Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel and Bleeding: What Users Say

• BBN...
• June 17, 2008

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have tried a few types of birth control pills before this, but Lo/Ovral has been very effective as far as period control is concerned. I usually skip the week of placebos and jump straight into the next pack to avoid having periods altogether, and this is the only birth control pill that doesn't cause breakthrough bleeding as a result. It has been an effective contraceptive."

• PG1...
• March 5, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 5 years after being switched through so many in about a 6-month time frame! Happy to have found this, my doctors have tried to switch me since the name brand I believe was taken off the market at one point. It's not worth breakthrough bleeding and yeast infections I've experienced with other pills. I am about 10-15 lbs heavier, but I'm in college and my diet sucks. Periods are clockwork, start on the 4th day of sugar pill off by the start of the new pack... when I'm stressed or not sexually active, I have no periods at all. Moodiness has been the worst of it all, mostly around mid-cycle to the end. Other than that, I refuse to switch!"

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Told my doctor I wanted to try another pill after my old pill was giving me migraines during my placebo week. She said I could take this and skip the placebo week (and my period). I did have some breakthrough bleeding 2-3 times, nothing as heavy as a real period, no cramps. Didn't have any negative side effects. However, I noticed my breasts grew nearly a cup size. Can't complain."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I started this pill back in February, and for the first couple of months, I was fine-no side effects. And if you’re looking for a pill to regulate your period, this one works wonders. I never got breakthrough bleeding either. However, after the first couple of months were over, I slowly started getting into a funk. My mood is just “numb” all the time, and I never want to get out and have fun anymore. My anxiety is a 10 when it was usually a 4. Now I know everyone’s bodies are different, so they’re going to react differently to this medication, but I can’t stand not being able to focus or, like... be happy. I’m getting off of it finally and switching to another type, so wish me luck. Side note: this birth control also does its job in the pregnancy prevention category VERY well if you take it on time. I never had to worry on this pill."

• Emm...
• February 2, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Endometriosis "I started taking Cryselle almost 9 months ago to treat my endometriosis as well as to act as birth control. My OB-GYN instructed me to skip the placebos, and as a result, I have had virtually no cramping or breakthrough bleeding (common on my last pill). However, as she warned, I developed severe acne. The acne I could deal with, but the emotional side effects I cannot. I have become increasingly moody the longer I have been on Cryselle, especially around the time of my 'period.' I have also developed strong feelings of anxiety and depression. I had hoped when these symptoms began that they would lessen over time, but they have just increased in severity."

• bjg...
• August 25, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed Cryselle for extremely heavy periods due to a fibroid tumor. The bleeding I experienced not only interfered with my daily life but also caused anemia and seemed to only be getting heavier by the month. I started taking Cryselle 4 months ago - and haven't experienced any negative side effects (other than the expected breakthrough bleeding month two, which I attributed to my body adjusting to the medication). My periods are much lighter! Also, PMS type symptoms like sore breasts and bloating have significantly decreased. I'm very pleased so far with Cryselle!"

• Kat...
• December 13, 2010

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was put on Lo/Ovral at 13 for abnormal bleeding, basically 6 weeks, non-stop. I stayed on it until I was 28 years old with no problems. Previously, as most young girls, I was very moody and had a lot of struggles. On Lo/Ovral, I did have one hard day a month prior to getting my period, but otherwise it was great. I never noticed any weight changes, had no spotting, acne symptoms, cramping, or heavy bleeding. I have two children now and had them without any difficulty relating to taking this birth control for so long. The problem is now that I am older, 33, it no longer works for me, I spot during the month. I am truly struggling to find a good replacement birth control. It may not work as well for everyone, but I wouldn't be afraid to try it!"

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

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "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

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Breakthrough bleeding all month for almost two years, extreme irritability, to the point that I came here to read others' moods when on this drug. Also, the PMS symptoms last all month long. I am only level-headed when it's the week off. No sex drive, bloating, cramping, nausea, fatigue, and really greasy hair. I am going to ask for a new pill. I tried to stay on this pill, but it's bad in every way."

