Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2012

"I was very worried to start birth control for the first time. I've heard so many bad symptoms about it, especially about this birth control pill. However, to my surprise, I never had any symptoms whatsoever. I have been on the pill for about six months, and I don't feel a thing. My face cleared up (I have moderate acne), and my breasts grew (GOOD thing). No vaginal dryness, no mood swings, my sex drive is the same. I get cramps, but nothing Advil can't fix."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Terrible. Didn’t help with cramps, I had heavier periods and zero sex drive. The worst is the anxiety and anger associated with it. My fiancé and I just split up over these pills due to my mood swings and upset. I wouldn’t take them ever again. Too many reviews say the same thing...the pills are the common denominator!"

• Cpa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Could not say enough bad things about this medicine!!! Abnormal bleeding, oily skin, mood swings, headaches, weight gain, racing heart, shortness of breath, cramping, night sweats, and nausea just from taking this pill for less than a month. Do not understand why anyone is even getting prescribed this pill, especially after reading all the reviews I’ve read on it. Absolutely ridiculous!!"

• Mas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2014

For Birth Control "After my doctor diagnosed me with CAH three weeks ago, he put me on this birth control to help regulate my periods. I have been experiencing cramps on and off (like period cramps), extreme breast tenderness and swelling, diarrhea, nausea (without vomiting), mood swings, sex drive is the same but have a very hard time reaching satisfaction, and my skin is very clear. Going to continue on this pill to see if, in time, side effects will decrease."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2015

For Birth Control "The great thing about the pill is that my breast went up a full cup size, which is wonderful. The bad part is that I got severe migraines about 2.5 weeks into the pack, and I have never gotten one before. My cramps were so bad I felt like my insides were going to fall out, and I never had serious problems like this. Lately, I have been more emotional than usual, I don't act like myself at all. I'm always angry, sad, or depressed. My sex life with my boyfriend is completely trash now, so I guess that makes my increased cup size a waste. No positive or negative changes in acne. Since I'm only just finishing the first pack, I'm going to try and keep going and see if the side effects subside."

• Mea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I take this in the afternoon before I go to bed and have never gotten pregnant. It can take 3 months to have your hormones stabilize around them, so don't give up too soon. Of course, my emotions go crazy sometimes, and I get some acne (as to be expected of an 18-year-old). My hormones would be so much worse if I got pregnant. Period has shortened to 5 days instead of 7, still get bad cramps, but again, have gone a few years without getting pregnant. By the way, it was called something else before its name changed a few months ago, so VyLibra is the generic of Ortho-Cyclen. I've gotten it for FREE through Planned Parenthood, even though I don't have insurance. If you don't make enough money, they can cover the cost. Oh, and they don't tell your parents if you are getting it for periods."

• Ele...
• November 24, 2014

For Acne "I started taking birth control mainly for acne. I've had severe body acne since I was a teen. It's been so bad that I've been embarrassed to wear clothes that even expose my shoulders since my skin resembles a Dalmatian. I'm 22 now, and I've tried all sorts of treatments, including head and shoulders, zinc supplements, ointments galore, and salicylic acid. None had a lasting change. Then finally, I went on birth control for the first time. Wow. At last. I am on week 3. No new acne, anywhere. My skin is even less oily, red, and irritated. As a bonus, my breasts seem fuller! I haven't had any mood swings, bloating, or cramps. (I was very worried about that before). Just exercise and stay positive!"

• Rol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking Sprintec for 9 months now and can't wait for my prescription to be up so I can switch. The first 2 months, I experienced extreme loss of appetite, depression, suicidal thoughts, panic, anxiety, and insomnia. The next 4 months, I leveled off. My periods were painless and light! 2 months ago, the bloating and weight gain began. I can't eat anything without feeling bloated/sick. I wake up in the middle of the night with menstrual cramps all throughout the month. I have put on 30 lbs in 2 months. I am an active person and work 40 hrs a week. I eat a raw vegan diet, and I practice yoga daily. This amount of weight gain doesn't add up. The one positive about Sprintec is it prevents pregnancy, but I hate this roller coaster ride."

