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

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2010

"I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for 2 months now and haven't had a period yet! Not even any spotting or bleeding. A couple of days ago, when I should have started, I was having very bad cramps, but my period never came on. I have gained about 10 lbs, but other than that, I am happy with it. My tubes are tied and burnt, so the only reason I'm on this birth control is to regulate my period and stop the heavy flow, and so far, it has done all of the above!"

• Anonymous
• February 5, 2010

"The first six months of this pill were a dream. I had been so fed up with all the other pills I've tried. There was no weight gain (I was able to lose my freshman 15), and my sex drive was great, though no improvement or decline of the acne situation. Six months in, I started getting two periods a month and gained 20 pounds in places I've never gained weight before. My emotions have been absolutely out of control: constantly irritable, always on the verge of tears, and no energy. I'm still on it for the simple fact that going off it could cause unbearable depression- I've tried before. Currently attempting to get to my home gyno and get a new prescription."

• Anonymous
• November 16, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Loestrin 24 (1/20) for two years because I became sexually active and it would also help with my cramping. In the beginning, I had absolutely no problems with this pill. It took care of my periods/cramps like it was supposed to, but it didn't really take care of my acne. I gained a little weight. My moods improved a bit, but I still had pretty bad PMS. Also, since my periods weren't too bad to begin with, I kind of miss having them as a reminder that I'm not pregnant. The reason I'm getting off Loestrin now is because it's really thinned out my hair. I have very fine/thin hair to begin with and, though it doesn't come out in clumps, it's noticeably not as full as it used to be. It does its job, but it's not the pill for me anymore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2012

For Birth Control "I spotted for a few weeks at first, but it never happened again. I had short, 2 or 3-day periods, only minor cramps, no nausea-a huge one for me because I have a sensitive stomach, no moodiness, no weight gain. It was almost like not being on the pill at all, except that I immediately noticed that my generally clear skin was breaking out like crazy with really painful cystic acne. I assumed it was just an initial breakout and tried to wait it out, but I just recently quit after 4 months because I couldn't handle the horrible acne. I did a lot of research and its progesterone is very androgenic and is known to cause acne. It's a shame because otherwise, it was perfect. Because that was my only side effect, I'd still recommend it though."

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for a little over a week. So far, I have experienced extreme mood swings over the past few days, slight weight gain, and breast tenderness. These all seem to be similar to other reviews. However, I am going to stick it out for a few months to see if my body gets used to the hormones. I read that it took one woman three months for her body to adapt to this birth control, so I hope I have a similar experience. However, I know that each person responds differently to any kind of drug or hormone. Oh, the joys of being a woman!"

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2009

For Menstrual Disorders "I'm not a big fan of this pill at all. I'm on my first month, and I didn't even get to the 'brown' pills yet, and I already have my period, and it's been lasting for 4 days now. I went on this to shorten my period because my period was lasting for 15 days straight... horrible. I just hope my body will get used to it. I'm afraid I will gain weight. Overall, this pill has not yet helped me."

• Jen...
• December 29, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Loestrin for about three years now, and all in all, it's not a bad pill. One thing I would have to say, though, that I hate about this pill is the weight gain. In the first six months of this pill, I gained 25 pounds! I was always a skinny girl, so you can imagine how awful it is in six months to go from a size three in pants to a size eleven. After that, I have not gained any weight, though it has been very hard trying to lose the 25 pounds. More things that I've noticed that I haven't liked are mood swings at least a week before my period, tender breasts, and irregular periods. It's been two years for me on this pill, and I will go three months sometimes without having a period. Aside from the rapid weight gain, this pill is okay."

