Femcon FE and cramps

hi i been on the femcon pill for about 6 weeks , and for some reason i feel like i cant get of bed in the morning im so tired ! i just had a baby 11weeks ago but i was never this tired as all ever since i been on the pill i been very tired . an having cramps everyday. i am always eating now witch i cant complain because i wanna gain weight . i was just wondering if anyone knows if you really will gain weight with this pill and how fast will you be able to tell ?

I was on a birth control pill for four months when I experienced a 28-day period, so I immediately wanted to switch pills. I was put on FemCon, which I loved at first because it made my periods lighter, no cramps, and I was 100% regular with my period. HOWEVER, over the past year being on FemCon I noticed some horrible changes in my body that I had attributed to age and moving across the country. However, two days ago my husband found my FemCon package in our bedroom and started reading the side effects--for fun, I guess. He freaked out, because basically my life has been negatively affected by things that are listed as possible side effects of the drug:

-Significant weight gain (about 20 pounds)
-Extreme moodiness
-Depression
-Difficulty wearing contacts
-Vaginal infections

I can't say that these things are directly caused by the drug since lots of different changes have happened in my life over the past year; however, I do know that I've been wondering what the heck is wrong with me lately, and I'm definitely thinking that it's the FemCon. I feel fat as a heifer no matter how much I exercise; I snap at minor irritations and feel like I want to jump off of a cliff; after wearing contacts for 6 years I all of a sudden couldn't wear them any longer; and I get a vagainal infection every 6-8 weeks. I stopped taking FemCon the day my husband read the fine print. At this rate, I'd rather be pregnant!

Hi, my name is B. and I am 24, this is my first time using birth control and I have been on Femcon FE for a little over one month now. I always had irregular periods, sometimes i skipped, sometimes i bleed for an excessive amount of time. The reason why I was put on birth control now is because I had very heavy bleeding, which i clotted badly, passed out, was extremely dizzy, and so forth. It is normal to have periods like that in my family but after a few days i went to the hospital cause i noticed that my situation was getting worst, i was told I was anemic and i had to have 4 units of blood transfusions...

My gyno put me on Femcon FE and i was told to take two a day to stop the bleeding first off, she also gave me additional meds for the nausea. Well, at first I stopped bleeding for about a week and after the week was up I went down to one pill, well I started spotting, but my gyno told me that was normal. A few more days has past and my bleeding is getting heavier, not as bad before, so my gyno told me to start taking two a day again, and i did and still am. Well I am STILL bleeding, and I have been bleeding for 16 days now. I have been taking Femcon FE for a little over a month and I am almost done with the 3rd month's package of Femcon FE.

Some of the side effects I have been feeling:
-vaginal cramps (some REALLY painful)
-depression
-moodiness
-being tired most days
-some weight gain
-bleeding

Since reading these stories you have shared with me, I am going to discuss with my gyno on Thursday about maybe trying a new birth control, so thank you for your opinions.

I was put on Femcon in November of last year. I told my doctor that i did not like it because my cramps were actually worse and bleeding was heavier. They told me to let it regulate in my system. Well It's now almost a year later so it should be regulated right? Well for the past 2 months i have been having my period every other week with heavy bleeding. This isn't just 3 or 4 days its 7 days of full out bleeding and 3 of light spotting. I have been feeling very dizzy and light headed and i actually passed out at work. I just stopped taking it a week ago and already feel somewhat better. I hate this pill.

This is my second pill, first I tried Yaz for about 6 months but still had pretty bad periods with cramps, loss of appetite, and so on...but FEMCOM FE is the devil. After taking it for only a week I felt like a completely different person. Never in my life have I experienced such uncontrollable mood swings, my boyfriend saw a side of me that even I nor my parents had ever seen. I'm a happy person always looking on the bright side and believe me, there is none on this pill. I haven't been eating, and the few times I do, all of it comes right back up. Here's a list of my week...

headache
bloating
MOOD SWINGS
vomiting
joint pain
really emotional
...and awful

I threw out the rest of the pack.

KW

I am halfway into the second week of Femcon FE, I was put on it to help suppress recurrent ovarian cysts, and yeast infections. A couple a days ago, I started getting headaches. However, last night I could barely sleep, and have no idea why, and today I've had severe menstrual like cramps with irregular bleeding, the cramps are so bad I'm having trouble falling asleep. Plus, I was very moody, and sensitive over the past week or so for no apparent reason. I think I will give the doctor a call tomorrow to see if these could be attributed by the Femcon FE.

