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

• JNV...
• September 1, 2014

For Acne "When I first started this medicine, I would get headaches and feel super sleepy within the first 5 minutes of taking it. But those side effects subsided as I got to my next pill pack. Probably the worst part of this medication is that it caused me to have more and consistent acne than before (which is one reason why I wanted birth control in the first place). Along with acne, Microgestin Fe 1/20 caused the skin above my upper lip to darken (known as melasma). It wasn't too noticeable at first, but as summer went on, and with more sun, it got worse. It was effective as a birth control and good with period regulation, but I wasn't pleased with the negative side effects at all, so I have recently switched over to Gianvi."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2019

For Birth Control "For the first 3 months, this pill gave me acne, but it cleared up and now my skin looks better than before I started the pill. I also haven’t had a period since I started Lo Loestrin Fe, which is a major plus for me! But most of all, I was extremely surprised that this pill has actually improved my mood. I’ve had depression since I was 12, and antidepressants helped a little bit, but I was still struggling. After taking this pill, I started noticing a significant increase in my mood and quality of life! I’m amazed, I never thought I’d be able to feel “normal”! I was hesitant to get on birth control in fear of worsening my depression, but it turned out to be my solution. The only negative side effect I have is frequent headaches, about 3 days a week. But they’re mild enough, and the pros outweigh the cons."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 16 and have been on this for almost a year now. I like this medication because, for me, it has done a great job of easing my headaches and nausea. I still get some once in a while, but it's not as bad as before. I have not had any real problems with my mood, but I do see that I cry more often and sometimes get a little depressed, but I am able to blow it off. The only real criticism I have about this medication is that when I started on my period again, it was regular, then it stopped. COMPLETELY! But I was like, what?!? I would spot, but at random times. For the year I have been using it, I can say I have only gotten my period maybe twice. Very hard to know if you're pregnant without a period."

• Mad...
• November 29, 2017

For Birth Control "Typically, only people with negative reviews leave comments...however, I’ve been taking Taytulla for about 3 months now, and it’s been great. No breakouts, no headaches, no weight gain or food cravings. I have actually lost weight while on this pill. So far, so good."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I highly do not recommend Lo Loestrin FE birth control. I spotted half of the entire first pack, which I know is common, but I've never experienced it before. I have had daily headaches. My breasts have been extremely tender and have grown almost a full cup size. The worst is the anxiety. My anxiety has been through the roof and completely uncontrollable. I went a year on an entire bottle of Xanax, and since I've started this, I've probably used half of a bottle throughout a month because I've had so much nervousness and anxiety. Anxiety attacks galore. I never attributed this to birth control before, but I had these symptoms before when I was on birth control for 10 years and thought it was just me. It's not me. It's the birth control. I wouldn't even consider it if I were you. Also, lack of motivation to do anything or to be social, and I'm typically a very extroverted person."

• Dot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Blisovi for 1 week and stopped. This drug affected me very badly. Symptoms: 1. Pulse heard in ears 2. Swollen feet 3. Eyes developed a clear fluid blister over the pupil and I had a headache behind them. 4. Tongue mildly puffy and developed tooth grooves in the edges. 5. Felt like I was punched in the Adam's apple and my voice became hoarse. 6. I cried for absolutely no reason. 7. I wanted to dump my fiancé of 4 years because suddenly I thought he was useless. I also wanted to get rid of my friends... it changed my perception of people and increased anxiety and overthinking. 8. I also had weird interactive nightmares if I was even able to fall asleep. After stopping this, I went back to normal and life was good again. Thankfully, my friends and fiancé are still in my life, and I feel better."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel Fe 1/20 for about a year. I haven't gotten a period in that entire time. Some spotting here and there but never a full-blown 'it's that time of the month' period. I started getting horrible headaches as soon as I started this pill. I recently stopped taking this pill in May (because I wanted to regulate my cycle again and get my period, also start trying to get pregnant) and yet to have my period come back, and it's almost July. I've read that sometimes it can take upwards of a year for your period to return. Junel Fe 1/20 worked in that I didn't get pregnant, it moderately controlled my acne, and I didn't have any weight gain with it. But now my period isn't coming back seemingly anytime soon now that I'm off the pill, and that concerns me. I will not return to using this even if I consider going back on the pill. Everyone's body is different and reacts differently to medications, but I suggest trying another brand of birth control before this one!"

• Fra...
• July 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 2 weeks into Lo Loestrin after Mirena IUD removal, and due to irregular periods and ovarian cysts. Not sure what's a Mirena removal side effect (Mirena crash) vs. Lo Loestrin side effect. But I've had headaches and anxiety, and really sad, sad days. Just blah. I'm going to update as time goes on to annotate any other pros/cons. I have been nauseous the past few days too."

• ano...
• May 6, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin for about a year now. My OBGYN said it would be best if I took it continuously, so that's exactly how I've been taking it. I take it consecutively for 3 months and then I take a break for a week. Ladies, I haven't had a period in over a year, and although it sounds scary, believe me, it is totally fine. Zero nasty side effects like headaches, cramping, long periods, moodiness, etc. The only thing is lowered libido, but hey, after all, there is no perfect pill that won't have any side effects! Good luck with this medication."

