Lo Loestrin Fe and Cramps: What Users Say

• Lau...
• July 3, 2020

For Birth Control "PLEASE READ IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH!! I was on Lo Lo for a little over a year and a half. Overall I didn’t have bloating or acne or irritability, which was great, however, I wouldn’t get my period for months at a time (wasn’t pregnant but definitely had a few scares when it wouldn’t come). It helped my cramping and PMS symptoms when I did get my period though, which was great. BUT DO NOT BE FOOLED! I struggle with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, so I never connected the dots that this birth control made it worse. I didn’t realize Lo Lo was making me critically depressed up until the last month, I had MAJOR suicidal thoughts and immediately stopped taking it and within a couple of days, I didn’t have those thoughts or crippling depression. I would not recommend it in the slightest if you struggle with mental health to begin with, as I do. I am currently taking a different birth control pill, and I feel back to my normal self."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this pill to stop ovulation and hopefully regulate my PMDD. I was really hesitant because I've had terrible experiences with birth control in the past. Yaz, specifically, put me in a flat-out depression for 3 months. I've been on this BC for the last 3 months consistently, minus a week when breakthrough bleeding and cramping were causing issues that I stopped for 4 days to relieve. My moods are amazing. I haven't had a single outburst in the last 3 months. My sex drive is incredibly high, and my boyfriend is grateful. I feel like I have myself back and suggest it for anyone who's had problems with other birth controls."

• Mic...
• April 11, 2014

For Birth Control "First off, you're probably reading reviews because you're looking to go on this pill or you've just recently been prescribed this pill. I was just like you a few months ago and the paranoid person that I am didn't like the reviews I was seeing, but I decided to go ahead and try it. I love this pill. I have no side effects and if anything, it made my period better. It's shorter, comes right on time when the pill changes color, minor cramps, no mood swings. I have nothing negative to say about the pill at all, just take it every single day at the same time. I think it's really important to know that a lot of the people who write on here write because they have had a bad experience with a pill and wanted to warn others about it."

• Em ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2015

For Birth Control "Former BC pill hater here. Other brands gave me massive mood swings. On Yaz and Apri, I was basically Jason Voorhees. Swore I'd never take BC again, but now in my 20s, irregular periods and recurrent ovarian cysts forced my hand. Bottom line: I LOVE this pill!! Cons: Sensitive breasts. Pros: Greatly improved mood; I feel like I'm always having a good day. NO mood swings. Minimal cramps, light periods, fuller breasts, skin is great, can't stay away from my husband, and condoms are out of here. Doesn't get better than this. If you're on the fence, or sensitive to hormones like me, this may be your good stuff. I'm glad I didn't listen to anyone else and just tried it for myself."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Birth Control "If you’re like me, you went on here looking at reviews before you started LoLo (Lo Loestrin Fe) and psyched yourself out from negative reviews. I knew I would have my own experience, positive or negative. Didn’t mean I couldn’t prepare for the worse. I wanted to share my positive experience. This is my first time on birth control (I’m 26 years old). I wanted to get on birth control for many reasons, but the main for horrific periods. A gyno recommended starting LoLo, a low hormone dosage. I had concerns for birth control but two months in and I can say that I’m happy with it so far! Surprisingly nothing has changed in regards to the negative effects. Like you most likely already know, LoLo will probably have you skip your period all together. For me, true. If you’re sexually active, this may give some scare. No cramps, no crazy periods. Also my skin stayed the same, maybe better? I never had crazy acne and no weight gain from this either. I hope this helped you a little bit."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "LADIES. If you have had a bad pill experience, I hear you. Comments on how even if you’re having side effects like bad periods, migraines, weight gain, anxiety, or depression that “you haven’t been on it long enough to tell” need to stop. It absolutely isn’t ok to invalidate someone’s experience because they didn’t go through the 3 months of hell that is somehow a standard. If you’re having these side effects, they aren’t ok and your body is trying to clue you in. I was on birth control for 5 years, Lo Loestrin for over half of that. I thought the “good luck on not having your life ruined!” mentality was ok. Then the anxiety, depression, and ER visits hit. Nearly a year of my life was gone. It landed me on Prozac temporarily. I’ve never had mental health issues before in my life. I’m 5 months off the pill and am now feeling more like myself. My message is this: listen to your body. If something isn’t right, whether it be after a week or a year, it isn’t. Trust yourself."

• Suz...
• October 13, 2014

For Birth Control "Into my second year on this and very pleased. The first two months adjusting were definitely a bit tough: nausea, headache, breast tenderness, bizarre acne. I stuck it out and very glad I did! After those two months, zero side effects. No period, no weight gain, nausea, cramps, or breast tenderness... Nothing! In fact, I'm 37 & I've lost 20 lbs while on it. And most importantly, it's been effective in preventing pregnancy!"

