| Key to ratings for loestrin fe 1.5/30: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken and Dosage | Date Added | |
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| 2 | birth control | Brown Discharge, Terrible stomach cramps, Breast tenderness, Increased appertite, Insomnia. | The stomach cramps are really bad going to stop taking this pill. Not right for me at all. | F | 31 | 10 days 30 mg 1X D | 9/1/2010 | 1 | regulate cycle | bleeding, terrible stomach cramps, low back pain, vomiting, sinus problems, fatigue, nausea, abnormal dreams | Wow! i am more than relieved since reading these comments! I thought I needed to have my gallbladder taken out! My doc put me on Loestrin 24 after the birth of my daughter to regulate my cycle. He also said it lowered my chance for ovarian cancer. After having a second period in one month as well as terrible stomach cramps, back pain, nausea, and vomiting I decided to research. I even went to the ER thinking there was something terribly wrong w/ me. They found nothing. Everything I have read here I have experienced. I am so sensitive to meds and I can't believe I never even thought my BC could cause so many problems! In addition to what I stated above I've had constant vivid, scary dreams, panic attacks, severe depression and anxiety, and so much more. i am so glad I did my research! | F | 29 | 1 days 30mg 1X D | 8/28/2010 | 1 | to moderate irregular periods | Period length and flow increased to 3 weeks; experienced extreme depression and hopelessness; breast tenderness; severe superficial acne; hot flashes night/day; fatigue; a lot of bloating and gas; & definitely NO SEX DRIVE :(!! | I started taking this pill over a month and half ago. I was on Yaz prior to this one, but changed pills because it was ineffective and too expensive. However, I never experienced such awful side effects like I did on this birth control. I have been on birth control, since I was 13. My period is always a horrible time of month for me. So, I need to find one that will help regulate my period more efficiently. | F | 31 | 28 days 24 Fe 1X D | 8/27/2010 | 1 | Birth control | Panic attacks, irregular heartbeat, mood swings, chest pain, crying for no reason, feeling overwhelmed all the time, nervousness, extreme fatigue, and horrible sinus infections! | I have been on this pill for the last year and a half. My doctor prescribed it after the birth of my third child. I, like many others who have posted here, have had horrible reactions that I have never experienced before. My doctors didn't believe me! I had all kinds of tests done for my chest pains, with no answers why they were occurring. I almost fell out of my chair when I read these reviews and realized that my panic attacks, chest pains, and recurring sinus infections have been possibly because of this pill. In addition, I can't lose my last 10 lbs of baby weight, have been fighting acne and extreme fatigue. I never had any of these problems after my first two were born or on previous pills- or ever in my life! I went to my doctor yesterday and switched to an older pill I used to take years ago. These reactions happened gradually with me - not at first, and no doctor ever even mentioned that it could be this pill. Let me tell you I wasted a year and a half thinking I was crazy! Thank you everyone else for helping me realize what was going on and shame on me for not doing my research- you just have to look out for yourself! | F | 35 | 1.5 years 1X D | 8/25/2010 | 1 | Contraceptive | This pill was awful for me. I started noticing a change about a week in: my dreams were becoming increasingly odd, my breasts were sore, I felt bloated and my face began breaking out. Worse, though, were the mood swings. I'm generally a happy person - it takes a lot to get me down, and I rarely stay down long. Suddenly, though, I found myself sad. If I wasn't sad, I was anxious or angry. I was apologizing a lot for my behavior, and I cried almost once a day. Then came the bleeding. It started a week after my period had ended, 14 days into my cycle.It's light, but constant. My doctor warned me that there would be "breakthrough bleeding". She did not warn me that I would have a second period in one month. | F | 21 | 4 months 1X D | 8/23/2010 | 1 | birth control | Headaches, dizziness, chest pains, always spotting, moody, depressed, numbness in fingers, always tired. | OMG! I have never commented on anything on the web..but thought this was the one time I had to. I started taking this pill when I got done nursing my second child..I have had 2 children been on 3 other pills in my lifetime and gone years on no birth control. So I am no stranger to hormone changes in pregnacy, periods, pills etc..I have been pretty much able to deal with them..until this pill..I literally feel like I am losing my mind..I can't stand anyone or anything in my life, am constantly annoyed with my husband - and generally don't want to deal with anything, always depressed and just pissed off - which is not how you want to feel after having a baby..and I am exercising and eating healthy and cannot lose the last 15 pounds of baby weight, never mind without insurance this pill cost me $77.00 for one month..I hate this pill so much even though Im only a week into the pack I just paid $77.00 for I stopped taking it yesterday and today my head is pounding..I can't wait for it to be out of my body and get myself back again. I would never recommend this pill to anyone..buyers beware. I am getting a non-hormonal IUD instead of all this messing with your hormone stuff..I was the happiest, skinnest and totally me when I was on no birth control for about 5 years..this IUD will be the same deal..I can't wait. | F | 31 | 3.5 months 1X D | 8/23/2010 | 1 | Contraception | Severe depression, anxiety, exhausted all the time! Numbness and tingling in my arms. | At first this pill seemed fantastic but as I continued to take it i started to become a completely different person, usually happy and the life and soul of a party I've become severely depressed and insecure, and constantly felt anxious even though there was no need. I accepted these symptoms too long until I actually felt like I was going mental, luckily I felt the same on cilest and came off. I feel like this pill has ruined my life the past year and also my boyfriends who I've clearly put through hell. Feeling tired for an entire year was horriffic, I didn't even realise that was a side effect till I read the other reviews. I feel luke an idiot for being on this pill for so long and would tell anyone thinking about going on it to STAY AWAY! I'm going to tey the coil now rather than destroying my life with another pill. | F | 20 | 2 years 30 1X D | 8/21/2010 | 1 | Prevent Pregnacy, Reduce Cramps | Moodiness, panic attacks, sickness after eating, tired all the time, shortness of breath, extreme anxiety! | I went from feeling completely normal and happy all the time to being very emotional. I had extreme anxiety and felt it all the time even at work. I have never experienced panic attacks and while on this pill i felt as if i was constantly fighting oncoming panic attacks. My first attack i actually ended up in the hospital because my heat rate exceeded 140 beats.I felt sick everytime i ate and was tired all the time. DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL IT IS NOT WORTH IT!. I have been off Loestrin for about a week and all these sympotoms have gone away. | F | 24 | 3 weeks 1X D | 8/19/2010 | 1 | to prevent pregnancy | I hate this pill! I experienced a yeast infection which accompanied my monthly cycle for the first two packs... So i stopped the pill to see if that was the cause of the yeast since i am not yeast infection prone... guess what NO YEAST infection. Then i restarted them again and now i am exhausted ALL THE TIME even after a full nights rest... I am calling my doc 2m to try to resolve this issue, but i would NOT recommend this pill to anyone else! | F | 30 | 3 months 1X D | 8/18/2010 | 2 | Birth Control, Heavy periods | I gained 10 pounds, always hungry. My DD breasts are now about a cup larger, cant find any bras that fit. Always hungry, No sex drive, moody all the time, no energy, bad headaches. The only good thing about this is that it DOES work for birth control and my period is much lighter. I | I wouldn't be taking this pill if it werent for my boyfriend's persistence and missing work at least a day a month for painful, heavy periods. | F | 26 | 5 months 30 mg 1X D | 8/17/2010 | 1 | heavy painful periods | wow, where do I begin?!! i have read many of the postings and just