Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been using this pill for approximately 2.5 years. I have never had any trouble with it, never gotten pregnant. Disclaimer: I do take it every day, hardly ever skip, and when I do forget, I double up the next day, so I think I've got myself covered. I did not experience weight gain (but I'm pretty physically active, 5'3, 120 lbs). Cramps, well sometimes but not bad, no problems with acne, no mood swings (unless I'm on my period, but that's a given). If you're young and seriously unprepared for the risk of having a child, I would recommend making sure your partner still uses a condom even if you're on birth control, trust me (3 years and it's worked for me, knock on wood)."

• 94c...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2013

For Birth Control "Been on this pill for 6 months now. Never had any problems like everyone else. I always had trouble with my periods; lasted 8 days, super heavy, sick when I started, and bad cramps. Plus my period lasts only 4 days. The only side effects I have are light cramps and not as hungry anymore. I weighed 160 lbs and now weigh 147 lbs. I love this pill and will continue taking it."

• Nyc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2014

For Acne "I am starting my third month of this birth control, and I have to say it's pretty good. My acne has decreased dramatically. I used to have a lot of cystic acne spread throughout my face, and now it is decreasing. Also, my period is very light, and it lasts about 3 to 4 days. I actually experienced cramps the last time I had my period on the first day, but once I took two Advils, I was fine. As for weight, I have maintained the same weight, however, my breasts do increase right before my period, and I do feel bloated on the first day. I would recommend this if you're looking to treat your acne."

• sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Sprintec, this is the worst birth control ever. At first, I really liked it because this was my first experience with birth control. Until month two hit. Oh boy, I was bleeding for a month straight. Horrible. I wasn't even on my placebo week, and I bled everywhere with huge blood clots. Not to mention, when I wasn’t bleeding, I was still experiencing the worst cramps ever. After 8 hours of taking it, I would be so unbelievably nauseous. Don’t get me wrong, it worked for one of my friends, but not for me."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I had been taking Tri-Sprintec for the past 2 years, then suddenly I started to get Tri-Estarylla. Don't know why. They seem to be the same medication, but they are not. This medicine made me gain 10 pounds in 1 week, I had bad cramps and overall fatigue. I wish to have my Tri-Sprintec back. Don't take this medicine, from my experience, it was horrible. I'm stuck with all this weight now."

• gag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on and off this BC for a total of 4 months, and in those 4 months, I broke out on my right jawline and cheek area and had huge acne cysts; I also cramped quite a bit throughout the month. When I told my doctor, she dismissed everything and said to give it time, but I just felt this was too strong of hormones for my body, so I stopped on my own. Within a month, my acne altogether stopped, but the cramping still goes on; I'm on month 2 of hoping my body will reset from this awful drug. Ladies, if your body is off with this, please listen to it; doctors will always downplay side effect symptoms, and I'm so tired of that."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control, Sprintec, for 4 years due to my PCOS. This pill definitely has helped regulate my period and helped get my acne under control. Also, the pill definitely does its job in preventing pregnancy very well, but I also never miss a pill and take it at the same time every day. My only complaints are that it takes me a few days (2-3 days) after taking my last pill to begin my period, and I do get cramps pretty bad."

• Bri...
• November 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Sprintec for about 10 months. On the plus side, my face is very clear and my sex drive is normal; I also have very predictable, light, and short periods. On the negative side, I experience PMS-like symptoms in the last two weeks of active pills... bloating, cramps, swelling of breasts, etc. My appetite has increased considerably, but I've had no major weight gain. Overall, I'm happy with Sprintec and would definitely recommend!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2019

"Has anyone using Tri-Lo-Marzia experienced muscle spasms, pain, and cramping in legs, knees, hands, feet, toes, and arms? Feels like your whole body has inflammation? I’ve started using the generic brand Tri-Lo-Marzia for 1 1/2 months, and I’m experiencing all these symptoms."

