Lo Loestrin Fe and Spotting: What Users Say

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2013

For Birth Control "I just started my 2nd pack of Lo Loestrin Fe this past Sunday. I have to admit when I first started this pill, I was a little skeptical because it is such a low-dose pill. I absolutely LOVE this pill so far. I do not have a ton of side effects like with other pills. Last summer, I briefly was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and it made me gain 10 pounds in one week! On this pill, I do not have any weight gain and no crazy mood swings, and my period was super light this month. I did have some spotting throughout the first pack, though. I work at a gynecology office, so I am well aware that the first 3 months of any new birth control can have potentially weird side effects such as abnormal bleeding, mood swings, etc. Thumbs up from me. Will update soon."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2015

For Birth Control "The very first day I started on this pill, I went looking for reviews. To be completely honest, I have no idea why I did this because it just scared the crap out of me and made me believe I was going to have some crazy side effects or symptoms. I believe most of us go out of our way to write a review when a product is negative, therefore we see all the bad. From my personal experience, this pill was AH-MAZING. Firstly, I was terrified of weight gain. I already struggle to keep my weight low and suffer from a slow metabolism. I have to work out and eat healthily regularly. I have gained no weight. I've had a regular period. No breakouts and no long-lasting spotting. No sex drive issues. No mood swings. I have been completely unaffected :)"

• Coc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Ladies, do not take this medication. The month I began this Lo Loestrin Fe pill, my life became a bit of a nightmare. The first month, I had spotting every other day, then a horrible yeast infection (my 1st one EVER) during my actual period in the fourth week. During the 2nd month, I had breakthrough bleeding every other day, a period the 2nd week, and another during the inactive week. My mood has been so high and low. I have no desire to have sex whatsoever. I honestly feel really crazy!!! No sleep, no eating, and an overall feeling of dread/failure/sadness. Almost finished with the 4th pack, and I lost count of how many blood-free days I've had because I've been bleeding ALL MONTH and not little droplets. I'm talking enough to wear a regular tampon. Officially done with this and going to just try the fertility awareness method because no BC seems compatible with my body :("

• Shi...
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I just started taking this birth control, Lo Loestrin, and honestly, I am so depressed. I have never felt this way in my life. I missed two days of work because I couldn’t even move from my bed. I have been spotting since I’ve been taking the pills. I'm on my 12th pill, I don’t think I’m gonna take it anymore."

• Meg...
• May 4, 2015

For Birth Control "Lolo is the first birth control that's been right for me. I tried Seasonale and Marvelon and spotted nonstop, gained 10 lbs in a year, and experienced acne, which I'm lucky to rarely have. Lolo cleared my skin, I never spotted after taking it. I am very good at taking it at exactly the same time every day. My periods are 2-3 days and very light. This month, I didn't even have a period, this is normal with Lolo. I've taken the 10 lbs off, haven't had any breakouts or mood swings either. Lolo was recommended by my doctor as my periods were heavy, long, and painful. Not anymore. Highly recommended to anyone else with those issues."

• Ash...
• September 11, 2013

For Birth Control "Best birth control I've been on. It's the only one that hasn't caused migraines for me. I have light spotting or no period at all each month. My mood has greatly improved. No weight gain. No acne. Only drawback has been decreased sex drive, but not enough to make a huge difference. Highly recommend this pill."

• BNC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I was hesitant to start this pill, Lo Loestrin Fe, because I had never taken any before and read many negative reviews online. However, I have been on the pill for a month and have had a pretty good experience so far. The only side effects I’ve had have been some spotting and occasional mood swings (but rare! And nothing unmanageable). Best of luck to everyone thinking about trying it and a reminder that everyone’s experience is unique!"

• Anonymous
• November 20, 2011

For Birth Control "I've only been on it for two weeks, but so far I LOVE IT! It has helped clear up my acne, and I've noticed that I've started losing weight in what seems like all the right places! The only downfall is I've been spotting this whole time, which is a pain since I just recently started a new relationship! I'm sure that will change over time. If things change, I will definitely let you know, but so far all I can say is HOORAH LO LOESTRIN FE!!"

