Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 3)

• mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been on Microgestin 1/20 for about three weeks now, and the side effects were not shy. The first two days, I had bad migraines, the third and fourth, I had cramps, and the fifth to seventh day, I was extremely depressed. I cried over almost everything and anything. Starting the second week, it seemed like things were going okay until I started bleeding, and it hasn't stopped. Isn't that the whole purpose? I got over my period two and a half weeks ago, and now I'm getting it again, and there are no signs of it stopping anytime soon. The good thing is I don't have mood swings or anything anymore, but this excessive bleeding is now the problem."

• Tay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I started off on the lower dose, and I hated it! It made me moody, and I had lots of breakthrough bleeding. Once they upped my dose to this, you would think the moodiness would get worse, but the exact opposite happened. I felt normal again. My periods last 4-5 days, with only cramping on the first 2-3 days. And the cramping is not bad at all compared to what I went through when I wasn’t on this pill. I’ve been on it for a very long time now, and no pregnancies or terrible periods. Definitely works for me."

• Aba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2020

For Birth Control "After 3 different birth control pills, my OB decided to put me on low estrogen, so I got Lo Lo. I had gained about 20 pounds off of past birth controls - not directly from the pill, they just made me hungrier - but being on this pill, I've lost about 15 pounds of it. I’m less lethargic on this pill, and my sex drive has remained fine. The only negative is that if I miss a pill, even just for an hour or two, and take it the next morning, I bleed. But then I don’t get my period on my “period week.” Very strange, but it doesn’t cause too many problems because it’s extremely light when it does come. A little bit of breakouts here and there, but this is by far the best birth control I’ve been on, I feel more like myself on it."

• You...
• August 19, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill on the first day of my period. My period lasted for a week like it normally does. I had sex 2 weeks into taking the pill. Then the next day, I started spotting. Then it turned into a full-blown period. So basically, in the 3 weeks I've been on the pill, I've been on my period twice. This period is really irritating. Or maybe because this is period #2 in 3 weeks. My breasts seem bigger. My weight is stable, but I am craving chocolate. No acne yet. Overall, I'm pissed. I started the pill for ovarian cysts and pain. But I'm still in pain and cramping, and most of all, I'm still bleeding."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking this to control my periods and hopefully get some relief. I had taken this years ago, for a few months, and I didn’t have any issues... this time, however, was the opposite. I had so much breakthrough bleeding, legit getting my periods every 2 weeks type of thing. I pushed through taking it 3 months, on my fourth pack now, and I had my period on Jan 10 for 5 days. I got it again this past Friday, Jan 24. I had enough, it obviously isn’t working for me. My breasts got so tender and swollen, cramps didn’t get any relief, I’m super sensitive, I’m moody, and the bleeding alone was so uncomfortable. It wasn’t worth taking it. I’m trying a new birth control now, I had to call my doctor and ask for a change. I really don’t recommend. If it helps, I’m 25 and 170 lbs, no major health issues other than seasonal allergies."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I am 46 and started having my period every other week with excessive bleeding. My OB wanted to regulate. My breasts were very sore, I started having migraines (ocular). I started getting more anxious, and it seemed to peak as I was ending my first pack (PMS time). The first day of my sugar pill/period time, I had the worst panic attack ever-I really thought I was going crazy. Worst feeling in my life-I stopped taking it and just a few days out, starting to feel better. I came on here to see reviews and just wanted to say how grateful I am that you ladies share your experience-the nurse on the phone literally said anxiety/panic attacks are NOT a side effect. I really thought I was losing my mind. Love and hugs to you all!"

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 4 months, and I really like it. The first month, I had some breakthrough bleeding, but that has gone away. Now I have no periods at all, which I don't mind. No weight gain or bloating. I have had some acne, but it is minimal. It is worth the $45 a month I am paying."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control Junel Fe 24 is great, especially for first-timers!! It is really low in progesterone (which is why, sadly, after 3 years of being on it, I have to switch to a higher one due to getting too used to the strength and bleeding more than once a month). BUT my first few years on it, I had a really good experience with Junel Fe. I had a super light period that lasted anywhere from 2-5 days, and I had no cramps or migraines ever. I did not notice any weight gain, and despite other reviews, I think my sex drive was really, really good. In my first year, I did have a lot of discharge, which was kinda annoying, but that is something that became less in my third year (I think it had to do with my reason up above). My only 'con' with this birth control is that emotionally I did notice I was pretty sensitive to silly things (I found a reason to cry about almost anything, ahah), but this was not anything major, and I wish I could continue this birth control if it weren't for the low mg of progesterone :("

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Within days, I felt my entire mood begin to switch. I have never had dark thoughts like I began to have when taking Junel Fe. Extreme anger isn’t even the best to describe it, you can tie your own shoes the wrong way and it would make me mad. Anxiety at an all-time high where my mind would run wild or I would even be sometimes too anxious to get out of bed or out of my car to go into work. I didn’t gain any actual weight (sometimes water weight), but I always felt heavy, bloated, and downright disgusting. The mood changes and water weight aren’t even the worst. I would experience a lot of “breakthrough” bleeding, but it wasn’t spotting, it was a full-on period, and HEAVY!! It was like a monster period, super heavy and would last for days!! I also experienced cramping randomly throughout the month and not just close to/during my period. I do not recommend this birth control unless you want to start turning green and become the Hulk."

