Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Cramps: What Users Say

• Lau...
• July 3, 2020

For Birth Control "PLEASE READ IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH!! I was on Lo Lo for a little over a year and a half. Overall I didn’t have bloating or acne or irritability, which was great, however, I wouldn’t get my period for months at a time (wasn’t pregnant but definitely had a few scares when it wouldn’t come). It helped my cramping and PMS symptoms when I did get my period though, which was great. BUT DO NOT BE FOOLED! I struggle with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, so I never connected the dots that this birth control made it worse. I didn’t realize Lo Lo was making me critically depressed up until the last month, I had MAJOR suicidal thoughts and immediately stopped taking it and within a couple of days, I didn’t have those thoughts or crippling depression. I would not recommend it in the slightest if you struggle with mental health to begin with, as I do. I am currently taking a different birth control pill, and I feel back to my normal self."

• kiw...
• June 23, 2021

For Birth Control "This was my first time on any birth control, so I was prepared for the worst, but honestly I had a good experience. First day I experienced some nausea. I have had on and off GERD, and in the first two weeks, I noticed I was feeling symptoms similar to when it flares up (bloated, burping a little stomach acid up, mild nausea). Nothing some Alka-Seltzer Gold couldn't fix :). It subsided after the first two weeks. The week before my period, I tend to have mood swings, increased anxiety, and be very sensitive, but I was doing better than usual on Junel Fe. I also feel like it reduced a bit of my anxiety. I chose not to skip my period, and I usually get debilitating period cramps, but Junel Fe pretty much erased them. I did not experience any changes to my skin, weight, or appearance. I think the reason why this site has overwhelmingly bad reviews is that those who had a bad experience feel more inclined to share it than those who had a good. Talk to your doctor for what is best for you. :)"

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this pill to stop ovulation and hopefully regulate my PMDD. I was really hesitant because I've had terrible experiences with birth control in the past. Yaz, specifically, put me in a flat-out depression for 3 months. I've been on this BC for the last 3 months consistently, minus a week when breakthrough bleeding and cramping were causing issues that I stopped for 4 days to relieve. My moods are amazing. I haven't had a single outburst in the last 3 months. My sex drive is incredibly high, and my boyfriend is grateful. I feel like I have myself back and suggest it for anyone who's had problems with other birth controls."

• doe...
• June 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I got on this BC in March 2021 after my Nexplanon expired. I am a newlywed and even though my husband and I want to have children, I want to wait at least a year to have a baby. My PCP decided to put me on Junel so I can stop at any time. Symptoms the first couple of weeks were cramps, sore breasts, headaches, and fatigue. Today marks 3 months on this BC, and I will not continue taking them. The non-stop crying, panic attacks, anxiety, arguments with my spouse, sadness, and depression are out of hand. I lay in bed last night and wished I was dead. I have so many suicidal thoughts and felt like I was going through some tough times in my marriage, but after reading all these reviews and being able to relate to these other women, I realize I'm not crazy. I've been feeling so alone in my dark thoughts. I was scared I would end up in the hospital sooner than later. Listen to your body, please, and if any of this relates to you, please consult your doctor. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Before I started on Hailey 24 Fe and I was reading the reviews on this site, I was really nervous for bad side effects. I am happy to say my fears weren't all justified. I just started my second month on Hailey 24 Fe. So far, my symptoms have been as follows: - Loss of appetite - more emotional but it has steadied out - Larger swollen breasts - Can't stand the smell of fish or cooked bacon - Super mild periods - Barely any cramping or bleeding - No weight gain - No acne. Overall, starting Hailey 24 Fe has been almost stress-free and everything is manageable."

• Mic...
• April 11, 2014

For Birth Control "First off, you're probably reading reviews because you're looking to go on this pill or you've just recently been prescribed this pill. I was just like you a few months ago and the paranoid person that I am didn't like the reviews I was seeing, but I decided to go ahead and try it. I love this pill. I have no side effects and if anything, it made my period better. It's shorter, comes right on time when the pill changes color, minor cramps, no mood swings. I have nothing negative to say about the pill at all, just take it every single day at the same time. I think it's really important to know that a lot of the people who write on here write because they have had a bad experience with a pill and wanted to warn others about it."

