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

• 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)."

• bec...
• August 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Minastrin for 3 months after switching from the Nuva Ring (big mistake). I am constantly bloated on this pill, which is the most frustrating part. I have gained 10 pounds, and I work out 6 days a week and eat extremely clean. I am going off this pill for fear that this weight gain will continue (my friend gained 20 pounds!). I am often achy and have many nights of restless sleeping. I have suffered from depression in the past, so that might have something to do with the occasional moodiness. Overall, BC is different for everyone, but I'm getting off this pill."

• 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."

• Emi...
• May 2, 2016

For Birth Control "Perfect!!! In the first pack, my skin cleared up, and there was no weight gain, and I had the lightest period of my life!!! Four days, and very light. The second pack was a little rough on my skin, and I had gained five pounds, but by the third pack, my skin was crystal clear again, and I had lost the weight I had gained. Still very light periods, and definitely not pregnant. I wish I could go back to this, but it stopped being covered by my insurance three packs in. If this is covered by your insurance, I hope this works for you because I would give anything to go back to this one."

• 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?"

• VCo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm giving this pill an 8 because, for me, it had very minimal side effects. I didn't gain any weight, it cleared any blemishes, and I experienced no mood swings or depression. However, I did experience severe spotting and breakthrough bleeding, even after being on the pill for three months. My doctor told me to give my body three months to adjust, and during my fourth month on this pill, I bled for the entire first week of my fourth pack! Therefore, it feels like I'm getting a period (or at least have to wear pads) twice a month. The spotting is absolutely annoying, and I'm strongly considering switching to another pill or just taking myself off of birth control entirely."

• jta...
• July 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I am finishing my second month on this pill and am switching to a new pill. The major issues I had while taking this pill were terrible stomachaches and extremely heavy breakthrough bleeding; however, I did not experience mood swings, weight gain, or any other adverse effects."

• Kmo...
• June 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I did not like this drug at all, had to switch over to it when Loestrin discontinued. My skin was the worst it's ever been, and I gained weight (I'd been on birth control for 8 years before this and never gained). Some months I would have severe hemorrhagic bleeding with clots, and other months no period at all. I thought maybe because it was chewable I wasn't getting the full dose of the drug, so I started swallowing it whole, but nothing changed. I have been off for 4 months, and my periods now last 3 days and I have little to no cramping."

• sl1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this for over 3 years (age 17 to almost 21) and wish I'd read reviews and realized what was happening to me sooner. I've always been a nervous person, but my anxiety went through the roof on this pill. However, I blamed the anxiety on getting older and maybe the stress of school. In hindsight, it was definitely the pill. I changed from a happy, easygoing person to an emotional monster. I became easily infuriated and even hit my boyfriend out of rage (something I would NEVER normally do). I gained weight, had acne, and became unbelievably moody. Stopping this pill was the best decision, and I only wish I'd never started. My advice is to not take this pill, but if you choose to, be aware of how your body is reacting. I wish I had sooner."

• 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."

• Col...
• March 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this pill whatsoever. I went on it, and the only pro was a four-day period, basically no period at all, just brown, also barely any cramps. But when it comes to cons, the list is huge - I've stayed a steady weight my whole life, after taking this pill, my weight has skyrocketed, severe bipolar mood swings, acne all the time, and anxiety all the time. I was going to deal with it, but after a year, I decided I just can't do it anymore. I am just going to deal with my period by itself."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using this birth control for almost a year now. It's my very first pill, and I haven't had any problems with weight gain, mood, or even spotting in between periods. However, it is important to take it daily around the same time. At the same time is better, if possible. I use this as my main method of birth control."

• Ele...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 12, 2022

For Birth Control "I have taken this for 21 years and now at age 48 had to stop, as this pill was dramatically raising my blood pressure and cholesterol. I gained over 50 lbs while on it, despite being a marathon runner!"

• 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."

