Femcon FE and periods

I am 44 and started taking Femcon nine days ago to regulate my periods and stop break through bleeding. It did it's part there--but I have gained five pounds in nine days! Five! Everything I own is tight. Also I have been unable to sleep. My whole body feels tense and I cannot drift off. I think I am going to stop taking this pill immediately. I'd rather bleed than gain one more pound!

I started taking Femcon Fe in July right after i gave birth to my firstborn. Had never been on birth control ever. And the only side effect that im feeling is the fact that i have had 3 periods in 4 weeks. Im pretty pissed seeing as how i just stop my postpartum bleeding and now im constantly bleeding cause i this frickin pill!! I just wanna enjoy life and play with my baby but my birth control is taking over my life. Forget it ill just stop taking it. Maybe its not to soon to have another baby....lol j/k

i absolutely hate this pill. i have only been on it for a couple of days and i feel like im going to die! my breasts are not tender but i constantly have headaches, diarrhea and vomit all the time. I hate it but then again im not gonna say its the worst pill bc its the first time i am on birth control. i don't know if i should keep taking it or just stop. also, im a little confused on how to take the pill bc my doctor just handed it to me without telling me ANYTHING about it even when i told him i have never been on any kind of pill before. he was dumb. if anyone can please explain to me how to take them i would really appreciate it. i am just nervous that my period wont come once i get to the brown pill and what if i take all the brown pills and it doesn't come? what do i do? start a new pack? im sorry if i sound dumb but my doctor shouldve told me everything about this pill before he prescribed it to me.

Ive been on this for a little while..so far its ok! I got on here to check for a cheaper BC and I found this site and figured id read up..i Dont have many of these symptoms. Ive always had weird periods..so that doesn't bother me. My doctor advised me that it takes 3 to 4 months for our bodies to adjust..so you will bleed, and you will be emotional..and most likely be sick! I was on Depo for 7 months..and gained so much and never had a period..this BC hasn't made me gain anymore..Now that im past the break in..getting my body used to it..its not to bad..i think these ladies just need to give it time..your feeding yourself hormones...your bodies arnt used to the high levels...just give it time and it will work..if all else fails..USE A CONDOM!

Obviously a lot of the gals taking this hormonal formulation need to get a totally different one. What surprises me are all the first-time BC users whose doctors are putting them on a rather high-dose pill (not technically high dose, but it is the highest you can be under the "Low Dose" heading). I would think their doctors would've put them on something very very low and go from there.
Anyways, I was on BC pills for 8 years before we decided to start a family. However, ever since having my first child 4 years ago, I couldn't find a pill that could control my period. It seemed that when I was off the pill, I was fine, but as soon as I started a pill I would bleed 3 weeks out of 4. It was awful--plus insurance wouldn't pay for other methods besides permanent BC methods. I went through at least three different types of pills with no luck. Then we decided to have our second child...so off the pill and my periods were normal and regular up until I conceived. After my second child was born and I was done breast-feeding, my doctor put me on a pill (loestrin, I think?) and back to the same thing...3 weeks of heavy bleeding out of 4 and it made not only me, but my husband, crabby. I tried another pill, then finally got very firm and specific with the nurses and my doctor...they needed to put me on something completely different than the other formulations I'd been on and/or a higher dosage.
First month on Femcon FE and only 1 day of light spotting; lighter-than-normal period (thank goodness!); but I did have some weird abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. Thankfully that pain went away after eating, particularly high-fiber meals or large meals. Since I had a stomach bug the week before I started the pills, I didn't think too much of it; figured the stomach virus had moved south and was just irritating my gut. It went away by the time I had my period...but it started again after 5 days on my next pill pack, though the pain is considerably less than last month. However, after seeing someone else's comment regarding estrogen's affect on the gallbladder (and that's about where my pain was), I'm going to at least talk to my doctor on Monday.
I have had no other side effects other than the abdominal pain and very very slight breast tenderness (although after pregnancy and breast-feeding, the breast tenderness is barely noticeable in comparison). So I'd like to stay on this as long as I'm not developing any gallstones, etc.

Thank god I read this. I have been feeling lumps in my breast (that are normal to feel right before your period but for the entire month) which have been extremely tender and huge! I know that birth control can have that effect but this pill has made my body do things it never did. I have been on about 10 different birth controls and I'm am constantly telling my husband to be careful with my breasts with this one. My periods are inconsistent and I just can't get over how much my breasts hurt! I'm ready to get off this one...

I have been on Femcon Fe for almost 8 months now, and while I don't love it, it's one of the best I have been on. I am severely anemic, so my doctor insisted that I go on birth control to lighten my periods. And while it has lightened them, they occur ever couple of days with just spotting... it sucks!!!! I also have no sex drive at all when I'm on my normal white pills, during the day's that I take the brown pills, I want to have sex but I'm on my period! It's wonderful... NOT! I thought that I was just having problems with my boyfriend of two years, until I read this, so thanks for at least making me feel better. Before this pill I was on another one and it made me terrible depressed, do you all have any suggestions for a different one I could switch to?

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 am on my first week of the second month with femcon, I am undecided about this pill, I used to never get severe headaches, now I am getting about 1 per day. I am nauseated unless I am eating for about 10 hrs after taking the pill. My doc prescribed this pill for me because I was having hot flashes. (i am 25, to soon for hot flashes) I feel like I did when I first starting taking my first pill years ago. Bloating the week before my periods starts, on my old pill the week I was having my period I would have diarrhea when I ate, with this pill it seems to be the week after my period. The nausea is really like it was when I first started on the pill (7 yrs ago). I normally do not have a squeamish stomach but now....I am going to give this pill the 3 months to let my body adjust. Then I may be requesting a new pill. We will see

I thought something was strange with this pill! In the past I was on Orthro-Tri Cyclen low, then I stopped taking the pill for about a year. I decided to talk to my OB-GYN about going back on and he gave me Femcon Fe. At first I laughed about the pills being chewable and told him I don't need this. I asked for my old brand back, and he insisted these were better. Think again Doc! I have never had spotting problems with my period, I'm now on the third month of Femcon and my periods have not regulated at all!!! It's so annoying, I basically have my period 24/7, even though it's very light. Also, today made my decision to stop Femcon a no brainier. I haven't had a migraine in over a year and 1/2...today I got one. Femcon is now in the trash!

