Minastrin 24 Fe and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Tay...
• July 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking Minastrin in November after Loestrin was discontinued. I was told it was the same pill, just a different name (I disagree). Like Loestrin, I take Minastrin every morning at 8 a.m. I have been taking Minastrin now for almost a year. I find I have cramps all the time, I get mad very easily, no sex drive whatsoever. I'm not sure if this is related, but I get hot and sweat very easily now. I have gained a good bit of weight in my thighs and lower stomach, again, not sure if that is related to Minastrin. When I go for my yearly exam, I will be looking at switching."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2014

For Birth Control "Was on for 4 months or so... It was okay. I didn't have any of the 'common' side effects, and my mood was good. My period was light with minimal cramps and PMS. But-- I lost my libido completely and felt that I gained more weight on my thighs (and cellulite) despite eating healthy and working out-- never had this problem previously. I am having the IUD Skyla put in tomorrow. My doctor said that this should be 'it'. Minastrin may work for other women, but the no sex drive and weight gain was enough for me to throw in the towel."

• Sar...
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I had to switch over to Minastrin because Loestrin was discontinued. I've been on this pill for a year and a half now, and it's the worst pill out there. I'm 21 and fit, but I have developed varicose veins from this pill. Ever since I started, they have been popping up everywhere on my legs. Also, I have no sex drive, putting a strain on my relationship. And I have gained over 30 pounds. I'm just dropping this pill altogether."

• Jmf...
• May 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Generess FE for about 2 years (loved it) and then could no longer afford it because it no longer had an Activis card to use when paying for it. So, the doctor put me on Minastrin 24 FE. I believe this pill has made me gain a little bit of weight in a very short amount of time, and my biggest concern is how it has affected me emotionally. I feel very moody and so unhappy, almost depressed. I also have no sex drive, which I am not sure if that is from the pill or the slight depression from the pill. Either way, it is just not working well with my body. I can't wait to switch off of this pill."

• Amb...
• December 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for almost a year, probably by far the worst birth control I've ever taken (side effects wise). This pill makes you bleed and spot ALL the time. I take it at the exact time every single day, and yet somehow my period will start like 2 weeks before I'm supposed to get it, and it will last for like a week of just pure spotting. This is verrrrrry annoying and inconvenient for a woman with a boyfriend. You never know if one day you're just going to start bleeding or not. Periods are just as bad as before I was on the pill, cramps, bloating, and heaviness of bleeding varies. I also have almost a nonexistent sex drive, which sucks. Also, I have been having stomach issues on and off since I've been taking this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Been on for about 7 months. Sex drive has been gone since starting. Sex hurts if tried, and I'm very emotional constantly. Gained a bunch of weight. Haven't had my period in 4 months, only some spotting."

• Ven...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill about 3 1/2 months ago after taking Lo Loestrin for over a year, which, by the way, I loved. I switched because apparently my doctor wanted me to get my period back and he thought that by increasing the estrogen dosage, my period would, ergo, come back. Well, it didn't! So far, I do not like this birth control. My mood has changed and so has my libido, which is crazy because I'm like the female version of Christian Grey (Fifty Shades of Grey reference). I gained 6 freaking pounds, I already can't see things that are far away, and this pill has made it worse. I cannot wait to go back to Lo Loestrin. Hope my experience helps some of you ladies and please let me know if any of you also lost your period, lol."

• Que...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2015

For Birth Control "Absolute worst pill ever. I switched to this pill because I was having spotting and constant yeast infections on other pills. Switched to Minastrin in early December. Immediate weight gain. Not 1-2 lbs, 15 lbs. I am an active female. I work out 4-5 times a week for 5-10 miles. I kept gaining weight no matter what. No sex drive. No period, which is scary and a problem unto itself. I was just switched to another pill to see if these side effects diminish. Terrible pill. 15 pounds in 5 months. Not worth it. Stay away."

• and...
• April 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I got on Minastrin because I used to take Loestrin 24 Fe, and my doctor told me it was the same thing, but just a different name. Loestrin was perfect - I didn't even feel the effects of the pill (never gained weight, suffered from mood swings, etc.). Minastrin was the complete opposite experience. I'm constantly crying, I'm in constant PMDD mode, and my sex drive is literally non-existent. I tore apart my relationship with my boyfriend, and I completely regret ever going on it."

