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

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2023

For Birth Control "I was put on the pill for heavy periods, which caused 5 iron infusions. First, I was on Lo Loestrin, which caused very clear skin and 2-day light periods and was great at first, however, after a few months, I had breakthrough bleeding and anger. The doctor had to make the dosage higher, so I switched to Blisovi, which is 100 times WORSE! The first week, I was crying every day, having panic attacks and at first had a 12-day period. The period eventually regulated and lightened, but I was told to push through another month to adjust with the emotions. I am still anxious, depressed, on edge, angry, mood swings, and no sex drive at all. I have no desire to look at a man. I am stopping this pill! The only pros to this pill were that I did not gain weight from it. I really hope I find a pill that works for me soon."

• Lea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 26, 2025

For Birth Control "I was so nervous to try hormonal birth control because of all the negative talk around them. I believe that many people do have negative experiences and it's important to listen to your body and side effects, but this was the first birth control I was given, and my doctor told me to just give it a shot. The first month was a bit crazy with my body adjusting and I had a crazy period the first off-pill week, but after that, everything was just fine. I have no bad side effects, and I just take packs back to back now because I don't bleed on the off weeks anymore anyways. My skin is clear and I'm just consistent. No spotting, no mood changes, libido changes, or weight gain. The only side effect, besides no pregnancy, I got is nice skin and no periods, which I love. So glad my doctor told me to just try it. I've been on it for around three years and plan to continue on it until I'm ready to have kids in five or so years."

• Ann...
• December 14, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I tried this medication based on recommendations from my doctor. First, read ALL the information about the pill before taking it. My doctor prescribed this to me knowing I suffer from severe migraines (it was in my medical history and discussed). It says in the description NOT to take this if you suffer from migraines. So aside from that, here is what this pill has done to me: extreme and heavy bleeding for 14 days now (and it's showing no signs of stopping), body soreness, breast soreness, increased headaches, extreme eye pain, extreme fatigue, extreme mood swings, loss of appetite and weight, heavy cramping, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and loss of libido."

• 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."

• Tap...
• September 7, 2016

For Birth Control "For 5 years, I took Junel. For the first year, it was fine. Lighter periods and fewer cramps. Year 2, I started suffering from increased anxiety and what everyone else decided was depression, even though I insisted it was fatigue. I was as tired as if I had the flu all the time, and the week before my period, I could not handle a thing. So I got therapy and started eating healthy to treat what my doctors insisted were not symptoms of the pills. I worked out, ate healthy consistently, but the weight kept coming on at 5 to 10 lbs a year. My sex drive completely disappeared, which doctors will blame on the depression. I finally couldn't handle it and went off two weeks ago. I feel like crying at how much better I feel. It's like I woke up from a coma."

• pis...
• September 9, 2016

For Birth Control "Just when I thought that this birth control was working great..... Boy was I wrong. The first week I was feeling great, no side effects, no problems..... life was great. Then week 2 hit and everything went to hell. Now I'm bleeding uncontrollably. It's been 3 straight weeks. Guess what? I AM STILL BLEEDING! I have gained weight in my sides making me look like I've just consumed a baker's dozen donuts. I am emotionally unstable, as you can tell from this review......!!!!! I am hungry all the time, I am eating everything I can get my meaty hands on, and my snack supply has depleted by 2/3. My sex drive is GONE like a bird that hit the damn window. Unless you want your life to be turned upside down in a month like mine was.... DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL!"

• B_C...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I have nothing bad to say! This is my first time taking any birth control, so maybe I'm a little biased. I was very hesitant to take any birth control due to the known side effects that come along with most oral contraceptives. However, after two separate ruptured ovarian cysts, my OBGYN said birth control is really the only way to prevent it in the future. I've been taking it a little over 6 months now - no weight gain, no acne, no mood changes, no loss of libido, and my periods are so light now, mostly spotting, no cramps, and a shorter duration! I definitely recommend this!"

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2019

For Birth Control "My doctor recommended that I start taking this pill two months ago to help with perimenopause. In the first six weeks, I have had three periods that lasted one week each, and the last one was so heavy that I bled through my clothes. I have had terrible lower abdominal cramps every day and have had to take pain medication to stop it. I cannot eat anything because the cramps hurt so severely, yet I have gained 10 lbs without eating. My breasts are suddenly growing, and my bras are all too small despite having been the same size for the last 18 years. My sex drive completely went away. I called my doctor, and the nurse said to give it more time (6 months) to adjust, but I don’t know if I can handle it. My moods have also been more intense and difficult to control. I don’t know whether this will go away or get worse. I don’t know what to do."

