Jolivette and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2011

For Birth Control "I am 21 years old, and my son is now five months old. I started taking Jolivette at the beginning of February. I have experienced abnormal, heavy bleeding that seems like it never ends, feels like I've bled more than I haven't bled. The bleeding will stop for two to three days, then return and last for about two weeks. I have also been feeling more angry and stressed than ever since I started taking this birth control. I am switching to a different birth control as soon as possible because Jolivette is making life miserable, and the way I am running through boxes of tampons and pads is ridiculous and draining the wallet."

• olo...
• January 16, 2013

For Birth Control "The first 3 months I had a period every 14 days. They lasted about 5 days, slightly heavier bleeding than normal for me. Then, after the 3rd month, my periods went back to their normal 28-day off, 6-day periods. I'm breastfeeding my 7-month-old, so this is a great option. No weight gain, no mood swings, no soreness or anything negative."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2013

For Birth Control "My first period on it was heavier than normal. After that, I was spotting for several days, which I have never experienced. This past month, I have either been bleeding or spotting, and it's incredibly frustrating! Lots of random cramps as well. My mood has been up and down, which is also frustrating."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on a hormonal birth control pill for many years. I could set a clock by my periods... start on a Tuesday, off by Saturday. It was great. I turned 35, and my doc would no longer prescribe the hormonal pill. So, enter Jolivette. The first two weeks, my nipples were so sore, and I was so bloated that I thought I might be pregnant. Then, my period started 1 week early and lasted for 9 days! A very heavy 9 days as well. 1 week later, heavy bleeding again. I don't think Jolivette and I are going to be friends."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2012

For Birth Control "Just started my 2nd month. The 1st week and a half, I had light bleeding every day. Then, the next week, my nipples were so sore. Now, this past week, I've had on-and-off light bleeding and cramps during the last week of pills. I have no side effects emotionally, which is great, because everything else makes me go crazy. But, I have noticed a little weight gain and craving food all the time, and I jog 3 to 4 times a week. I am 24, no pregnancies ever. I'm not sure about this pill yet. I'll give it another month and see how it goes. I don't even want to be on birth control, but my cramping and periods are so terrible without it."

• New...
• March 29, 2013

For Birth Control "Great for the first year, then irregularity started. I took it after my son's birth. It started with some mid-period spotting, then light bleeding. Now it's a heavy period every two weeks. I just stopped and will be switching at the start of my next period."

• Sly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been using these pills for 3 months now. I've had very heavy bleeding for so long that I welcomed a change. The first two months were awesome. My cycle was very light and lasted the normal five days. No cramping, very little bloating. This third month, my cycle came like clockwork, lasted five days, then two weeks later returned. My breasts have been very tender, and although very small, they feel heavy. I'm not giving up yet."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2017

For Birth Control "Due to my history of migraine with aura, my doctor suggested I went with a non-estrogen birth control. I went back and forth about the copper IUD and the pill. I decided against the IUD because it isn't a painless process for those who haven't yet had children. I've been on Jolivette for a month now. The first few weeks were difficult. I had breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between your periods) and quite terrible anxiety. If I had stopped taking it then, I would have rated this med a 2 or 3. After about 2.5 weeks in, my anxiety subsided, the breakthrough bleeding stopped, and everything balanced. I was even able to decrease the strength of my anxiety medicine. My PMDD and endometriosis have been easier to bear, and so far, so good."

• swe...
• January 9, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had a non-stop period 3 months ago. The doctor prescribed Jolivette to let my period stop, but after 6 days, my bleeding doesn't stop at all. It's annoying because you can feel the gushing of blood. Until I asked my doctor to switch it to another pill."

• aj2...
• May 26, 2011

For Endometriosis "I just finished my first month of Jolivette and have no complaints whatsoever! I have been on several other pill forms and have had a lot of trouble with them due to breast tenderness mostly. With Jolivette, I haven't had any breast tenderness (except during my period), but we are hoping that I won't have a period anymore after taking this for a while. Easy to take, although if I miss a pill, it doesn't matter as I am not using it for birth control. I did have some bleeding to start with, but my OB/GYN said that is normal."

• AB9...
• May 20, 2017

For Birth Control "Been taking the pills for 5 months. Last two months, I have had two full periods each month and heavy bleeding. Also have felt huge mood changes, anxiety, depression, easily irritated. I can clearly see changes in my mood before and after starting with these pills. Sorry, but would never, ever recommend them."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

For Birth Control "So far, so good! I was previously on Ortho Tri, but then swapped to the generic version, TriNessa, and it was horrible! I had breakthrough bleeding for like a month, then bad headaches, and I felt like I was going insane with my moods and feelings. I asked my gyno to switch me to something not so hardcore, and she prescribed Jolivette. It's been great! No breakthrough bleeding, slight headache (once in a while), bigger boobs, and sometimes I break out. Other than that, I’m doing okay on this pill. I started taking it mid-June, and I’m on my second pack, so I hope it continues to be the same all year. You have to remember to take it at the same time every day, set an alarm because it will not work if you’re late."

