Loestrin 24 Fe and breakthrough bleeding

I discontinued Loestrin 24 due to is causing 3 months of breakthrough bleeding lasting about 7-15 days along with having a period. I had severe acne from it, constipation, gallbladder attacks,pain in right side,anxiety, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, etc. I have PCOS and this is a combination of hormones that do not work properly. Since I have stopped using this medicine all of these side effects have gone away.

thank you everyone. I am on my third pack now second week. ive never missed a pill and take it at the same time every day ( a matter of 5 minutes difference). i just hope after this third pack i start to regulate... do you think it will take longer then 3 packs? i just don't want to switch to a different pill and start all over again. other than this breakthrough bleeding... ive been great. no mood swings or anything.

Just an update on my last post, I got a response from my doctor and may possibly have an answer for some of you. It's pretty simple; if you are having breakthrough bleeding and are taking your pill correctly (same time every day) you may just need a higher dose of birth control. This is for those of us who have been on the pill for more than three months, just make sure you give your body a chance to "get used to it" first before you call your doctor.

I was on yaz for about 8 months and loved it. I didn't break out at all and I even lost weight. It helped a lot with PMDD. I was very satisfied. Then, after my 4th month, I started experiencing long periods that lasted about 9 days and breakthrough bleeding that lasted all month. My GYN switched me to Loestrin 24 Fe. My period is now very light and about 4-5 days. My only complaint is that I have horrible acne! I have only been on Loestrin 24 Fe for a month and a half so I wonder if I should just wait it out and see if the acne improves. I am very pleased that my period is so short, but the acne looks terrible!!

I have been on Loestrin 24 for about 10 months now and I am all of a sudden having this breakthrough bleeding and I am about 2 weeks in on the pack. It is so frustrating! Does anyone else have this and is it normal since I have been on this pill for 10 months? I haven't had problems until now and I am hating life! Does it get better?

I HAD A BABY EXACTLY 8 WEEKS AGO TODAY. MY PERIOD RETURNED ON SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008, THEN I BEGAN MY 1ST PACK. I BLED FOR 3 DAYS AND IT WAS VERY LIGHT, WITH NO CRAMPS. ON WED. MAY 21,2008 I BEGAN TO BLEED AGAIN. TODAY IS MONDAY MAY 26, 2008 AND I AM STILL BLEEDING. I HAVE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HEADACHES. I AM WONDERING IF THINGS WILL CHANGE BY THE TIME I BEGIN MY 3RD PACK. IF THE BREAKTHROUGH BLEEDING PERSISTS BY THEN I WILL JUST HAVE TO DO MORE RESEARCH AND FIND A BETTER B.C. METHOD.

I am glad sites like this one exist because it makes it easier to become educated on all the different side effects women have. Of course, its a completely different experience for each and every one of us, based on our biological clock, hormone levels, etc...I've been taking Loestrin for about 9 days now. The first three days I was extremely irritable and moody. Everyone noticed it and pointed it out because its so unlike my character to be that way for no reason. I was snapping at people and I felt very sensitive. I've felt light-headed and weak but many of my back pain medications make me feel this way so I am unsure as to whether I should attribute the sensations to Loestrin. After the fourth day, I've felt normal. The only thing that concerns me now is that I started bleeding this morning. My doctor said I have what's called breakthrough bleeding and I hope it doesn't last longer than a day or two. I've never taken any oral contraceptives in my life and hope this regulates my excessively long periods (think 5-7 days).

I've been taking this for 9 months now and I'm about to throw it out the window. The first couple of packs were tough to adjust to but I listened to my doctor and gave them a chance. For the past 4 months I have had breakthrough bleeding for 2 weeks before my period is supposed to start and then I have a 3 day period. I started taking this because I wanted some relief from my periods and wanted a shorter one. Breakthrough bleeding tho is not something I"m able to deal with much longer. Since they are right before my periods, I feel like instead of having shorter periods, I am having periods that are lasting 2-1/2 weeks. I'm not supposed to start my period for another week and a half, but I'm having some spotting and cramping like my period is going to start at any time. I hate this pill and I'm going to call my dr first thing Monday and see about a change.