• vlo...
• December 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm starting my second month of using Lo Loestrin Fe. I tried other birth control pills at different dosages, but they would make me feel really dizzy and sick. My doctor provided me with Lo Loestrin Fe, and so far I have not felt as bad as I had before with previous birth control methods. I have felt somewhat dizzy, but it quickly goes away. The only main concern is why I have not started my period yet. I know the pill can affect your body in different ways, but I don't like that you don't know whether it's because of the pill or if you're pregnant. I have been cramping and have really tender breasts, but no period. I don't know if this is normal or not, which is why I came to look over these reviews. Looks like it really depends on the person."

• Jez...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for three and a half years now, and it's been amazing. I was on two other types of birth control before: NuvaRing and another oral pill that drove me crazy-nausea, crazy mood swings, cramps, heavy periods, the works. It made me never want to go on BC again, but I'm so glad I gave it a second chance. With Lo Loestrin Fe, I haven't had any period, cramps, backache, mood swings, decrease in sex drive, weight gain, or acne. The only problem I've had is that it seems to lessen my appetite, so I try to make sure I eat before taking it, otherwise, I forget. At first, I was concerned that I wasn't getting my period, but I talked to my doctor, and he said it was fine as long as I was comfortable with not having one."

• htl...
• January 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I wish my doctor would have told me that one side effect (if you can call it that) is no period! I've been panicking, thinking I'm pregnant, and after reading all the comments, this is totally normal! I've been on it for 3 months now, and I love it! Now that I know I'm not pregnant! I still get cramps and bloating, a few breakouts, but no other side effects. A bit pricey, $75 for a three-month supply. Hoping my new insurance will cover some of it though."

• Cat...
• June 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin for about 2 years. When I first started, I had pregnancy symptoms for about the first week: sore breasts, nausea, etc., however, that subsided. I no longer have my period, which my gynecologist informed me is very common. Every now and then, I'll have a month where I get cramps during the 'reminder pill' portion of the pack, but it's not common. I take my pill every day at the same time (before bed - set an alarm!) and always keep an extra pack in my purse in case. No weight gain, no acne. I'm very happy."

• Rac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lo Loestrin Fe for about 2.5 years now. The first few months were pretty rough, i.e., mood swings, weight gain, low sex drive. I was even nauseous and sometimes had two periods in one month. YES, I agree it can be tough to give this one a chance, but I'm glad I did. At this point, I have not had a period in months, and all side effects have mellowed. I do get normal PMS symptoms, light cramping, and body aches, just no bleeding. No more weight gain or mood swings. I'm glad I stuck it out because it has been the best birth control I've used."

• Shl...
• July 3, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill 8 months ago. I got my period horribly the first month, maybe even the worst I've ever had it. It was heavy, painful, and I gained 6 pounds in water weight. Since then, I have not gotten my period once. I will get some period symptoms around the time I would get my period and some discharge, but no period, which is great for me. I have been on probably more than 5 birth control pills before this, and this by far is the best. I've lost 10 pounds, no acne, and no depression, which is the main reason I switched. The only negative about this pill is the crazy high price. Great pill!"

• Ani...
• May 25, 2014

For Birth Control "Honestly, I LOVE this birth control! I am very sensitive to birth control, and this is the first one that has helped me. First off, for anyone who doesn't have insurance, GO TO THE WEBSITE! There is a discount card there that you can sign up for that works for 12 scripts. My monthly script is $30 now. First off, my periods were AWFUL. I had cramps so bad. This has increased my breast size by a cup, cleared up my acne, haven't gained any weight (I am a very healthy eater, although) my periods are light, maybe lasting 3 days, my cramps are very mild, if any (Aleve liquid gels are the best). Be sure you take this at the SAME TIME every day! Stay safe and healthy!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2015

For Birth Control "Lo Loestrin Fe is by far the best birth control I have ever tried! I cannot tell you how many different contraceptives I have tried, and they have all made me miserable. I've had absolutely no side effects on Lo Loestrin Fe. My skin is clear, my periods last maybe a day, and it's super light. Absolutely no cramps or nausea. My weight fluctuates on its own, so I wouldn't blame the pill for that, lol."

• Mis...
• July 15, 2013

For Birth Control "This is my first time taking birth control pills. I am on my second pack, and I have not had my period since I started. I have bad cramping and bloating to the point where it feels like my period wants to come on but won't. I have very bad mood swings, which is affecting my relationship, breast tenderness. I take a pregnancy test every month because I have pregnancy symptoms. My sex drive is really low, but the pill works very well preventing pregnancy. I never really had an acne problem until I started taking these pills. I have not gained any weight, but I have not lost any either, and I work out a lot. I will be going to my doctor to talk about changing to something else."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm on my 9th month; just about 40 years old, given to me for severe cramps and horrible bleeding that has worsened over the past 2 years. My daughter is 15 and just started her first pack about 3 weeks ago. She has been sick more days than I can count, not sleeping well, lost 10 pounds, gets lightheaded often, nausea usually in the evening, as well as moody. She's had the breakthrough bleeding just like I did. What I noticed is when we talked is we've both been suffering from the lightheaded feelings quite often at any given time and any place. We both tend to feel tired at the end of most days; headaches and the nausea, as well with the light-headedness, seem to be the worst."

