Nora-Be and Cramps: What Users Say

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This is the most awful birth control pill I’ve ever taken in my entire life, and I’ve tried several. I took it exactly on time every day for one week. Starting with day 3, I had a constant headache, nausea, acne, pain in my legs, generalized pain in my body (back, joints, etc.). By day 5 I was bleeding a little, then by day 7 I was bleeding a LOT - like if someone just drew blood straight from my arm and dumped it in the toilet. It wasn’t even like normal period blood, it was so bright red and thin. And on top of the other symptoms, I was dizzy and had cramping, too. It also gave me intense hot flashes and a slight fever, I was sweating practically all the time, and I would wake up several times a night. AWFUL! I would absolutely never recommend this pill to anyone. If I could give it negative stars, I would."

• Lul...
• July 12, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "49 years old, got on this medication to regulate insanely heavy periods. At 7 weeks, I have not yet had a period - yay! However, in the last two weeks, I began developing lower abdominal pain and cramping on the right side. At times, there is a great deal of pressure, causing an urgency to urinate. Very distracting and uncomfortable and has me using the bathroom every hour. My doctor said to try to stick it out, but I am getting off of this medication due to these side effects. I read online that progesterone can cause changes and functioning to the GI tract like mine. I also have some nausea and heartburn with this medication, so I don't think it is for me. I also noticed my hair falling out at about week 5. Everybody is different, but I think I will try a more natural approach to lightening my periods. Good luck, everybody!"

• col...
• June 10, 2010

For Birth Control "I had been on the combined oral pill for many years and had tried many different kinds. I have experienced every kind of mood swing possible, severe cramping and abdominal pain, headaches, nausea, heartburn, moodiness, and had severe irritability, and uncontrollable bursts of tears before and during my period! As well as a decrease in libido. I felt out of control! I went to the doctor, she told me I was experiencing PMDD, which is much worse than PMS. She put me on Nora-Be since it only has a synthetic progesterone and no synthetic estrogen (which apparently increases all of the craziness). Only taken for a short time, but better already! I have more control of my emotions, and my libido is back in overdrive! Breasts are tender though."

• KIa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been on this pill for 2 months now because I couldn’t take the combined pill anymore due to elevated blood pressure. I absolutely hate this pill and am switching to the implant next week. I am on my period all the time (like 3 weeks out of 4) and get terrible cramping constantly. I also get nauseous and feel like I am losing hair. For me, this pill is just not working."

• 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!"

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Started 3 nights ago to help with heavy periods. This pill has made me have very heavy clotting, cramping, and bleeding through heavy pads every 1 - 1 1/2 hours at night. Went out to lunch yesterday, and within 1 hour, had soaked a heavy pad and blood down my leg. I’ve only been on this 3 nights, and usually by now my period would be almost over. I really don’t think I should continue, I do not need this for birth control, trying to help with heavy periods, and this is the worst I’ve had in years. I’ve taken more Advil in the last 3 days than in the last 6 months due to heavy cramping. I think I’m stopping this today!!!"

• 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."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Well, ever since I was 13, my periods were not normal, they would last for more than a week. I would get horrible side effects, such as nausea, cravings, cramps, you name it. I got extremely tired of it, and I was prescribed Nora-Be. It's been good to me. I started it while on my period, I only bled for two days! Not even bad! It was a small spot and done. I felt so relieved!!! I noticed no weight gain, and I felt great. I get no side effects from it, but if I do, which is rare, it's breast pain. I recommend this, but of course, everyone's body is different!!! P.S. I've been on it for ages."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had a period every week for 4 months, and at first tried Tri-Nessa, and that did nothing. A friend recommended Nora-Be, and I am so glad she did. I have irregular bleeding once a month now, and it's so much better. No cramps and no pain. Love it!"

• 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!"

• Gir...
• September 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I was prescribed this pill postpartum. I took it for 5 weeks and never got a period. At week 5, I woke up to severe stomach pain/cramps. At first, I didn’t know what was causing the stomach pain. After a process of elimination, I circled it back to this contraceptive. I stopped taking the pill, and within 48 hours, the stomach cramps went away. I know everyone’s body reacts differently, and this may work for some, but the pain seriously felt like contractions and was a little startling at first, not knowing why I was in so much pain. I will never take this pill again."

• 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!"

• ADG...
• July 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I am on the third month of this pill. No pregnancy, which is the point, and no mood swings or weight gain. BUT ... I am having my period for the third time this month. First month went well, period came on time, lasted a week. Second month, same thing, but this month has been just more than obnoxious. I had my period, then nothing for two days, then slight cramps and another light period for another four days, then nothing for about five days, and yet again cramps today, and next thing I know, I'm bleeding again. Hopefully, this resolves itself soon. Outside of that, it is as if I'm not taking anything."

• 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!!!!"