Mircette always helped me with hormonal acne but recently i had breakthrough bleeding and my gyno switched me to loestirn 24. First month was fine and my recent breakthrough bleeding stopped. Second month i have severe headaches, nausea, cramps, and acne is worse than ever. No bloating, bleeding (period) or weight gain. My dermatologist saw me last week and said loestrin 24 is not one she would recommend to treat acne. She is putting me on YAZ which has ingredients to treat acne. I start in four days after the loestrin 24 is finished.

I am 34 and started taking loestrin 24 at the advice of my doctor cause I have really heavy periods and a lot of breakthrough bleeding mostly due to fibroids which has made me quite anemic. I was hoping this would help. I started Loestrin 24 about 16 days ago. On the ninth day I started breakthrough bleeding and it hasn't stopped! I feel like it's become a full fledged period! I just hope the bleeding stops soon. I have pretty bad cramps and backaches. I've been popping many advil. Also, my breasts are tender and they're definitely bigger (I liked my boobs the way they were!). As far as mood, the first week was fine, but I was pretty lethargic and depressed the second week. Starting the third week yesterday, my mood has been much better. It sounds like people have had success after the 3 month waiting. Me, I'm willing to duke it out for another month for the almost-nothing periods. But 2 more months of this I don't think I can handle. I'll let you know what happens

I have been on these devil pills to stop breakthrough bleeding and it made it worse!!! As a matter of fact, it added to it. I would have mild acne during my period from time to time. I now look like I have road rash on my face!!! I have tried everything including Proactiv. NOTHING works except getting off of them!

I work out 5 days a week, including weight training. I diet and exercise diligently. I have put on almost 10 pounds in less than 3 months. Not muscle... I can't seem to stop it.

My chest went up OVER a cup size. When you're a C with an athletic body and go up to almost a DD, it is NOT good. I was so desperate to get off of these, I called my doctor and quit mid pack. I was told it's ok so as long as you wait until your next period (not the spotting that comes after quitting mid-pack) to start a new pill. Probably better to wait a couple of cycles.

My advice

===STAY AWAY FROM THESE PILLS===

If you are on them, get off ASAP! Good luck, ladies. Hope this helps someone out!

I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for a couple of weeks now and just had a baby 7 weeks ago. The beginning of this week, I had severe nausea and was unable to eat without becoming nauseous. I believe it is due to the pill and not the food I am eating. Today, I have had breakthrough bleeding that is heavy like a period and severe stomach pains in my lower left abdomen. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow if they don't subside. It is really disturbing that before I had the baby, I had a yeast infection on my skin while on Desogen, so I quit birth control all together. I was hoping that after having the baby, taking a low dose birth control would be okay...but I am a bit worried about the stomach pains. I am not so worried about the break through bleeding because I know it is normal. I have also started to get acne on my upper arms and not my face...totally weird spot for me. I have had dry, itchy skin also... especially on my face. Please respond if you are having similar pains in your stomach.

I am new to Loestrin 24. I am 26 and have been on Ortho Tri-Clyclen since I was 16. I recently switched to a new GYN, who suggested I try Loestrin. She gave me 2 free samples, so I thought it was worth a try. Besides, I'd heard good things (on the commercials - of course). Immediately, I started noticing breakthrough bleeding, which I'd never experienced before. That lasted for a couple weeks. It was so annoying! I couldn't stand never knowing when it would happen. This past week was supposed to be my period. I knew that it would be shorter, since Loestrin has the 3 extra "active pills". But my period never came. I just started my second pack last night. I went on this site, to see what the real side effects of this pill are - the ones they don't publish on their website (before I completely freaked out). I have read that many other women have experienced no period, which made me feel a little better. I guess I won't run out and get a pregnancy test. One person asked why this was a problem, but when you're trying very hard NOT to get pregnant, a missed period hardly seems like a good thing. I need that reassurance every month that lets me know things are ok. I also have noticed weight gain and increased acne - which I didn't think to connect to Loestrin, but I'd never experienced that on Ortho. Some of these other side effects are downright scary and I'm now considering switching back to Ortho before the anxiety, mood swings and other things start!

