Loestrin 24 Fe and breasts

I started this damn pill the Sunday after getting my period (as instructed). By that same Friday I had a light discharge, by Saturday spotting, by Sunday dark bloody mucus, and by Monday I was flowing as I would with a unusually heavy period. I too have experienced severe mood swings; including depression, irritability and anxiety. Not to mention the fact that I have become a total and complete BITCH! I almost broke up with my fiance whom i've been with for almost 4 years. I was surprised to find that some of you have also experienced heart palpitations and feelings and severe heartburn. Saturday night I truly thought that I was pregnant due to the same continuous headache, a feeling of nausea towards foods I used to like, mood swings, bleeding, dizziness and a sudden swelling of my breasts. I have had bad experiences with BCPs in the past so I thought it was my body trying to regulate to Loestrin24. However after finding this site I am sure that what I am experiencing is due to the pill.
Posted on the Loestrin24 site is a statement about blood tests. I find it interesting that a blood test is not required before beginning this particular BCP. I think it would be interesting to arrange a live chat in a medical chat room at some point in the near future to discuss if there is any action we can take as a whole to seek help in correcting the physical and mental hardships we have experienced.
This pill SUCKS!!!!!

Okay, I am 16, have never taken any birth control,and I am in my 3rd week of Loestrin. My doctor told me that if i started the pill on the first day of my period (august 1) that i would not have to wait to have UNPROTECTED sex, but to be safe, my boyfriend and I waited until august 7th to have sex, we also had sex on the 12th. Around the 15th I had some light pink discharge that lasted for 2 days...this worried me a little but i did not think much of it. Soon after that I started having back pains, cramps, nausea, headaches, my breasts are swollen, VERY tender, nipples are larger/darker, you can see the blue veins in them also. I have been picky about foods,discharge has increased, and have had terrible heartburn and have been extremely emotional. I have also had pains in my knees and ankles, and smells make me very sick to my stomach. I am very worried that I am pregnant.....but I am not supposed to get my period until the 28th so I have to wait...if anyone has been pregnant or had these symptoms on Loestrin PLEASE let me know....Thanks!

OMG, i feel so relieved that i am not the only one going through this and i know that something isn't wrong with me lol... but Loestrin 24 has put me through hell and back, i have been debating on whether or not i should just take a break off of it for awhile. I have been on it for 5 months now and the 1st few months my period was very lite then it got back to normal. One month i had my period and a week later i was spotting, i was so confused. It makes me sooooooooooooooooooooooo moody, i yell at my boyfriend sometimes for the dumbest things ever, and i feel so bad... i apologize bcuz i know he doesn't really do anything, i could watch a movie and just by someone being sad or making a sad face, i'd just cry!!!! IM SO EMOTIONAL ON THIS PILL! horrible headaches for like 3-4 days straight, cramping, breasts got bigger (that's a plus), so many cravings, not much energy,i feel i gained about 10 pounds, i feel so pregnant though i took 2 pregnancy tests and they both were negative! i got to get off this pill ASAP!

I am almost to the end of my 2nd pack of Loestrin24Fe. I have no thad my period since I started it!! At first I was nervous thinking I was pregnant. Not pregnant. Just not getting period. My breasts have been so tender and sore to the touch. I have never have breasts tenderness like this in my life. At first I thought all of this would eventually go away. I am trying to remain patient. I am thinking maybe after the 3rd pack I will be back to normal again. I don't like the fact Im missing my period because skipping periods boosts the odds of breast cancer.etc. I am bloated and feel disgusting. I don't think its good to keep switching birth control pills. After reading all the posts I see there really isn't a happy medium. Women either have their periods for months straight or not at all. Ahhhh!! I think this is giving me mood swings as well. I have never had a problem with my skin. In fact I get a pimple about once every two years! All of a sudden I am noticing some minor breakouts on my forehead. Not pimples just bumpiness! I guess Im not alone.