I have been on birth control for over 5 years now, and have never had so many issues like I have with Femcon FE. I was on Yasmin for 5 yrs and loved it. Didn't gain any weight, my breast got larger, and helped reduce my heavy periods the reason I first went on BC to begin with. Well, Yasmin is no longer covered by my insurance so I had to switch. I switched to Femcon. I have cramps, nausea and fatigue. I can't get out of bed in the morning, i just want to sleep all day, I feel like I am pregnant. Besides the fact that I am spotting so much I need to actually wear a tampon, because it is so often and so gross. I have anxiety and stressed out and this medication is not working. I have 3 more pills left and then I am suppose to get my period but after reading a lot of these I wonder if I will even get it now. I am going to switch to Cryselle I tried that once and liked it but I am never putting my body through this again. I feel like I am an old lady when I am only 24 and I am tired every minute of the day. I could fall asleep in the middle of work if I just put my head down. The worst was last night during the night, I felt like I was getting a UTI it was burning feeling. I never get UTI's haven't since I was a young child, and have not done anything different to cause myself to get one. I do think this was a side affect, because today I am fine and don't feel any burning and don't feel like I have to pee.
I would not recommend this at all. Try Yasmin, Yaz, or Crysell. I know those are 3 good ones you don't gain weight, the hormones don't drive you crazy and they seem to work well.
Good luck, get off this horrible drug today!!!!

I'm almost 20 years old and started taking BC to regulate my periods a few years ago and help with extreme cramps. I started on Yasmin and was on it for about 5 months and then started seeing a new OBGYN who suggested trying Yaz. I was on Yaz for about a year and a half and it worked great. But then I started getting really painful ovarian cysts. To help with the cysts my doctor switched me to another BC which made me extremely depressed and emotional. Now I am finally on Femcon FE and have been fo about six months. I haven't had a problem with another cyst again and things were working out fine... until about 3 months ago I skipped a period. No big deal I thought to myself, it is definitely not possible for me to be pregnant, its been over a year since I've had sex, so i figured it must just be stress or the way I'm eating or something..

Well it's been 3 months and still no period. I know most ladies would love to not have one but I'm starting to worry if this is something that is normal. I honestly don't know if it has anything to do with Femcon but I have a strong feeling it does because I haven't been stressed, my eating habits haven't changed and I know it is not possible for me to be pregnant. I am going to see my OBGYN soon if I still don't have one after this next pack but I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced the lack of a period as a side effect of this medicine because on this site I mostly only see women who have it too often.

Acne on jawline/shoulders/back, major sun sensitivity, anxiety!, weight gain, absolutely NO sex drive, bleeding in between periods, bloating, sometimes a metallic taste in mouth for a week at a time whether chew it or not, migraines, breast aching, cramps at weird times in the cycle... My Dr. switched me to this after I asked for one with a generic because I was tired of paying the $20 copay. After a couple months of samples I went to fill the prescription. There is NO generic and I had to pay $40 because my insurance didn't cover it. Thanks Doc! Then they refused to switch me because I was only on it a couple months. I don't know why I have put up with it for so long - partly because they gave me a bunch more free samples and I'm just a busy person - I've been taking it for maybe a year and a half now. After breaking out in nasty rash yesterday in the sun I have HAD IT! The doctors must get some kind of kickback for prescribing this garbage. I DO NOT recommend Femcon FE!!

so my doctor put me on dis pill just cause i was sexually active....i wanted to take it cuz i thought it may stp da bleeding i was having for almost 2 weeks straight..and to stop da minor cramp ache. well even tho its only been about 2 weeks i have no energy..i rarely wana eat some thing and wen i do its a craving im having...im having 3 times worse cramp pains and some times ill get lik a sec of a reeeeaaaalllyyy bad cramp pain and them feel a blood clot coming out...i know it hasn't been long..but i rather b my normal self wit my 3 day period and 2 days of cramps

I started to take Femcon about 3 weeks ago. I haven't stopped bleeding for 3 weeks, my heart feels like its about to explode, I'm nervous can't stop shaking, and my hair is falling out drastically. Instead of gaining weight, I'm losing weight cause I don't have an appetite. I sit in my house all day in darkness..no tv...trying to stay still cause the cramps are killing me. I have pushed away from family and friends. My mother told me that I have a bad attitude...which I didn't think I did but obvious I do. No sex drive and I can't sleep at night. I do not recommend this pill to anyone. I'm going to the doctor on Tuesday and I will get off of it. I don't have medical insurance but at this point I don't care...I just need peace.

Hi, I've been looking for information about Femcon Fe. This is the 5th type of pill that I've taken. (I've been on the pill for 11 years and have always had breakthrough bleeding). My doctor just started me on Femcon thinking maybe I need a higher dose of hormones. It's only been 10 days but so far I feel like a completely different person. I take the pill before I go to bed and in the first few nights I woke up a couple hours later with horrible cramps (worse than on my period). The cramps have for the most part gone away but I am emotionally a completely different person. My fiance said the first couple days were terrible mood swings, but now I feel completely detached or disconnected from having any emotions. I just feel like I'm in a fog. And for the past 4-5 days I've had trouble sleeping, had terrible headaches, and zero sex drive. I would much rather deal with breakthrough bleeding than deal with this constant disconnected feeling. Does anyone know if it's bad to just stop taking the pills? I ordered a refill of my old Yasmin but it won't get here for a few days.

