Lo Loestrin Fe and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Rya...
• July 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for around 11 months, and for the most part, I find it good. I started off using it just to regulate my period, not knowing that it would just go away after the first few months. I'm sexually active, and I find that it does decrease my sex drive. It was very frightening when I stopped having my period, and I did gain weight, but I take pregnancy tests periodically (just as a precaution). I still have period symptoms at the end of the pack, but I haven't had one in 7 months. The worst thing I find about this pack is that it makes me more emotional and increases my headaches."

• 4kc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this birth control 5 months ago after Demulen was discontinued, which I was on for about 4 years and loved. I have not had a period since I started taking Lolo. I would prefer to have a period for 3 days just for the reassurance, but I'm not complaining too much. I have experienced no weight gain, no mood swings, but maybe a slightly lower libido. Overall, I think it is pretty good!"

• Foo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

For Birth Control "At 40 years old, my period was heavy, and my iron was crashing. I had never taken birth control before because I already struggle with weight. After months of dealing with a heavy period, I decided it was time. I explained my weight gain and acne fears (yes, I break out easily) to her, and she told me that Lo Loestrin Fe would be the best for me. I’m on month four, and my skin is horrible. I’ve had to have laser treatments just to calm the inflammation down, and I started having debilitating anxiety. This stuff is poison. I am angry at the gynecologist for even prescribing it!"

• Odg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2013

For Birth Control "I switched to this birth control from Yaz because my periods (although controlled) were still 7-8 days long and heavy. When I switched to this pill, I gained about 8 lbs, was intensely moody, and noticed my hair and skin became extremely oily. I was on it for 4 months, and it only got worse. I had breakthrough bleeding the entire time. The second month I was on it, I bled for 2 weeks straight. It was absolutely miserable. I know birth control affects every person differently, but this was AWFUL for me."

• Esh...
• January 14, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control. I had no side effects. Only switching due to high out-of-pocket cost. Experienced no weight gain, acne, mood swings, etc. If you can afford the out-of-pocket cost for this TIER 3 medication, then I definitely recommend it."

• Jos...
• September 8, 2015

For Birth Control "Negative side effects: 1. Weight gain: I'm very petite, and I work out at least 4 times a week. I track my activity using a Fitbit, and while taking this BC, my activity was actually higher than the previous month. That being said, I still gained about 7 pounds. My appetite increased, but not enough to justify this weight gain. By my calculations, I should have been losing weight due to higher activity levels. Additionally, the weight gain only occurred around my midsection, and I felt bloated and uncomfortable. 2. Mood swings: I rarely cry, and when I do, it's for good reason. With this BC, I wanted to cry over everything. 3. Acne: My skin was clear before taking this, and now I have cystic acne all over my forehead and cheeks."

• 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!"

• NYC...
• February 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I've only been on Lo Loestrin for a couple of months, but I am very pleased so far. With other pills (and I've been on plenty), I break out, gain weight, am extremely moody, but this one has been a breeze. My skin looks great, I haven't gained weight (my breasts are slightly bigger), and my mood is great. I think I finally found a pill that works for me. I also love that they offer a coupon card, which makes my payment $35!"

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "Excellent! Do not be afraid of the reviews. Everyone is different. I'm 47, tried others, but this is by far the best! No weight gain, less mood swings, overall fantastic. Biggest challenge is taking the pill at the same time every day."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on the Lo Loestrin for 4 months now. My last period was extremely light and left me wondering if I had been pregnant. I take my pill regularly and have never missed, but the sudden light period frightened me. I took several tests, which came out negative. However, I have gained at least 10 pounds and have grown a cup size. My breasts are always tender and sore. I have noticed a significant level of depression in my attitude since I started the pill. It has helped with my acne and made my periods lighter with less cramping, but the bloating lasts for the majority of the month and food cravings come often. I am thinking of stopping the use of this pill."

