Sprintec and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Sprintec for about 6 months and had to switch to something else. I had pretty bad nausea and headaches about an hour after I took it. I did gain 15 lbs, which wrecked my self-confidence. No changes in sex drive or mood. I did notice big water retention, specifically in my lower legs and wrists. My face is extremely clear, with almost no breakouts. Did not work for me, so I'm trying out something else."

• Two...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Sprintec for 9 months (switched from Generess Fe). For the entire first month, I experienced horrible stomach cramps, extreme bloating to where my lower abdomen felt like a rock-hard balloon, headaches (I never get headaches), as well as dizziness. I called my doctor after two weeks and told her I couldn't handle it. She told me to finish out the month to give my body a chance to regulate. After that initial month, I have had absolutely no symptoms. My sex drive has been back to normal, and my personality is happy and normal again since switching to Sprintec! Also, my periods are regular and I have very minimal bleeding, cramping, etc. Overall, I would recommend this pill."

• A12...
• July 3, 2017

For Birth Control "Horrible mood swings since starting the pill. Emotionally numb, headaches, constant anxiety, nonexistent sex drive. I was switched to this pill by my doc because I had breakthrough bleeding on my other pill."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I love Sprintec. I broke out pretty bad before taking it, and now I rarely get a pimple. The first month was tough, probably because my body was adjusting since I had a Mirena IUD inserted for the previous 5 years. During the first month, I had very bad headaches very frequently, but that month was worth it because now I feel great and have no side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been taking Sprintec for a couple of months, and from the first week I started, I had horrible acne breakouts. My periods are longer than they've ever been, even while off birth control, and while my cramps aren't as severe during that time, I have cramps all the time, it seems. At least 3 weeks out of the month. I have horrible headaches and feel like I might pass out, although I can't say for certain these are from taking Sprintec. The worst side effect of all is my mood swings. It's sad and scary when, out of the whole month, the time that I'm the calmest is during PMS and my period. I snap and get upset with friends, family, and co-workers over things that have never bothered me before. I never had any side effects with my last birth control."

• Akp...
• September 13, 2019

For Birth Control "Started this after my abortion. I have a year of birth control pills from the clinic, so why not, right? Well, I've been on it for almost 6 months, and I've gained 11 pounds. My blood pressure is higher, I spotted for like 2 months when I started the pill, my lower back constantly hurts, and I have headaches more often and have to pee more often. I'm not sure if these are all directly related to the birth control, but I definitely think weight gain is due to my crazy appetite! I also am getting pimples now, and I never really had that issue since I'm 36 years old."

• Ang...
• November 26, 2016

For Birth Control "Pros: not pregnant, cleared my skin up, first pill to not make me nauseous. Cons: severe anxiety, depression, mood swings are intense, dizziness and light-headed, no appetite, sleep issues, headaches and migraines. I think it's time to try another pill."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2019

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I’ve ever taken. When I first started taking it, I had stomachaches, backaches, I felt like puking, and had headaches. My mood swings were so bad I’ve never ever felt this sad before and anxious. This will be my 2nd month taking it, and I just have 2-3 more pills to take. What I've noticed in the 2nd month is my breasts have been sore, and the pain hasn’t gone away. I also feel a bit more bloated, and now, after today, I’ve decided to stop taking them and go back to NuvaRing. Being depressed with headaches is what Sprintec is giving me, and I thought it would go away by now."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2012

For Ovarian Cysts "About halfway through pack 3 and no real complaints. The first month on Sprintec was a living hell; UTI, mood swings, no appetite, nausea, headaches, etc. Started pack 2 and have been fine ever since. My sex drive is a little hit or miss anymore, but my SO doesn't really mind."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I have never been on any type of birth control before Sprintec. My son is turning 3 months old, so about a month ago I decided to go on the pill. I was very hesitant, but I went for it. AND I REGRET IT. I started noticing small symptoms like headaches, non-stop running to the bathroom, and sometimes cramps. But over the last 2 weeks, I started experiencing more severe, scary symptoms that included: my hair, I'm losing more and more in the shower, bad blood clots during my period, a very, very heavy period, migraines, mood swings, getting sad out of nowhere, loss of appetite... and the worst one was one night (final night of taking it) I started shaking, panic attacks, shortness of breath, I was very weak, couldn’t even pick up my son... dizziness, my body was uncontrollably hot. I instantly refused to take it ever again..."