like many of you i thought i was going out of my mind. i get weepy a lot lately over stupid stuff like when people win on game shows, okay what is going on ?!!! not to mention all the other crap i have been going thru with this pill. I feel crappy all the time, in a fog, nervous, fever and chills, MAJOR mood swings, headache and have no energy. I missed work for the first time this year! I HATE THIS PILL AND WHAT IT IS DOING TO ME!!! i have only been on this for 2 weeks but i'm stopping today, i just hope that it doesn't really screw up my period for this month now DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL, i am not normally a person who is prone to all these things i have been experiencing. | F | 42 | 2 weeks 1X D | 8/17/2010 | 1 | Birth control | Depression, Nervous, Anxiety | I have been very depressed lately and finally have come to the conclusion that it is from the Loestrin I was taking. The worst part is the sad, dazzy feeling and having weird thoughts about dying. I feel on edge constantly and my personality is completely different than before. I use to be very bubbly and happy and now I am constantly exhausted and don't seem to care too much about anything. I just hope it gets out of my system fast as I've stopped taking it. | F | 29 | 4 months 1X D | 8/16/2010 | 5 | birth control | light periods, breast tenderness and enlargement, weight loss, leg cramps, clearer skin. | I'm really happy with this birth control. I've been switching birth control for 2+ years trying to find one that works with my body. This one is working well so far. No gallbladder attacks, no extreme bloating or irritability. I've actually dropped a few pounds this month, not sure if it's from switching pills or if I got some extra exercise. My breasts are a tad more sensitive, but nothing uncomfortable, but they have went up almost a full cup size. ALL of my acne has disappeared. Not one spot left!! The only negative side effect I've noticed is leg cramps. I've got a few wicked charlie horses this month and I'm pretty sure the pill is the culprit. But I'll gladly deal with charlie horses over the horrible side effects I was having with other pills. It's really true that pills work differently for everyone. I hated my last prescription (Yasmin) but my friend swears up and down it's the best pill on the market. Loestrin FE has my vote. You really do just have to keep switching until you find the right one. It's a pain in the butt, but worth it when you find the right one. | F | 24 | 1 months 1.5/30 1X D | 8/11/2010 | 5 | birth control | No side effects so far, and have been on this BCP for almost 2 months. LOVE IT compared to other pills I have used in the past! | Really satisfied with this BCP. My skin is clearer than it has been in years, and I have not gained any weight or had any bloating. I switched from Zovia to Loestrin because of breakthrough bleeding, and so far it has worked great. I'm surprised that so many women seem to think it makes them moody or depressed, because I haven't had any of that, but then again I've never had any BCP make me depressed or moody. Everyone's body chemistry is different, but for me this BCP is the best I've tried over the years, and I've been on several kinds. | F | 32 | 2 months 1.5/30 1X D | 8/6/2010 | 3 | birth control | light period (2 days) and manageable cramping during period, but also cramping throughout the cycle, breast soreness/pain & increase cup-size, severe nausea/dizziness, lack of energy, weight gain (8 lbs so far), effective as a contraceptive, slight mood swings, acne | i was on Yaz and had severe mood swings so i switched to loestrin about 3 years ago and was on it for two years with no side effects when i was 17&18. I just got tired of remembering to take it and wasn't sexually active, so I quit taking it. A month and a half ago, I started taking it again and am experiencing these side effects. Hoping they will go away in a few weeks/months once my body gets used to the hormones. Glad to know I'm not just gaining weight and feeling sick all the time for no reason!!! | F | 20 | 1.5 months 1X D | 7/31/2010 | 1 | bcontrol | Went form Happy to depressed. After a few weeks of positive attitude and maybe the pill exiting my system, I slowly got back to normal. Do not take this pill,,so not worth it! | F | 34 | 30 days 1X D | 7/30/2010 | 1 | Birthcontrol | This pill(loestrin24) is horrible!!!I was ok, until two weeks ago, when i started feeling very nervous and started getting panic attacks, i never thought something so small could cause me so much pain..these last couple of weeks i have been crying for no damn reason...everyday....am so emotional, i just want this to stop..so i stopped the pill 5days ago am starting to feel better a day at a time..I feel a bit depressed like i dont want to leave my house i cry for every little thing,my hunger is down, i lost weight, this pill has made the last couple of weeks hell!!if anyone had advice please reply back!! | F | 27 | 2 months 1MG 1X D | 7/26/2010 | 3 | birth control method | weight gain. strange blister like acne. i have definately gained around 6-8 pounds on this drug. my diet has not changed. | F | 26 | 4 months 1X D | 7/24/2010 | 2 | birth control | extreme nipple sensitivity, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, headaches, changes in appetite, irritability, depression | Am halfway thru 2nd pack. Symptoms has lessened, but I am switching pills anyway. Started taking this after my insurance ran out (I was on yasmin). Never had problems with birth control before. The change in mood and libido were immediate & very noticeable. My nipples were painful, and the dryness made sex painful too. Had taken plan b prior to beginning usage and attributed symptoms to that - they persisted entire month of pill pack. My boyfriend & I were sure I was pregnant bc of severity of symptoms, particularly nipples & mood swings. | F | 25 | 2 months 1.5 mg 1X D | 7/21/2010 | 1 | WEIGHT GAIN!!! I have gained 13lb since I started taking this pill. I have always been moody but not I am worse, a lot of leg cramps, 1 period since I started, spotting here and there, headaches, I feel tired all the time and have a decrease in sex drive. | F | 31 | 3 months 1 1X D | 7/21/2010 | 5 | Heavy periods/bad cramps | Real heavy bleeding, bad cramps, period lasting 7-10 days | I started to take Loestrin 24 FE right after my son was born in November 2005 to make my periods lighter. It really has worked. It usually lasts about 3-4 days, no cramps either! I really recommend this pill to anyone. I am not going on the generic form Gildess FE and I hope that everything stays the same since Loestrin has 4 brown pills & Gildess has 7. If not I will be for sure going back to the name brand!! | F | 26 | 4.5 years 1X D | 7/18/2010 | 2 | for birth control | weight gain, possible decrease in libido, possible blood pressure increase | I accidentally misplaced my pill pack and so I wasn't able to take the pill...lo and behold, I am losing weight! And let me point out, I have been on a diet and working out a fair amount (cardio and weight training) and the weight has just been creeping off soooo slowly. I attributed that to slower metabolism since I'm older now. When I had talked to my Gyno about weight gain, she dismissed it as not a possible side effect. A couple of months ago, I went in for a check-up and I actually have high blood pressure. It was like 134/90...not too bad, but I have never had that in my life. It's always been normal. I bet this pill caused that too. I also feel as though my libido has increased..or is back to normal (thank god!). Based on other postings, decreased libido seems like a possible side effect as well. I have been off and on the pill since I was a teenager and can't really remember a time when a pill has caused me to gain weight or have decreased libido. I don't recommend this pill at all. | F | 45 | 2 years 1.5 1X D | 7/18/2010 | 3 | period cramps | weight gain, leg spasms, headaches, yeast infections, blurry vision, mood swings !, & no sex drive.. | i do not reccomend loestrin to anyone... it took away my best years... no energy to do anything. | F | 17 | 4 months 25mg 1X D | 7/12/2010 | 5 | 3rd wk breakthrough bleeding | 3rd week breakthrough bleeding on Trinessa/ OTC for years prior pretty much every other month. | I am thrilled with this pill! (I take the generic version from CVS - Gildess Fe 1.5/30.) For the first time in like 5 years, I am bleeding on time Mon or Tues 4th week. YAY!!!! More progesterone was obviously the ticket. And women who are or near my age should really