Sprintec and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• sar...
• June 13, 2013

For Birth Control "Can I say... awful cramps? Never in my life have I had cramps like these! I've only been on Sprintec for a month. My first period was this past weekend, and it was bad! I had to take muscle relaxers to get the pain to lessen, and those barely touched it. Also, I'm still bleeding four days into my new pill pack. I'm ready to be DONE with this ridiculously long period! My moods are insane. I'm emotional. One positive: my face is amazingly clear. That's it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I just want to start this by saying not everyone's bodies are the same and different pills can react differently. I've been on Sprintec for two and a half years now, starting when I was a teenager, and I love it. I used to have extremely painful cramps during my period and 7- to 8-day long periods. Since starting Sprintec, my periods are much lighter, much shorter, and way less painful! My overall acne has improved, I do break out around my period, but I think that is normal. I did not gain weight from this pill. You only gain weight if you give in to cravings that changes in hormones can bring. Just be aware of what you are eating and how much. I did not notice any change in my cravings, however. I love this pill, and it has worked great."

• lal...
• September 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 3 weeks. At first, everything was okay. But now I have the worst cramps ever. I guess different people, different effects. I have been so moody. Motrin doesn't help either."

• Cof...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I just started taking Sprintec 2 weeks ago, and in the beginning, I was fine, no cramps or anything. I am on my second week taking this birth control, and all I have done is bleed. Also, since being on Sprintec, my cramps have gotten a million times worse. I would not even recommend this to my worst enemy...."

• Noo...
• July 5, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "First month, I had pretty bad cramps, but that was a big reason I went on it, along with very irregular periods. After that month, though, I barely experience cramping, my periods are light and fairly short (4 days). I'm used to heavy cramps so bad I throw up and 6+ day periods. My skin is the clearest it's ever been. I did bloat very badly (7 pounds gained) around month 4, but now (month 5), all bloating is gone and I'm back to my original size. It hasn't taken away any PMS symptoms besides acne and cramps, but I'm okay with that. My breasts have grown a cup size (32 C to 32 D). So far, so good. Plus... no babies!"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this for about a month now. I'm 25, and my sex drive is almost completely gone. I started it before my period, so my doctor said that my period would be late. I was fine with that. It wasn't late, I started out with spotting and then what was like a normal flow. I'm now going on almost 2 weeks of bleeding. I hardly ever get cramps, and on this, it's pretty much cramps so often that I want to double over in pain. I get lightheaded and dizzy, nausea, my mood swings are crazy. I go from happy to crying or angry for no reason. I noticed my breasts have been tender. My feet and hands have swelling issues to the point where it hurts to walk or grab anything. I'm on the placebo part of my first pack, so I'm hoping the side effects go away."

• lil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Sprintec really worked miracles for me. I used to have terrible cramps that wouldn't go away no matter what I did, and I would be throwing up for hours and unable to go to school. But now I get extremely light periods and have no cramps at all. I do know that different birth controls work better for different people, though just because it works well for one person doesn't mean it'll work that well for you, but if you are considering trying this, I would give it a go."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2009

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been taking Sprintec for a couple of months now, and for about a couple of weeks of about 3 or 4 a day, I had severe cramps and had to be put on 500 mg painkillers. It has since subsided somewhat, but I now have the biggest clots that I have ever seen. I am constantly spotting, even though it is supposed to stop or regulate my period. I was placed on it by a couple of different doctors because I have been having excessive bleeding nonstop. I was on another birth control pill - I forgot the name - which was way better at stopping my period and getting me back on a monthly cycle. With Sprintec, my period is constant, and I spot daily. My sex life is nonexistent as a result."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• hel...
• April 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I tried so hard to like this pill, but I can't stomach it anymore...literally. I have horrible acid reflux from it, which has gotten progressively worse each month. I can barely eat toast, rice, and bland/lean meals without having a severe stomach acid flare-up. Pros: it's a crazy cheap pill, and I did not gain weight. I actually was able to lose 15 pounds without trying (HUGE for me, since PCOS packed 45 pounds onto my small frame in about two years in my mid-20s, and I'm newly 30). Cons: my breasts have shrunken a full cup size; hair started falling out in clumps within the first week; nails are brittle and break easily; periods are just as painful and crampy as my pre-pill days; cystic acne has gotten much worse than not being on a pill; and my hirsutism isn't improving. I'm done with Sprintec. I can't wait to go back to Yaz or Yasmin in a week and get my stomach back to normal!"