I have been off and on birth control pills for years. I was on Yasmin for 4 years but I had to switch because I started having cramps all of the time, 3 out of 4 weeks a month, no sex drive too. Changed to Femcon Fe. Not too bad. I don't know if what I am experiencing is attributed to this pill but I can say I do have cramps when I shouldn't. I have been on this pill about 5 months. I have had my share of pills though. I am getting off after I complete this pack. I think all pills have side effects. You have to figure out which one is best for you and then keep your fingers crossed. I have had the same symptoms many of the other women have had with different pills. My advice,,,,if you are having symptoms that interfere with your life in some way or fashion, talk with your doctor. That pill may not be for you. Hey, after the years....the pill is simply not for me.
schmooksmom

I must say that this is so interesting to me. I have had some of the same exact side effects from breakthrough bleeding to the point of have two weeks worth of periods. I switched to Femcon Fe about a year ago about 8 months ago from Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo to get rid of ovarian cysts. It helped with that but, my periods are longer, cramps are more severe and bleeding more than ever. Weight gain and moods however have not been affected neither has my sex drive. I believe that can be managed with drive and self control. I wouldn't say for everyone to stop because some women have said it works. But, I know now to do research before taking everything thrown at me. After all medicine is a practice :-) As for me, I think I am done with birth control pills altogether.

The only side effect I had is a mild head ache from time to time. Femcon FE has worked wonderfully for me. I used to have cramps that were so severe I'd pass out while throwing up or I'd be miserable for an hour while throwing up. I feel bad that it didn't work as well for everyone like it did for me, though I'm noticing that the symptoms people are listing as side effects are natural ones from the hormone change during the menstrual cycle. Perhaps more women should be educated thoroughly about their bodies BEFORE they are given a pill.

Hello every one!!I've been taking Femcon FE for about a month now i switched from ortho tri cycle lo and that was the biggest mistake i made i swear since taking Femcon i haven't been able to sleep,chest pains cramps low sex drive 8days of period and bad headaches body aches and joint pain.This is the worst birth control ever!!Every since taking i have no clear spot on my face and i always use to have a very clear face!!And no im not pregnant!!One good thing is even with all these bad side effects it seems like im not as depressed as i used to be.I have blurry vision now im scared about that and Monday i am calling my doctor because that just freaks me out so bad!!Thats all the side effects ive had in 1 month tho.

I started taking Femcon fe in late December of 08. It's been about a year since I've taken any birth control so I was having problems remembering to take them. I did what the pills instructed when you forget and I took 2 pills on the same day. I forgot again to take them and repeated the same thing for 7 days only. I just decided to stop taking them and start fresh when I get my next period. Little did I know I was going to have a blood flow. I thought I was getting my period, but it wasn't red it was a burgundy color. I've been bleeding for 3 days know and it's getting heavier. Another side effect is lack of sleep. I haven't been able to sleep at night. It's been 2 nights and I can't sleep. Also, I have been urinating much more than usual and having bowel movements much more than usual. Anyone experiencing the same things? Cramps, bad headaches and mood swings. After 7 days all this!!! I will not take these pills anymore!

The only thing I felt was nausea for the first month.
If I missed a pill I will have spotting and cramps.
I have put on 2 or 3 lbs. but ladies stop blaming
the pill, you have to learn to control your appetite and diet.
If you research it the actual pill doesn't make you fat duh!
I like Femcon Fe and I'll continue to use it!

I just started FEMCON this month. I actually went to my doctor because I was feeling so bad, she said to give it at least 90 days to work itself out. I had terrible headaches, stomach pain and nausea, (so bad I could not eat for two days), and I have started my cycle still on the white pills, with 9 days before I get to the brown ones. My cycle is very heavy and very bad cramping, it seems like it is not going to stop! I have had trouble sleeping and very vivid dreams. Nothing emotional, I guess a little cranky because of the headaches and cramps!