• Hou...
• June 7, 2010

For Birth Control "I just turned 29 years old, and I've been on Loestrin 24 Fe for almost 8 months now. I am ready to go back to Triphasil, which I had been on for years previously. I believe it's fairly effective at preventing pregnancy, but considering I have next to no sex drive (as my husband can attest), it may be hard to tell. Also, I had maintained the same weight for years, and after being on Loestrin for 5 or 6 months, I somehow gained over 10 lbs with no change in my eating habits. The only positive effects were it did shorten and lighten my periods significantly."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2010

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I took this birth control for about 10 months and stopped when I saw I was developing varicose veins on my thighs. I was only 19 years old at the time! I was always a chronic sufferer of severe headaches when I was in high school, but I had a period of about two years without having headaches. As soon as I got on this pill, I had severe headaches every single week! I also gained some weight."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I used the Ortho Evra patch for five years, but my doctor didn't like it, so he switched me to this. I had weight gain, not a lot, but about 5-7 lbs, enough to notice. Then, after taking it for 3 months, I stopped having periods altogether. My doctor told me to go off it and, after 2 months, my period was back."

• Bus...
• November 8, 2009

For Birth Control "I used Yaz for over a year and started having breakthrough bleeding, so my doctor decided to try me on Loestrin 24 Fe. I'm on month three. The first month, my sex drive went up 200%. My period lasted 2 1/2 days - one day heavy. I was having 5 days, with 2 of those being very heavy. I couldn't believe it. The second month, my sex drive went back to normal, but my period lasted only 2 days again, with lots of cramping but only spotting. I'm hoping month three will be more normal. The doctor said it would make my period last only a day, which is awesome, but like someone else wrote, it would be nice to have an actual period so I wouldn't think I was pregnant. I never gained weight on Yaz, and I've gained a few pounds with this pill."

• Rly...
• January 16, 2011

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old, and this is my fourth birth control. I have had problems with ovarian cysts since I was 14, so my doctor put me on birth control to help with the pain and cramping every month. I am going into my second month on Loestrin, and so far I love it. I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, and Necon, and they all made me depressed, with horrible mood swings (always angry at the world), weight gain, and did not help with the acne. I know it's only been a month, but I have experienced mild headaches, breast tenderness, but they have grown, and I love it (I was not blessed with breasts), and mild cramping. My periods in the past lasted 5-7 days, but with this it has lasted only 4. I will definitely give this a shot, seeing as it's my last resort."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 8 months because I had very bad cramps. It made the cramps completely go away, and my periods only last 3 days. However, I gained 10 pounds because the pill has made me have a larger appetite and makes me crave food all the time. I eat very healthy and exercise, but the weight just won't come off. My doctor also told me this is because this pill makes you retain a lot of water, which makes you bloated."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2011

For Birth Control "In all honesty, this pill is the answer. I love everything about it. I have been on it for three months now, and I have had no symptoms whatsoever. There has been no weight gain, and it has only slightly changed the size of my breasts. I have had no mood swings or nausea. In the three months I have been on it, I take it every morning at 6, and it works great. The package that it comes in is perfect, it is small, easy to read, and comes with a tiny discrete black cloth pocket to hold the pack in. Perfect to throw in your purse if you are spending the night somewhere else. As well, I have had no period, which was scary in the beginning, but my doctor assured me everything was fine and normal. I HIGHLY recommend this pill."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm 31. Just finished the 3rd month of Loestrin. Severely tender breasts 3 weeks out of the month. Major mood swings and depression during the 3rd week of the month. Headaches got worse over the course of 3 months. Tiny bit of weight gain, no acne, and almost no period, they only last about 2 days. Doctor switched me to LoSeasonique because of the mood swings."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2010

"I am fifteen years old and I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for six months. I am roughly 140 pounds, 5'6'', with no known history of women's problems. I am about to switch to Seasonique because I don't like my birth control. It was great at first with only a little spotting, which a panty liner was barely needed. It has made my cramps insufferable. All I want to do is lay down in a small ball in bed all day. It made my period a very dark color, and it doesn't start until the 3rd brown pill and ends on the 3rd white pill. I have always had a lot of headaches, and from taking this medicine, they have increased in pain and frequency. Before Loestrin 24 Fe, I was on the Depo shot for 6 months. I switched because I gained 30 pounds in 6 months."

