Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Bleeding: What Users Say (Page 4)

• chu...
• March 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Lo Loestrin Fe for 3 months now. I started this pill after having the Mirena for 5 years and having little to no period a month. For the first month on this pill, I had a normal period, but the 2nd and 3rd month I have been having extremely heavy bleeding and blood clots. So far my periods are coming about every 5 days. On for 7 days, off for 5 days. I feel terrible. I feel tired, having diarrhea and headaches. My cramps are in my back and constant. And I am not sure if the pill is to blame, but I have been getting anxious and nervous a lot for no reason lately. I made up my mind to stop taking the pill and make a doctor's appointment. Hope this helps others."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

For Birth Control "This pill is the worst. I was switched from Vienva to Blisovi about two months ago. The first period I had on it lasted maybe 2 days and was very light. I didn’t even have another period this month, so I’ve been stressing that I’m pregnant, but I’ve taken many tests, and they’re all negative. Between last month and this month, I had mysterious bleeding for about a week. I feel nauseous most of the time, extremely fatigued, depressed, and I’ve noticed my anxiety has gotten worse. I had it before, but I felt like I was getting better, especially socially, but it’s just getting worse now. I’ve lost interest in a lot of things because I have no energy, no matter how much I sleep. My acne has gotten worse on the lower half of my face near my mouth and chin. I’m going to switch back to Vienva soon, so hopefully I will feel better. I’m not myself. I strongly think it is this pill."

• Ren...
• March 31, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill about 7 months ago. The first month, I was very moody. This went away by my second month. I've had mostly light periods that last 3-4 days, about two heavy periods, and these last two months, I've had hardly a period at all. I don't particularly like this because you can't tell if you're pregnant or not, but after reading all these reviews, it seems quite common. I am a perfect user, and when I'm not, breakthrough bleeding occurs. I would suggest taking this pill at night to combat nausea during the first month. Breast tenderness also occurred in the first month or so. No weight gain or appetite change. Cramps are lighter. My acne cleared up by month six. My sex drive and wetness are a bit lower, but nothing some lubricant can't fix."

• Jen...
• February 22, 2012

For Birth Control "I have a history of anxiety and depression and have been actively working toward losing weight, so I was fairly nervous about starting Lo Loestrin Fe. I had read many reviews here and saw that others experienced many difficult side effects. My first night, I experienced a severe mood swing. As soon as I realized that I had no idea how I had gotten so upset, though, it became easier to shake off. I'm one month in and have experienced some light breakthrough bleeding and sometimes have a hard time shaking off sad thoughts. But overall, I've been very pleased. No daily side effects, and I've continued to lose weight."

• I...
• August 31, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I started this pill and was excited but had to stop right in the middle of the pack. I mean, out of nowhere, there is a burst of bleeding. I went to the bathroom and it's like my period snuck up on me and it was almost 2 weeks before my period is due. There were lots of clots and brown, yucky stuff. On top of all that, my moods were really crazy. I would be lying in my bed and would feel like crying and then be okay the next moment. I have only been off now for two days 'cause I just couldn't take the crazy mood swings and the bleeding anymore. I also noticed a great deal of fatigue, and even that has changed after just 2 days off of Loestrin. It's not worth it, and I cannot wait for it to be out of my system."

• Mro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2025

For Birth Control "I started taking Aurovela after not taking any birth control for a few years. I read these reviews before starting because I am a naturally anxious person about medication side effects, etc., and now I'm on the 2nd week of my fourth pack. It seems like if you transition to it from another pill it can be rough, but starting it fresh (not transitioning) isn't too bad. I had some nausea and was in a very anxious, bad mood for the first couple of weeks, then it evened out. I take it at night right before bed. My symptoms have mostly been PMS at weird times of the month (tender boobs, cravings, irritable) and breakthrough bleeding, but my goal was to alleviate bad cramps, and it has done that. My periods have been so light I have thought maybe I was pregnant, but I saw from other reviews that others have a similar experience. I also have tachycardia, as another reviewer mentioned, and that has gotten more frequent. No weight change or breaking out here in month 4. Hope this helps others!"

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking this for 6 months. First, just let me say that ever since I started my VERY first pill, I have had unprotected sex with my boyfriend. Since the first pill until now, we have never worn a condom. I didn't even have my period until the 5th pack. My face cleared up, and I actually lost weight!! BUT I was always very tired and emotional. I've started having breakthrough bleeding and horrible acne. My insurance won't cover this, so I have to pay $60.00 a month. That's not bad, but I heard that you can get other ones for free. Because of the breakthrough bleeding, I am now switching to Sprintec 28. Everybody is different, give it a try!!"

