Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ken...
• May 9, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I have currently been on the pill for over a year. After my daughter, I tried the Depo shot, it made my periods stop and worked for a few months. But I became emotional and gained weight. For the last year or more, I have been using the Lo Loestrin pill, which is amazing. The positive thing about the pill is I have lost weight, my face has barely any to no breakouts, and best of all, NO period. The negative thing about the pill is I do feel more tired than usual (I am also going to school for nursing, work 36 hours, take care of the lawn/house, and have a 2-year-old), it could be my activity. Only $10 is covered by my insurance, which leaves me paying $82. My sex drive is balanced, I have not seen much change. Highly recommend this birth control."

• Rac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been taking Lo Loestrin Fe for about 2.5 years now. The first few months were pretty rough, i.e., mood swings, weight gain, low sex drive. I was even nauseous and sometimes had two periods in one month. YES, I agree it can be tough to give this one a chance, but I'm glad I did. At this point, I have not had a period in months, and all side effects have mellowed. I do get normal PMS symptoms, light cramping, and body aches, just no bleeding. No more weight gain or mood swings. I'm glad I stuck it out because it has been the best birth control I've used."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 20, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've read a lot of reviews on this birth control, and everyone writes negative reviews, so I'm going to give a positive one. I used to get very heavy 10-day periods before I went on this pill, and I am now down to light to moderate 4-day periods, and let me tell you, what a relief. I also used to get cramps so bad that sometimes I couldn't walk. Three months on this pill, and the cramps had gone. I was 23 with horrible acne. I had it everywhere: cheeks, forehead, but especially on my chin. Three months after starting the pill, and my skin cleared up tremendously. I hardly ever get a pimple, but when I do, it's usually a small one around the time of my period. I gained no weight, and my sex drive is as high as ever. I love this pill!"

• Shl...
• July 3, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I started this pill 8 months ago. I got my period horribly the first month, maybe even the worst I've ever had it. It was heavy, painful, and I gained 6 pounds in water weight. Since then, I have not gotten my period once. I will get some period symptoms around the time I would get my period and some discharge, but no period, which is great for me. I have been on probably more than 5 birth control pills before this, and this by far is the best. I've lost 10 pounds, no acne, and no depression, which is the main reason I switched. The only negative about this pill is the crazy high price. Great pill!"

• Ver...
• July 10, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I was very scared about all the side effects of birth control. However, I recently got married, and we had used abstinence during our year and a half of dating, and I needed a birth control for after we got married, and this is what I was given. I am going on my fourth month now and have experienced none of the side effects. I eat healthy and live an active lifestyle and don't ever work out, and I haven't gained any weight. I had mood swings before I got on any birth control, usually right before my period, and that is kind of the regular for me even with this pill. My skin is a lot clearer. My boobs did get bigger for a little while there. My periods are either light or nonexistent. I take this pill every night at 10 so I don't experience nausea as I'm asleep."

• Ray...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 10, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about 3 years. I've tried many other brands or generics like Junel Fe 1/20, which is a form of Microgestin. But Junel made me gain weight and get depressed. Microgestin, however, has never given me any problems at all. I start and finish my period on the exact same days every month. My periods are so light and so manageable. I've had no problem with weight gain or mood swings with this pill. I am so sad to see this pill go on back order. I highly recommend. This is the only pill I have completely loved and not had any problems on. I am a 20-year-old girl and in college, so it's very important I'm on a good pill that doesn't get in the way of my mental health for my studies. I love this pill and am sad to see it go."

• Anonymous
• June 19, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on Lo Loestrin for 4 months. This pill is one of the best I've taken so far. No periods or crazy mood swings. Sex drive is normal. Only downside is that I have gained some weight, and it's been hard to lose it while being on this pill. Second downside: it's expensive, and my insurance doesn't cover it, so it costs me $75 per month. Overall, good experience on this pill."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "After years of an IUD, I was on Lutera (levonorgestrel 0.100 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg) as my first oral birth control pill. I basically went nuts. My hormones and emotions were out of whack, and I desperately needed something new. Moved onto Junel 1/20 (norethindrone acetate 1 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg), which has norethindrone as the progestin instead of levonorgestrel. Junel 1/20 is the best! It’s been 3 to 4 months now: - no weight gain - mood stability - lightest period ever - small spotting - I feel happy and content - basically doesn’t feel like I’m on any birth control - best change I’ve ever made."

• Meg...
• May 4, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "Lolo is the first birth control that's been right for me. I tried Seasonale and Marvelon and spotted nonstop, gained 10 lbs in a year, and experienced acne, which I'm lucky to rarely have. Lolo cleared my skin, I never spotted after taking it. I am very good at taking it at exactly the same time every day. My periods are 2-3 days and very light. This month, I didn't even have a period, this is normal with Lolo. I've taken the 10 lbs off, haven't had any breakouts or mood swings either. Lolo was recommended by my doctor as my periods were heavy, long, and painful. Not anymore. Highly recommended to anyone else with those issues."

