Lo Loestrin Fe and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• ajs...
• September 28, 2015

For Birth Control "Not a fan. I've only been using Lo Loestrin Fe for about a month now, and I'm ready to stop. Before using Lo Loestrin Fe, I'd already had an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety, and now, after using it, every single one of them is 100 times worse! I've gained a bit of weight already while still eating very little, which, when having an eating disorder, is more frustrating than you will ever know. Also, in the last few days, I've had zero motivation to do anything, I've been constantly tired, and I've been sad/moody/emotional and crying a lot more. I just had my third breakdown in 2 days, which is uncommon for me as I normally don't cry very often... And I'm getting acne on my face, chest, and back, which I haven't had a problem with in over 5 years. Not happy."

• Dia...
• September 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I am in love with this pill. It is expensive without insurance, but it's been worth it for me. I haven't had a period in almost 5 years now. I haven't had any issues with temperament, weight gain or loss, acne, etc. I have a history of aural migraines, so any birth control with estradiol in it is a little more dangerous (which is essentially all of them), but with this I have noticed a huge reduction in headaches and complications with my vision during them."

• At...
• October 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about a year now. I used to weigh around 100 lbs, now I'm 160... I have gained so much weight, and the mood swings and depressing thoughts are awful. Looking for a new pill at the moment. If you take this birth control or are just starting it, KEEP TRACK OF YOUR WEIGHT GAIN!!"

• not...
• December 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I used this pill for contraceptive. I used it for 4 months with really no issues at all. I had no period and was not getting pregnant. However, I noticed I gained 15 pounds so quickly once I went away to school, and I did not change my diet. Then, at the end of the 4th month, the week I went home for winter break, I had extreme anxiety and depression. I have mild anxiety in general, but I hardly have panic attacks. In the last 4 days, I have been anxious and depressed and have really dark, depressed thoughts. I'm in an incredibly healthy relationship with a man I was sure I loved a week ago, and now this pill has left me anxious and in a mess about our relationship. I thought it was just him, but I began to think about everyone in my life, and my despair right now makes me want to push everyone away, and I have no interest in the things that brought me so much happiness before. I stopped the pill 2 days ago, and I already see a difference."

• S4R...
• February 6, 2012

"Well, at first I thought this pill was going to be pretty good. I was having trouble with my other birth control because my hormones were all out of whack. So, within the first week, I had breakthrough bleeding, which was normal, I guess. And then I started becoming irritable, like super irritable, and it was strange. It was like PMS x10. I was at like 120, and now I'm 137 lbs. I have horrible mood swings, I snap for no reason, I'm hungry all the time, and not to mention the weight gain!"

• Har...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "WORST BIRTH CONTROL I'VE HAD TO ENDURE. I started this pill in August of 2015 after not having been on the pill for several years. I read that it would give me lighter periods, and since it was low-hormone, it wouldn't have many side effects. Do NOT always take what you read as true. The first 3 months I was on this, my face broke out horribly. I never had problems with acne, even in high school. This pill caused me to have severe breakouts on my chin. Not just pimples or a blackhead here or there, but severe welt-like acne underneath the skin's surface. To add to that, from August 2015 to March 2016, I gained 30 pounds. There has been no significant change in my diet OR activity level. Triphasil-28/Trivora-28 never caused me these problems!!"

• 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."

• She...
• July 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I have taken this birth control for over 6 months now and am very pleased with it. I previously had Implanon and had a lot of side effects with it, including bad mood swings and weight gain. After switching to Lo Loestrin Fe, I started experiencing a slight loss of appetite and some nausea, which made me lose 25 lbs that I had put on as a result of the Implanon. I could do without the nausea, but I'm pleased with the weight loss, especially because I was expecting to gain weight, if anything. I have had no bleeding besides when I slip up and forget to take my pill, besides some very light spotting at the end of my pill cycle, which I almost don't even notice most of the time."

• Emi...
• August 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this pill when I was 22. I've been taking it for 3 years now, and I'm very pleased with it. I was nervous about starting birth control because of all the side effects you hear about. But I have not gained weight, I don't have mood swings. Nothing negative. I had bad periods/cramps before, and they are gone. I don't really get a period anymore, which I'm happy with. It's worth trying if you want a low-dose birth control and you have bad periods. Also, there are coupons online, so it's not so expensive. It was $25 a month. Now it's $25 for 3 months."

