Loestrin 24 Fe and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2010

"I was on this pill for 4 months, and I had crazy mood swings! I was laughing one minute, crying the next. I could never make it through an entire month of these pills. I would start my period on the first or second day of the 3rd week of my pack, not just breakthrough bleeding, this would be a full period that would last 5-6 days! And I would have terrible cramps and huge clotting. Normally, I don't have cramps, and while on this, I had them every period. I finally had to have my doctor switch me to a new pill with a higher dosage."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2012

For Birth Control "This has been one of the best birth control pills I have ever taken. I have a little breakthrough bleeding from time to time, but it is usually because I have taken the pill earlier in the day than normal or vice versa. When I take this pill around the same time every day, I do not have any breakthrough bleeding. Periods are light and average 3 days. My periods used to last 7 to 8 days and were very heavy. Bleeding is only heavy on day one. Some months I do not have a period. I did not have any issues with nausea or headaches. I did gain about 5 pounds. Cramps are minimal."

• Mis...
• April 25, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 29 and haven't taken birth control for 3 years. I just finished my first pack and seemed to have been hit by EVERY side effect it has. I have cramps and nausea every day, overly emotional, respiratory problems while lying down, weight gain, and bloating. The last pill before my period, which was taken two days ago, gave me a couple of pimples and a yeast infection. I'm asking my gynecologist for something else and hope for less/no side effects."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I got on Loestrin 24 FE for birth control and to help me with my acne. I have been on this pill for 4 months and do not like it. I switched to this pill from Yaz because it is a lower dose, and I would sometimes get sick on Yaz. I was hoping this pill would give me fewer side effects, but it didn't turn out that way. My mood swings are horrible, and I feel like a crazy, depressed person on this pill. My boyfriend has noticed how crazy I can get, especially right before my period. On Yaz, my PMS was barely noticeable, let alone mood swings. I have found myself needing to control situations and getting anxious and sad for no reason. My periods did not turn out to be lighter either. They are horrible on this pill, with bad cramps and nausea."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2012

For Birth Control "This is my first time ever taking birth control of any kind. I've been seeing my boyfriend for about 8 months, and until about a month and a half ago, we used condoms. Then I decided to get put on birth control. I'm currently about halfway through my second pack, and things seem to be going pretty well. Probably about the second week of my first pack, I had abdominal cramps. Just like period cramps. My breasts also hurt really bad. But both of these symptoms went away within a few days. My period was also shorter and lighter, but my cramps were just as horrible as normal. I haven't gained any weight, that I know of. I don't weigh myself weekly, so I'm not sure about that. But everything else seems pretty normal."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2011

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "When I started birth control, I was initially put on Desogen. That birth control gave me horrible mood swings, and I eventually had to switch when they began to interfere with my life. I started Loestrin 24 Fe after that, and I liked it a lot more at first than I do now. I have now been on this pill since about August of '09, and I am currently looking to find another method to try since I am experiencing terrible lack of sex drive and random cramps throughout the month. However, I still give this birth control a 6 because the lack of libido is the worst symptom I have experienced, and after the horror of mood swings I experienced before, that doesn't seem as bad."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I love it! This is the first form of birth control I've ever been on. My doctor prescribed it to me because of its low hormonal content, and it's been great! I started it on the first day of my period - cramps were pretty bad the first 2 days, worse than usual, and my period lasted about 9 days as opposed to my regular 4 or 5, and slight headaches for about a week, but no side effects at all after that! It's been great! Increased libido was just a little bonus. I was pretty skeptical at first because I read nothing but horror stories about it, but I'm so glad I tried it. The out-of-pocket cost is $45/month. A little steep, and there is no generic yet."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill on a Sunday, by Tuesday, I was bleeding heavily, and it was constant. I continued to bleed for 3 straight weeks, and I finally had enough, so I stopped taking it. I had terrible cramps on this pill."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 7 months now. In the beginning, I was worried from reading all the reviews that said how awful it is. For me, my breasts got bigger (which should be a plus). I didn't notice much about weight change from the pill. I started it near summer going into college, and I may have gained 1 pound from eating junk food in the summer. As far as my acne, I have always had clear skin. The pill didn't affect my acne or anything. The pill didn't lessen my period until like 2 months ago. It's a light period usually. Except I have more cramps and bloating than not being on the pill, which is odd."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2010

