Norlyda for Birth Control User Reviews

• Cia...
• December 21, 2019

"I started these birth control pills Norlyda 2 weeks ago. After the second day of taking them, I started a period that lasted for 8 days. It stopped and came back 4 days later. It has now been on for another week and still hasn't ended. It’s heavy, and I’m going through tampons like crazy. I have to wear a pad as well because the flow is so heavy. The cramps are horrible. I’ve been on birth control pills before and never had an experience like this. I’ve contacted my doctor and was told that this is normal because my period has to regulate and that it can take up to 3 months with these pills to regulate. Meaning that I can be bleeding like this for 3 months. There is no way losing this much blood for all these days is normal. I will be contacting my doctor again to see if they can prescribe me another kind of pill because I cannot deal with all this bleeding and cramping. Also, these pills don’t have placebos. You never know when your period is going to arrive. I do not recommend these."

• Cob...
• April 8, 2019

"My obgyn switched me from years of combo pills to this since I am 35 and smoke. I hated this pill. I had a period twice a month for 9-10 days. It would go from light to heavy at any given time. I went off the pill completely to see how my periods would be. Still painful and somewhat heavy. My main reason for using the pill was for periods and possible endo. Also for clear skin and pregnancy protection. I called my obgyn and had her try me on another brand. I explained to her that every brand will affect people differently due to inactive ingredients. I learned this when they discontinued my favorite pill, Lutera, and tried me on other pills said to be the same but were not. She agreed, and so now I am on Ortho Micronor. So far, it agrees with me. 5-day light periods with 1 medium day."

• Boo...
• January 25, 2021

"Only started taking this because of stroke risk being over 40. Took Lo Lo Estrin Fe for years and loved it. Been on this over a year and honestly should have stopped long ago. My periods are now coming 2-3 times a month, and they last 3-10 days. May just have to get my tubes tied because I am so tired of constant bleeding on this pill, and my doc advises that I shouldn't go back to pills containing estrogen. Giving it a 4/10 because I never got pregnant but hated always being on my period."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

"I'm 36 years old. Was on NuvaRing and loved it, but after being off it for a while, then when I went back on it, it was giving me an upset stomach. So we tried this Norlyda pill. I have horrible PMS and PMDD. My symptoms leading up are worse than anything during my actual period. First month was fine. Now I'm on month 3 and never know when my period is going to be. I bleed on and off and once for 2 weeks. Which I was told that's shedding the lining of the uterus. I just still don't feel like it's helped much. But just wait and see."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2020

"This is the worst contraceptive BC experience I’ve ever had. I was prescribed Norlyda because I smoke, tried it for about 5 months. I’ve been having my period for two weeks in a month, and finally, I had my period for 3 weeks and I stopped taking this pill. I’ve been taking them same time every day too. I’m using up a lot of pads and tampons, so sick of this, I’m done!"

• Wen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2023

"I found Norlyda to be super helpful. During my chemo treatment, I was literally hemorrhaging. I could not leave the house, and I was incredibly anemic because of the heavy bleeding. My oncologist said no estrogen, but the chemo made a hysterectomy impossible. My GYN put me on Norlyda, and the bleeding stopped within a few days, and I have not had a period since. An added benefit was that my mood swings also stopped, and I evened out emotionally as well. I have not noticed any side effects. It was really helpful in my case."

• MAR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2019

"I have been taking this pill for about a month. This is actually my first time ever taking BC. I must say the first week just a bit nauseous and slightly dizzy. Other than that, no problems. I get my period every month with no problems and happy that I don't need to worry about getting pregnant."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2022

"Started this because my doctor was worried about my blood pressure on the combo pill. I’m on my second pack. The first two to three weeks, my nipples were so sore. I haven't had sex since starting, as my husband is deployed, so I wasn’t worried about pregnancy. Once my nipples calmed down, then my breasts were tender as if I were about to start my period. I get hormonal headaches usually the week prior to my period, but I had more than usual the 4th week of these pills. Then, no period, and all the breast tenderness and headaches stopped as if I had my period. It’s strange. So, considering my husband was home before I started this pill, I decided to take a pregnancy test, which was negative. So now I’m in my second pack, wondering if I’m going to get a period of any kind or not. If I get the headaches again, I intend on switching."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2018

