Loestrin 24 Fe and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• kia...
• January 8, 2011

For Menstrual Disorders "Before I buy a product, I research it. Unfortunately, when it came to looking for a birth control, the majority of the reviews for ones ranging from Yaz to Ortho Tri-Cyclen were negative, so I threw all caution to the wind and allowed my doc to fill a script for Loestrin 24 Fe. Ladies, prior to taking this pill, my periods ranged from 4-6 days and were very irregular with heavy bleeding (one time I bled through my jeans in class, ultra embarrassing). In addition, my symptoms consisted of diarrhea, nausea, lethargy, and severe cramps, which kept me in bed. The first 3 months taking Loestrin were difficult (spotting/mild cramps), but now I've been on it 5 years, and I haven't seen a sign of my old symptoms. Plus, my periods are light and short. I recommend."

• Anonymous
• November 16, 2009

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking the pill at the end of October, I am now on my third week of Loestrin. At first, I had minor cramps and breast tenderness, which I ignored. Slowly, the pill started giving me worse side effects. I gained weight, have major cramps, and have been on my period for two weeks. My normal period lasts 3-4 days. I am not even on the placebo pills yet. I also have major mood swings."

• Kmk...
• July 31, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Loestrin 24 Fe for about two years, and it's been perfect. My periods have gone away, I usually bleed for a couple of days a month, which happens during the last two days of the iron pills. I have no cramping at all, no more mood swings. I used to have VERY heavy periods, and this is heaven compared to before. A warning though: you will get brown discharge sometimes if your period isn't as often or heavy. I've been on three different birth control pills, and this is the only one where I haven't gained weight, acne, or cramps."

• lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I was given this prescription to help with very mild acne at the time, but mostly to help with my irregular cycle and unusually long periods. The first month I was taking this, my period lasted about 4 or 5 weeks, much longer than the usual week or a week and a half. I also noticed how my acne, specifically on my chin and jawline, worsened, which was disappointing, as I was sure this pill would help get rid of my acne, not make it worse. My cramps are terrible around this time, and my breasts hurt so much it’s nearly unbearable. I am 4 months in, and I am never taking this again. The only good thing about this is that after the first period, the rest are short and regulated. Would not recommend this to anyone unless you can put up with the pain and cramps and acne."

• ant...
• October 28, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Loestrin 24 for about 7 months now, and everything was fine until the 5th month. I've had dark spotting, bad cramps, and cystic acne on my back. Has made me feel anxious and hungry almost all the time, have gained weight, bad cramps, and the worst part is I have my period every 2 weeks for about 5 days, and it is heavy. I feel depressed, have mood swings, and some hair loss. Doctor has switched me to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and I will see how that goes."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I just finished my first month, and it has been wonderful for me! I was using Seasonique from September to June, but I was constantly on my period with it, and ever since I switched to Loestrin 24, I have only had my period on the designated days. I was originally given Seasonique because I had periods like 2 times a year, and they would be horribly heavy and awful. My period on Loestrin 24 is light and easy to manage. It didn't cut down on any cramping, but Advil can easily cure that. I am so happy I switched! Very pleased!"

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2010

For Menstrual Disorders "I am 17. I've been on Loestrin for a little over a month, and I'm taking it for painful and long periods. I really like it, actually. I suffer from chronic migraines and either Loestrin would help with them or make them worse. It definitely helped, and I am so happy! Also, I have no acne. I have experienced a slight weight gain, but nothing that diet and exercise won't fix. My sex drive has actually increased a lot, and I have not become depressed like other reviews have said. The only downside is breakthrough bleeding, which occurred after being on it for 2 weeks. I had bad cramps too, and that was the whole reason I went on this. You really have to stay on it for at least 3 months to really know how it'll affect you. Don't give up."