For Birth Control "I started Loestrin 24 as my first birth control pill. I started it the third day of my period, as my doctor instructed, and my period lasted four days longer than normal. My bleeding stopped, then for four days, and then started again and lasted for two months! My gynecologist says that sometimes birth control takes 2-3 months to even out. Well, the first month, I had breakthrough bleeding on and off and had several days in a row with little to no bleeding. The second month, I bled for four solid weeks. I had no sex drive, some cramping in between periods, and I felt very depressed and insecure. This was not the pill for me."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2012

For Birth Control "I'm 17 years old and got started on birth control because my periods were 9 days long with severe side effects. I first went on the shot called Depo-Provera; that was the worst experience of my life. I was having my periods every single day. The doctors told me it was normal and it would regulate after my third shot; however, the 4th shot came and the same issues with no end in sight. Terrible cramps, headache, even vomiting. When my doctor switched me over to Loestrin, I had instant results. My period is now regulated to a 4-day cycle once a month. I do have cramps as a side effect, but they have gotten much better. Before Loestrin, I would curl up in a ball and cry from the severity of the cramps. I would recommend this birth control to anyone."

• sar...
• August 14, 2011

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old and have been on this pill for about 3 years. When I was 15, I had a 25-pound ovarian cyst (about the size of a football), making me look pregnant during my freshman year of high school. After getting it removed, I tried all sorts of birth controls, everyone causing more problems than it was worth. After starting this one, I have not had any problems really. My periods are light and short. I could do without the cramping and bloating, but that's the life of a woman, I guess. This time around, though, I am a little worried as I experienced spotting the whole week before my period and now nothing during it. Hopefully, I'll get it soon!"

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2010

"I have tried one other type of birth control, and it didn't work, and I have been on Loestrin for almost 2 months, and I have mixed feelings on it. I do get spotting and minor cramps throughout the entire month. I got very sick when I started to take it, so I lost a bit of weight. But it has made me very tired and very hungry, although I haven't actually gained any weight. I am a teen who has had VERY bad cramps and VERY heavy bleeding, and while it helps with the bleeding, the cramps aren't much better. It is most definitely a pill that you have to take at the same time every day. No waiting 10-20 minutes because you will have spotting."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 20 years old, started taking this pill about two months after I had my daughter. I have been on this pill for about a year now. For the first couple of months, I had mood swings, and a week before my period, I had pretty bad cramps. But after those couple of months, the cramping went away, and my periods are light, only lasting about 2-3 days. Still have occasional mood swings, but other than that, no problems with weight gain, acne, hair loss, or anything of the sort. This is the first birth control pill I've ever been on, and I was cautious about how well it would work, and it's been working great so far."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 30 and non-smoking. I took Loestrin for about 6 months, primarily for birth control. I didn't notice anything unusual for the first two months on this pill. The third month, I began having violent mood swings and emotional breakdowns that were not triggered by outside issues. My period was almost non-existent; I would bleed when expected for about 2 days. Before Loestrin, I had horrible cramps, and while on Loestrin, I had mild cramps. I regularly worked out and lost a lot of weight, but I would bloat right around the week before my period, and my weight would go up about 5 lbs. I lost my insurance, so along with financial issues as well as the mood swings, I stopped taking it. Breakouts were also an issue on my face and back."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 4 months, and this is the best month in the four years I've been on birth control. I have extremely horrible periods, anything you think of has happened in my experiences with several others. If your symptoms start out worse or don't clear right away, try and stick it out so your body can get used to it. Periods went from 14 days to 4 days... I'm loving it!"

