Low-Ogestrel-28 and Headaches: What Users Say

• nas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I switched from Loestrin 24 to this pill because I was having spotting for 3 weeks out of every month. As soon as I started this pill, the spotting stopped, and now I only have my period from the middle to the end of the last week of pills (4 days). Overall, I have few side effects besides some bloating at the end of the month and a pretty bad headache the first day of my period. I did gain 5 lbs. within a few months of starting this (on top of 5 lbs. from Loestrin), but a few months ago I started a modest diet/exercise plan and have lost 6 lbs. fairly easily. Well worth it for pregnancy prevention and regular periods!"

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

For Birth Control "I was on Lutera for over a year and was switched to this due to sudden spotting weeks 2-3. Big mistake, even though it ended the spotting. Side effects that followed were not worth the switch. This pill gave me headaches almost every day, so bad I dreaded getting out of the bed. Normally, it was triphasic pills my OB said did it. Must have been something in the inactive ingredients or the progestin in this pill. No wonder it was so dang cheap. And my periods went from 5 days of medium to very light flow to 7 full-blown, mostly medium and painful days with those headaches I mentioned. This was the pill my OB felt confident would be the right one. Um, no. After 2 packs, I told them enough of this. Just switch me back to Lutera, and they did. I don't recommend this pill at all. But it also never hurts to try. What doesn't agree with me could be good for the next female."

• the...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this pill from age 21 to age 31. After concerns of hypertension, my doctor inserted an IUD (Liletta). I gave it a go, loved the idea of not having a period or having to take a pill every day. After 5 months of insane mood swings, nipples so sore if I even looked at my breasts, there was a surge in pain, yeast infections, and a 10-pound weight gain with no decrease in blood pressure, I'm very happy to be back on the pill. On the Low-Ogestrel-28 pill, my periods are very regular and predictable. They last about 5 days, only 3 of those with significant flow. I have had no problems losing weight on it, no acne, no mood swings, or headaches. Starting back has been a shock to my body, as I've been on my period for about 12 days now, but that kind of thing is to be expected when you switch birth control methods. Just started placebo week for the first time since the IUD removal, and I honestly feel like a different person. I love this pill, never going back to an IUD."

• Des...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Overall, this pill did what it was supposed to do for me. I never had a pregnancy scare, my acne virtually went away, my periods were lighter, shorter, and less painful. I did not experience any weight gain at all that can be contributed to taking the pill. The cons are that I could count on having a mild to moderate headache almost every day that I was taking the placebo pills, my sex drive randomly decreased dramatically, and I do think that it increased my anxiety. Personally, the pros always outweighed the cons for me."

• hot...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on the pill for over 3 years; I stopped for a few months and started again, and this is what I've noticed. I still give it a decent rating because it prevented pregnancy and regulated my cycle. However, my periods never stopped being moderate-heavy, and my cramps are actually worse on LO; I couldn't function without Midol when I was off. I also have highish blood pressure and headaches/migraines, which this pill only exacerbated. Off LO, I had sometimes-normal-usually-prehypertension readings, and now on Low-Ogestrel are again stage 1/2 hypertension readings, and my headaches are much more common all cycle, as opposed to mainly a couple here and there. I'm only 19 and would really like to get back to enjoying my youth instead of feeling like garbage all the time, so I think I'll switch to condoms instead."

• Aph...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 2, 2020

For Birth Control "This medication has been pretty good overall. I haven’t gotten pregnant and my acne has gotten noticeably better. I have gained maybe 10 pounds in the months I’ve been taking it, but I’m not sure if it’s because of the pill or just quarantine weight. I do get headaches on my period now when I didn’t before, but overall I’m happy taking this medication."