• Ari...
• October 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this for about 3 months now, and I’m miserable. I was on a different Loestrin before (a 21-day), and that caused me to gain a ton of weight and couldn’t control my eating habits because cravings were so bad. Period was much better. But this one? Awful. I start off okay mental-wise the first two weeks, but like others said, I break out horribly on my chin, and it won’t clear up. Then, my last 2 weeks, my anxiety and depression get so bad I can barely function. It’s gotten so bad. On top of that, I’ve had a period every 2 weeks. My last 2 weeks of the pill packet as well, I’ve had consistent cramps. Not enough to have me doubling over before I started birth control, but enough that it’s quite uncomfortable. I’ve also started to notice it makes my boobs extremely sore. I am very sensitive to medications and noticed that I’ve consistently had yeast infections that I can’t get rid of because I keep taking the pill."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2009

For Birth Control "I've never had any problems with the length or intensity of my period, but on this pill, I felt sick all the time, dizzy, anxious, moody, and tired. My skin broke out, and I had hot flushes. Every 3 days, I had cramps, and my breasts were tender. I've been running 4-8 miles a day and still gained weight. This pill made me feel like I was pregnant all over again. Not a good choice of pill for me!"

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2010

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. My period used to be very heavy, and it would last for at least a week of every month. I would be nauseous for at least two days, have cramps so badly I had to stay home some days, and my PMS and mood swings were terrible. YUCK! I started Loestrin 24 because I heard it could help shorten my period. I have been on it for two years, and over time my period shortened until it never lasts more than four days, and it lightened up enough I didn't have to limit my activities any longer because of my need to have a bathroom in close range for days on end. It helped clear up my acne, never caused weight gain, stopped my cramps, and I don't get nearly as moody. I did start craving chocolate like you wouldn't believe though."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2009

For Birth Control "I love this! This is my first form of birth control, and I have only been on it for about two and a half weeks, but I have to say that, so far, it's great. I usually get terrible cramps, pains, nausea, etc. on my period; when I started using this on the first day of my period this month, it all went away. This was my first time NOT throwing up during my period, and I stopped getting those terrible cramps. Even my bloating went away. Plus, for some reason, since I started using this b.c., my occasional pimples have disappeared and stopped showing up. It's all really great, and I feel so much better after taking this!! The only problem (though it's really not a big deal) is that I may have put on a pound since I started using it."

• Lis...
• July 21, 2015

For Acne "I never break out ever (only when I was a teen). I always got compliments for my skin, and this has made me break out. I've been getting lots of leg cramps too and spotting all over my cycle. Emotionally, I'm about the same. I've never taken birth control, and I think from my experience on this it's not worth it."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I have tried many pills, and this one was better than the rest, but I am switching because I get terrible migraines. On this pill, I was getting 16-20 days of migraines, even though this has the lowest, constant dose of estrogen. Multi-phasic pills gave me 20-25 days of migraines. I switched to an intrauterine device and had 1-2 days, but I don't want to deal with the cramping again, so I am going to try something else. Good birth control, but bad for migraines."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2013

"I was on Loestrin 24 Fe for about 3 months. I just stopped taking it, didn't even finish the pack. I noticed I was eating a lot more, constant appetite. I stepped on the scale to see I've gained about 20 lbs, never before had I eaten like that. My breasts, as well, got noticeably bigger. My emotions were up and down, horrible mood swings and depression as well. I would have no cramping, barely any bleeding, which was great since I was used to such bad cramping and heavy periods. I've been off for about 4 days now, and I just got my period, and the terrible cramps have started."

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for almost 4 years. It was my favorite out of all the birth controls I tried until this year. I am 5'6-5'7 and have always been about 125-130 pounds. I am now about 150-160 pounds, I skipped a period two months ago and got this month's period late. I am not pregnant. I will randomly feel sick and depressed. I have lost my sex drive, and my boobs will hurt. I have extreme cramps and find myself experiencing tons of mood swings. I think it is time to switch to something else."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I just started this pill, this is my first month, and I'm about two weeks in. I feel like no one this new has left any comments (I've been searching for answers and relatable experiences on it). I figure I might help a few people who are going to be in my position. My breasts have gotten a bit bigger in just two weeks (half a cup size). No moodiness so far, in fact, it may have bettered my mood. On my 11th day (today), I got a light period. I had cramps, but not normal cramps and nowhere near as painful. When I woke up, I felt pain in my mid-abdomen, right above my belly button. As for weight gain, I feel bloated, but I always have problems with bloating, so I would need more time before I blame the birth control."

• doo...
• June 25, 2008

"I've been using this product since Nov 2007, I love it. Having my cycle every month, with just enough cramping to let me know. I still have a period. Works well enough for me, and with regular check-ups with my GYN, I'm glad we've made the decision with Loestrin 24 Fe."