consider this pill if experiencing the breakthrough bleed on 3rd wk - not making it to 4th. Going Monday to my annual pap and getting a Px for a year on Gildess Fe 1.5/30 ~ FINALLY a pill that worked for this issue. Ahhh... happiness. :) | F | 49 | 2.5 months 1X D | 7/10/2010 | 3 | Birth Control | Heavy Depression/mood swings, Leg Spasms, Heavy Breasts, Vaginal Irritation a few days before cycle. | I was taking Loestrin 24: This pill did what I wanted it to do- much shorter periods (once it was 1 day long) less cramps, no pregnancies! But it also made me a nut- intense mood swings, heavy depression, anxious, jealous- has put irreversible damage on my relationship, crying at the drop of a hat, low self esteem,etc! I also experienced a lot of tenderness in the breast lasting a week, vaginal dryness in the few days before period start and leg spasms on occasion. I just switched off of this pill, starting a new one tomorrow and hoping for better results. I have taken BC for a few years, but never had such bad side effects. This site is a real life saver- thank you all for your comments, I feel much better knowing I am not alone. | F | 26 | 4 months 1X D | 7/8/2010 | 1 | Birth control | Period 4 times in 2 months, spotting inbetween. Weight gain of 5 lbs in 2 months-work out 4 days a week so I don't know how. Breasts hurt all the time. Depression, detachment, questioning relationship. Very anxious, quick to "snap." Fatigue and Nausea. Acne for the first time in my life. Inability to get wet | This pill did not agree with me at all. I just stopped taking it and my symptoms are already clearing up. | F | 28 | 2 months 1X D | 7/8/2010 | 4 | Birth Control | I'm not experiencing major side effects which is a first for me. | I'm probably getting too old for using hormonal birth control, but my periods are normally very irregular and all three of my pregnancies were "unplanned" when not on the Pill, so I'm going to keep using for now. I've tried many tri-phasic pills over the years thinking they were more natural, and they all gave me side effects ranging from irregular heartbeat, fatigue, breakthrough bleeding, severe migraines, etc. Out of desperation I talked to my pharmacist and she suggested this. I use Target pharmacy and I use the generic form which is dirt cheap. I love it. My periods are regular but very light. I don't have cramps with this. I still experience migraines during my period week, but overall they are more manageable than before. I have gained a few pounds, but not enough for me to stop. | F | 46 | 6 months 1X D | 6/29/2010 | 5 | heavy & long periods, bad cramps | melasma | I really like this pill. I tried a few others that did not work for me, but this one has been great. No side effects except for melasma (hyperpigmentation) on my face. Sunblock keeps it under control, but melasma can happen with all hormonal birth control pills so I cannot fault this one in particular. I did not lose hair, gain weight, cry uncontrollably, tingle, eat everything in sight, or go numb. I suffer from severe migraines and this pill did not trigger them. I recommend this to anyone who wants relief from horrendous periods and heavy cramping. | F | 29 | 3 years 1.5/30 1X D | 6/22/2010 | 1 | Birth Control | No interest in anything , extreme weight gain. headaches. Weird appetite. depression worsening TIRED ALL THE TIME | Everyone is different but im definently getting off of loestrin without a doubt . Has drastically changed my life in a bad way | F | 20 | 3 months 1X D | 6/22/2010 | 4 | Birth control and regulating piriod | Light periods, weight gain in brest. | I truly love this pill. After my child was born I searched for a lo hormonal bc. And my ob gave me this. At first...just like she told me I had spot and break threw bleeding. But became very regular after 3 months. Period would last for 2-3days little to no cramping. Idid notice my Brest size went up, but I'm not complaining. Any acne disaperied. I missed a few days after I split from my sons dad and it caused me to miss a period. Thinking I was pregnant ice yet to go back on the pill. I have my drs appt in the morning and plan on getting on the Nuba ring. I really recomend this pill. Understand all bc come with aide effects. But a lo estergin is wonderful for some one who has past problems with yeast infections. Good luck to all! | F | 20 | 1 years 1X D | 6/21/2010 | 1 | nausea, no sex drive, lack of energy, and depresion | I didnt have energy to work out or even dance. | F | 24 | 11 days 1X D | 6/20/2010 | 1 | regulate periods | anxiety, chronic leg pain, mood swings, nightmares, breast enlargement, weight gain, and elevated blood pressure | F | 38 | 3 weeks 1.5/30 1X D | 6/19/2010 | 2 | pregnency prevention | high blood pressure, ear pressure, tinnitus, blurry vision/floaters, headaches, dizziness, water retention (in knees, weird), tingling legs/feet/hands, more visible veins, leg cramps, pain in hands, pain in upper left abdomen, vaginal dryness, lower sex drive, no change in acne (maybe slightly worse)... | I stopped taking it after 5 months because of blood pressure. It has always been on the low side of normal and now it's almost at hypertension level. I hope all my side effects go away. The only good things were bigger boobs and no more cramps. This was the 1st and last pill I've ever taken. Not worth the risk!! | F | 28 | 5 months 1X D | 6/14/2010 | 5 | breakthrough bleeding - 3rd week | It's only been my 1st pack on Gildess FE 1.5/ 30 (generic @ CVS) - but I have to say, I'm thrilled with the fact I am finally bleeding in the 4th week like I used to many years ago on Ortho TriCyclen. For the last 4 years or so, my breakthrough bleeding was frequently happening on the Thursday of the 3rd week of active pills on the Trinessa (generic for OTC) - and recently on Mon/Tues of 3rd week. I HAD TO DO SOMETHING!! Also before was experiencing lots of clotting, more than normal heavy bleeding, with bouts of "gushing" bleeds where I would fill up a Playtex Ultra tampon within 20 min, then have to insert another, then another. Then I could finally go to sleep. Pain in the *ss. Anyway, the Gildess FE 1.5/ 30 was the 1st time I could actually feel my body holding thru to the 4th week. My breasts are a little fuller (nice!) 2nd day of period (it's Tuesday 4th week) and less bleeding, it seems. No visible clots. Moderate normal cramping. Liquid Advil works great for this. Not | I work in television, so the location shoots were becoming quite a hassle these past 4 yrs. Did a lot of research here (thank you all!), and on other sites before determining I needed the higher progesterone. I don't know why it took me so long to accept that. Good site to check on pill associated problems, etc.: http://www.fpnotebook.com/Gyn/Pharm/Lstrn1530.htm | F | 49 | 1 months 1X D | 6/1/2010 | 1 | heavy bleeding | horrible numbness and tingling all over my body. worsens when I lay down at night or sit for too long. | This drug has reduced my quality of life dramatically. I have been to several doctors and gone through several tests. Of cousre my gyn says it"s not from the pill but it says right on the pkg it can cause tingling. DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL. Go the natural route. Chast berry or bioidenticals. whatever you can do to avoid it. Find a holostic doc. | F | 47 | 16 days 1X D | 5/21/2010 | 1 | Control heavy bleeding | lack of concentration, listlessness, very itchy breasts, unable to get motivated, weight gain (especially in the belly), depression, normal period mid-cycle. | I can't thank the other posters on this board enough. I'm usually a very cheery, optimistic person, but I thought I was losing my mind or slipping into a clinical depression. I also get normal periods in the middle of the pack (rather than the q-tip quality periods you can normally expect on the pill). Oh, and my breasts are so itchy I could claw them off my body (there are terrible scratch marks on them...so sexy). I won't be taking these pills again after today. I'd rather hemorrhage every month than deal with these horrible side effects. | F | 44 | 4 months 1X D | 5/18/2010 | 3 | regulate periods | nausea, vomiting, headaches, irritable, weak, dehydrated, acne | I started taking the pills to regulate my period. They used to be two to three weeks apart with a week and a half duration (or longer). Ever since, my face began to break out, I always feel dehydrated and have no appetite. I felt to weak at one point and began to vomit which kept me in the house and bed all day. Everything starts to easily irritate me and it seems I've become mean (I have