After suffering from severe cramps and heavy bleeding for several years I decided to go to the doctor to see if I might possibly have endometriosis. He put me on Femcon in hopes of getting the pain and bleeding under control. I immediately noticed side effects from this medication. Much of what many of you are posting. I had constant tenderness and discomfort in my breasts, vivid/realistic nightmares, weight gain and most of all severe moodiness and irritability. I felt angry and hostile three weeks out of every month. Not a pleasant situation for me or the people around me. After two months of this, I called my doctor to possibly switch to something else. His response: exercise, high protein diet and Prozac as needed. I have been on a high protein diet for the better part of 20 years and have been exercising regularly all my life. As I am already on Paxil, albeit an extremely low dose (6.25mg-half of a 12.5), I found the Prozac part of his solution to be questionable. Number one, I don't believe in over medicating. Number two, it is my understanding that with antidepressants like Prozac, you have to take them consistently to achieve the desired effects. Having been on Prozac in the past, I was not willing to go back on it for any reason. I continued to take the Femcon for two more months with no relief of the side effects. Two days ago I went to a different doctor who put me on the generic version of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. It's been almost two weeks that I have been off the Femcon and I literally feel like a new person. The Femcon did great with controlling the pain and bleeding. However, that was no longer worth the negative side effects I had been experiencing on a daily basis for the last four months. I agree with many of you. The negative and/or positive effects will be individual. This is just my experience with it.

I started Femcon FE about 7 months ago because I needed to start a birth control regimen because I was getting married. I started this pill 3 months before my wedding so my body would have a chance to adjust.

I have ALWAYS had normal and regular periods like clockwork. I've never had any issues with my periods in my entire life, until I started Femcon. The first month I was on the pill was fine...I got my period like normal. The second month my period was horrific....I bled for 13 days straight and had horrible cramps, unlike any I ever had before.

The 3rd and 4th month I skipped my period because of my wedding. I was one of the unfortunate that would have had my period on my wedding day, which is the ONLY reason that I skipped.

I am now in month 7 since I started the pill and it's been 3 months since my wedding. I've yet to have a period at all since the wedding even though I am taking the pills like normal...it's been a full 3 months with no period. I've had light spotting the last 2 months, but absolutely no period. I am getting concerned. What's the deal???? Has anyone else had this problem?

I am 21 years old, and I've been taking it for 2 years now. The Femcon FE pill totally leveled out my hormones, cleared up my face, shortened my periods, and even knocked out my bed-riddening cramps!! I definitely experience breast tenderness, but that's about it. I'm basically in love with this one, and have been shocked to read so many bad reviews of it.

l will let it be known that I'm a healthy 27 year old..very active, never suffered with depression, never had acne, no headaches, never had mood swings (unless someone was pissed me off :) ) NADA...just the 7 day periods with heavy bleeding the first couple days..no cramps though. With that being said.....I have been on Femcon for 1 month now..I'm actually finishing my first pack..i have 2 more pills to go. I can honestly say this pill is NO GOOD for me!! If anyone already suffers from any of the things i've listed above..DON'T TAKE THIS PILL!! The first week on the pill was great..no problems. Exactly on day 10 of the pill..I had break thru bleeding that lasted the rest of the month. It was the nasty brown kind with an occasional red. I started to notice that EVERYDAY around 4:45pm I would become so furious over nothing..i mean NOTHING..go in my room slam the door shut..then turn around and cry because I knew I had nothing to be mad at. I became very depressed. My skin starting breaking out, but just no only on my face..all over my body. Really gross. Im now taking the brown pills and I have really bad night sweats. Horrible. These pills also made me very constipated. My sex drive went down hill too. HOWEVER, the PRO to these pills are I haven't gained any weight, haven't lost any hair (that i know of) and my period is sooooo light...still about the 5-7 days, BUT the cramps are almost unbearable and last for 3 days. I'm whiching in 2 days to Loestrin24 FE. If anyone is experiencing similar symptoms and looking for a new pill, let me know. I will be more than willing to share my experience with Loestrin also.

~RRB~

I haven't taken the pill in 25 years. I'm now 42, having heavy periods every 2 weeks with heavy clotting for the last 8 months now. My husband and my kids say I'm an emotional nightmare (which I don't see at all). I have called the nurse complaining about constant leg cramping/charlie horse, but I keep getting the same response that it's just a potassium/calcium deficiency. So now what. I'm now starting my 2nd pack taking it twice a day to help control the bleeding. I do have to say that this time around, my period is lighter and cramps don't seem to be as bad. I haven't noticed any weight gain since the pill, but again, my family complains that I'm extremely edgy, and sensitive.

I, do, however, think that all medications attack each person in a different way. Good luck. Sign: PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!!!

I started taking this about 4 weeks ago, so I'm on the beginning of the brown "inactive" pills. I thought it was great at first because I usually have spotting every other week or so, and it was totally gone. Then as soon as this first day hit without taking a pill, I feel like I have the flu or something. My back hurts, I have the worst cramps, and in general I just feel like crap. And what's worse is that I just started having this brownish/red liquidy discharge that is not what my normal period is like! I'm not sure if I started or not. I was on Trivora 28 for 9 years before this and it was great - I didn't have any problems until this year when I started spotting. Let's just hope it's just my body getting used to this! **Also for anyone reading this, please just remember that a lot of women taking this are doing great, because if you were fine you wouldn't be on here posting to begin with!