• Car...
• December 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for quite some time. I was put on this pill because other birth control pills would affect my blood pressure. My period comes on time every month and lasts for 5 days exact. Bleeding is very heavy, and the mood swings and aches can be intense."

• fro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I've only been on this pill for 3 weeks, and today I had a complete breakdown. I have been bleeding ever since the first day, and today I was downright angry and crying and could not function. All for no reason. I am stopping this pill immediately. I have also been so bloated that I feel like I am pregnant all over again, and I was starting to finally feel good about myself again since I had my son 6 weeks ago. And like others, my milk supply has pretty much dried up! Terrible."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I've only been taking this pill a month. My son was 6 weeks old when I started it. I'd just finished the bleeding process from my pregnancy. My doctor put me on that day. I've been bleeding ever since. My son is now 12 weeks, so I've been bleeding for 6 weeks straight, off and on. I was trying to figure out why I was producing less milk than usual. I figured it out: the pill. I will not recommend this ('mini pill') to anyone. I lost weight after I had my son, I was almost back in my pre-pregnancy clothes. Today I went to get dressed, and I couldn't fit anything. I'm completely bloated, irritable, and I have constant migraines. I'm so done with this pill. We plan on getting pregnant one more time, then I'm getting my tubes tied."

• HiB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2018

For Birth Control "My doctor switched me to this from NoraBe. I'm so glad she did! I often forget to take my pill. When I would forget with NoraBe, I'd feel meh all day. I have an active 3-year-old who I stay at home with. If I miss a pill, every little thing she does would stress me out. With Jolivette, if I miss a day or don't take it on time, my family doesn't notice as much. My old non-existent sex drive is gone! I had absolutely no desire to do anything. Now, my hormones are all leveled out, and I actually find myself initiating, which is something I haven't done since before my pregnancy. I don't notice any other side effects besides breakthrough bleeding. I've been taking this for two months, and my cycle still isn't on a regular schedule. NoraBe had me menstruating every two weeks. Now, Jolivette is causing breakthrough bleeding, so I'm never sure if I'm actually starting my period naturally or if the breakthrough bleeding is happening when my period should be starting."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been using this pill for quite some time now. I'm 24 years old, and this is the only birth control I'm allowed on since I had a stroke back in 2012. And honestly, it's terrible, I don't stop bleeding on it. I actually use this pill to stop my bleeding. How so exactly? Well, I use it to get a period, and when I stop using it, my period stops for about a month or two, and I have to take the pill to get my period again. It's a pain in the ass and confusing! However, I've never given the pill a fair shot. I've only stayed faithful on it for 2 months, and my period wouldn't stop, so I just stopped using it and my period went away. I don't know what else to use."

• HHa...
• August 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for about six months because of migraines, and combo pills were giving me serious depression. When I started it, I bled for three weeks. Not spotting, heavy bleeding. They said I’d adjust, and finally I did, but my periods became even more irregular, painful, and heavy. Then I noticed that sex was becoming painful, orgasms were even becoming painful! I was super dry down there and irritated, and my breasts were always sore, tons of cystic acne. I was getting hot flashes and sweating tons, basically menopause at 22 but still bleeding! And then the final straw: I started getting yeast infections every two weeks like clockwork. Ridiculous. I’d never had any problem like that until I started this medication. I discontinued it one week ago and immediately felt better. Everything is back to normal everywhere, and I’ll never take a mini pill again. The only good thing I can think of is an increase in cup size, and that’s not worth it if everything hurts!"

• ely...
• September 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I had still been spotting a little when I went to my postpartum appointment, and my doctor assured me that once I started taking the Jolivette, I would stop bleeding. I've been taking it for about a week and then started cramping and bleeding very heavily, about as much if not more than I was bleeding immediately after giving birth to my son. Now I'm concerned about how it may be affecting my milk supply. I feel like I can't get this medicine out of my system fast enough. I would NOT recommend it."

• Lin...
• March 17, 2023

For Birth Control "I started this while breastfeeding, and I continued taking it even after breastfeeding. I was on it for a total of 14 years! I never got pregnant on it, I had really light periods, and I had no bad side effects. I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, it was discontinued around 2021. Now I'm on another one called Errin that is progesterone only, and I'm not liking it as much. I'm having a lot more breakthrough bleeding on it, even a year later, not to mention light headaches here and there. I may end up switching and finding another alternative. I wish they would bring this back!"

• Mad...
• February 10, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control is effective. I had no breakthrough bleeding, no mood swings, and no acne. Great for people who have migraines and cannot take estrogen BC. Highly recommend."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2011

For Birth Control "Abnormal bleeding all month long and severe mood swings. I'm switching after trying this for two months."