"I've enjoyed the non-estrogen birth control. I'm petite, active, healthy diet, and the only thing I take is this pill and no other medications. I have had a small increase in acne outbreaks and weight gain, but I'm also in nursing school, working, and planning a wedding, so I don't blame my birth control entirely on a little 3 lb weight gain or acne. I take a week off between each pack so my body can be natural and have a period, that is for my own health reasons. I overall am much happier with this BC than any other I have tried, and the risks are far less than the estrogen-based options. Also, it took time, as with all BC, for my body to adjust to new hormones and monthly changes that are from my would-be cycle. I recommend estrogen-free BC to all females due to decreased risks."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2019

"I've just recently restarted this BC. I took it for years after being switched from Kariva, which gave me migraines 4x a week. With Norlyda, I hardly get any migraines. My periods are few and far between, if any. My skin breaks out here and there, but I feel like Norlyda helps a little. I'm underweight for my height and wish Norlyda would help me gain a little weight, but it hasn't. Overall, good experience on this BC."

• fan...
• January 15, 2019

"I'm 19, and this is my first BC experience. The first three months on this pill kind of sucked, but I expected that. Your body needs time to adjust. I had a lot of spotting and irregular periods (2 in one month, 8 days between cycles, etc.). But these are really the only side effects worth mentioning. I had lost some weight due to lack of appetite right before starting, and I'm since back to my normal weight, so I can't say if this is because of the pill or because I started eating normally. I've always had acne, and it's no better or worse than before. I'm into my 4th pack, and things have gotten much better for now. I haven't had any spotting in a while, and it looks like I'll be getting my period at my normal time this month. You have to take it at the same time every day. Consider your schedule/routine when deciding on a time. The pill is most effective for 20 hours, so also consider when you are most likely to have sex. 12 pm is perfect for me."

• Rim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2021

"Over 40, so this was suggested for me. I've been on it for 2 1/2 weeks and have bled every single day. This is not light spotting, but several pads/tampons a day. Yes, it stops you from getting pregnant, but I don’t like the side effects."

• Ccm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2022

"I take Norlyda to manage my PCOS because I can't take the estrogen combo pill since it is risky as I have issues with blood pressure. Since I naturally get irregular periods because of my PCOS and this pill doesn’t have estrogen, my periods are still irregular, but in my 6ish months of taking it, my periods have only ever been light bleeding for 3-5 days. My ob-gyn says this is normal, and some people don’t even get their periods on it, so I guess it’s nice in that respect. I just wish that I was able to know when I would get my periods like I was on the combo pill. I haven’t really had any side effects, and the combo pill I was taking before gave me migraines and made me super emotional/depressed, whereas Norlyda doesn’t, so no complaints about that. I could see how for people who normally get their periods routinely, this pill might mess with that, making them frustrated, but I’m used to irregular periods, so it’s no issue."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2020

"Started this pill, Norlyda, for birth control 4 months ago. Overall, very happy because I had been having regular aura migraines with my old bc (Junel, a combo pill), and I haven’t had a single one since I switched. Periods are definitely a little heavier than on Junel but not awful. The last two months, I had two periods a month (for 4 days at a time). No acne or other side effects, though! Worth a try and definitely a good option if estrogen pills trigger migraines! Have to take exactly on time for it to be effective, so if you’re bad with that, use back-up."

• Oli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2023

"The side effects in terms of depression, anxiety, and weight gain are the worst. I gained almost 30 pounds in a year and cried every single day while taking this. Once I stopped, it slowly helped with the depression, but my anxiety stuck around, and it is 20 times harder to lose weight. My doctor recommended this brand because of my migraines, and I definitely don’t recommend it to anyone who has signs of depression or anxiety. It may make it worsen a lot more."

• Kei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2022

"I have been on this BC for about 4 months now. My doctor put me on this brand because I'm breastfeeding. My milk supply did not change. Only had one period 8 days after I started taking it, I haven't had one since. The first and second month had me with cramps, no bleeding, and I was so tired, but that went away. I am hungry a lot! After I eat, I still feel hungry. Thank God I don't gain weight easily. Don't have any problems on the pill, but I am kind of worried about not getting my period. I have to take a PT every month to make sure. I will give this a 9! Love it, best BC I have been on!"

• Sur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2022

"Got pregnant while on this pill. Missed periods throughout taking it, and then on a whim took a pregnancy test, and surprise! We’ve got another on the way. Overall, this one is bunk. Repeat episodes of missed periods and then pregnancy."

• AMM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2019

"I usually take Tri-Sprintec, but have had a lot of migraines with my period, so was recommended this, Norlyda. I have gained a little weight, which isn’t a big deal since I’m only 110 to begin with. But I started breaking out. My face mainly, but my chest and back. I’ve been taking the pill for 3 months now. My face is always covered in acne. So frustrating. I make it a habit to wash twice a day, but nothing is helping. Since it’s winter, I don’t care about my chest or back. I also haven’t gotten my period at all. I took a pregnancy test, and it came back negative. I haven’t had any symptoms or signs that I’m pregnant. I took the test just to see since I haven’t gotten my period. I showed a lot of symptoms last time I was pregnant. I have a Dr. appointment in March, which is the soonest I can see my Dr. I want to go back to my old brand."

• sma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2023

"On the one hand, this worked as an effective birth control and even regulated my irregular period. On Norlyda, I had a normal menstrual cycle and no complications with my migraines. On the other hand, this gave me the worst side effects I have ever experienced. I was depressed, anxious, and had frequent nightmares. All of this stopped once I got off the pill. I can't take any more of this, with these kinds of side effects, I needed to switch. I literally could not sleep while taking this. I will be looking for another option."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2022

"I’ve been on this pill for 6 months. I was prescribed due to my previous birth control causing a risk of stroke and causing me intense aura migraines. Norlyda makes me bleed 3-10 days 2 times a month… I’ve developed insane PMDD along with intense anxiety. If you’re looking for a pill that gets rid of period side effects or acne, this isn’t it. I have all my acne back that my previous pill helped with, and terrible periods. This could just be me, but you’re definitely going to go through tampons crazy and be very emotional, most likely. Ugh!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2022

"I’ve been on Norlyda for two months, coming off of my other birth control pill that contained both estrogen and progestin. The first month, my period was expected to come on the 10th but was delayed to the 16th, and now being the second month, I was supposed to be expecting my period on the 14th, and my period has yet to come. I already had gone through the PMS week where I had lower back pain, breast tenderness, fatigue, and no period ever came down. I hope it would come down soon, if not, the only option there is to take a pregnancy test, even though I am confidently sure I have nothing to worry about since I take it every day, same time. I did research and saw missed/delayed/late periods are expected, but all I can do is hope."

• jsn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2021

"I just started my third pack of this. I was on a different birth control before, and I loved it, but I gained weight. I got switched to Norlyda, and I lost the weight I had gained. It makes my cycle very long, which does worry me occasionally. The only side effect I do have is worse cramps on my period, and it makes me much more emotional."

• CBa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 30, 2021

"I have been on this birth control for about a year now and am looking to stop taking it and switch. I quickly lost my period, which I enjoyed not having, due to typically having terrible PMS and heavy bleeding without birth control. The only side effects I noticed were some more unwanted hair growth, and my boobs got smaller, B to A cup. When I was working out heavily, since I am an athlete, I had no period or PMS whatsoever. But my major complaint is, as soon as I went into my offseason, which was slightly less daily exercise, I had my period and all the PMS symptoms (7 days), followed by breakthrough bleeding (5 to 7 days) every other week until my next period, and this cycle just continues until I start exercising at an extreme level again."

• rea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 31, 2021

"The first two months taking Norlyda, I literally had my period twice a month, heavy. After 8 months till now, I haven't had my period since then, I've lost 22 lb, and now I have chest acne. I don't like being on my period, so I don't mind. Losing weight is fine with me because now I'm back to my original weight due to my old BC that made me gain weight. But I like this pill, I just don't like the acne part. Also, I take it every day right on the dot. I felt like the first two months when I was taking it, I wasn't being consistent with taking it on time. So it made me have an irregular period, and usually, my period is regular. Also, my sex drive is high. I'm only 24. Everyone is different, but I hope this helps you."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 23, 2023

"I was put on Norlyda after getting awful migraines with my previous birth control. I have PCOS and irregular periods, but Norlyda has stopped my period altogether, which I can't complain about. I have experienced no other side effects, I didn't even realize my other birth control was making me depressed and anxious until I started Norlyda and feel ten times better. Honestly, no complaints at all."