Norethindrone and Sore Breasts: What Users Say

• Spr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2021

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I'd been taking the combo pill for about 16 years, and a doctor finally told me they won't give me them anymore because of the migraines I was getting. She recommended I try this one. The first 2 months were rough - breast pain, random bleeding, MAJOR BRAIN FOG. I see that confusion is a symptom on the side effects list. That's fine, but I feel like a different person. I can't focus, have a hard time remembering, can't find the words, and struggle to explain things. Has anyone else had these brain fog symptoms?"

• fig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Please keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to hormones and what I experienced may not be what you experience. I am writing this so the people that do experience these side effects do not feel like they are crazy. I started this birth control because I was no longer allowed to be on a combined pill. I took it for about four months and couldn’t take it anymore. My boobs hurt so bad I could barely put a bra on, my periods never regulated the way they were supposed to, I broke out like crazy and it made me so nauseous. Every month I was taking a pregnancy test because all the symptoms I was experiencing were the same as if I was pregnant, the late or non-existent period didn’t help either. I hope someone finds this useful."

• Lul...
• July 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I really don’t have anything negative to say about it. I take it at the SAME time every day. My breasts got very sensitive so it was uncomfortable to wear a bra at times. No hair falling out. No weight gain. This works very well as a birth control because I, again, take it every single day at the same time. Your window is only three hours. PS. I waited a week so that my body could get used to this new thing before having unprotected sex. Please be wary when listening to some reviews. If you psych yourself out on weight gain, you will gain weight. If you psych yourself out on losing your hair, you will stress and, guess what? Lose your hair. Every woman’s body is DIFFERENT! I took the combo pill, and it was horrible for me. I took NuvaRing, and again, horrible. My body can’t take both hormones. Please remember, most women that this pill works well for do not even think to leave a review!"

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "First, I'll say I was VERY worried about taking this after reading reviews. I'm on my second month of taking Errin, and it's gone well so far. I have not taken any meds (before this) in over 15 years, I'm 31. But after getting married, I needed birth control because we have enough fur children and don't want human ones. I really haven't noticed any major side effects. I have had somewhat tender breasts, and I did break out my first week on this, but it may have been the stress of getting married, it cleared up fine now. I don't notice any change in mood, weight, or anxiety (I have had anxiety for a while). My period is normally 28 days on the dot, with very occasional one or two day differences. My period came 2 days early after taking this (I started the pill day 1 of my period). I do notice darker periods with more clots, but other than that, it's about the same. Overall, I'm happy with this pill, especially after reading a lot of other reviews and feeling so worried!"

• Izz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2021

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Errin has been an absolute lifesaver for me. My periods used to make me miserable. I was depressed and anxious for the two weeks leading up to my period. Not to mention, I had migraines that were extremely painful. I decided it was time to regulate my period and got put on Errin. The first few months did have side effects (tender boobs, irritability before my first period, and really huge migraines before each period), but those went away after a while. Now, my periods do not make my mental health spiral in the slightest. I feel so much better! My periods still come regularly, less cramps, less migraines, almost no PMS. The only downside to Errin, for me at least, is that I have to remember to take it at the same time every day. Not only do I not want my mental health to spiral, but I also don't want a baby! So if you're bad at being punctual with meds, this pill isn't for you!"

• Not...
• January 14, 2021

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Read reviews, but thought... hey, everyone is different, so it may help. YEAH RIGHT. I’m on month 3, and my periods are horrible. I was put on Heather to regulate them, but it’s made my days longer. I was originally 6-7 days a month, now I’m 11-15 days. I’m already anemic and was hoping this would be the answer. Not to mention acne. It’s awful. I’ve never had acne. Tender breasts for 2 months, mood swings & depression. Crying for no reason. I’m discontinuing this."

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

Norethindrone 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. :)"

• Sen...
• January 8, 2021

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I was prescribed Errin for BC as I cannot take estrogen. For the first month, my only side effect was sore breasts. That went away. The second month, my side effect was a racing heart. Also, during this time, I developed a recurring yeast infection problem. The racing heart went away the 3rd month, but the constipation started. Constipation and yeast infections from a dry vagina. I stopped halfway through the 4th month because I couldn’t take the constipation anymore, and any time I had sex, I'd get a yeast infection. Two other things this entire course of time on the pill. First, it intensified my anxiety and made me paranoid, and second, it got rid of my sex drive. I think the only thing I liked about it was that it made my period lighter and shorter, but didn’t affect it at all otherwise. I’m writing this review because the side effects I experienced I hadn’t heard anyone else talk about. I never got pregnant, though, which is good, so I would consider this effective, hence the 9/10, but I will never take hormonal BC again."

