Gildess Fe 1/20 and Bloating: What Users Say

• Ah1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 25 years old and have been using a birth control since I was 14 years old. Therefore, I have gone through numerous birth control switches. NEVER in my life have I actually noticed symptoms of a medication than before using this. At first, I thought I could have been pregnant. Taking 3 different tests (all of which being negative), I realized it had to be from this birth control. I have been on this for one month, and today after almost fainting because I felt so sick, I refuse to take one more pill. Throughout this one month, I have visibly bloated in my stomach, my breasts enlarged. I have felt nauseous every single day. My anxiety and depression have been at an all-time high, not to mention I am agitated about pretty much anything. DON'T RECOMMEND."

• Chl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 5, 2016

For Acne "I am 39, and I used to have crazy acne that kept getting worse and used to get a period for 15 days a month! Yes, 5-6 days of regular flow, with a few days of spotting before and a few days after. Also, terrible stomach cramps, bloating, and pain in my breasts before having the periods. After starting on this pill, my acne went away, and my periods are spot on every 28 days and last for 3 days. And no more PMS! I would recommend it. Try it before getting discouraged by negative reviews. This pill has been good for me."

• Fla...
• April 5, 2015

For Birth Control "Well, this is my first time on birth control, and it wasn't that bad. I just finished my first month. The first week I was on it, I was extremely moody, I cried a lot. Then I noticed that the nice person I was during my normal period cycle was spreading itself throughout my regular life. I experience no weight gain, no bloating, hardly any cramps (which is the only reason I even got on the pill), and my period was super light."

• Nor...
• February 5, 2016

For Birth Control "After two weeks, I couldn't take it. My nerves felt so thin, every little normal everyday snafu became an emotional overload. I was angry in a flash at work, and also on the road while driving, making me realize how unsafe and untenable my life had seemed to become. I would also randomly feel like crying at work, which only created extra stress to try to keep calm. After a couple of different sick days, where I tried to relax and integrate the medicine, I realized with intuition it just wasn't all in my head. So I stopped and felt more normal soon after. I was also bloated and nauseous while taking it. My advice is try it if you want, but if you start having emotional problems, don't wait around trying to adjust or assume it's all in your head."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2014

For Birth Control "Gained 15+ lbs in 3 months - not even sure how much weight I gained due to the constant water weight and bloating I've had. I dropped the pill mid-cycle because I was so frustrated, hoping to go back to my normal weight in 2 months. No other symptoms for me."

• tla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I have ever been on! I am 31 years old and recently had the Nexplanon removed. BIG MISTAKE!!! I never write reviews, but this birth control is the DEVIL!! While on the Nexplanon, I never had cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, or horrible mood swings. Gildess, I have all these symptoms plus paranoia and depression. I have been taking these pills for a month and a half and never have felt more insecure in my life. The weight gain is an issue as well, I gained 12 pounds within the 1st month. I realized that this birth control was making me feel crazy, anxious, and not myself, so I made an appointment for my OBGYN for a better option. I can't wait to throw these pills down the drain. Hope this is helpful."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 2 years now, and it gets worse and worse each month. I have experienced horrible nausea, headaches, mood swings, and depression. I constantly have bleeding throughout the month, and my period never comes when I'm supposed to have it. It is almost as irregular and heavy as it was when I didn't take the pill. I get extremely bad cramps and bloating as well. Currently in the process of trying to switch to a new pill. Very angry."

• Rac...
• January 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo shot for 6 years, no periods, no weight gain, all great. I then had to be taken off, so I got the Mirena, still no periods but I was in constant pain, so I had it taken out and started this pill about a month and a half ago. I've been extremely moody and irritable. My periods have been regular so far. I have noticed I'm starting to gain weight and bloat, and it doesn't seem to be related to the period. I feel like a balloon. I've also been experiencing a lot of headaches and body/joint pain over the last couple of weeks. I'm pretty miserable and will be switching to something else as soon as I can."

• Meg...
• October 29, 2015

For Birth Control "If I could give this birth control a 0, I would. I have been taking it for about 5 months, and I've been on my period probably half of those 5 months. Please tell me what is the point in even being on birth control if you are bleeding all the time. No one wants to have sex when you're bleeding every single day. Also, this month, I haven't gotten a period, thanks birth control. Also, I've been so bloated all the time & get sick if I don't take my pill with food."

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 27 and had been on the same birth control since I was 15 years old. After having a baby, that brand was discontinued, and my insurance sent me Gildess. Within a few months, I started having really bad anxiety. Eventually, I started having panic attacks before work (ER nurse). My midwife wanted to put me on anxiety medication, and I didn't like that. Instead, I impulsively quit my job that I worked so hard to get. I've always been an anxious person but never this bad. Looking back, I think it's all related to the birth control. I exercise daily and eat pretty healthy and still have about a 3-pound weight fluctuation throughout my cycle with awful bloating. It's bad enough that for 1-2 weeks throughout my cycle, I have to wear a size bigger in my pants. The mood swings are awful. I tend to be level-headed, but now catch myself feeling grumpy about things that normally wouldn't bother me. One week I have a lot of energy, and the next I don't sleep well, have night sweats, and feel depressed."

• jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 16, 2016

For Acne "My doctor recommended a Gildess Fe 1/20 when I complained of the water retention I experienced from Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which left my skin clear). Well, this pill does not cause bloating, but my skin immediately broke out terribly along my cheeks, jawline, and chin. I decided to stick it out since, aside from the acne, I had no other side effects, but the breakouts lasted way longer than I anticipated (about 6 mo). I still get the occasional pimple along the jawline, but I'm hoping that they will become less frequent. Taking evening primrose oil (1300 mg 2x/day) along with the pill seems to help calm inflammation and lessen hyper-pigmentation from the breakouts."

• Car...
• February 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I was just put on this medication three weeks ago. I didn't have a problem with nausea, but I'm moody, angry, sleepy all the time, and have absolutely zero sex drive. The bloating is the worst part and the constant stomach upset and gas. My period started two weeks earlier than it should have. This medication just doesn't work for me."

• Yas...
• June 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill around 7 months ago to treat my extreme mood swings. The first month included some nausea, but everything else seemed fine. As the months have gone on, I've experienced heavier spotting in between my scheduled periods and lighter periods because of that. This last month I didn't even have my period. I am currently on day 10 of my weird spotting when I should be having my period (on day 1 of the placebo pill). I also am experiencing some bloating and nausea. It has really helped with the mood swings, but this nasty spotting all the time isn't any good."

• Sam...
• March 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I have never in my life been able to so clearly feel symptoms of starting a medicine. Within the first couple of days of taking it, I was instantly bloated and my breasts were swollen. At about the one-week mark, I started having cramping like I was about to start my period, and sure enough, I did start my period mid-cycle. I was paranoid and extremely moody. But the upset stomach was the worst. I would take it before bed on a full stomach, and I would wake up so sick to my stomach I couldn't even do anything. I decided to do some research on the drug and found this page and stopped taking it immediately because I had all of the symptoms everyone was talking about, and from what I understand now is that it doesn't get better."

• aye...
• November 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 6 months, and my first period after taking this pill was absolutely terrible. It progressively got better, and now I get it very lightly for four days. This pill has not helped my acne at all, however. Plus, I am slightly bloated."

• J18...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I've written a review 2 months ago, and things have changed a little. I'm 18 years old, and I've been on this BC for almost 4 months. The first and second month and a half, I was experiencing bloating, nausea, and pelvic cramps. I also felt a little depressed and down. I spotted in the third week of the pack and got my period on the placebo week. In my third pack, I spotted and only had my period for about 3 days when I normally have it for 5. I also had a yeast infection and a UTI 2 weeks later. Now, I'm on my third week of my fourth pack, and I've been experiencing pelvic cramps for a week. I haven't spotted yet. My nipples started to feel sore too, which was strange because it never happened since I started taking the birth control."

• LoB...
• October 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I just switched birth controls today, but I was previously on my fourth month with Gildess. The first month was great. Very light period, barely any cramping, and barely any symptoms. I have endometriosis, so the first month was a dream come true. However, after that first month, it was awful. I felt bloated all the time, I had insane breast tenderness, and I was incredibly irritable and anxious for absolutely no reason. My period was regular and super light, but the symptoms were horrible. My doctor said that my symptoms were due to the progesterone, and she switched my dose today. I am really hoping it helps! I know everyone is different, but I would recommend switching if things don't improve after three months. No use being miserable!"

• Tat...
• August 27, 2016

For Acne "This is the second time my doctor has put me on this exact birth control. Both times it was because of acne and the fact that I am a human who has sex. Both aren't worthy of being medicated. The doctor claims this will prevent future cysts (I had a small one). My periods have been regular for almost a year, but the past 2 were heavy before I started this medicine. I am done. I still break out. The first 2 weeks I had headaches all day, all night. The nausea is more intense now. Hot flashes. Heart pounding and chest pains. Stomach easily upset. Dark urine and bloating. Mood swings are the worst of it. I am not myself. I am on anxiety medicine, and this defeats the purpose! I feel so awful every day. This is not worth it."

• Sub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 44 years old and had to get an emergency refill at a pharmacy in New Orleans. I received this brand, and within a week, I felt the effects. Acne was the first to come. Then the bloating and feeling excessively heavy. Worst was I became very sensitive to odors. I smelled everything very intensely. This birth control is not beneficial to women. I was happy to finally complete the pack!"

• JTa...
• August 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 18 years of age, and this is the first birth control I've ever been on. I've been using it for a month and a week now. Ever since I started using it, I've been feeling very skeptical, anxious, and worried. I've been experiencing bloating and pelvic cramps here and there. My acne is all over the place, but that isn't surprising because my face always broke out even before the birth control. Within the last month, I spotted for about 2 days. I've been taking my pills every day at the same hour. Within the first month, I've used condoms as well. I just hope everything is okay."