Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this Aurovela Fe 1/20 birth control the beginning of November, and it was fine until like December 20-something. I wasn’t able to sleep, had major headaches, started to feel really down, and think so negatively. I have random breakdowns multiple times a day, just crying, and have been having to sleep with my mom to keep me comforted. I am just now stopping this pill, hoping it helps, and just to take care of my mental health by exercising, keeping up with my skincare because it caused a lot of breakouts, and focusing on my relationships with others. Please don’t get this birth control! It really changed my life and made me a different person. I’m not the happy person I once was, but hoping to get back to it."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm on my 9th month; just about 40 years old, given to me for severe cramps and horrible bleeding that has worsened over the past 2 years. My daughter is 15 and just started her first pack about 3 weeks ago. She has been sick more days than I can count, not sleeping well, lost 10 pounds, gets lightheaded often, nausea usually in the evening, as well as moody. She's had the breakthrough bleeding just like I did. What I noticed is when we talked is we've both been suffering from the lightheaded feelings quite often at any given time and any place. We both tend to feel tired at the end of most days; headaches and the nausea, as well with the light-headedness, seem to be the worst."

• DJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2020

For Birth Control "A good friend of mine's daughter just recently died from Larin Fe side effects. She was 26 years old, who had a bad headache, went to InstaCare, who gave her migraine meds and sent her home. She had a seizure later that night, transported by ambulance to the hospital. She now has a blood clot on the brain and was dehydrated. This young lady had just received two college degrees and lost her life because of this drug. The doctor could only say, 'it's rare, but it happens.' Really?"

• Rya...
• July 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for around 11 months, and for the most part, I find it good. I started off using it just to regulate my period, not knowing that it would just go away after the first few months. I'm sexually active, and I find that it does decrease my sex drive. It was very frightening when I stopped having my period, and I did gain weight, but I take pregnancy tests periodically (just as a precaution). I still have period symptoms at the end of the pack, but I haven't had one in 7 months. The worst thing I find about this pack is that it makes me more emotional and increases my headaches."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on the birth control for 10 days and developed bad migraines. I couldn’t handle it, so February 13, 2021, I went to the hospital and ended up getting admitted for a blood clot in my brain due to the birth control. So here I am, 6 months on blood thinners and still feeling so much head pain. Protective sex will just be my thing."

• scu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm rating it a 10 for effectiveness because it does what it does. It's birth control. First month, some cramping (during period only), normal bleeding (yet lasted 10-13 days), no headaches, hormonal jawline acne cleared right up. Got my period irregularly still. Second month, no cramps, no headaches, hormonal acne still gone, somewhat still fighting steady acne, yet it's MUCH better, gained a few pounds, breasts got noticeably larger (especially for my boyfriend). Got my period on the first brown pill. I'm looking forward to month 3. Hope this helped."

• Nic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for almost 10 years. It was very effective at preventing pregnancy, even though I missed it a few times and there weren't any crazy noticeable side effects like weight gain, nausea, headaches, etc. I think because I was on it for so long, I didn't realize the side effects until I went off of it. Once I stopped, I felt like a completely different and better person. My sex drive went through the roof, and I realized how much it had suppressed my sex drive this whole time. I also found a huge sense of peace and was able to let go of things much easier. I felt like a cloud of depression was lifted. When I tried to go back on it, it made me really irritable, and I had to stop."

• Lis...
• January 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Keep in mind that most reviews are negative. This is because negative experiences motivate people to write comments more than positive ones. Each body responds differently to types of hormonal birth control (BC) pills. All BC pills have about a 3-6 month adjustment period, meaning you may experience some negative side effects during this time that will likely be gone after that. I had nausea and headaches during the first 3 months, which are now gone. You are also at risk of side effects if you do not take the pill correctly. If you miss pills or take them far apart/close together, you can have negative side effects. Take them at the exact same time every day. Negative side effects (first 3 months): headaches, nausea, increased appetite, light cramping. Positive side effects: extremely light bleeding on break weeks, no or rare cramping, acne gone, helped hormone depression, helped blood sugar, weight loss, no pregnancy. I love this pill, I've been on it for a year. It does so much good for me."