I am 39 yrs old w/ 2 children by c-section and started taking Loestrin 24 to help with horrible heavy bleeding I was experiencing during my cycle. I have read most of the side effects that other women have and I guess I just got lucky. My life has changed for the better since I started taking Loestrin about 3 months ago. The first month, I did still have a heavy period and my cylce seemed longer than usual but I hung in there to allow my body to adjust to the pill. Almost 3 months into taking the pill, I am so happy I finally went to my doc to so something about the heavy periods I have been having for 10 yrs. I did not have a cycle at all during my 2nd month but had a 3 day cycle for my 3rd month. I was actually glad to have at least that because I was a little concerned. My initial symptoms included: loose bowels (which I still experience but only in the morning,as I take my pill at night), my breasts got smaller (great!), maybe a tiny bit of nausea and some fatigue. After the 1st month all symptoms are gone except the loose bowels in the AM. I don't mind putting up w/ the extra trips to the restroom in the AM for a barely-there cycle each month. My advice for those that have just started the pill and not feeling so great is "Hang in There". It should get better. Good Luck Ladies!

OK. I started taking this pill on the 3rd of June. I have missed about 4 pills (We dont' mind if we end up preggo, I am on the pills for a different reason.) and I have been on my period for 2 days now. I have had severe breast tenderness, and yesterday my breasts were "drawing" like they do when you need to nurse your baby. Lastnight I ended up squeezing on them a little just to see if anything was there, and little bubbles of Milk came out. I haven't read ANYTHING about this anywhere, and my doctor says that it is a side effect to the Loestrin. But my doctor is a sort of a quack in my opinion. Anyway, if anyone can give me some insight on this I would greatly appreciate it....Thanks.

im and taking loestrin24fe because ive had 2 ovarian cysts in the last year. the first time i took fecomfe for a month and it went fine. this time around the doctor prescribed loestrin24 and everything has been crazy. im not sexually active but honestly these pills have me thinking.about 5 days into the first week i was bleeding brown and a bit red on occasions for 2-3 weeks. it stopped when i was supposed to get my period except it never came? im on the 2nd pack now and have been having the worst stomach pains and my breasts are hurting. ive read most of this is normal but at the same time i think something is wrong.

I just finished my first month on Le 24 and I am only taking it to regulate my periods (I am peri-menopausal). Unfortunately, I have now had break-through bleeding that I guess turned into a period (all of it HEAVY) for 14 days straight. My nurse-midwife assures me that it takes 3 months to allow this pill to work well and to let the body settle down, but I am tired as a dog and I am sure anemic at this point! Not to mention the zits! I do like the perkier breasts and my tummy is flat. Lots of blood but no cramping. I don't get it? I am getting a little depressed and this is KILLING our sex-life! I am going to keep reading this to see what other's experiences are and If things don't improve soon, I am looking for a better answer!

I am on my 7th month of Loestrin and I'm about to call my doctor to switch me back to Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. My side effects with Loestrin weren't that bad at first...but they've gotten increasingly worse. I've bought a pregnancy test for the last 3 months b/c my side effects from this pill mimic those of pregnancy--I get no period at all except for minimal spotting. My breasts feel constantly sore and swollen and I've gone up another cup size. I've been feeling unnaturally irritable, anxious, and depressive. I also cannot seem to get enough sleep. I feel mildly nauseous several times throughout the day, not too severe, but enough to make me uncomfortable. Every time I've taken a preg test, it's negative, but this pill makes me feel EXACTLY like being pregnant (and I've been pregnant before). This pill is not worth the stress/anxiety it's caused me.

I am almost through my first pack of Loestrin 24 Fe and so far not a fan of it. I have tried many pills in the past and they had all made me gain weight. After not being on a pill for a year (and not having a period), my new OBGYN put me on this one to try because she said it didn't have the weight gain affect I had experienced on the other ones. On my second week of this pill, my breasts were very tender, I had cramping and started to spot daily. I also noticed that I am having trouble with my contacts and eyes and I am getting sun spots on my face. I am not sure if those last two are related to the pill or not. Has anyone else had any of these symptoms? Since I started spotting it has increasingly gotten heavier to where I have to wear a tampon daily and I am supposed to get my actual period on Wed/Thurs. of this week. So right now I feel like I have been on my period for a week and a half already. Is anyone else experiencing this? Please email me and let me know ******

Hey. I am wondering if anyone is experiencing breast pain/tenderness. I am now on my 4th pack and I have been dealing with this pain/tenderness for about 6 weeks now. I know that it says that that is one of the side effects but it seems like it would have gone away by now. I went to by gyn. and she had me have a mammogram and breast ultrasound. I am only 20 and of course they found nothing wrong. But is anyone having or have had the same problem as I am having?