a customer service job). I didn't take the pill for one day, and actually felt better, but my period came the next morning (hasn't even been a month yet). I took the two pills, so we'll see what happens. | F | 25 | 3 weeks 1X D | 5/16/2010 | 1 | ovarian cysts | nausia, acne, strange appetite, really itchy nipples, zero sex drive, or desire for affection, as well as minimal sensation during intercourse | When I began this pill I was excited at the thought that the pain I have from my cysts would subside, little did I know I would have to end up dealing with so many other issues from one tiny pill. It started of with acne, spotting, and a wierd appetite or little to no appetite, but once I ate because I felt weak I couldn't stop munching, then I noticed the change in my desire for affection, and desire for intercourse or should I say lack there of...and the deal breaker, my nipples itched soooooo bad it was hard to concentrate on anything else. I would lotion them thinking it would help, nothing was helpful. It was as bad as watching guys itch their personals, I couldn't help it...I kept telling my friends I am going to rip them off...I am glad that I can laugh about it now. I stopped the use of these pills and all these crazy symptoms went away, but my period still hasn't came back. I will not be using any medicated birth controles ever again! | F | 21 | 1.5 months 1X D | 5/4/2010 | 2 | to lighten my periods | acne, frequent headaches, spotting, no sex drive | I started taking this pill about 2 months ago to lighten my period. I've had my tubes tied 3 years ago and since then, my periods had gotten heavier and heavier. The cramps were overwhelmingly painful so I decided to get back on the pill. In the first month, I broke out with acne all over my face. It was horrible! My period, however, was shortened by 3 days and was much much lighter. I was so happy to not have a heavy period. I then started my next pack and was fine for about 5 days after my period until I started spotting. I've been spotting for 17 days straight now. I have no desire to have sex. I have frequent headaches. However, the acne has started to subside. I'm going to try it for another 2 months, but if this spotting continues, I will most likely stop using it. | F | 30 | 2 months 1X D | 4/29/2010 | 5 | spotting on other BCs | No side effects. | I had tried dozens of pills out there trying to stop "spotting". ( and by "spotting" I mean that I'd have my period for about 2 weeks, stop for a week, then start up again for another two weeks... this went on for about 8 months... pretty miserable ) This pill finally alleviated this problem that I was having. I do have a history of anxiety and depression, but found that this pill did NOT negatively effect my mood or libido! ( and most BCs I've been on do! ) I actually lost a bit of weight ( I'm assuming it was water weight from the previous pill I had been on... about 8 pounds! ) It just goes to show that different pills effect people differently! I really couldn't be happier on this pill! I've been taking BC pills for about 8 years, and this one BY FAR has the fewest side effects of all that I've tried!!! | F | 28 | 1 years 30 1X D | 4/28/2010 | 3 | Period regulation | Increased appetite, weight gain, nausea/vomiting, headache, prolonged periods. | Although I am sure I'm not, this medication has made me feel like I'm pregnant. This morning I woke up with the worst nausea and vomited. I still feel nauseas. I am always hungry and feel like I have gained weight. I haven't stopped my period since I started taking the pill which was 16 days ago. I have had severe headaches unlike any I have ever had before. I'm going to wait to see if things improve since this is my first time taking bc but if not I will switch. I haven't experienced any severe emotional problems since taking loestrin. | F | 20 | 16 days 1X D | 4/26/2010 | 3 | Lessen periods | still had constant bleeding,no sex drive and depression. | After doing a little more research i found this site. I have been in constant pain with my neck and right arm for almost 5 months and no Dr. can find whats wrong.Even went through tests for ms,physical therapy and traction.I had no idea this could ever be a side effect of the pill. I am now stopping it and will let you know if that was the route cause for all the discomfort. | F | 34 | 8 months 1-2 pills 1X D | 4/20/2010 | 1 | Birth control, period regulation | chronic severe anxiety, mild depression, severe migraines/headaches, numbness, chest tightness/pain,the list goes on... | I have been on BC pills for 9 years. I was put on microgestin at age 13, because my periods were very bad. I was on it for 6 years. Then I switched to Seasonale. During my first run on Microgestin I seemed to have no bad side effects. Seasonale didn't work so I switched back. I did 2 weeks on Microgestin, and it was hell. I had severe headaches,numbness in my left arm, my face, and even my throat! I was told I had migraines, but they didn't act like typical migraines.I have numbness when I don't have a headache. I was so anxious, I couldn't sleep. I've had panic attacks. I've never been nervous before this. I've been sad and irritable lately. I've even had suicidal thoughts. Not in the sense that I want to commit suicide, but suicide crosses my mind. I have no reason to be nervous or sad! I'm graduating from college soon, I've got a great boyfriend and everything is going so well! They've done a ton of tests, but nothing is wrong w/ me! I keep thinking the doctors missed something. The best diagnosis they could give is chronic severe anxiety! I quit taking Microgestin about a month ago, and I'm on Xanax, but I still don't feel like myself. One thought that occurred to me now is back when I was 13, I contemplated suicide. I got over it and attributed it to teen angst. But now I realize it happened soon after being put on this pill, so now I wonder if it's related. If anyone out there is going through similar stuff and could give some feedback or just wants to talk email me. | F | 22 | 2 weeks 1X D | 4/19/2010 | 1 | periods and birth control | anxiety (big time), emotional changes, crying all the time, horrible migraines, hair loss in my part, etc, etc. | I'm not sure if the pill is the reason why all of this is happening to me but after reading all these posts and googling side effects i think it is. and im sittin here in front of the computer screen bawling my eyes out because i dont want to lose my hair! no women would want to and im only 19! :(( help! if anyone had the hair loss, did you change your birth control and did the hair grow back?! | F | 19 | 6 months 1.5/30 1X D | 4/18/2010 | 1 | Birth Control | irregular bleeding, depression, mood swings | I bled for 13 days every month that I took loestrin and it was so annoying! I was always depressed, and I felt like I could just breakout into tears at any moment. My contacts were uncomfortable to wear for the first month. I was also dizzy from time to time. | F | 20 | 3 months 1X D | 4/15/2010 | 2 | to regulate period | depression, in a daze, moody | I'm writing this for my handicapped daughter who has Downs Syndrome and was prescribed this medication to regulate her periods. From the first day she was different, moody, depressed and unrelational. She was in a daze and looked dazed! After three days and research about Loestrin FE I decided she would discontinue its use. She is miserable and does not understand why she feels the way she does and has trouble verbally commuicating her pain. The doctor never mentioned any side effects and when I questioned her nurse, she said that depression was not a usual systom of Loestrin FE. | F | 38 | 4 days 20 mcg 1X D | 4/8/2010 | 4 | contraceptive | little sex drive, moodiness, decreased energy | In all, I liked loestrin. I liked having lighter, shorter periods every month, and I only missed a period twice. However, I really missed having a libido, especially since I'd just gotten married when I started the pill. I am now off it, just because we're ready to start a family, and I will not be getting back on later in life. | F | 20 | 1.5 years 24 mg 1X D | 4/2/2010 | 5 | Birth Control | None! | This pill has been excellent for me. I have taken it for 7 years and not a had a problem. My periods are consistent almost down to the hour and no break-through bleeding. I have not experienced any emotional or physical issues that are not common amongst a 16-23 year old. | F | 23 | 7 years 30mg 1X D | 3/31/2010 | 3 | Microgestin 1.5/30 | I started taking Loestrin 1/20 about ten years ago and I loved it. I'm very VERY