I have bad period (terrible cramps, heavy bleeding,...) so I have been on contraceptive since I was 19 (now 31).
Well, in Feb my doctor put me on Femcon fe. It is the worse I ever had. Pain the stomach every single day, heart burn, nausea (I really believed that I had ulcer or cancer), pelvic pain, headache, dizziness, low blood pressure and the more serious: depression. I was so depressed that I stopped to take the pill in May (not because I know it was my problem just out of lost of interest). Of course I felt better but I had a bad period in June so I go ahead and refill my prescription. And I got sicker, I had to go the ER for dizziness and low blood pressure (90/60). I could not sleep and I was tired all the time. I became so depressed that I have to go the bathroom at work to cry, my 5 old daughter and my husband avoided me in the evening when I got home from work. I lost interest in sex and was suicidal. My PcP referred me to a Psychiatrist
Earlier this month I discovered this website in a search and I finally found out that was the pill.
I stop the pill and I am doing fine. No pain, No depression, I get my life back.
This pill to drive a woman crazy. I was about to loss my family.
LADIES BE CAREFUL. ASK MY HUSBAND

I just started my second month of Femcon FE. I first started taking it when I moved back up to college for my third year. I was so excited and as soon as I got here I was more depressed than I had ever been. All I did was lay in bed with severe headaches, stomach and lower pack pains. My entire body hurt. I cried everyday for no reason at all and snapped at people for reason. My acne flared up horribly and Im still getting pimples and splotches all over my body (back, chest, arms, legs) places Ive never gotten them before. I started taking it bc my periods were so bad. My period was the only thing it really helped. It was very light and I hardly had any cramps. But when I started taking the hormone pills last week...everything started up again and Im totally depressed. Im glad Im not the only one who feels this way.

I have recently started the first pack of Femcon, I am on my 2nd week and just started spotting today, I have experienced EXTREME weight LOSS. I have lost seven lbs in 2 weeks. I exercise regularly but have never had results like this. I have zero appetite and horrid cramping in my lower back and abdomen. The weight loss worries me as do the bad cramps. We aren't talking "ouch thats uncomfortable", its more like I think I might die if these cramps don't subside NOW! I have no change in libido or vivid dreams. But I read on one of the other post a lady said feeling like she is seeing things out of the corner of her eyes...when I read that I thought Thank god I'm not going crazy, someone else has the same side effect. I am going to stick it out but in my opinion this is MUCH better than that awful NuvaRing where I was severely depressed and exhausted!

I am reading all of these terrible side effects from Femcon and I cannot believe it. I have been on Femcon for two years and have had absolutely no problems. The only reason I switched to Femcon was because I was on the patch and kept having problems with it coming off (swimming) so I called my doctors office from out of town and they called in Femcon to the pharmacy. I have never had any problems with my period, even before I started on the pill. When I was younger I had some minor cramps, but that was it. I don't doubt that these problems that all of you girls have had are awful, but it looks like if you have any pre-existing problems from your cycle, that it could make it worse; but if you do not have any problems, this pill may work with no side effects.

Hi everyone....I wish I would have done my homework on Femcon before I started taking it. I have not had a period since my son was born....almost 3 years ago! My ob-gyn thought something was wrong with me and did every test known to man but everything came back normal. She prescribed Femcon to "help" regulate my period. I came on my period in the middle of taking my second week. I have been on my period,heavily, for the past 9 days! I want to pull my hair out! I am constantly cramping and bloated to no end! Not to mention my husband is getting irritated because we have not had sex in almost three weeks(he was out of town on business for two weeks)! I am going to call my ob-gyn today to see if she can prescribe a different birth control pill because if this is what it takes to regulate my period, I would have been fine not having one!

I just started my third week on Femcom and I only have one side effect. Tender breast. EXTREMELY tender breast! They hurt so bad that I feel like I've been getting purple-nurples everyday for a month! I asked my doctor to give me something for my hormones b/c I started having "adult" acne. I've always had a 3 1/2 day period. Very uneventful. No cramps. For some reason my forehead breaks out terribly during ovulation and I'm experiencing bumps that I didn't even get as a teenager. My doctor prescribed Femcon and told me this should help regulate my hormones overall. Unlike some of you who are having major problems w/ Femcon, I'm not. I'm going to stay on the pill and hope my body adjust and gets rid of this acne issue. Hope the best for you all.