• hey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2020

For Birth Control "This pill is horrible! I had been on a birth control for about 2 years before it that eventually gave me hyperpigmentation, so I switched to a lighter hormone. I have been taking Lo Loestrin for 3 months (going on my 4th), and I have not gotten my period yet (I’m not pregnant). I still break out during the time I would get my period. This month I had breakthrough bleeding, but it lasted one day. I am now working on switching pills, this was not the one for me and only made me feel like I had gained weight and lowered my self-esteem immensely."

• Dan...
• October 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I had surgery a little over a year ago because I had a 6 cm cyst on my ovary. Two months later, more cysts started to develop, so I went on Lo Loestrin to stop the pain and help my periods. (They were extremely heavy with bad cramping, I had to change my super plus tampon every hour.) Now, after being on it for 6 months, I've only had spotting as my period. At first, no side effects, but now I'm noticing a little weight gain, nothing traumatic. I definitely love this pill and recommend it to everyone!"

• Mis...
• January 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 2 years. Prior to this pill, I had the Implanon in my arm that worked well, but I was unsatisfied with occasional irregular bleeding. Most doctors, like mine, will tell you that there is nothing 'unhealthy' about not having periods (Google it), and that's what I wanted without getting my tubes tied. I skipped the inactive pills and have been doing so since beginning to take it. Two years later, I couldn't be happier. I experienced no weight gain, no breakouts, no mood swings, no cramps, but I never had bad cramps anyway. The only way I can even tell I'm taking it is because I haven't had a period, which has been awesome. Don't let negative reviews scare you away. It depends on the person!!"

• Jen...
• January 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I actually really enjoy this birth control. It's been the first and only birth control that I've tried, and I can't complain. I didn't gain weight, my acne didn't get worse or better, my sex drive is fine, and really, I didn't have any of the awful symptoms that typically accompany birth controls. The only thing that did happen to me was when I first began using Lo Loestrin, I had a different mood each week for the first month. One week I'd be sad, the next mad, the next happy, so on and so forth until my body got accustomed to what was happening. Now it's like I'm not even on anything!"

• 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!"

• Sma...
• April 7, 2014

For Birth Control "I loved this birth control! It has been the only birth control I've been on! The only complaint I have is that my breasts were hard as a rock the first month! I had no acne or weight gain, and my moods are stable. My periods are about 2 days compared to being 5 days."

• Meg...
• September 5, 2015

For Birth Control "After reading many of the reviews on the BC, I've concluded the three things common in most people are mood swings, depression, and loss of sex drive. I'm 29, I've been on this pill for four months, and all of these are true for me. No interest in sex at all, my boyfriend gets on my nerves all the time, and I cry pretty much every other day for no reason. What differs from me in most reviews, I have not had a period at all since I started taking it (DR says it's fine, but I'm not sure how I feel), I didn't get acne (didn't really have a problem to begin with), and I gained weight so my pants barely fit (mostly in the stomach area. May be bloating?). I feel my depression and moodiness are getting worse, so I think it's time for a change."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 26, first birth control pills I've ever used. I'm on my fourth month, getting close to starting the fifth pack. Pros thus far: no breast tenderness (they did increase in size), no acne (skin actually cleared up), no weight gain (I'm very active to begin with), no nausea or headaches, much lighter periods (prior to the pill, my periods were heavy enough where both a pad and a tampon were needed... Now a tampon alone is good enough!) Cons: ever since starting it, I've been having two periods a month... 15-day cycle and it's about two days longer than the period prior to taking this pill. The pros definitely outweigh the con, but I can't stand having two periods a month!"

