Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For Birth Control "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!"

• Jes...
• October 20, 2016

For Birth Control "This medication works great. My cycle has never been regular, but on this, I can pinpoint the day I start and end my cycle. I do get headaches the first day I put on my new patch, so I just take Advil as a preventive, and that seems to do the job most of the time. This does help control acne as well, and I have not experienced any weight gain, and I have used it for over a year and a half. The patch site can itch, but my skin seemed to get used to it after a month or so. I use it on my lower back above my pant line and switch sides weekly. This seems to be the best spot, except when I get asked what it is. Lol! I was on the Depo shot for a year and absolutely hated it, and can't remember to take a pill daily, so this is a great alternative."

• Mic...
• December 13, 2013

For Birth Control "My experience with the patch was terrible. I started it Wednesday night, and by the evening of Thursday, I had a headache and felt completely drained at work, to the point where I had to ask my manager if I could be sent home. Went to bed around 9:30 but kept frequently waking up throughout the night. I had the most intense nausea, threw up, and then threw up again in the morning. Felt as if I was pregnant even though I'm not (on my period while I put the patch on). Immediately took the patch off me. The side effects were too brutal for me to endure."

• Hap...
• July 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Xulane for 3 months now, and I love it. Before I started, my periods were bad, with headaches, cramping, and heavy flow. After the first month, my periods dwindled, and now I only need light pads, I rarely cramp and have maybe one headache. However, I do get some redness and irritation on my skin, trouble with the patch adhering to my skin, and also my eating habits have changed dramatically. Sometimes I'll be starving, and when I see what I'm about to eat, I lose any urge to eat. I would recommend it, but be sure you remain aware of your body."

• Kel...
• May 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for 3 weeks now. I am now on my patch-free week, and I think it's great. There's no itching or reddening at the placement site, and I alternate between placements each week, which helps. I feel nauseous every once in a while, but that may be contributed to other things, and it subsides relatively quickly. I had a slight headache the first day of application, but none since. I've had a few mood swings, but once again, it could be contributed to other things. Oh, and my breasts have grown, which is a plus for some. Slight tenderness but only to touch. Sex drive has increased. And it's so easy to remember! I'm 98 lbs and 5'1'."

• Nik...
• December 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve gone on the Xulane patch 2 separate times. I have horrible periods, and I’m also diagnosed with PMDD, so it is important that I stay on birth control. I’ve tried the Depo shot, I bled for 9 months straight and was constantly depressed. I tried a box or two of the patches and had no side effects or irregular bleeding. I was then on the extended-cycle pill, so I had no periods for 3 months at a time, and I loved it! Until one day, I started bleeding and didn’t stop for two months. So I got back on the patch, and I’ve been on it for about 2 months now. I’ve never had irregular bleeding or severe PMDD symptoms on the patch. The only con I’ve experienced is acne breakouts-under wherever the patch was placed, and also on my face and on my body. It isn’t bad, though. My periods are much easier, despite getting headaches. Overall, my favorite form of birth control. No birth control is fun, but the patch makes it easy."

• bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2023

For Birth Control "I tried Zafemy for about 2 months, and during this time period, I was bleeding nonstop. I had headaches from whenever I woke up to whenever I went to sleep. Zafemy even made my chest break out, it was all red with a rash, and I had bad acne. The rash and acne went away eventually. I didn't relate the side effects to the birth control. Both the rashes and acne appeared again, so I went to the doctors to see what was going on, and they said it was the birth control that was causing it. I was put on Xulane, and I absolutely love it! I have no problems with it, no acne, no weight gain, no rashes, nothing! The only side effect is being a little nauseous. But other than that, I love this birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2013

For Birth Control "After looking at all birth control, I decided to go with the patch since it had the least side effects. This is my first birth control ever, and I was worried how I would feel. I read the reviews on here and was expecting a horrible headache the first day I put it on, but I didn't feel any different at all. It's still my first week, but so far, everything is great! I forget it's even on me, and my sex drive is still beyond great!"

