Loestrin 24 Fe and breasts

I'm 30 yrs old and recently had an abortion and after the procedure I was given a sample of Loestrin24 and a prescription. I was skeptical at first because I've always taken Orthotricyclen-lo but the thought of $24 a month got me. I've been on the pills for about 2 1/2 weeks now and no real side effects. I pee a lot but I also drink a lot of water, my breasts are tender but they've always been like that, I think it has to do with aging, but the main thing is that my acne has been improving. That's great news for me since being pregnant caused massive ance upon me. I don't know what to think of all this since all I read are nothing but negative statements. I'm hoping things don't start to get worse for me because everything seems to be going well so far. I'm dying to see whether or not I'll be having my period. But then again, I've never really had side effects with any BC I've tried. The only reason I kept going back to orthotricyclen-lo is because it's what I started with. I wish you all well and I'll give an update of any changes.

I've been on the pill for about 7 days, and yes, I know it takes awhile to adjust, but I really didn't expect to be cramping so much, or for there to be breakthrough bleeding every day. The pills are making me bloated and giving me gas; I have to take pain meds each night to sleep since the cramping starts around bedtime. How long should I give the pill before I give up on it?

wow, I feel a little better reading everyone elses comments. I've been kind of freeking out. I started Loestrin 24 Fe 3 weeks ago because my period was really irregular (I went as long as 8 mos without getting it). I've been getting side effects ever since starting the pill... for about a week my breasts were so tender I didn't know what to do, wearing a bra really hurt and not wearing hurt bc my nipples were really sensitive. Then I was really nauseous and started vomiting. I've been really moody and cry out of nowhere and have been spotting basically since i started the pill. NOW I've been bleeding heavily with very bad cramps for the past 6 days and it hasn't let up at all. I've basically been freaking out because my period wasn't supposed to start until a couple of days from now and I was starting to get worried it wouldn't stop. After reading everyones comments I'm going to call my doctor for other options bc this is ridiculous... I hate being irregular but i don't want to wind up having my period for practically the whole month along with all the other side effects that go along with it. Anyone looking to start this pill... DON'T, and those already on it, good luck.

I'm 43 years old and had a baby 5 months ago. I decided to go back on the pill and have been doing a lot of research about the "right" pill. My gyno recommended Loestrin 24 FE because of the low hormones/less effects. I was scared to death to start this pill based on all of the horrible reviews I've been reading. So, I thought I'd report on my experience so far... It's been two weeks and so far so good. I haven't noticed anything dramatic so far. I will give it more time and see how it goes. Hopefully it continues working well. I have a feeling this pill is better for women in their 40's who are peri-menopausal. Maybe the estrogen is too low for the younger women, I don't know. I'll continue to post comments as I stay on the pill. I value these reviews, but remember, everyone's body is different. So far this is working for me but again, it's only 2 weeks. Hope you find thi helpful.

I am 26 years old and finishing on my 2nd week of my 3rd pack of Loestrin. Reading these post is the only thing that makes me feel better. I switched to Loestrin from Yasmin because it made my blood pressure sky rocket. Before Yasmin I have never had high blood pressure. I am extremely active. I am a runner and have been for several years. I haven't had too bad side effects with Loestrin prior to this month. I have noticed a bit of moodiness but I knew that would occur when switching BC's. I am also a little less energetic. My daily runs are getting a little harder than they used to be. This week (3rd month 2nd week) I woke up with EXTREMELY tender breast and radiating back pain. My breasts have started to go back to normal sensitivity wise but are a little larger than they where. My lower back still hurts. Looking back I remember that the past 2 months I have had lower back pain prior to my period but never the tender breast. My skin did break out a little the 1st month but that is normal with every BC I have tried. Another negative that I have experienced is the anxiety and chest pain. I have constant anxiety that I am pregnant but thankfully its always wrong. I take adderall everyday and have been for the past 8 years so I thought that may be what was causing the anxiety but now after reading these posts I feel that its the BC. I also get frequent chest pain. It feels like someone is sitting on my chest. On a positive side my periods are much lighter than before. I suffer from horrific menstruation to the point where I can't move from bed. Im going to give this BC a little longer but if my symptoms keep getting worse I am going to have to switch. Thanks everyone for being honest about this BC. I thought I was going crazy.