sensitive to hormones and had awful experiences with other pills such as Mirecette, Desogen and Alesse. I gained weight, was depressed, had major heart palpitations and so on. So when my friend told me to try Loestrin I was very scared. Anyway, started off with 1/20 and then about 5 years later had to switch to 1.5/30 due to spotting. Eventually I took myself off the pill back in 2006 due to just not feeling like myself or a bit "numb" and blah. I was afraid to do that even since I was on the pill for really bad periods and cramping. I ended up being much better and then just a few years ago my doctor wanted me to go back on the pill since I was having other stomach issues and to keep my cramps under control. I started off with 1/20 again but I ended up having spotting again about 6 months later and had to switch again to the higher dosage. I take the generic form which is Microgestin and thought | I think the brand name is better than the generic version. | F | 33 | 2 years 1.5/30 1X D | 3/30/2010 | 2 | prevent pregnancy | headaches, hair falling out slowly in the beginning and increasing over time. 5# weight gain frequent mood swings, irritability, just not happy for no reason. (took generic microgestin) | I thought taking this pill was great at first, because I took it for the last 2 years straight continuously- to not have a period. I didn't pay attention to the side effects until my hair had been falling out excessively. I researched and found out a lot of women have hair loss due to this pill. I stopped taking it today. I hope my hair goes back to normal and I go back to being myself..... | F | 36 | 3 years 1X D | 3/28/2010 | 1 | birth control/bad periods | weight gain, irritability, mood swings, lack of energy... list goes on | switched to this since i was sick of being on NuvaRing and it getting costly. I want to switch back but i don't feel like throwing my body through another hormonal roller coaster. First month had a period about 2 weeks long in between cycles, then my body switched to more like a no period after a few months. I got a few traces of so called "period" but nothing that I lasted more than 3 days and was very light. Now i'm faced with NO PERIOD which I HATE! I take the pill like clock work and i expect the pill to return the favor with a period that I need validation that i'm not pregnant! I hate having to worry about pregnancy, but at least I know i'm not alone that this medicine has definitely screwed up more women like me! My advice, if you got a god thing going on, don't switch it or go to this BC! | F | 23 | 4 months 1mg 1X D | 3/28/2010 | 1 | Birth Control | Depression, anxiety, mood swings | I've only been taking Loestrin for 7 days but I already feel horrible. The mood swings have been horrible, and my boyfriend caught the bad end of one of them, which has nearly ruined our relationship. I don't feel like me, I don't even know who I am anymore. I don't have the energy to go to the gym anymore, I want to eat everything in sight, and I'm afraid that gaining weight will make me even more depressed than I already feel | F | 18 | 7 days 1X D | 3/24/2010 | 2 | Ovanrian cyst | Most extreme depression, weight loss, and sleeplessness..... | I have never felt the blues like this before. I'm one of the most upbeat, happiest people ever. I now lay around and cry from this BC. I have lost at least 5 lbs (102 lbs now) and I wake up all hours of the night..the best part is no nauseousness tho...other BC gives me sickness, and this one doesn't. I take it in the morning with breakfast. I DON'T WANT THE BLUES ANYMORE! | F | 23 | 2 months 1X D | 3/16/2010 | 1 | pregnancy prevention | weight gain, anxiety, lack of focus | I was on Yaz for three years after taking Yasmin for five years. I though the Yaz was causing slight depression, however in hindsight, it may have been my job causing the depression. My doctor switched me to Loestrin. Within a week I noticed weight gain. I have always been a lunatic with my weight. I eat right and exercise daily. Lately, the harder I work out, the more unhealthy I feel. I've gained about five pounds in three weeks. I am also feeling quite anxious all the time. I'm a teacher and it's a stressful time of year, so I thought, again, it may be work. After reading these comments, I think it's the pill. I am taking myself off of it immediately. My husband agrees. It's not worth it. I'm going back to Yaz. The periods were a little inconsistent in length, but the weight gain with Loestrin is too much. | F | 33 | 22 days 1X D | 3/8/2010 | 1 | birth control | Did fine on Loestrin but HORRIBLE ON JUNEL FE/120. I switched to the generic Junel to save money. Major heart palpitations and trouble sleeping. I never had this problem for 10 years on regular Loestrin. I also started experiencing migraines. Never had that before either. DO NOT TAKE THIS GENERIC!!!! | F | 39 | 5 months 1X D | 3/5/2010 | 1 | 1.5 | I am a 47 year old woman. Never been on the birth control pill. Doctor wanted to try to control my heavy bleeding. Within the first two weeks, I was experiencing severe headaches. Most alarming was that a small growth on my leg due to an accident that occurred four years earlier grew 10 times the normal size within one month. Even the doctor noted the change and has suggested that I now have the growth removed immediately. I only took the pill for one month and immediately stopped. | F | 47 | 1 months 30MG 1X D | 2/28/2010 | 1 | birth control | EXTREME HEADACHE, depression, nausia, and weight gain | When I started taking Loestrin after the first couplr of days I started getting pains in my head ..... a headache like I have never experienced before. Now during my period and a week break before the next pack I lie awake at 4am with such pain in my head that I cant sleep. I will NOT be taking a new pack, and WILL be getting off this pill immediately. During the first 2 weeks of taking the pill I was extremely nausiated, felt like I was having morning sickness, but it did eventually pass. I have gain a few pounds as well. | F | 36 | 21 days 1.5/30 1X D | 2/24/2010 | 3 | To increase sex drive | Anxiety | I am on my second day of taking the generic form of Loestrin, Junel Fe. This morning I have been extremely anxious and quite fidgety. The reason I started taking this BC is based on a reco from my gyno. I was recently on Apri and had experienced a dramatic decrease in sex drive and overall sensation. She reco'd that I switch to Junel Fe due to its increase in testosterone levels. Has anyone actually experienced an INCREASE in sex drive with this pill? | F | 27 | 2 days 1X D | 2/19/2010 | 1 | pregancy prevention | Wow am I ever relieved to find these postings- the sites in the medical community only yields sketchy info and general symptoms. I have experienced almost all these symptoms- weight gain and I work out, even though my energy level drastically decreased I forced myself to go to the gym since it's something I normally enjoy doing. One day I wanted to CRY in my exercise class (WTF?) Then my appetite was really weird- I actually felt full at times when I shouldn't and hungry at times when I shouldn't--it was like once I started eating (because intellectually I knew I needed to) I couldn't stop. Weird. And the headaches! They were extreme at times and dull and persistent at others. The dull ones did not respond to Excedrin Migraine. They lasted for DAYS. I even thought I should quit drinking alcohol, thinking drinks were the culprit. But the worse by far was the feelings of depression, moodiness and anger, over things that were silly. And the foggy feeling of being "out o | F | 37 | 5 months 20 1X D | 2/12/2010 | 3 | Pregnancy prevention, cramps,cysts | EXTREME moodiness, EXTREME breast tenderness,early periods | I have been on birth control since I was 15 for ovarian cysts. I have taken ortho cyclen, ortho tricyclen, levilite,and yasmin before this. I switched to this pill last October after taking Yasmin for 6 years. I was diagnosed with PMDD when I was 17 so thats why I was put on Yasmin. I started seeing commercials and internet ads talking about how bad Yasmin was and all the scary side effects it was causing people and it freaked me out so I called my doctor and asked if I could switch to something else and she wanted me to try Loestrin FE 1.5. I filled the prescription and the pharamacist gave me the generic which is Junel FE 1.5. I have recently started noticing, along with the help of my boyfriend how my mood swings and irritability with people for no reason has gone way up from before. I know it is the PMDD but I am terrified of