Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 16y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2016

For Birth Control "In my personal experience, this was horrible. Been on it for 3 days and just took it off tonight because I can't handle it anymore. I am puking all night (10-12 times) and can't hold anything down. I am having body aches and can't stop shaking. And also, a massive headache that Advil won't get rid of. It works for a lot of people, I guess just not for me."

• Sun...
• June 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for a month now. I absolutely love it! I have tried the pill and was having the worst headaches of my life, and I was already on the lowest dosage. I gave up on the pill after 3 months. I have finished my first month and have experienced no weight gain, mood swings, depression, or headaches. The only side effects I have experienced are that my breasts have grown slightly and become slightly tender before I get my period, and I have a little bit more cramping when on my period. Besides these side effects, I honestly feel like I'm on no birth control. The only negative I would say is that the patch can begin to peel, which is easily fixable with cushion tape. I have PCOS and the patch has been the best option for me!"

• amc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I've actually had no health problems at all with the patch so far, and I've been on it just over a month now. I read up on it beforehand, and the reviews were playing on my mind, but I've had no sickness, no headaches, and no spotting, which has been great! I've been wearing it on my bum (alternating sides each week) for a few weeks, and this seems alright, but I'm trying my inner arm now. The only downside of this I've had is the pain when taking it off - I thought it would be like taking a plaster off, but it's much worse! Like getting an unwanted wax each time. Granted, this means that it stays on for a week! This is enough to put me off the patch, and I'll be trying something different next time."

• Sad...
• June 29, 2017

For Birth Control "This was my first ever birth control method that I tried. I chose it because I wanted something that I could hide from my parents. I was on it for about 3-4 months and never had a problem with it besides maybe being a little moody. About a year ago, I went to see an OBGYN and got a new method just to try my options. I chose the NuvaRing, and it was the worst choice I have ever made! I got headaches about two hours after putting my first one in, as well as dizziness and nausea, but I told myself to push through and the side effects would subside. They didn't. I was standing in the middle of a huge, crowded store when I couldn't feel my legs and arms and was told to go to the emergency room where I was told the Ring gave me toxic shock."

• car...
• June 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using Evra patches for just over 6 months, and my periods are perfectly regular and much lighter than they are naturally. I haven't experienced cramps, nausea, or headaches and didn't before I used birth control. However, I've gained roughly 1.5 stone during use, but I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or caused by the patch. As a result, my breasts are also about a cup size larger. I always shave a square to help it adhere, I've never had one fall off, but they do tend to slide a little, and the glue left behind will collect fluff. This means it's not as discreet as it should be, but this doesn't bother myself or my partner, and I can easily hide it on my butt cheeks under a bikini. Worth mentioning, this is my first birth control."

• Mir...
• December 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 29 with two daughters, 2 years and 2 months. I got an IUD after my first daughter, and it was horrible. I spotted the entire year! The pain reminded me of labor pains, so I decided to try the patch since remembering to take a pill every day with two kids in the house seemed impossible. I have been on the patch for about 6 weeks, and I will say this: the patch is doing its job, I am not pregnant! But the tiredness I feel is unreal! Literally, I can barely keep my eyes open all day long. I get random feelings of nausea throughout the week, but nothing a few Tums can't fix. The headaches seem to always come on the day I put on a new patch, again, nothing unbearable. However, the tiredness is driving me insane. I really hope it goes away with time."

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Xulane for about 4-5 years, and it was good at first because I didn’t know any better. Helped combat my endometriosis and ovarian cysts, which were horrible. However, this BC is the pits. I literally have every side effect this BC offers minus the stroke and heart attack stuff. The mood swings and anxiety are the absolute worst. High blood pressure, hot flashes, migraines and headaches, breast tenderness and swelling, and major cramping in between and on my period are all bad too. I would advise against this form of BC. I’m in talks now with my doctor about changing this because the side effects are more harmful than helpful for me."

• 849...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for about 3 months now. I used to have severe headaches every day before starting Xulane. Now I rarely get them-only on my period. I also have not had any issues with the patch coming off, if anything, it is hard to take off at the end of each week and actually quite painful! Also, the week before my period and during my period, I have intense mood swings and become extremely irritable and emotional. So, 2 weeks out of 4 in every month, I feel pretty terrible. I am considering stopping the patch completely, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage."