• Abl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2015

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "First 4 months I had a period every 2 weeks, extreme bloating (15 lbs), very tender breasts, but those all went away. After this, my periods evened out to every 28 days. I had some mild acne, and my PMS and cramps were very, very mild. About a year in, I went off these pills because I was very depressed and suicidal. I had also developed severe insomnia, social anxiety, and was constantly freezing. Within days of being off these pills, my depression disappeared (I have never been depressed before), I'm warm at a temperature below 78 degrees, and I can sleep. I can't have estrogen, so these pills were a godsend for my severe PMS and cramps, but the mental side effects were horrible and developed slowly. Be careful."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2019

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Before I got on this pill, I looked up the reviews and was terrified from all the terrible things I read, but my gyne highly recommended it for me, and I’m happy she did. I’ve been on this pill for about two months now, and my experience has been great. Before getting on this pill, I would have terrible heavy periods that came along with cramps, acne, tender breasts, and mood swings. I have not gotten my period at all since starting it, only spotting with minor cramps. And I have not had any other terrible side effect. I would say give it a try because not everyone’s body is the same."

• col...
• June 10, 2010

Norethindrone 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2013

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 9 months now, and while I love not having a period and no mood swings, I've had terrible acne, breast tenderness (to the point of walking being painful), and I've put on about 15 lbs. I've even increased my exercise and gone on a diet, and I'm still putting on weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Ok, so weird experience. I switched to Errin after using Lutera, which made a benign lump in my breast grow. I decided not to mess with that and switched to progesterone-only Errin. When I first started using it, every week I would get really sad and moody. I also was pretty nauseous around the same time every day, and my boobs were really sore and bloated. Also, it stopped my period for two months, which was spooky. So after two months, I stopped using it for a month. This was also when my boyfriend and I got separated due to quarantine, so there was no need. I started it again a month ago, since I was going to see my boyfriend again, and absolutely no mood swings, no nausea, no painful breasts. I don’t know what happened, but I’m thrilled! Also, my breast lump hasn’t grown or changed at all, so no scares there."

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2018

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "Taking this medicine is a severe mistake. This drug does not at all reduce cramping, bleeding severity, or promote bodily menstrual regularity. Instead, after only 2 months of using it, my hair is falling out in the shower, my acne is severe, I've gained 11 pounds, and my anxiety is unbearable. This drug has caused me to have a period every 2 weeks since being on it, and with each period, I am vomiting and swelling up. My breasts are so tender that I cannot even put a bra on. I am entirely exhausted all of the time - something I never had an issue with until taking this medicine. I have an appointment first thing tomorrow to come off of this drug - what a nightmare."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2020

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "The doctor placed me on this when I came off the birth control patch and had magnified symptoms such as excruciating cramps and extended bleeding. While these were both suppressed by the norethindrone, this medicine brought on a whole host of new side effects: hot flashes, night sweats, oily skin and hair, acne, water retention, breast tenderness, and - holy heck - the MOOD SWINGS! I feel like I'm yelling at everyone! I have PMDD, and this medicine has made it 10x worse, where I cannot stand to be around anyone and vice versa. I decided to tell my doctor about it this week, and he wanted to give me the Minivelle Dot to see if that would help, but I felt even worse after wearing it for 5 hours. I decided to go back on Xulane because at least that controls all the symptoms, even if I do have spotting for most of the month. I'd rather deal with that than feeling like this!"

• K G...
• July 16, 2014

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Nora-BE for 2 full years now, prescribed post D&C for heavy bleeding and birth control. I have bad fibroids. It didn't really help with the bleeding at all. Fibroids won that battle, so I recently had the UAE procedure. Night and day! The doctor said normal periods would resume 2-4 months after UAE, and to keep taking Nora-BE. Now, 6 months post UAE, not sure when/if the period is coming. Didn't last month at all. Lots of spotting though... maybe this is my period? But spotting lasts longer than my 5-day period, more like 8-12, kind of annoying. Thought the itchiness was just me, but now that I read other users' experiences as well... I'm connecting the dots. Definitely weight gain, approximately 8-10 lbs. Breast tenderness, acne, questioning whether to continue."