• gra...
• February 3, 2020

For Birth Control "So! I started this birth control because I had been having migraines with my last brand, and I will say right now I would take the migraines over this monstrosity. I have been taking this for around seven months now and am about to change because of the side effects alone. I have had two periods every month, one around halfway through the pack and one at the end. I gave it a grace period of three months to make sure it wasn't my body just getting used to it. While I haven't had migraines around my period anymore at all, I have become depressed. I have never felt like this before, but I will often just start feeling upset and can't explain why. My sex drive dropped severely as a result as well. I lost a lot of my energy and would just prefer to lay in bed. I forced myself to work out, go to therapy, and eat better but to no avail. I will say that this doesn't seem to be a common side effect for most users, and I am prone to anxiety, so do what you will with that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I'm on my 9th day of the pill and feel depressed and have been crying nonstop. I had to call in to work because of this. I have gained 6 lbs in the last 9 days and have no sex drive. I have been bleeding for 9 days now and there are no signs of that letting up anytime soon. This is severely atypical for me. I am usually the happiest person you will meet and now I can't stop crying."

• Skw...
• April 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 2 years. I originally started taking it to relieve my horrible periods, not to avoid pregnancy. I normally have really horrible periods that last 7-9 days with heavy bleeding, immobilizing cramping, and sometimes nausea. Thank God for this pill! The first 6 months I would have periods every 2 weeks, and with every month, they got lighter and lighter until my period disappeared completely. I will occasionally spot, but it will only last a day or two. I have NO cramps (such a lifesaver!). I have taken other birth control pills, and none of them worked this well for me. As far as side effects, I have absolutely NO sex drive and bad acne (I used to have a really clear face)."

• Mic...
• August 2, 2014

For Birth Control "The pills stopped my period, caused mood swings, vaginal dryness, and killed my sex drive. My husband thought I was not attracted to him anymore. I stopped using it after the 2 months, and our sex was fine again. So was my period."

• coo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I've been on 5 different birth controls before this one. All the others gave me horrible symptoms (no sex drive, nipple sensitivity, severe lower back pain), and this one is totally perfect! After quitting birth control after a few years, I noticed facial hair growing on my neck, and that's when I got officially diagnosed with PCOS (although I had been missing periods since I first ever got a period, I didn't know until now). I have no weight gain, periods are light and not painful at all, moods are regular, NO WEIGHT GAIN, weight LOSS actually. Everything is great!"

• Sar...
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I had to switch over to Minastrin because Loestrin was discontinued. I've been on this pill for a year and a half now, and it's the worst pill out there. I'm 21 and fit, but I have developed varicose veins from this pill. Ever since I started, they have been popping up everywhere on my legs. Also, I have no sex drive, putting a strain on my relationship. And I have gained over 30 pounds. I'm just dropping this pill altogether."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Lo Loestrin Fe to treat very painful ovulation and ovarian cysts. The pain was unbearable and made my life miserable. I experienced no more pain as soon as I started taking these pills and haven't had any since (1 year ago). I always had heavy periods, and now my periods are super light for a couple of days. I've had no weight gain, in fact, I've lost some. I do experience some moodiness, sadness, and low sex drive."

• Kel...
• May 15, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control that I have used, and it was recommended to me by a friend. I have been on it for over two years now and have had virtually no side effects at all. During my first month on it, I spotted almost every day, but after that, I did not have a single issue with this pill. My periods are extremely light to the point where I have not even needed a pad or tampon in two years. I have not experienced any acne, mood swings, weight gain, or libido changes whatsoever."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I had nothing but wonderful experiences with Loestrin. No breaking out, weight gain, loss of sex drive, or mood swings. I did get pregnant on this birth control after about 7 or 8 months.... however, I did miss two days of it due to running out and my pharmacy being closed over the weekend. So be very careful to not miss a single day, and you should be perfectly fine. It definitely helped with my endometriosis pains. I stopped taking it for a few months and had to miss work each month because the pains were so awful. I got back on to it ASAP and do not experience those anymore. 10/10 recommend this birth control."