Good to know. I started on Loestrin fe 2 months before my wedding. When the wedding day arrived my dress was a little snug. I had noticed that my breasts were getting larger, but nothing that seemed too out of control. I snipped out the cups the seamstress had sewn in to "fill me out" and away we went. However, I am now finishing up my 3rd pack and I have now put on 20 lbs in the 3 weeks since the wedding. At first I was thinking my eating might have gotten a little out of control (we stayed at an all inclusive for the honeymoon) but since returning my eating habits have returned to normal. Now, none of my clothes fit. I had to buy new bras because I have gone up two cup sizes. I am now a 36 DD, was a 36 C. The weight gain is particularly troublesome to me because I lost about 80 lbs 3 years ago and don't want any of it back!!! I am also experiencing fine bumps on my forehead and I haven't experienced acne since I was a teenager. I have also had difficulty with spotting...and it is so annoying. I will spot for several days, stop and then repeat the cycle over again. I was bleeding so much on my wedding day that I had to use a tampon, and I was on week 2 of the pack! I have not had a proper "period" yet. Luckily I have an appointment with my GYN in 3 weeks.
The last birth control pill I was taking, over a year ago, was Yasmin. But I noticed after about 2 months on that I was starting to experience symptoms of depression. I had just started a new job and didn't like it, and thought that that was the issue. After crying on the way to work everyday for 3 weeks for no reason it occurred to me that it might be the pill. I stopped taking it and nearly immediately noticed the tearfulness disappeared. Perhaps I am just one of those who can't tolerate the pill.

wow after reading your posts i feel much better!!! i thought i was losing my mind...i have terrible periods, full seven days terrible painful cramps, just periods from hell come to find out i have endometriosis and an ovary thats stuck to the vaginal wall my doctor put me on loestrin 24 and its been the pill from hell im constantly bleeding on and off, my right leg goes numb, i had healthy clear skin and now its really dry with fine bumps, my mood swings are crazy im happy then i want to cry, depressed most definitely, constant headaches and nausea after taking it and this is only my first month taking it, i also noticed that im always cold!!! i would rather put up with my painful period then this crap

I am almost finished with my 3rd pack of this pill. The first two months I didn't get a period. No cramping, but a little bloating and felt like I was going to get it. I got scared, thought I was pregnant, and took a PG test. Negative, of course. Second month, same thing. This time I called the gyno, who said it was normal as your body adjusted to it.

Now I am at the third month, and got my period in the middle of the pack, about a week and a half ago. It was very light and lasted only two or three days, tops.

I got it again a week later, and this time it is exceptionally heavy, with full-blown cramps, bloating, fatigue, back pain, etc.

This sucks. On a good note, my breasts are definitely swelling, haha. I know that it can take a long time to get used to this, and I don't want to give up. I am definitely going to keep up with it until I'm at least 5 months in and see what happens.

I don't notice any mood side effects. I'm a little sensitive and easily frustrated, but I am also on Accutane, which has mood altering side effects.

Good luck to all taking LoEstrin!

I am 24 and am in my second month of Loestrin 24 Fe. The first pack I started immediately after finishing my period and had another one for two weeks. I switched from my old to the new because I have about 30 cysts in my right breast and my doc thinks the difference in hormones will keep them from hurting. At the end of the first pack, I barely spotted for about two days. Although, I don't know if that's from the heavy bleeding for three weeks or that's how it's supposed to be. My breasts have gotten bigger, I can't sleep a full night, I cry for no reason but am extremely happy at other moments. I feel kind of manic/depressed on this. I'm concerned about the cysts because it doesn't seem to be helping much with those symptoms.

I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for about 7 months now. I used to have severe cramping, heavy bleeding and migraines. Now, i have heaving bleeding, severe cramping, migraines, severe depression,weigh gain, you name it. Since I've been on this pill I have gained almost 40 lbs, even though I dont eat or exercise any differently. My bra size has gone from a small B to a D,which has been extremely painful and now my back is feeling the consequences. I am a petite girl so its awkward having such large breasts. I'm planning on calling my doctor ASAP after seeing everyone who has all of these similar problems.