• jen...
• July 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I haven't used this for very long, probably less than a week, and I know your body's supposed to get used to it, however, after reading these experiences, I don't think my symptoms are gonna change. I'm not sure how effective the pill is for sex because I used it to calm down my periods, however, ever since I've started using it, I get pains in my lower stomach. They feel like period pains, and the pill has put my whole mood down. I do get acne kind of normally, however, I broke out so much on my forehead, and I'm almost positive it's from this pill. It's Thursday, and I started it Sunday, and I've gained probably 5-6 pounds already. It literally makes me hungry 24/7, which is a no-no. I'm either stopping altogether or switching to a new pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 15, 2012

"I am 20 years old and have been taking this birth control for about 2 years now. In the beginning, it helped my skin look very good, and I suffered from acne before getting on the pill. I did not gain any weight, maybe it helped my breasts grow a little bit (half a cup size) but not too much. I have not had a period in about 5 or 6 months. I have not gotten pregnant. The doctor said it was normal for this pill because it stops the body from producing an egg and over time stops producing a lining in the uterus, therefore, with no lining or blood to shed, you do not have a period anymore. The doctor also said that it is safe, and as soon as I get off the birth control, I should get my period back, so hopefully there won't be any problems later."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2011

For Birth Control "I am 24 years old, and I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for 6 years now, and I love it. I have had zero weight gain and no complaints, other than the price. It is important to remember that everyone is different, and as such, may not have the same experiences with medications. I have had a GREAT experience with this medication! I have not become pregnant, have very light, short periods, and very little cramps. I take it as directed per the package insert directions and have had great results."

• Mar...
• January 5, 2011

"I'm 19 years old, and this is the second brand of the pill that I've been on. I took Yaz first, and I had the worst mood swings, and it was extremely expensive. I have had no side effects with Loestrin 24, and it's only $24 a month. My breasts did gain slight weight, but I think that just comes with the pill. Periods are completely normal, as they were irregular before I started taking the pill. Would recommend this pill to anyone."

• stj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2012

For Menstrual Disorders "I'm 19 years old, and I spent a total of 8 months on this medication. The first three months were great! No symptoms, no weight gain, no period! After those perfect 3 months, I began losing large amounts of hair. In addition, I gained 15 pounds, which I am now losing easily since switching to Camila. I had terrible migraine headaches, irregular bleeding, and I forgot to say my blood pressure went from a healthy low to 140/80 in just two months. My skin was yellow. However, on the bright side, I did reach an entire cup size larger (34C to 34D), but that's most likely from the weight gain and estrogen in general."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2012

"I am 17 years old, and Loestrin is the first birth control I have ever taken. I have gained a little weight, mostly in my breasts. I also got my period for a week and a half the first week I started on it. I have now been on it a month and a half, and I have not gotten my period and am worried I may be pregnant, although I have taken multiple pregnancy tests that came back negative."

• Luc...
• January 13, 2010

For Birth Control "Got terrible acne. No cramps, though, no noticeable mood swings. I don't mind weight gain (or increase in breast size), however, this pill didn't seem to alter either one in any way. Can't decide if I want to switch to something that will increase my cup size, even just a little, and not cause acne."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and I've been taking Loestrin 24 Fe for about 4 years. When I started taking the birth control, I did have some crappy side effects, such as bloating, weight gain, and a lot of spotting to a flow like a regular period, but it went away after 2 months of using it. I do only have my period every 2 to 3 months for a week, but it definitely beats having it every 3 to 4 months very heavily for almost the entire month. The only things I'm not all that happy about are the mood swings that never went away, I do still have them, but I can control it and they're not nearly as crazy as they used to be. And recently, my breasts sank about a cup size. I don't know if it's because of taking the birth control for so long or not."