I'm 21 years old and I have had the WORST experiences with Loestrin24 Fe. DO NOT TAKE THIS SATANIC PILL. Seriously. This was the first birth control I was ever put on. My doctor put me on it because she said the low dose of estrogen would help my bad cramps (but I really think she was just trying to promote this new pill...because when I started it it was still pretty new). I started this pill before I turned 21, this past March, and for the first few months the only things I noticed were spotting when I didn't take it at the EXACT time everyday (which I soon set an alarm for and did take it at 9 am daily) and also, my breasts definitely got bigger and I didn't have as many breakouts as I used to. I also experienced being really depressed and upset for no reason or being really angry for no reason. After a few months, I started to get headaches a lot more often, have vivid weird dreams that I would remember the next day, I had trouble going to sleep at night (insomnia)...and I looked these up to see if they were symptoms of this pill...and they are. The worst was when I PASSED OUT the day I started my new pack of pills 2 months in a row! I just went to my doctor and had several tests done and they said that they were not positive, but it is a possibility that the passing out was related to my birth control. I passed out the day after the 4 placebo/iron pills (that I did not take, which could have also been a factor) which was the day I started my new pack...when your estrogen shoots up. I take my pills at 9 am and I passed out around noon in both cases. I switched to another birth control last month, but now I am completely off of birth control because the new pill made me lose my appetite and I just do not want to deal with putting these things into my body. I do NOT recommend this birth control to ANYONE. This pill should not be prescribed, especially after reading about how a large percentage of women have such awful experiences with this pill. I'm so excited to be DONE with Loestrin24 Fe and done with birth control in general. To me, birth control is not worth feeling awful all the time and having weird side effects when I could be living problem-free otherwise. I just wanted to share my thoughts and experiences and I hope that perhaps others will have better experiences with this pill than most of us seem to be having!

I am 21 and have been on birth control since I was 10 to help keep my periods regular. I have to say that this is one is not so great, it's horrible. This is my fourth pack of this pills, at first I thought the emotional out burst and mood swings would go away. I thought wrong they got worse and I have even more. I have taken two pregnancy tests because I feel as if I am pregnant but nope just the pills. My breasts are sore, I am almost always sick to my stomach, head aches, my period is still irregular and they said it would get better, i am producing extra vaginal fluid, my boyfriend constantly asks "why do you seem weird" "what's wrong" well I feel weird I am an emotional mess. Now that I see a lot of other ladies out there have the same issues I do I can tell my boyfriend what is wrong are these pills they suck. This is one med. that is chalk full of side effects. And to be honest I didn't get on birth control to question if I am pregnant or not or to go and blow money on tests that aren't cheap. That's and good luck to every one

Hello, I am 20 years old and recently started taking Loestrin 24fe. To be honest, I feel GREAT! My breasts are getting bigger and I have gained a few lbs, but I don't mind the weight and am actually trying to gain at least 5-10lbs. I was on Yaz for almost a year and experienced TERRIBLE side effects, I was reading some of the posts below and I have to agree with the side effects of Yaz, I was extremely anxious, I experienced SEVERAL panic attacks and felt absolutely terrible. When I finally got off Yaz I lost almost 8lbs and could not gain any weight back. I am on my first week on Loestrin and so far feel fine (knock on wood). I really appreciate everyone who posted and will definitely keep posting on my future experience with Loestrin.

i went and got a 3 month supply of Loestrin 24 Fe from my doctor about a year ago and have attempted to take it twice before, but i would quit taking it before it had even been a month the first 2 times because i would get my period a couple weeks early and it would be super heavy and i would get horrible cramps, and my period is usually light and i NEVER get cramps and i just didn't want to deal with it! So I finally sucked it up and took it for the third time. i just completed the pack and today i took my first sugar pill, but no period yet... i'm a little worried, but i'm going to the gyno next week to ask her about it. but yeah, lots and LOTS of nausea for me. also my breasts got bigger. i wear a DD cup as it is, and even that's getting small on me now, and i don't know what to do about it = / but the main thing that has been affecting me is i have been just really lethargic since i have been taking it. i've just been really lazy and i've definitely gained weight. but that may be just from not going to the gym and opting to stay at home and eat instead. i'm not really sure? but yes, two biggest things have been nausea, and a slight depression/laziness. i'm hoping it will go away by 3 months, or maybe i will switch to something else before then. any suggestions of what to take would be great. and also does anyone know if you can have sex while on the brown pills, even if you don't get your period?