• Anonymous
• March 11, 2008

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on many birth control pills as I am 35 years old. I had the least side effects with this one. No mood swings, no breakthrough bleeding, and no nausea. My doctor told me that this brand is no longer available. I hope this is not true. I am researching now."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I started Cryselle as my first birth control drug. When I started, I bled on and off for about a month. After that, everything was great. Very regular periods lasting about 5 days with only 1-2 “heavy” days. Just experienced the normal teenage acne problems, nothing out of the ordinary. No cramps. Some weight gain but was also a part of growing out of adolescence. I’m 20 now and had to switch pills because over the past year, periods have gone down to about 3 days with very light cycles and have had pre-hypertension for about 2 years. Now my blood pressure qualifies for hypertension, so I switched in hopes it would come down. Also experienced breakthrough bleeding of brown discharge for two weeks straight. Assuming it was a lot of old blood that had accumulated. After switching, my body has finally let go of all that old blood (there was a lot), so just be mindful of that. Was on this pill for about 4 years and it was a good run."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I started Cryselle as my first birth control drug. When I started, I bled on and off for about a month. After that, everything was great. Very regular periods lasting about 5 days with only 1-2 “heavy” days. Just experienced the normal teenage acne problems, nothing out of the ordinary. No cramps. Some weight gain but was also a part of growing out of adolescence. I’m 20 now and had to switch pills because over the past year, periods have gone down to about 3 days with very light cycles and have had pre-hypertension for about 2 years. Now my blood pressure qualifies for hypertension, so I switched in hopes it would come down. Also experienced breakthrough bleeding of brown discharge for two weeks straight. Assuming it was a lot of old blood that had accumulated. After switching, my body has finally let go of all that old blood (there was a lot), so just be mindful of that. Was on this pill for about 4 years and it was a good run."

• Kkk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on multiple different BC pills because I always end up getting breakthrough bleeding after 8 months or so. This pill I've been on the longest, 2 years, and I just started experiencing the breakthrough bleeding 4 months ago. It would start around my second week of pills, and I would begin with all the PMS symptoms first. Swollen breasts, bloating, mood swings. Then I would have spotting for a day or two. The spotting would go away, but the PMS symptoms would stay until I got my period at the scheduled time. So the bloating and swollen, tender breasts for 3 weeks out of the month got old, so my doctor switched me to Aleese. I've yet to try it. But overall, I didn't have a bad experience with Cryselle. I would highly recommend it."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 4, 2023

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Endometriosis "I started Cryselle a year and a half ago for endometriosis. My doctor originally started me on it with the instructions to take it perpetually, skipping the placebos. The worst thing to do. Your body can't handle that, and I had constant bleeding for several months. Once I started taking it for three months and then a week of placebos, my period evened out, and I haven’t experienced any pain or heavy periods since. However, I noticed I started gaining weight fast. I went up two dress sizes within three months. As of now, I have gained thirty pounds on this pill and can't seem to shake the weight off with exercise. I also naturally had a high metabolism, which seemed to completely disappear. Overall, I love that it works, but the side effects are a bit too much. I'm worried that I’ll just continue to gain weight on this pill, as I haven't stopped yet."

• Tma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was having abnormal bleeding due to ovarian cysts, so my gyno put me on birth control, even though I told her my body has never reacted well to any kind I’ve tried. I’ve been on it for 1.5 months now, and my breasts have already increased a full cup size, and they hurt so bad I have to put heat on them at night. My face was clear until I started Cryselle... I now have cystic acne and am currently icing my face to bring down the inflammation. The only positive thing I can say is I haven’t bled for almost 2 months, which is amazing, but I’d take abnormal bleeding anyway over these side effects."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 12, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Low-Ogestrel-28 was the first birth control I used. In the first few months of taking it, my mood swings were off the charts. Crying one minute, happy the next. I did not gain weight, nor did I experience any acne. My cup size went from an A to a C, and it did its job keeping me from getting pregnant. I have been on Low-Ogestrel for a year now but have recently switched to Sprintec. I switched because my periods became irregular on Low-Ogestrel. Some months I would have heavy bleeding during the active pills, then extremely heavy bleeding during all of the placebos. I went to my doctor, and she prescribed me a higher hormone dosage pill to correct that. I had extremely heavy periods before going on birth control, so the low hormone dosage in Low-Ogestrel wasn’t enough. If you have heavy periods and are thinking about going on Low-Ogestrel, don’t, and get a higher hormone dosage pill so you can have normal bleeding."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was on Low-Ogestrel for about 6 years, and then all of a sudden my pharmacy stopped carrying it, so they gave me Cryselle. I was weary from the start because my body is so sensitive to changes in medication. The difference in the fillers was enough to cause me to have horrible breakthrough bleeding for multiple weeks. It helped with my cystic acne on my jaw and neck, but I can't deal with the constant bleeding, so switching to Syeda to see if that works!"

