Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Menstrual Disorders User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ske...
• July 24, 2015

"I was skeptical of BC pills because of bad experiences with bleeding, weight gain, etc., while on it. My periods started to get extremely heavy and would last for 2 weeks due to cysts. I started Microgestin, and it has been great, no acne, and I have actually lost weight, and it suppresses my appetite. Nothing bad to say about it so far."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2011

"I am in my second pack of Loestrin, and it's awful. I had just ended my period when I first started taking it, then I started it again after my first week of pills. I have currently been on my period now for 4 and a half weeks. Not only that, but I have gained 5 pounds since I've started. I'm an extremely active person, but this pill has made me so tired and hungry all the time. I've had the craziest dreams, and it just hasn't been a good experience at all. I just can't get over the fact that I've been on my period this whole time and that I've gained weight (and it's noticeable)."

• Ms_...
• March 3, 2010

"I have been on Loestrin 24 for about 6 months now and am quite satisfied! In the beginning, I did experience some nausea for about the first month, but once I got over that hurdle, everything has gone well. No bloating, no nausea, no mood swings, and most importantly, a very short cycle! My cycle has always been irregular, having about one a year. So, with me getting older, my doctor said it would be best for my health to try and regulate my cycle. Well, it worked! If I must have a cycle each month (after not having to for the past 20 years), it's nice to have one only for a few days and without any PMS symptoms!"

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2016

"I'm 31 and have used many birth control options, beginning with the patch at 19, then going to the pill within the year. My MD prescribed me the Loestrin 1/20 a year ago. This past year proved the best for me as far as overall health: fewer skin breakouts, much lighter and shorter periods (I frequently donate blood and am not iron-deficient anemic), better sex drive (husband loves), and moodiness not as bad. I have gained 7 pounds of weight but cannot pinpoint it directly to this pill as I have chosen a less healthy lifestyle the past year. The only negative about this pill for me was I did not stay on a 28-day cycle and had breakthrough bleeding. Today, my MD changed me to Loestrin 1.5/30 for this reason."

• TBa...
• June 9, 2010

"Last year, I went to the hospital for my cramps and heavy bleeding, and that's when the doctor prescribed me birth control. The first birth control I used was YAZ. YAZ got me moody, I was gaining weight in the first month and was on my period every day. The ads on TV scared my dad and told me I had to change. That's when the doctor prescribed Loestrin. I LOVE LOESTRIN! I lost weight on the pill, not moody, and I HAVE SLIM TO NONE PERIOD. I'm on the brown pill now, and I'm not on my period (just a little spotting). Everybody is different, so you got to find what's best for you, and Loestrin was GREAT for me."

• Mam...
• April 8, 2010

"I'm 22 and have only been on Loestrin 24 for 5 months. I started taking it because I was having severely irregular periods, and the first two months this pill did not help change that. My doctor told me to wait it out through month 3, which I did, and I'm so glad about it. I absolutely LOVE this pill. I'm more emotional, but like most things in life, I do have some control over how my reactions are, so I can't blame everything on the pill. I have cyclical depression, but this pill has no real effect on it or my anxiety, so I'm lucky. No acne, no weight gain, but I did get a little (though not needed, haha!) boost in cup size. Overall, I recommend this pill to all my friends and everyone who's looking for good birth control."

• nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2012

"I have been on a variety of different birth controls. Other than the allergic reaction from Loestrin, they all cause terrible side effects, including yeast infection, mood swings, and bloating. Now that I am on Necon, it works perfectly for three weeks each month, the one week is awful. I have cramps, extreme fatigue, and bloating. My moods cause me to have crying spells, and I'm sensitive to anything anyone says to me. Dealing with the last week of premenstrual cramps is worth feeling normal throughout the rest of the month."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2010

"I am 17. I've been on Loestrin for a little over a month, and I'm taking it for painful and long periods. I really like it, actually. I suffer from chronic migraines and either Loestrin would help with them or make them worse. It definitely helped, and I am so happy! Also, I have no acne. I have experienced a slight weight gain, but nothing that diet and exercise won't fix. My sex drive has actually increased a lot, and I have not become depressed like other reviews have said. The only downside is breakthrough bleeding, which occurred after being on it for 2 weeks. I had bad cramps too, and that was the whole reason I went on this. You really have to stay on it for at least 3 months to really know how it'll affect you. Don't give up."