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I love this birth control! For years I have suffered from horrible bleeding, menstrual cramps that kept me in bed for a day or two, and sometimes vomiting. I have been on Lo Loestrin for 4 months. I get no period and no cramps. I wish I would have tried it sooner. I did spot for two months, but just a tiny bit. The downfall is it's very expensive. Luckily, my doctor gave me a year of samples. I am over 40 and actually do nothing getting my period for the first time ever."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I was switched from Junel FE to Blisovi FE due to a change in my prescription drug coverage. (Both are generic drugs for Loestrin.) I've been taking Blisovi for three months and have not experienced any negative side effects. No breakthrough bleeding, headaches, acne, nausea, or weight changes. I'm not sure if this is because I switched from one generic equivalent to another, but my experience has been very positive. My periods seem to be even lighter than when I was on Junel and come like clockwork. I was nervous to try Blisovi after reading all of the negative reviews, but I feel people tend to share negative experiences more than the positive ones. This drug works and is affordable. Give it a try!"

• Suz...
• May 27, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The first month was okay, but this is my second month of use, and I started bleeding (moderately) in the second week of the pill pack! No fair! I should be in the 'no bleeding zone' right now! I am less than thrilled. I feel gross, bloated, and have cramping and low back pain. I am only on the pill to keep regular, to avoid anemia, but this month it's doing just the opposite! I don't know if I should stay on it and give it more time, or go to something else. Ugh!"

• Mar...
• June 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I would rate this a 10, but I am only 2 1/2 months into using it. The pills are FREE with my insurance. I am 41, and my periods had started getting really bad, and I had been feeling hormonal and was 10 pounds overweight. My doctor was going to prescribe me a mini pill that would cost $60 a month. I mentioned the cost was a burden, and she gave me Gildess. I feel great. I have lost weight, and my sex drive is high. My periods are very light. No more cramps, heavy bleeding, and bad dizzy hormone spells. No bad side effects yet."

• adh...
• May 13, 2010

For Birth Control "Well, this is the first month that I have been on Loestrin. I have not gotten any weight gain as with other methods of birth control. I also haven't had any bleeding or spotting between periods. The reason my doctor told me to start taking Loestrin was that I was on Yasmin, and that pill made me have more side effects than Loestrin. With Loestrin, my acne has not broken out, it actually helped me with that. This is my last week for my first pack, and I feel really good with it. Maybe the reason why everyone else is having problems with the pill is because they may take it during the day. My doctor recommended taking it during the night, that way, you won't experience that many side effects."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2012

For Birth Control "I only took this medication for two weeks and had to stop. Right away, I noticed moodiness and depression worse than anything I've ever taken. Had a very heavy and long period with cramps and nausea. After the period stopped, three days later, started bleeding heavily again."

• Bxg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2023

For Birth Control "I've used Bislovi for years, all of a sudden, 3 months ago, I was given a 3-month supply of this instead. I’ve always been able to skip periods on any other birth control for 15 years. If I didn’t skip, they were light, mild, and short. Oh, but with Hailey, I have at least 1, sometimes 2 HORRIBLE periods per month. They last for 7 days. Terrible cramps the entire time and heavy bleeding. I’ve never had back pain, and I’ve since had awful lower back pain nonstop. Constantly hungry, but only chocolate sounds good."

• Lol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 24 isn't my first birth control I've been on. I was on Lo Loestrin Fe for about 8 months and always had irregular bleeding due to an ovarian cyst. Not sure if the birth control irritated it, or if it was there all along. Anyways, I've now been on Junel Fe 24 for about 3 weeks, and I love it. My acne has cleared up, and my cyst is gone! Definitely don't think I'll be switching anytime soon. I haven't had anything but good symptoms from this birth control."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I got pregnant!!! I took the pill every single day at 8 a.m. Five months in -- pregnant. Also -- I felt emotionally crazy and would randomly bleed the entire time I took the pill. Could not possibly be more disappointed. I feel less hormonal pregnant than I did on that 'birth control' pill."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill, Lo Loestrin Fe, for about a month. Before I started the pill, I didn’t get my period for 4 months. After being on the pill for 3 weeks, I got my period. I take the pill at the same time every day and I don’t have any crazy symptoms. I have been bleeding for 5 days, so I’m waiting to see how long it lasts. But I have not suffered any wild symptoms! I do recommend taking the pill, if you don’t like it, you could always stop whenever. Remember, not everyone will have the same symptoms, so don’t get discouraged by what you see on here because when I first saw these reviews, I was very scared to try the pill, but I decided to do it anyway."