• Ale...
• September 20, 2014

For Birth Control "While this birth control did its job by being a good contraceptive, I have a lot of symptoms with it. I gained 15 lbs in the first 2 months, had so much acne, and just felt like complete crap. I couldn't do it anymore after the 6th month, so I stopped taking it. Everyone is different, but it is definitely not 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!!!"

• Bra...
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for over 2 years now. I must say the beginning was awful, I was told to stick it out for 3 months, which most birth controls you should try to do. I spotted and got my period multiple times within the first 3 months, way more than normal. After 3 months, it has been golden ever since. No periods, no scares, no concerns. I have had absolutely no problems. I love this birth control, I feel great on it, and haven't gained any weight or got acne from it. If you are considering this birth control, don't give up after a few weeks, stick it out for a few months and then decide. My friends have had the same experience, and they love it and have been on other kinds but would never switch back."

• 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!"

• PMD...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Lo Loestrin Fe for 9 months now and love it. I was diagnosed with PMDD 10 years ago and tried Yaz and Yasmin unsuccessfully before finding Lo Loestrin Fe. This has been the only pill that works for me. I actually lost weight after my body adjusted to the hormones. I was on this pill for several years and then took a break for 12 months as I take it continuously. I won't EVER do that again—it took about 8-10 months for my body to adjust and then the PMDD came back with a vengeance. Mood swings, insane food behavior, migraine, weight gain, no sex drive—it was horrible. I got back on Lo Loestrin Fe last April and by August my body adjusted. Has been great ever since. Only downside is my insurance doesn't cover it, so I pay out of pocket every month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 29, 2017

For Birth Control "One of the first birth controls I was put on for never-ending periods. It definitely controlled my bleeding, but I went from about 100 lbs to 145 lbs in the span of around 6 months. My hair did great on this pill, and so did my skin, but I eventually switched because of the constant hunger/weight gain. I can definitely see how it would be good for some women, but not all."

• Emi...
• August 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I just started Lo Loestrin Fe 2 weeks ago, and so far, I've gained a significant amount of weight. I have a fast metabolism, so anything I eat gets shredded off the next day. On this birth control, I went from 100 lbs to (currently) 112 lbs. I will continue to stay on it to see if it'll balance out, but if the weight increases more, I will be stopping."

• hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I was given this brand of BC to help with my sexual drive in my relationship and because of weight gain. It was a lower dose than what I began with. I was on Lo Loestrin for about 5-6 months, and it led to even more weight gain. It also caused my acne to get worse than I’ve ever had, even worse than when I started puberty. I have cysts in places I’ve never had acne before (back/forehead) - I usually have breakouts on my chin. I don’t recommend this brand. I heard stories about its aftereffects when coming off the pill as well. I now have a copper IUD. I’m still experiencing issues from taking Lo Loestrin. It’s great for those it works for, but it was a really bad experience for me."

• 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."

• Cal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 28 and switched from the NuvaRing to this. I work out about 4 times a week and try to eat healthy, but on NuvaRing, I gained about 15 lbs in 2 months (130 lbs to 145 lbs). I decided to switch because I needed something with low hormone levels. I love this BC, I quickly stabilized, back to normal weight, and lost my appetite as well. I was a little moody in the beginning, but now I am 4 months in and feel normal with a normal sex drive. I had some spotting in month 2, but that has stopped as well. I was advised to take a daily women's vitamin, along with a probiotic-the combination helps to stabilize hormones. This could play a part as to why I feel great too!"

• tb ...
• August 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 2 years. Side effects experienced lasted about 4 months, and then everything went back to normal. This included going from a C cup to D cup. Eventually, went back down to C. Did NOT experience weight gain in other areas except the chest. Breakouts pretty bad in the first 4 months, but calmed down after my body got used to it. I'd recommend doing facials during this beginning period to calm the skin. I still get occasional breakouts, but nothing like the nightmare stories reading on the reviews. I'd suggest sticking through it for at least 6-8 months before you throw in the towel. Your body is going to react to new hormones entering your body. I get my period sometimes not at all and sometimes 2-5 days."

• Kai...
• July 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this for about 3 years. At first, I had periods, they stopped within 6 months (which my doctor said was completely normal), and I'll agree I was a little moody at times around when my period should have come. But other than that, I actually lost weight on this pill... I did exercise every now and then. I got off this pill because I was really concerned with not having a period. I got on Sprintec 28 and HATED it. I gained 15 pounds. I'm a very petite person, so this was totally noticeable. I love Lo Loestrin. I will never try another birth control. If you're looking for something just to manage your period with no side effects, this is the one. AND I got it for free every month... talk about amazing."

• 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)."