• Em ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2015

For Birth Control "Former BC pill hater here. Other brands gave me massive mood swings. On Yaz and Apri, I was basically Jason Voorhees. Swore I'd never take BC again, but now in my 20s, irregular periods and recurrent ovarian cysts forced my hand. Bottom line: I LOVE this pill!! Cons: Sensitive breasts. Pros: Greatly improved mood; I feel like I'm always having a good day. NO mood swings. Minimal cramps, light periods, fuller breasts, skin is great, can't stay away from my husband, and condoms are out of here. Doesn't get better than this. If you're on the fence, or sensitive to hormones like me, this may be your good stuff. I'm glad I didn't listen to anyone else and just tried it for myself."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Birth Control "If you’re like me, you went on here looking at reviews before you started LoLo (Lo Loestrin Fe) and psyched yourself out from negative reviews. I knew I would have my own experience, positive or negative. Didn’t mean I couldn’t prepare for the worse. I wanted to share my positive experience. This is my first time on birth control (I’m 26 years old). I wanted to get on birth control for many reasons, but the main for horrific periods. A gyno recommended starting LoLo, a low hormone dosage. I had concerns for birth control but two months in and I can say that I’m happy with it so far! Surprisingly nothing has changed in regards to the negative effects. Like you most likely already know, LoLo will probably have you skip your period all together. For me, true. If you’re sexually active, this may give some scare. No cramps, no crazy periods. Also my skin stayed the same, maybe better? I never had crazy acne and no weight gain from this either. I hope this helped you a little bit."

• Anonymous
• May 13, 2009

For Birth Control "My doctor put me on this medicine for dysmenorrhea. I LOVE this birth control pill. I have NEVER had any bad side effects from it, no acne, no mood swings. I only have light bleeding/no bleeding and cramping when I do have my periods, which only last 2-4 days. But the best part, NO WEIGHT GAIN. I have actually lost 30 lbs since I have been on it. I really love this pill and would not go to any other birth control pill."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "LADIES. If you have had a bad pill experience, I hear you. Comments on how even if you’re having side effects like bad periods, migraines, weight gain, anxiety, or depression that “you haven’t been on it long enough to tell” need to stop. It absolutely isn’t ok to invalidate someone’s experience because they didn’t go through the 3 months of hell that is somehow a standard. If you’re having these side effects, they aren’t ok and your body is trying to clue you in. I was on birth control for 5 years, Lo Loestrin for over half of that. I thought the “good luck on not having your life ruined!” mentality was ok. Then the anxiety, depression, and ER visits hit. Nearly a year of my life was gone. It landed me on Prozac temporarily. I’ve never had mental health issues before in my life. I’m 5 months off the pill and am now feeling more like myself. My message is this: listen to your body. If something isn’t right, whether it be after a week or a year, it isn’t. Trust yourself."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I just wanted to put this review out there for people who are really nervous about starting birth control like I was. I’m 5’6”, 115 lbs. I haven’t gained any weight, however, my boobs have gotten a lot bigger. My skin has always been pretty clear except for the occasional period pimples. On this birth control, my skin has been very clear. However, in the beginning, my skin did break out for a few weeks, but now it’s perfect. My period hurt very badly the first time on the pack. Also, I had spotting for about a month, but it could have been from a UTI I had at the same time. Normally, my periods are 8 days and heavy. On this birth control, it was 2-3 days and light. My emotions are completely normal as well. Once the meds regulate, this is a very good birth control. Overall, I recommend this birth control and have had a very good experience on it."

• Suz...
• October 13, 2014

For Birth Control "Into my second year on this and very pleased. The first two months adjusting were definitely a bit tough: nausea, headache, breast tenderness, bizarre acne. I stuck it out and very glad I did! After those two months, zero side effects. No period, no weight gain, nausea, cramps, or breast tenderness... Nothing! In fact, I'm 37 & I've lost 20 lbs while on it. And most importantly, it's been effective in preventing pregnancy!"