• May...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I started taking Loestrin Fe in June 2016 due to heavy menstrual bleeding and debilitating pain. I had gastric bypass surgery and found my periods got worse. My GYN provider recommended this pill. The first few months were very difficult due to mood swings, daily spotting, and painful cramps. There were times I wanted to stop the pill, but I stayed on it. About 4-5 months later, I noticed things were a bit better. My periods are much lighter, and the cramps are more tolerable. I am not laid up and overly cranky the week before my period like before. Instead of getting my period once every 2 weeks, it seems to be moving towards 3-4. For reference, I am 38, not sexually active, and do not have children. Hopefully, things will get even better."

• Tvn...
• September 8, 2012

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "After trying 4 different birth controls, I was ready to give up when my doctor recommended this. I do not get migraines. I did gain 5 lbs, and it does make me very bloated. The cramps were very painful, but anything over those massive migraines I used to get with the previous pills."

• Bri...
• November 19, 2013

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been on Loestrin 24 for around 5 months, and I am overall very happy with it. I am 16 and sexually active. The first three months were bad in terms of side effects: lots of nausea, acne, spotting, and cramping. But from the get-go, I went from heavy, long periods to very short light periods. For the past two months, I have had just spotting for around 3 days, not exactly in correspondence with my brown pills but close enough. I no longer get bloated on my period, I do still have acne around my time of the month, but that can be attributed to my negligence of going to the dermatologist in half a year. It worries me that some people get no period at all because pregnancy scares are definitely not my favorite. But now I feel safe and satisfied."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2011

For Endometriosis "I LOVED this birth control when I first started it. I was switched from Levora, hoping that it would help my endometriosis - that time of the month is very painful for me. This pill worked WONDERFULLY for that. I had minor cramps for two days or so, max. No other side effects, too. It made my periods shorter and lighter, and I could easily tell when I was going to start my period and stop it. After a few months, the timing went WAY off. My period would come WAY too early, then I'd just be spotting on my placebo pills. It became very unpredictable. It's also pretty expensive, as there is no generic. For those reasons, I'm now taking Apri. I would recommend this pill, though, especially if you have endometriosis."

• so ...
• October 24, 2011

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I've only been on Loestrin 24 FE for three weeks. Prior to starting these pills, I hadn't had my period since July 1, 2011. By the second week of taking these pills, I've had severe flooding, horrible cramps, diarrhea, and my skin is blotchy. My doctor told me that I would probably start my period or at least 'spot,' but I have extremely heavy flow right now. I realize that maybe this is due to the endometriosis that built up from my PCOS and uterine fibroid issue, but I had no idea it would feel like Niagara Falls. I am also waking up every night around 3 AM and having nightmares. All started as soon as I took these pills."

• Den...
• March 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I was taking this pill for several years and had a good experience with it. My periods were only for 3 days, if that. Sometimes, I hardly bled. My doctor prescribed this to me because I had irregular menstrual cycles. While I was on the medication, my acne improved, I hardly had any breakouts, I barely experienced cramps, and I had a shortened period. It worked very well for me, but apparently, they've discontinued this product. Minastrin 24 Fe is apparently the bio-equivalent. I have yet to try that product or any new pills."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on this for one month, and for that entire month, I hated it. I’ve been on different pills before-Marlissa and Apri-which both made me nauseous and moody, but Lo Loestrin was pretty bad. I was spotting for a week and a half before my period, and I even got my period two days before I finished my active pills. That had never happened before with any other birth control pills I was on. Also, the period I got was excruciating. My ovaries were rock solid, and my cramps were terrible. Plus, I was bleeding way too much for being on birth control."

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Lolo for a year now, and I totally love it. I've never experienced any side effects besides weight gain, which is pretty common when taking birth control, and I've also been home from school all summer. I have the lightest and shortest periods now, sometimes I don't even have one. I love having no periods, especially since I used to have terrible cramps and heavy bleeding, although it is bad for pregnancy scares. I was on Tri-Previfem before Lolo, and I absolutely really don't! I had the worst side effects, especially with the yeast infections that would never go away. Lolo was the only pill that worked for me, and it is amazing!"