Lo Loestrin Fe and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Dep...
• September 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Horrible experience! I'm only on my 2nd month (as I have promised my Dr. I'd keep trying it). I have had major depression/anxiety since I've started this pill. My sensitivity has shot way up, as has my weight. Still have cramping (which is why I started this pill in the first place). I have barely touched my boyfriend since taking this pill. I went from having sex almost every day to having 0 sex drive, to the point where my boyfriend questioned my fidelity. I stop taking it today. I'd rather put up with the bad periods/cramps than go through this."

• BNi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC pill for 4 months going on 5 months now. I have mixed feelings about it. It's my first birth control pill, and I didn't know what to expect, but I read up on the side effects; so far, I have experienced mood swings, anxiety (which I was already having issues with). The pill made it worse when I do have episodes of it, weight gain (because I seem to crave sweets more often), and lack of sex drive. I also bleed a lot my first two months into the pill, like every two weeks, and it lasted 5-7 days and was very heavy, but these last two months, no period at all, plus I haven't been that sexually active. I take the pill every day at the same time. I work out daily. No serious breakouts from it, but my breasts have gotten bigger!! Which I love!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the Pill for a month now, and it's the worst. THE WORST. Ladies, do not get this. Two days in a row, I've jumped up at 4:30 a.m. with the WORST lower abdominal cramps. I've also been bleeding since the 17th, it is now the 30th. My sister is a nurse and INSISTED I stop taking this. She said this isn't the first time she's heard bad things about this specific brand. She also said girls come into the hospital all the time because of this birth control with major problems. My moods have been everywhere. My sex drive has disappeared. Just don't get this!"

• Lo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Gave this a 5 rating because it did prevent pregnancy, but having said that, the side effects are not worth it. No legitimate weight gain, but water weight and bloating caused fluctuations daily of up to 5 lbs up or down (normally my weight is the same daily). Night sweats due to low estrogen, flat hair, duller complexion, total lack of sex drive, and dry like the Sahara down there due to thickening of cervical mucus. Definitely irritability and mood swings. Stopped mid-pack month one and feel much better after one day of this out of my system. I was skeptical a pill could do all of this after reading the reviews, but 2 weeks in, experiencing it myself, they are all right. Not worth trying to stick it out in case the body adjusts in a few months."

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Took for 3 months, and it took that long for the spotting to subside. The side effects I had with it aren't worth it for me. It killed my libido - took it from 100 to 0. Dried my lady parts out. It killed any sense of motivation I had. I used to go to the gym in the morning regularly and couldn't figure out why all of a sudden I no longer wanted to go. It made me nauseous at random times during the day. I had stomach issues because of what was possibly an interaction with an antidepressant I take. I have stage 3 kidney disease and am on blood pressure meds and have never had an issue on other pills. This raised my blood pressure from my normal 115/75 to 145/90, thus giving me a month-long headache before I figured it out. Plus, it's expensive."

• lal...
• January 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking Lo Loestrin Fe when I was 12 due to acne and a cyst I had, and I had the worst experience: longer periods, bloating, and increased acne, and nasty brown discharge with cramps more painful than any cramps I've ever felt. So, I quit taking it. Then, a few years later, I started having sex and decided to get back on, and my gyno gave me the same birth control even though I told her how it affected my body, but she insisted. I am currently having the same side effects and 2 periods a month, and so much pain, anxiety, and mood swings, and dryness during sex. I do not recommend this birth control. I would give it a 0/10."

• AMR...
• February 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I have had my fair share with different brands and types of BC in the course of 12 years. I chose this after completing the Implanon of 3 years. I requested a BC with the lowest hormone possible. The first few months were just fine. Took a couple of months to adjust to a period pattern, but that was about it. (Periods were regular and light with this pill.) Then about month 5 into it, things went south. I started developing issues I never had before: extreme anxiety, low sex drive (felt like I could live forever without sex), vaginal dryness, excessive hunger, headaches 2-3 times a week, and depression. I will be discounting this pill, but just because it did not work out for me does not mean it may not work out for you!"

• Tar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I went on this BC because I loved the Loestrin 24 Fe (which is apparently no longer available), and I thought this would be similar. It is not at all similar. I feel completely different on this pill, and I've given it 6 months. My side effects include constant cramps and abdominal pain, complete loss of sex drive, diarrhea, and depression. I began to push my boyfriend away and am still very, very attracted to him, yet I have no sex drive. This pill has completely changed me, and it took me 6 months to realize it. My periods were light, but if I missed one day of taking the pill, I would start spotting. Beware and watch for how your body reacts to this pill."

