Nora-Be and Bloating: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've only been on this medication for 1 week, and I've gained 10 lb. I haven't gained weight in over 5 years. I'm extremely bloated, water retention, headaches, and severe cramping. I want to give it a chance, but I'm 42, and these symptoms aren't tolerable. I feel bipolar and on edge. I'm scatterbrained and very emotional. No bueno!"

• Dev...
• April 24, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I would not recommend this pill for anyone, not any progesterone-only pill. Bloating that makes me look 3 months pregnant, constipation, 50 pounds of weight gain in under 2 years that won't exercise off, skin feeling too tight all the time, headaches, fatigue, appetite is weird, constipation and diarrhea, mood swings, hot and cold flashes, and a never-ending period. Medical staff all say it's normal and can't be the pill... so it's all in my head. I stopped this pill 2 nights ago and lost a third of my stomach as the bloating is decreasing. Stay away from these pills!"

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for three days. I started taking it 4 weeks postpartum as directed by my doctor due to breastfeeding. Experienced horrible stomach aches, similar to food poisoning. I started bleeding very heavily and had severe cramping. I became very moody and experienced stomach bloating and gas. I am 24 hours free of this pill and feel 100 times better."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Nora-Be for 2 years now. I had tried other combination pills to help with my abnormal heavy bleeding and had adverse side effects (high blood pressure, mood swings, acne, bloating). There is no estrogen in Nora-Be, so my blood pressure went back to normal once I was on it. I find that my PMS is much more stable and my complexion even cleared up on it. No issues with weight gain or hair loss. It took about 6 months for my period to stabilize, but now I have a 4-day very manageable cycle instead of 7 days of extremely heavy and clotty bleeding. Nora-Be has changed my life! Highly recommended."

• Dee...
• April 7, 2016

For Endometriosis "I started this pill in November 2015, and now in April of '16, I am fed up! I have horrible bloating, gas, constipation every day (worsening in the evenings). I've gained over 10 pounds, and my abdomen looks like I'm 3 months pregnant. I'm 45 and have no plans for children. I can't exercise this weight off either! My back is covered in pimples, and my chest area has them also. I've noticed a decrease in my appetite (mainly in the evenings), yet I'm gaining weight. I have fatigue and completely random periods. My doctor, for the record, told me that these symptoms I was having were not related to my pill! So, needless to say, I'm finding a new doctor. Peri-menopause stinks! You young ladies, exercise while you can and enjoy that body!"

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "39, no kids. I have always had issues with taking BC, estrogen makes me a moody, bloated beast. I was diagnosed with endo 5 years ago. Got an IUD with hormone, worked for 2 years, and I've been bleeding now off and on for months. Was just in to see my OB last week, and he suggested Nora-Be. At first, I was hesitant, but he explained that the progesterone dosage is the same as IUD and a fraction of the hormone compared to the progesterone pills. I've taken it for a week here and there to shrink cysts. So I said okay. Took my first pill last night. Today I was more calm and patient, no appetite at all. Will post an update in a few days."

• Hap...
• July 18, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have very light abnormal bleeding after intercourse and was prescribed Nora-Be. I was so scared of taking this due to the fact that I've taken the patch, the shot, and the combo pill, and they all sucked. They all caused weight gain, hair loss, and moodiness, and my period lasted FOREVER. So I expected no less from this pill. But to my surprise, my period stopped when it was supposed to, no bloat, weight gain, or hair loss so far. Guess my body doesn't agree with extra estrogen, so progestin it is. If you have a bad experience with all these estrogen birth controls, I suggest giving this a try. Only thing I hate about it is taking it every day at the same time, but dealing with that rather than the estrogen side effects is minor."

• una...
• August 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched from a combined pill to Nora-Be about four months ago because the doctor said I couldn't take estrogen because of chest pain and migraines. The pill is 100% very effective and has no mood swings, no migraines. However, the bad side effects were excessive hair shedding, I mean more than normal, excessive bloating even without carb intake. I also had cramping, hardly bleeding, just spotting. My period was never on time but I can feel the symptoms of PMS. Overall, the pill is very effective but excessive hair loss!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 25. I was put on this pill 8 months ago because I've been breastfeeding. Since starting the pill, I've gotten horrible acne. I'm bloated and gassy all day, every day. I'm extremely moody. My period is typically every 14 days, with the occasional 5-7 week break (very rare though) and very heavy with horrible cramps. I've gained 14 lbs; I was losing lots of my baby weight until I started this pill. Since I've started this pill, it doesn't matter how much diet and exercise I do, I can't lose the weight... I will never recommend this pill and will never go back on it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I asked my doctor to change my birth control because of migraines. He put me on Nora-Be, and after 3 weeks, I started with these side effects: cramping, bloating, breast sensitivity, trouble sleeping, itchy scalp, and constipation, and still had a few migraines. I was like that for 2 weeks and had the doctor put me back on the loretadine b.c. I used before for irregular periods. Would not recommend this medicine at all!!!!"