the side effects of Yasmin so I don't want to go back on it, but I don't think this is helping me either. I also started my period a week early this month and am still on it, it's been 9 days now. | F | 24 | 4 months 1.5/30 1X D | 2/8/2010 | 2 | cramps, regulation, pregancy prev. | EXTREME headaches, anxiety, severe depression | I was taking Junel FE (generic form of loestrin) because it was cheaper. I was having trouble finding a pill that would work with me and i thought this might be the key. I was very wrong. I only got a period like every 3 months, and I got severe headaches everyday at the same time that wouldn't go away unless I was alseep. It always took forever for me to sleep and it was starting to make me insane. My boobs never got bigger so that was a plus (for me anyways) and my libido only went down a little, but i was a HUGE emotional wreck especially the week before my period. My poor boyfriend had to deal with me crying all the time and over nothing. one time he went home for a weekend and i had a panic attack and wouldn't stop crying for 4 HOURS)!!!! The depression was really bad, to the point of where all I could think about was my death and how only death would save me from my miserable life (my life isn't even bad) i stopped for a while because i was getting scared from all the side effects but i had to go back on BC because my libido came back and that didn't help things for the pregnancy prevention... so i went back on it. My side effects came back immediatly, i told my doctor about my headaches and he put me on YAZ, i was on YAz for 2 months and quickly got off because i had ZERO libido and it was starting to ruin my 4 year relationship, and now i am trying the actual Loestrin FE (NOT junel) so we'll see.. hoping for the best | F | 20 | 8 months 30 1X D | 2/5/2010 | 1 | birth control | STROKE! | I am not here to place blame on a certain product, however take this how you may. I was on LoEstrin Fe and experienced alot of the side effects mentioned by others and stopped taking it to "start to feel normal." While off the pill for about two weeks, I (NON-SMOKER) suffered a massive stroke! So my message is if you experience ANY symptoms, please do not ignore them! I never thought it would happen to me! | F | 38 | 7 months | 2/2/2010 | 1 | Birth control/ cramp control | Irritability, moodiness, severe acne breakouts on chest, face and back, constipation, trouble sleeping, back pain | I have been on the generic Junel for about 3 months and was previously on Microgestin and Yasmin (without problems) for a combined total of 4 years. I had one instance of breakthrough bleeding on Microgestin so I was bumped up to Loestrin and started taking Junel because it was more affordable. DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL! My symptoms got worse over the three months I was on it- as if it was building in my system. By the third month I was so moody my boyfriend's family started to notice. I broke out everywhere and I had never had this problem since I was on Accutane when I was 19. I couldn't sleep through the night and a week before my period I had such terrible back pain and constipation that I had to take laxatives. I am a very active person and eat very healthy- you could call me a fitness fanatic. I lost all desire to work out and all motivation to participate in my life. A close friend has had these problems too- don't start this pill. Needless to say I have switched back to Microgestin. I would take the occasional breakthrough bleeding over this terrible pill anyday. | F | 23 | 3 months | 1/31/2010 | 3 | OVARIAN CYSTS | NAUSEA/HEADACHES DAILY/MOODY/SPOTTING | I STARTED THIS MEDICATION TO BASICALLY SUPRESS OVULATION FOR REOCCURRING LARGE OVARIAN CYSTS WITH DAILY SIDE PAIN(PER MY MD). I HAVE HAD MILD FORMS OF SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDING NAUSEA ALMOST DAILY WITH HEADACHES. MY ACNE ACTUALLY CLEARED UP. I DO SEE AN INCREASE IN APPETITE, SLIGHT WEIGHT GAIN RESULTING FROM THAT (ABOUT 2 LBS) AND SPOTTING IN MID MONTH. ONCE IN A WHILE I WILL HAVE A BAD DAY WHERE IM MOODY TOWARD MY HUSBAND AND IMPATIENT WITH MY KIDS, BUT NOTHING WORSE THAN NORMAL PMS. OVERALL I WILL CONTINUE ON THIS MEDICATION BECAUSE THESE MILD SIDE EFFECTS ARE FAR BETTER THAN THE SHARP, STABBING SIDE PAIN I'VE LIVE WITH FOR OVER A YEAR. I AM PAIN FREE!!! | F | 28 | 2 months | 1/18/2010 | 2 | Birth control | Extreme Moodiness,irritability, acne, fatigue, | I've been on this for 3 months and these side effects slowly crept up. I already take an anti anxiety meds, but noticed I've been furious with husband and son for very small things, crying easily over stuff that normally wouldn't make me cry. I'm geting off now as its not worth it to my family..... | F | 43 | 2 months | 1/14/2010 | 5 | 30 | change of mood, nauseous, weight gain.. | The best experience ever..I was really scared to try it first because did not wanted to gain weight and all that..T did felt like eating a lot more than ussual but I was going thru a really hard time on my life, really depress and this pills help a lot!!!! they dramatically improved my mood..I saw everything in a different way right after at first I could not understand what was it, until about 5 days of ussing it.. | F | 31 | 30 days | 1/11/2010 | 4 | I hardly experienced any side effects the only thing I can remember is I would get headaches at night but would quickly go away. | This was my second shot at finding a birth control pill that would help me regulate my period (as I was getting my cycle 5-6 wks apart instead of monthly.) I was previously on Yaz for a month and I was absolutely miserable, I cried constantly, my mood swings were all over the place, I had suicidal thoughts which frightened me the most. Before I was very happy go lucky, patient and care-free. After only 2 wks on Yaz I started feeling like I was loosing control of my life I literally felt crazy and I had no one to talk to. On the other hand when my Dr prescribed Loestrin 24 I was terrified to try it fearful it would turn out like Yaz it didn't i love this pill. No mood swings, no weight gain (infact I've lost weight), like someone else mentioned fuller breast. I'm currently on my 3rd month and my periods are super light I went from 4 days to 2. Thumbs up!! | F | 23 | 3 months | 1/7/2010 | 1 | pregnancy prevention, cramps | Horrible headaches, nauseous | I switched from Loestrin to Junel because of the price and I have to say Junel was the WORST experience i've ever had... I had headeaches everyday and I was nauseous 90% of the time and both of those side effects got worse the closer I got to the last week of pills. I had to go to the doctor and get phenergan and loritab to take while I got myself off these HORRIBLE pills! needless to say I switched back to Loestrin | F | 20 | 2 months | 1/3/2010 | 4 | to prevent pregnancy | this pill worked well with me. I believe the pill works different on everyone because it has to do with your hormonal change. I had very light periods and NO cramps. without the pill i would be in bed crying over cramps, but after taking the pill they were gone. At the most, on my period i had to wear a panty liner because it was so light. I liked the pill until i got off it. On the third day that i stopped taking it i had my period and medium cramps. | F | 17 | 2 months | 1/1/2010 | 3 | Irregular periods | shorter lighter periods, mood swings, anxiety, irritable | I started taking this in april and at first it was great, my periods were short and everything was fine. These last few months Ive been incredibly moody. I know I was a little bit emotional before I started taking the pill but now I cry for no reason and not just a few tears I full all cry. I get aggravated by everything. I worry about the most nonsense stuff and obsess over things that havent even happened and may not happen. I'm so exhausted from crying. I need to get off of this pill. | F | 22 | 8 months | 12/31/2009 | 2 | stop ovulation due to several cysts | Weight gain, headaches and heart palpitations in the middle of the night, tiredness, just not feeling like myself-withdrawn, | F | 38 | 2 months | 12/30/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | nausea, migraines, MOODINESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, heart palpiations | WORST pill ever. Been on several pills, ring and patch, this is THE WORST. After laying in bed after popping my pill tonight, suddenly feeling like slitting my wrists and sobbbing, light bulb goes off, maybe its this PILL!!! 2 1/2 months I've been taking. It's been HORRIBLE. Migraines almost every night. Super