• JM2...
• February 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Took Lo Loestrin Fe for about 18 months - during the first month or two, I experienced some spotting and bleeding between periods, but after that, my period stopped completely. I didn't mind it, because I was very good at taking it at the same time every day. I went off the pill a month ago, and my period returned 5 weeks after stopping the pill."

• Eml...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on six different birth controls, from the shot to different pills, and have always had bad side effects. I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for a month now, and I love it! My hormones are balanced out, no mood swings, no depression, no weight gain, nothing. I think I'm actually losing weight, and I feel great. The only downfall is I have been spotting a little bit, and my breasts are tender, my mood is a little off the week before my period. Other than that, no complaints! If you have had trouble with birth control like me, I advise you to try this. I have gotten severe depression, weight gain, and everything else from other birth controls. If you get a green card from Planned Parenthood, this pill is free!"

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2011

For Birth Control "So far, this is the best birth control I've ever taken, and I've tried A LOT! I just finished the first pack and had barely any spotting. Actually, super light spotting started last Sunday. My breasts did kind of get fuller, though. A little tenderness, but not nearly as much as I had predicted. I sometimes feel nauseous, but it goes away shortly after. I have noticed I'm a bit more tired, but other than that, there aren't really any side effects. I would advise you to take the pill at the exact same time and take it in the evening. This will minimize the side effects. Hope this helps."

• Amy...
• July 22, 2012

For Birth Control "I started my first pack of Lo Loestrin Fe in May. The first month I started the pill on the first day of my cycle. My cycle lasted way longer than normal. The second month on the pill, I only spotted for about 3-4 days. I am now currently on my third month and have had no bleeding yet. It makes me feel better reading others who are experiencing the same thing. It will certainly be a moneymaker for companies that make pregnancy tests, as missed periods make us all a little nervous. I guess it's normal with this medication. I enjoy reading different experiences. Thanks!"

• mar...
• August 18, 2014

For Birth Control "Some background: I am 25, have never been on birth control, and have regular periods. I'm on my 5th pack of Lo Loestrin Fe, and so far, I am pretty pleased with it other than a few annoying things. I did experience some spotting in the very beginning, and when I started my 4th pack, I got my period 2 weeks early, which was surprising since I'm so used to having a regular period. I also seem to get a mild yeast infection around the time of my period, which, as you can imagine, is awful. I don't really want to stop taking this pill because my skin has cleared up, and I haven't gained any weight. Just dealing with the yeast with probiotics/yogurt, and hopefully, it'll all balance out. If not, I'm just going to stop taking it."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I love this birth control! For years I have suffered from horrible bleeding, menstrual cramps that kept me in bed for a day or two, and sometimes vomiting. I have been on Lo Loestrin for 4 months. I get no period and no cramps. I wish I would have tried it sooner. I did spot for two months, but just a tiny bit. The downfall is it's very expensive. Luckily, my doctor gave me a year of samples. I am over 40 and actually do nothing getting my period for the first time ever."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2011

For Birth Control "I have tried multiple birth control pills over the years and have never been able to find one that I could tolerate, either physically or emotionally. I am on my first pack of Lo Loestrin Fe, and surprisingly I haven't had any debilitating side effects. I am just entering my 3rd week of pills, and I am bloated and have started spotting. I'm not sure if this is breakthrough bleeding or if I'm going to have a full-blown period. Regardless, I am going to wait it out, as I'm thrilled not to have any nausea or intense mood swings. So far, so good!"

• Nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "At 47 years old, my gynecologist changed my birth control pill to Lo Loestrin Fe because of two fibroids she found in my uterus. I’ve taken so many different birth control pills in my lifetime and generic birth control pills that were awful! That said, Lo Loestrin Fe has exceeded my expectations for over two years. The first three months are always an adjustment, but after that, my mood significantly improved (more calm, less rage), less hungry (compared with generic BC), and no problems with my skin (my skin was fine on generic as well). I spotted at first, but now never get a period, and it’s a dream. Everyone is different, but being on this birth control pill has been a very positive experience for me. Only wish it was prescribed to me sooner!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my 4th month on Lo Loestrin Fe. I have to say, the first 2-3 months I wasn't a huge fan. I spotted for the first week or two, I was breaking out a little more than normal (usually I get 1-2 pimples on my chin right before my period), but this made me break out about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks into my pack :( and would only 'clear' up for about a week before it started again. I had slight cramping, felt a little crazy, and periods lasting about 3-4 days seeming no different than normal. I almost lost hope! BUT!!! I stuck it out like most doctors recommend. Month 4 = no period, no mood swings, clear face all month until my sugar pills (slight breakout only), no weight gain (though I do work out every day). Give it a shot!!"