Hi Ive been on Femcon FE for one month now. I am 20, 5'1'' and weigh 100 lbs. I have not gained any weight at all, nor experienced any nausea. The first 2 weeks I felt like I had some mood swings, the third week I broke out in horrible acne... However, my period lasted about 4 days and was soo light I almost forgot that I had it. I never got any cramps either. Now, I am on my second month, first week, and my acne is starting to clear a little bit.. However, I have battled acne for a lil while and - as I have been told by doctors - it takes your body time to respond to all these hormones. If you are having problems with acne, just remember that usually things that are supposed to clear acne will break you out for about 2 months before it starts clearing you up. It's your body's response to the drastic change going on inside. I would suggest seeing a dermatologist and using some topical gel (Differin).. it has helped mine a little bit. I don't think I'll change BC because I would rather my body just get used to one type and just stay on it....
good luck ladies! Just remember, don't get too frightened by all these postings because every woman's body is different so not everyone will experience the same side effects.

I am on Femcon FE and am not too sure what to think of it. My boobs got bigger, which yes they hurt constantly, but bigger boobs is worth it to me. haha But other then that, i originally got put on this for my iron deficiency and the fact that i could not swallow a pill. I went on birth control to help regulate my period, because there was no schedule to mine. I have been on Femcon for 4 months now, and still cannot regulate my period. It comes during the 3 week of white pills and it's not even blood. It's gross brownish/red and not to mention it makes me itch. And i never got cramps before and now the 2nd day of my period is almost unbearable. Also, since its not even regulating my period correctly i worry if it's even working as "birth control".
I wanna change but i don't know what to even change to. I don't want my boobs to shrink back, but I guess if i must i will. lol

i was giving the "free sample" packet of Femcon Fe by my ob-gyn to help with the irregularities of my periods due to PCOS.from day one its been a major pain!a headache and insane nausea!it was awful...and this trend continued non stop through the entire 3 1/2 weeks of use.headache nausea fatigue moody tender breast heartburn...heck...i began to think i was flipping pregnant and took a test to reassure myself i wasn't and that this birth control pill was just really working me over. i know one must allow their bodies to get used to the b/c...but this was ridiculous! i finally threw in the towel last night and stopped taking them.in my third week and already i'm spotting with incredibly bad cramps nonstop.makes me think something is seriously wrong...wait i know..its this freaking pill! i think there is a hidden agenda to these pharmacal companies handing out free samples of b/c....using you as little test subjects without being up front about how bad the effects are on the body.heck...i was foolish enough to be convinced....a minty chewable birth control pill.AWESOME!...cha! they should include on the packaging"This product has the tendency to totally annihilate your sense of comfort during the entire duration of consumption".screw this pill...i'd rather deal with the side effects of my last pill which is like cake and ice cream compared to this one here!

Ugh. I'm so glad I found this list and that everyone has been so candid!!! I am in my 2nd pack of Femcon and the symptoms are only getting worse. Toward the end of the first week I began spotting and did so on and off for 2 weeks. When I took the brown pills, I had my classic day-later start of a true period, as I have done with the Ortho versions I used to be on. Naturally, the period was very light--actually it never did go to red, only icky brown for a whole week. Then I started the first 2 pills of the 2nd pack before seeing my doctor for the pre-op appointment before my Esure procedure. (He put me on this pill when I told him that I didn't trust condoms alone in the 3 month waiting period while the procedure takes--I don't trust the Divine Sense of Humor this close to finally being sterile.) He told me to stop taking them for 5 days while they put me on something else that would thin out my lining so they could better see the entrances to my tubes, then continue them like I had never stopped. Great. I did that and the procedure has healed nicely. I went back on the pills--much to my dismay. I'm back to all-month-long PMS, tender breasts and spotting. I have been baffled and attributing the constant headaches, cycles of insomnia & exhaustion, lack of motivation, depression, acne breakouts, weight gain, dehydration even though I'm guzzling water, bloating, mood swings, and decreased sex drive to the stresses of everything BUT this pill, because I have never had this problem before. In fact, previous ones helped alleviate mood swings, cramping, irregular and heavy periods, acne, and bloating, but I've been experiencing the opposite for nearly 2 months now. The other day, in addition to the cramps and spotting, I started having major stabbing pains in my lower abdomen--where the Esure could be possibly causing pain--except that they didn't do it on that side because my fallopian tube is blocked naturally. My breasts have been getting more and more sore, and tonight they hurt terribly without touching anything except clothing! The cramps are continual, as are the headaches, and I wake up with my hands completely numb. I haven't been able to get to sleep well for weeks (it is 3:05 a.m. now) and I'm dragging all day. Trying to wake up from a nap is like waking from the dead, and then I'm disoriented and out of it. I'm having dizzy spells too. I can't focus and every little thing sets me off--my poor friends and boyfriend! I'm up and down like a toilet seat!! I don't know if the sore throat I've had for the past couple days has anything to do with this, but I don't feel sick. Could be allergies...??? The last couple days I've had diarrhea and an upset stomach, and with how quickly the breast tenderness level rose to horrible, my insomnia and anxiety rose to an all-time high as I feared I was pregnant. So I bounded out of bed to start looking up pregnancy side-effects, only to see that many of them could be caused by birth control--particularly this birth control--and hence I found this list. THANKFULLY! Grrrrrrrr. Needless to say, I'll be making a phone call to my doc tomorrow. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. I hope mine helps others!