sick to my stomach (take it at 10, can't stay up past 12 if I don't want to be super ill). No sex drive whatsoever. By far the worst though is the depression. I have never had depression, and yet now I can go from happy to feeling suicidal instantly. Everything makes me want to cry and/or die. The most disturbing symptom though is the constant anxiety and nervousness, in turn giving me heart palpitations. Getting off this pill! | F | 24 | 2.5 months | 12/27/2009 | 5 | migranes from Ortho tricyclen | Minor breakouts, treated easily by a retinol creme | After my doctor prescribed Loestrin I went home and looked it up on the internet to read reviews and side effects. Everyone had very negative things to say about it and that really scared me. However, I've been on this pill for 3 months now and absolutely love it! I had severe migraines during the last week of my cycle with Ortho tricyclen. So far, with Loestrin, I have not had a migraine since I started it's use. Also I found that I do not have PMS symptoms before my period anymore. Usually the couple days beforehand I would cry over the slightest things and generally be emotional. Now I have no mood changes at all during any point in my cycle. Other than that I have noticed no changes. Which is what I look for in a pill. One that doesn't effect my life :) | F | 25 | 3 months | 12/10/2009 | 5 | birth control | no weight change, much shorter periods if at all | I have taken b/c pills since I was 16 and I changed to junel fe this july/august because it was cheaper then ortho-lo and tri-sprintic (both which worked fine) plus it has iron(and I usually have low iron). My periods have almost dissapeared which has never happened on any other pill. My breasts are also fuller even though I have been going to the gym and have not gained weight. I have been very pleased so far. | F | 24 | 6 months | 12/7/2009 | 2 | Ovarian Cysts | Breakthrough bleeding | Doc had put me on Seasonale to try and get rid of a large ovarian cyst...was bleeding almost a month and a half straight. Twice he asked me to take 2 pills a day until the bleeding stopped, which it would, but as soon as I went back to 1 pill a day it would start again. So he switched me to Loestrin 1.5/30...my moodswings INSTANTLY improved/went away completely. Which was great...however here I am bleeding again. I'm almost done my 3rd week and this weekend I stopped bleeding (total of 3 days), but here it is starting again. I'm so so so sick of it and it's putting a strain on my brain and my poor bf! However both he and my doc are saying just stick it out...yea easy for you to say when you're a boy!!! | F | 27 | 19 days | 12/7/2009 | 1 | heavy periods | WEIGHT GAIN, no energy, vertigo, insatiable appetite,depression,leg pain....did I mention WEIGHT GAIN?!! | I actually work in OB/GYN office & I can tell you, no one does well on this pill, many complaints so it was no surprise to me that I had side effects. I will gladly deal with hemorrhaging rather than feel this way! | F | 39 | 6 months | 11/21/2009 | 3 | birth control | On the real Loestrin- I was fine- But when it changed to the generic version, Is when my problems started. ANIXIETY!!! I've been to the hospital 4 times now in the last year due to major hot flushes, waking up in the middle of the night , drenched in sweat.. Thought I was going to die. Saturday night was my last pill, I just read all these other postings. I'm done taking any pill. I just want these palpitations to stop, and the anxiety attacks to leave forever too....No more pills! | DOn't use Generic version.... | F | 35 | 18 years | 11/3/2009 | 1 | Mid-Cycle Ovarian Pain | I have been taking Loestrin 24 FE for three years at the direction of my GYN to reduce mid-cycle pain in my ovaries. The mid-cycle pain is gone, but it has been replaced with heart flutters and strange palpitations, occasional bouts of feeling depressed, heightened anxiety, headaches, dizziness and a low sex drive. I have made the decision to stop taking this birth control pill after carefully looking back at my symptoms. Today is day 6 off the pill and my headaches are intense and my vision is off a bit, leaving me with a faint feeling of dizziness, almost off balance. I am going to stay off this pill, and drudge through the after effects as my body rebalances my hormones. Like some of the other reviewers, I too have gone to a cardiologist. I had heart imaging and stress testing done, and, thankfully, all is structurally fine. Nevertheless, the palpitations and flutters continue, and to my mind are connected to taking this hormone pill. I take no other medicine, lead a healthy life | F | 45 | 3 years | 11/2/2009 | 3 | LOESTRIN Fe 24 | Breast lumps and PAIN, breakthrough bleeding two weeks before my period. Quick to anger/annoyed | OMG, im so scared. This is my first birth control pill and my breasts hurt soooooooo bad...not to mention, i bleed two weeks before my period (not much, but enough to suck). Also, I think the pill has made me a lot for quick to anger...which i dont like because i m generally a laid back person. I just wish i had some answers... | F | 18 | 6 months | 10/24/2009 | 2 | Birth Control | Depression, anxiety, mood swings, spotting or no periods after apprx 4 months of use | Pill worked fine for birth control purposes, however I went from a normal well balanced woman to a crazy, irrational depressed one over the year I have been on this. My mood swings were outrageous. I would get angry at the drop of a hat. My poor husband has had to endure the issues long enough so I am going off of this now thankfully! | F | 32 | 1 years | 10/2/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | I haven't been on anything for several years and began taking it for a new relationship. I have been on it for three months. Breast tenderness, a completely friggin' emotional WRECK. It feels like your worst PMS 24/7. Everything hurts in my body, constant salt craving, constant food cravings, weight gain as a result of both and probably screwing up my chemistry and metabolism. I can't concentrate on anything, I have a lack of desire for EVERYTHING, which is the opposite of who I was before. I am at a loss for how a hormone supplemented can have these effects on my body, but I am stopping it in a few days. I will not only never take this pill again, I will never take any birth control. This is absolutely ridiculous and has completely ruined my life. | F | 25 | 90 days | 9/18/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | Extreme Anxiety | SO relieved to see that I'm not going crazy! I have suffered from terrible anxiety my entire life, but it's been under control for about a year. I only started this pill a week and a half ago, but about 3 days after starting this pill I experienced my first anxiety attack, and since then I've been on an emotional roller coaster- constantly crying, feeling like I'm going crazy, and obsessing over contemplating breaking up with my boyfriend (who I love!) This pill has made me feel CRAZY- I'm stopping taking it tonight. | F | 20 | 10 days | 9/12/2009 | 4 | painful periods, | strange dreams, spotting | I started taking Loestrin because I was bleeding heavily and having severe menstrual cramps. I hadn't taken Birth control pills in 8+ years and did not want to take it after reading some reviews. I took it for 2 weeks and was feeling strange/ having strange dreams. (I am also on synthroid for a thryoid conditon). I thought it might be interacting with the synthroid and changed the time that I take the medication. I have been very happy with the results. Cramps/breast tenderness are minimal. The spotting has ended. | F | 38 | 2 months | 9/3/2009 | 5 | regulate cycle, prevent pregnancy | I love this pill and have add no ill effects from taking it for all these years. Originally it was to regulate my period (which I was having every 2 weeks). Have also taken Alesse and MinEstrin over the years with horrible results. I would recommend this pill to anyone. | F | 36 | 18 years | 9/2/2009 | 2 | Pregnancy Prevention | Nausea, moody, weight gain, increased appetite | I feel horrible since I started this pill 2 wks ago. I have gained 4 pounds in 2 wks. I feel like I need to eat all of the time. I am extremely moody and feel like crying or yelling at someone all the time. | F | 26 | 14 days | 9/2/2009 | 1 | contraception | I have had heart fluttering and panic attacks out of no where. These did not start until I switched from loestrin to the generic version junel. I haven't really been horribly moody, but I have always had a low sex drive on BCP. The panic attacks are