Xulane and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2022

For Birth Control "I just tried the Xulane patch for the first time, and I couldn't even make it through the first week, my symptoms were so bad. I felt overwhelming nausea, headaches, hot flashes, and gained 10 lbs in a week despite eating normally. I respect people who do fine with the patch, but it was not for me! I'd been on the pill and had Nexplanon before that, and while they both made me a bit moodier and full of acne, they were nothing like the patch. Next step for me will be trying the copper IUD, since hormonal birth control does not seem to be working well for me."

• 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."

• Ech...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I put the patch on my upper arms and switch arms each time. I’ve noticed that the skin where the patch was is now lighter, and neither spot is exposed to the sun, so I know it’s not due to that. On top of my skin having light square spots on my arm, the skin is really dry no matter what I do. I do have some headaches, but I’m not sure if it’s related or not. Periods are normal though, and I don’t deal with cramps. I’ve done pills which never worked and Depo, which was perfect for me, but the major side effects were not. I settled for the patch, and while yes it gets the job done, this is not some normal skin irritation. The thought of a foreign object inside my vagina or under my skin doesn’t sound too pleasing, as I know my body’s habit of rejecting objects. Where are all the hundreds of birth control options we apparently have? I’m running out of options."

• Tay...
• October 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Xulane for two months. The first month I had minimal side effects, mostly just small bumps at the site after I changed to a new patch site. Well, for the past week, I have been having severe headaches, nausea, and last night I was experiencing dizziness while lying in bed. And then when I stood up, I thought I was going to pass out. Of course, my brain went to maybe I have a brain tumor or something else because I hadn’t had problems the previous month. I saw others experienced dizziness, nausea, severe headaches that didn’t go away with Tylenol or Motrin, and also balance issues. So I took the patch off and went to sleep. I also experienced severe fatigue and would get extremely tired and was sleeping all the time. I also gained 10 pounds in two months. I woke up after not having the patch on for seven hours. I woke up, no more headaches, nausea, or dizziness. I liked the ease of just changing the patch once a week, but the side effects were too much for me."

• Rea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I've only been on it for less than a week, and it has been horrific! Like truly a nightmare. I'm nauseous all the time. I haven't really eaten anything since I started it. I've suffered random headaches, extreme depression, and anxiety. I want to rip it off, but my period was short and pleasant, and I've only had it on for four agonizing, horrible days. I wonder if it gets better?"

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

For Birth Control "I do not recommend this patch to anyone with sensitive skin. I thought this may be the next thing I tried after giving birth and not wanting to take the pills every day. I placed this on my butt cheek, and after one day, I noticed itchiness. I did not think much of it until 5 days later when I felt the area throbbing in pain and swollen. My skin had a bad allergic reaction to the patch, and I took it off right away. Now I am still recovering from the area, so please be aware of serious skin allergic reactions if you have sensitive skin."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2023

For Birth Control "This has been the most terrible birth control I have ever used, and I advise caution when reading positive reviews. My doctor switched me to this patch without prior discussion, and I assumed that the manufacturer endorsed it. Unfortunately, Ortho is no longer available in the USA. I have experienced severe fatigue, sickness, weight gain, swelling, headaches, mood swings, vitamin deficiencies, and extremely irregular periods with unpleasant blood colors ranging from black-brownish red to light red, which never happened with Ortho. Although the patch made my skin smoother and regulated my period, the side effects were not worth it. Claims that these generics are the same as Ortho are false, and there must be something added that causes these side effects. Ladies, please do not use this patch as it is unsafe and ineffective. I am relieved that I stopped using it; otherwise, I would be in unbearable pain with additional health problems."

• 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."

• 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!!!"

• 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!"

• 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!"