• ALa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. Do not recommend. At all. Save yourself. Just started month 3, and it has been AWFUL. So glad I found this. I've had about every side effect but abnormal bleeding. Haven't been able to have sex for over a month because of vaginal dryness/inability to get wet/loss of interest (just ended month 2 yesterday). Sex was great until this pill! My side effects: major vaginal dryness (going on 3 months), no sex drive/interest/pleasure, breast tenderness/PAIN/enlargement, nausea, headache, bloating, fetal-position cramps, mental changes/mood swings, trouble concentrating, tired/weak ALL of the time, irritable, anxious, discouraged. I could go on. I was starting to question myself, my body, my mind, my relationship, felt like I just could NOT get better. I'm disappointed it took me so long to realize this was the only change. Good thing is I'm not pregnant, but hard to get pregnant when you can't have sex."

• Kkp...
• December 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Larin Fe 1/20 has been kind of good so far. I was recently switched to this brand from my other brand, Junel Fe 1/20. On this new brand, Larin, I have had horrible headaches and random cramps throughout the month. I did have a pregnancy scare because I had some symptoms of pregnancy due to the switch of brands, but it turns out that Larin did do its job at preventing pregnancy. My periods are much lighter, and I don’t have much cramping when I get them. Overall, Larin is great! Just gotta let your body get used to it after a few packs!"

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Okay, so... despite all of the negative reviews, I wanted to be yet another positive review for those who are unsure whether to try this birth control or not. Here’s the thing, and you’ll hear this over and over... everyone’s bodies are different. So don’t just go by someone else’s experience! I followed this motto, and for that reason, I’ve actually tried this birth control and I couldn’t be happier! I mean, I am pretty much on day 7 now, and I haven’t felt any of the symptoms people say. Before I started this BC, I was on Yasmin and then Reclipsen, which I didn’t realize had higher doses of estrogen in them, which is probably why my body didn’t like it as much. Unfortunately, these gave me leg cramps and sensations in my hands :( however, they might work for others! Anyways, still early days on Blisovi, and I’ve been symptom-free. I’ll keep y’all updated on this journey, which I’m sure will be a blast."

• vlo...
• December 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm starting my second month of using Lo Loestrin Fe. I tried other birth control pills at different dosages, but they would make me feel really dizzy and sick. My doctor provided me with Lo Loestrin Fe, and so far I have not felt as bad as I had before with previous birth control methods. I have felt somewhat dizzy, but it quickly goes away. The only main concern is why I have not started my period yet. I know the pill can affect your body in different ways, but I don't like that you don't know whether it's because of the pill or if you're pregnant. I have been cramping and have really tender breasts, but no period. I don't know if this is normal or not, which is why I came to look over these reviews. Looks like it really depends on the person."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Blisovi after my pharmacy switched me from Taytulla. I was only on it for a month and a half. Aside from the fact my skin was completely clear, the side effects were horrible for me. I gained some weight, and my mood swings were horrible. I've never in my life experienced severe anxiety until taking this pill. I genuinely thought I was going crazy. I never struggled with panic attacks until this pill. Every morning I woke up anxious. I also experienced really bad cramping and pelvic pain, and mild breast tenderness. I ended up convincing myself I was pregnant. I’ve been off of it for a week now, and I feel like my normal self. I’d be cautious on this one."

• Ple...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this birth control 4 years ago, and my side effects got worse and worse every year I was on it. I’ve never suffered from anxiety, and it made me literally so miserable. Stressed every day to the point where I’d start to shake and get nervous over nothing. I never knew what was causing this. My cramps were also so bad: pelvic pain and mood swings. I’d cry for an entire day and then be fine the next. Muscle aches as well due to my anxiety getting so bad. I also would become incredibly nauseous a few days before my cycle, sometimes, I would even throw up. There were nights where I would constantly just sit in my bathroom from a panic attack. I also got aggravated incredibly easily. I got off of this pill. Please do not take this. Believe every side effect. It got worse and worse every day I took it, and I never thought it could be my pill making me this miserable. The only thing it did for me was prevent me from getting pregnant."