I have been on Femcon since April and I have not had a period since taking the pill. I have had several pregnancy tests done, all coming back negative. No relief coming from my obgyn either. I was told to come back in another 2 months if i still don't start a cycle. Has anyone else lost or missed periods due to this pill? I just had a baby in January, but up until i took this pill, my periods were fine, even on the days i used to have them before getting pregnant? Any tips, or ideas?? I have also been throwing up and having sharp, not sore but, sharp stabbing pains in my left breast...which i told my doc about only to hear that it was related to not having a period!?!?!?!?!?! Help!!!

i have posted quite a bit on here before, but i have been on femcon for now going on 10 months and i started bleeding a week before my period is due. my period is not supposed to start until June 2 or 3. i am just a little worried about why i might have started my period 1 week early and i am still bleeding and no sign of it stopping. i have cramps, heavy clotting bleeding, sorry for tmi! has anyone else experienced this and should i not worry too much about it? oh and i have had other terrible side effects like major mood swings, crying for no reason, depressed and down all the time. anyway, your input is much appreciated!

After being on Yasmin for 3 months, I couldn't handle my side affects anymore. My doctor switched me to Femcon FE and when I looked it up online I almost didn't start taking it because of all the negative things I've heard. It's only been 3 weeks so I my opinion might not hold much weight, but I feel like myself so far on this pill. With Yasmin, I was constantly moody, and my sex drive went from extremely high before to practically nothing. Once I switched to Femcon FE I have lost the mood swings completely- I actually feel better than my normal self. Also, I didn't think I'd like/need the option to chew the tablets but now I'd actually rather. The mint flavor tastes really good. Just don't try chewing the inactive pills! They are gross! I do notice my body is a little sore sometimes and I have some uncomfortable cramps-- but it is only my 3rd week on the pill. No breakthrough bleeding.. and the best thing is--- my sex drive is back, and moods are gone--- all of which my boyfriend really appreciates!

I am finishing up my 4th week on Femcon and it's been hell. I have polycystic ovarian disease and i'm used to taking bc, I have been for almost 10 years but recently started missing periods and having random breakthrough bleeding so my doc switched me to femcon since it's a higher dose of estrogen... I've had headaches, bloating, water retention, nausea, vomiting, severe acne, nose bleeds, mood swings, cramps, the heaviest period i have ever experienced, night sweats, heartburn, rapid heart beat, trouble breathing, fatigue and the list goes on... basically what everyone else has said i have had too. my doc won't take me off until i've tried it for 3 months but i don't think i'm going to wait that long... this is just horrible... it should be taken off the market. i'm going to look into filing a complaint with the fda about this pill.

I have been taking Femcon FE for 2 months now and the first day I took it I felt nausea for about 30-45 minutes and it went away and havne'nt felt sick since. I started taking this because I have extreme cramps and my Period is very heavy and lasts for 7 days. My hope was to have shorter lighter periods with no cramp. I have not had cramps since I started taking this and I am extremely thankful for that. But I started my period a week early and it wont stop. It is now going on 14 days. I called my Doctor and was told that that is common and should stop after the 3 months it takes your body to get used to the changes. I was told that it is very common if you miss the pill or if you are not taking it at the same time everyday. I have forgotten a few and had to take them the next morning. I am going to give it another Month and see if it stops.

i've been taking femcon less than a month, my periods are irregular and when I do have them they last for several weeks, even the entire month, and i get so heavy I can barely manage it. So after putting it off I went to my doctor and she perscribed femcon. I started taking it on the first day of my period, she said this would lessen the breakthrough bleeding, and everything was fine for the first few days, no side effects at all. About a week in my flow got so heavy I was changing my super tampon every one-two hours. This has been going on for about 5 days now and is not letting up, I've been clotting like I never have before and this morning I got the worst cramps I've ever had. My entire stomach hurt, my back, nausea, I even started to get sharp pains through my vagina. I called my doctor and she said it could be the femcon but I don't have any doubts, the most I ever had was some light cramping and headaches before my period.

I'm just starting my second week of Femcon Fe and I'm not impressed. ever since i started taking it i've had consistent bleeding and really painful cramps. the stabbing pain kind that go all the way around to my back. there have also been really bad headaches too. usually I'm like a man about going to the doctors ( aka i don't want to go and usually dont) but the pain was so bad last night that i almost went to the er. is anyone else having cramps that cause back pain too?