• AMK...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I'm only seeing negative reviews, so I'm giving you mine. I've been on this for about a year and a half. It took my body about 3-4 months to get used to. In the beginning, I definitely held onto water weight, had very sore breasts, a low sex drive, and moderate mood swings. I had very bad acne as a teenager but am now 28 and only get the occasional breakout. This pill didn't really do anything different to my skin. My periods have always been fairly normal with moderately painful cramps, so it's nice to have the option to skip that week. Even if I do go through the placebo week, the period is extremely light. I do notice that one lasting side effect is a low sex drive. However, other than that, I feel very normal and recommend this for a great birth control option."

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2011

For Birth Control "My doctor recommended I take Lo Loestrin Fe since I suffer from migraines and needed a low-dose birth control. I have been taking Lo Loestrin for about 7 months now, and I have no period whatsoever. I have been a bit concerned because my sex drive is also low. Other than that, I like Lo Loestrin because I get no more migraines. Hopefully, I get a period soon just to have peace of mind. One thing, it runs expensive, it started off at $6 with my insurance, and now it's $35."

• Bel...
• August 3, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for 5 months now and LOVE it! Periods are two days, if that, no acne, no weight gain (actually lost 15 pounds in the first 2 months), no libido changes. I had severe migraines when prescribed this medication of up to 3 a week. Since I've started taking it, I've had one a month."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2014

For Birth Control "My OBGYN switched me to this pill because she believed the Necon 0.5/35 I was previously on contained unnecessary amounts of hormone for me. About 3 months in, my libido decreased, but I wasn't having any other side effects, so I decided to wait it out and see if things got better. Around month six, I missed my period three months in a row, wasn't pregnant, thank God, and started breaking out like crazy. My periods have resumed, but I've got no sex drive, really bad skin, and have become emotionally unstable around my time of the month, which is very unusual for me. I am 24 years old, 125 lbs., and have a pretty active lifestyle if anyone wants those statistics for their reference. I'll be switching at the end of this month's pack."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2014

For Birth Control "My OBGYN switched me to this pill because she believed the Necon 0.5/35 I was previously on contained unnecessary amounts of hormone for me. About 3 months in, my libido decreased, but I wasn't having any other side effects, so I decided to wait it out and see if things got better. Around month six, I missed my period three months in a row, wasn't pregnant, thank God, and started breaking out like crazy. My periods have resumed, but I've got no sex drive, really bad skin, and have become emotionally unstable around my time of the month, which is very unusual for me. I am 24 years old, 125 lbs., and have a pretty active lifestyle if anyone wants those statistics for their reference. I'll be switching at the end of this month's pack."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 15, 2018

For Birth Control "Update: I previously wrote a review for Taytulla that I thought was befitting at the time. So fast forward, I’m 6 months in and I swear I’m starting to have nausea, vomiting, headaches, mood swings, no sex drive whatsoever, and I’ve gained 17 pounds. Now the funny thing about the weight gain is that I follow a strict diet, work out 4 times a week, and walk on average 12 miles a day on my job. I constantly feel bloated, and I’m not doing anything different than I was when I first started them. My doctor said it’s water weight and retention, but carrying around the extra weight is making me feel bad physically, as well as being a mental challenge when I feel like I’m working out and watching what I eat is all in vain. Just know that these symptoms can hit you at any time."

• Unh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I originally started this pill in May of last year. I was on it for 2.5 months, and those first 2.5 months were awful. I’m normally a very confident and optimistic person, but those first two months I had terrible anxiety, panic attacks, horrible mood swings, which caused a breakup with my (then) boyfriend of a year, and irregular periods. I stopped and started taking them again around March or April of this year. Ever since then, my period is almost nonexistent as I rarely ever get one, forcing me to buy a lot of pregnancy tests out of fear (all came back negative). I have terrible acne and some sort of dermatitis around my nose that began appearing after a month or two of taking it, water weight (gain/lose 4 pounds) that fluctuates, and a decreased libido, which is a lot coming from a hormonal teen. I’m regular with taking my pill, occasionally being late by an hour, but usually am late (when it does happen) by 20 minutes or so. I’m switching."

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

For Birth Control "The Tarina Fe 1/20 was the first birth control pill I’ve gotten on. It wasn’t too bad. Although I gained around 10 or 15 pounds after being on it for a year (recently just started the Blisovi Fe pill), it did clear up my acne pretty good. But I would get very emotional at times where I would literally tear up for the slightest thing, then become moody the next second. My period was only 4 days instead of being 7 days, and I would get cramps, but they weren’t too bad, and my periods weren’t too heavy but not too light. Also, my sex drive didn’t decrease! Hopefully this helps someone! :)"