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 24Fe for a month and a half now and so far, I hate it! I have gained about 5 pounds and I feel bloated constantly. I stopped weighing myself because it's obvious every time I get dressed that I'm bigger. My breasts have gotten much larger as well and they're so sore. I have gotten several migraines which I haven't had a problem with for years and I too am having cramping issues. My period was nothing more than the brown clot-like discharge that others have reported, but I would much rather just have a period. The discharge made me feel dirty and itchy. I'm also having problems with vaginal dryness and a lack of interest in sex. I do feel like my emotions are under control now though (which my husband loves)..but I don't know if I can continue to take this. I see my doctor next week...good luck to you all.

i am on the first week of my second pack, after switching from orthotricyclinLo (which i loved, but my gyn suggested i switch so that she could give me samples while i was abroad). a few days before my first "period" (if you can really call it that...it was ridiculously light as far as periods go)at the end of my first pack i started getting bad stomach cramps. i attributed it to my body getting adjusted to foreign food, but the cramps, while less painful, are still rather persistent and range from my stomach to lower-left side. i have also been experiencing weird hunger, in which i have the desire to eat but everything seems unappetizing or makes me nauseous.

i started freaking out, thinking i had some strange std symptom, but i have no other symptoms and have been in a monogamous relationship for the past 9 months. and while i have yet to take a pregnancy test, i have been on birth control for the past 4 years (so my uterus is something of a barren wasteland) and i use condoms with my boyfriend. i was freaking out a bit with these side cramps, wondering whether or not i should make a doctor's appointment. when taking orthotricyclinLo i had little to no side effects, and i have never gotten menstrual cramps before, so i hadn't thought that this discomfort could be from my pills. i was thinking of making a doctor's appointment, but after reading this blog am reconsidering, and might just wait out another month or so.

has anyone else had a similar cramping/discomfort experience, and did it ever subside?

thanks!

I'm 21 years old and have been on a few different birth controls since i was 16. About two weeks ago i started taking Loestrin24 Fe and I'm not exactly sure what i think. I've read numerous blogs on here about everyone else side effects which makes me feel better because I'm experiencing the same "brownish pain in my ass discharge" too. which is not something I'm happy about at all. I've never had a problem with this kinda thing in the past. and I'm not suppose to have my period for another two weeks, so what is this brown stuff all about?? also,my breasts have been tender too. I'm going to give Loestrin24Fe a chance but if something doesn't change soon, I'm switching back to Seasonale which i didn't have no problems with at all.

I'm 20 years old and have been taking Loestrin 24 Fe for six months. I've become moody and my breasts have gotten huge. I went from a barely 34 B to a 36 C, and they are still getting bigger. My sex drive is no where to be found and yes i have wonderfully short periods, but side splitting cramps. Anyone know of any other pills i should consider switching to that may cause my breast to not grow, hopefully shrink to normal and regulate my moods?

This is my first experience using birth control and I wanted something with low hormones, just so that I was getting the protection and decreasing the lengths of my periods without messing too much with my body's natural chemistry. My OBGYN gave me some samples of Loestrin and I have been on it for about a month and a half. I immediately had the bleeding out, which is about every 2 weeks, with one of those times being my actual period. I also have had a lot of pain in my breasts that has yet to subside. Most alarming though is that for the past month I have because extremely irritable for absolutely no reason. I have snapped at loved ones and people I don't even know and its causing a lot of problems in the work place, because I am constantly in a bad mood. I finally took the initiative to see if mood swings were a side effect and I found this site. I really think that this is a major side effect that needs more attention because it is really affecting my life. I have decided to call my doctor and ask for another pill and I would not recommend this birth control for anyone. Thank you for your posts helping me see that I'm not crazy!

I've been on Loestrin 24 Fe for almost a year, the first month my period lasted for almost month, and then for a couple of months it did what it said, and I only had my period for a couple of days a month, and then in October I never got my period and during Thanksgiving I got it and it was super heavy and lasted over a week, and in December I got it for one day, and I haven't had a period since. I also get tenderness in my breasts, but it goes away, but a few days later comes back. I haven't gained any significant weight, but I also noticed that I keep getting urinary tract infections, which I NEVER had before until I started taking this pill. Its really awful, I hate freaking out over my missed periods, I really wish doctors would inform patients before prescribing this birth control. I feel like I've been used as a guinea pig.

I've been taking it for two weeks now and have been bleeding the whole time. My breasts are still tender and I'm having lots of cramps. This was suppose to slow down my long periods I have had for over 10 years but is making them longer and more painful. This is much more than break-through bleeding. I'm calling my doctor to see I I can stop in the middle of the pack.