• DD1...
• October 19, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I first took Cryselle when I was 15, and I had the worst side effects: breakthrough bleeding, headaches, anxiety attacks, weight gain, and my periods lasted 2 weeks. I got on it again when I was 18 and had little side effects! My periods are a little heavier and hurt a bit more, and I have very sore boobs. Other than that, it's a charm. No pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been on this pill twice now. The first time I was on it, I used it for 6 months, and my doctor decided to take me off of it for some time because I began having breakthrough bleeding and periods as long as, if not longer than, before I was on the pill and just as painful. After some time on another pill, my doctor recommended that I go back on it and see how things went the second time around. I have been on it for 6 more months, and nothing has changed since the last time. The first few periods were fine and like normal without the pill, but again, I began to bleed randomly, and the pain became worse, as well as my normal periods lengthening and becoming heavier."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been on this pill twice now. The first time I was on it, I used it for 6 months, and my doctor decided to take me off of it for some time because I began having breakthrough bleeding and periods as long as, if not longer than, before I was on the pill and just as painful. After some time on another pill, my doctor recommended that I go back on it and see how things went the second time around. I have been on it for 6 more months, and nothing has changed since the last time. The first few periods were fine and like normal without the pill, but again, I began to bleed randomly, and the pain became worse, as well as my normal periods lengthening and becoming heavier."

• Cec...
• October 4, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I’ve always had heavy, abnormal uterine bleeding and polyps. I’m waiting for my hysteroscopy in 2 weeks. I was on the Cryselle-28 day (which reduced my bleeding) for 2 months until my local Rite Aid pharmacy switched the brand to Elinest. The first few days of taking it, I was having severe cramps with inflammation and heavy, painful bleeding. By the end of the week, I was gushing out blood and clots and wearing nighttime maxi pads which were getting soaked every hour. I’m still heavily bleeding as I write this review, and I’m so reluctant to take another pill. My pharmacy doesn’t carry Cryselle anymore, so I’m stuck on what to do next."

• Lil...
• October 7, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was originally prescribed Low-Ogestrel-28 once I got off the depo injection, which literally turned me into a different person. I only had two depo provera injections, and I was miserable. Side effects ranged from weight gain, anxiety/depression, hair loss, no sex drive, and constant bleeding. The best way I could describe it is as having a literal dark cloud over my head. Anyway, I was prescribed the Low-Ogestrel pill, and I’ve never been happier. I have absolutely no side effects, it’s amazing. My acne is significantly better. I mainly use the pill as a prevention of pregnancy and for my acne. So far, it’s been doing a superb job. I definitely recommend this pill, without a doubt."

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 9 months after pregnancy. I don't feel that I've gained any weight. Although I eat well and recently, within 2 months, went back to the gym. The worst part about this BC is the breakthrough bleeding for weeks at a time. Skipping periods... My cycle is most definitely unregulated since the 1st month. I haven't gotten pregnant, so that's great, but my husband and I are losing our sex life. I want to change, but I dislike when hormones are messed up."

• Lex...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "So, I’ve been taking Elinest for about 4 months now, and I’ve been bleeding and/or spotting almost continuously. I guess it’s helped somewhat with my moods, but the bleeding is just not worth it at all. I’ve also been breaking out a lot on my face and neck, which I really didn't need. I don’t recommend it at all."