• Ven...
• June 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched from Tarina Fe to Microgestin after starting to see a new doctor. This doctor told me the two brands were generics of each other, i.e., comparable. I had zero problem on Tarina for multiple years. This new pill gave me severe side effects. I was on it for 5 months and started having side effects immediately. I was always bloated, gained weight, broke out, had drastic mood changes, abdominal pain, no periods, and consistent yeast infections, which was new to me. Finally, I just couldn’t handle it anymore, I stopped taking it. I had stabbing pain in my uterus for about a week while detoxing from the pill. It’s been 5 months off, and my body has had a tough time readjusting. My periods are still inconsistent, and my hormones are trying to balance themselves out. My mom had issues on this pill too, severe headaches that were a sign of a near stroke. Thank goodness she went to the doctor just in time and got off the pill and is feeling better now. I do not recommend this pill to anyone."

• bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 13, 2025

For Birth Control "I will start that I do NOT do well with birth controls. I have tried everything under the sun and have had issues with them all. This has been the best one yet, but that doesn't mean I haven't had issues. The issues have just been a lot less than others. I switched from the patch, which was just all around a nuisance and I hated it. I've loved being on this pill, but about 4 months in, I started bleeding, and not just spotting, full-fledged period, clots, headaches, cramps, acne, and I bled for a month. I DO NOT LIKE THAT. I take BC so I don't have a menstrual. I always skip the placebo. I searched and searched for answers and found nothing, until FINALLY I found one single thread on a forum where somebody said they had the same thing happen and it would happen randomly and it was almost the body's way of forcing you to shed the lining of your uterus, and all she had to do was take the placebo pills for 7 days and then go back to the regular pills and she would stop bleeding. IT WORKED!"

• YRa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

"My doctor recommended these Blisovi pills to regularize my period and stop menstrual pain. I must say that the experience has been terrible for me. First, I gained 30 pounds, I feel unhappy, I am in a bad mood all the time, my head hurts, I have no sexual desire, and the irregularity of my period continues. I asked my doctor to change this pill, but she insisted on continuing it for 3 months. Reviewed the comments of the other women, I wonder how it is possible that this pill is on the market. I wonder what agency protects patients from situations like these. How is it possible that no one is responsible in cases like this? Our bodies and mental health are at risk, and no one is responsible. I decided to stop the medication today. I would rather have irregular periods than put my body and mental health care on the line."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2019

For Birth Control "This was not a good option for me. I began taking Blisovi about 4 years ago because of my heavy periods. It stopped the heavy bleeding, but the side effects were horrible. For me, it took 3 years for me to really notice the side effects, and they seemed to get worse as time passed. I would get headaches about 2 days before and also 2 days after my cycle, along with severe anxiety, and just sad for no reason at all. I had no desire to have sex, and I would get really irritable. After going through about 4 to 5 days of this, the symptoms would just go away, and then would repeat the same cycle of side effects the following month. I spoke with my doctor about this, and he’s taken me off. This was my experience, everyone is different, and for some, this could be your resolution, for me, it just didn’t do it."

• Hap...
• September 4, 2014

For Birth Control "After being on four different types of birth control pills in 3 1/2 years and having HORRIBLE side effects ranging from acne, hair falling out, spotting for months, to anxiety, to stroke-like symptoms and going to the ER, my OBGYN suggested Generess Fe. I LOVE this pill! No side effects at all, other than my breasts have gone from a 34C to a very full 34D! No weight gain (other than in my chest), nausea, headaches, no 'foggy' feeling at all. These pills are easy to take, pleasant tasting, and the light, 2-3 day periods are an awesome bonus! I am so happy to have found a birth control pill that works for me and doesn't have nasty side effects. I highly recommend this form of birth control!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Glidess for a few years to control heavy periods and have been very happy with it. No more periods, no headaches or cramping. My pharmacy switched to Blisovi when Glidess was recalled. I am seeing terrible reviews/side effects that people are having. I used another generic in place of Glidess in the past when my pharmacy ran out of it, and I had terrible acne and felt sick while taking it, so I'm afraid to take another generic version. I hope the issues with Glidess are resolved and it comes back on the market. Not sure what is the closest match to it, as it seems Blisovi is not it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Riy...
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I feel compelled to write a review after my horrible experience with this drug, Junel Fe 1/20. I’ve taken it for a year and have just stopped. The first month, I was plagued with intense nausea and headaches, which subsided. After that, I started having severe anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, crying spells, and chalked it up to several life changes (moving, wedding, etc.). However, my condition worsened, and I was at a therapist weekly who diagnosed me with depression. By this point, I felt like a shell of my former self and decided to stop taking the pill, as it’s the only medication I’m on. I’ve been off for 2 weeks and can see notable differences in my temperament and energy levels. I can’t wait for it to completely flush out so I can be myself again. Please don’t take this drug as long as I did if you face any of the above."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 38 years old, and this is the first birth control I've ever tried. My gynecologist recommended it for my crazy PMS and sudden onset of adult acne. I was absolutely terrified to start it, especially after reading some of the horrific reviews of the side effects, but I realized all of the side effects that others were experiencing were what I was already experiencing without the birth control. I decided to give it a try, and I am so glad I did. The first few weeks were slightly unpleasant. I had a headache every day and a lot of unwanted spotting, but I remember my doctor telling me to give it time. I am now going into my second month, and I feel better than ever. My period only lasted one day. I had zero cramps and zero psycho episodes of PMS. My anxiety is almost non-existent. Everyone reacts differently. I encourage you to find out how it works for you because had I listened to the scary reviews, I wouldn't be feeling as great as I do now."

• bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my second month of using the pill, and I'm in love with it. No headaches, no weight gain, periods are lighter, some emotional stuff, but I mean, I can fix that, and so can anyone else; but just like anything else, everyone's body will react differently to it."

• Snu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2025

"This is my first birth control. Lemme just say, from reading the comments, I was terrified of taking it. I went weeks holding the pill about to take it just to chicken out because of the horror stories I've read on here. However, my experience is nothing at all like most of the users on here. I've actually had a good time with it overall. I take these at night around 10 pm (college student). The first two days are just normal. The third day I woke up at 5 am in a hot sweat and threw up once that morning. But it wasn't like a 'sickly' pukey feeling, just like an 'oh that happened' and I was immediately better and never experienced it again. I'm a month in. What I will say though is don't take this on an empty stomach or take it before having to study. Personally, it makes me a little drowsy for a bit, but wears off, but really dangerous feeling when you're cramming. If I take it on an empty stomach or long after eating something, it upsets my stomach for a bit and gives me a headache."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2010

For Acne "This is the worst birth control pill I've ever taken. It gave me the worst acne ever. I was super moody. Mood swings, depression, frustration, headaches, and everything. Maybe the only good thing about it was that it made my cramping go away, and my periods were very light and short. Other than that, I hate it! It was the worst experience ever. I tried to give it some time so my body could get used to it, but after 7 months there were no changes, so I decided to switch to another brand. Now I am taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and I love it. My acne went away right away and my face is so clear. I have no more mood swings and I just love it. I recommend this brand to everyone."

• MDa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Taytulla for around 8 months and honestly have no idea how I did it for that long. I went from Minastrin to Taytulla due to insurance issues and had the worst transition. I had severe depression, my anxiety was worse than it already is to the point where I would cry all the time, I had insane mood swings, I was always angry, headaches, acne, which I have never had in my life, and I gained weight. The depression was so bad to the point where I was suicidal. After that, I switched back to Minastrin and my life was so much better. Do not take this!!"

• Coc...
• April 8, 2019

For Birth Control "My OBGYN prescribed this specific pill for me because I haven’t been on birth control since I was 19 (I’m 25 now). He said it would be easygoing for me because it’s basically the mildest form of BC I can take. My first month on the pill was rough, I felt so nauseous, especially the hour before I’m supposed to take my BC. I had constant headaches & tender breasts (the doctor warned me of that & said it should subside after the 1st month, it didn’t). My breasts grew after the 2nd month on the pill, but my anxiety also heightened. I had 3 panic attacks during my 2nd month. I was thankful that my period was lighter. Haven’t had sex since I’ve been on the pill, I’d say it has lowered my sex drive only because it’s made me so depressed, anxious, and forgetful that I don’t even think about sex. I’m too moody. The 3rd month was awful and I hit a real low, I’ve become more critical of myself and unhappy with everything in my life."

• 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."

• MQD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I was prescribed this medication to ease the effects caused by my uterine fibroids (extremely heavy periods with large clots, having to change a super tampon plus a thick pad every two hours, irregular cycles, pain from head to toe). I am not using this medication for birth control, as I am not sexually active. Prior to taking this medication, I had been off hormonal birth control for about four years. Unfortunately, this medication is not helping me, aside from clearing up most of my hormonal acne! My periods are still heavy but now last two to three times longer with constant spotting and discharge of old blood in between. I have intense bouts of nausea and dizziness, along with headaches, diarrhea, complete loss of energy and motivation, and moderate pain everywhere. I've never experienced side effects this bad from birth control before."