To be perfectly honest, the big thing that I'm noticing is breast tenderness. I'm a really chesty girl as it is, but even going up and down stairs hurts...

Also, I'm noticing that my sex drive is a lot lower, and that I do have a little more acne than normal.

On the bright side, I'm not gaining weight, which was not the case when I was on Ortho-Tricyclen. I've actually lost a little... It's kind of odd, too, because I've had more of an appetite.

Either way, it takes your body three months to adjust. I'm not that concerned yet. I'd advise you to just try and deal with it for a little while. A lot of it is in your head, especially when you go reading all these horror stories!

Well, I have reading lots of reviews about this pill since my doctor prescribed it, and being a science teacher, I have to say I am disappointed by how little many women who have issues (or not) go into specifics about their situation. So, I am going to be detailed here about this. Maybe if your situation is similar to mine, this could be helpful... :)
-I am 23...nearly 24 years old.
-5'10", 140-145 pounds.
-Very active, I at least ride my bike and/or go for a walk every day, and I try to work out at least twice a week. Healthy eater, but I still like to indulge...pretty much everyday.
-Non-smoker, rarely drink.
-Occasionally have coffee, mostly a tea drinker, avoid soda and dairy products.
-I have never used birth control before.
-I have been sexually active for approximately 3 years with one partner. We have always used condoms.
-I am on the last week of my first month.
-Reasons for going on the pill:
-Although very regular (comes approximately every 35 days like clockwork), I have very heavy and long periods (*Lots* of clotting, eight days long-my mother had a history of her periods lasting as long as two weeks as she has gotten older, I would like to avoid this.)
-Intense migraines and headaches, generally around my period.
-Intense cramping, diarrhea, and bloating before and during my period.
-Lack in energy, decrease in sex drive, and increase in stress level/unhappiness before and during my period.
-My doctor actually had me start the day AFTER my last period.
-I take it at 8:00 each night (set my alarm so I don't forget).
-Since starting Loestrin 24 Fe:
-Increase in energy level; however, I have found it more difficult to fall asleep. I also get very hot at night.
-Two headaches in the past 24 days, compared to the at least 3 severe ones I would get a week.
-Increase in sex drive, though I think we are both feeling a little less "afraid" of having any accidents, so that may be the difference.
-Breast slightly swollen (like they would be around my period before) and only slightly sensitive, but nothing unbearable.
-My mood has been generally good. Less stressed. Pretty happy lately.
-No pre-period cramping or diarrhea, but lots of bloating; however, I am always bloated and gassy because I have some digestion issues.
-No weight gain yet other than the normal water weight that changes daily regardless.
-Eyes are little dry, not tearing up when irritated. I am not sure if I can cry, and I used to be able to at the drop of hat.
- No real nausea.
-Skin is the same, actually my complexion looks slightly more even. My breakout zones (blackheads on my nose and chin are still there) haven't changed, but no whiteheads have appeared lately.
-Some breakthrough bleeding by the second week, but barely anything. If you had the kind of periods I had, a spot of light brown is nothing at all. I usually don't even need a panty liner.

All in all, I have been pretty pleased so far.

I'm almost 16 years old. I'm almost done with my 3rd pack. With the first two packs I had my period off and on the whole time. My mood swings were crazy. I'm just happy I warned my boyfriend before taking the pill what my moods might be like.

When I started my third pack everything got normal. My breasts have got bigger, witch i'm not upset about. But they get very sensitive towards the end of my pack.

Sex after taking the pill is very different. I know I'm young. But my mother put my on Loestrin after my 4th time, maybe. I've only been with one boy, so its hard to compare before and after. But how I feel about having sex is different.

I plan on staying with Loestrin. Other than the mood swings, I have no problems.

Wow, I must be the only person having a thus far pleasant experience with loestrin. I'm 19, and im on my second pack of pills now, I've never taken birth control before the loestrin. Before the bc i was moody, irritable, and quick to anger at times. On the loestrin, i haven't been nearly as pissed off, and while im still a little cracky at times im not nearly as irritable all the time. I got my period on the first pack when i got to the four, i guess placebos, at the end, and my period was lighter and shorter, only three or four days, as opposed to my normal of like, six to (occasionally) 8 days. My breasts have been a little sore recently since starting the second pack, but they're bigger, so i'm not complaining. The only unpleasant thing that happened that I would attribute to the pill was, maybe..a couple weeks after beginning the first pack, i became extremely nauseous one night while driving home from my boyfriends house. I felt very hot, and sweaty, and dizzy and couldn't get out of my car when i got home without feeling like i was about to vomit or pass out and had to sit with the a/c blasting for a few minutes. But that has so far been the only unpleasant experience for me. I hope my comment is useful to someone.

Hi everyone, I’m 24 years old and had healthy periods prior to starting Loestrin 24. I just stopped taking the pill yesterday after 2.5 packs. Although it’s recommended to stick with any pill for three months before making a decision, it’s just not worth it to me. Here are my observations. The first month on the pill I was extremely moody and scarily depressed. Although I can get frustrated easily, normally I would keep that frustration to myself and get over it. After about two weeks on the pill I was overreacting to nearly everything, I cried all too easily, and unfortunately I lashed out at those close to me when something wasn’t to my liking. All of which I thought was totally rational at the time, and only later did I regretfully play back certain incidents in my head and wonder why I had been so upset. I have a fairly demanding job with long hours and stress both at work and at home with my roommate. The best way I’ve found to cope with that stress and to keep my sanity is through regular exercise. Again, within the first month of being on the pill my energy dropped drastically, and I felt lethargic nearly all the time. Even getting up from my chair and going to the bathroom while at work seemed like too much effort (and I used to relish going to the bathroom just for a break from my desk). That said, I forced (and I mean forced!) myself to continue my regular exercise routine, because my sanity was already waning. In fact I found this forum in that first month because I was trying to figure out why I was so lethargic, and wanted to know if that was a common side effect of this pill. What else? I developed a ravenous hunger. I constantly thought about food (especially sweets). I already have an unhealthy sweet tooth, but prior to the pill I had some semblance of self control, but I lost that while on this pill. My breasts got bigger (which is nice although they’re sore all the time), but luckily I wouldn’t say I’ve gained too much weight. My lower abdomen, however, started looking bloated and distended. What I found really bothersome was that I never felt satiated. I would eat and eat and eat, and when I should have been full, I’d already be thinking about other things to shovel in my mouth. It was hard to think about all the food I had eaten through the course of a day, and yet not ever feel satisfied. And here is my biggest complaint: during the first month on the pill I spotted on and off, but I had read that that was normal and as promised, I had a very short period. That was nice. After the second week of my second pack of the pill I was bike riding with a friend and felt distinctive period cramping. I dismissed the sensation since I was mid-pack. When I got home and went to the bathroom there was a glob of fresh blood in my underwear. I then continued to bleed (not heavily) for about two weeks until I hit the placebo pills and had my period. That really really pissed me off, especially because I had planned a camping trip with my boyfriend during a time that I shouldn’t have been bleeding. Anyway, I was almost ready to go off the pill, but decided to give it one more month. I started my third pack and everything was basically hunky dory (despite the ever present hunger, sore breasts…etc.), and then one morning I went to the bathroom and found that I had started spotting again…less than two weeks into the pack. I said f*&# it. I’ve never liked the idea of introducing hormones into my body, and I really don’t like not ovulating. I went on the pill because I wasn’t ready for an IUD. Now I am. I had come to accept a lot of side effects on this pill, but bleeding for two weeks straight is not OK. I bet my body would have eventually caught on to the routine, but I’d rather try a different method, and I’d rather get back to ovulating normally.

on it close to a year. i haven't gotten a period for 3 months now and not it decided to come for 1 hour yesterday (it did come at the right time on the brown pill) other then that im happy with it but my breasts get really really tender toward the end of the pack. and when i start my pack up again at night the next morning my breasts are immediately unsore and back to normal. does that happen to anyone else?

I am 22 years old have been taking birth control for five years now and have used three different brands. The first one that I was on was too low of a dose and after six months my body became used to it and my periods became irregular. After that, I took Yaz for a while and loved it but once I switched insurance companies, it was $60 a pack. I then went on to Loestrin 24. I have been taking it for a little over a year now. I have not noticed weight gain or an increased appetite but have had many other problems with it. There have been months where I miss my period entirely and then have a very heavy period or two separate periods in the next month. As well, I think it has made my skin worse and my PMS a great deal more noticeable.
I often have unbearable cramping for two days prior to and on the first day of my period. Sometimes I have a "period" that lasts about 6 hours and is not more than just brown spotting on the Saturday before I am to start a new pack.
Currently, I have missed my period the last two months and have had to continuously purchase and take pregnancy tests to be sure that I am not pregnant. My breasts/nipples are swollen and extremely sensitive and painful. I will be purchasing a pregnancy test today because I am unsure of what is going on.
Suggestions for women looking to go on birth control: try other brands of the pill prior to Loestrin 24. Yes, it does give "shorter and lighter" periods...but often causes missed periods. I know that we all hate those days during the month where we feel like absolute crap and do not want to leave the house because of our periods...but (at least for me, a 22 year old student) I would much rather have that monthly reminder than to spend more money on pregnancy tests each month than I do on my birth control.