I'm 18 and I've been on Loestrin 24 Fe since august. I haven't experienced any weight gain, but although I've never had but the occasional 3-4 zits at a time, I've had to go on Proactive to combat the breakouts that keep trying to happen on my face. I've noticed that i will wake up and it will just be a aggravating day. But all of a sudden a switch flips and I'm the giddiest thing alive. And two more hours it's gone. Also I'll go thru a stage about a week and half before i WOULD get my period, if i still got one, my breasts will stay sore and tender so where i have to watch how i play around with my boyfriend. I only began having sex about 3 months before i was put on loestrin but i noticed that around my 3rd month or so on this pill (around November) i became VERY sexually aroused all the time. Honestly i think my boyfriend gets tired of it sometimes, but i just can't help myself. I've been seeing the opposite feedback from most posts on here, so if someone has a similar one please reply or post, Especially about the OVER SEXED part.

I'm 28 years old and just began my second pack of Loestrin. The biggest annoyance is the fact I've been bleeding for 3 of the last 4 weeks. I got my period on schedule and began taking the pills the first day. The period lasted 11 days. Then I had a normal week. Then I started bleeding again, with less cramping but more bloating. The bleeding has been going on for 11 days now. My breasts are tender but not uncomfortable. Mostly my moods are normal but there are short spans when I get overly emotional(the sad, not angry type). Especially the first week I was taking the pill. I've gained a little weight but I'm hoping it's just from the holiday feasting. But darn this bleeding. My Dr. say it's just my body adjusting but I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I'm giving it another month before deciding if I should give it up or not. Also, my face has been breaking out more.

My birth control problems have been an ongoing problem. . I am a 26 year old nurse. I had been on birth control since about age 16.I was on Ortho tricyclen up until about two and a half years ago. I was noticing that I got nauseated each day around 5 pm when supposedly my hormone level dropped. I would eat and then I would feel better. Now that I think of it, I may have been just a little hypoglycemic. I told my GYN about this and he had me switch to the NuvaRing. I was on that for about 5-6 months when I started to have problems with it. When I had to put it back in after the week out, I would vomit for about 12 hours until my hormone level evened out. After deciding that I was not getting food poisoning each month, and it truly was the ring, I went back to my GYN. He then said that it was too much estrogen for me and prescribed Loestrin 24. I was on that for about 5 months when I started to notice problems. I felt extremely tired all the time. My breasts hurt like hell, and my mood was changing significantly. I was watching TV one night when all of the sudden it felt like someone was just murdered in front of me. I had no idea what was wrong. My husband told me he thought I was having a panic attack. I have never had any problems with anxiety or depression. This happened twice in one week. I had never had any problems with acne, and I looked like I had chicken pox on my back. I was also getting abnormal hair growth. I would cry, and not know why. I then decided that I needed to stop my pills. I called the GYN, and of course they were of no help to me. I then spent about 4-5 months off of BCP's all together. I would still get anxiety the week before my period and then after I started it would get better. I then saw a new GYN who decided it would be good for me to go on Seasonique. I was on that for 5 weeks and all of my symptoms came back. I now have been put on Zoloft to help with my panic attacks. I fight them on a daily basis, and they are more constant than ever before. I truly feel like my hormones are so fucked right now. I have all of these strange thoughts and feel half crazy. I have been to every specialist possible and they all agree that my hormones are out of whack. I am small anyway and have lost about 10 pounds. I only weigh about 98, which is also alarming to me. Okay, well how the hell do you fix all of this without going on another damb pill? I was fitted for a diaphragm and am using that for the time being. I am a smart enough person to know that something is not right. I am seeing a homeopathic specialist this week to try a new approach. I have been to a therapist, and have been tested for everything under the sun. Most frightening was the fact that I was almost put on a beta-blocker. I had a 24 holter monitor for my heart. My median heart rate was in the high 90's. I also had a heart rate that went from 51 to 145 bpm in my sleep. My normal heart rate is in the hig 60's to low 70's. Overall, the Zoloft is starting to help, but I am so angry. I really do feel like we are screwing up our natural chemistry by putting all of these females on hormones. In 20 years or so, we will truly see the effects of what hormone therapy has done to women. It is very scary. I just hope I can get myself evened out. Does anyone have a similar story or any suggestions? Please reply or email me. Any support I can get from other women will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Nurse Billie

Well I just started my second pack, and honestly I haven't really had any bad side effects, other than I did get pretty nauseous shortly after taking them but that went away. I barely had a period, just some spotting here and there. But I have noticed that my breasts have grown a lot, there almost a whole cup size bigger, and trust me, I am not complaining, but as far as mood swings I haven't really noticed feeling any differently than I usually do. So I think this pill is actually working out good for me, I guess time will tell.

