Lo Loestrin Fe and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm being generous in giving this a 2, because it seems to affect some others differently. I'm 3 weeks in, have bled for a week and a half now, have serious cramps, nausea, and out-of-body mood/temper. Was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen back in the day and was fine. Never understood others when they said birth control drove them crazy. I now see what they mean!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2017

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control, but I've got to say that it is probably the best birth control you can get since it has the lowest dosage of estrogen, which means you have the least side effects. Since it has such a low dosage, it's pretty dang pricey. The first month on this birth control is rough, and your first period will be a very bad period if you react to it like I did. I was bedridden from cramps, and I bled a lot, but honestly I was used to it since the reason I'm taking it is because of nasty periods. After the first period, it was amazing. My periods lasted 3-4 days, barely any bleeding, zero cramps, and I had no side effects! No weight gain, no acne, no mood swings, or nausea. It's wonderful. I highly recommend this birth control."

• SKS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2013

For Birth Control "The first month was great! It really helped with my PMS mood swings, which were awful! Had a short period with regular bad cramps but was elated that it helped my depressive mood swings, which is why I started taking it. Now I'm in my 2nd month, on my 2nd week and am bleeding and bloated! Feeling more bloated than usual too. Have been bleeding for four days now. Am hoping it will stop and even out because the aiding of my former mood swings is wonderful!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2015

For Birth Control "Initially, I read many of these reviews and became horrified at some of the side effects people were listing. Seemed totally not worth it. Don't be turned off or scared by these select few! I would recommend this to anyone. Being on this BC has not affected or altered my body in any way whatsoever. No personality/mood swings of any kind, no weight gain/bodily changes, no acne, no migraines or back pain, no loss in sex drive, etc. If anything, there's been an increase in my sex drive, and I’ve noticed small bumps I may have had on my face clearing easily. My pre-period symptoms before and during my long and heavy periods were awful. Days off school and work since I was 11, nausea, fever, severe cramping, night sweats, headaches, back pain, etc. All this is now completely gone! Light and short period right at the end of the pack, I didn’t even notice it. It’s a dream come true. No pregnancy despite regular unprotected sex and lighter periods. Hopefully, it continues to be just as wonderful. Give it a go, people."

• wil...
• November 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about six months now, and up until this point, it had been great. My period is two days long, only brown spotting, which is incredible given they used to be so heavy, but I have never cramped before this, and it is such excruciating pain I thought I was going into labor with the child I am not even pregnant with. I thought I was going to throw up for two straight days, had severe back pain, and right now I'm watching my stomach bloat like crazy, I believe from cramping, but who knows. I don't know if I recommend it since my previous experience was great, but everyone should be aware of the side effects and that they may get them."

• Ecs...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm really hesitant to go off of Lo Loestrin after 5 years because, for the most part, I've loved it. I used to get crampy periods, and since I've been on it, I get no cramping whatsoever, barely-there periods (I spot just a tiny bit, and then that's it), and no weight gain or moodiness. However, I've had such issues with dryness (I can get wet but can't stay wet during sex) that I think the time has come for me to try a different pill."

• Gin...
• June 29, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control I've been on. Previously, I had taken Depo Provera, and my personality became very cold. Later, I was on Minastrin, and I started getting ocular migraines. Freaked me out... never had them before. Doc put me on Lo Loestrin Fe because of ovarian cysts, and the pain associated with them has disappeared. Haven't had my period in over a year, but doc said it was okay not to have one. My emotions are less of a roller coaster. I still get PMS symptoms, cramps, and a pimple the week before my last pill, but FAR less severe. Love this pill. Only side effect I can think of is difficulty losing 'some' weight, but I'd rather have that than what comes with not taking the pill."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I have taken it for one and a half months and have had very few side effects aside from some minor cramping. I have lost some weight and am not experiencing mood swings, mental fog, and stomach irritation that were common in my PMS. I was afraid at first to take it because of all the bad experiences I was reading about. Not one BC works for all, thankfully, this works for me."

