Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel and Cramps: What Users Say

• Liz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Cryselle 28 for a while, at least 4 years, probably even longer. I went on birth control originally because I had really heavy, long periods with intense cramps. My first birth control (BC) pill stopped helping after I had been on it for a while, which is when I was put on Cryselle, and I’ve been on it ever since. My periods are regulated and come at the same exact time every month. I get slight cramping here and there but nothing bad. It’s done its job in preventing pregnancy, I haven’t had any skin issues or noticed any changes in my mental health. When taking all of these reviews into consideration, I suggest that in order to find a BC that’s best suited for you and your body, discuss the options with your gyno and try them out for yourself because your body may react to the medication in a completely different way than somebody else’s, as we can see from the wide variation of reviews."

• AVB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I absolutely love this birth control pill, worked great for me. I had no weight gain, I had a regular/short period with no cramps! It also helped a lot with my acne, while on the pill, I had no acne and very clear skin, but now that I'm off, I wish I was still on the pill just for that reason."

• tlr...
• May 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo/Ovral since I was 18. I was taking the other generic, Low-Ogestrel, up until last month. The pharmacy switched generics. Ever since I started taking Cryselle, I have cramps constantly and always feel bloated."

• Liz...
• March 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I switched to Cryselle two months ago because my periods were very heavy on my old birth control. Since switching to Cryselle, my periods are very light, I have very little cramping, my face has been clearer, and I have been headache-free. I wish that I had switched sooner."

• Han...
• February 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been using this medicine, Cryselle, for almost two months. I cry or I am mad 24/7. I’m also having really severe cramping, which didn’t start till around my 2nd or 3rd week of taking them. If I don’t eat, I get nauseous but don’t throw up. Also, my skin is breaking out like it’s never have before. It’s making me think I’m pregnant, which is making everything worse, but I’ve gotten my period, so I think I’m fine."

• Sar...
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "Most of these reviews aren't so good, and most of the reviewers aren't giving their body enough time to adjust to the hormones. Your body is trying to get used to the pill, so that's why, during the first month, you may get some unpleasant side effects like mood swings and acne. I had nightmares for the first 3 weeks, sore breasts after that, and acne breakouts. My first period on Cryselle was horrible, the cramps were awful, but everyone's different. I'm still going to give my body the opportunity to adjust to Cryselle. If you're having some unpleasant side effects while on Cryselle, talk to your doctor, especially if it's something serious. But don't be quick to give up the pill because of things like acne and sore breasts. Things can improve!"

• TRa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2013

For Birth Control "These are my first birth control pills. I had heard about the weight gain and such, but it never happened to me. I am really happy with the pill. During my pre-pill life, I had cramping and lots of gas and mood fluctuations during periods, but during this pill, I have very predictable periods and almost no mood imbalances or unusual pain. Since I work out regularly, I experienced no weight gain at all."

• Emm...
• February 2, 2014

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."

• Rac...
• January 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Cryselle for two years now, and I absolutely love it! I actually lost weight since taking the pill and have maintained this new low weight ever since. My periods used to be 8-10 days and filled with unbearable cramps and heavy bleeding. My periods are now 3-4 days and extremely light. My boobs get a little sore before I'm going to begin, but that's how it's always been for me. Everyone's different. I experience little to no cramps with the pill, which is amazing compared to what I used to deal with. I can remember having to stay home from school because my cramps and bleeding were so severe it would make me sick. I'm 20 years old and began taking Cryselle at 18. I highly recommend!!!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "(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."

• Kat...
• December 13, 2010

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!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Eli...
• March 20, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "A month ago, I switched from Lo Loestrin Fe to Cryselle because of the expense of Loestrin. So far, I think Cryselle is okay. I'm on birth control to regulate and lighten my periods, and Lo Loestrin did that for me. So far this month, Cryselle didn't do anything for them. They are just as heavy and I still have bad cramps. But they are regular. What I do like is it cleared some of my acne. I've had no weight gain, but I am very emotional. Oh, and my breasts have grown tremendously."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Sad...
• February 19, 2018

For Birth Control "At first, this pill was wonderful. I experienced, after a few months, that I was super depressed and sad over nothing. Mood swings constantly and stomach pains all the time on and off my cycle. I became so sad I started having horrible anxiety and then panic attacks on the regular. I cried one to two times weekly over nothing, and my relationship started to get sour because of the roller coaster moods. Severe headaches and nausea right after I stopped taking the pill for my cycle and cramps so horrible I couldn't stand. I was also so tired and had no sex drive. I was unable to enjoy an orgasm because it took so long for me to have one I would give up. I always had a high sex drive, this caused more sadness and anxiety for me. I went on the website and had every side effect at least once and decided it was time to get off the pill. This isn't how a young 24-year-old should feel. Please read the side effects asap and do not take this pill any longer if you start to have these same side effects."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2016

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."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I love this birth control pill. My period lasts a total of three days and is very light with little cramps. Without the pill, I am a heavy bleeder with severe cramps that make me throw up. This pill is a life saver."

• ano...
• March 31, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for a month now due to unbalanced hormone levels. I wasn't getting my period (I got it 4 out of the 12 months in a year). My gynecologist made me double up on the pill, so it makes me extremely nauseous at times. I get horrible mood swings, and I've been breaking out, not badly though. Today was my 4th day on the sugar pill, and I finally got my period. It is very light, but I do have minor cramps."

• wd1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I got switched to this pill because I was beginning to have severe cramps on my Lutera pill. I liked this pill for the first 3 months as I noticed my boobs grew, my acne completely cleared up, and my cramps were gone. However, during this time period, I noticed about a 10 lb weight gain that only occurred while I was on the pill (I lost 8.7 pounds while on my sugar pills one week). I also noticed that I was really emotional and got upset about everything, and I never cry, ever. I know everybody has different reactions to medications, but I would suggest not even trying this pill because the pros were not worth the cons."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2011

For Endometriosis "I was on this birth control pill for four years. It shortened my period from 18 days to 7, stopped my cramps completely. I did not gain any weight or have any other symptoms. When I stopped taking it, within one month I gained 20 pounds, got acne, and my cramps are worse than before. My period was back up to 10 days after one month."

• Lit...
• September 5, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my second time around of being on it, and it's way worse than the first time. Well, at least the first month was horrible, and when I say horrible, I mean horrible. My period came way too early, it came like the second week starting the pills, lasted the rest of the month. Cramps were so bad that they woke me up out of a dead sleep every 1-2 hours, nothing helped to ease the pain. Happened more at night, but I had them during the day as well. It was that bad I almost had to call off work, and I'm the type that never calls off, I'd have to be dying. Now I'm almost through my second month, it's going a lot better! This month was better than last. I suggest giving it time, let it run its course even if it gets horrible like mine did."

• Jaa...
• April 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on the pill for more than a year now, and I love it. I used to get really bad headaches before, horrible cramps, and a heavy period twice a month. The pill changed everything: no more constant headaches, no cramps or any menstrual symptoms, no acne, light flow 3-4 days, and no weight gain. The pill's been great to me!"