• Mic...
• October 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 40, with no children, and started Nora-Be after 6+ years of no BC. I'm not allowed estrogen BC due to previous blood clots. Started this pill a week ago and am a little surprised by what I believe are side effects. Appetite loss, and my mood is VERY elevated... I feel borderline hyper at times. I notice that things which used to upset me or get on my nerves don't nearly as much now. Overall, a good thing, but sometimes you need that balance to be able to understand and calibrate your overall well-being. But my main concern is I've noticed I'm mentally scattered. It's like herding cats in my brain sometimes. I am hoping this subsides. No physical side effects yet - spotting or bloating - which I was expecting. We'll see."

• EPe...
• November 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this medication a few months ago, and mentally, this pill is perfect for me! I’m not moody, no depressive episodes, no anxiety, nothing. Physically, it’s awful for me. I’ve gained 10 lbs in a couple of months, I’m insanely bloated, I always have pressure in my lower abdomen, and my hair is thinning out like crazy! My hair comes out with ease in the shower; more than usual."

• Dre...
• May 13, 2016

For Birth Control "Started this medication about 7 months ago. At first, I loved it. The side effects were minimal, and it completely ended my period. A few months in, I began to experience constipation. Then the bloating came. My eating habits haven't changed, and I only put on 5 lbs., yet my stomach is huge. It's uncomfortable, and it's to the point where I'm so self-conscious over it that I'm stopping the pill today. I look pregnant, and my clothes aren't fitting properly. It's not a good look."

• Fur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "First of all, everyone will have their own unique experience with birth control. My experience with this BC was pretty good. When I first started taking it, I felt a little dizzy and nauseous for about a week. I began taking this BC to treat heavy periods. It definitely reduced my bleeding, as needed. It also cleared up my acne and leveled my mood. What I didn’t like was the unpredictability of my cycle. Sometimes I would go 3 months with no period, sometimes I would have 26-day cycles. Sometimes I would go a month or two feeling great. Sometimes I would have PMS symptoms (mostly bloating, tender breasts, and some cramping) for months. Knowing this BC is not as effective for preventing pregnancy, several times I felt like I might be pregnant, and I stressed about it a lot. After 2.5 years of taking this BC, I decided I wanted something that makes my cycle more predictable and more effective. I’m now taking a low-dose conventional BC, and I feel so much better."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched from Lyza to Nora-Be about 3 months ago and was told it was the same thing. Same hormone, dosage, and everything. But it does not feel the same, and I can't figure out why. When I was on Lyza, I felt even better than without birth control. But once I started the Nora-Be, I started feeling depressed within the first few days, and it just continued to get worse! I thought I would level out after some time, but no, it's still continuing to worsen. It is like PMSing 24/7 (including the cramps). An emotional rollercoaster ride that just won't stop, along with unexpected physical discomfort like joint pain, bloating, headaches, and it's even messing with my blood pressure! If you react sensitively to hormones, then this one may not be right for you. Although everyone's body reacts differently! I would recommend Lyza instead as a similar alternative for a more leveled experience (especially emotionally)."

• Lil...
• April 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 39. Have 3 kids. I had been using the NuvaRing for several years and loved it. No problems. But because of my age, having diabetes, my doctor put me on Nora-Be. I just got off my cycle, started this pill, and 3 days later I started bleeding again and have been for 5 days, and I mean extremely bad, going through a pad and tampon every 30 min. I have read other reviews and see this is common, but I have had mood swings, headaches, dizziness, cramps, bloating, increased appetite, and heart flutters. I'm not taking this BC anymore. I'm done having kids now anyway, so I think I'll just tie my tubes and not go through or worry about this anymore."

• pen...
• September 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Nora-Be for 2.5 years. Previously had taken a combination pill, then was off BC for a while. Started Nora-Be to alleviate my heavy, painful periods. At first, I was pleased because it helped the physical side effects of my cycle. But I noticed less and less regular periods (expected) with tons of other physical symptoms. Weight gain, acne, anxiousness, depression, fatigue, and bloating. I was so bloated all the time. I would have these horrible emotional PMS symptoms for like 3 weeks, spot for 2-3 days, normal for a week, and then back to the horrible symptoms. I just couldn't deal with it anymore - it was affecting every area of my life. On the plus side, I didn't get pregnant. I stopped taking it 6 months ago and feel great."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Well, I initially went on this birth control to regulate my hormones - lots of breakouts lately and mood swings. I've been on the patch, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and Yaz before - all of them I had bad side effects with. I can say for sure Nora-Be calmed my breakouts and mood swings, which is great... but it definitely gave me a heavy period, bloating, fatigue, depression, aloofness, itchy dryness, and tender breasts. The pros do not outweigh the cons in this case, so I will be going off. Also, I just read about the ovarian cyst side effects... not worth it!"

• mac...
• August 30, 2021

For Birth Control "At first, it was the best. Then, having taken it again after a while of not being on it, the side effects were more visible. I began to break out more, weight gain very quickly, and always bloated. Bleeding has been such a nuisance."

• J4y...
• May 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this medicine for 2 weeks now. The only thing I've noticed so far is that I did bloat a lot more than usual during my period. I also have little headaches almost every day, but they only last for 10 minutes at most. I've managed to eat a pint of ice cream every single night and still lose weight. The only downfall of this medicine is it makes me very angry."