• aiv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I was switched from Loestrin 24 to this since it was discontinued, and at first, I was super nervous because it was chewable, but I liked Loestrin, so I went with it. The first month was okay, and it was exactly like Loestrin 24 with nothing different. The second month, I was told by my doctor that I can skip the placebo pills to not have my period, and I did just that. The first week after doing so was great, but then I started to spot. I knew it would happen, but it's been going on consecutively for three weeks, and it's into the next pack now. It's also caused mood swings, headaches (and I never get those), vision blurriness here and there, cramps, bloating, gassy, all the upsetting side effects. Overall, not good, and I may switch to another BC."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I am finishing up my 4th pack of this pill, and I am seriously considering switching pills. The first two months weren't too bad, I had mild side effects, but they were manageable. It wasn't until the third month that I started getting constant nausea like all day, every day, and even worse at night, headaches, sore boobs, frequent urination, and absolutely no sex drive. The only good thing is my period is like clockwork, and I'm for sure not pregnant, but the side effects make me feel like I am!!!"

• Run...
• July 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for about 7 months now. I take it on the dot at the exact same time every day and have never missed a pill. I started out getting two periods a month. I'd get (what felt like a period) a week after my placebo pills, and then I would bleed lightly a week before my placebos. As the months have gone by, though, my 'periods' have been getting lighter and lighter, and this month (month 7) is the first month I haven't had my light discharge and cramps after the placebo pills. I'm hoping this is a good sign. Even though this pill is unpredictable, I don't have headaches, breast tenderness, or acne like my last pill."

• Lic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2019

For Birth Control "HORRIBLE! Within a couple of days of taking this medication, I started feeling irritable, anxious, nervous, sad, just extremely overwhelmed with emotions. I had horrible headaches, pelvic pain, and chest pain, you name it! I had a low sex drive, which was very unusual, but also made me have bad vaginal dryness. I stopped taking it halfway into my second week, and right away I felt like myself again. This pill was really mucking me up in every way possible. My poor boyfriend must have hated me during this time, I nearly drove him crazy too, lol."

• Nat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I went on this birth control for two reasons: acne and protection from pregnancy. Have been taking it for 6 months and always have sex with my boyfriend without a condom. I haven't had a single side effect from this birth control. Never any headaches, food cravings, significant loss or weight gain, bloating. Nothing. My periods have been always regular even before taking this drug, and they are still regular now. A day or two before I finish my active pills, I get mild cramps. Then, when I'm on placebo week, my period comes and is there for a good 5-6 days just like my period is if I were not taking the pill. I never saw any changes in my mood, I don't feel tired and have never been pregnant. I feel like my usual self on this pill."

• Tay...
• March 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I was previously on Loestrin FE for about 2 years. I had no side effects with this medication at all! So, one day I went to pick up my auto-fill prescription about 2 months ago, and the pharmacist informed me that the prescription had been switched to Blisovi, but it's the same exact medication. Oh no, it isn't! I've had a headache (varying from severe to mild) every single day. I'm tired, hungry, my back aches more than usual, gained about 10 pounds, broke out on my face, and this headache is a nightmare. I was beginning to think I'm going crazy until I read similar reviews. I was getting so mad over stupid stuff and crying out of nowhere. My boyfriend has handled it like a champ, but hopefully won't have to for long because I'm switching!"

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

For Birth Control "My doctor increased my dose of Junel to the 1.5/30 28-day, and I started having awful tension headaches. The headaches were over my eyes, so I thought I had a sinus infection. After 3 weeks of headaches on most days (getting no relief from Motrin, Excedrin, etc.), I realized it was from the hormonal increase in the Junel. I’ve also noticed that my appetite has increased this month. It’s not a good pill for me, I've never experienced headaches like this from any other BC pill."

• 9...
• July 20, 2010

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on this pill for 9 months. I was put on it to stop the growth of ovarian cysts. I take no other medicines. I eat well and exercise regularly. Only in the past 3 months have I experienced headaches, a bit more moodiness, and super tender breasts, which have grown a cup size, so I don't really mind. I could do without the tenderness, though. As far as weight gain, I always am up and down 5 lbs a month. I was actually kind of hoping that this particular pill would keep me on the lower side, but I guess not. Also, after reading others' reviews, I am now thinking that perhaps I have more upset tummy issues due to the pill."

• Tif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have never in my life had such serious side effects with any prescription like I have with this. I took it for a total of 10 days before I had to stop. At day 4, I had 3 pretty severe anxiety attacks. Days 4-10, I experienced really bad mood swings, hard crying for no reason, and at day 10, I was put into the deepest depression I've ever experienced, to the point where I had to go to a friend's house as I was worried about self-harm. I am serious. The most horrific feelings, and I'm on day 2 of not taking it, and I'm nauseous, have a headache that won't go away, and my chest hurts from the anxiety that I am feeling."