so0 I've been on Loestrin for about 4-5months? and I haven't really had ANY side effects...yea weird but true...but anyways, I've lost about 10lbs within the 1st 3-4months and in my case..thats not good..in the beginning my periods were normal..bu every month they get lighter and lighter..and now I haven't gotten a real one in 3 months?? I mean its kinda like brown stuff but not blood..so like is that suppose 2 be my period?? and I'm not pregnant1 I took numerous amounts of pregnancy test and was all negative..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHETHER ITS NORMAL OR NOT!?!?!?!?????

I started taking Loestrin this past October. Tomorrow i will be through with my third pack of pills and I haven't had any problems. I haven't missed any pills but I have taken them late a few times. Throughout these past 3 months the only side effects I've had are tender breasts and nausea during the first month. I haven't gained ANY weight... But I am a dancer, and I dance 5 days a week. I haven't had any breakthrough bleeding and I haven't missed any periods. I haven't had an increase in appetite except when I'm bout to start my period...then I start snacking a lot...especially late at night. I haven't had any problems with mood swings except when I'm on my period (which is normal for me). My periods only last 3 days now that I've been on the pill. I thought my periods were long b4 but after reading some of ya'lls posts, my five day periods weren't THAT bad...but i still like the 3 days better.
My last posting i said that i hadn't had an increase in my breast size, but my little sister (she's like 17) and one of my guy friends have informed me that my breast are bigger. And they don't know that I'm on birth control.
So far Loestrin has been working out great for me....I have no complaints!

I am 28 and this is my first time taking BC pills. Loestrin 24 FE has been okay for me. My side effects include slight nausea (which went away after the first few packs), bloating, occasional breast tenderness, and light headed/anxious at times. I also have had some breakthrough bleeding for a few days during the middle of the packs (which is to be expected for the first few months), but am going to try one more pack before switching to something else. Cramps have definitely been much less, and my periods have lasted for a mere 3 days. I take the pill at night before I go to bed, so perhaps that is why the nausea wasn't so bad.

For those people who don't like this pill -remember that not all pills work for everyone. (I tried Yaz once for 2 days and thought I was going to die!) We all have different body chemistry -so give this one a chance. If it doesn't work for you then try something else. My doctor gave me a sample of Femcon to try after my next pack of Loestrin. She thinks that Femcon will stop my breakthrough bleeding...guess I will find out soon...

Good Luck!

Hi all, I'll be finishing up my first week on Loestrin this Sunday. My OBGYN put me on this due to overlong periods and bad cramping. This is my first experience with a BC, so I'm a little bit nervous about it. For the past several days, I have been getting really nauseous. It's not a constant thing, one minute I'm fine and the next I feel like I need to dart in to the bathroom. I'm not too worried about any weight gain because that is something that I could probably use, but the nausea is concerning me a bit. I have to go back to the gyno sometime next week, so I can probably ask about it there, but reading the comments on this page has got me a little bit nervous. Should I try to wait it out and see if things get better, so should I quit while I'm ahead?

I love this pill!!!!! I have been on probably 10 different pills in my life and this is by far the best!! On all other pills, or if I use nothing, I will normally bleed an average of 20-23 days per month. With Loestrin 24 I am bleeding about 6 and it is wonderful!! I will say that it took about 5 months for my body to adjust to them but now they are GREAT!!!! Most people expect a miracle after taking a new pill for two weeks and it doesn't work that way. With any new BCP you are on it will take a minimum of 3 cycles for your body to adjust and your hormones to balance out.

Lisa R.N.