• Bew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Although this medicine prevented pregnancy, I've had two pregnancy scares in 6 months due to the side effects of this pill. Nausea, exhaustion to the point of leaving work to nap, swollen breasts and nipples, bloating, cramping two weeks before the period and still during the period, headaches, waking up sweaty at night, white discharge, and heartburn. All the symptoms of pregnancy, but my period came at the exact time it always does, and my cramps are normal. Please be cautious. I told my coworker that I would be willing to stop having sex until I was married if this meant not having these scares and feeling miserable on this medicine."

• Gam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I began taking this pill in May, after having my second child. The nurse at the clinic told me to wait at least three months, as the symptoms would subside. They didn't. I have experienced irregular bleeding, heavier than normal bleeding, cramping, my skin looks worse than it ever has, the bloating is terrible - I have gained 15 pounds since starting this pill, I've had more headaches, severe fatigue, and have been just downright moody. It has done the job of preventing pregnancy, but then again it has given me the sex drive of an elderly woman. Would not recommend."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been taking Sprintec since May 2016. I was doing great on the blue pill, but when it came to taking the white pill for 7 days, I would bleed for weeks straight at a time. So, playing doctor, I just started taking the blue pill and would skip over taking the white pill, and I would spot every now and then. When I did do that, I would have severe cramps (never had cramps before in my life) and decided to finish the pack as suggested (blue/white pills). Now it is August, and for three weeks I have been bleeding non-stop. I have not taken any of my blue pills since Sunday, July 31st, to see if the bleeding would stop, and sure enough, it HASN'T.... I am tired of cramping when on the pill and bleeding when I follow the directions. HELP???"

• loo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Sprintec for a year and just went in to get my 2nd year's worth of prescription. It's great, it's affordable, the best part is knowing when I'll have my period, and it usually starts and ends on the same day each month. My doctor has also changed my prescription a bit this year and has prescribed it in a way that I will only get my period every 3 months. No bad side effects, just good ones like clear skin, no cramps, light periods, etc. For you ladies who get nauseous after taking the pill, before I started, my doctor warned me about that, and she recommended I take the pill before bed, so I take mine at 10 pm every night, so even if I do get nauseous, I don't feel it because I'm usually asleep."

• wal...
• July 9, 2013

For Birth Control "Before using this birth control, my period was an absolute nightmare. Cramps so bad I wouldn't be able to go to work, severe bloating and back pain, and a nasty full 7 days of bleeding. The first month of using this birth control, and there was a huge difference! All my period symptoms went away, and I have a light period that usually starts the Tuesday or Wednesday after the white pills and ends by Friday or Saturday. Sounds cheesy, but this pill seriously changed my life during my period."

• Dan...
• May 15, 2020

For Ovarian Cysts "I got on Sprintec to try to fix acne and stop getting ovarian cysts. I haven't had an ovarian cyst for either month, and I've had at least one for 7 months in a row before starting this. At first, my back and chest broke out, which wasn't normal, and my face acne didn't get better or worse. My back and chest have been healing, and my face still is about the same, maybe a little better. My boobs hurt pretty bad for the whole first month but have felt better and almost back to normal now. I do feel nauseous, but I did before from ovarian cysts too, so I'm not sure if that's because of the birth control. I have felt hungry a lot from this, I think, but I haven't gained weight from it. I haven't had mood swings out of the ordinary. The biggest complaint I have about this is that my period cramps usually happened the first day or two and then went away, and on Sprintec, it's hurt the whole time I've been on my period. I'm also not pregnant, so it's doing its job on that part. So, overall, not complaining!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about one year, and my one complaint is I have no sex drive at all, mild cramping, and my periods are shorter, although heavy bleeding. After reading all these reviews, I guess I'm lucky, never had depression or any breakouts. I was tired a lot, and after changing to taking my pill at bedtime versus the morning, it really made a difference."

• Kri...
• April 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I took Sprintec for 3 years, it was my first birth control. When I first got on it, I had cramping for about a week, and then it was fine. My periods came like clockwork every month! I gained no weight, and it helped stop my breakouts. Overall, I have no complaints about this pill, until recently... Randomly, I started bleeding. I had a period for about a month, give or take a few days when it would stop. Because of that, I have now switched pills because I just need higher estrogen. This pill is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!"

• Tif...
• August 1, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took this BC because I had constant bleeding for over a month. It stopped my period for about two weeks, however, I started bleeding heavier than before and had cramps so severe it felt like I was having labor pains every minute for a couple of hours. I had to go to the emergency room, and while there, I had a clot the size of a golf ball. The doctor said it was the birth control and to see an OB-GYN and get on another form of BC. I will not be taking this anymore and would not recommend!"