Loestrin 24 Fe and Sore Breasts: What Users Say

• 860...
• January 18, 2009

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "My doctor prescribed me this pill because I have been diagnosed with PCOS. Sometimes I get stomach aches, and it makes my boobs hurt, but other than that, no mood swings, and I've actually lost weight. Although everyone's bodies are different, I'd recommend this pill to anyone thinking of going on birth control for the first time."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2009

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on Loestrin 24 for about 2 months, and I love it. When I was reading all the reviews, I was scared to even try it because my doctor changed me from another pill, because the pill had stopped working for me. No weight gain, I actually have lost weight. I get a very light period every month after I start taking the second iron pill. Moodiness only the day before I get my period, but it only lasts a day, and I am back to myself. The only negative aspects I have noticed are my boobs are very sore, and it starts within the second week of white pills after I get my period, but nothing I can't deal with, and extreme fatigue the day before I get my period. So please try the pill, and if you don't like it, try another pill."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2008

For Birth Control "I've been on Loestrin 24 FE for 5 months. I had a few bothersome side effects and a few side effects that weren't so bothersome. In the second month, I developed this weird anxiety and had this constant sense of nervousness. I would also have very brief moments of dizziness. For example, if I turned my head too fast, I'd feel a flash of dizziness. For nearly 4 months, my breasts were sore, but I could deal with that. I spotted for the first month, but I could deal with that, too. I never had any nausea, weight gain, acne, hair loss, or skin discoloration. Now that I've gotten over the side effects, I'm pretty pleased and wouldn't want to switch."

• abt...
• February 5, 2010

For Birth Control "I am 24 and recently sought out a birth control pill because I will be getting married in March. I was put on Loestrin 24 back in December '09. Thankfully, I did not read all of the scary internet blogs until afterwards, or I probably wouldn't have tried it. I have not had mood swings (in fact, I feel I am a less moody person now). It is easy to keep up with, and seeing that I am a first-time BC user, I fell in love with knowing when my menstrual cycle would occur. The only negative side effects that have occurred since taking the pill: I gained 10 pounds the first two weeks of taking this pill. I've had a hard time shedding those pounds, but at least it has not increased as of yet. Secondly, my boobs hurt like crazy. I can hardly touch them, they are so sore."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2012

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was put on Loestrin 24 Fe because I have polycystic ovarian syndrome. The only side effects I have had are tenderness of breasts. As long as it is taken at the same time every day, there aren't any side effects. Three-day periods that are light beat no period and crippling cramps and mood swings, this beats that by miles!"

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Loestrin 24 Fe for about 2 months. I'm active and have a very busy lifestyle, but this pill just made me feel like a lunatic. I felt like I was on the verge of crying all the time, really depressed, really anxious, and really tired. Serious mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, acne - it also made me starving - like permanent PMS. I didn't want to work out and I didn't want to socialize. I gained maybe 5 lbs, but that's probably from not working out and eating way more. It did make my heavy, crampy periods light and short, and my breasts noticeably bigger. Birth control is different for everyone, I'm very in tune with my cycle, when I'm ovulating, and very sensitive to a shift in my hormones. This one was just not right for me."

• Pea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 26, 2018

For Birth Control "This was the very first birth control pill I went on. I took it for about a year, and it was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I was so depressed I would lie in the dark all day and cry for no reason. I didn’t know why I was feeling this way, and as a 19-year-old college student at the time, I knew something was wrong but just felt so disconnected with the world. The pill didn’t make me gain any weight, but it made me feel puffy, if that makes any sense. My boobs hurt soooo badly taking this pill, I had to hold them just walking around. The day after I decided to stop taking this pill, I already felt different. I would NEVER recommend this pill to anyone. I’m crying just typing this, remembering how terrible it made me feel. I’ve had no history of anxiety or depression before taking this pill. While the pill gave me amazingly clear skin, it is not nearly enough of a benefit to continue taking the pill."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2009

For Birth Control "After only taking this medicine for 9 days, I've already decided to discontinue use. My side effects are as follows: 1. Mood swings/depression/anxiety: none of these were present before I began taking the pill. I cry for no reason and have a constant feeling of deep, deep worry. I have begun questioning everyone's motives and feel hopeless. 2. Constant sleeping: before the pill, I would have to force myself to go to bed by 10 to be able to fall asleep by 11. I am exhausted by 8 pm now and generally crash by 9. 3. Cramps: stabbing pains, like with a period. 4. Breast tenderness. 5. Pain during intercourse. 6. Acne. 7. Severe nausea. I am stopping this now and getting my life back."