• gil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "My doctor prescribed Micronor because I experienced depression and migraines with other pills. So far, so good - the first two months were totally fine, I didn't notice any changes to anything. This month I have had a little breast tenderness, but not significantly, and a couple of days of light breakthrough bleeding. I have regular unprotected sex and, so far, no babies... I'm happy with this drug and plan to keep using it until I want a baby."

• efa...
• May 21, 2014

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have been taking Nora-Be for a year now and have noticed the following side effects: 1. I never knew when I would have my period. On this birth control, it seems to be every 3 months. 2. I have gained about 10 pounds even though I have maintained my normal level of physical activity and diet. Before starting BC, I had maintained the same weight for a number of years, so the weight gain is not welcome. 3. I have experienced minor vision problems. Mostly, my eyesight is blurry, and sometimes I have difficulty focusing. 4. My breasts have increased in size (probably due to the weight gain). Though I cannot really complain about the larger breasts, they are fairly tender-sometimes uncomfortably so."

• ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Was on the depo shot for 2 years. Everything was okay the first year, but I switched because my last 6 months on it was terrible! I had no period for 4 months, it made my depression worse, I was always bloated, gained over 30 pounds, had nipple discharge, and was struggling to stay self-lubricated during sex. I decided to switch to a pill, and my doctor recommended Errin due to my background of migraines. I have been on it for almost 4 months, and I got my period back a month into it. I am no longer constantly depressed or constantly bloated, it doesn’t seem to give me rapid weight gain (I lost two pounds since starting), no more nipple discharge (my breasts grew half a cup size, actually), and I have no dryness issues. I finally feel normal again. I would give it a 10/10, but I haven't been on it long enough. I would recommend anyone who had a good experience with depo that turned horrible to try Errin out."

• Aba...
• January 27, 2020

Norethindrone 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."

• hai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2013

Norethindrone for Birth Control "My doctor suggested I go on this so that I could help dissolve my ovarian cysts, help my excruciating periods, and of course for pregnancy prevention. Other pills had horrible side effects with my mood and made me feel worse than ever, but since I've been on Heather (about 6 weeks), I feel great... no bad moods, my skin has always been bad, so no changes there, my breasts have grown for sure, I'm just starting to spot and cramp mildly, but if that's going to replace my normal excruciating period, then I'm perfectly fine with that. My job is very physically and mentally demanding, and it hasn't affected it, except maybe my breast tenderness. But I would definitely suggest this."

• kai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2013

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have never taken birth control pills before Jolivette. This particular pill was prescribed to me because of my chronic migraines. The pill works great for my period, but the overall side effects were horrible. I am extremely emotional, my breasts were sore all the time, and I'm extremely emotional all the time, which is the opposite of how I usually am. I also had hair growth on my arms, legs, and a little on my face. It works, but the side effects make it not worth it."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2015

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been taking the mini pill for three months now! My first period lasted three days, with the first day heavy and the rest with spotting. I chose this mini pill for a few reasons. I have 4-day periods with heavy flow and horrible back pain. I love to snowboard, so that wasn't going to be okay to be dealing with. As well, my family has a history of mental health, to which I don't like to play with the chemistry in my body. So far, I've been on it for three months with one period! Of course, I'm loving this mini pill, but when is my period going to hit?! I haven't gained any weight, and my breasts are not tender."

• Nic...
• August 9, 2015

Norethindrone 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."

• Run...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2019

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have been using Heather for 3 months. I was advised to switch to a no-estrogen pill since I am 38 years old and a smoker. My prior birth control pill was Ortho Tricyclen Lo, which was phenomenal! Since I began taking Heather, I am either extremely irritable and moody or completely emotionless. I have gained 8 pounds, yes 8 in 3 months, coming from someone who runs a full marathon every year and is an addictive runner. I have lost all motivation and energy to work out, due to being extremely fatigued! I’ve also experienced breast tenderness, severe bloating, painful low back pain, and muscle aches. Not to mention that I’ve had my period 6 times in 3 months! I will be stopping this medication as soon as my husband gets his vasectomy and his post-vasectomy test is clear!"