• Ley...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Okay, so this is my experience with Nortrel 1/35. (Meaning my body reacts differently than yours on this birth control.) So I got on this BC because of the Depo. I was bleeding nonstop for 5 months. My gyno prescribed me this since it was a high dose and was sure my bleeding would stop. It definitely worked as it should. I stopped bleeding, and I get my period at the end of the month. My period now only lasts 3/4 days instead of 7/8 from before I took any type of birth control. Now the cons of this: my mood is horrible. I cry for any little thing, everything bothers me. It even affected my relationship. If you’re currently depressed and have anxiety, I do not recommend it. I have never felt so low about myself. It’s emotionally and mentally exhausting."

• fai...
• March 29, 2012

"I love Junel. I was switched to Junel after my previous birth control had me bleeding for 3 weeks at a time every month, and I got really depressed and gained a bunch of weight. Now I am on Junel, and I LOVE IT. I have lost 10 pounds, my headaches and acne are gone, my depression has decreased, no more fatigue, and I have yet to have a heavy period. I only have 3 days of light spotting, and I must say my sex drive has finally come back since my last birth control completely diminished it."

• kat...
• November 11, 2013

For Birth Control "Like with everyone else, was switched to this medication unknowingly. I receive my birth control in a 6-month supply, and this last bulk included 2 Minastrin packs. I used Loestrin for a good 2 years and had absolutely NO side effects. I'm halfway through my second pack of Minastrin, and I've been bleeding 2-3 days every other week (which isn't a huge deal, more annoying than anything), horrible lower back pain that will not cease, I've cried 4 times just in the past few days over nonsense, and have been in a generally depressed state. I made sure there were no other stressors that could've triggered this ridiculous emotional roller coaster and finally connected the dots and realized these symptoms presented after starting Minastrin."

• Han...
• February 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched from Microgestin due to insurance (I was on that brand for a year and NEVER had any side effects). The second I started Junel, I turned into a different person. I'm just going to break down my symptoms by month: Month 1: nausea, two weeks of breakthrough bleeding, migraines, sore and swollen breasts. Month 2: bloating, spotting, headaches, bowel problems, increased appetite. Month 3: EXTREME anxiety and paranoia, worse bloating, mood swings, leg cramps, abdominal cramping. Month 4: lower back pain, uterine and stomach cramps, intense bloating, mood swings, even worse anxiety. Literally thought I was pregnant this month because I didn't have any bleeding whatsoever and because my stomach hurt constantly. Do not take this pill if you have anxiety or depression. It has made me stress about pregnancy more than when I was relying on the pullout method. The ONLY plus side is that my withdrawal bleeds are super light and my acne (sorta) cleared up. I hate this medication."

• JM2...
• February 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Took Lo Loestrin Fe for about 18 months - during the first month or two, I experienced some spotting and bleeding between periods, but after that, my period stopped completely. I didn't mind it, because I was very good at taking it at the same time every day. I went off the pill a month ago, and my period returned 5 weeks after stopping the pill."

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Would not recommend! This is my first birth control, and I’ve been on it for 3 months. I take the pill every day without skipping any days, and I have non-stop breakthrough bleeding. I started this pill to prevent pregnancy, but honestly, what’s the point if I can’t even have sex because I’m constantly bleeding? I’m also having terrible mood swings. I cry almost every day and have been feeling very depressed."

• mta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2024

For Birth Control "I came to ease anyone’s anxieties who are reading all of these bad reviews—just remember we are more likely to leave a review if we have a bad experience vs. a good experience. I had a little nausea and irregular bleeding at the beginning, but no other side effects. This has been a great option for me. Give it a try and remember if you have side effects or don’t like it—you can stop taking it and your body will go back to normal."

• Kan...
• November 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Started taking this pill, Taytulla, because it was a lower dose than my normal birth control. In the beginning, I had started bleeding for a couple of weeks. It was okay, I could deal with it. Then after a while, I started getting yeast infections. Back to back. As soon as I finished clearing up one yeast infection, I got another one right after. The only thing I had put into my body was the pill. I felt like I was going crazy. I would stay up all night, unable to sleep due to random anxiety building up in me. As soon as I stopped taking Taytulla, all these problems completely ceased. I would not recommend Taytulla to anyone. Take your chances."