• Ano...
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 4 months. I am 20 years old, and this is the first hormonal birth control that I have ever taken. The first month of this pill was great, it seemingly cleared up my very aggressive breakouts, my period regulated (and eventually stopped completely), I lost weight, and my boobs were getting bigger. Fast forward to January, and my face started breaking out again. I started to feel anxious, nervous, depressed, and lethargic all the time, which was unusual for me. I have zero sex drive, I am constantly bloated, and I gained nearly 20 pounds in the span of 2 months. At first, I thought this was perhaps from overeating during the holidays, but the weight has only come down about 5 pounds since December. I really wish this would have worked for me since it is a very low hormone pill, but I am quitting after I finish this pack. I know when I was first put on it, the first thing I did was Google the reviews, so I hope this helps anyone who is curious about it."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2018

For Birth Control "Been on this for two weeks, and it has finally helped me shed those pounds I've gained from hormonal imbalance. I have to say, I have experienced some pimples, I usually have crystal clear skin. Extremely tired and very low appetite. Very low sex drive."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2016

For Birth Control "If I could give this medicine a 0/10, I would! It made me break out when my skin had been close to perfect, it caused me to be sick and have bowel problems. It made my PCOS worse! I had mood swings, and it killed my sex drive. A weird thing was it made my taste buds swell too, that was the worst thing!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control pill for almost a year now, and it's been pretty decent! I've had very few side effects, and the best thing about it is that I don't get my period. However, my libido has decreased, and I've started experiencing mood swings (which is not at all normal for me). So, I'm planning on switching pills to alleviate those side effects, hopefully."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2017

For Birth Control "The cost of each pack was a bit shocking when I first started it. The discount program the company offers is not applicable if you have insurance. It would have cost over $100 per pack out of pocket, but now costs me about $50. I have never paid over $20 per pack with other BC after insurance. I've been taking it for about half a year after I stopped nursing my firstborn. I cannot remember the last time I had a period, but my doc says 10% of patients don't get a period on LLF. This makes me paranoid that I'm pregnant! Also, I have had an increased appetite and have gained back 20 lbs that I worked really hard to lose postpartum. I wake up feeling very tired every day, but my energy is fine once I get going. No sex drive either!!"

• Gym...
• May 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking this birth control for about 3 years now, and I would say it's been good for me. The only negative thing I noticed is increased appetite and a decrease in sex drive. I do think my boobs got bigger from it, and I have some mild acne, but who knows if it's from the pill or not."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched from the Nuvaring to this at the advice of my endocrinologist, who said that the Nuvaring was messing with my thyroid and that she feels like my body cannot handle additional hormones. I've been on Lo Loestrin Fe for about 2 months, and it has been the worst. Terrible mood swings, depression, bloating, constipation, and no sex drive! I'm 27, and to have no sex drive is crazy. I have an anxiety disorder, and this medicine has made it worse and is actually causing depression, which, according to the side effects, is common. So I'll be going back to the doctor and asking for something else. The only positive is that my period started as soon as I went to the white pills and wasn't heavy or crampy."

• Eli...
• November 18, 2017

For Birth Control "The cons definitely beat the pros in this case! The only two benefits I had from taking this birth control, which I took for about a year, were clear skin and no period at all. The cons literally made my life a living hell; I started to lose all my hair (a year later and my hair finally looks kind of normal again), I lost my sex drive, I was super prone to UTIs, which in turn caused a bladder condition called IC, I gained weight, and the list could go on. It's been a year since I stopped taking birth control, and I feel like a new and healthier person."

• Not...
• September 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this BC for almost 1 month. In the time since I started it, I have gained weight, have had headaches every day, acne on my face and chest (have never had an issue before), and my sex drive has literally become non-existent. I am not happy with this pill and will be going off of it and back to condoms. Not worth it for me to have these side effects."

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2015

For Birth Control "Halfway through month 3 on this and not sure what to do. First two months consisted of most of my time breakthrough bleeding, then during the time when I was supposed to have my period, I had none. I also have been experiencing extreme agitation followed by periods of sensitivity and crying-neither of which is normal for me. Also, my boobs have swollen up a cup size and are always sensitive. Skipped my placebo pills second month and started third pack because I had already spent so much time bleeding. Symptoms have lessened, but now it seems I am experiencing loss of appetite and sex drive. Not sure if I will continue on to try month 4. This pill has my moods swinging so much that I'm questioning my sanity since I've started them in August."

