Minastrin 24 Fe and Headaches: What Users Say

• Vic...
• June 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I've never been on birth control until now. I'm at the end of my first month of Minastrin, and it's been an awful experience! It caused so many relationship issues for me, due to the fact that it makes me an emotional mess! I cry all of the time and find myself angry and searching for something ridiculous to blame it on. My breasts got larger, and although I haven't noticed any weight gain, I have noticed headaches and nausea. I'm about to cry right now, and I have no idea why!"

• scu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm rating it a 10 for effectiveness because it does what it does. It's birth control. First month, some cramping (during period only), normal bleeding (yet lasted 10-13 days), no headaches, hormonal jawline acne cleared right up. Got my period irregularly still. Second month, no cramps, no headaches, hormonal acne still gone, somewhat still fighting steady acne, yet it's MUCH better, gained a few pounds, breasts got noticeably larger (especially for my boyfriend). Got my period on the first brown pill. I'm looking forward to month 3. Hope this helped."

• bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my second month of using the pill, and I'm in love with it. No headaches, no weight gain, periods are lighter, some emotional stuff, but I mean, I can fix that, and so can anyone else; but just like anything else, everyone's body will react differently to it."

• Hea...
• October 7, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Minastrin 24 Fe for 2 months now. I wasn't on any birth control previously. I have not noticed any weight gain...if anything, I've noticed a decrease in my appetite. I do have slight headaches daily, but not anything Tylenol can't fix, and they are slowly subsiding. They were pretty brutal in the first month. The biggest side effect I've noticed is how emotional I am! I used to NEVER cry, and now if my boyfriend even looks at me the wrong way, I start crying! It's ridiculous. Sometimes I feel like I'm about to cry, and I have absolutely no idea why! Also, my periods are lighter and shorter, but I still have a little spotting. The doctor told me this would happen. I'll keep taking it for now."

• tri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I was switched to Minastrin from Loestrin, just like everyone else. But unlike most, I am doing great on it! I was taking Loestrin for over 2 years and loved it. Minastrin has been the same for me, no unusual side effects at all. No acne, which I had when I was a teenager and still use Proactiv for. No unusual headaches or bleeding, etc. I rated it an 8 only because I don't like chewing it, it's gross tasting, but works good for me, so I'm sticking with it."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 16 and have been on this for almost a year now. I like this medication because, for me, it has done a great job of easing my headaches and nausea. I still get some once in a while, but it's not as bad as before. I have not had any real problems with my mood, but I do see that I cry more often and sometimes get a little depressed, but I am able to blow it off. The only real criticism I have about this medication is that when I started on my period again, it was regular, then it stopped. COMPLETELY! But I was like, what?!? I would spot, but at random times. For the year I have been using it, I can say I have only gotten my period maybe twice. Very hard to know if you're pregnant without a period."

• aiv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I was switched from Loestrin 24 to this since it was discontinued, and at first, I was super nervous because it was chewable, but I liked Loestrin, so I went with it. The first month was okay, and it was exactly like Loestrin 24 with nothing different. The second month, I was told by my doctor that I can skip the placebo pills to not have my period, and I did just that. The first week after doing so was great, but then I started to spot. I knew it would happen, but it's been going on consecutively for three weeks, and it's into the next pack now. It's also caused mood swings, headaches (and I never get those), vision blurriness here and there, cramps, bloating, gassy, all the upsetting side effects. Overall, not good, and I may switch to another BC."

• r1k...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Minastrin 24 Fe for nearly 5 months. During this time period, I had horrible mood swings, and I was constantly emotional. My boyfriend said that I didn't seem like myself. I also ended up gaining nearly 10 pounds and had very tender breasts all the time. I also would get awful cramps, backaches, and headaches during my periods. My periods were very light, though! All in all, Minastrin 24 Fe was not for me. I have now switched to Loestrin, and I already feel so much better."

• LAt...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2023

For Birth Control "Horrible pill! I had terrible mood swings and anxiety, headaches, and dizziness. My periods were heavier and more painful than without the pill, and I had terrible dryness. Find something else - don’t put yourself through the hell of this pill."

• Mom...
• May 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I took Loestrin 24 Fe for a number of years and had no issues. I stopped taking birth control for two years and recently started back, now on the Minastrin 24 Fe. I have been on it for two months and have had daily headaches since starting. I have nausea off and on, gas/bloating, and an inability to orgasm since starting it. It's not the same medicine at all. Plus, a nice rash has begun on my chest. I went to my gyno and am switching ASAP."

• Son...
• April 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Everyone's body is different. I've had nothing but the best experience with this particular BC pill. I was on Loestrin and was sad to find out it was discontinued. Happy to know that the name was the only thing that changed (and the fact that it is now a chewable tablet). Anyways, I love it!! My period became light within the first month. I did have horrible headaches for the first few weeks. I've been taking these for 6 years!!!! I stopped for about 2 months, and my period went back to being super heavy. I love the effects it has on my cycle, light and short, only about 2-3 days. I didn't experience mood swings or weight gain/loss. I regret not finding these sooner, like when I was in high school and experienced painful cramping."