• KD1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2020

For Birth Control "After a long time of being off birth control, I decided it was time to go back on in an effort to help my endometriosis, which had become 20 times worse since having my baby. I was drawn to Lo Lo due to it being an ultra-low dose pill with the lowest estrogen on the market. I only made it a month before I had to stop. It made me exhausted all day long, even when I switched to taking it at night to try and counteract that. It gave me weird leg cramps, but worse than that, it also gave me horrible anxiety and panic attacks. I went from never struggling with panic attacks to calling an ambulance on myself in the grocery store because I literally couldn’t breathe. It was embarrassing and awful. I had to stop that day. As soon as I did, no more panic attacks. Everyone is different, and everyone will react differently to this pill. It just didn’t work for me. Currently trialing another pill with a different progestin in it."

• Dan...
• July 29, 2013

For Birth Control "For a little over a year, I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe. It's great, after the first month, no more cyst symptoms. My period, which has been heavy (super tampon had to be changed every 2 hours or flooding would occur), is now down to extreme light spotting on the last 2 pills only. It's great, I love it. No more tampons or the resulting cramping. I do not have any period symptoms at all now, except a hair-trigger temper on the last 2 pills (which coincides with my weekend, so I let my family know not to bother me). After a year, this has calmed down, though, to where it's almost not noticeable anymore. There are so many pros to this medicine that having a bad temper for 2 days a month is definitely worth it. But it is expensive."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2013

For Birth Control "I am 26 years old and very sexually active with my partner. My doctor started me on this pill because of breakthrough bleeding I was having in between periods. I only tried this pill for 2.5 months and did not like it. I had breakthrough bleeding more often than before, extreme fatigue at the start of the 3rd month. I experienced extreme fatigue, dizziness, and normal period-like symptoms: heavy bleeding, painful cramping, and bloating when I wasn't supposed to be having a period. Also, sometime during the 2nd pack of pills, I had a horrible acne outbreak that I couldn't figure out. It was very frustrating that I was having so many in-between periods when that was the reason I started taking the pill."

• Tam...
• July 29, 2011

For Birth Control "I was on Triphasil and had migraines for years. I was put on this by the doctor in March of 2011, and the first month I felt a complete change, no migraines. In month 3, I had a normal period for 4 days. In month 4, I have no period, but I have light cramps. That's okay because they were worse on the other one. But I don't know if I should freak out about not having one or throw a party."

• Loa...
• October 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I wanted to share my experience because when I researched Lo Lo, I found negative/horrible reviews. I was taken off my BC when my new ob/gyn realized I had been on it for over 16 years straight. I took a year off of BC, and my periods were getting so bad that we began to think I had endo. I was throwing up, crying, backaches, migraines.... So, I had to try something. I gave in and tried Lo Lo. The first month I bled/spotted the last 3 weeks of the pack, had cramps, and I was so bloated - very bloated. However, by the second pack, I was thinning out again, I did not have a period, and I did not have any cramps. I'm now on my third pack, and things are going normal. I don't like not having a period, I hope I get one after another month on the pill. I hear I won't, though. Please do not be scared to try the pill. Everyone is different. You have to give it 3 months to see if it is right for you. I wanted to quit at 1 month with bloating and pain...but I gave it a longer try, and I am glad I did."

• You...
• August 19, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill on the first day of my period. My period lasted for a week like it normally does. I had sex 2 weeks into taking the pill. Then the next day, I started spotting. Then it turned into a full-blown period. So basically, in the 3 weeks I've been on the pill, I've been on my period twice. This period is really irritating. Or maybe because this is period #2 in 3 weeks. My breasts seem bigger. My weight is stable, but I am craving chocolate. No acne yet. Overall, I'm pissed. I started the pill for ovarian cysts and pain. But I'm still in pain and cramping, and most of all, I'm still bleeding."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking this to control my periods and hopefully get some relief. I had taken this years ago, for a few months, and I didn’t have any issues... this time, however, was the opposite. I had so much breakthrough bleeding, legit getting my periods every 2 weeks type of thing. I pushed through taking it 3 months, on my fourth pack now, and I had my period on Jan 10 for 5 days. I got it again this past Friday, Jan 24. I had enough, it obviously isn’t working for me. My breasts got so tender and swollen, cramps didn’t get any relief, I’m super sensitive, I’m moody, and the bleeding alone was so uncomfortable. It wasn’t worth taking it. I’m trying a new birth control now, I had to call my doctor and ask for a change. I really don’t recommend. If it helps, I’m 25 and 170 lbs, no major health issues other than seasonal allergies."

• AJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I got on this pill to regulate my periods because I had mild PCOS. However, I will be switching pill brands since on this medication I have had cramps but no period, despite taking the pill regularly and at the same time. Apparently, this is common for this pill, but I prefer having a period. I also realized I gained around 10-15 pounds after getting on this pill, and getting the weight off is difficult. I grew fatter facially and in my stomach. I also noticed an increase of acne, not only on my face but also on my back, which has never been a problem before. I look forward to switching my pill in the next few days and hope for better results!"