• Son...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control since I was 14 because of horrible periods and cramps, and have tried a lot of different pills. I am now 22 and have been on Mono-Linyah for a few years now. At first, the pill was a godsend as I was experiencing a lot of acne on Sprintec, and this pill cleared it up. However, I feel like as I get older I'm beginning to experience a lot more PMS. I cry, get mad, and feel overall depressed and low during placebo week. My periods have gotten super heavy, and my cramps are back with a vengeance. This pill worked for me when I was younger, but now that I'm getting older, it seems to be working less effectively."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Tri-Sprintec because my insurance no longer covered the brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and it was the worst experience ever. I immediately broke out, and my periods got worse. I started to experience mood swings and worse cramps. I stuck with it hoping it would get better, but it never did. I would not recommend Tri-Sprintec or Sprintec to anyone, both of these made my life a living nightmare."

• Dia...
• February 3, 2020

For Endometriosis "Sprintec, by far, is the best birth control I’ve ever been on. Started on Microgestin, and by the time I reached 30, is when I started having hormonal issues and was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis. I had surgery performed, and my doctor encouraged me to get back on birth control to keep my hormones regulated, so naturally, I went back to Microgestin. This time, however, it didn’t help like it used to. Estrogen levels remained low, bad cramping, and still no periods, so I went the DIM route. That did nothing, so I decided to chance it and try Sprintec after reading info and reviews, and I gotta say after a few months, my body feels like it did 10 years ago. My hormone levels are even, and I actually welcome the breast soreness because that’s when I know I have estrogen again! It has given me a regular period, and my energy and appetite feel great. I’m glad I trusted my gut and decided to try this brand, because after years of trial and error, I’ve finally found the right birth control."

• Bro...
• January 27, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 16, almost 17, and I went on this because I had really heavy periods with bad cramps and would pass out regularly. I've been on this for a little over two weeks, and my period hasn't stopped. It was heavy for the first four days, and then it became really light. For the last week, it's almost like spotting, which has never happened to me before. My breasts hurt really badly. I'm not sure if I've gained or lost weight because I started dieting right before I went on the pill. So far, I hate the pill, but it's only been a month. I'm hoping the next months will be better than this one."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on this going on 3 months. I've been doing the continuous method of no placebo pills in order to skip periods. The first week, the nausea was terrible, but luckily, it didn't last past that. Then towards the end of the first month, I started getting cramps pretty bad, but they were bearable with Tylenol. In the second month, I bled for a long time, maybe 2 weeks. I was so irritated I almost stopped taking them! That was my main goal-to skip periods-and here's this weird extra long one, but the doctor said it's normal and to give it a few more cycles to regulate and get rid of the old uterine lining, so I stuck it out, and now everything's fine. Makes sense that there would be a transition phase, so some might just need to give your body time to adjust during those first few months! And, unrelated to bleeding, but my boobs got firmer and noticeably fuller on this pill, with some soreness there."

• KLi...
• January 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I was cautious in the beginning to not read women's reviews of Tri-Sprintec because I wanted to begin the experience with a fresh mind. I've only been on Tri-Sprintec for two months (just beginning pack #3), and although my doctor said it could take up to 3 packs to 'adjust,' I am not continuing with these synthetic hormones. I began taking this pill for a heavy period and cramps-neither were relieved. In fact, I was spotting for the week before my periods and a little after, too. I never get headaches, and on this pill, I had a consistent dull throbbing pain in my head. I lost my appetite for weeks at the beginning. The worst side effect is my moods-I feel completely flat. As someone who typically is energized and excited (sometimes anxious too) about life, this pill was not for me. It stunted my personality. I threw my pack away today, and I will continue seeking alternative solutions to painful periods because I'd rather have painful periods than feel this emotional numbness."

• epp...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I started on this birth control when I was 18, and 9 years later, I sadly need to switch due to a change in my insurance. It is SO expensive on a high deductible plan. But when I was on it, it really helped keep my cycle super regular, skin clear, and no weight gain. But with most pills, you can't miss a day or more, otherwise, the nausea/cramps are out of control!"

• ell...
• February 21, 2012

For Birth Control "I started this pill and immediately had horrible mood swings. I thought I was losing my mind, I am not a crier, and I cried almost every day for a week. I had horrible cramping, nausea, and weird sleeping patterns. Also, my anxiety increased, my breasts became severely sore, and I started to sweat a lot more. I'm switching to Aviane now, and hopefully it works better. The plus side to this pill, though, was my acne cleared up, and I didn't gain any weight."