• Anonymous
• April 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I was originally on a different pill, but my insurance wouldn’t cover the name brand, so I was switched to Mono-Linyah. The first month I took this, I suffered from painful cramps and mood swings. I attributed these to switching birth control, and after the first month, they went away. I continued using this pill for a year with little side effects and a lighter, shorter period, yay! But after a year, all the benefits stopped. My acne has exploded! My hair is thinning and falling out. I bleed randomly between periods, and during my regular period, I experience horrible cramps and really heavy bleeding. I started experiencing abnormal levels of anxiety and panic attacks, and I slipped into a really dark depressive state for 2-3 months. The only reason I’m still taking this pill is because it does its job in the sense that it prevents pregnancy. I will be seeing a doctor soon to switch."

• Dev...
• April 14, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was on this for 2 years, stopped it because I had been broken up with (didn't want babies). I no longer had a need for it. After stopping this, I ended up bleeding for 2 weeks at a time. Once a month, I had 1 week where I wasn't on my period, and I would soak an overnight pad in less than an hour. I had extreme cramps, skipped uni because I would have to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes to change my tampon and pad. I had fainting spells, sleeping in school because I couldn't stay awake. I came home from school at 4, slept until the next morning every day (due to the amount of blood loss). This birth control permanently ruined my natural mental cycle. I NEVER had this problem. I could not include the rest of my experience because only 1000 characters are allowed. I ended up in the hospital for 4 days, 2 blood transfusions, and heart failure. There was also cystic hormonal acne, suicidal thoughts, and depression. I can't stop it now, or else I would end up risking my life again because it permanently messed up my reproductive organs."

• BMK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2013

For Acne "I am 24, and I have been taking Trinessa for almost a month. I have nice skin as it is, but this birth control has helped with the normal small breakouts that we all get. I have noticed my skin 'glows' more now. On the downside, I felt nauseous every day for the first week. I couldn't eat because I felt so sick. I have cramps and feel bloated. I haven't gained any weight that I have noticed. I have had lower back pain and more cravings for food. BUT, my sex drive is through the roof, which I can't complain about. Overall, I hope the sickness goes away. If I didn't know I was on the pill, I'd think I was pregnant."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2010

For Ovarian Cysts "I got on this pill to stop from getting ovarian cysts; while I don't think it completely solved this problem, I found this pill very helpful overall. I had very few side effects: no spotting, no nausea, no loss of hair, but I do still get cramping before my period. It shortened my period to about 5 days, and it always comes when expected. I have tried two other types of pills, one being Yaz, and I came back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo because of the fewer side effects. It's a great pill, and I haven't had any problems with it. I've been on it for about 2 years."

• ABQ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 25, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my second form of birth control, and I absolutely love it! My insurance pays for it, so it does not cost me one penny. When I did pay for it, it was less than ten dollars. I started on the Depo shot, and I hated it. I gained 40 pounds on it, and it affected me tremendously. Tri-Sprintec hasn't let me down. I have used it for a little over two years now. My boyfriend and I have been together for a year, and we have been baby-free. It continues to work for me. I haven't gained any weight. I don't get mood swings. The only difference I have noticed is a little bit more cramping, but nothing major. Cramps have been bearable. If you are looking for a steady birth control, then this could be for you."

• Jad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I've finished 3 packs of this pill. I came off of Depo Provera... endless spotting, and I got the worst acne of my life. So, I switched to TriNessa 3 months after Depo. Things are back to normal, but even better than when I was on no birth control. With each pack, I've noticed more improvement in skin, length of period, and my breasts have become rounder. I can't say I am ecstatic about it yet, but maybe I need to be on it longer. Period is only a little lighter, but is definitely shorter. Went from 7 to 4 days. Cramps are only a little better. Skin is not nearly as clear as it was before Depo, but on its way!"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m one of the many women whose life was upended when Mononessa was discontinued in the US. Sprintec, Estarylla, and Mili have all failed as substitutes. I’m guessing there are new-generation additives in birth control pills (BCP’s) that are straight-up toxic. But Mili was the worst. Took it for two days and experienced unbearable nausea, stomach pain, and bloating. I got off it, malaise persisted an extra day along with ovarian pain. A huge disappointment because there are no other options available in the generic Ortho Cyclen formulation."

