Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel and Headaches: What Users Say

• 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."

• AHa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 5, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking Cryselle for heavy bleeding due to a uterine fibroid, and it has been highly effective. The bleeding stopped almost immediately, and the Cryselle has managed it well for a year now. I am peri-menopausal, so I will likely keep taking this through early menopause. It is helping manage those symptoms okay, though I still have night sweats and headaches."

• 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!"

• Ale...
• June 17, 2016

For Birth Control "The first three weeks on Cryselle were pretty awful. I had headaches and stomach pain constantly. But after the first three weeks, all of that ended, and now I take it without any issues. As long as you get through those three weeks and stick it out, it's awesome! I've lost weight, my periods are light and short, and my acne is gone. Definitely recommend this! Just push through those first three weeks!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Mar...
• October 14, 2014

For Birth Control "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

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."

• 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."

• ruu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the worst form of birth control I have ever been on. I gained 10 pounds in a month without changing my diet. I'm normally an anxious person and get hormonal around my period, but this pill intensified everything. I cried almost every day and got angry over stupid things, and I didn't have any anxiety-free moments throughout the day at all on this pill. Terrible headaches and nausea. I just got off of it, so I'm hoping it all goes away soon. I don't recommend this."

• 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
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Cryselle for about 6 years. I had severe fatigue and lack of energy, was physically exhausted and drained no matter how much sleep I got. My hair was falling out like crazy, I had water retention and headaches, I was irritable and moody, and I had an extremely low sex drive. I eat healthy, exercise regularly, and have had my thyroid and blood sugar checked, as well as blood tests for anemia, etc. All came back normal. The fatigue and lack of energy was what really bothered me, and after doing my own research, I discovered this can all be related to my BC. I'm now trying a new pill. Each person is different, so what may work for someone may not work for someone else. The positives were my periods were very light and I did not get pregnant."

• Moo...
• September 21, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control I have ever been on. I've been on this pill going on two years. It does its job in the field of preventing pregnancy. The only thing I dislike about it is I get very moody at times while on it. If I skip a pill and have to double up on it the next night, I get a real bad headache! I have experienced weight gain as well, which no girl cares for. But like they all say, everyone is different."

• Dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2015

For Birth Control "This was the generic brand my original BC was changed to. The 1st month or so I didn't notice any changes, but recently, about 3 months in, I've been getting headaches, horrible nausea, and stomach cramps, and my period has gone back to being longer than shorter like it was on the first pill. I've never been one to feel unmotivated, lethargic, depressed, or anxious, but as of recently, I've been experiencing all those things, which is no doubt making stress-induced nausea worse, and I have just generally felt bad. I went to my doctor and had multiple blood tests taken and some other tests, but all came back with no abnormalities, leading me to realize it was a change in birth control. Ups? Worked and no breast tenderness. But that's it."

• Mel...
• December 9, 2015

For Birth Control "This is such a terrible pill. I have never ever felt the way I did while I was on this pill. I took the pill for 4 months. The first month was okay, I had no symptoms at all. However, towards the end of the month, every day I either had a headache, had anxiety, was very angry, or miserably depressed. I couldn't stand the person next to me, any person who made a noise or laughed too hard. I was very mean and so frustrated towards everything my boyfriend did and said, and the next day I would feel bad and apologize. This pill made me feel like a crazy person and was driving me insane. One minute I was laughing, the other I was crying. I do not recommend this pill to any girls out there, this pill is terrible!!"

• Ril...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I have had an awful experience on this pill. I switched to it 9 months ago, and since then I've gained about 15 lbs. It's given me terrible acne and headaches. I'm waiting for a different pill now, I can't wait to be off of this stuff. Everyone has different reactions to different BCs, but I would highly suggest using a different one if you can."

• Gli...
• March 9, 2017

For Birth Control "My doctor put me on Cryselle after 3 years on Microgestin. I've been on Cryselle for 2 years now. I switched pills because of headaches, very tender breasts, and the pill causing zero libido (I'm not exaggerating). Cryselle improved my headaches, although I still have them, they are not as bad. Breasts are also not as sore, although Cryselle caused them to grow huge. Libido is better, but only by like 10% (which is generous). Overall, my experience with Cryselle has been positive. Also, I haven't gotten pregnant, so it obviously gets the job done!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Mel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking Cryselle for 2 years now, and I love it. Haven't had any side effects, and the way it helps keep my period regular is awesome. I know exactly when to expect it and how long it will last. Before Cryselle, I was taking another birth control that made me nauseous, gave me headaches, and would give me 2 periods a month. I love that I found Cryselle, and I will continue to use it."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2019

For Birth Control "Comments from people with positive reviews assuming things like, “Women who rated this pill poorly just didn’t give their bodies time to adjust,” are so disheartening to see. This pill gave me crazy back acne, headaches so bad I couldn’t get up, and awful anxiety for months on end. I assure you that I gave it plenty of time to see if I would “adjust” to this pill, and I had had enough of feeling like I was going insane waiting for that to happen. If this pill worked for you, that’s great. But there’s a large number of us it didn’t work for, and that’s okay. Birth control is completely dependent on body chemistry, and while some people have done great on this pill, people who have gone through horrible things because of it are completely valid in their reviews as well. Be careful and watch your emotions and mental health when being on Cryselle."

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2022

For Birth Control "Finally, after countless trials and errors with different pills, I found one that works. Going on month 2. First week, it gave me a headache and a bit of nausea, but by week 2, I felt fine. I know they say it takes up to 3 months for your body to adjust, so I am waiting to see if it does clear up my face a bit. Other than that, sex drive has been higher, which is a plus."

• xox...
• September 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on birth control for a year, and I didn’t have any side effects besides maybe a small headache, like once a month, which was close to my period week. I recently got switched to a new birth control which is basically the generic form of my old pill, and it is “Cryselle.” I’ve been on this pill for 3 weeks, about to be on my 4th. I’ve noticed that after I take my pill every night at 9 pm, 30 minutes after, my stomach starts feeling weird and it continues on until 10 am the next morning at least. It makes me feel as if I’m going to throw up, but I can’t throw up. Also, I’ve noticed whenever I eat a full meal after I took this pill, it makes me feel even worse than I do if I don’t have a full meal afterward. Sometimes I eat before, and sometimes I eat after. Anyone know of a way to resolve this problem? Also, I’ve been having body aches in a way and feel extremely tired and more emotional than I’ve ever felt."