• AYa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for 3 months: I haven't had a period, I've gained 10 lbs, my face is broke out, my hair is falling out, I have no sex drive, more frequent moods of depression. This is the worst, and I'm getting off it ASAP."

• 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."

• Ugi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old, and this is the first BC I have been on. I started this pill to regulate my period. My gyno said it would help, and this pill has minimum side effects. I started this pill the second day of my period because it was a Sunday (that's what my gyno told me to do). Anyway, I have been on it for a month now, and I am still bleeding every day like I am on my second day of my period (which is my heaviest day). I have very bad cramps, loss of appetite, and lowered my sex drive tremendously. I am married, so that is very inconvenient. I honestly hate this pill because when I called my gyno, they said give it 3 months and that it's normal, which I don't believe."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I just very recently started this birth control, and I was very wary of it at first because my experience with Loestrin Fe was terrible. But ever since I've been on this pill, it's like heaven! Loestrin made me super nauseous, very moody and angry, and completely killed my sex drive. Now that I'm on Minastrin 24 Fe, I feel completely normal! I'll admit, in the beginning, I was slightly moody and I have noticed a slight decrease in sex drive, but nothing too major. Overall, I love this birth control, and I'm so happy with how it worked out for me!"

• mbr...
• January 21, 2016

For Birth Control "HATED IT! Was on Loestrin 24 Fe and had no issues, my doctor told me they discontinued it, and they switched me to this because it was the most like it. I completely DISAGREE. Felt depressed, no energy, literally cried every day for absolutely no reason and had no sex drive."

• rev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I started this pill as my first pill ever, and it definitely helped with the intensity of my heavy bleeding issue prior to starting the pill. However, I noticed a lot of mood changes, a decrease in sex drive, weight gain, lots of spotting, and I never missed a pill. I am switching to Beyaz now, hoping to get better results."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my 4th pack, and I'm not loving it. I'm gaining weight, constant burning sensation on my right side, losing hair like crazy, no sex drive, and am now a hypochondriac. I got on it because I was bleeding very heavily after 3 kids 2 weeks straight. I have to say, the plus side is, I do have my period between 2-4 days and it's light. Is anyone experiencing what I'm going through?"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• CBA...
• March 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I started college when I took these. But I've noticed weight gain. I thought it was the freshman 15, but it's not... Also, there's been a HUGE decrease in sex drive. Stopping these pills now... Oh, and also... I NEVER get acne... all of a sudden I'm breaking out in places I've never even gotten pimples. Lastly, I'm pretty sure my body is reacting to the medication because I've never had a yeast infection... but for some strange reason, I've been experiencing discomfort. Read about this before you decide to take it."

• aud...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2015

For Birth Control "This is truly the worst type of birth control. I have been on it for a year and a half, and I have been too blind to notice the severity of the change in my behavior. I am angry, irritated, moody, depressed, and I have absolutely no sex drive. I feel as though I have only a few emotions left in me, those being anger and other negative feelings. I started at the age of 16 and did not necessarily understand the side effects of this pill. I am extremely irritated and angry, and I am constantly in arguments with my boyfriend. I never used to be this way, and it bothers me that I have been too blind to see the effects it has taken on me. I am currently still on this pill, but I am going to talk to my OBGYN to see how quickly I can switch to anything else."

• JDa...
• January 3, 2016

For Birth Control "The first month was awful with it. I was so moody! But the following months it was okay. I've been on it almost a year, and it has become a nightmare. My periods get heavier each month, I have absolutely NO sex drive, and I've never been depressed or had anxiety, but this definitely has made me depressed. My husband and I almost split because of my mood swings. Needless to say, I'm getting off of it. I'll try something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2015

For Birth Control "Had to get on it since they discontinued Loestrin 24 Fe because it was supposedly the same. All lies! It decreased my libido, which is something that I've never experienced before. Loestrin was the best I'd ever had. Minastrin was also expensive. Had to pay 100 dollars a month for one pack! I'm off of it now and have the implant Nexplanon. I'll see how this goes. If this doesn't work out, then I'll be finding another pill."

• Bab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 16, 2016

For Birth Control "No periods. No cramps. Clear face. Limited mood swings. No loss of sexual desire."