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

• Kou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I started a sample of this pill on 12/13/2015. In the beginning, it was okay. A week later, I started spotting and cramping like my period was coming. This went on for about a week. Now I'm extremely nauseous ALL THE TIME. I can barely eat. Plus, I have no energy since starting this pill. I also became depressed for no apparent reason. And let's not talk about the migraines. It's safe to say they are now in the trash! I'll go back to the old-fashioned condom method of birth control."

• Tba...
• August 19, 2014

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I have ever been on, and it's awful. I only gave it a 10 because it does what it's supposed to. I've been on the pill for 6 months. The first three months I had severe acne. I've never had an acne problem until then. Spotting is a severe problem, I have to wear pads the majority of the time (two weeks at the most with no spotting). Periods are very irregular, one day I'm good, the next few days I'm not. I've experienced mood swings and cramping. Not a good experience at all."

• try...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2015

For Birth Control "After having an IUD, my Dr. gave me this to try. Periods were very light. No cramping or pimples. Didn't care for the aftertaste of chewing the pills, so I just swallowed them. Every time I refilled my Rx, there were problems getting my insurance to work. They were able to cover it for a while, but now my insurance won't cover it at all. At over $150/month, I will be finding another medication."

• Lov...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2017

For Birth Control "Before Minastrin, my periods were extremely irregular, fairly heavy, and accompanied by cramps strong enough to cause vomiting, acne, breast tenderness, and headaches. Minastrin was a miracle. My periods now only last 2 to 4 days, are extremely light, and they happen at the same time every month and never on weekends. I never gained weight either. The only negatives that I've noticed are the first week of pills I was nauseated every morning, but that passed, it causes some mood swings that my parents noticed as well, and my cramps haven't fully gone away, but they are much more manageable due to regular periods and only last 2 days instead of 4. With these negatives, though, I strongly recommend it."

• j_e...
• December 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking this for extremely painful cramps and heavy periods. The only positive effect I've experienced is that my periods are regular and last 4 days instead of 7. I still need heavy doses of pain medicine for 2-3 of those days to even tolerate my cramps (which of course wrecks my digestive system). I'm significantly more moody and emotional. I've gained about 25 pounds on this pill, even though I eat healthier and exercise more than I did before starting it. I suddenly had terrible acne, which lasted for the first 6 months, and it eventually cleared up again. My sex drive has also been much, much lower. This pill was my only option because it is chewable and I can't swallow pills. If you don't have to take this medicine, then don't."

• ABC...
• October 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I would definitely recommend this pill to anyone! I used to have terrible cramps and a heavy period, but since I've been on Minastrin, I spot for 2 days at the most and really don't even need more than a panty liner, also barely any cramping. Take the pill as the directions say, and if it makes you sick, TAKE WITH FOOD! In the beginning, I was literally throwing up every night, I was so sick, but then I discovered that if I take the pill with dinner, I have no side effects. Other types of birth control used to make me super moody and lose my hair, but I've had no issues with this one! Although it is expensive because it is brand name, to me, it's worth it. You can find discounts online that help if your insurance doesn't cover it."

• lpr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2016

For Birth Control "So, I had been experiencing irregular and painful periods due to low body fat and my lifestyle (I am an avid runner). My doctor said I was suffering from amenorrhea. So, he placed me on Minastrin. Literally, within a week and 5 days of taking the medicine, I broke out in severe hives on my legs and arms, which were red and itchy. I called my doctor and told him, and he suggested that I take Benadryl for the allergic reaction. The Benadryl did not help. I also was experiencing mood changes, where I would either be down in the dumps or angry at the world. I was then instructed to stop taking it and begin a new one. One day after not taking the medicine, I started bleeding heavily and having severe cramps. 1st time I ever had BC."

• Bsj...
• January 20, 2016

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE!!! I was only on this pill (the only birth control I've ever taken), and it was awful... a period every two weeks, awful cramps and mood swings, weight gain, and to top it all off, A BLOOD CLOT IN MY LUNG! I don't smoke and am not over 35 (supposedly the only things that would trigger a serious reaction), so this is all the pill. I've been off of it for months and am still having issues. I have to be on a blood thinner indefinitely and live with the constant fear of a clot reaching my heart. Please DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2015

For Birth Control "Before the pill, I had very, very heavy periods. This is my 1st month on this pill, and to say it changed my period drastically is an understatement. While I do appreciate that a lot, I have NEVER suffered from so many leg cramps in my life. It's literally 2 legs cramping up in the middle of the night on a nightly basis. It's so painful. People keep telling me that I need to eat more bananas, but this is the only thing that's been different this past month. They started about a week into my first pack and have been ever since. And I agree about the mood swings, it's really affecting my anxiety, and my mood swings are all over the place. Add my insurance not covering this pill on top of all that... I definitely won't be getting back on this thing."

