Ortho Micronor and Cramps: What Users Say

• Neo...
• February 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I had a blood clot during my first pregnancy and this is the only thing they could prescribe. I have been taking it for 7 days and I'm moody, crampy, my face broke out (I have clear skin), no sex drive, spacy, I'm extremely tired and I'm so overly hungry. I'm very athletic so it's frustrating. Birth control is ridiculous. I have never found a good one. Even the IUD moved twice! Where the hell is male birth control?"

• EM0...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This medication was amazing at the beginning, but now it has caused severe moodiness and abnormal uterine bleeding. (I've had 2 full periods in 3 weeks) and some days I start spotting and get cramps even though I take my pills on time."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m reaching out because I’ve been experiencing a really weird side effect symptom when taking progesterone-only BC. Overall, side effects have been minimal... light cramping, nausea, and headaches, but nothing I can’t handle. The issue is insomnia. I had the same problem when I tried a hormonal IUD. I don’t know why, and I can’t find any literature on the issue, but it seems an increase in progesterone blocks my ability to fall and stay asleep. I was taking different sleep meds to try to help, but after about a week and a half, I had to go off of the Micronor. I just can’t function without adequate sleep. It’s very frustrating because otherwise, this pill would work. Has anyone else had this issue? Does it go away?"

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I love Micronor. I have been on it for 2 years, and I'm about to get off it because I want kids. For the first 3 months, I had some side effects (tender breasts, bloating, cramping, breakthrough bleeding). But after those 3 months, it was PERFECT! No symptoms, no mood swings (unless PMS), and sometimes, I would just not have my period, which was fun in summertime. I had tried Alesse, Yaz, NuvaRing, all of them giving me the worst headaches and weight gain. On Micronor, no weight gain, I was dieting, so I managed to go from 130 to 115 pounds in two years on that pill. :)"

• Aba...
• January 27, 2020

For Birth Control "Don't let reviews scare you, everyone's body will react differently to different types of BC. That's why there are so many types. I have been using Micronor for 7 years. The first few months, I had the regular side effects your body has when adjusting to the hormone changes (cramps, bleeding, bloating, tender breasts, etc.). After 3-6 months, my body was mostly back to normal. You need to take the pill at the same time every day. If you don't take your pill on time, breakthrough bleeding could happen. This pill is not for you if you cannot keep a consistent schedule when it comes to taking your BC. Irregular bleeding and inconsistent periods will most likely happen. Personally, it made my periods better since my cramps before would cause me extreme agony. Coming down to sex, I have used condoms, pull out, or full unprotected sex and no pregnancy. The pill is 91% effective, not 100%, so don't be upset if you get pregnant. Having sex always opens the chance of pregnancy."

• Nic...
• August 9, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have taken the pill for 26 days. The 27th, I have decided to stop! I have been bleeding heavily for 26 continuous days, plus cramping, headaches, absolute lack of libido, bigger sore breasts, need to sleep 5 extra hours per day (naps all the time), extreme sadness, vaginal dryness despite the bleeding, heavy legs, general growing fatigue, and incapacity to function normally! I switched to another pill (Lolo from Actavis), and so far, so good. I am thankful for the reviews here because I did not feel alone or getting crazy with such painful side effects. The extreme sadness was really odd. Lolo is not a mini-pill, but it has a low amount of estrogen. I am hopeful. I could not move with Micronor despite being very active normally."

• Jab...
• February 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I am not allowed to take a combo pill because I have migraines. I started Micronor, and it has been terrible. I get my period every two weeks, my breasts are extremely sore all of the time, and I'm constantly spotting. I am also irritable, moody, and have cramps all of the time. Before I started it, my period was always on time...predictable to the hour it started. I don't think it's worth bleeding constantly and being irritable and depressed...so I have stopped. Back to condoms it is."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I am taking Micronor for over a year now. My doctor prescribed it because I have bad migraines, which get worse with combination pills. I was super happy in the beginning because my migraines stopped completely, but over time the other side effects became worse and worse: my breasts are extremely swollen and painful, my husband cannot hug me, it really hurts, terrible cramps, spotting for 15 days nonstop, and mood swings. I had to stop, unfortunately. I'm not sure if Cerazette could be better, but it looks like it is about the same."

• Ale...
• August 11, 2015

For Birth Control "So I have been taking this for about 5 days now, and I felt compelled to write a review. I have taken tons of different birth control methods consisting of both hormones of estrogen and progestin. I am pleased to say that so far, this has been working well for me. I think it is worth a shot to try, but as you know, every woman is different. I am still thinking this is too good to be true, but it has been a blessing so far to not wake up dizzy, fatigued, with headaches, or nausea. The only things I have noticed so far are some bloating, light spotting, very little fatigue (nothing compared to other birth controls), and a slight stomach cramp before my alarm goes off to take the pill (perhaps when it's almost run out?). Worth a try."

• Cel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

For Birth Control "Okay, so I started this pill the first day of my period (which is what's recommended so you won't have breakthrough bleeding), and the first month I experienced cramping, nausea, and I was a bit moody. After the first month, it actually got better, and I was convinced I wouldn't have any more side effects because of how great I felt. I'm now on my 5th pack, and I'm experiencing a lot of cramping, and it's really annoying. I had these migraines for like 3 days straight, and I've been irritable, so I guess the side effects can come and go. I take it at the exact time, sometimes 10 minutes later. I'm also now experiencing vaginal drying during sex, and this wasn't a problem before. So, I don't know, I'm debating on continuing to take it. I've never been a fan of birth control, but so far I haven't gotten pregnant, and I had a baby 9 months ago, by the way. I'll see how it goes... so far, it's better than the combo pill for me personally because I experienced horrible side effects with combo pills."

