Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2019

"This pill Cryselle is downright terrible. I could not give a more honest opinion. Yes, it does its job of protecting you from pregnancy, but the side effects are NOT worth it. I’ve been taking it a year and a half now, and not once in my life have I ever had acne until this pill. My face feels like a gravel road because my skin is so haggard. So that right there has ruined my self-confidence, and on top of that, I’m more depressed than I’ve ever felt in my whole life. Constant mood swings. I feel fat, pimple-ridden, moody, and all around awful. But hey, at least I’m not pregnant. Totally not worth it, ladies."

• Nev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2021

"I started taking this pill to regulate my period, prescribed by my doctor, and this is by far the worst pill I have ever taken. I have never been so sad, depressed, paranoid, and not to mention the terrible anxiety. I’m not an emotional person at all, I have always been a happy person, but taking this pill has made me lose myself very quickly. I feel like I live in my head and am never fully present. I have been taking this pill for about 9 months, hoping my body just needs time to get used to it, but it’s not, it is just making my side effects worse and worse. Not to mention the extreme hair loss I have from this pill, my hair has thinned tremendously. The only thing about this pill that has worked is preventing pregnancy. I still have cramps, bloating, mood swings, etc."

• Sum...
• October 28, 2013

"After being on Tri-Nessa for at least a decade with no problems, I was switched from Tri-Nessa to Low-Ogestrel because I was experiencing very heavy bleeding during my periods. The Low-Ogestrel did fix the heavy bleeding but at a cost. I've been on L.O. for 6 months and have been experiencing depression, mood swings, acne on my chin, and pimples on my scalp. At first, I attributed these things to the beginning of menopause, but after really thinking about it, it just seemed too coincidental that these things began when I began taking a different pill. This morning, I googled 'side effects of Low-Ogestrel' and am finding pages of stories just like mine. I already have a call into my Dr. and will switch pills."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2019

"Overall, Cryselle is a good birth control. Periods are light and last only a few days at the same time each month. Hasn’t helped with my acne, but that’s okay. My cramps have been worse, but not sure if that’s linked to the pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2019

"(18F) Before starting this Cryselle, I had 7-8 day-long periods with awful cramps (to the point of passing out). To make a future point, I also had zero acne and no family history of acne. About a month in, my acne got so bad I never considered the cause was Cryselle (Norgestrel 0.3 mg, ethinyl estradiol 0.30 mg). My periods were so light and only lasted 2 days. Never had any cramps, and I felt like I could live my life. But my acne was all over my body, and it hurt to even put glasses on. After a year on antibiotics for the acne (which helped a lot), the acne came back when my only medication was this birth control. Finally, after 1.5 years, I switched to Sprintec (Norgestimate 0.25 mg, ethinyl estradiol 0.035 mg) instead, it has a different type of progestin and slightly more estradiol. Now, my acne is completely gone. When I read reviews saying the medication has no effect on acne, don’t always trust them. Was even told this by my doctor. Make sure to pay close attention to changes in your body. Also gained 35 pounds very quickly."

• Dol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2013

"I was switched to this medication after being on a birth control that worked wonders for me. My doctor was sure it would help me with some of my skin issues, such as eczema. However, it made everything a million times worse! Not only did my skin break out in rashes on my wrist and face, I had pimples all over my body, had horrible morning sickness to the point where I could barely eat anything all day, and it made me extremely moody. I was told that the pill caused my hormones to go out of whack and sent me into a state like a pregnant teenager. It was horrible. If they work for you, that's great, but they're not for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 3, 2013

"I've been taking this for a while, and as a fairly small lady, the side effects can be a little much at times. Sometimes it causes really nasty headaches behind my eyes due to my contact lenses. Also, I tend to get stomach pains that happen at random times throughout my cycle. However, it has kept my cycle very regular and reduced my period from seven days to four. Great if you have irregular cycles, but the side effects can be a tad overpowering if you're not prepared."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2015

"The only benefit to the birth control is that it prevents pregnancy. It has caused me major mood swings (anger and sadness), pain in my breasts, and acne breakouts. I have never had issues with acne, even as a teen. It's not worth it."

• Deb...
• July 8, 2016

"I've been on Cryselle for 2.5 months now. I've had acne all my life and had finally gotten it under control before starting Cryselle. It's out of control again. Additionally, I've had some serious anxiety, depression, mood swings. I cry all the time and have irrational obsessive, anxious thoughts. The benefits definitely did not outweigh the costs. My GYN is switching my prescription."

• Que...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 4, 2016

"I feel like, based on all these reviews, you either love it or you hate it. This works wonders for me. The first inactive week, the first period I had on it was horrible. But after that, as my body adjusted, it really helped. Also, I know it's terrible, but when I was younger, I had unprotected sex, and I never worried because I always get my period on the 3rd-4th day of the inactive. I've been on them for about three years now, would recommend if you have very little medical history to worry about."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

"I just finished the first month of this birth control. After taking Tri-Sprintec for years, I started developing ovarian cysts that would make having sex painful. My doctor suggested switching my birth control to help with the cysts. Well, after 3 weeks of taking Cryselle, my ultrasound showed no cysts, which was great, but my side effects have been rough. I immediately became moody and even paranoid. I felt like everyone was out to get me. I have been very bloated and very gassy. The worst has been the headaches. Especially in the last week of pills, which I just completed, it was daily severe headaches. My doctor switched me to Mircette, and I took the first pill last night. Hopefully, this will be a better experience."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2009

"I have been taking this for 3 months. My doctor said I could take it and skip the last row of pills in the 1st 2 packs so that I will only have a period every 3 months. I can tell you that has not been the case. I have been spotting irregularly ever since I started taking it. Sometimes it's for 3-4 days, sometimes it seems like it is for 2-3 weeks on and off. Sometimes it's heavier than normal. I am asking to be changed to something else."

• oli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2016

"I was very fond of this birth control for many reasons. I was put on it a few months before I turned 17, and since I was about 12, my skin had been very bad. This medicine, combined with my dermatological medicines, kept my skin smooth and completely clear for months on end. My periods were never very painful and only started on Wednesday or Thursday with light bleeding and cramps. I was never moody and did not gain any weight at all, it might have actually regulated my weight. The only downside (and reason I'm switching) is that I had extreme vaginal dryness to the point where, during intercourse, we had to reapply lube at least three times. Sex became painful and unenjoyable for me, so I am switching to a birth control with less estrogen in it."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2010

"I have been on this pill for a year now, and I noticed my skin is getting progressively worse. I never had bad skin before, and now even on Proactiv, it's bad! I also have very dry eyes from the pill. My doctor even put punctal plugs in my tear ducts, and my eyes are still dry. I also noticed that it makes me sweat a lot more than I normally do."

• Jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 15, 2017

"This was the first birth control I was on, I've since bounced around to three others, and I'm finally back to Cryselle. I have found this to be the most consistent and dependable. It normalized my cycle and helped my bad cramps and PCOS. My acne didn't really change much, but it did help my deep cystic acne. Now, I just get those clusters of tiny acne around my placebo week. If I skip it, I don't get them, though. All in all, I like Cryselle the best out of the four I've been on. I've been on Cryselle for about three years now, and I don't think I'll be changing anytime soon. Especially since it's cheaper than the others. Just remember, everyone is different and will react differently to every pill."

• bcb...
• January 14, 2016

"I have been on this pill for 3 months now, and I have to say it has been awful! I do not feel like myself, I'm really irritable, angry, depressed, and my sex drive is gone. I've been working out daily and eating right and still gaining weight. I've also got awful period acne breakouts on Cryselle. The only positive things are that the pill does its job and my periods are 4 days max (they're also light)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2022

"Honestly, I love this birth control! My periods are lighter, fewer cramps, my skin is clear, and my depression has lifted. It's insane. Also, I haven't gotten pregnant, so that's a bonus, haha. 12/10 recommend!!!"

• Kmh...
• August 26, 2017

"I've been on this medicine for 6 months. I gave it a 5 for the sole fact it does do its job in preventing pregnancy, and my periods have been overall shorter and lighter. However, starting this pill, I was miserable from extremely tender breasts, nausea, extreme emotions, and weight gain. I've been on birth control for 10 years and have never gained weight, but within 6 weeks of starting this pill, I gained 20 lbs. Because of that, and the fact that it makes me extremely emotional and/or moody, I will be stopping at the end of my current pack."

• Mar...
• October 14, 2014

"I have tried a few pills before, and this one was the worst. I would sweat constantly during the day and even wake up sweating. The acne I got was pretty bad as well. I was taken off the medicine when I reported to my doctor horrible headaches and seeing auras, which is a really bad sign of serious problems to come. All bad side effects aside, I did not get pregnant while on Cryselle, however, this pill was not right for me."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2018

"I never would recommend. It's only prevented pregnancy. I've had every worse side effect. Ever since I started it, I've bled so heavily for over a month. I feel like I'm sick and dizzy from blood loss. I have major headaches and episodes of crying. Episodes of anger, depression, irritation, frustration, like a psycho. I'm not myself at all. I'm in such a dark place. I can't take it! It's ruining my life. I've never been so mad and sad in my life. Uncontrollably miserable in and out every day. If I'm not raging annoyed over small stuff, I'm blank, blah, and annoyed, and I mentally break down every other day. I'm switching to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Something about Cryselle will make you cry forever. If you want to be negative all the time, just plain miserable, and unpleasant to be around, or want to be a psycho, this pill's for you. I can't believe how horrible this is."

• Hai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

"I was only on this birth control for one cycle. I couldn't stand it. It made me crazy, utterly insane. I was so paranoid, I couldn’t get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night because I was convinced someone was in my apartment. I would cry at the drop of a hat, and everything made me rage-y. On top of that, I had the worst vaginal dryness of my life. I was actually cracking and bleeding. Cryselle may work for you, but it made me feel horrible-mentally, emotionally, and physically."

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

"I've been on these for 6 months. I'm a very petite person, and ever since I was 17, I've had crazy bad cramps and acne. I've tried a few different kinds of pills, but the Low-Ogestrel-28 pills made me sick. Cramps never went away and even got worse. My acne got good within a few months, but then got bad again. My sex drive has decreased, and I hate that. It also has messed with my hormones, and I'm already emotional, so I'm ten times more upset when I don't need to be. I don't have a good appetite anymore, and it makes me more sick. It also made me throw up when I take them too late. My period goes from 4 days to 2 days, then a week, it's all over the place, and I would like a steady cycle. So, in all, these pills are too over the place, not really helpful."

• Max...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2023

"Cryselle works great. It was the first birth control I was prescribed as a teenager. I took it for years without issues until my pharmacy switched me to the generic version. The generic version of Cryselle is not the same as the name brand. I'm finally back on Cryselle. Thank goodness."

• Sta...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 31, 2020

"I've been on Cryselle for 4 years now. I take my pills faithfully. Now I haven't gotten a period since Sept 2019. I am on a 21-day count. I NEVER take the last row, which my doctor says is okay. It doesn't give me a period. I've been doing fine up until today, I see all this blood in the toilet. I'm guessing it must be my period since it hasn't come on since Sept 2019."

• CHe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2015

"I began taking this pill 4 months ago to help with my PMD. The 2-3 weeks following my period, I had extreme irritability/anxiety. My periods were also very heavy and accompanied by severe cramps, extreme fatigue, and headaches. My doctor recommended this pill to level out hormones and help with cramps. This pill has been amazing. My periods are 3-4 days long and very light. I have NO cramps. My face has cleared up except for a couple of breakouts on my chin the last day or so of my period, but they are gone in a couple of days. I feel so much better on this pill. Incredibly lower levels of irritability/anxiety."