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

• Kel...
• May 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Xulane for 1 year and 3 months. I love it. I have tried the pill, NuvaRing, and Mirena and had terrible problems. After my miscarriage in March of 2014, I knew it was time to try something new. I had gotten pregnant on the pill 5 years ago and pregnant with Mirena 3 years ago. The patch is amazing. I do get headaches if I'm late to change or if my period goes longer, but that's normal. I'm pleased at how effective it is. My husband and I haven't used condoms or any backup since I got the patch over a year ago, and no pregnancy! It's awesome!!!!!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• its...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on Xulane for over a year. When I first started the patch, I felt nauseous and had a headache the first 3-5 days. Then after, it stopped, and I had no side effects whatsoever. My period has always been 7 days, so it didn't fix my long abnormal period, but it did fix my acne, and it did not affect my mood. Also, I never got pregnant! This birth control was awesome, I only had to change it once a week. The only con was where to place it. During the summer, I had to hide it on my buttock, and sometimes it would show when my bikini would rise up. In the winter, it was on my arm, and sometimes I would forget, and that's how my parents found out I was on birth control. Also, it comes off easily if you take daily baths or swim in the ocean."

• Som...
• November 13, 2016

For Birth Control "The patch causes itchiness, but after a while, it goes away. I noticed my breasts are more full and perkier, which is nice, but I did notice I am more emotional on the patch and have a headache here and there. This patch works great other than that. I recommend this to someone who doesn't like using pills and to someone who prefers a much easier and simpler method."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I have 3 months on the Xulane patch. The first week on the patch was horrible, with heart racing, nausea, headaches, itching on the patch site, and painful breasts. I didn't want to give up on it that fast, so I decided to suck it up and give it a chance."

• 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."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the BC patch Xulane for about 4 or 5 months, and I get extremely bloated, always feel like I’m going to vomit, and have had terrible headaches. These symptoms are particularly worse days 1-4 of applying a new patch. It’s horrible, almost unbearable. I’m switching immediately."

• jda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

For Birth Control "I have given this 3 weeks and can't do anymore. I just took it off 1 day early because of the nausea. I had other side effects (sore breasts, tired, mild headache), but I could deal with those and push through. I planned on giving it 3 months and had my doc call in anti-nausea meds, but this is miserable. Every time I eat, I get nauseated. Which is weird because I have also been hungrier than ever! I had weight loss surgery, and I am finally at my goal weight, so I'm not gonna mess that up for sure. My weight went up 5 lbs, but it was bloating, and I knew that, so I was okay. I'm 44, so I was taking it for perimenopause symptoms, but I am miserable."

• 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."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I was so upset to hear that my insurance no longer covered Ortho Era. I absolutely loved that patch! I never had any side effects, and it even decreased my appetite to where I lost a decent amount of weight over the year I was on it. Unfortunately, I'm about to start my third patch of this one and have had a terrible experience with it so far. I love the ease of only having to change it once a week, but the symptoms so far aren't worth it. I have bloating, constipation, headaches, tiredness, tender breasts, terrible mood swings/depression, acne, and I'm constantly craving sweets! I've been eating like a total hog. I plan on sticking with it, hoping that the symptoms will subside. I will update after a few months of taking it if my symptoms get any better."

• lam...
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been using it for 3 years already, and I love it. I think it depends on each person, we are all different. I first started taking pills, but I had to stop since the headaches were horrific and did not want to experience that pain again. The patch has been great."

• Bet...
• April 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I started using this in November, and it was completely fine. I put it on my arms, but as the weather got warmer, I needed to cover it more, so I put it on my stomach. I’m taking it off on Saturday for my patch-free week, but I have decided not to put another one back on. I got really bad headaches, and I didn’t really notice why, but the more I got them, I realized it started when I used the patch. They are super bad that I struggle to get to sleep. I like this patch, but my headaches are not going after 6 months."

• cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch now for about a month and a half, and was previously on NuvaRing for birth control. Since I'm not a huge fan of oral contraceptives (I forget to take pills regularly), this seemed like the perfect option. Unlike NuvaRing, my libido hasn't disappeared a month into my new regimen, I don't seem to be gaining weight, and I don't have headaches. In response to the people who say the patch doesn't stay on, try wiping the application site with some rubbing alcohol on a cotton round. I haven't had trouble with the patch staying on once, and I'm six patches in. The only problem is that sometimes the adhesive around the edges gets some lint stuck to it, or the patch will wrinkle a bit in the middle, but other than that, it's great."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2019

For Birth Control "Going on my second month with the patch. First week I had slight nausea, but was fine afterwards. A couple of days before my patch-free/period week, I've had the worst headache that lasted for 2 days. It's now the week after my 'patch free,' and I'm currently having another headache as I type this."