• Ugh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill is the worst! Never been a fan of birth control. Doctor recommended it due to my extreme menstrual cycles with heavy bleeding and cramps - you know the kind of 'call out of work' type pain. I gained weight within 3 months and bled for 3.5 months consecutively with cramping and major mood swings! My doctor insisted that I remain on it. I decided to stop this pill. I feel back to my happy self, and the irregular periods have stopped! I've even lost weight. This pill is an absolute NO for me!!!"

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 20 and sexually active, and I love this pill! I've been on it for about a month, and the only issue is that I have bad cramps, but not as bad as what I used to have before this BC. I'm 80 pounds, and this pill works wonders for me. No issues here at all. Don't let all these scary reviews scare you. Try it for yourself and see if it works. Everybody reacts to medicine differently."

• Anonymous
• August 22, 2013

For Birth Control "I recently started taking this pill to regulate my period, and I feel wonderful. I'm not as moody, irritated, and easily annoyed as I was before. I never had a lot of pimples, but my face has cleared up, and I haven't lost or gained weight. For me, I would have to say the only bad part is that I get cramping. But it doesn't bother me, since I take it right before going to bed. The best part is that my insurance covers it."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on Lo Loestrin Fe for 6 months. My doctor specifically prescribed this for my acne, and unfortunately, it did nothing but make my skin much worse. Fortunately, this pill did stop me from getting periods (which is normal on some birth controls), and I had no side effects like weight gain, cramps, irritability, etc. If you are looking for a birth control that helps with acne, I recommend Apri because my skin is clearing up and I have no side effects!"

• SMQ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Took Lo Loestrin Fe for 5 months, wanted to regulate my periods. First few days of taking it, I was getting bad headaches and got acne on my face only, period stopped coming till the 3rd month and was followed by bleeding for 2 weeks. By the 4th month, acne was gone, headaches continued, had extreme anxiety and depression, was getting moody, lost weight, appetite was almost gone. By the 4th month, I had gotten my period, which lasted a week with painful cramps, a week and a half later again with breakthrough bleeding and this time was very heavy with passing blood clots. Felt very weak and miserable, I took it exactly the same time every day and never missed a dose, still had headaches and vomiting, breakthrough bleeding was getting heavy and was not stopping at all. I could barely make it through the 5th month, I felt weak and tired also, so I spoke to my doctor and told her that I’m stopping this pill. Been a week now since I stopped taking this pill, and I still feel weak and shaky. This medicine is not for me at all."

• gym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2013

For Birth Control "GREAT PILL! Last year, after being on a brand of birth control pill for 20 years with light, predictable, and short periods, I began to have breakthrough bleeding, horrible cramping, and bleeding. Lo Loestrin was the third pill my GYN put me on, and after a week or so of spotting and light cramping, I haven't had a period since mid-December. So far, so good on this prescription, I'm happy to have tried it."

• gym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2013

For Birth Control "GREAT PILL! Last year, after being on a brand of birth control pill for 20 years with light, predictable, and short periods, I began to have breakthrough bleeding, horrible cramping, and bleeding. Lo Loestrin was the third pill my GYN put me on, and after a week or so of spotting and light cramping, I haven't had a period since mid-December. So far, so good on this prescription, I'm happy to have tried it."

• Bea...
• September 22, 2011

For Birth Control "My doctor gave me this birth control because I wanted one that was more natural and less damaging to the body. I've been on it for 5 months now, and I'm still not getting my periods when I'm supposed to. They come randomly each month, however, I get slight cramping the day before to warn me. They're very light and for about 4 days. I've gained close to 10 lbs. I've changed my diet dramatically, and I'm working out, so I know it's the pill. Other side effects include painful breast tenderness and hunger. It's very expensive. I'm giving it 2 more months to finish my 2 packs, and then I'm switching to a different birth control if I don't see any changes. The nurse said this is all normal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2019

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I've ever taken, and I was very nervous about possible side effects, especially after reading reviews. I've now taken Lo Loestrin FE for over three months, and am pleased to say I noticed no mental side effects, my acne cleared up slightly, and there wasn't weight gain. But... I took it because I have really bad cramps, like debilitating ones, and this didn't really help. It only made the cramps last several more days than normal, although the pain was more dull than the usual knife wrenching. Also, for the first two months, my period came several days before the pill pack was supposed to allow it. This last month, it came when it was supposed to, but I have now started a second period, a week after the last one ended. I think I am going to switch to one with slightly higher dosage, but for a gentle starting pill, this was great."

• kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2017

For Birth Control "This was the first birth control I ever took. At first, it caused some spotting before I got my period, lots of random cramps, and I got my period around 3 days late. Usually, I'd get my period for 5 days, now I was getting it for 7-8 days. I spotted the next two months as well, and my period stayed at the 7-8 day length. After 3 months, my periods went back to normal. My boobs grew a whole cup size. I went from a 36C to a 38D. I went from weighing 158 pounds to 182 pounds in the span of 7 months. My pant size went from a size 4-5 to 10. I got tired of being overweight, and I left these pills. It just wasn't cutting it for me. I am 5'5" and 20 years old. They work, but not worth the side effects (at least for me)."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2012

For Birth Control "I am finishing my 2nd packet, and I am loving it so far. On my first pack, I had spotting in my 3rd week, then a very light period. I have not had any spotting in the second pack, and my period is VERY light. I used to have horrible cramps and heavy bleeding. This has worked out great for me."

• Lan...
• January 7, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill changed my life! I suffered from such bad cramps before that I would be throwing up nonstop for hours. I now barely have to take Advil when I get my period, my periods only last 4 days, too. I do not break out, no mood swings also! I did gain a slight amount of weight, but nothing too big. Love it! Going on year 2 now of being on LoLo!"

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 7 and a half months now, and it's my first birth control I've ever been on, and I love it! I used to have very heavy periods that would last 7 days, but now I don't even get one at all (no cramps either)! When I started it, I had my period for about 13 days, then it kept getting lighter and lighter until there was nothing. I highly recommend it!"

• M20...
• July 30, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control I've been on, and I'm sticking to it because it works really great for me! The first three months or so, I had no sex drive - but it passed, so it wasn't a permanent side effect. It's been at least seven months now, and I get hardly any cramps, whereas before I used to get them so bad that I'd fall on the floor in pain. Hardly any period (lasts about three days, and I can use liners for two days, regular sized pad for one day), whereas before I had a really awful, heavy seven-eight day period. I also have really clear skin now too. I'll get maybe two tiny pimples in total, nearing my period, and that's it. It's fantastic. And of course, it's also done its job as a birth control pill."

• MMF...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I've tried several BC pills, and this one is the worst. Spotting all month long. Cramps, headaches, nausea, moodiness, very tired. Do not take this unless you've done well with low-dose pills in the past. I've tried this one twice and never make it to the end of the pack. A lot of times, if you tell your gyno you're having side effects, they'll lower your dose... Sometimes you actually need a higher dose. Try Sprintec... It's the best one I've used so far! Do not take Lo Loestrin, not even as a free sample pack."

• Ell...
• August 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Took it for about nine months, and everything went smoothly. My heavy, horribly painful periods suddenly became lighter, shorter, less frequent, and less painful. I even lost about 30 pounds while on the medication (I'd been trying to lose weight for years prior). However, I stopped taking it for about a month (had surgery and had to cease all medications), and when I got back on it, it was like a completely different drug. My period went back to being heavy and my cramps were even worse than before, but this time it came with intense mood swings. I'm talking screaming/crying one minute, laughing the next. My advice: this is a good medication as long as you continue to take it and don't stop. The hormones will mess you up."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2011

For Birth Control "My doctor put me on this because I was bleeding heavily throughout every month. I have been on birth control for the past 6 years. BeYaz was my last, which made me so nauseous, which I never experienced before, and constant bleeding. Since my switch to Lo Loestrin, the bleeding stopped, however, my cramps right now are severe. I also lost weight on this."