• PB1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2016

"I thought at first taking this was going to help me mellow out with my severe PMDD. My period pretty much disappeared after 2 months, but I began having bad anxiety, tired and hungry all the time, bloated and swollen. My hair also began falling out more than usual. I stopped it about a week ago, and have so much more energy and feel back on track. I'm not sure what my periods are going to be like now, but the pill's side effects are not worth it to me."

• dea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2016

"I started my periods at about 12, and it was hell: heavy, painful, unpredictable. Started this pill at about 14, and it was a godsend (so to speak...). A couple of years on, new GP didn't check my age before seeing me and upped my prescription to a stronger pill. Period was late, painful, and strangely colored, acne started acting up, and I was emotional. I went back and begged (crying...) another GP to put me back on Loestrin. She was mystified as to why it was changed in the first place. Everything immediately went back to normal. I'm still on it now, 4 years later, and have not encountered any side effects."

• Ann...
• November 7, 2014

"I have been on this birth control for over a year, and I have not had any complaints so far! This was my first birth control that I had ever taken, and it is a lifesaver! I had the worst periods with awful cramps and a heavy flow, but now I barely get periods, and the pain that comes when I do have a period is very tolerable and minimal. I did not gain any weight since I started the birth control, and in fact, it helped me lose weight. I do not get any acne while on this pill, nor do I get any severe mood swings."

• M80...
• September 10, 2015

"I like that I don't get a period, but I'm having trouble losing weight. My blood pressure is up, and I have 0 sex drive, along with painful sex and vaginal discomfort. I've taken it straight for 2 years, and I'm giving my body a break."

• RaN...
• November 29, 2014

"I have used this birth control for about 3 years on and off now for severe periods. I have no complaints. When actively taking my birth control, I have no signs of my period. No cramps, bloating, acne, nausea, cravings, bleeding, nothing. Glad I started on this, it's made my life better!"

• Mor...
• September 24, 2010

"I've been on this pill since summer 2007 (three years) for extreme menstrual cramps and bleeding (I spent roughly 16 hours passed out from pain for two days every month and bled for 7-10 days straight. I used so many OTC pain killers that they all ceased to work for me). My experiences with this pill: - No weight gain noticed. Lost pre-pill weight by exercising. - Little to no pain compared to before (1-2 pain pills for the worst two days for about every 3rd period) - Little to no bleeding (I went from super heavy pads to the lightest pads on the market or just dark colored underwear on my heaviest days. Some months, I just don't bleed) - No extra mood swings (and fewer mood swings during my period) - Acne is the same (not better, not worse)"

• lad...
• February 26, 2010

"I've been depressed or angry very quickly while on this pill; crying at the drop of a hat. My period didn't come this month. Last month, I spotted one day during my 2nd week, another time during my 4th week, and that's it. I gave it three months and am switching."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2015

"I have been taking Junel Fe for 1 complete year after switching from Loestrin because of the expenses. Personally, it did great for me for preventing birth control. But I gained 18 pounds and always have food cravings. My breasts gained 2 cup sizes and are always sore...it's hard to sleep. My emotions are all over the place, I can be fine one minute, then I am angry and crying my eyeballs out the next for no reason. My anxiety increased severely, and I was depressed. My acne got worse, and my periods were awful. Obviously, this pill wasn't for me. I am finishing my pack and then starting a new one that my doctor prescribed. It's the generic for Yaz, which has me worried. But I will give it a try since I know my doctor would not recommend it if not safe."

• Sam...
• October 17, 2016

"I've been on it for about 3 years. Has worked well and no problems. I was on a triphasic for a year, and it made my migraines horrible. The monophasic pill has helped. An interesting side effect is I do not continuously take the pills, I just take it normally. After a few months, my periods completely disappeared. I freaked out thinking I was pregnant and took a test-it was negative. I told my doctor and had a blood test run and found no pregnancy or other problems. He said it was a side effect that my periods would just go away. It's great but still weird to me. I've only had spotting for 2 days in the last 3 years. Save money on tampons, though! I also noted that your sex drive does go down, but I never had any problems with dryness, though."