• Ras...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Don’t miss a pill when on Tri-Lo-Marzia. I swear if I miss a pill or take it too late, I’ll be spotting freaky-looking black clots and discharge until week 4 when I get my period where the gates go from just a crack to wide-hecking-open. But if I do everything right, it is a GODSEND. Severe cramps gone, no more mood swings, and a WAY MORE regular cycle. So yeah, set an alarm on your phone or something to take it, and it’ll be fine."

• tk2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2020

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Marzia totally got rid of my sex drive. Before I got on this pill, I had a very high sex drive. Within a month of being on Tri-Lo-Marzia, I physically could not get aroused even when I wanted to. It made my vagina dry. I could literally tell the blood flow to my genitals had decreased. It's effective at preventing pregnancy because you will no longer want to have sex. It also gave me extreme mood swings and anxiety every month during the week 3 pills. On a positive note, I could not tell any changes with my acne or weight. I did not experience any spotting between periods, but it did make my cramps worse and flow slightly heavier. 27 years old, 160 lbs. Light periods lasting 4-5 days."

• Beo...
• January 7, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Everything seemed fine in the first few weeks of taking the pill, and then right before starting my second pack, I started bleeding heavily and having the most awful cramps. It was like I was 13 years old all over again (keep in mind, I’m 25). So now I’m almost finished with my second pack, and I’ve been bleeding heavily for like 2 1/2 weeks now. This birth control sucks. I do not recommend. I’m switching to another one as soon as I can."

• Daa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I have used this birth control for months now, and I honestly like it. The first week I used it, it gave me really bad suicidal thoughts and made me deeply depressed. I cried mostly every night and at work. But after that week, I was totally fine except I started having really bad headaches. But every birth control comes with symptoms that only last a week or two, and you're totally fine for the rest of the months, depending on if your body accepts it or not. I don't really have acne, I haven't gained weight, my boobs look fuller, and I haven't gotten pregnant yet. Also, my period was heavy in the first month, but through the second and third month, it gets lighter and lighter, as well as the cramps. I love it. Just have a good diet, vitamins, and exercise."

• Fdo...
• December 1, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been using this birth control for over a year, and it has proven to be perfect. The first 3 weeks I was taking it, I had pretty bad mood swings, but this is expected, and they quit happening around the time I started my second cycle of pills. I had irregular periods and bad cramping; both of those problems were fixed once again by the second month of pills. My flow was much lighter for a shorter amount of days (and you still have a period every month, which allows your body to still clean itself out). As a contraceptive, it is my only method of birth control, and I'm not pregnant yet, so it's doing its job there. Never had acne, but I break out less often. Basically, this is a great pill."

• Sam...
• December 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 3 or 4 years and love it! It is my only form of birth control, and I haven't gotten pregnant yet. I was on a different pill for three months, and it gave me horrible cramps and headaches, and once I switched back to Sprintec, they went away."

• Kim...
• August 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking this medication to help control bleeding. It worked great for stopping that, but I traded in the bleeding for severe cramping. I cramp off and on throughout the day. The cramps feel like I am going through a really bad period. The pain will stop me in my tracks, and I have to hold myself or bend over to help ease the pain."

• Kim...
• August 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking this medication to help control bleeding. It worked great for stopping that, but I traded in the bleeding for severe cramping. I cramp off and on throughout the day. The cramps feel like I am going through a really bad period. The pain will stop me in my tracks, and I have to hold myself or bend over to help ease the pain."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Mononessa for a little over 2 months now, and I love it! My periods used to be absolutely horrible (dreadful cramps and heavy bleeding), now they're not bad at all! I only had minor cramps on the first day. The flow was so light I never even needed a tampon. It hasn't affected my mood at all, coming from my fiancé. No nausea or headaches. The only reason I give it a 9 instead of 10 is I feel like my acne is a little worse around my chin area :/"