• LC1...
• November 14, 2011

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I am 21 years old and started taking Loestrin Fe in the beginning of September. I have heard that birth control is supposed to make you gain weight, but I've actually been steadily losing weight, and that's without taking my Metformin regularly (which I am now back on). My breasts also continue to grow in size and are quite tender for about a week leading up to my period. I get some cramps, but they don't last very long. I had pretty bad PMS for a couple of days before my first period, but once I started my period, I was fine. Before taking this regularly, I was on progesterone for ten days once every three months but had not gotten a menstrual cycle from it for three doses. For PCOS, this is great."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2012

For Acne "I'm 22, and this is my first time being on birth control. At first, I liked it because it regulated my period, and I went up a cup size, but that's the only positive experience I've had with this pill. I'm bloated around my midsection (I'm 5'6" and 107 lbs, and I look 2 months pregnant because of the bloating), my cramps are just as bad as they were off the pill, my breasts hurt so bad, and the biggest thing of all that I hate is that my face went from being flawless to severe acne EVERYWHERE! The pill is also expensive."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2013

For Birth Control "I just started taking the pill almost two months now, and aside from certain downsides, I like it. My periods are so little it's basically only spotting, and I no longer have any cramps, which I am thankful for because prior I could barely move in peace with them. Only things that are deeply disturbing are the weight gain that I gained in such a small period of time, also, my breasts have become increasingly sore at all times of the day. I have mood swings every now and again, and in the beginning, I would get depressed very quickly, but that didn't last long. Hope it works for you."

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2011

For Endometriosis "My doctor initially had me taking Loestrin just like a regular pill, to help keep my horrendously painful periods a little shorter and more predictable. However, with endometriosis, even a 4-day period was too much for me. I would be doubled over in pain. It hurt to walk around, sit, and forget about even doing anything else. It got to the point I was so terrified of getting my period that I had to do something. So my doctor decided to keep me on Loestrin, but told me to skip the placebo pills and just keep taking the pills continuously. Pro: I have not had a period in months, and I am so thankful. Cons: my breasts are constantly heavy and sore, and my nipples sometimes hurt to touch. Small price to pay for endometriosis relief, though."

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2011

For Endometriosis "My doctor initially had me taking Loestrin just like a regular pill, to help keep my horrendously painful periods a little shorter and more predictable. However, with endometriosis, even a 4-day period was too much for me. I would be doubled over in pain. It hurt to walk around, sit, and forget about even doing anything else. It got to the point I was so terrified of getting my period that I had to do something. So my doctor decided to keep me on Loestrin, but told me to skip the placebo pills and just keep taking the pills continuously. Pro: I have not had a period in months, and I am so thankful. Cons: my breasts are constantly heavy and sore, and my nipples sometimes hurt to touch. Small price to pay for endometriosis relief, though."

• Nic...
• October 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I am so glad I found this website. I have been having horrible breast pain and was actually pretty scared until I saw the side effects some women have had taking this pill. I personally was going to have my doctor change this medication due to my having no sex drive at all. I have always had a super high sex drive, and I went to not wanting to have sex at all. I have been on Loestrin for a little over six months. The symptoms are not getting better for me, just worse. I have gained about 8 lbs, and I do have some up-and-down mood swings. I never thought about the little things this pill could be responsible for. Thank you to everyone that posted."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m on the generic version of this pill, and it’s the worst thing ever and have been for four months now. I am constantly anxious, depressed, nauseous, and moody. Not to mention, I had two yeast infections in this time period from the pill. I’ve never had a yeast infection before. I am constantly dry down there, and my boobs are always sore. I didn’t gain weight, but I did lose a lot of hair. This pill is supposed to let me have sex and prevent pregnancy, when since being on this pill it’s made sex miserable and painful to where I don’t even have sex anymore. Lube doesn’t even make it better."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2012

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I am currently TTC, and my RE put me on Loestrin 24. I thought it was crazy at first to be put on birth control while TTC, but it has worked wonders. I have lost weight, and I feel great. I don't understand why no one had thought to try this before. My only negative is the breast tenderness. Ouch! I had a heating pad that I had to use for a week straight. In the end, that is a small price to pay for how great I feel and how much I have to gain. I would strongly urge everyone to try this, and I hope it works for you."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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
• September 27, 2011

For Acne "Within the first month, I started getting incredibly emotional, moody, breast tenderness, and spotting. Not to mention, my acne is out of control. I usually get only one or two pimples, but now have seven huge ones on my face. Switching to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo... hope it makes my acne better."

• 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!"

• sta...
• August 21, 2010

For Endometriosis "This pill has been awful for me. My doctor prescribed it after my laparoscopy and a period of induced menopause due to endometriosis. It has caused major moodiness, and I either get my period when it is not supposed to come or don't get it at all. Slight weight gain. My breasts hurt all the time, more than ever! I asked my doctor to switch me to something else. He put me on Notrel 777, and that is great! Hope everybody can find something that works well for their body."

• swe...
• August 30, 2010

For Birth Control "At first, it made me a little groggy. After 6 months, it has made me extremely fatigued all the time. My muscles feel constantly weak, regardless of how much I sleep or exercise. I have lost hair and gained some weight. It also made my breasts very tender (and slightly larger). I get headaches, sweat profusely, and have trouble focusing."

• 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."

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2018

For Birth Control "This is my first time on birth control. My first two to three months on Lo, I experienced mild cystic acne on my chin area and slight weight gain, 6 pounds at the most. I think most of my weight went to my boobs :). The acne resolved after three months or so, now my skin is clear for the most part. My weight is pretty steady, however, my breasts get very sore and heavy during certain times of the month. Overall, it seems to be good compared to what I’ve heard from other BC. Most importantly, it decreased my bleeding, which is why I started. Periods are very light, lasting about 3 days. I’m on my 6th month, can’t complain!"