Aer...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "This is my first go with birth control. I have been on the patch for 6 months, and I am not that impressed. It has resolved some issues but also made some things worse. Before Xulane, I would get debilitating vomiting during my period, but cramps were scarce. It was heavy, and I would often get headaches. Now that I'm on Xulane, I haven't thrown up at all, and headaches are scarce, but cramps have been made so much worse. It's to the point where I wake up in the middle of the night because it hurts so bad, and I can't just sleep it off. On top of that, I'm getting two periods - very heavy 'spotting' a week before it's supposed to come and then another period the week I'm off the patch. I chose the patch because I have a hard time swallowing pills, but I think I'm going to have to reconsider this method and probably switch to pills."

• coc...
• November 17, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I have been on the Evra patch for two months and am loving it. I have had breast tenderness and slight acne, no weight gain, and a light period with slight cramping, I usually have terrible cramping on my period. Hopefully, it will stay light and regular. I also hate the lint stuck around the edges, it's horrible, but a small price to pay. I suppose I too alternate the patch on my pelvis and have no problems with it falling off. I put the first one on my lower back, but my pants kept dragging at it, and it did fall off."

• Roo...
• October 10, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I absolutely love Ortho Evra. I'd never used a hormonal birth control before, and being super flighty, I knew I couldn't be trusted to take the pill. I originally started off with the ring, which resulted in non-stop crying, non-stop cramping, and constant breakthrough bleeding. Even though the patch and the ring use the same exact hormones in extremely similar dosages, I decided to give the patch a shot. Instantly, I felt worlds better. My period was regular, which was the first time I'd ever had a regular period in my entire life. They're not lighter by any means, but I'll take five days of heavy bleeding over a month of it! Only problem? The patch is prone to coming off if your skin gets very warm and clothing rubs on it, unfortunately!"

• Anonymous
• May 3, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I have only been on the patch for about a month, but I think that it's long enough for me to have a somewhat legit opinion on this medicine. So far, so good. I was on the pill before I started this, and I never remembered to take it. I would be hours late, sometimes missing it altogether, and being sexually active, that's pretty risky. I love that I only have to change it once a week. I hate how sometimes it sticks to my underwear, and when I pull them down to use the restroom, they pull on it. But that's all about where on the butt you put it. I'm on my patch off week, and I'm having awful cramping. That's the only downfall. All in all, great."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "Before being on the patch, I took two different birth control pills and was on the NuvaRing. I had a lot of problems with those which I'm not facing with the patch (acne, extreme tiredness, moodiness, yeast infections, bacterial vaginitis, weight gain, etc.). I'll admit that I've had pretty bad cramps and extreme changes in my mood when my period comes. I feel a little out of whack, but it's worth it compared to the alternative side effects I've experienced! The first day of a new patch, I'm always extremely tired and a bit nauseous as well. It also does leave a sticky ring and cause irritation, but it doesn't bother me. You can see a few faded square marks on my back from previous weeks... a little weird. Overall, the best birth control I've experienced so far! Easy, reliable, etc."

• hal...
• December 22, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I tried it for a year. I was happy with it (except the first 2 weeks.. that sucked). Then this month, I don't know what happened, I couldn't get it the week I needed it, so I put the new one on a week late. Long story short, I had really bad cramps, dizziness, headaches, and a 6-week long period while on the birth control, which is supposed to stop it for 3 weeks at a time..."

• Vm6...
• August 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I like the patch. It has been effective so far. I started on Sunday after my menstrual cycle, and I had unprotected sex 11 days after (so the first week after the 2nd patch), and I just got the withdrawal bleeding, 'my period,' on the third day of my patch-free week. I've had unprotected sex during the patch-free week since I am supposed to be protected from pregnancy according to instructions as long as I remember to apply the patch on time (every Sunday). I did experience a little nausea, headaches, and a bit of cramping, but nothing too serious like other reviews. The body has to get used to the hormones, so I know it will adjust with time. My period is lighter and with no heavy cramping! I used to have a 7-day period, and now it lasted 3 days."

• MAN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I started Xulane Nov 10th, 20201. First symptom that caught my attention was the painful boobs and the boob growth. My breasts were hurting so bad I couldn’t lay on them, nothing. Also, the patch was super itchy, but I continued. Come December 6th, I started spotting, which annoyed me because I got on birth control to skip my period altogether. Google told me it was my body getting used to the birth control and to keep using it, so I did. TODAY, Wednesday, Dec 15th, I changed to my new patch (this is like my 5th time changing it or something). The cramps were SO BAD I had to snatch it off and call it quits! I don't like Xulane, it is terrible. NO, NO, NO, I’d rather use condoms."

• lov...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I've been on it for probably about 7 months, and it was so much better than the pill. I definitely am still a bit more emotional, especially on my periods, but it regulates my irregular periods, though it makes my cramps worse (I normally don’t get cramps at all). At first, I did notice my sex drive was gone, but now I’d say it’s leveled out a bit to a normal level. The only problem is it’s randomly started to irritate my skin very badly, and get unbearably itchy, and leave dark red squares on my skin that stay for weeks. I might have to switch because of it, but gonna try putting it on my arm instead."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "Haven't even had it on for a full month, but it's not too bad. The first week I put it on my hip bone/pelvic area. Had no problems other than very little cramping here and there. Although I do get moody some days, other days I'm fine. It's hit and miss. So that kind of sucks for my bf because I feel bad for snapping at him. But the second week I put it on my butt right before bed. The next day I was EXTREMELY nauseous and got the worst migraine ever and even felt feverish. I moved it back to my hip, but on the opposite side from before, and the symptoms went away after a few hours. Yay! I would recommend maybe staying away from meaty parts of the body. I think it might absorb it a lot more. But I've heard from other moms that said the same thing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I felt fine for the first four days on the patch-very manageable nausea and some cramping. Then, the morning of the fifth day-BAM-I was more nauseous than I had ever been while pregnant. I vomited about five times in a row at 5 a.m. and felt so weak that I spent most of the day huddled over and unable to really do anything or take care of my kids very attentively. If a birth control method makes you think that an unintended pregnancy wouldn't be so bad in comparison, it's probably not a great method. I took off the patch, which relieved my cramping within a few hours, but I still felt nauseous through the evening."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I started the patch on Friday, and by Saturday night, I had started crying uncontrollably for no reason at all. This has not stopped, and today I'm missing school because of that and the gnarly cramps I'm also experiencing. I plan on calling my doctor today to see if I should try something different or wait and see if everything levels out."

• Ray...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I honestly love this patch. I’ve been on it for about 6 months. The first couple of months I had tender breasts, but I was told that was normal. Although I did go to MEPS (military entry processing station), and they noticed some lumps in my breast. They went away after a couple of weeks. My periods are way less, lighter, and shorter in length. Although my cramps are way worse. I believe that’s because I chose to do the 3 months without the period rather than having a period every month. 10/10 would recommend to anybody."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I have been using Ortho Evra for almost three years now, and I have had very few side effects. Before the patch, I had no cramps signaling my menstruation, but now I get minor cramps the week before with a little back pain. I never gained weight, I only went up a cup size. My period is now extremely predictable, and I have never forgotten to change the patch. This is the best method of birth control that I have found, and I absolutely love it."

• Anonymous
• February 8, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin for Birth Control "I have been on the patch for 2 months now, my periods are not normal. I go two weeks and they are heavy, something that's not normal at all. I have cramps from time to time, but since the patch, I do not experience any period pains."