• Ali...
• March 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this birth control to anyone. I just finished my second pack and ended up in the emergency room after bleeding for 8 days straight with the heaviest period of my life. I am used to heavy periods because I have endometriosis, but this was the worst, along with very painful cramps. I ended up with a huge cyst on my left ovary. Other side effects I have had are terrible anxiety and depression. The first month, I was so sick to my stomach and could hardly eat. My breasts have been swollen and so sore the last two months, worse than both my pregnancies. The worst symptom is I have been so irritable and hateful, which is not me at all. I just want to feel like myself again!"

• WAa...
• September 9, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "It's effective in the sense that it has done its job well, it prevented pregnancy, but I absolutely hate it. I switched over from Tricyclen due to its cost, but honestly, I'm planning on switching back. Severe cramps, headaches, and mood swings galore. The worst part of it all? I have been in my period for THREE WEEKS. It's ridiculous, I've never had issues with any other birth control. My regular period usually lasted 4 days maximum, compare that to constant bleeding for almost a month now. No thanks. Do not recommend this for anyone."

• Sun...
• October 23, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill, in my opinion, is the worst form of birth control to take. I took it for 2 months. The first month was fine; the second was horrible. Been on my period for 3 weeks with very heavy bleeding and HUGE blood clots. Waking up in the middle of the night 2 or 3 times to change, along with the worst cramps ever. Felt depressed, mood swings, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and felt out of breath. I have also been feeling as if I have vertigo; thought it was just me, but saw others had this problem as well. I do not recommend this birth control."

• Zea...
• November 11, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I began taking this for my period, which was really heavy and came with terrible cramps. While I was on it, I experienced terrible cramps. I have genetically good skin, but this medication gave me the worst acne of my life. It was embarrassing, not to mention painful. It also made me incredibly depressed, and I’d find myself canceling plans with some of my favorite people to stay home and cry. I have decided to go off of it, and I am very excited to get back to normal. Based on other reviews I have read, many women have gone through similar experiences to mine."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2020

For Acne "The only good thing about this drug is that it cleared up my acne around my cycle time. The bad thing is I cramp like my cycle's first day for two weeks. Period was a week late, and then stayed on for a week and a half, and I spot/bleed constantly. If the spotting seems to stop, and I go to have sex, here comes the period back on. And the spotting comes back. It messed up my body so bad. I don’t think the irregular bleeding is worth keeping a few pimples away. And not to mention that you will be nauseated and will have a queasy stomach all the time. It gets worse after you eat. Every single time."

• MJa...
• December 12, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Last year or so, I was having constant spotting, and so I went to the Dr. and was put on different birth control pills, none of which helped with the spotting until this one. I've had no spotting whatsoever on this one, and I've been on it for 9 months or so, and my periods only last about 3-4 days, which is nice. I've also stopped getting bad cramps, which were horrendous prior to birth control. My acne has cleared up, except for the occasional spot, but only once a month or so. I have not experienced any weight gain either, however, I do notice some slight mood changes, but it's nothing that is uncontrollable. I would recommend."

• lyn...
• July 3, 2014

For Birth Control "My GYN prescribed it. She said I could have unprotected sex seven days later. The first day I took it, I felt nauseous, but I expected it because I did my research. I had unprotected sex on the eighth day-4 days before my expected period. My period then was late. I thought I was pregnant, but the test results were negative. I then had a horrible migraine lasting for more than one week-on and off during the day. I never get migraines. My cramps were horrible, and I felt like I was dying. I had really bad neck aches, back aches, and leg aches. I was supposed to try it for 3 months then report to my GYN, but I couldn't do it."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2018

For Birth Control "It's been a month on the pills, and I have noticed spotting on the second and the beginning of the third placebo pills. I was very drowsy and drained, and my period was a little heavy, and the cramps weren't so bad, but I noticed during the spotting sometimes my blood was brown, and when my period actually started, it was brown. The pills seem okay, but if I have the same problem this month, I would try to change...."

• cje...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 3 years. It was my first birth control I had tried. I have had absolutely no problems. I had horrible acne before I got on this birth control, and after starting it, it cleared my acne tremendously. My periods are very regular. I know pretty much what day I will get it, and it usually lasted 4-5 days. I have no cramps, and it’s not heavy bleeding. I also haven’t gained any weight from it. I recommend this to anyone!"