• wis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 21 years old, and have been on the patch for 2 years now. In the beginning, I wasn't nauseous or anything, but in the last couple of months, nausea and headache have gotten really bad. I'm still going to be on it for two more weeks until I get an IUD. Cannot wait! Other than that, it's pretty good, no pregnancy, no dryness, no mood swings."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using the Ortho Evra patch for 4 months. At the beginning, the side effects were not good, I had nausea, headaches, and sore breasts. In the first month, I had breakthrough bleeding for 7 days. But after those two months with side effects, everything was normalized, only the pain in the breasts remained, but only when the period is coming. I still consider it a very good method for me because I should not remember every day, as I am too forgetful to take pills. Llevo usando el Evra 4 meses. Y al principio, los efectos secundarios fueron rudos conmigo, tenía náuseas, dolores de cabeza, y dolor en los senos. Y el primer mes tuve un sangrado intermenstrual por 7 días. Pero luego de esos dos meses con efectos, todo se normalizó, solo quedaron los dolores en los senos cuando está por venirme el periodo. Pero aún así considero que es un muy buen método para mí debido a que no debo recordar cada día porque soy muy olvidadizo para tomar píldoras."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 4 months now, and I can honestly say that I love it. This is my first time being on BC, and I did a lot of research before picking one out. The first 3 months, I experienced some of the side effects: headaches, nausea, sore breasts, emotional as hell. But all that stopped in the 3rd month. I still get a little emotional, but that's just regular PMSing. Do not buy the generic brand, it sucks ass. It doesn't stick as well as the name brand, so I spend the $5 to get it. My skin gets a little irritated around the patch, but I have seriously dry skin, so that can play a factor. Overall, I'm loving it! My BF can relax a little because he doesn't have to worry about condoms anymore because this is more cost-efficient."

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

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for 10 months now, and I absolutely love it. I don't worry about pregnancy scares at all. The only downside I have is that when I put on a new patch after my period, I get really nauseated and a bad headache for a few hours, but this started about 3 months ago. The other downside is that when I exercise and take hot showers, it seems to make the patch slip off. But it's honestly the best birth control I've been on, easy to use and great protection."

• JPH...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 8, 2018

For Birth Control "Some reviews said that it comes off in the water, but I have not had this happen. You have to make sure there is no lotion or soap residue on the area before you put it on. Also, I always wipe the area clean with rubbing alcohol before I apply to ensure a tight hold. And if I place it in my pelvic area, I shave first, wipe with alcohol, and press firmly. I go swimming all the time for hours at a time, and it has never fallen off. I've had no side effects, especially with my sex drive or vaginal lubrication. No headaches or nausea for me. I feel absolutely normal, even with having hypothyroidism, which impacts different hormones, I don't feel any side effects. I always recommend this to my friends. It's much easier than remembering to take a pill and safer for me than an IUD. I say everyone should try it for themselves rather than be scared off by other people's bad experiences."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I did a review on Xulane 8 months ago. I was taking the Ortho Evra patch and had to switch to Xulane due to it being discontinued. When I did my review, I was on the patch for 1 month. The patch is still very convenient. Increase in sex drive, no vaginal dryness, and light periods - no cramping. I am starting to get headaches for the past month. Seeing it's a side effect of this medication (never got them before), hoping they go away. Other than that, no complaints."

• Liz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Have been taking Xulane for about 8 months, it's been great. Spotting during the first two months, tired with some increase in appetite until my body adjusted. I do notice mild headaches during days (1-2 times per week). Of course, breasts are swollen, which isn't a terrible side effect. I've had no nausea, no weight gain, and my mood seems more balanced. I have a history of depression and have not had any issues outside of baseline while using Xulane. I have fewer PMS symptoms - less depressed, less irritable, don't want to run people over then cry because I'm a horrible person for thinking that :/ It's been very effective."

• kja...
• June 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Evra for 3 years now, previously, I was on the pill. I gained an additional 5 or so lbs when I switched over, but I think it's way worth it. My period is now regular, and my usual heavy flow significantly decreased. Recently, my pharmacy has started giving me the generic, don't do it. I have spotting all the time, pretty heavy. It's like having a regular period in between periods. For the first time last week, the spotting was really heavy, I'm switching back to the brand name. Other than that, no mood swings, no decrease in sex drive, no nausea/headaches/breast pain/etc. Great birth control!"

• mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2019

For Birth Control "This Xulane patch caused issues because whoever makes it sucks at quality control. I’ve gotten multiple patches that aren’t as sticky as they should be, and they’re not expired and have never been opened. I can’t just go to the pharmacy to replace them whenever this happens. This Sunday was the last straw, I’m getting an IUD. I went to change my patch and the new patch wasn’t sticky at all, it came off immediately. I had nothing on my skin. I opened the only other patch I have, and the same thing, so I’m done. It also made my cramps more painful and last much longer, and it gave me major headaches, sometimes migraines. I didn’t gain weight, but sometimes the patch would itch to the point where I’d accidentally scratch myself to bleeding."

• mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Xulane a couple of months ago. I immediately started to get the worst headaches, nausea, gained lots of weight, and my boobs grew significantly in size and are sore constantly. I’ve been on my period for 40 days with heavy flow and unbearable back pain and cramps. Some days I can’t even get out of bed without taking large amounts of pain medication."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

For Birth Control "So I went to my OB on Monday for my yearly checkup, asked to get on the patch contraceptive! Thinking it won’t be as bad because I was not ingesting it, whereas before I took the pill, it was bad reactions! So she told me I was going to spot for Monday because she did the test! Well, it’s Wednesday, and I’m still spotting. Little did I know this can do that! Monday night, I felt off, I’m like, new meds, gotta get used to it. Tuesday came, and the nausea started slowly creeping in, so I’m like, okay, then the nervousness started, so I took my anxiety meds. Helped a little. Today I woke up after sleeping 6-9 hours, exhausted, nausea, headache, boobs hurting, so by mid-afternoon I was feeling better. By 7 pm, I thought I was dying, felt like I had a fever and sweating, and just couldn’t handle it! After reading up on it, I took it off. I cannot go on for the next 1-3 months like this, so if you have a sensitivity to medications or have had troubles with birth control, I do not recommend this at all."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I used to take Ortho Evra when I was younger and was completely fine on it. I thought I would have a similar experience on Xulane. I ended up with severe mood swings, depression, and anxiety, to the point of crying every day for weeks. I had low libido, was tired all the time, my vision became blurry, I lost my appetite, I had severe headaches, and loss of balance. I’d wake up in the middle of the night from sweating so much. I tried to let my body get used to the high amount of hormones in this product, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I didn’t feel like myself, and it was affecting my marriage. I am now making an appointment with my doctor to see what other options are out there. I’m happy this drug has worked for some of you ladies, but I would be careful if it starts affecting your mental health like it did mine. I feel relieved not being on it anymore."

• Ber...
• January 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm on week three of the patch, and I can't wait for it to be over. This is the second time this year I've used the patch, and I remember the same side effects as before: headache during most of the first week, coupled with constant nausea. The only thing that seems to make the nausea subside is eating! Needless to say, I've noticed some weight gain! I suppose you've got to try these things... In theory, it's a great idea, unfortunately, it doesn't work for me."

• Hay...
• December 21, 2016

For Birth Control "My first time starting any kind of birth control (just to regulate my period, not really as a contraceptive), and I could only last halfway through my third week. The increase in anxiety, depression, along with the pregnancy-like symptoms, were debilitating. I just took my patch off today because I couldn't take it anymore. I have terrible gastrointestinal problems, feel sore and tender, dizzy, have headaches, and the worst part is the nausea. It's been gradually increasing since I started and has finally gotten to the point where I can't leave my bed. My first patch fell off after three days, so I put a new one on my thigh instead of my side, and that made it not come off anymore, but the mix of mood swings and painful symptoms are too much."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2017

For Birth Control "...and I was thinking I'm imagining stuff. I just started my 7th month on the patch. The last 5 days, I worked myself sick thinking about whether I had a brain tumor and dying on my little girls, couldn't snap out of the mood. From the beginning of taking these, I had those headaches (progressively worsening...) and it worried me a lot. I was feeling sick but not being able to puke, horrible loss of balance and vertigo (full whack with eyeball movement), weight gain (but I blamed that on the fact that I stopped running due to muscle pain and balance problems). The patches left red marks and rash, itchy skin (all over), and a little cough with no reason... Lately, the anxiety problems are my biggest scare. I booked the GP. The EVRA is going bye-bye... One pro - no pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been using the patch for over 3 years now. It is the first birth control method I chose because I was afraid of forgetting to take a pill every day, and it sounded easier than other forms of birth control. When I placed the patch on my stomach, it gave me cramps and nausea, so I alternate butt cheeks instead. This also keeps it hidden, the edges of the patch have excess adhesive, so it sticks to underwear rather than clothes, and the underwear or swimsuit keeps it in place if sweaty or wet. At 30 years, 5'11" and 150 lbs, I've gained about 10 lbs in the past 3 years, so probably unrelated to the patch. My biggest complaint is that my occasional headaches have become bad migraines, so I may look at other options. Loved it until now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the third time I am submitting a review for Xulane. I was approaching 1 year using this patch, but discontinued it this past Friday. Over the past 6 months, I have had high blood pressure readings (extremely high). The only change I have made over the past year is switching from Ortho Evra to Xulane. My doctor thinks this is causing my high blood pressure. Not only that, but I have been having headaches, which I never had prior to taking this patch. Not sure if anyone else has had an increase in blood pressure since they started this patch? I hoped I was not the only one. Anyone else?"