Daughter 19 was treated for depression with 10mg of Lexapro for 4 months and developed every horrible side effect- seritonin toxic reactiom- stomach, headaches, insomnia, lethargy, nightmares, appetite, etc.. Weaning off slowly with increased side effects. Finally clear after two weeks of hell and Mono. Slept 10 hours a day, could not swallow, depressed by recent events but managed to go abroad for 6 weeks a month later and seemed much better. Just before she left she began taking Loestrin24 FE and has been on it for 4 months. She has been having a variety of abdominal symptoms, headaches, insomnia, cramps, lethargy, weight gain, nausea.mood swings. Of course she is having stess about her furure and her horrific recent experiences and is very sensitive to medication. A half of a 5mg. Lunesta knocks her out. The only medication she is taking is Loestrin24 FE. Tonight I decided to look up the side effects of this pill that she seemed to tolerate well (no breakthrough bleeding, shorter periods) and could this be the cause of her problems? She is going to a doctor very soon but now is off our health care plan (magic-19 and she left college) so we cannot run from one specialist to another. Anyone have any advice or similar experience?

Are there any people who can report good things about this pill? I haven't started it yet, but now I am really nervous because there aren't very many positive side effects. I know everyone responds differently to BC but a little encouragement would be nice. I recently was on Ortho Tri Cyclen- Lo and didn't have a very good expierence I just hope this one will be better :)

I JUST started Loestrin 24 Fe (day one) and have been reading many articles and websites (anything from the literature in the research journals to the Mayo Clinic posts). I have just read through this entire site and took in all the feedback from the women who have shared the side effects. I have NEVER taken BC until now. I am trying it to keep monthly bleeding and mood swings to a minimum. BUT, I see some serious side effects (depression, acne, weight gain) - these seem worse than just dealing with the monthly symptoms and taking some pain relievers.

Should I STOP? Any advice from veteran birth control users?
Michele

I'm on my 3rd pack, actually i'm on the 4 day break of my third pack so i have my period now. The first month of the pill was horrible, i got breakthrough bleeding the first day of the second week and it lasted for TWO WEEKS. it was just heavy enough to be a complete NUISANCE!!! i had to wear pads and tampons for two weeks and my poor boyfriend was deprived!!! then i got a week break and right into pmsing and my normal period. The normal alloted period is fine, it's short and relatively painless. The 2nd month i had no breakthrough bleeding except for like 3 days (NOT 2 WEEKS!)...and the 3rd month was just a repeat of the 1st month... i had two weeks of breakthrough bleeding...my poor boyfriend i swear. Now i'm about to start taking the 4th pack and my 21st birthday is this month and i will be SOO EXTREMELY UPSET if i get the 2week breakthrough bleeding this month. My boobs have been tender probably the whole time, but it's like they are getting bigger (WHICH I DONT MIND!!)...not so bad mood swings, not so bad headaches. but i get nightmares alot more than i used to. I've actually noticed that my hunger is raging at nighttime and not so much during the day like it used to. My body also kind of feels like it's womaning out... like my stomach is gettting tighter and my hips bigger and my boobs bigger, i'm going to give it this month to see if i get the breakthrough bleeding. if i do, i'm going to switch to yaz and give that a try. I can't afford all the ruined underwear and i cant please the deprived boyfriend :(

I am into my 2nd month on Loestrin and I don't know what to thinK. My breast are tender (but it's bearable) and they have inc. one cup size. I have no breakthrough bleeding ever, no cramps, no headaches. I do not take this for the birth control effect. I take it for shorter periods I used to have flawless skin on my face- not oily not dry, now it is breaking out and I can't deal with that. The acne is my only symptom- anyone have a similar story- any idea how long it might last? Are shorter periods worth having a mild acne problem...I think not..

I've been on Loestrin for about two weeks now. I switched from another pill that was causing me to be severely depressed. I had about one week of bliss on Loestrin before I started to get extremely angry very easily. I've never had many problems with acne, but my face has been more oily than normal. Also, I'm experiencing a lot of breakthrough bleeding.

severe breakthrough bleeding,nonstop bleeding for 2 weeks