• sam...
• January 3, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I switched to this pill after using Sprintec for years and had instant weight gain. I gained 20 pounds in the first three months. No noticeable changes in mood, sex drive, or acne. My skin stayed very clear. I also stopped having a period completely, and although it was wonderful, I could not get used to it. The pregnancy panics, along with the weight gain, forced me to stop taking these pills."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 14, 2021

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "This has helped a ton with fatigue, mood swings, and hot flashes. Hasn’t caused weight gain. It has worked a lot better than the estrogen-only replacement therapy that I was previously on. I highly recommend trying for perimenopause symptoms or menopause symptoms."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 31, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I only had a period every 6 months, if at all, on Lo Loestrin Fe. I had acne, some weight gain, and my vag was dry all the time, 0 sex drive, and it wasn't normal. I took it from 16 to 18 y/o. Would rate it more than 1 for no pregnancy, but I never had sex on it. I am now in my 20s and take Femynor, and I love it so much, no issues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "As a 33-year-old, well-conditioned athlete, I had missed periods for over 6 months. My body fat percentage is extremely low and probably the cause of amenorrhea. I am on the last 'active' pill now of Generess Fe and have changed no other factors in my life since starting this medication (Paleo diet, CrossFit & running). I have gained 15 pounds in the last 23 days and have never felt more uncomfortable in my own skin. I have taken birth control in the past and never had such an awful experience with side effects."

• jul...
• April 30, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe for 6 months. Since being on it, my periods don't last as long and are usually really light. I don't have severe cramping or severe nausea, haven't really spotted. The only bad thing in my experience is that I've gained 30 pounds in four months while taking this, and so far, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to lose any of that extra weight. Believe me, I am making a huge effort to lose this weight. This medication is the only difference in my life that can account for the weight gain, unless I have some illness or medical problem that I am unaware of (I am only twenty years old with no medical history of any diseases in my family). Also, I have taken pregnancy tests, and I am not pregnant."

• JG7...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2024

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I have endometriosis and tried a number of different pills, this one works the best for me by far. At first, I did have a bit of weight gain, but I also quit vaping around the time I started, so it could be due to that. It took about 3 months for things to normalize, but once it did, life really improved for me overall. Periods are very light or nonexistent, which is fabulous for an endometriosis sufferer, and I don't get mid-cycle cramping either. I've been on it for several years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2023

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "Please do not take this birth control. I have always maintained a healthy weight. In less than a year on this pill, I gained over 20 pounds. My mood swings are awful, and I get a lot of anxiety. My self-esteem and confidence have been so low that I never want to leave the house. I also had a lot of swelling and pain in my ankle and leg, which was most likely a blood clot. I feel like I have experienced every single negative side effect. Please avoid this pill, it has changed me so much."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "Generess Fe made me gain 10 lbs in 2 weeks! I had cravings all the time, and I was always tired. All I could do is sleep and eat. My body retained so much water around the stomach and thigh area that I couldn't look at myself in the mirror without getting depressed! Overall, it was a HORRIBLE experience, I stopped taking it after 3 weeks. My OBGYN said I should have stuck with it for at least 3 months before stopping, but I didn't want the 10 pounds to turn into 30 or 50."

• Rya...
• July 11, 2013

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone 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."

• Rac...
• December 19, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I gained a little weight at first, but my body adjusted about 2 months in. These are great because the 'placebo' pills have iron in them. I am on birth control strictly to keep from passing out each month. My period was causing me to lose too much blood and causing anemia, so the iron is a must. If you take this birth control, be sure to take the brown pills instead of skipping them like so many people do."

• 4kc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I started this birth control 5 months ago after Demulen was discontinued, which I was on for about 4 years and loved. I have not had a period since I started taking Lolo. I would prefer to have a period for 3 days just for the reassurance, but I'm not complaining too much. I have experienced no weight gain, no mood swings, but maybe a slightly lower libido. Overall, I think it is pretty good!"

• Ven...
• June 23, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "Was on various birth control pills, the last one being Loestrin. Very moody, 15 lb. weight gain, acne (I NEVER break out). I've been on Generess for about 4 months, and it has been great. I actually LOST weight, my skin is back to being clear, and my mood swings are very mild. Besides mild breakthrough spotting at times, I have been very pleased with the results of this birth control."

• tor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "I started on Junel when I was 17, and I've had 0 problems with it. I didn't gain weight, feel depressed, or anything. My skin was cleared and my period got pretty light. I switched birth control pills for a while a few years ago (Junel wasn't available where I was abroad), and it was terrible! I was always sore, tired, gained weight, moody, etc. (this was a first-gen estrogen pill, unlike Junel, which is a low dose). I then switched back to Junel, and all those problems went away, thankfully. Everyone is different, but for me at least, Junel has been perfect."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone 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."

• Gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone for Birth Control "Three stars because I did not experience any mood swings, depression, or weight gain like I have in the past using other birth control. It did cut my lubrication and it was very painful to have sex. I honestly did not want to believe it was the birth control that was causing dryness, but once I stopped taking it, I realized it was."