• unc...
• September 11, 2013

"After growing up with terrible periods, some that would last up to three weeks, and by that I don't just mean spotting, I finally chose to get on the pill. I really do not like the massive gain of weight in my breasts. I was a DD38 to begin with, and my breasts have only grown even more being on my second month. They are EXTREMELY sensitive, and I have put on 5-10 lbs, which is something my doctor told me wouldn't happen. It has controlled my terrible periods, but other than that, the negative side effects seem to outweigh the positive. The first month was full of spotting, and I constantly felt as if I were going to puke. Now, on the second month, my period is very under control, but the weight gain in my breasts and body are two things I hate."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2016

"I went on this BC because my insurance stopped covering Loestrin. So far, I am on month 3, and I am trying to stick it out, but it has been terrible. I usually get breakouts right before my period, now I have them constantly. I am constantly depressed and fatigued beyond belief. I also have bloating, gained weight (though I admit there could be other causes as far as the weight is concerned), and I have constant cramping (though it is minor, it is daily and noticeable). I've also had severe migraines, and I only just now put it together that the migraines started when I started this pill. Also, I am 26, non-smoker, and take the pill continuously (no periods)."

• nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2016

"I have been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about 4 months now, and I could not be happier with this BC! This is my first time taking any type of BC pill, and I was honestly scared to start one due to many bad stories I've heard about 'the pill.' The first month, I had a very heavy period, along with terrible cramps, a breakout of acne, and no more sex drive. After that first month, my periods have been extremely light and short with no cramps, my skin is super clear, but my sex drive is still nowhere to be found. I do experience irritability, but no weight gain (or loss!). I am not sexually active, so I've had no scares, or any experience of how well this pill works with preventing pregnancy. Overall, I'm very happy with this pill!"

• fir...
• November 10, 2010

"I was really worried about using Loestrin after reading the reviews on this site and others. However, I think the product has worked well for me. I've been on it only two weeks, but I feel less lethargic, and the cramps I would usually be having aren't here, yay. I've had no weight gain, no appetite increase, and my face is clearing still (no change). This is my first birth control, and since I'm not sexually active, I don't know how it works at preventing pregnancy. I'm sure it's effective. So I hope everyone else has the same good experience as I've had."

• kee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2017

"I was prescribed this to help alleviate my PMDD (severe depression associated with my hormones fluctuating around my menstrual cycle) and extreme menstrual cramps. I am at the end of week three of my first pack, and the whole experience has been horrific. CLOSELY MONITOR YOURSELF when taking this if you have a history of depression and anxiety. I've been crying several times a day and have slept a full night in two weeks. I've felt more suicidal than I have in years and came close to checking myself into the hospital because my lows have been so severe. After talking to my SO today, it was confirmed that my mood has been greatly altered since beginning this medication. I have cramps every day and am bleeding sooner and longer than normal."

• May...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2016

"I started taking Loestrin Fe in June 2016 due to heavy menstrual bleeding and debilitating pain. I had gastric bypass surgery and found my periods got worse. My GYN provider recommended this pill. The first few months were very difficult due to mood swings, daily spotting, and painful cramps. There were times I wanted to stop the pill, but I stayed on it. About 4-5 months later, I noticed things were a bit better. My periods are much lighter, and the cramps are more tolerable. I am not laid up and overly cranky the week before my period like before. Instead of getting my period once every 2 weeks, it seems to be moving towards 3-4. For reference, I am 38, not sexually active, and do not have children. Hopefully, things will get even better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2015

"I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for about a year now. During the first week, I was definitely a moody brat, but since then, I am a changed woman!! I used to have terrible cramping, to the point where I would pass out from the pain. Since being on this pill, I haven't had cramps or a period in months. I was hesitant at first, but it has changed my life! I didn't have any weight gain or loss or other side effects besides the mood swings. I unfortunately have to switch, as it has cost me too much each month! Highly recommend!"

• Vmf...
• June 5, 2017

"I went on this pill to help with heavy periods. I have gained weight, I have blurred vision, and my body aches constantly. I took myself off this pill. This is my body and I know what works for me. I will have to figure out which is worse, heavy cycle or side effects."