• SMQ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Took Lo Loestrin Fe for 5 months, wanted to regulate my periods. First few days of taking it, I was getting bad headaches and got acne on my face only, period stopped coming till the 3rd month and was followed by bleeding for 2 weeks. By the 4th month, acne was gone, headaches continued, had extreme anxiety and depression, was getting moody, lost weight, appetite was almost gone. By the 4th month, I had gotten my period, which lasted a week with painful cramps, a week and a half later again with breakthrough bleeding and this time was very heavy with passing blood clots. Felt very weak and miserable, I took it exactly the same time every day and never missed a dose, still had headaches and vomiting, breakthrough bleeding was getting heavy and was not stopping at all. I could barely make it through the 5th month, I felt weak and tired also, so I spoke to my doctor and told her that I’m stopping this pill. Been a week now since I stopped taking this pill, and I still feel weak and shaky. This medicine is not for me at all."

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been taking this for almost 3 months (on my last week from the 3rd month), and I have NOT had my period yet. 1st month, I mean, I didn’t really get the side effects, my cramps and headaches were a bit worse than before, but nothing too bad. Sex drive is still the same, I love having sex. But no period, slight spotting for 2-3 days, that’s it. Second month, no period at all, same cramps and headache, and a bit of diarrhea (very uncomfortable). On my 3rd month, sticking with it because of the doctor's recommendation. If I don’t get my period this month, I may switch because not getting my period freaks me out, lol. I have taken other birth control pills (when I was 18, so I forgot the name), but I did not have these effects, I got my period the second month, it was very light, but it was there, lol. I may stick around for the 4th month to see if I’ll feel better, but so far I’m not really happy about this pill."

• hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I went on birth control for the first time in my life, I was experiencing bad acne and cramps almost 15 days before my period starts. My only fear was the weight gain, but I decided to give it a shot and try to control my PMS. I was on Junel Fe 1/20 for almost 5 months, did not get my period for the first three months, and I only had spotting for 2 weeks every month. My acne got to its worse level, and I experienced some huge acne on my back too. After being on Junel for 5 months, I noticed that I gained 10 lb, and it was a time when I decided to call my doctor to put me on something else. I am on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and so far it has been a good pill, but with major headaches. I hate Junel Fe 1/20 since it gifted me 10 lb in 5 months."

• Car...
• November 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm 24 and took this BC, Larin Fe 1/20, for 3 months. I can see the negatives. In the first month, I was experiencing random light bleeding directly after taking the pill, definite mood changes (much more irritable), and chest pain. The second month, I noticed that my acne was getting worse (I do have acne-prone skin). I was hoping birth control would help my breakouts but instead gave me worse acne on my cheeks and chin (I never got acne on my chin badly before). My side effects in the third month are what made me decide to switch BC pills. I noticed that my hair was definitely falling out more than usual. I have thick hair as it is, but noticed in the shower my hands were literally covered in hair on wash days, which I have never experienced prior to this BC. I'm actually scared to wash my hair, seeing how much falls out. My last week on the pill, I also experienced intense headaches out of nowhere. The pros to Larin Fe 1/20 are that my periods are super light and short and that I am not pregnant."

• blu...
• December 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I was put on this medicine for extreme cramping and heavy periods. I can say that this particular BC has been helpful in making my pain less severe and lightening my periods! On the other hand, I absolutely hate the side effects. It makes me so moody and depressed and just not myself. I end up getting headaches once a week, and all I want to do is sleep. It seems like my appetite fluctuates a lot more now than it used to. It seems like my PMS has gotten way worse on this medication. I’ve been on it for about 10 months, so it’s not just settling into the hormones."

• dan...
• September 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 8 months. I've always been overweight, but I've significantly changed my lifestyle, going to the gym consistently for the first time ever, yet I'm gaining weight. Ugh. Other side effects: anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, weird, vivid, and often sexual dreams. I sleep so much (10 hrs/night), loss of sex drive. Headaches and disturbed sleep, which were extremely rare for me before. Also, my blood pressure was 140/89 the other day, and I've never had high blood pressure! I was compelled to read reviews after that, and I see some people had the same issue. This is the first pill I've been on, so I thought 'maybe this isn't so bad,' but now, writing out all of my side effects, I'm seriously considering stopping this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 3, 2012

For Birth Control "Only thing I can say about the Loestrin 24 Fe is AWESOME. I have been on these pills for 6 years now, and in the beginning, my period lasted 2 to 3 days, and as time went on, it decreased even more and went to 24 hours, and my period was over. Later on, it changed again, and I came on and was off in 12 hours. Today, I haven't had a period at all I know in years. I love these pills, but the only downfall is even though I don't come on, I still have the mood swings, irritating moments, feeling strange, headaches, etc., but at the time when my period would have been ending, that's when everything goes away. I did used to worry in the beginning when I completely stopped having a period, but now I know it’s just the way these pills are with my body."