• eje...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2021

For Birth Control "My main reason for picking Lo Loestrin Fe was for PMDD along with heavy periods. I do have bipolar 1, and I take Lamictal along with various psych meds. I was told that the higher levels of estrogen in some pills can make the Lamictal less effective in managing bipolar. I was advised that in the event of experiencing a mood episode, to speak with my psychiatrist to have them increase the Lamictal dosage if my moods became symptomatic. However, as far as the bipolar aspect went mood-wise, I did not have any issues. It did improve my acne and controlled my facial hair growth. When I got off of it, my facial hair grew a lot more rapidly than it did on the Lo Lo. I was on Lo Lo for 4 months, and it did put 7 pounds on me. I’m not sure if this was weight gain or water weight. I did lose this after discontinuing the BC. My main reason for posting a review is to share my experience as a woman who takes Lamictal, as I always wondered what other women chose for contraception who have bipolar."

• 727...
• June 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I got this medicine in early January, it is now almost July. I LOVE IT. I am a migraine sufferer and have seizures, it was super hard to get me a birth control that I like (I've tried 7 other types). I wasn't allowed to have certain types due to the seizures, so they were limited. I didn't hear about Lo Loestrin Fe until I made my first appointment with a GYN. Now that I'm on it, no sore boobs, no moodiness, no weight gain, no acne. I got my period for the first time today (which is why I was researching if that happened to anybody else), but it's really light and seems like nothing to worry about. So I would definitely recommend it for anybody like me!"

• Jay...
• January 14, 2021

For Birth Control "Personally, I had an okay experience with Lo Loestrin. I was on it for a couple of months. During these few months, I had gained 15-20 pounds, got stretch marks around my thighs and breasts, and my boobs went from C’s to DD’s. I was very unhappy with this weight change because it was extremely drastic. I had my period only a couple of times, and when I did, it was so short and light that it was as though it was never even there, which was amazing. My mood swings were the same, no change. I have been off the pills for over a year now, still haven’t been able to lose this weight or lower my cup size. I may not have given my body the ability to regulate itself to the hormones, but I really didn’t want it to get any worse than it was. I’m currently trying new birth control pills, which unfortunately have a higher dose of estrogen, but weight gain isn’t a popular side effect."

• Ano...
• September 20, 2013

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control I have ever used. I have been on it for about 10 months, and it's great. For the first month or two, I noticed a slight weight gain (6 lbs), but I was able to lose it once my body got used to the pill. My breasts grew almost a full cup size (went from a large C to a comfortable D). They were also incredibly tender and sore, but this passed after about a month. I was EXTREMELY moody and always craved chocolate. Overall, it was like PMS for about 1 month, then everything went back to normal. I no longer bleed each month, it's more like occasional spotting for a few days. I would definitely recommend this birth control, but it is expensive without insurance."

• Fab...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst birth control ever! I was taking this pill for a little over a year, and yeah, I gained about 10 lbs and had breakouts, but the real issues were that it made me extremely irritable, emotional, as well as depressed. My sex drive became nonexistent, and I was having severe dryness, plus yeast infections. So I guess, yes, it completely worked as an effective birth control because I just didn't want to have sex, plus what boyfriend would want to have sex with their emotionally crazy girlfriend who is dry or having a yeast infection? Honestly, I've been off of it for 6 months, but I remember even after the first week off, my body was normalizing, and I felt radiant! Stay away from this pill! You've been warned."

• Bre...
• August 15, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 3 months now, and I am really considering changing it. I have a really weird period side effect where it changes the color of my period, and it makes it come early or late, and it always makes me scared that I'm pregnant. Plus, I can never lose weight being on this pill. Lastly, the pill makes me very moody as well. I am going to talk to my doctor about it at the end of the month."

• Em ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this same pill for about 5 years now, and I would recommend it to every girl I knew if I could. At first, I thought it was a little strange that I didn't get my period, but I talked to my doctor, and she assured me that not getting a period was normal as long as I took my pills correctly. Not having a period is fantastic and one less thing to worry about every month, in my opinion. Every once in a while, I'll experience some light cramps right before I finish a pack (around the time I should have my period), but other than that, I love this pill! I also have not experienced any weight gain or headaches! :-)"