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

• jpdy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 31, 2012

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I was 46 when I first started taking Loestrin 24, primarily because my periods were becoming heavier, more irratic, and with more cramping, basically premenopausal symptoms. I've been taking it for about 4 years now, and I have to say this really took care of all of those issues and as long as I take it every day at about the same time I have no troubles. If I do get offtrack, worst case is a minor yeast infection for a week or so. I totally appreciate the fact that I now have almost no period - just spotting for about 3 days. It also mellowed out my PMS mood swings. My only gripe is cost as my insurance isn't covering it.. I totally recommend Loestrin 24 FE"

• Natcat
• October 13, 2015

Microgestin Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I think if you already had some underlying issue like I had, teribble pms and painful periods, and you felt terrible mood swings etc without BC, then this pill seems to work well. It seems like women who have minor pms and such don't do well with this one. But I have felt amazing since starting it. I barely have a period and no pms. No PMS !!!! I haven't had any mood issues or hormonal issues since starting it . I have noticed my breast more full which is welcome. Only real side effect was naseau for the first 1.5 weeks in morning and evening which wasnt fun. I feel great on it."

• Morgan...
• September 24, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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 bleed 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 less mood swings during my period) -Acne is the same (not better, not worse)"

• nina
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2012

Necon 1/35 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I have on a variety of different birth controls. Other then the allergic reaction from Loestrin they all cause terrible side effects. Including yeast infection, mood swings, bloating. Now that I am on Necon it works perfect 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."

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

Loestrin 21 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I'm 31 & have used many birth control options, beginning with the patch @ 19 then going to the pill within the year. My MD RX'd 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 & shorter periods (i frequently donate blood and am not iron-defficient anemic), better sex drive (husband loves), and moodiness not as bad. I have gained 7lb 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, MD changed me to loestrin 1.5/30 for this reason."

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

Loestrin 21 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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 coloured, 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."

• kiara...
• January 8, 2011

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "Before I buy a product I research it. Unfortunately, when it came to looking for a birth control majority of the reviews for ones ranging from Yaz to Ortho Tri-Cyclen were negative so I threw all caution to the wind and allowed my doc to fill a script for Loestrin 24 Fe. Ladies, prior to taking this pill my periods ranged from 4-6 days and were very irregular with heavy bleeding (one time I bled through my jeans in class, ultra embarrassing). In addition, my symptoms consisted of diarrhea, nausea, lethargy and severe cramps which kept me in bed. The first 3 months taking Loestrin were difficult (spotting/mild cramps), but now I've been on it 5 years and I haven't seen a sign of my old symptoms. Plus my periods are light and short. I recommend."

• Ms_Kai
• March 3, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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 yrs) its nice to have one only for a few days and without any PMS symptoms!"

• TBano
• June 9, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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 everyday. 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.!"

• tooma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2014

Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I took this for about a week. ONLY A WEEK. It broke me out right away, and I was absolutely crazy with my moods. I'm still suffering mild hormone imbalance and acne side effects after being off of it for 2 weeks, but I'm just glad to be off. I'm not sure if it would have stopped my periods or not, but I wasn't going to try."

• ladlaw
• February 26, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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

Junel Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I have been taking Junel Fe for 1 compelte year after switching from loestrin because of the expenses. Personally it did great for me for preventing birth control. But I gain 18 pounds and always have food cravings. My breast 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 wwaaas 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 doc 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 reccomend if not safe"

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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 now how it'll affect you. Don't give up."

• firej...
• November 10, 2010

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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."

• PB1997
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2016

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I thought at first taking thsi 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 bacl on track. I'm not sure what my periods are going to be like now, but the pills side effects are not worth it to me."

• AnnaA...
• November 7, 2014

Microgestin 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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 life saver! I had the worst periods with aweful 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."

• M80s
• September 10, 2015

Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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."

• RaNei...
• November 29, 2014

Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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!"

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2011

Nortrel 7/7/7 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "After a "period from hell" one summer at camp when I became anemic, my doctor put me on Ortho Novum. However, when I switched to another doctor I was put on "the generic form" that is Notrel 777. That's when things got weird. I gained at least 30 pounds that year (and I play sports and eat relatively healthy) and soon I was at a point when 11 hours of sleep was barely keeping me functional through the day. "

• Sam...
• October 17, 2016

Nortrel 1/35 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "Ive 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 and told my doctor and had a blood test ran 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, never had any problems with dryness though."

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

Microgestin Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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)."

• Bri
• November 19, 2013

Loestrin 24 Fe (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "I've been on Loestrin 24 for around 5 months and I am overall very happy with it. I am 16 and sexually active. The first three months were bad in terms of side effects. Lots of nausea, acne, spotting and cramping. But from the get go I went from heavy, long periods to very short light periods. For the past two months I have had just spotting for around 3 days, not exactly in correspondence with my brown pills but close enough. I no longer get bloated on my period, I do still have acne around my time of the month but that can be attributed to my negligence of going to the dermatologist in half a year. It worries me that some people get no period at all because pregnancy scares are definitely not my favorite. But now I feel safe and satisfied."

• uncon...
• September 11, 2013

Microgestin Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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."

• Vmflp...
• June 5, 2017

Microgestin Fe 1/20 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone) "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."

• Sheen...
• November 8, 2017

"I was prescribed this for migraine prevention as I do not have a risk for pregnancy (I’m gay). For 8 months I took it at continuous doses, skipping the placebo period, as prescribed by the doctor. It didn’t seem to help my migraines but I kept thinking I needed to give it more time — I did enjoy the lack of cramps and periods. However, a few months ago I was diagnosed with stage 2 grade 3 IDC (breast cancer). I’m only 32 and genetic testing has revealed no mutations, which leaves this drug as the main culprit. Please, have a breast exam before starting this, do them on yourself, and pay attention to ANY breast changes. Mine presented as an indentation not a lump. I cannot recommend this continuous dosing method to anyone after my experience"