• Dan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I started the Xulane patch when I was 26 years old. Today I'm 29 and getting far, far away from it. All of 2020, whenever my cycle could come, I would be sick for days, at least 5, nauseous and throwing up. I would get raging headaches (I never get headaches). I could feel them all in my sleep. I would sleep the entire day away, no energy to do anything, just lay around and sleep. It's 2021 now and I'm still having the same problem. I'm getting completely off this contraceptive. I have lost sooo much weight from this patch. I didn't really pay attention at first, but the sickness started to become a pattern, and it wouldn't be every month like in 2020, just every other month, and it hit me. It's this patch. Never, ever, never again. I just started my new week Sunday, I snatched it off, and the remaining ones will go to the trash!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2016

For Birth Control "Have been on the patch for 5 months now, and it's just awful. I feel nauseous all the time, get headaches, and the dizziness that comes along with it. My periods are heavy and have painful cramping, some in between bleeding."

• ACY...
• January 24, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on Ortho Evra for 10 years... that's right... 10 years! I started when I was 17, and I've never had a problem with it. Periods are normal. Sometimes really bad cramps the first couple of days and maybe a headache or two. But those are just normal PMS side effects as far as I'm concerned. I've heard people have gained weight using Ortho Evra, but I never had such issues. And most of all, I've never gotten pregnant. My only complaint is Ortho Evra is very expensive. I'm on an HSA now, and I pay $79 per month. I wear the patch on my buttocks, and I switch sides every week to avoid excess irritation. Sometimes it gets stuck to my underwear or jeans, and it's hard to find a replacement if it peels off."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2019

For Birth Control "The first 3 months were horrible! Heavy bleeding, headaches, cramps. After the rough 3 months, the symptoms went away, and my periods are much lighter. It does cause mild irritation to the skin but clears up within 24 hours after the patch is removed. No serious issues."

• sam...
• March 23, 2017

For Birth Control "Been on Xulane 3 months starting today. The first month went great, no side effects, noticed my boobs grew a bit. When the second month started, it was going well until I applied the second patch. I had terrible headaches, nausea, extremely lightheaded, and the worst part, extreme stomach pains. I had to remove the patch because of the pain. I almost went to the ER. I applied the third patch of the month the following week and still had some symptoms, but they only lasted 2/3 days. I applied the first patch of the third month this Monday that just passed, and the extreme stomach pain returned along with vomiting and headaches. I've overall decided I'm going to stop Xulane and hopefully find a birth control that won't send me to the hospital."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2019

For Birth Control "Was on Sprintec, and it was horrible. I would be extremely nauseous, bloated, and all the other horrible things. I expected Xulane to be the same since I was completely off birth control for a month. That was not the case at all. I had little to no side effects. I have an occasional headache, but it’s nothing terrible, and my only concern is it coming off."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m 18, around 140 lbs, have been on the patch for almost a year, and it has worked great for me. I use birth control to prevent pregnancy, which has worked through when we are using other forms of protection and not using protection. This is the first birth control I have tried, and so far, it's been good. I change it every week at the same time and same day. I have never changed my “patch change day” in all 11 months, which might be why it works so well for me. I have noticed my boobs have gotten bigger since I have been on the patch, I used to wear a 32C and now am a 34DD. Sometimes I have headaches, but that's the only side effect from using this. Overall, the patch works great for me. The cost is a little pricey but good compared to other methods of birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2012

For Birth Control "So far, I have loved the patch! I've only been on it for about two and a half months, but in that time, my breasts have gone up a full cup size! I've had very small breasts my entire life (now 21 years old), so you can imagine how happy I am. I've had a few bad headaches recently, but every once in a while, my whole life, I've gotten bad headaches. Other than that, I can't think of any other symptoms I've had from using the patch."

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

For Birth Control "The first few weeks on the Xulane patch were horrible. I’ve had heavy periods, bloating, and headaches. Now, there are no side effects at all, maybe a little weight gain, but I’m fine with that. The patch sticks with no problem (I wear mine on my buttocks because my 9-month-old baby likes to play with it if it’s on my shoulder or back, and it’ll loosen up). So far, so good, no pregnancy or anything. It’s the best birth control that I’ve had. I would say the first few weeks or month may be horrible, but once your body gets used to it, it will get better."