• Rac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2015

For Birth Control "Overall, I like this pill. It took a few months for my body to get used to it. The first 3-4 months I had random spotting and a period right in the middle of the pack. I did gain about 10 lbs, but I also haven't been eating as well or running as much, so that is to be expected. My breasts were tender for a few months, but that's gone away recently. And my periods/cramps have gone from unbearable to almost nonexistent... so much better. The only major, major side effect I've seen is my sex drive going way down and some mood swings. But I would rather have these effects than an unwanted pregnancy. Give it a shot for at least 3 months before you give up on this, ladies! It will get better and be worth it in the end."

• kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Lo Lo has had its ups and downs. In the first month, I had some breakouts, spotting, mild cramping, and mood swings. That went away after 1-2 months, and while the side effects were there, they were tolerable. I've always had very painful period cramps, which this pill took care of, and gave me an insanely light period every month in comparison to how mine were before starting Lo Lo (a huge plus and made the initial side effects worth it to me). Now, almost 6 months into being on it, I've decided to switch. The past couple of months, I've had weight gain, bloating/water retention, a SEVERE dip in my sex drive, ability to naturally lubricate, and pain during sex. None of these things have been a problem for me in the past. I've struggled to gain weight before, never once had any issues with libido or anything that affected my sex life in the slightest. This was a great pill until these issues started coming up. I'd still recommend it to someone looking for a decent low-dose BC pill, but be wary."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2012

For Birth Control "I have a hard time with BC pills due to irritability and being emotional. I must say Lo Loestrin Fe really helped my emotional side, but as far as my irritability, it was awful. My sex drive was greatly decreased, and I always felt like something was wrong. I really wanted a pill to work, but I've tried about three now, and my doctor thinks I just can't handle the hormones in pills."

• Chl...
• May 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I love this pill! Other than the increased breast size (which isn't a bad thing), I haven't experienced any other side effects. No weight gain, mood swings, increased appetite, loss of appetite, acne, off-cycle periods, or low libido. Prior to this pill, I had the implant in my arm, and I hated it. I'm so glad I made the switch."

• Hd1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Started taking Lo Loestrin Fe about 2 years ago for extreme cramping and periods that made me sick and lasted over a week. About 6-7 months on the pill, my period stopped completely, and it was great. Never noticed any serious side effects until a few months ago, I was so emotional and felt like I could snap at any moment. My sex drive has been zero, and my weight has increased 15 lbs in less than a year. I feel I cannot control my hunger and cravings anymore. I didn’t think I could get side effects almost a year later. I have recently switched to Tri-Linyah and am a little nervous about how my body will react. It was nice not having a period, though, for sure."

• Tee...
• July 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I am 35 y.o. Began taking after informing doc that I have irregular cycles (about 2.5 months apart) and was concerned I might have a hormone imbalance. Haven't taken birth control in over a decade up until now. I'm now on day 5 of taking Lo Loestrin. Started noticing on day 4 that I am edgy, irritable, and becoming depressed. Have difficulty sleeping all night now also. Today I'm very anxious, moody at the drop of a hat, and oversensitive. I usually am bubbly and positive. Feeling like a crybaby more and more. Today is also vacation day 2 with my kiddos, and I am forcing myself to join in on family fun. I've become the character in the depression commercials who watches everyone having fun out the window and can't seem to get the desire to join in. This is awful. To top it all off, my sex drive has vanished. It was very lively...nope, not now. As soon as we return home from vacay, I will be contacting my doc to resolve this before symptoms get worse. I already miss the old me."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 16, 2022

For Birth Control "I was on Lo Loestrin Fe for a little over a year. Honestly, I didn’t have very many side effects except for low libido/dryness and irregular periods. My periods were so irregular, I'd get a period in the middle of my pack, and sometimes I’d go months without them. It kinda sucked because I would never know if I was pregnant or not because I didn’t know when my period was supposed to come. Since I had low libido, I experienced terrible dryness, which is uncomfortable and embarrassing :/. My skin was always super clear on it though!! Everyone’s different, so if you’re thinking about trying it, just do it."