• Ray...
• April 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on these pills for 4 months now, and I decided last night that I'm never taking another one. I have had a period twice a month since I began. The first two months, I ignored it, thinking my body just needed time to get used to it. I have cramping, I bleed heavy for the first 3-4 days, then have mild/regular bleeding for 4 full days after. It doesn't start getting light until about the 8th day. To have a period twice a month that lasts over a week is appalling, and the manufacturers should be ashamed of themselves. The only reason I started these pills is because I had just stopped nursing my toddler and wanted a low-dose birth control option. I'm giving them one star because the one good thing about this pill is that I haven't gotten pregnant, even after having unprotected sex on a regular basis with my boyfriend. I am going to meet with my doctor ASAP and change my script. My advice to anyone thinking about starting this pill: DON'T. Don't waste your time, money, or health."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I feel like I'm always having a period on this pill. One week I have cramps, then I start, one week free, then cramps again. I'm having a period every 2.5 - 3 weeks. It's ridiculous! Still having cramps, heavy periods, and I've gained 15 lbs in 2 years of being on it. I want to switch, but with having a little elevation in my blood pressure, they say it's the best pill for me. I hate taking it. I want to switch it, go off completely."

• Tay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2017

For Birth Control "This is honestly the worst birth control I've ever been on. I've been on several types and have never experienced acne like I did on Nora-Be. I stayed on it for 9 months, hoping it would get better, but it didn't. It caused me to have painful cystic acne all over my face, the worst was by my mouth and chin. I had such bad cramps during my period that I was in tears. I just changed birth controls, and these symptoms have gone away completely. I don't know why I had such a bad effect from it, but please keep in mind you don't have to suffer for months like I did."

• 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."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2020

For Birth Control "So my provider put me on this birth control 2 months after I had my son. After about 4 days of starting the pill, I have had heavy bleeding and severe cramps. It is now day 8, and my symptoms aren’t any better. I honestly am just upset my doctor didn’t warn me about the heavy irregular bleeding that this pill will cause, normally, I have very light periods."

• Ivy...
• April 10, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Started Nora-Be, took 4 days and noticed a heavier period, horrible bloating. I have a heavy period due to fibroids, so was trying this to reduce the period. This made my period even heavier! Horrible painful cramps even with ibuprofen and huge clots, I had a very big clot and felt really shaky, horrible like the flu. I went to the ER! Pretty much saying I felt like rubbish from anemia, but I've had anemia a long time and just figured out I had it, always felt okay, not this horrible. Was afraid to quit taking it, so took two more nights and last night horrible cramping, hot and cold flashes so bad, felt like the flu and could not sleep. Noticed pains when I first started it, around the ovary area. The 2nd day was a headache, not bad, just abnormal and felt rubbish. Stopping today after 6 days. Going to OB-GYN in a few days. I will not try hormones ever again, wasn't on any for 15 years."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2016

For Birth Control "Horrible birth control. I can't take regular birth control due to having breast cancer in my 20s. So they gave me this... severe cramps from the beginning and horrible back pain. It made me miserable, some say to wait it out, but I stopped it in the first week. I would rather run my risk with regular birth control than ever take Nora-Be again."

• 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."

• Cca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2019

For Birth Control "After being on a combination pill for almost 8 years, my doctor wanted me to switch to a progestin pill due to the fact that I have a liver condition. While I protested, I switched. As soon as I switched, the first day I got acne, and the second I started to get major headaches all day that lasted until the end of the pill. The fourth day, my period started with HEAVY bleeding like never before, with huge clots, bad cramps, and crazy mood swings and depression. I called immediately to switch back to the combination pill as soon as possible. I might just be a bad case, but I'm just putting this out there to let others know it wasn't effective for my case."

• Mek...
• December 26, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started on Nora-Be at the end of the middle of August 2017. I got immediate results from having severe, debilitating migraines and heavy periods. Went from super harsh 7-8 days, huge clots, heavy bleeding, painful cramps, bloating to 5-6 days, lighter flow, clots small, passed only 1 large. I had no cramps and didn't even know the period came on! So much energy, no cravings! No migraines, only light head pressure, but I did have sensitivity to light that has gotten much worse. November was not good. My migraines came back, but not nearly as bad as before, and my period was back to 8 days. December, not good, period cramps minor, migraine moderate auras, bad fatigued again, period 14 days and back on now for the last 5, light steady flow. I'm going to try an extreme diet change with exercise to go along with the pill because it did so well."

• no...
• May 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm on the minipill and have never had any issues. My insurance switched me to this one, and right away, I've experienced nearly all the side effects! I am trying to switch to a different minipill now to stop all the side effects and feel normal again! What I've experienced: breakthrough heavy bleeding the second week of pills, no period during the last week of pills, nausea, headaches, weight gain, acne, cramping, and just an overall feeling of not feeling well."