I was on Loestrin 24 for about a year, but had to stop and try another because it seemed to not be working for me anymore. I gained 1/2 a cup size (which I don't need), experienced bad mood swings and increased swing emotions, and I developed a rash underneath my breasts, behind my knees, and in the crease of my elbows. I had thought that the rash was my own sensitive skin reacting, but it was not the case. This pill was not good for me, and I hope any woman who is considering it reads these postings and declines it. I now take Yaz, and so far so good! Sex drive has returned and no more bleeding.

I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for 2 months now and have developed a rash underneath my breasts, arms, creases of the back of my legs, and inside the creases of my thighs. Anyone else with this type of problem?

OK- SO I SATRTED TAKING THIS ABOUT A MONTH AND HALF AGO AND SINCE I STARTED THE SECOND PACK I SWEAR IM TERRIFIED IM PREGNANT. I DONT SEE WHY IWOULD BE BC I HAVE FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS TO A TEE AND HAVE NOT MISSED ONE PILL. BUT, MY BREASTS HAVE BEEN HURTIN GFOR ABOUT TWI OR THREE WKS NOW. USUALLY I DONT HAVE THIS SYMPTOM UNLESS I AM ABOUT TO START OR AM PREGNANT. IT COMES AND GOES WHICH IS DIFFERENT. IS THIS A COMMON SYMPTOM. AM I JUST PANICKING? IF SOMEON EOCULD HELP ME POUT WITH AN ANSWER OR TWO, I WOULD FEEL ALOT BETTER!

i have never been on birth control before and i just finished my first pack of loestrin. The first week or so i was a little nauseated in the mornings but it was nothing that was unbearable. I was really concerned about gaining wieght but i have not ..i also work out about 6 days a week... my obgyn said the only reason people can gain wieght on these pills is because it can increase your appetite..i have not noticed any increase. I have noticed however that my breasts are tender and i THINK they may be bigger- it could be in my head though. All these other user comments are making me nervous. The other side effect which i find th emost horrible is how much the co pay is when i get a new pack .. i may go off of it just becasue of that alone and find a generic pill. I also have not gotten my period yet, once this pack i missed a pill so i took two the next night and the next morning i spotted.. was this my period?? i have no idea.

Hey everyone,
I stopped taking the pill now and have been off it for about 2 1/2 weeks (I was on it for about 2 1/2 months). I did try to stick it out like my MD suggested but I couldn't the weight gain was probably the worst. I wasn't even really eating, but gained about 5 pounds (or more) but the worse part was that it was all in my tummy and breasts (the breasts I didn't mind so much). It really looked as if I was pregnant (which luckily I knew I wasn't). Nothing was fitting my tummy. Well, anyway, I already posted about all of that. I am posting now to say that since I have been off the pill, things are getting back to normal. My weight is going back down, although I still have 3lbs or so to loose. But even though I still have some weight, my tummy is shrinking back to normal size. My breakouts have stopped; I am still dealing with what I got from the pill but no new breakouts. And the moodyness/ sadness has seemd to have diminished. I actually have not started any other pill yet. THis is the first time in about 14 years I have not been on any pill! I didn't want to go back to something right away in fear I would have more side effects. So I wanted to let you all know that the symptoms do go away after you stop (at least for me). And since I have not started another pill and have not changed anything except going off the pill, I can pretty certainly say the side effects were from the pill (agian for me at least). Just wanted to make you all aware. I am feeling SOOOO much better since being off the pill. This is the first time I have ever had major issues like this with a pill. I hope people who are trying the BC pill for the first time (any pill that is) and have side effects do not get turned off on the pill in general. I think you just have to find the right one for you. I am glad to see that some people also also writing that they are having good experiences with this pill too, so that people know it really depends on the person. I hope everyone who is having problems get better soon! I am glad this website is here for everyone to share!

I am one week into my 3rd pack. The first pack was great!!! No PMS, no cramps, and my period lasted only 3 light days(compared to 7 heavy days). On my second pack i missed a pill 1 week into it and got a light 7 day period and then a light 3 day period at the end of the pack. Now I am 1 week into my 3rd pack and again I missed a pill and have started my period again. Also, I have noticed that my breasts have become more tender and larger since I started the pill and my acne has improved so much!