• PIL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I have taken Lomedia for years and have absolutely loved it. When I went to my pharmacy a week ago to pick up my prescription, they told me that Lomedia had been suddenly discontinued, and so they had given me Blisovi. She explained that it's supposed to be made by the same company as Lomedia and is supposed to be the exact same ingredients. That cannot be true. I have had no issues with my periods for years, and now I am bleeding heavily, am very bloated, and my face is suddenly breaking out. I do not believe it's the same pill, something is different. I do not recommend this pill."

• 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."

• Ray...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because it was low in estrogen, and all the other birth controls I have tried would make me bleed constantly. I was only 2 weeks in, and I started to bleed again, so I stopped. My issue, though, is the TERRIBLE acne this has caused me. I'm relieved to see that there are others who share the same issue. I have never had acne this severe, I am so embarrassed to show my skin. I seriously just want to hide, I feel disgusting. I've broken out so badly on my chin, back, and slightly on my chest. I went to the dermatologist to seek relief, but it's still going to take much time to heal. This has by far been the worst birth control I have ever taken. I would not recommend this."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2015

For Birth Control "This pill is great! I'm super sensitive to birth control pills, and this is the only one I've ever felt normal on. I would definitely recommend it to anyone! I did have breakthrough bleeding the first few months, but that seems to have cleared up. No actual periods, really, which is amazing. Also, it is indeed an experience, BUT the ACA under Obamacare has made it affordable. I was paying high out-of-pocket prices for it, but I called my insurance, and they told me I needed to have my doctor call and tell them it's the one I need to be on, and then they would cover it for $0/month! So, thank God for that. Definitely check with your insurance and pharmacist! They are full of helpful information!"

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my second time around on this. I took it about 3 years ago for a full year and totally loved it, hence why I got back on it. This time it was a much different experience. The 3 months I was on it was constant breakthrough bleeding pretty much every single day. About 8-10 lbs weight gain (fairly active, in my late 20s, eat clean). Sex drive was nonexistent. No acne, thankfully. I also experienced some depression, never suicide but just down and blue most days. I am switching to Microgestin Fe 1/20 because my OB said Lo Loestrin may have been too low of a dosage for me."

• Liz...
• January 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I am on my second pack and third row of medication. I have depression and anxiety and started the pill because my PMS was horrible, and it was really irregular. My doctor put me on this medication, and the non-physical aspects of my PMS were reduced greatly, and even the physical aspects were reduced. I was so happy. I had breakthrough bleeding and abnormal discharge but then started having some heavier breakthrough bleeding, which was a little strange. It cleared up my acne significantly as well. I started having nausea and stomach aches this past week, and I don’t know if that’s because of my eating habits/stress or because of the medication. I also had, just today, some breakthrough bleeding like a light period with dark, almost brown-colored blood and cramps. I assumed this was just because of the medicine, and it didn’t really affect me too bad today. I have been so incredibly happy on it, it pretty much changed my entire life. I feel like a whole new person."

• Jil...
• January 12, 2020

For Birth Control "Reading these comments is actually the most scary thing I think anyone trying a new birth control could do. I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for 5 years now, and honestly, I have very little remembrance of what I was like before the pill, so I could be biased, but I feel that I have had a pretty good experience. I rarely have my period, and when I do, it is super light (maybe 3-4 days). I never broke out. I didn’t gain weight. I would say I am super emotional, but I also never thought to blame it on the birth control. After 5 years of feeling certain ways, I also know how to control my emotions and blame them on hormones. I am now switching to a new birth control for one of the reasons being just in the past 6 months I have experienced cramps getting worse and a bit of breakthrough bleeding, and honestly, I just want to try something new! Each birth control is different for everyone, and I know it takes time to adjust, so I would definitely say give it a try!"

• Bri...
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Junel Fe four months ago and never had a period on the days I took the hormone-free iron pills. The first month I had lots of breakthrough bleeding and bled for two weeks, threw up almost every day, had headaches daily. The second month, I bled for four days, thought, ohhh yes! I can get used to this. A couple of weeks later, into the third month, I bled for two weeks again in mid-pack, my face broke out to the point of scarring, my thoughts have been awful. I’ve been anxious, and then going into the fourth month, I was emotionally unstable, crying, raging. I am a stepmom of four kids and a mom to a daughter of my own. I can’t be acting like this or bleeding to the point I think I’m bleeding out. I was supposed to start a pack Friday before Labor Day, and I didn’t. I’m not and won’t ever again. I don’t recommend it to anyone. Now hopefully, I won’t get knocked up, lol."