Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I was very nervous to start this pill due to the large amount of negative comments about it. I was originally on Taytulla, but that pill caused me to spot each month, and I had terrible cramps almost constantly. I was prescribed Blisovi, but I put off taking it for three months because I was so nervous. However, I am now on my third month of the pill, and I have had no negative side effects, and I honestly really like it. This pill has made me feel normal again. I was emotional at the beginning of taking it, but my hormones have balanced out since. The only thing besides that that has happened is that I have lost 10 pounds, which is honestly very nice. For me, this pill has definitely decreased my appetite. Don't let the negative reviews scare you away, it reacts differently for everyone!"

• 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."

• Mis...
• January 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 2 years. Prior to this pill, I had the Implanon in my arm that worked well, but I was unsatisfied with occasional irregular bleeding. Most doctors, like mine, will tell you that there is nothing 'unhealthy' about not having periods (Google it), and that's what I wanted without getting my tubes tied. I skipped the inactive pills and have been doing so since beginning to take it. Two years later, I couldn't be happier. I experienced no weight gain, no breakouts, no mood swings, no cramps, but I never had bad cramps anyway. The only way I can even tell I'm taking it is because I haven't had a period, which has been awesome. Don't let negative reviews scare you away. It depends on the person!!"

• Ara...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Minastrin for over a year now. My very first form of birth control. The first 2 months were tough to get through, with spotting, bloating, mood swings, etc. But after my body got adjusted to the birth control, everything has been perfect. My periods are lighter and last 4 days. My cramps are still present, but they aren't as bad. I don't have severe acne or weight gain. Anyone who has a bad experience, I say just give it time before you write it off as terrible birth control."

• Moa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I love Loestrin. I was on it for 2 years in my 20s with great success—very regular, minimal bleeding (sometimes barely a period), few side effects. The reason I went off of it was that I decided to get a Paragard IUD. After five years with the horrible pain and cramping of the Paragard, I got it taken out. Then my doctor had me try two other birth control pills that I never adjusted to. I went back on Loestrin two years ago, and it’s still great."

• 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."

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for almost three months now; I switched over from Previfem. During the first month or so, my sex drive decreased a bit, and I was nauseated in the morning sometimes. I did notice some mood swings, too. Since I've been on it for a while, though, the symptoms have let up. My withdrawal bleeds only last for about 3-5 days, and they're light. I do have backaches and cramps periodically throughout my cycle, but they're manageable with a little ibuprofen. My breasts swell a bit and get sore around my placebo week, but that's not really a big deal. Overall, I'm happy with Microgestin. I haven't gotten pregnant, so that's awesome, and the side effects are minimal. Also, my skin is looking good!"

• EMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Junel Fe 1/20 for 3 years and never had any issues with it. I then switched to the copper IUD and then Paragard IUD for 6 months, which caused excessive hair loss for me and a hormone imbalance, so I switched back to Junel Fe 1/20. I've been on it for about 2 months now, and the first week I had bad cramping, but since then I have had no issues. My skin is clear, my moods are actually better, and I've lost a few pounds."

• wes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I got my tubes tied about 8 months ago, and it ruined me. Extremely painful heavy periods. I mean to the point where I could not walk. Painful ovulation, and for the first time ever--- my skin broke out like a teenager. I have never, ever had skin issues. My doctor put me on hormone therapy. Started with Junel, but that did nothing. My insurance changed it to Microgestin, and I was a little apprehensive. I started taking it to try it out, and I love it! My skin cleared up in a matter of a week, no weight gain, no mood swings, and very light periods! It did make me nauseous at first, but that went away. It also increased my breast size a bit. I read the reviews and was nervous to try it, but I must say, I love it!"

• wes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I got my tubes tied about 8 months ago, and it ruined me. Extremely painful heavy periods. I mean to the point where I could not walk. Painful ovulation, and for the first time ever--- my skin broke out like a teenager. I have never, ever had skin issues. My doctor put me on hormone therapy. Started with Junel, but that did nothing. My insurance changed it to Microgestin, and I was a little apprehensive. I started taking it to try it out, and I love it! My skin cleared up in a matter of a week, no weight gain, no mood swings, and very light periods! It did make me nauseous at first, but that went away. It also increased my breast size a bit. I read the reviews and was nervous to try it, but I must say, I love it!"