• Xti...
• January 11, 2016

For Birth Control "A little history. This is the first birth control pill I have been on, which is now a total of 4 months. The first month I spotted/bleed for two weeks straight. The second month I spotted for one week prior to my actual period. Third month, no spotting, but had a full-blown period for 7 days - the whole last week of the pill pack. I definitely see myself being moodier since taking this pill, but no anxiety or depression or acne. However, one side effect is excessive weight gain. Since taking this pill, I have gained 15 pounds and counting. I am considering a switch for this reason alone, as I practice portion control, which has kept my weight consistent for almost 2 years. Good to try, but weight gain is a major con!"

• Cj4...
• November 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I was put on this pill about a year and a half ago because I had a large ovarian cyst that had ruptured. The main reason I was on it was to prevent any more cysts from happening, but I also suffered from intense and painful periods. I noticed I was gaining weight, so I started watching what I was eating and how much I was exercising. It didn't seem to help, though, and I still continue to gain weight despite eating far fewer calories than I should be. Today I went in for my one-year appointment and was shocked to find that my weight has gone up another 10 pounds in the past three months. When I spoke to my doctor, he said that the reason it was happening was because of my medicine and immediately apologized. Because I ended up gaining 25 pounds in a year, he switched me to a different one. However, this pill did prevent me from getting other cysts and made my periods much lighter and less painful. Not everyone gains as much weight as I did, but I also might have a thyroid problem, so I'm not entirely sure how much of it was the pill's fault. Overall, I'm glad that the pill helped keep me safe as long as it did, and I'm not very upset at the overall result."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Minastrin for over two years now. Acne was never a severe problem for me, but I now only break out (usually just a few zits/pimples, nothing major) during the last week of the pack, like clockwork. I did gain weight, however, the time frame does coincide with my 'freshman 15,' so I don't think I can blame it entirely on this medication. It does make me a bit moody, but predictably so. This is the only birth control I've ever tried, and honestly, I only have chosen it since it's completely covered by my insurance. It works well enough (I haven't gotten pregnant), but I am thinking about switching to an IUD since I am worried about drug interference and the risk of blood clotting."

• 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."

• Rac...
• August 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I've never had weight gain like this in my entire life, 10-12 pounds in just a month. On top of that, I didn't get my period at all, which would be a plus for some people, but it just freaked me out and I ended up taking a bunch of tests because I've never been able to skip my period before. Crazy mood swings, lots of crying, don't recommend at all."

• Bri...
• February 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this pill a couple of months before turning 18, just turned 20, so about 2 years or so. I did notice the weight gain, but I quit smoking at the same time, so I don't really know what caused it. My periods don't exist anymore. My doctor told me I can skip my placebos and never bleed. I still spot at random times of the year, usually twice a year, and it's very light to where I don't have to wear anything. I have noticed my mood swings getting pretty bad at certain times, but overall the pill works great for me! I haven't had any issues yet."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Stay away from this pill! I have been taking this pill for about six months now. I experienced several side effects, including breakthrough bleeding, migraines, bloating, weight gain (5-7 pounds), and horrible mood swings. My boyfriend probably thought I was a psycho because I would always get pissed off at the most random things. I give him all the credit for putting up with it. I am finally switching to a new pill!"

• mro...
• December 11, 2015

For Birth Control "Took Minastrin for about a year and a half and saw nothing but bad side effects. My period was regular and short (but this has never been a problem for me anyway). I gained weight, had an increase in frequency and severity of my headaches, sometimes lasting for days at a time with no relief, and my skin has gone crazy! I never had bad skin before taking this BC. That is probably the worst part for me since it is visible to everyone around me!"

• Jan...
• October 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I first tried Lo Loestrin Fe, and it made me feel crazy. I switched to a triphasic birth control and tried Trinessa and Tri-Sprintec but had an even worse experience. I was unbelievably nauseous when I first started and threw up several times. Every first week of each month, I was dizzy and felt like I was in a fog, and the rest of the weeks I was so nauseous that I couldn't eat, go to the gym, or do anything. I switched to Minastrin, and it was such a lifesaver. I didn't experience any nausea at all, I never felt dizzy, and I felt very emotionally stable. The only downside of this birth control is that I bled for 2 weeks if I took the pill 30 minutes late, and I started getting ridiculously hungry after a few months and was gaining weight."