• myo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Sooooo... I’ve tried every kind of birth control known to (wo)man: implant, IUD, the worst — depo, mini pills, combo pills, 7 different pills to be exact. Tarina was the latest. I have now been off of it for 10 days. I’ve shed pounds and water weight, I’m no longer a short fuse, I can think straight again, I’m not stuttering over my words anymore, I don’t go into full-blown rage out of nowhere, I don’t want to eat 24/7, my face has cleared, my hair isn’t coming out in clumps. I truly thought depo was the worst, but now it’s a close second to Tarina. Avoid this BC at ALL COSTS. Unless you want to be a rude, angry, bloated, bald, bloated, pimply cow. It is the WORST. Oh, and I bled ALL THE TIME."

• Ash...
• January 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I tried a low-dose generic for a few months, and it made me feel crazy. I switched to the name brand Lo Loestrin 3 months ago, and so far I love it! I've heard from several pharmacists that the ingredients are better quality when you do name brand. No breakthrough bleeding, period is very light when I take the placebo week, and so far, no weight gain! I have a bit of bloating, but nothing I can't control by staying hydrated and somewhat active :) The best part is that my sex drive has been THROUGH THE ROOF. Like, better than it was before starting the birth control! I love it. My only complaint is that it doesn't seem to help my ovarian cysts too much :/ I'm really hoping that I don't have to switch again. But overall, I love this bc!"

• Lay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I got on these pills to help regulate my periods. Before I started, I used to bleed for a week straight, skip a day, and then bleed another week. It was really annoying, but there was no cramping, just light blood almost every day. About a week after taking Larin Fe, I started feeling extremely depressed, lower self-esteem, I would be crying for absolutely no reason. But along with that, it has made me bleed way more now, where I have to change my tampon nearly every hour and pads around 2 hours. I’ve gotten excruciating cramps and pains so unbearable I will be crying for an hour. I wake up to them in the morning and nights so strong I cannot go back to sleep. I’ve been told to take 2400 mg of ibuprofen daily to help with the bleeding and cramps, but it honestly isn’t enough. I hate feeling like this and I really don’t know what to do."

• mom...
• July 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I'm starting my 2nd pack of this birth control. I was almost 4 months postpartum and was going through it. Depression and anxiety were at an all-time high. My periods were extremely painful and long. My antidepressants just weren't helping, so the doctor suggested this. I noticed a huge difference in just one week. I'm feeling back to normal again, and my period this time has been SO pleasant. My acne has cleared up, and I have actually lost weight. I believe this birth control has saved my life. I did experience 10 days of breakthrough bleeding, but would gladly take that over the mental and physical torture I was going through. Don't let the few bad reviews scare you into not trying this birth control, like they almost did me."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I had severe cramping and bled for 21 days. My period before this birth control was only 4 days. I have taken myself off. The 21-day period, the heavy clots, the nausea, and irritable state just was not worth it."

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2013

For Birth Control "I am in my last week of the 2nd pack. First, my period this month was only 3 days, which was awesome. I've never had a 3-day period before, EVER! However, the next week I had breakthrough bleeding for 11 straight days. The cramping was bad, and I had acne like crazy. I was supposed to have gotten my period yesterday, and it hasn't come yet, and I am never late. I know I'm not pregnant because I couldn't have any sex since I was bleeding nearly the whole month. I know I have to wait another month for everything to get normal. So let's just hope and pray for better results in the 3rd pack. Will update soon."

• hey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2020

For Birth Control "This pill is horrible! I had been on a birth control for about 2 years before it that eventually gave me hyperpigmentation, so I switched to a lighter hormone. I have been taking Lo Loestrin for 3 months (going on my 4th), and I have not gotten my period yet (I’m not pregnant). I still break out during the time I would get my period. This month I had breakthrough bleeding, but it lasted one day. I am now working on switching pills, this was not the one for me and only made me feel like I had gained weight and lowered my self-esteem immensely."

• Mir...
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "The 1st month on Junel Fe 1/20 was fine, and the only side effect was breakthrough bleeding. 2nd month, I had a panic attack where I experienced disassociation (I have never experienced anything close to this before) and intense anxiety. I figured that it was just the result of dehydration and stress, but in retrospect, I should’ve considered that my birth control may have been the cause. 3rd month, I felt anxious, extremely depressed & hopeless, and had no appetite. I had times of disassociation, which was frankly terrifying. This is not like me. Towards the end of my 3rd month, I decided to stop taking birth control. I am four days off of it and have started to feel a bit better. My doctor told me that these symptoms stem from birth control. I suggest considering different options if you have a history of mental health issues. I know everyone’s body reacts differently, so this is just my experience. I am sending you all love & sincerely hope this birth control works for you."