I have been off birth control for over a year and started Loestrin 24 Fe last week. I never search medicine boards or leave posts but I did some research and found that most of you are experiencing the same effects as me. I don't gain weight ever and feel extremely heavy right now, my breasts are popping out of my bra and I am extremely moody, depressed, sleepy, feeling dehydrated and I'm breaking out. Thank god its from the pill and I'm not really getting fat and crazy. Does anyone know if I can just stop taking the pill now or if I should finish this pack (though I'm scared these side effects won't go away until then). Please let me know.

I will say that I used to take Ovcon 35 which was great...I never gained any weight, felt anxious nor did I get acne. It's a wonderful pill and I think I will switch back to it. Most docs don't prescribe it because I don't think there is a generic form.

I hate this pill. I have been on it for four months and have had two periods every month. I get my "first" period on my second week of pills and my "second" period at the normal time. My first period is pretty heavy with cramps...the works. The second is more normal and shorter. This pill is horrible. Also my breasts are swollen and I am tired all the time. I want to switch but am scared that I will just be swapping side effects with another pill.

I was on Loestrin for about 6 months. Main side effects were I was hungry ALL the time, no matter if I had dinner 5 hours ago or five mintues ago. I also had weird cravings. I gained about 10lbs on this pill and my breasts were a full cup size bigger and soar almost all of the time. I can say that moodswings were not an issue, which is the one of the only reasons why I liked this pill. My period completely stopped the third month, which was a plus, but I was more bloating while taking the pill than those short 4 days of the brown iron placebos. I am currently on my the beginning of my second week on aviane, the generic form of alesse and I am pretty sure I am experiencing severe moodswings because of it, but I am leary to think so because it is too early...has anyone else taken this pill?

I am 38 years old and was prescribed LoestrinFe for perimenopausal symptoms that I have been experiencing. After 10 days of taking this BCP I have decided to endure the hot flashes and discontinue my use of LoestrinFE. I have been boxing 2 times a week and working out with Tae Kwon Do 3 times a week for almost 3 years. This kept me in the best shape of my life before LoestrinFE came along!! I am usually a light eater but my appetite has increased considerably and with the insomnia I am snacking late at nite which is leading to weight gain!! Clothing I wore on July 31 feels tighter today as if I am constantly bloated. My husband remarked that my breasts looked alot fuller and he was pleased with that, however, I feel like a walking COW!!! I am done with this BCP.

I just started taking this pill 1 week ago after my last period and I have been extremely moody and my breasts are very swollen and sore (almost as if my period was due but it's not b/c I just had it). I feel withdrawn and have been short-tempered. I am going to quit taking them b/c a shorter period isn't worth it.

I've been on the pill since early January. I got put on it so i wouldn't get pregnant and to regulate my period. About a month ago i started having real problems with it. I've had a headache every single day... and it doesn't start until a little while after taking the pill and in the mornings before i take it im fine. I've been feeling really sick after i take it to the point where i feel like i'm going to throw up but i haven't actually yet. I'm depressed and having horrible mood swings. i'm starting arguments and yelling at my boyfriend for the stupidest reasons but i just can't stop i dunno whats wrong. i'm barely 18 and i used to be the happiest person you know. i know i need to be on some form of birth control but im worried that all other pills are going to have similar effects. It's practically ruining my relationship because i get out of control angry within seconds at times. Last month i missed a pill... but you what? That whole day i was headache free so i know the pill is whats having an effect on me. I'm having trouble sleeping, i wake up multiple times throughout the night which never used to happen... even though the pill eventually gives you shorter periods, it messes you up. its not worth it.

ive been on Loestrin for about 3 1/2 months now and ive gained about 15 lbs, im constantly blotted and i have like 2 periods a month even though im taking my pills at the same time every day and not missing any days. my breasts have been sore and i think im finished with this.

i have been on this pill for one month...about 2 weeks into taking it, my breasts have increased at least a cup size and are pretty tender most of the time and i was spotting. The worst side effect is that it has triggered my acne to flare up. Im 28 years old and my skin looks horrible. Im hoping this side effect will subside...ill keep you posted! Ive been a little more emotional than usual...BUT other then that...things have been great. Im going to stick it out for a few more cycles to give it a chance - if the acne doesnt clear, im going to have to find something else.

I've been on this for 3 months. I have had Horrible Angry mood swings. Weight gain.