• KkM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about three weeks. The first night I took it, I felt horrible! But ever since then, I've been fine. I didn't eat before or after taking it, so that could have been the problem. I always feel like I'm cramping. Not bad cramps, but I just feel like something is going on. I also constantly have a headache, but overall, it's working like it should!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2020

"This was the worst birth control I have ever taken. It was like poison to my body. I experienced: terrible anxiety, headaches, dizziness, hair loss in patches, weight gain, depression. It works for some but not all, please stop taking if you notice side effects immediately. I only took them for 3 weeks and suffered for months after."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the worst form of birth control I have ever taken. I am currently on Nexplanon, and I started taking Sprintec with it because I had irregular menstrual cycles. Although it did get the job done as far as somewhat regulating my cycle, the side effects were terrible. I constantly felt nauseous and ill, I literally had headaches on a daily basis. I also started to gain more weight, feel depressed, and had very bad anxiety. I do not recommend this birth control to anyone!"

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking Sprintec for two days. On the first day, I already have insomnia, and it made my depression worse. I increased and started to have bad headaches throughout the day. On my second day, my headaches got worse, and I just didn't want to do any schoolwork. I got really sleepy but couldn't sleep at all, and I lost all my appetite for food, which isn't like me at all. Today was my third day on it, this morning I had a bad headache and complete loss of appetite. I felt like I was going to pass out, like my blood sugar was low, even though I ate a protein bar. I became pale and felt lightheaded. This medication has increased my depression badly and insomnia."

• rin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So it has been a month, and I am on my 25th day. What I can say is, yes, it does control my period. My skin seems to be better than it was, although, my breasts are coming out of my bra, and nipples are extremely sensitive. I've managed to gain 7-10 lbs (I was also sick at home for two weeks and did nothing but stay in bed), but aside from that, my breasts were so sore. Today I woke up, and it seems like they had deflated overnight, although still slightly sore. Experiencing a headache that won't go away, but I'm assuming it's because of the period. Anyways, hoping the weight will drop and that it's all water or something."

• Mag...
• January 31, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been using this birth control for 6 months now, and it's done wonders for my period. My period is a lot lighter and easier to manage. No more cramps, just a headache and some slight fatigue on days 1 and 2. I'm not sexually active, so I can't comment on the effectiveness of preventing pregnancy. As far as skin goes, the first two months after using it, my skin got pretty bad. I would have patches of pimples on my chin and by my hairline. But after the 3rd month of using Sprintec, I only, and I mean ONLY, get the occasional pimple around my period, no more breakouts though. Overall, I have no problem with this birth control and will continue to use."

• Suz...
• April 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I have taken many different birth controls during my 20s, but this is by far the worst. It took reading this site to realize how bad this medicine is for my body. Been on it for 3 months now. I have developed bad acne, have horrible headaches every day, and my periods have gotten so bad I'm pretty much on bed rest the whole time. The cramps have me doubling over and feeling as if I may vomit. My period is so heavy it is making my anemia worse, and I get lightheaded often. I'm sure it works just fine for some women, but I am currently in the fetal position trying to ride this out and will not take it again."

• JeM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2015

For Birth Control "First brand of birth control ever, was feeling iffy about it from the start since the doctor said it was a 'very basic brand' to start me off with. A week in and I was getting a headache after every pill, along with nausea, bloating, spotting, and just a general feeling of being constantly hungover. Fortunately, I was taking it at night, but it would mean I would be like a zombie for the rest of the time. I'm only just finishing the first pack, but I already called to get switched to another brand. Not a fan."