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on this medicine for over three years now, same time every day. I did not gain any weight due to the medicine. I loved that I no longer had periods, especially living near the beach. However, I have just started spotting virtually every day and having cramps. I have real bad periods off of the pills, but I am considering going without pills again."

• Hap...
• March 20, 2012

For Birth Control "I started taking Loestrin for pregnancy prevention two years ago with virtually no side effects. This birth control has the lowest dose of hormones, which controls nausea (a huge problem with previous birth controls). My skin looks great, no weight gain, cramping, or bloating. PMS and hormones are regulated, and my period disappeared after about six months. My breasts did get bigger - not a full cup size, but maybe a half - and I have found that sentimental things make me cry easier than before I was on the pill. Most importantly, though, this birth control PREVENTS PREGNANCY. I take it every day at the same time +/- 30 minutes and have never had a scare in two years!"

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2011

"I am 23 years old and have been on this medication for about 18 months, and I have to say that I absolutely love it! I had unbearable cramps and hot flashes, as well as severe acne before I started. The first month I did bloat, but it quickly disappeared, along with my acne, hot flashes, and cramps. My only complaint is that it also took away my period, and I could do without the monthly pregnancy panic. That would be my only reason for switching."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I am finishing my second month of Loestrin and like it overall. I was on Lo Loestrin for 2 months, and it was not working out (breakthrough bleeding, cramping, bloating), so my doctor switched me to this pill. I still have had breakthrough bleeding (more like just spotting) for the last two weeks of every month, but the 'period' at the end is practically nonexistent, with no cramps, which is great. I have noticed a bit of water retention, but nothing green tea and extra water can't solve. I've also had some occasional nausea, but nothing too bad, and it passes quickly. And I've gained 1/2 a cup size. Overall, I'll stick with this pill and hope the spotting goes away in the next few months because that's my only real complaint."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2011

For Birth Control "I would say I have been on Loestrin for give or take 2 years now. It is amazing. Before I was on Femcon Fe, which gave me an intense appetite, weight gain, and painful periods. I am so happy that my gyno switched me over to this pill and plan on taking it as long as I possibly can! No side effects at all. It is nice to not have to add on to the complaints in the conversation of periods anymore."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2012

For Birth Control "Everyone's experience with this seems to be different. My friend had terrible cramps after taking it for about 5-8 months and switched. I've been on it for nearly 4 months, and my period is pretty much nonexistent as of 2 months ago. I barely have cramps or bleeding. It's not even really spotting, there's basically nothing. I have been experiencing a few side effects... I went up two cup sizes, and I'm experiencing more anxiety, but possibly due to the fact that I started it a few months after starting college. It's great for me so far, but it just seems weird that I don't have a period? I guess it's okay, though. I'd recommend it, but then again, everyone is different."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control on September 1st, and it's now October 14th. The first month I took it, I had my period for about 3 weeks straight, but it was light. When it came time that I would normally have gotten my period (which would have been at the end of the month), the bleeding went completely away after that time had passed that my actual period would have went away. Since then, it's been fine, my face cleared up a lot, and I'm maintaining a good weight too. I just got my period today, and it's very, very light and hardly any cramps. Hopefully, it only lasts 2-3 days!"

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for about a month now. I just finished the first month, now going onto the second. It hasn't so much helped my period length yet, but it did take away the feeling of cramps, which was nice. My gyno said it could take up to 3 months for you to get your full effect. So during this past month, while on Loestrin 24 Fe, my period was still 12 days, but I have hope for that to change in the next month. Loestrin is responding a lot better to my body than YAZ did."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 5 months. My first oral contraceptive, and it has not affected me in any way. I did not gain weight (I actually lost weight), get larger breasts, or anything like that. It did regulate my period, which was also healthy. Periods were light, about 2-3 days, without cramping. Previous to the pill, I never had acne problems, so that was not an issue. It all depends on body chemistry because this pill affected my friends more than me. Overall, this pill was great. Not pregnant, I still use condoms, and never had any symptoms!"