• ash...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been using this birth control since June of 2020 and haven't had a period since. I don't have any complaints with using it, and I have no symptoms. I don't get cramps or acne or headaches. It seems to be affecting me just fine."

• Fee...
• June 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Taking Blisovi Fe 1/20 as my first time birth control. 1. No weight gain, if anything, I've lost weight while on this, not saying it's due to the pill, but that's the only thing I've noticed about my weight. 2. No hair loss, my hair has been fine. 3. My face cleared up of little pimples I used to get throughout the month. 4. My periods are 3 days at the most and are light. 5. I've noticed an increase in my sex drive. 6. I've always been on the smaller side when it came to my boobs, they've gotten bigger since I started taking this pill. Nothing crazy, but enough to notice a difference. Downsides. 1. I'm bipolar, so this pill did mess with my anxiety/mood pretty bad the first two months, but once I got past the adjustment period, it's been good, occasionally, it can get to be a bit much, but nothing I can't deal with. 2. My cramps haven't changed, they're still just as painful. 3. During my period, my breasts get super tender to the point of being uncomfortable in my bra. Hope this helps. ✌"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin FE 1/20 for a couple of months now, and it's absolutely fantastic! I switched after 6 months of Lo Loestrin, which caused me to gain 10 pounds, constant spotting, and worse acne. With Microgestin, my periods are actually regular and even lighter. I had horrible cramps that I used to have to miss school and work because of, and now, they're almost nonexistent! Zero weight gain, I've actually lost 7 pounds, and my acne is gone! Love this pill!"

• Cia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz for over 10 years. Started experiencing debilitating cramps during sex and after bowel movements about 2 years ago. Doc thought I may have endometriosis, but recommended I try a lower dose of birth control first before doing any invasive testing. Let me tell you... I wish I knew about this pill a long time ago! Within the first week, my cramps subsided, my mood got increasingly better, and I enjoy sex now for the first time in a long time. I really hope there is someone out there that reads this amongst all of the negative reviews. I had zero negative side effects and have been on it for 6 months now. Taytulla saved my marriage! Insurance pays 100% as well with most carriers, which is a nice added bonus :)"

• Jez...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for three and a half years now, and it's been amazing. I was on two other types of birth control before: NuvaRing and another oral pill that drove me crazy-nausea, crazy mood swings, cramps, heavy periods, the works. It made me never want to go on BC again, but I'm so glad I gave it a second chance. With Lo Loestrin Fe, I haven't had any period, cramps, backache, mood swings, decrease in sex drive, weight gain, or acne. The only problem I've had is that it seems to lessen my appetite, so I try to make sure I eat before taking it, otherwise, I forget. At first, I was concerned that I wasn't getting my period, but I talked to my doctor, and he said it was fine as long as I was comfortable with not having one."

• htl...
• January 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I wish my doctor would have told me that one side effect (if you can call it that) is no period! I've been panicking, thinking I'm pregnant, and after reading all the comments, this is totally normal! I've been on it for 3 months now, and I love it! Now that I know I'm not pregnant! I still get cramps and bloating, a few breakouts, but no other side effects. A bit pricey, $75 for a three-month supply. Hoping my new insurance will cover some of it though."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for 3 weeks. I started taking it on the 1st day of my period, and it made my (normally VERY regular period) last for 8 days (it usually lasts 4-5)! For the entire time, I have been very moody, bloated, retaining water, have had cramps, nausea, acne, breakthrough bleeding, EVERYTHING. THE WHOLE TIME. I literally feel like I have been on my period for 3 weeks. I keep hoping that eventually, my body will get used to these hormones. My doctor said it will take 1-3 months to regulate, but I don't know if I want to live like I'm on my period for 3 full months."