• E_m...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2015

For Ovarian Cysts "Update: Going into my fifth month on Sprintec. It works fine - my period is right on schedule and very light; no serious side effects. My mood dips around my period, but that's not new for me (happened prior to taking BCP too). Nonetheless, I hate this medication. I hate how it makes me retain water constantly, to the point of physical discomfort around the last two weeks of active pills. I hate how sluggish it makes my body feel. I hate how it screws around with my GI tract. It could just be weather changes, but now I'm getting a lot of headaches (which hasn't happened before this month). Don't let this scare you; if you have to be on BCP, Sprintec gets the job done. Personally though, I'm getting off this pill as soon as humanly possible."

• 15p...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I used to take Sprintec after I was having problems with the seasonal birth control. My doctor put me on Sprintec. I quit taking it because I had no need for it at the time. I started it up again and had my annual visit with my doctor. I had high blood pressure. It also gives me the worst anxiety. I puke weekly on it, get horrible headaches, and my boobs hurt so much I have to have a pillow just for them at night. For not getting pregnant, it works, but I don’t think the side effects are worth it."

• Cee...
• March 18, 2018

For Birth Control "Sprintec does what it says it will do: control birth. The side effects are horrible. I’ve experienced weight gain (that wasn’t so bad), very bad mood swings, decreased sex drive (wasn’t good for my fiancé), heart palpitations, severe depression, headaches, and dizziness on occasions. I’ve been taking them for about 7 months now, and I’m on my last row in the pack, and I’m not going to refill on them. Every woman’s experience is different, but pay attention when many say the same things about Sprintec. I’m thick in all the right places, but I feel like garbage."

• sep...
• June 10, 2018

For Birth Control "DO NOT take this birth control. I am a healthy, vegan, 19-year-old who took this birth control for THREE days and had horrible side effects. I woke up during the night and was nauseous and had horrible diarrhea. I experienced chest pain right after taking it the next day. I also experienced pounding headaches. I took it one last time, and right after taking it, I had even worse chest pain. It continued for 2 more days. Two days ago, it was so bad, I thought I was going to have to call 911. I went to the doctor, and they had to do blood tests and a chest x-ray for blood clots and gave me an inhaler. I really hope the chest pain does not come back. I noticed yesterday that I also have red, rash-like patches all over my body. Weak arms/legs were another thing I experienced. Also, my period has now lasted 7 days. It normally does not last longer than 3 days. This was my first time ever being on birth control, let's just say I will be sticking to condoms."

• 231...
• May 11, 2018

For Birth Control "Not liking this pill so far. Was on Lo Loestrin, but it wasn't strong enough for me. The day I started Sprintec, I threw up, so I definitely recommend eating while taking it because this stuff makes me so nauseous. Every time after I eat, I feel like I might vomit or have diarrhea (which I have also had frequently). Every day I wake up with a headache and go to bed with one as well. I have a nauseous stomach for at least half of the day. Approaching my fourth week in the pack now, so hoping these symptoms lighten up after I get my period finally. My recommendation is to take this right after your period finishes. My gyno told me to take it right away, despite having my period 2 weeks prior to being prescribed it, so I haven't bled for a month and a week — don't think that's helping. I also haven't seen a difference in my acne yet. Overall, this medicine has given me about every side effect it lists and has been generally unpleasant."

• Anonymous
• October 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m on the second week of my 4th pack and still have oily skin and one big pimple on my cheek. I started Sprintec to alleviate my stubborn hormonal acne. It seems to be helping, but very slowly. I do get headaches for 2 straight days once I get my period, which sucks! The first 3 months I got new hard cystic acne on my chin and around my mouth and between my eyebrows, really embarrassing! I still don’t have clear skin."

• HMB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this pill for about 2 years, then quit taking it because I decided I did not like the idea of the hormones being in my body. I just recently started taking it again. I do not want to get pregnant. I am happy with my 7-year-old son and do not want any more children. I am two white pills away from being done with my first pack. Just started my period a few pills into the inactive pill week. I can say that I have no period cramps at all for the first time in forever! Also, my extreme PMS symptoms-headaches, etc.-are non-existent. Hopefully, it continues to be a positive experience and keeps me pregnancy-free."