• MH7...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I was only on Minastrin a total of two months after switching from Beyaz (I only switched because my body was no longer reacting well to the Beyaz after having taken it for 8 years - I had increasing breakthrough bleeding). With Minastrin, I have been getting regular migraines and had headaches every day. I gained 7 lbs in the first month even though I'm active and eat very healthy. I've never had problems with my skin breaking out, and since I've started taking this medication, I've had constant breakouts all over my face. I normally have no stomach issues, but this also gave me random stomachaches. Everyone reacts differently to medications, but this one was certainly not right for me. My doctor has me trying Sprintec now (fingers crossed)."

• Lau...
• July 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I first started with Lo Loestrin and had a terrible experience with it the first month or so. I then switched to Minastrin to see if my body could handle it. The first few months were great, no crazy side effects, and my period was super light-no cramps and lasted about 4 days at most. About a month and a half ago, that's when it got worse. I have a headache every single day. Constant dizziness and fatigue. I'm a personal trainer, so it's my lifestyle to eat right and train almost every day. I noticed I'm not losing any fat, instead, I gained about 3 lbs and constantly feel like I'm retaining water. As I type this, I have a throbbing headache on the left side of my head. All I want to do is sleep, and even if I take Advil, my pain does not go away."

• Cai...
• March 19, 2016

For Birth Control "Ok, I went on it obviously to prevent pregnancy, but also to help with my painful periods. Pack one, I had breakthrough bleeding about two weeks after my normal period (pre-BC) with no withdrawal bleed. I had extreme headaches, nausea, and anxiety. Pack two, same side effects, but had a normal withdrawal bleed. Pack three, the side effects went away, and my withdrawal bleed was less than normal. Super easy to care for. Pack four, my withdrawal bleed was abnormal. It lasted the entire four days of brown pills, but it itself was brown and not red. Pack five's withdrawal bleed started out brown and ended like a normal period. Color and all. My anxiety was so bad about pack five that I took two pregnancy tests just to rule out the weirdness."

• ano...
• November 11, 2015

For Birth Control "Absolutely loved this pill the first 5 months of taking it, light period, only 2-3 days. No cramps. It's very effective - pregnancy-wise. But it's been a year now. I haven't gotten my period since August 15, and it is now November 11th. Sure, it's nice, but it is very unhealthy for the body. I am not pregnant if that's what you were thinking, the pill just doesn't give me periods. I have had terrible tension headaches all year, and all of a sudden breaking out all in my T-zone of the face. Blind pimples and boils under my armpits, along with nausea and drowsiness. I am 16 and don't want to have to deal with all these side effects! Not to mention the pill makes me feel sad and crazy sometimes. I definitely do not recommend it."

• chy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I have read almost all the reviews, and I have the same horrible side effects. I thought I was losing my mind! CONS: No sex drive - I mean sub-zero. Painful intercourse, mood swings, anxiety, depression, tension headaches that make me want to cry, nausea out of nowhere, feeling like I can't catch my breath, boobs hurt almost to the touch of air. Pros: My period is nonexistent, very low cramping, no pregnancy. I hate it, I went to a new gyno, and she is taking me off, we are trying something else."

• Che...
• October 15, 2015

For Birth Control "On a sample from the doctor. Day one: took the pill at 1 pm. Nausea within 4-5 hours. Weird temple headaches off and on. Day 2: irritable mood upon waking up. Experienced unusual muscle weakness at the gym at 5:30 pm - came home, ate. Slightly nauseous. Day 3: irritable and nauseous with temple headaches. Day 4: woke up. Not as irritable but had sharp pains in my eyes while wearing contacts. After taking the pill at 1 pm, became very sick around 6 pm. Bloated stomach pain but able to the eye and very nauseous. Weird pain in my jaw followed by extreme nausea. When I vomited slightly, I forced myself to vomit more when the nausea became too uncomfortable. Nauseous half the night until I finally fell asleep."

• kat...
• November 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I, before starting this, read a lot of negative reviews. My endocrinologist wanted to try this as a way to see if my hair loss, acne, and a few other issues were related to something that this medication would help. I have been on it for a month. In the first week, my skin cleared about 90%, and since, my hair has stopped falling out. Some of the extra body hair I was growing has ceased and also disappeared. It does give you headaches, and it does make me cry a lot, which is abnormal for someone who has no emotional outbursts ever. I have not gained any weight. I lost three pounds. Although it did make me lose a few pounds, it does keep your stomach a bit bloated. I think it is something that you personally would notice. It's good overall."

• Abc...
• November 15, 2015

For Birth Control "Worst medication ever! First time taking it I had PVCs, and then the second time I had a rapid heart rate, headaches, mood swings, and couldn't catch my breath. Normal things were hard to do. NP cardiologist said it is an adverse reaction that she's seen with this name brand. Stopped it and going to a non-hormonal IUD."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "My experience with Minastrin 24 Fe pill was horrible. I could barely sleep due to very bad headaches, it made me more anxious, and I had several panic attacks. My boyfriend said that I was like two different people because the mood swings were really bad, and I could go from depressed and sad to really happy and then angry for no reason. I tried it only 2 months."

• 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!!"

• Hat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2014

For Birth Control "Terrible headaches, heavy bleeding throughout the month. Awful experience."

• CML...
• August 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I gained a lot of weight and had a significant increase in headaches. It left me feeling moody, tired, and unbalanced."