• Hay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking the Micronor pill after the Cerelle pill didn't agree with me. I was on Micronor for 3 weeks and had to stop it, I was getting different side effects, my breasts were so sore I could barely touch them, and I was getting cramps constantly (up to the point I was taking tablets every four hours). Then I started getting really weird cramps, which I can only describe as contractions. I felt hot and sweaty with these pains and felt like I was going to pass out. I stopped taking it after I had 3 of these attacks as it was making me feel unwell. Has anyone else had this side effect on the Micronor pill? I haven't had any since stopping this pill. The only good thing about it was it did actually stop the bleeding."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2017

For Birth Control "This has been one of the best birth controls for me. I don’t get any cramping, bloating, pain, weight gain, and my periods were very light and short (2-3 days). My skin was really clear. I don’t think it messed with my libido, but I do think it made me a lot drier during intercourse. I was on it for almost 2 years, stopped taking it because I was dealing with other health concerns, but thinking about starting back on it. The only inconvenience is taking it in the same time frame, but it’s the pill so..."

• Ban...
• June 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I like this 'mini pill' way better than the combo pills. A week after switching, I had a long period that lasted for about 12 days. However, after that, I didn't have a period again for about 5 months! When college finals stress came around, I got my period again twice, six weeks apart. Since then, things have calmed down and I don't have a period again. As far as other side effects go, when I first switched to this pill, I had some headaches and cramping for the first month, but those went away as my body adjusted. The only lasting side effect is that my breasts are swollen and tender a lot more, but it's not too bad. Plus, they look more full, which is not a complaint. I don't think this pill is helping my skin like the combo pills with estrogen, but it certainly isn't hurting it either. I do use condoms with this pill to prevent pregnancy, as it's not as effective as the combo pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I was put on this because combo birth control made me super dizzy with migraines and throwing up. I was super nervous to take this pill because of the reviews. However, so far this is the only pill that has worked! I do have cramps randomly and I am bloated a lot. No migraines or dizziness! It does mess up your period though! Mine is never regular."

• Tir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I got switched to this because I get auras with my migraines. It gave me menstrual migraines and periods every other week. My periods were heavier, longer, and a lot more painful. I don't really have PMS, but on this drug, I get mood swings, painful constipation, acne, and a sore genital tract. The menstrual migraines went away after three months, the first month, the period pain went away. Over the course of 18 months, my vaginal discharge disappeared. It made sex so painful that it's impossible. It also caused stress incontinence. I've been off it for six months, and the lack of discharge is still a problem because I'm apparently not allowed to have any type of estrogen."

• cow...
• February 17, 2017

For Birth Control "So, I can't say how well this actually works because I was trying it out to balance my hormones and make some gut problems less painful. However, I've been on it for 4 days and just have been feeling cramping and bloating. That has made my gut issue worse. If you don't have gut issues already, this may work for you!"

• dre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Micronor for over a year now, and I am seriously thinking of stopping them. When I started taking them, I had the common side effects until my body adjusted. About three months ago, the side effects started up again and have become worse. For preventing a pregnancy, they work well, but for mood swings and cramps, it's actually making them worse for me."

• Mis...
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I was put on Micronor 4 months ago because I had a headache with previous pills. I am about ready to stop this, also, last month I had breakthrough spotting for 2 1/2 weeks. This month, 4 days prior to the end of the pack, I developed abdominal cramps, I mean really bad, and a lot of breast tenderness. Now I've been bleeding very heavily with terrible cramps for 3 days. This is the worst!!! Confused."

• Mis...
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I was put on Micronor 4 months ago because I had a headache with previous pills. I am about ready to stop this, also, last month I had breakthrough spotting for 2 1/2 weeks. This month, 4 days prior to the end of the pack, I developed abdominal cramps, I mean really bad, and a lot of breast tenderness. Now I've been bleeding very heavily with terrible cramps for 3 days. This is the worst!!! Confused."

• SDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on this pill for 22 days for abnormal, frequent, heavy periods. I'm 44 years old. I felt much sleepier than usual (which I don't mind, as an anxious person!) and my breasts have been large and very painful the entire time. I started spotting on the 17th day, and by day 18, I started a very heavy, extremely painful period that is still going strong on day 6. I never miss work and was in bed almost all day yesterday. This is a worse period than my usual, but the PMS was less bad, and it came an extra week later, which was nice. Not sure if I can continue though!"

• lin...
• September 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I am 43 years old and have always had very regular periods and pretty good health. I have never had a good birth control experience, though, until Micronor. I take it every day at the exact same time on an empty stomach. For the first time ever, I have not had ANY weight gain, no mood swings, no diminished sex drive, no ridiculous spotting, no swollen, painful breasts. As a matter of fact, Micronor has eliminated PMS, I don't get any cramps, my skin is absolutely glowing, and my sex drive seems to be increased. I've been on the Depo shot before (spotting continuously for months, 30-pound weight gain). I've been on countless combination pills (huge, sore boobs, zero sex drive, weight gain, moodiness). I wish I would have discovered the mini pill years ago. The only drawbacks: my period used to be about 4 days and done. Now, I bleed for maybe 2 days and then spot for 4 days, which can be a little annoying. But my cycle still comes every 28 days."

• dod...
• August 30, 2016

For Birth Control "First time to take birth control pills. Today was my first pill of Micronor, and after taking the pill by 6 hours, I started to get a lot of cramps, but even more than I used to get with my period. I don't know if this will continue or not. I will take it for a few more days, and if this continues, I will stop."

• Rai...
• October 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on this for 2 months, and I have experienced cramping, acne breakout, low sex drive, and breast tenderness. Been switched to Alesse. We'll see what happens."

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been using Micronor for about four months. At first, I had mild cramping, but now everything is good."