I have a surgery on the 29th to remove a large growth in my uterus, and since my periods have NEVER been regular, my doctor put me on FEMCON FE to ensure i would not start prior to my operation. I took the pill and the nextm morning the illnes started, Not on ly did i have sever mood swings, but when i ate i was in the bathroom violently puking, unable to keep anything down. I could not make a move, or i was nauseaus again. On top of it all, i have the most severe migraine i ever had in my life where i could literally feel my veins pounding. I cried from the pain, which caused a congestion that only made my pain worse. I called my doctor the next day and told him to give me a new pill and NOW.
I have never experience quite a nausea like with this drug. I was MISERABLE.

Thank god I found this place, I thought I was alone!

I've been on Femcon for over a year and my side effects were initially mild but have grown progressively worse. I've experienced the constant fatigue, sleep issues, daily headaches and ESPECIALLY the MOOD SWINGS. The mood swings are the worst part, I feel as though I've lost total control of my emotional self.

I began to suspect the pills were messing with my head a few weeks ago when I looked back on what a complete emotional wreck I've been the last 6 months. Like others have posted...I now believe this pill made me a different person. I almost lost my boyfriend because of it (I broke up with him!) but we worked it out, and I've decided I am no longer taking this pill. I'll have to find another way to control my periods. This is not worth it.

I've been on Femcon Fe since Janurary, after I had my daughter. My periods are not as painful, and I have a history of Endometriosis, but, am experiencing a flair up with my endometriosis. But, I have been having severe migraine like headaches... Even when I'm not on my period. I have suffered from migraines before, but, these are awful... I didn't think anything about the headaches being related to the Femcon until today when (guess what I had this afternoon??) - Yup... An extremely bad headache... So, I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow morning and ask her about changing my birthcontrol, since my fiance is 'very fertile'... (our daughter is his 4th child) But, I can't take the headaches... There are times my head feels as if it's about to either explode or implode, because it hurts so bad...

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.

Since the last time I posted, the breakthrough bleeding has come back. I guess its because I skipped the week of inactive pills in my first month. The bleeding started on the first day of the second week in my second pack of pills, and 8 days later I still have light bleeding going on. Its kind of weird actually, because I usually seem to bleed during the late morning and early afternoon, and by early evening it stops, only to start again the following day. Its not the worst thing in the world because that means that I can still have some fun with my boyfriend, as long as its at night time. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and how many months can I expect these long periods to last for before it becomes more regular?

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'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 have only been on this pill for a week and I have had headaches everyday. I am very hesitant about birth control pills anyway I just had a baby Oct 26 and had my first period 2 weeks ago and since I started this pill I have had migraine like headaches dizzy and leg pains I am not sure I will be staying on this pill especially after reading all these reviews. I have never taken birth control other then depo and that messed me up I did not have a period for a year. When I do have a period it is awful can anyone recommend a pill with less side effects and helps with harsh periods. This pill (Femcon fe) is not for me

My doctor switched me to Femcon Fe because I was experiencing breakthrough bleeding after taking Ortho Tricyclen/Ortho Tricyclen Lo for 8 years. I have taken Femcon Fe for 2 months and really dislike it. My breasts have grown almost a whole cup size, which may sound great, but they are always sore. I have gained almost 10 pounds, with no change in diet, and have been moodier and more fatigued than usual. Worst of all, I have had scant, barely existing periods these past 2 months. Seriously, I do not even need to wear a tampon/pad. My spotting on Ortho Tryclen Lo was heavier than my periods on Femcon Fe. This pill is not for me!

I started Femcon 19 days ago, which was the first day of my period. Ever since I started it, I have had my period every day continuously. It's terrible!! :( By periods before the pill lasted about 6 days. I was wondering if this is normal.

I have been on this pill for approximately 1 yr went off of it for four months to try my body without it. I went back on to regulate my cycle.. I have to say I like this pill. So many people are posting info. with taking the pill for a week. That's not enough time to give a good example of the pill plus everyone women is different. going back on the pill my only thing is my breasts have grown like a cups size which i really like but the tenderness is a pain. i too like some of the other women feel like my breasts are going to explode like I was nursing with full milk. other than that I tend to be a little drier during sex but nothing that some creams won't help. I have tried every pill and I really think this pill is a good one. Give it a chance..

I've been taking this pill for 7 MONTHS now. Previously the side effects seemed pretty negligible--I had a bit of spotting--and though the "blood" was disconcertingly "clumpy" (sorry for the graphics)--I've had spotting with every other pill I've used too. Recently, though, the spotting has turned into full periods! I have about a week and a half of nothing and then a constant mess. As of day before yesterday the cramps and bloating are also in full effect. I'm calling the doctor tomorrow because I got on the pill mainly to control the pain and now not only am I constantly bleeding...but it's these strange dark clumps! Once again, sorry to be so specific, but has anyone else experienced this? It's truly mortifying when I'm with my boyfriend...

early signs of pregnancy, nausea, mood swings, breast tenderness, back hurting, extreme fatigue. I was told yesterday by my Doc, to take the pill with food, not at 10pm before you go to bed, she sd that's why I'm having bad symptoms, I'll give it another month,
melissa 23 OK