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I am on my second pack of Lo Loestrin. The first and second pack have both caused spotting, and my first period was a regular period of 5 days. I am emotional and cry easier. I hope the spotting goes away, and I have less bleeding for my period or none at all."

• Tay...
• March 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this medicine for almost 2 weeks now. It has made me have spotting, but I haven't really experienced anything else. I haven't had much of an appetite, though, but hey, I'm not complaining."

• NoK...
• June 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm almost done with my third month on Lo Loestrin Fe. I'm going to first start by saying that I'm so grateful for this pill because my body doesn't do well on a high dose of estrogen. Before I switched to Lo Loestrin, I was on the pill Sronyx, and that stripped away my sex drive for a good year. But since I've started taking this new pill, my sex drive has been relatively normal. I took a break from birth control for about a month, and my face broke out like crazy. But once I started taking Lo Loestrin, it basically completely cleared up my acne. I've never seen my face get so clear in such little time. I also haven't had weight gain on this pill. The only thing I haven't liked is spotting. But I assume the reason why I'm spotting is because my body is going through an adjustment period, and my body’s not used to the lower amount of estrogen from being on a higher dose before. Hopefully, it'll go away with time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2013

For Birth Control "At my last visit, my doctor recommended trying Lo Loestrin and explained it as the 'evolutionary' step up from Loestrin 24. I was nervous, but my results have been amazing. I had maybe 2 days of spotting the first month, but now I have a 1-day light period, hardly any cramps, and no mood swings. I've been on it for 4 months now, and I am SO HAPPY I gave Lo Loestrin a chance."

• CB1...
• February 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been through two of these packs, and so far my body is very happy on this pill! I haven't had any experience with an initial breakout phase or breakthrough bleeding. I had some spotting initially, but my body seems to have synced up to this medication rather nicely! No change in sex drive or weird emotional mood swings! Love this BC!"

• oat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Lo Lo for 5 months now and have had an overall pretty positive experience. The only pesky side effect is spotting because of the low amount of estrogen, but I found that sticking with it made the spotting eventually stop. I used to spot 5-7 days in the middle of my pack randomly, now I get super slight spotting on the 2 days of placebo. That’s about it. I would recommend sticking with it for 3-4 months to see how side effects change before deciding if it’s right for you. Personally, I think it’s worth it because I have no other side effects."

• Em1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my first BC. For about the next 3-4 months, I had irregular periods with spotting here and there. This month, I totally skipped my period, as of right now, I'm 17 days late. I took a test, and it came back negative, so I can attest to the missed period thing - don't be too stressed when/if it happens (if you take your pills correctly)! The first couple months, I cried a lot and had terribly sore boobs. They also grew from a 32B to a 32D, though, so I'm not mad. NO nausea at all. A few migraines. I'm not pregnant, and we use withdrawal and never use condoms, so this pill is extremely effective and gives me that extra assurance for the lowest estrogen count. I'm a fan! 9/10 because of the scary missed period thing."

• Cat...
• December 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old and I eat somewhat healthy and get moderate exercise almost daily. I was put on Lo Loestrin in April of 2016 because I was starting to be more sexually active and I also hadn't always had the most regular period before, so that was a hope of mine too. For the first couple of months, I didn't notice any side effects, but now after having taken it for almost 8 months and reading these other reviews, I'm realizing that the 15 lbs in weight gain, (abnormal) emotional breakdowns, mood swings, underarm/face cysts, hair loss, brown spotting, tiredness, etc. are most likely from this pill! I didn't even put two and two together and I'm so glad I found this thread; I am going to go to the doctor tomorrow to get my pill changed!!!!"