• Ale...
• August 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on the pill for more than two months, and all I can do is complain about it. I started taking it to regulate my periods, but all it's done is make me have no periods at all- which doesn't help much either. It made me break out so much, and I'm always moody and angry, as if I'm PMSing all the time. Not to mention, I get all the lousy pre-period symptoms, such as backaches and cramps, but no bleeding."

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2013

For Birth Control "Months 1-2 = no cramping, came right on time, incredibly light, period lasted 1-3 days, no weight gain, no acne. Month 3 = crazy mood swings, not myself, didn't feel motivated, hurt my family/boyfriend's feelings a lot. Months 4, 5 = felt normal again, happy in my relationships, acne normal, no weight gain still, period came a week early both months with lots of brown discharge and then bleeding the week of my period. Month 6 = period came right on time, mild cramping, no mood swings, acne normal, period not heavy but not as light as months 1-2. Overall, stick with this pill. It can be rocky, but I think I've gone through everything and am leveling out."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I’ve ever taken. How could this be sold to women as a form of contraceptive? I was on it for 3 months and experienced terrible nausea, headaches, back pain, cramping. You name it. I was originally taking Junel and had no issues. I am now done taking birth control as my body cannot take this anymore."

• Gla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2014

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I've ever taken, and I've had a few mood swings, at the same time, I'm still a teenager, and hormones are flying everywhere, so it doesn't truly bother me. I used to have terrible periods where I would have to miss school for a few days at a time, and immediately the medicine fixed it. My period only occurs on the placebo days and is very light, with minor cramps that a few period relief pills help. Last month, I did feel very sick during my placebo days, and I'm sure it's because I was taking it but not eating. I was told that would happen, so I advise you to always eat before taking it. I also had terrible acne, and it has cleared up immensely. Overall, it's great for me."

• tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I thought I was the only one experiencing such negative side effects on this birth control, but after reading all the reviews, it makes sense to me. I was only on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for about three months, but I was the most miserable I have ever been. I had constant mood swings and was always crying. I had low energy, no excitement for anything, and angry for no reason! I would have headaches almost every week. Everyone could tell something was wrong with me, and I thought I was going insane, but really it was the pill. It made my periods more painful, and my cramps were worse. I would stay away from this pill."

• tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I thought I was the only one experiencing such negative side effects on this birth control, but after reading all the reviews, it makes sense to me. I was only on Microgestin Fe 1.5/30 for about three months, but I was the most miserable I have ever been. I had constant mood swings and was always crying. I had low energy, no excitement for anything, and angry for no reason! I would have headaches almost every week. Everyone could tell something was wrong with me, and I thought I was going insane, but really it was the pill. It made my periods more painful, and my cramps were worse. I would stay away from this pill."

• Lkm...
• November 28, 2013

For Birth Control "I loved this pill at first, it got rid of my terrible cramps. A few months after, however, I had two periods each month. Now I have a period every other week. The birth control pill is a hit-or-miss type of business."

• 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."

• 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."

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Before I started this medication, I had read reviews of it, and I was horrified. It's now been a year and four months that I've been on Junel Fe, and I honestly haven't encountered any issues. Before I was on birth control, I was depressed, had anxiety attacks very often, always tired, had my period for at least six days, and had a lot of cramping. I never had any issues with having acne. Ever since I started, I feel like a whole new person. Zero anxiety attacks, no longer depressed, very light periods that last three days (at most), no cramping at all, and still no issues with acne. I constantly see reviews that other people leave saying that they're constantly nauseous or having headaches or gaining weight, but I personally haven't had any of these issues. Although this medication doesn't work well for some people, it works perfectly for me! Don't let other reviews discourage you. I almost didn't start using this medication due to the bad reviews I had read. I'm also glad I'm not pregnant."

• leo...
• January 27, 2014

For Birth Control "I switched to Loestrin to alleviate migraines from my last set of pills, and it worked all right. They aren't as severe but still persist. Otherwise, I have 2-day periods with no cramping, perfect skin, and no mood swings! I recommend it if you have any issues with acne, cramping, or irregularity."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2013

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been on the pill for about 3 weeks now, everything has been going okay. I have less mood swings, I'm more calm, and my sex drive has improved, so that's a plus. There are a few side effects I've experienced, though: my acne is breaking out again, I've been having spotting and severe cramps, but I'm going to finish my 3 months and see how it goes... Hope this helps, good luck, ladies!"

• 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."