• kiw...
• August 23, 2015

For Birth Control "Well, it's only my second month, almost third, and my experience has been very well until I randomly got my period, and since then, I have been spotting. I get cramps randomly in class and have discharge in my underwear. I don't recommend this pill. I think it's awful."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I recently started taking this birth control, and after looking at the reviews, I was very skeptical, but I sure have learned that every body is different and will have a different acceptance to anything new. I have no complaints with this so far. I wanted to write a review, even though I have not been on it too long, as sometimes one gets concerned about how it will make you feel in the beginning. Well, I have not felt mood swings, cramping, or overly emotional at all. I have also not experienced any weight gain so far. I started taking this on the first day of my menstrual cycle to increase its effectiveness."

• Kia...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Minastrin for 7 months now. I was prescribed this specific OCP because I have PCOS. This medication has helped decrease my cramps, acne, and mood swings. I would recommend this birth control to anyone. I work in an OBGYN clinic, so I get samples. Not sure how much it would cost if I had to get the prescription filled."

• CMB...
• April 29, 2016

For Birth Control "While it was effective, I hated the side effects and am discontinuing after less than one month. It made me feel hungry, and I started to break out. I was having sleep issues and bleeding in between periods. I'm currently on my cycle, and I'm miserable. My period has been heavy for four days, and I have cramps. This is unusual for me. Not worth it!"

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on a different pill before Minastrin that worked well, but it was discontinued, so my doctor switched me to Minastrin. I was on Minastrin for about six months and just recently stopped. I was having spotting and cramping every month. I had bad mood swings each period. Periods were very heavy and irregular. I gained 10 lbs even though I work out 5 days/week and watch my diet. It worked as far as birth control, but the side effects were too much for me. Everyone's body is different, and this pill did not agree with me."

• Min...
• September 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 18 years old, and of course, birth control is always a plus for anyone who is sexually active, especially teenagers. I always use condoms no matter what, so I'm usually protected. I was put on this pill in March of 2016, and I was a Sunday starter. Usually, when I get my period, I get heavy bleeding, severe cramps, nausea, I throw up, dizziness, back pains, every symptom in the book, I get it at the worst level. So I tried this pill, it's stopped the puking and nausea. I still get very tired, but the cramps aren't as bad as they were. BUT my mood swings are horrible all the time, and I find myself bleeding heavily at random times of the month all the time... wouldn't recommend."

• Dee...
• May 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this for about 3 months. I've suffered from depression and anxiety since high school, but some days it seemed unbearable to the point I've gotten nauseous, and it was never that bad. Period lasts about 4 days, 2 of these days seemed heavy. Even after my period, I experienced cramping still, more on one side than the other. I'm debating whether or not to just stop taking it altogether. I don't feel like myself, and I feel short-tempered a lot of days, and I hate that feeling. I'd rather be on nothing at all and just be happier. Skin is not 100% clear, but off birth control it does seem to be worse."

• mad...
• September 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this birth control in January 2016. I am now 18. I have had a steady boyfriend through this time, so I figured this would be the best choice-especially since I can't swallow pills. All I can say is it was not bad for the first 8 months (short periods, weight loss), but somewhere around my 9th month taking it, I started to experience terrible anxiety, depression, loss of my sense of self, and really dark thoughts. My cycle also began to alternate. I would receive a period one month, then the next month, it would be gone (which caused paranoia over pregnancy... not fun). There was not a day my boobs weren't sore, and my cramps and back pain were awful. So seriously, don't take this pill if you have a history of anxiety or depression!"

• And...
• February 4, 2016

For Birth Control "While this pill was effective for me in that I did not get pregnant, my experience with Minastrin was poor, to say the least. I had spotting between every single period that usually lasted around 7 days, sometimes more. My periods were very heavy for days one and two, with some of the worst cramps I've ever had. My breasts were in near-constant pain, but on the bright side, stayed the same size when I lost 10 lbs during my time on the pill. I've recently switched to a higher dose of hormones, which my doctor said should stop the spotting. Good luck, ladies!"

• na9...
• August 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've never been on any form of birth control before, and my doctor recommended Minastrin 24 Fe as a starting basis. I was a Sunday starter (which I found helpful, I always never know which day of the week it is), and for the first three days, it was fine. But then, my period lasted for two weeks (TMI part: ultra heavy, and I'm usually a regular tampon kind of person). I got HORRIBLE mood swings, I felt depressed, and just always so angry. I had the worst cramps, and I usually don't get cramps during my periods. I don't recommend this brand, but that's my personal experience, and I've read other similar comments."

• BKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2016

For Birth Control "Terrible experience! Before getting married, I decided to go on hormonal birth control. I started taking Minastrin 2 months before our wedding, and lasted for about that 2 months on it. It wreaked havoc on my body, and I haven't been the same since. It's been about 1.5 years since then. I had never had cramping with periods or any kind of PMS symptoms for that matter, and have always been a very laid-back person. As soon as I went on it, I became extremely temperamental and felt angry about the slightest things! I also had TERRIBLE periods with clots and cramping. Headaches, loss of appetite, and breakouts everywhere. My doc suggested I try a lower dose, but I was done with HBC. We switched to Fertility Awareness Method and love it!!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2016

For Birth Control "My experience was constant weight gain, migraines, very bad abdominal pain, mood swings, heavy periods, and bad cramps. I do not recommend this for anyone and would give 0 stars if I could."