• AKR...
• November 22, 2016

For Birth Control "Nightmare! I was on the Xulane birth control patch for 2 full months. I have felt like a complete zombie with no energy at all. I can feel depression, anxiety, and mood swings getting worse. I'm starting to get headaches and nausea, which I have never experienced before. The patch doesn't stick very well on the skin. I've gotten rashes, and it's always itchy at the site. I'm giving up on birth control because the crippling mental side effects are not worth it. I'm going back to condoms forever. BEWARE, the mental/emotional side effects sneak up on you over time."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on it for a month, and I am thinking of changing. I have had headaches so bad they make me want to cry 24/7. I also have been nauseous almost every single day after being on it for a week. I have been extremely emotional and had times when I feel very shaky. The fact that this puts off a lot more hormones than other birth control is the reason it is causing me to have these reactions, I think."

• ver...
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I could tell this patch wasn't for me after two months of being on it. I had every side effect you could think of: mood swings, depression, nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, chest pain, shortness of breath, headaches, tingling in my feet and hands, aching in my arms and legs. It got to the point where I was so concerned I had to go to the emergency room to make sure I didn't have any blood clots and that I wasn't in danger of having a stroke or heart attack. Turns out I was okay, but they took me off the patch immediately. I'm only 22, but I smoke, so I guess that could be why I had such a bad reaction to it. I'm disappointed it didn't work for me because the convenience of not having to take a pill every day was nice. Oh well."

• cup...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the birth control patch for over a year now. I love it! Never had really bad side effects. My periods would come on time. Never had problems with the patch coming off. There are, however, some side effects I didn't know about: spotting in between periods, feeling nausea, headaches, etc. But all in all, I love the patch! Not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon!"

• Yas...
• August 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched from the Nexplanon implant simply because I heard of a recall on it, and I couldn't take the constant dizziness and headaches. I used Ortho Evra before, and it was lovely, but this isn't at all. The first night, I felt like I couldn't sleep. With that being said, I was up for 3 days with absolutely no sleep, walking around like an insane person. Severe pain (hunger pangs) that I think contribute to the weight gain, nausea, and breast pain. I took it off. I tried it again, and the physical side effects have faded somewhat, but depression, anxiety, and mood swings are back in my life 10 times worse..."

• Let...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2022

For Birth Control "This birth control will give you nonstop headaches (no med will take it away), a lot of anxiety and depression, loss of sexual desire, a lot of anger, a lot of thinking, moody, nausea, bloating… worst BC ever."

• Ted...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I recently went on birth control for the first time. My partner and I chose the Xulane patch for convenience. Being over 35, I was concerned about blood clots, but was told to 'see what happens' after trying it. Thankfully, I never encountered blood clots, but I do wake up with headaches that sometimes last for two days. I have this weird vaginal odor, not fishy, but just a weird smell, and I've had problems with my throat. I still have my tonsils, and so I get strep at the drop of a hat, but I've had it twice since starting the patch two months ago. Currently, I don't have strep, but I have nasty pus pockets on my tonsils. When reading other reviews, I read that throat infections are a side effect of Xulane. Xulane is convenient and a good form of birth control, but for me, it's not worth the side effects that come from using it."

• Mar...
• September 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I have mixed feelings about Xulane. It did wonders for me regarding my functionality while being on my period. I used to bleed very heavily, feel very dizzy and lightheaded, like I was going to pass out, vomit, and have awful cramps. That all went away when I started taking this. I also like how convenient it is. The patch stays on pretty well. But that is all I have to say that's good. It took about three months for my body to adjust, but I had excruciating headaches and spotting for two weeks straight at a time. The worst part of this is the awful mood swings I get. I don't feel like myself sometimes. I'll just be irrationally angry over the smallest things or have minor anxiety attacks. It killed my sex drive, which is the complete opposite of how I used to be, and it's starting to take a toll on my marriage. It all makes sense considering that the information packet that my pharmacy gave said that it contains more estrogen than certain pills."