• Mag...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on the patch for two and a half years, and I gained at least 20 lbs... and my weight just keeps increasing. I’ve had really bad headaches before and after my period when I’m on the patch. The only good thing is that my acne is gone and I don’t have any cramps. But still, I’d rather have those things than to gain that much weight. I’m now switching back to the pill. I think it really depends on your body. Everyone is different when it comes to side effects for birth control."

• 25i...
• January 12, 2018

For Birth Control "This patch sucks!!!! I used it for one month and said screw it. My side effects just weren’t worth it. First and foremost, I’m 25 and have had to try several b.c. to see if my body would like it. The first negative side effect was the nausea. I put the first patch on, and that night I had vomiting, severe headache - not good. I pushed through the puking and finished my 3rd week with severe anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and depression. I knew this wasn’t me and that it wasn’t normal. It wasn’t my stress causing this, but I was so scared having these attacks of shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat. I went to the ER, my heart was fine. I had high blood pressure upon arrival. DON'T USE THIS PATCH!!!"

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Evra for three months, and my experiences so far have been okay. The very first week of starting the patch, I was very nauseous, had some diarrhea, and very bad headaches (however, I think this would be the case with most methods). Usually, the first week is the worst. Since then, I've had random headaches and nausea (mostly on the patch 'change' days). Unfortunately, I had terrible abnormal vaginal bleeding that seemed to be like a heavy period for a little bit over two weeks. My only other complaint is that the patch gets stuck to my clothing a lot, and it concerns me. Sometimes it gets bubbles in it, or it looks like it's falling off. However, I like the ease of use and the fact that it is not a pill."

• CiC...
• August 28, 2017

For Birth Control "Started Xulane a week ago. The day after I put the patch on, I began having mood swings. I assumed it was because my period had just started. As the week went on, I continued having crying spells and being snappy. By day 5, I noticed discomfort at the patch placement site. I also started feeling dizzy and was super irritable to the point it was affecting my job. Thankfully, I didn't have to work on day 6. I felt hungover most of the day with a migraine headache, dizziness at times, still very irritable, and pain starting from the application site and spreading across my low abdomen. As the day went on, all of the symptoms intensified. The abdominal pain became so bad I couldn't take it anymore, I took the patch off. Within hours, I felt better."

• 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."

• Din...
• February 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on the Xulane patch for three months now, and I haven't had any major problems. I had nausea on the first day I used it, but it settled quickly. The only thing I will say is that it does get a bit itchy, and it peels a bit around the edges all the time, which gives me a bit of anxiety, but I haven't had any scares. My periods have gotten lighter, and the duration of it is less too. No weight gain, less acne, no mood swings - it's great so far! I'd recommend it if you're not prone to getting headaches or nausea."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2017

For Birth Control "Been on Xulane for 7 months, most of the time I'm chill, no mood swings, periods are lighter, I used to have awful cramps, now I only have minimal cramping on the first day of my period. I love it, only thing that's annoying is the occasional headaches and nausea. The nausea is super annoying because I love to eat, other than that, I recommend it!"

• sou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2013

For Birth Control "So, I have been on the Ortho Evra for a few days, but what I have already noticed is that it itches pretty bad, and I already have inflammation in my knees and in my hips. I put the patch on my right arm, and I noticed that the pain in my right knee and right hip has gotten worse. And tiredness and slight headaches, but other than that, I'm loving it so far."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I am on my first month of this patch, I am about to take it off in a couple of days for my patch-free week, and wow. I was expecting headaches, nausea, a lot of issues, to be honest, as I suffer almost daily with chronic headaches. Before, I was taking an ultra-low dose pill called Lutera, which they have now discontinued. This patch has a much higher dosage of hormones than what I was used to, so I expected side effects. I've had none, to the point I wondered if it was working! I actually feel happier on this patch, my headaches have actually improved, and I seem to have more energy too. The only thing I've noticed is that I get tiny pimples under the patch when I've taken it off, which is very minor. Love this patch so far. Hope it continues!"

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

For Birth Control "I was only on the patch for two weeks, and while I love the easy use of switching from one patch to another only once a week, I had a terrible headache for the first patch, and the second one I had a horrible migraine that ended with me in the emergency room. I had to stop. The easy use was great, but the side effects were just awful."