I have been on this pill for six months now and I'm starting to get bad heart palpitations. This has been happening since the beginning of this pack. My breasts are super sore and itchy (kinda like when you're pregnant). This has not happened in the last six months of taking this. I cannot reach an orgasm at all (since I started taking it) and my legs feel like "restless leg syndrome" when I lay down to sleep. I'm only 32 and will be very upset if this pill has given me heart problems. My heart feels like its pounding out of my chest.

i have only been on Loestrin 24 for a week. and i don't know how to react on it. i am emotional more then normal. my breasts are so sore. no nausea. but i feel all crazy... i have had bad headaches. and depression more then what i have.
i don't understand how the period thing is going to work. i already had sex with it. and i hope im not pregnant.... ill know in a few weeks. but still is this such a bad pill will i get used to it? im scared i don't want to gain any weight or anything. please some one help me out and email me... ******

ok so i have not noticed if the Loestrin has made me depressed or moody cuz I had that problem to begin with.I have been on the pill for almost 2 months. I started my period 2 weeks later and it was not that bad.Then i missed 2 pills and ever since i have had breast tenderness and even seems like i am lactating!not like producing milk but its there just the same its clear like it is in early pregnancy.I have been reading all these posts and everyone agrees on the tenderness but none has said anything about actually getting something out of their breasts. I have taken lots of preg. tests and all are neg.I assumed i would start my period last week but have not yet and I do not understand.My doc said my periods would be normal so why is everyone else saying their's are crazy?I am scared.Has anyone else had clear fluid from their breasts???

OH BOY... ok so i have been on Loestrin 24fe for a little over a year. haha. for the first 6 months.. everything was fabulous!! no mood swings.. no bloating .. weight LOSS... no acne.. it was the happy pill! also.. i had absolutely NO periods at all!! no spotting.. bleeding.. cramps. nothing! it was great. then.. just recently.. in the past 4-5 months.. i have been tired all of the time! it seems like no amount of sleep will satisfy!! i could sleep all day and still be tired! sex drive has definitely taken a nose dive.. and the bad part about that is my bf and i have a long distance relationship.. we only see each other every few months!! so when i am w/ him.. what do you think i wanna do?! but the sex drive just isn't there! recently.. i have started to have random spotty periods even on the white pills. and that makes me crazy paranoid that i am pregnant or something else is wrong.. even though i have taken my pill by alarm daily! mood swings.. OH man.. depression up and down. one day i seem fine and motivated to live.. the next.. i hate my life.. i am confused and all i want to do is lay alone in bed and eat chocolate. it sucks. i was so weird out and thought i was all alone in this.. but in reading this website.. i am so glad that i am NOT the only one in HELL with this whole birth control pill crap!

This is my first month on this pill, and i started my period two weeks before i was suppose to start. I've had AWFUL mood swings, and there have been a couple of sleepless nights due to cramps. My periods usually last no more than a week, and I've been on it for close to two weeks, and might I add that it is VERY heavy. My face hardly ever breaks out ( knock on wood ) and now its broken out everywhere! Randomly throughout the day, I feel like i could just collapse at any given time. I got on the pill to regulate everything, not make it worse. Hopefully this is just my body getting use to it!

I'm 22 and had been on a generic of ortho-low and although I hadn't experienced any of the mood-swings, upset stomach, bleeding etc...I lost all desire to have sex. (Sex was impossible unless we used lubricant and even then it wasn't very enjoyable since it really wasn't what I wanted to be doing.) I stopped using the birth control and I went back to normal, but wanted to try something else so I started on loestrin 24. I bled for almost a week during the 2nd week on it, my breasts have been painfully tender, but more importantly...I have no desire to have sex...again. Poor boyfriend! He knows it's not really me...or anything he's "lacking" in that's contributing to this, but neither of us is happy with this situation. Any suggestions?

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