I am 21 years old and have never been on birth control before. I went to the doctor asking for yaz but she suggested i didn't take it because of the high level of potassium it has. I wanted yaz because i get severely depressed right before my period. But when i told the doctor about my cramps she suggested Femcon FE. So i said sure why not! I've only been on it for 2 1/2 weeks and I've have breakthrough bleeding for the past 3 days now, and i woke up 4am with the worst cramps in my entire life! i was in so much pain i vomited! finally i was able to sleep...and when i woke up i called the doctor and she said she could write me a prescription for the cramps, but i said no since they went away. Also I've never been so depressed! and this is coming from a girl who has fought depression for years. I'm on my spring break now and i don't want to do anything but cry cry cry! i feel bad for my boyfriend and my mom having to deal with me. Even I'm getting annoyed with myself! I had high expectations for birth control, i thought it would change my life and help out with PMDD. I really hope this changes, I'll let you know what happens cause I'm going to stick it out for the next 3 months! If anyone could suggest another pill just in case i still hate it in 3 months, that would be very helpful!

i just started my 7 month pack and ever since last month, while on the active pills, my heart seems to flutter or feels like its skipping beats. it does it alot and it scares me because i am scared i am going to have a heart attack or something. do you think its from femcon and if so, should i stop taking them?

I think Femcon FE is definitely great. Yes i do get headaches and nausea sometimes, and sometimes a week before my period a little breakthrough bleeding, but it is the best birth control I've ever taken.

I've had the shot and i bled constantly. I also took other birth control , like ortho tri cyclen, and had bleeding as well.

Femcon has made my period SO much lighter, my cramps are virtually gone during my periods, whereas before they were unbearable. I have found it very hard to lose weight, but with exercise and healthy eating it is ok.

Plus this is the number one pro. NO PREGNANCY. I got pregnant on ortho tri cyclen low when i missed a pill.

Femcon is very reliable and i feel great on it. I haven't had one UTI or yeast since i started it 6 months ago.

I'll take the cons any day. Its worth feeling protected!

I have been on Femcon FE for about 4 months now. I had no idea that the problems I have been having could be related to my bc pill!!! I have been depressed, extremely fatigued (probably due to insomnia!!!), night sweats, profuse sweating all of the time, terrible cramps, headaches & now I have had hives for 3 weeks!!! I don't know if all of these are related to the pill, but I am stopping my pills today. My husband has agreed to have a vasectomy & we will just use condoms until then. I have thought that I could be going through pre menopause, but have been told that I was too young (I am 36). I have thought that I was losing my mind. I never had problems w/any pill until after I had my daughter 5 yrs ago. I have since been on Yasmin, Yaz & now Femcon & have had problems w/all of them. I also have break thru bleeding pretty bad also.

I've been taking FemCon Fe for over a month now and have horrible complaints that I'm reading on the forum. I started taking it because I used to get horrible cramps before and during my cycle. The only side effect I'm really noticing now is that I'm having extremely vivid dreams which I wake up exhausted from. This could also be due to the fact that I just moved overseas... but I'm not ruling out that as a potential side effect. I have some cramps, but nothing terrible like I used to have, so all in all I'm quite happy with the drug. Anyone have anything similar- vivid and weird dreams?

I'm shocked reading all these experiences with Femcon FE. I got on line looking for answers. I have been on it for four months and experiencing terrible migraines, mood swings, and the worst periods ever. My periods feel like I'm in junior high again, terrible cramps, nausea, headaches, depression, I'm hunched over with a heating pad every month. Only this month I haven't gotten my period and I took two pregnancy tests and they were negative, as I lie here with cramps that I've had for four days with no bleeding and a migraine, nausea, I can't wait.... NO MORE FEMCON FE!!!

I noticed my breast growing while I started this birth control. Then I noticed about 10lbs of weight gain. I am a small person. So 10lbs is a lot. I started this because the NuvaRing didn't get rid of my severe cramps and heavy menstrual. I am extremely moody, and I am very emotional.

This is the worst pill ever, I started it on Dec 11th and have not stopped bleeding since. Called the doctor and they said it's normal to take the pill everyday at the same time it would help. I just had a baby Oct 23rd bled for about 3 weeks stopped and so I started taking this pill and I'm still bleeding 15 days later, JOY! One minute it's light so I think oh yeah it's going away and then it starts getting heavy, I have had cramps but thank goodness they are not as bad as they use to be. I also notice smells bother me especially when it smells like the mint flavor of the pill it's like I'm pregnant all over again and it's not making me very happy. Anyway I stopped taking it and hopefully my body will return to normal soon. I guess the ol' husband will have to go get fixed! I have 3 beautiful kids so it won't hurt for him to go through something!