the worst though, I feel like I have to get up and go somewhere otherwise my heart is gonna stop. The only thing that cures it temporarly is the loving attention from my husband. Otherwise I am a crying mess!! | I am calling my doc today and getting off of these pills and hope for the best. | F | 25 | 7 months | 9/2/2009 | 4 | Birth Control/ smaller periods | For the first 3 months I felt sick the first few days after taking a new pack, I did experience cramping every once in a while. | I have been on this pill for close to 5 years now, I started taking the pill to help regulate my periods. After my first pill failed (got my period every other week) I switched to LoEstrin, after I got over the initial nausea I was great. I love this pill, I've never been pregnant, my periods are no more then 3 days long now. I think it's great. | F | 20 | 5 years | 8/28/2009 | 3 | birth control | throwing up every night, bleeding usually 3 weeks out of 4. the 1st 4 months i didnt stop bleeding, headaches. tiredness could sleep 14 hours | yes it hasnt failed in preventing pregnancy that i know of, but im not really all that into sex maybe once a month. but i feel sick every night i take it and if i take two 2 pills i usually wake up in the night and throw up. when i first started i threw up for a week straight every night. i have long periods for weeks at a time and they arent on a schedule. | F | 18 | 11 months | 8/21/2009 | 2 | prevent pregnancy, abnormal periods | excessive gas after eating, insomnia, night sweats, mild nausea, constant bloating & water retention, 3-4 pound weight gain. | I'm not sure if any or all of my symptoms are associated with this pill, but they did not start until I began taking it. The most severe and frustrating ones are the inability to sleep. It's like my mind won't rest. I think about random things all night long and can't fall asleep or stay asleep. Also, anytime I drink or eat anything, I have excessive and very smelly gas afterwards. Also, the bloating at all times. | F | 29 | 2 months | 8/21/2009 | 4 | Birth Control | Weight gain; 1 day periods; some cramping; breast tenderness; decreased irratablitly | No other birth control worked for me, they were to strong, caused clots in knees and made me feel crazy emotionally. Loestrin 24 has decreased my periods from 7-8 days to 1 and I used to have a lot of clots and heavy bleeding and major cramping but now it is light and some cramping. Sex drive is so so. Wish they would make a generic so it would be cheaper though. | F | 28 | 2 years | 8/17/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | Tiredness, breakthrough bleeding for weeks, yeast infection, NO sex drive and I constantly feel angry | I'm calling my GYN to get me off this pill ASAP. I would rather risk pregnancy then feel this way. | F | 28 | 3 weeks | 8/12/2009 | 3 | regulate periods and birth control | cramping, sore body, restlessness, hair loss, increased sex drive, clearer skin, regulated periods | im taking loestrin24fe and i would have to say my feelings are mixed about this pill i have had very long periods where i could bleed for months (yes i said months) and when i started taking this pill i was on my period 3 days later my period stopped but the cramps started, i wasnt sleeping well, and my body became very sore today i noticed that my hair is thinning in the back so tomorrow morning i will be on the phone with my doctor but i can say that my sex drive is through the roof and i never really had acne but my face has become flawless all in all this pill was suppose to regulate my period and so far it has done that but i don't know if thats worth all the other things that has gone wrong i think im just going to finish off this pack and then take it from there but not if i notice major hair loss | F | 20 | 2 weeks | 8/11/2009 | 2 | reg period & protect agnst cancer | Insomnia, no interest in anything including sex. Breast tenderness and depression. Headaches. | I was put on this last May 2009 and I had no problems for the first few months except breast tenderness. This past month I have been experiencing headaches, loss of interest in just about everything and loss of sleep. Now I am feeling depressed. I'm calling my gyn this am to switch. I hope this feeling doesn't linger!! | F | 46 | 4 months | 8/10/2009 | 4 | birth control | very light and very short periods, almost no cramps, no weight gain, boobs may have gotten a little bigger, sex drive decrease may or may not be related. | i have been on the 1.5 and now i am on the loestrin fe 24, which is even better! i have had a great experience with them. when i get emotional its only around the period time..nothing crazy like i experienced from high hormone level birth controls. i have tried a million and im happy to stick with this one. terrible experience with seasonale (depression and suicidal - terrifying to think of now - thank god i got off that pill) but the only thing is my sex drive has decreased..it may or may not be related.. | F | 26 | 1 years | 8/8/2009 | 1 | Contraceptive/control periods | Very light periods which was good. Cramps were pretty much gone which was GREAT. But I had major bloating, gained weight (20 lbs in 1 year!!), skin was extra oily. Mood swings are extreme. I've never been so moody before, I can't control emotions. Always sad or angry. Emotional side effects didn't kick in until about 7 months into taking the pills though. Everything else was right away. | F | 22 | 1 years | 7/22/2009 | 1 | Regulate periods and birth control | Horrible cramping, increased depression and anxiety, spotting. I had FOUR periods in TWO months! Also weight gain, stomach cramps. | 27 | 2 months | 7/21/2009 | 4 | Contraception | Bloating, easily tired, mild mood swings, occasional decreased appetite | The first month was more difficult since my body was adjusting - I woke up in the morning with 0 energy and my limbs felt weak; I also experienced light nausea (cured by ginger ale). Luckily the weakness lasted only 2 weeks or so. I've had a much lighter period with minimal cramps, which to my delight ended in under 3 days. However since starting the pill I've needed at least one short nap a day - my brain feels sluggish after 5-6 hours of activity. I think this can be corrected with increased exercise though. What bothers me most is the bloating, which is almost daily occurrence either when waking up or immediately after meals. Overall I'm pretty happy with Loestrin FE, I know I can't expect 0 side effects and as mine are rather mild overall, I don't think I'll try other pills anytime soon. | F | 20 | 2 months | 7/19/2009 | 2 | Prevent Pregnancy | Headaches,change in mood, personality, anger and crying, Can't sleep, , bloating,missed periods | F | 36 | 1 years | 7/17/2009 | 2 | heavy menses/uterine fibroids | Bleeding every day of the month | First time on bcp ever. I wanted to lessen heavy menses due to uterine fibroids. Before this pill, I only bled during my period, but as soon as I started on it, I bled every day, which slowed during the sugar pills for a couple of days. My bleeding was not heavy, but it was not spotting either. I tried a second pill pack to make sure I wasn't just stabilizing, but it seemed even worse the second month. I don't know if it's fair to blame it on this particular pill. I may have had the type of fibroid that bled with taking anything with estrogen. I opted for hysterectomy since my fibroid was very large and I didn't want to mess around with other options. | F | 47 | 40 days | 7/10/2009 | 1 | ovarian cyst that ruptured | I have never been sexually active and therefore never had to experience the unpleasent side effects of birth control until I discovered that I had a ruptured cyst that is causing fluids to leak...anyhow doctor recommended that I go on Loesterin, let's just say people around me are starting to think I've become posessed by the devil....TERRIBLE TERRIBLE side effects...no joke its been two weeks that Ive been on it (on and off)...I HAVENT SLEPT, im sooo tired and dizzy I cant even get out of bed, my boobs are coming out of my bra i feel gross, bloated and have a decrease in appetite. I was also struggling with constipation due to Irritable bowel syndrom and this pill has made my constipation even worse...I wanna get off it but Im too scared now caus they say its bad to start a horomonal therapy and randomly quit caus it messes up the horomonal balance??? is that true??? IM DYING I really wanna quit, Id rather take my painful cyst pains than go thru this | F | 21 | 2 weeks | 7/3/2009 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |