Loestrin 24 Fe and good luck

Well, I definitely would not ever recommend this pill....even to my worst enemy!! Yesterday was my last pill!! I have had extreme mood swings (crying for no reason), cramps, nausea, spotting & anxiety! I have been spotting for the past 2 days with today having it turn into an actual full blown period. I have read so many negative side effects from taking this bcp and most of the ones I've been reading are so similar to my story! I hope this helps with your decision to either discontinue the use of this brand of bcp or to switch to a different brand. For me, I was on Estrostep when I was 15yrs old to regulate my periods and would definitely recommend it. I would have tried this one again, but I couldn't remember it until yesterday when I was researching my side effects. Anyways, good luck to all of you! As for me, I am totally staying away from the pill in general! I figure, my body can just do it's thing and hopefully my cycles will straighten out on it's own.

I get very sick when I get my period, they are long and heavy, and I have digestion problems and intense stomach pains for at least 1-2 weeks before and the week of. These symptoms disappeared for a while when I was on Apri (desogen) but after a few months, they came back, and on top of it, I became severely depressed and had such bad stomach pains, I went to the emergency room (and you pretty much have to drag me to hospitals).

This last period was so bad though that I finally decided to take the sample pack of Loestrin that my doctor gave me a month or two ago. Just a day after I started taking it, my period ended and the pain and bloating was gone. This is day 6 and I'm fine so far. On Ortho Tri-Cyclen (my first pill) I had bad side effects the first few days and gained ten pounds in two weeks.

I'm glad these forums exist, because they helped me realize that all of the depression (including suicidal thoughts), stomach pain, hair loss, etc. etc. were side effects of desogen. All of those things that contributed to the worst summer of my life disappeared as soon as I stopped taking it.

On the other hand, I have to point out that there is no "good" pill or "bad" pill. The side effects will be different for everyone. Some women need more estrogen, some need less. Some need fluctuating amounts of hormones and some need the same dosage all month. Unfortunately the only way to figure out what is right for you is to try them, note your reactions, and research the differences between pills. I realized quickly that I needed a low, stable dose of estrogen, which led me to try Loestrin. Not saying things can't go wrong from here, but now I am aware that if I fall into some depression, anxiety, weight gain, or other weird side effects, it *may* be caused by the pill I'm taking.

Is the pill worth it? Again, answers will vary depending on your lifestyle. Are your periods manageable or do they cause you not to be able to get out of bed in the morning? Are they consistent or are you praying you're no pregnant every month? Are condoms working for you or aren't they, and is the 2% chance of still becoming pregnant worth the risk?

While I've had bad experiences with some pills, I'm just grateful for this BC option in general. Until they figure out how to make birth control pills for men (pshh.. that'll be the day) then it's up to us to research and maek the best decisions for ourselves.

Hi everyone, I am 27 years old and tring to find a pill that works for me. I have fibroids and are prone to cysts... so if you read this, and I will try to keep it short and sweet, please any advise will be a great help.

I was on Yaz from January until June and had to switch because it actually gave me PMDD. I literally lost my mind. My doctor and I decided to try Loestrin. I have been on Loestrin for 3 months and two weeks ago I started having the worst cramps of my life. That friday I slept for 17 hours and woke up feeling terribly ill. Every and all symptoms you could think of, I have experienced it for two weeks now. The heavy bleeding (and Im a week early), the constant leg, back and stomach cramps, and fatigue are impacting my life. Im taking off work and won't leave the house.

Please, if there is any advice out there, Im listening because my doctor is not. Thank you.

I have been taking Loestrin 24 FE for the past five days and i am doing pretty good, it actually stopped my period because i still had it when i started the pack which was awesome. Its hard to tell because i have a sinus infection if i am not feeling well from the pill or from the infection. I really think its just me being sick.

everyone needs to realize that this isnt the pill from hell, it just wasn't for you body, everyone is different, ill update you guys in like two weeks, see if im still saying the same thing

I am almost 23 and have been on the pill for well over year. For the most part, my experience has not been that bad. I have very tender breast almost all the time and I am always "sensitive" to things (moody doesn't cover it). I can get my feelings hurt or be depressed pretty easily since I have been on the pill. I think for me that the side effects have gotten worse the longer I am on the pill. Within the last 6 months ( really less) my sex drive has vanished. To be honest, my husband and I have always had sex whenever and my sex drive might have even been higher than his but lately...nothing. Occasionally for may a wk. I will have the desire for sex but mostly no interest at all. Explaining this to my husband has not been easy....you married a woman that would jump you all the time and then now she doesn't want to be touched...not an easy thing. This is the worst thing for me...side effects increase over time. Good Luck out there with this med. I have to also say that I have been on the patch and ring and this is way better ( I was on the patch for many years and finally my muscles started cramping up all the time..even my neck muscles when I was driving..dangerous).

I hate this pill. Im nauseated, cramping, bloated, angry, have high axiety, cry at the drop of a hat, leg pain, headaches, bubbles in my stomach. and it even gave me an infection canadisis (like a yeast infection of the skin). which I found out was actually a symptom of this pill! I want to switch so bad. But i have been on and off this freaking pill three times this year. Im worried that if i switch to a different birth control I'll just experience new horrible symptoms. Luckily no weight gain though. but horrible break outs as well.

I have been on loestrin for 2 months now. For the past month I have been an emotional wreck, and for the passed week I have had anxiety, heartburn and stomach cramps just below my ribcage. My lower back is killing me and my stomach is spasming. I just took my last birth control pill this morning and start the reminder pills tomorrow. I totally don't feel myself. I haven't got my period since i've been on it. My doctor put me on it because I was bleeding abnormally heavy for me two weeks after my period. I really want to not start a new pack, but i'm nervous that i will bleed heavily again. the anxiety is causing me no to sleep.................I hate this pill

I started taking Loestrin 24FE about three weeks ago to help me regulate my cycle. I have endometrial hyperplasia and PCOD (or so they tell me) and my periods are always unpredictable and very heavy. Well, my doctor put me on this pill to help me plus I didn't want to get pregnant before I finish my degree. Anyway, immediately I started getting horrible migraines I have not had in years, heart palpitations, dizziness, and feeling so tired all the time. My mood swings are terrible and it has made my anxiety worse all of a sudden. Now I can't eat! On Saturday I started vomitting every time I eat and the smell of food makes me sick. I know that I am not pregnant since I have not had sex since starting the pill. Now I also have a very very heavy period and the worst cramps I have ever had. So bad I almost went to the emergency room on Saturday. My husband is really worried about me so this morning I called my OB/GYN and he told me to stop taking the pill immediately that I was having a reaction to the pill that is not normal. He said that with any BCP you may have a couple small symptoms but what I was experiencing is not normal. Also my skin is starting to itch a lot. Several years ago I had to stop taking Loestrin FE28 because it was giving me horrible yeast infections before my period so this pill is new for me. I would advise stopping the pill and call your doctor. If that doctor doesn't listen find one that will. These symptoms are not normal by any means and can be dangerous. I wish you all good luck!! Oh and he said it would take several days to get out of my system.

I have been taking this pill for almost a year now. Recently in the last few months, I have experienced insane mood swings, irritability, heart palpitations, headaches, and anxiety. I even went to a cardiologist the heart palpitations were so bad. My heart is completely healthy. I have not had a period in like 7 or 8 months which is great but now I am thinking that this pill is doing more damage than good. My poor sweet boyfriend has taken the hit the most and its unfair I dump all my irritability on him. I am calling my doctor in the morning to change. After reading all these negative responses, I think this pill sucks.

im 17, and i started on loestrin 24 fe about 5 months ago. at first everything was completely fine and normal. then about 2 months ago everything flipped. i started getting the biggest mood swings of my life. i would start to scream and yell and throw the biggest temper tantrums about the smallest things ever. i flip out and start fights with my boyfriend everyday about the smallest most stupidest things ever. my lifes been a complete living hell for the past 2-3 months. at first i thought it was just me but after reading all these comments from you ladies i feel completely relieved. i just got off the phone with my uncle who owns an auto body shop after making an appt with him to get my boyfriends car fixed due to one of my temper tantrums when i broke his window and rear-view mirror and after finding out that will cost me about 400 bucks i hungup and called my gyno and made an appt to have my birth control switched. good luck to everyone

I am 25 and had never taken BC before in my life. Due to my love/hate relationship with condoms, I decided to give it a shot. My doctor prescribed me Lo24 because of the low amounts of estrogen. I started taking the pills 8 days ago. The first few days weren't too bad other than constant cramps, nausea, and super sore boobs. The last four were unbelievably unbearable. I was an emotional wreck and I cried hysterically a handful of times for no apparent reason. I was also really b*tchy (which I never ever am) and almost broke up with my amazing boyfriend whom I absolutely adore over petty nonsense. Worst of all experienced flu-like symptoms (hot sweats and chills), I felt terrible. I just couldn't understand how such a tiny little pill could have such a huge impact over my physical and emotional well-being. I literally looked in the mirror and asked myself aloud, "Who are you?" I couldn't understand why I felt and acted the way I did, it was like I was a completely different person at times, and I seriously missed "me." I decided I would rather abstain from sex altogether than subject myself and my love ones to another day of my emotional and physical rollercoaster ride. I had one of the most trying weeks ever because of those pills. I realize that everyone reacts differently to medication. My body personally completely rejected the drug, and my overall opinion of BC is severely tainted now. I just hope that now that I stopped taking them (today) that everything will return to "normal" again. Good luck ladies, and listen to your bodies, if it feels wrong, it probably is.

I am 22 and didn't think i needed bc because even though i had terrible periods they were so regular i thought i could just track my ovulation. I was advised to start Loestrin 24 Fe by my gyno as a bc + a period helper (7-10 day heavy periods with sever cramps, bloating, head aches, and fatigue).I am now on day 5 of loestrin and was curious of the possible side affects not listed in the info that comes with the pills. I am totally shocked at some of the things i have read. While I feel lucky that slight nausea has been my only side effect so far I have become concerned. My grandma is a retired labor and delivery nurse and has assured me that some meds are just wrong for some people if I end up with some of the terrible side effects that some have had ( b.t. bleeding, stroke like symptoms, leg cramps, stomach cramps, chest pains…). I will be the first at my doctors office as soon as the symptom hits. As for the slight nausea, I will happily endure it for up to 84 days if it means the miserable periods I have been having for 10 years will finally be bearable/ gone. I will keep my posts up every couple of days. Good luck to those of you still searching for bc. Stick with it and stay positive!

I am 17 and i was prescribed loestrin 24 as my first birth control pill. I've been on it for less than a week and i can't stand it and neither can my boyfriend! I have had a period from hell with has been 5 days in counting, I bleed so much i get dizzy when i stand up and my legs feel like 1000 lbs i can barely move them. Also i had diminished sex drive and raging hormones (bad acne, emotional hell) so i have decided to stop taking it. I called my gynec. and she recommended the opposite, and told me to get a blood test to check my iron levels and to see if i was pregnant! I'm almost positive i am not but not shes got me worried and i go for the blood test today. Loestrin ruined the second half of my summer but after reading all these other ladies tales i am very glad i decided to quit now. Thank you for opening my eyes, i realized it probably won't just go away in a week. I stopped it yesterday and i feel better already.

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!

I have been on bc for 7 years and Loestrin 24 for over a year now and finally found the perfect remedy to my irregular (sometimes 2 week long) periods. This is pretty much the only thing I love about the pill. However, It makes me feel a lot better that so many people are experiencing the many negative side effects that I have been getting from this darn pill. My frequent headaches are getting to be unbearable, I constantly feel so bloated and feel like my weight slowly creeps up despite a distance runner. I think I must be retaining so much water. I went on the scale one morning, then ran about 12 miles, then the next morning I gained about 6 pounds...i am a very healthy eater as well. It's just so mind boggling to me that this tiny pill can have such drastic effects on one's body. And depression is another big thing. I am also constantly depressed for no reason and snap at people for no reason.
But the big issue for me is probably my weight. I am really considering going off birth control completely. I just started a new pack this past Sunday...does anyone know if I can just stop cold turkey, or do I have to wait till I finish the pack?

WEIGHT GAIN!! Holy Cow!... I've weighed 115 lbs for the last 4 years of my life. I started on this new pill last week and in the past WEEK that I have i gained 6 lbs!!! It's not like I changed my lifestyle or decided to become a fast food junkie either. All factors are constant. I went to the gym today and I when I stepped on the scale I almost had a heart attack. I noticed I was bloated and everything was fitting tighter ( I just thought my fiance did laundry again and shrunk everything ). Has anyone else had weight gain from this pill? I have been on other pills, Yasmin, Alese, etc in the past and this never ever happened. Will this go away after the first month??

I started taking Lo24 on the first day of my period on May 19th and have been bleeding ever since. I called the doctor and am waiting for a call back, but I'm seriously considering just finishing this pack and saying the heck with it. Anyone else have a constant flow when first starting the pills?

Update # 2: Hi ladies, Tomorrow officially marks 1 week since i got off Loestrin. I feel soooo much better emotionally, the depression has gone away. I am however bleeding and it's not my period since i had my period 2 weeks ago. Last Thursday night i did not take the pill, when i woke up Saturday morning i was bleeding like crazy and i have been ever since. I hear its normal since my body is going through change and trying to get the hormones out of my body. I am also experiencing some breakouts on my back, chest and face which is rare for me. But i don't care as long as im no longer under high depression. I know ill be back to normal in a few weeks.
Ladies, for those of you who just began the pill loestrin and keep commenting how you have no side effects, please just be aware of any changes in the next few months.. from what ive read and ive searched the net like crazy... the depression occurs in the 3 - 5th month of the pill pack.
Good luck to all. i'll post more updates in the next coming weeks.

;)

I have been on Yasmin for 4 months,but had to switch to Loestrin. While on Yasmin my periods were very regular and timely directly down to the day. This month i took loestrin each day on time, and used back up methods. There was only one "slip up" and even it would make it almost impossible for me to be pregnant. i've taken 4 pregnancy test and each reads negative CLEARLY .However im almost a week late for my period according to the loestrin pill pack , and i'm beginning to get nervous because i'm still waiting on my period! Can switching brands of bc cause you to miss a period, anyone experienced this?

Strange but for me as well....(I am on my fourth pack...just finished it yesterday) Four weeks ago almost (May 2nd) I got pain in my back around my kidney as well....I am calling the doctor this morning because this weekend I was barely able to move my back hurt so bad! I don't have any other side effects of a kidney infection so then I started to think.....maybe it is my birth control and wah la....apparently....I have also had the other symptoms such as my breast enlarging (wasn't going to complain about that!) but the tenderness is miserable and I also have had the weight gain ( i got a trainer for Christmas and started working out with him right when I started these pills and kept gaining weight! I still am...It is very frustrating but at least I know why now!) and I am very moody and tired! Thank god for postings! Good luck girls and hope everyone finds a pill that works for them! I sure hope I can!!

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 ******

HI EVERYONE I HAVE BEEN TAKING L24 FOR 3 MONTHS NOW AND I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS UNTIL RECENTLY I SWEAT VERY BADLY AT NIGHT IS THEIR ANYONE ELSE LIKE THIS. BUT OVER ALL I LIKE THE PILL AND IT'S VERY HELPFUL

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!

Well ladies, after reading all the reviews, I quit taking loestrin 24 fe today. I am 53 and needed something for the anger and heavy periods related to peri-menapause. I have taken it for one month and have had 3 killer headaches, weight gain like crazy, bloating and NO sex drive. So, after going home sick from work yesterday with headache and nausea, I quit today. Guess I will look for more natural ways to deal with life changes..good luck and thanks for all of this input that helped make my decision to quit.

I've been on Loestrin for 6 months; I was taking Yaz to help with lighter periods and my doctor also thought the lower dose of hormones would help with my menstrual migraines. Yaz wasn't working so he switched me to Loestrin. The first couple of months were fine; I noticed a lighter period and less cramping. I was still getting migraines but they were coming at a different time than before. I just thought my body was adjusting.

For the past two months, things have gotten much worse. I'm having two periods a month and migraines leading up to each one. The headaches last 3-4 days. I've been very emotional and have never suffered from depression, but I have noticed that I've been isolating myself from co-workers and friends, and just want to be home alone after work. I am not sleeping well either, and feel bloated all the time. I'm not one to weigh myself regularly, and lead a healthy lifestyle, but I recently went clothes shopping and noticed I have gained at least 10 pounds since on this pill. I have a headache right now and this is the 4th day; I started my second period for March on Friday, and it's mostly the brown discharge some of you had mentioned. I'm on week two of the pack and don't know if I should finish taking them or not. I'm calling the doctor on Monday. Good luck! There has to be an easier way.

I'm 17 years old.
I started taking birth control to help lighten my periods and reduce cramps. I also thought it would be nice to know exactly when they were coming.

Back in November (07), I started taking Yaz. I bled through the whole first pack. I bled halfway through the second pack until the end. I bled halfway through the third pack until the end. By the end of the third pack i already had a new prescription lined up for ALESSE.

I started taking Aviane, which is the generic version of Alesse. I started bleeding on the 13th day of my first pack until the end. I'm on my second pack and started bleeding on the 10th day.

I called my doctor and she said I needed more proestregin. So, she prescribed Loestrin. However, what she prescribed me is the the 21 pills with the 7 day period.. But I have free samples of Loestin with 24 pills and a four day period. My question is, does it matter which one, like, will the length affect anything?

After reading some of these posts it freaked me out, but everyone responds differently. I'm going to give it a shot when this Aviane runs out. Just thought I'd share my experience with other pills. Funny thing is, I have two friends who take Yaz with NO problems, and two friends who take Aviane with NO problems. All these girls are different sizes, weights, taking it for different reasons.. so once again, it affects everyone differently. Good luck, ladies.

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 in the same boat as the rest of you. I was on Loestrin a year ago and switched because of the cost. I then called my doctor up and switched back, but not without asking if it could cause me to gain weight. She said no, but I now know she was wrong. When I was off the pill I lost about 10 pounds. Since being back on it, I have gained the weight back in spite of working out and trying to eat better. I know it is the pill doing this. I also have had horrible headaches. After reading this blog, I am calling my doctor tomorrow and switching back to Ortho Tricyclen. Don't want to gain the weight while I am working out to lose it! Good luck to you others.

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!

Ok well I'm 16 and I've been on Loestrin for almost a month now and its been ok so far but the only thing like everyone else has been saying is that brownish discharge which is really irritating but other that I've been ok but in time we will see...good luck everyone!!

Yeah, well I've never been on any birth control pills in my life and I'm 26 years old. I just started my second week of them and it appears that I am having some kind of period now. I'm bleeding as you would on a 3rd or 4th day of a period. In addition, I was working out at the gym a few days ago when I had a sharp pain in my upper chest. It caused shortened breaths for a minute, but I've never experienced this before. I also have out of control hunger usually starting around 4 in the afternoon and lasting until I eat something of a significant portion. I refuse to gain weight, so I am working out regularly but if I see this stuff is putting on a pound...I will be done!!! I am only reading negative about this pill. I will take myself off of it if this persists. Good luck ladies!!!

O.k. Birth control has different effects on everyone, but I know for a fact this pill has been terrible for me. I used to be on Ortho tri cyclen for 10 years, but I needed to switch since I started spotting. Loestrin 24 fe helped with that, but I gained about 13 lbs in the first month & had a horrible depression which made me hate the world. I fought with everyone and I know its from this pill because I was off all bc's for 2 months & was so happy & normal. I know it put weight on me because I work out all the time & I have weighed the same for 10 years. I started on this pill & "bang" I'm huge. I was also hungry all of the time and my left eye twitches.I have one more pill & then I am switching to a new bc. Good luck if you're on this!

I am finally off Loestrin and I do not have to take Yaz either yayyyyy!!!! The nurse called me and put me back on ortho tri cyclen that I start tonight! Loestrin was making me have sharp pains in my head, I was moody, and nervous, my heart would beat fast at times and my chest would hurt, I gained about a pound, my legs hurt and I just did not feel good and I barley had a period which made me feel worse bye bye Loestrin!!! Thank God I am starting back on ortho tri cyclen that I am used to and now I know my periods will be back on track and I will feel normal again!!!! Good luck to anyone else just wanted to update you all!!
Jennifer

I am taking my 3rd pill for the first time and I already i have side effects. I have pimples on my face, my right side has sharp pain, can't sleep at nights and my mood changed. I'm going to stop and ladies if you don't have to take it, your health is more important. GOOD LUCK!

It looks like I am going to be on Loestrin 24 one more month or so and
after reading everybody's experience with Yaz I have decided not to take Yaz which is what they switched me to and I was supposed to start on Sunday because I did not want to be on Loestrin 24 ,but I am going to stay on it until I go see my Doctor because I do not want to talk to a nurse by phone . I just had this feeling like I should not take the Yaz ,like something is telling me no, and I have to go with my gut feeling and not take it, I hope that they are not going to be mad at me after I called and got them to take me off Loestrin 24 and then they gave me 3 packs of Yaz, I just cannot take it after reading about all of the side effects, I just could not get peace over it so no Yaz for me, and so I still have two packs of Loestrin 24 and a RX too, but I am going to ask to be put back on ortho tri cyclen because it is what I know and my periods were regular on it. This week is supposed to be my period, and my last Loestrin pill was Tuesday and I still have not started, I am having headaches, cramps, leg aches, and I am having some nausea every now and then and this is not how I want to feel.

My periods were regular on ortho tri cyclen but the reason my doc took me off of it was because the last week (which was before my period) I was having headaches and having nausea but I would rather feel like that a week then feel the way I feel. I would go ahead and call the nurse but I am afraid she would tell me to try the Yaz because I have not even tried it yet and because she just called me on Monday and my husband picked up the Yaz on Tuesday, I just do not want to seem crazy or something, my body is just really weird about having reactions. Good luck to anyone else and I will let you all know how it goes, please be praying that this month goes well on Loestrin 24!!!! I just hope my period next month is not hell to pay cause I have not had one this month. Good night!
Jennifer

I've been on Loestrin24 for about a month. I have been having a lot of nausea, but that's about it. I've tried many other kinds of bc pills before, and they all have side effects. Everybody responds differently!! How many women have taken any birth control pill for the first 3 months with NO side effects??? If there is one out there PLEASE tell me what it is..............Deal with them or have your tubes tied or be celibate..Those are the other options...lol

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

I posted on January 31 about my side effects,and today I called my Doctors nurse to change back to ortho tri cyclen.
I am only on my first pack of Loestrin 24 and next week will be my period week, and I just hate the way the make me feel, I am a lot more moody, I have gained maybe a pound, and my face broke out a little, my legs have been hurting and every now and then I have cramps but no bleeding, and I just feel blah and not like my self. Maybe for some women these work and that is ok we are all different but this is not working for me, I am going back to ortho tri cyclen that I know and will just have to put up with the pms a week before and just take something for it lol, I would rather feel that then feel this.
Good luck to anyone else.
Jennifer

Gosh, I too freaked out when I started spotting after being on it for 4 days. I am on my 15th pill, and I am still noticing some light browny bloody. I am hoping that it is almost over since I am starting to see it become mucus a bit.
I am always thinking of the worst thing and it drives me nut. I always wonder whether it is just the pill or could it be (cervical and ovarian cancer). I know I am crazy, but having 2 young kids and a husband make me worry a lot more. BTW: I am 28 years old. When I first started, I also felt nausea but never threw up. Another thing that is also bothering me is the fact that I feel bloated while I am spotting. My OB is telling me that it will get better after 2-3 months. I am just keeping my fingers crossed!!!!! Before, I started Loestrin24Fe, I was on the mini pill because I was breastfeeding. Now that I have stopped nursing, he gave me this pill to take so that I could have regular period. It is really bothering me to have this long spotting since I am sexually active and I don't want to have sex with the hubby while I am bleeding.... Good luck to you all. I guess we are all in the same boat.....

My 20 yr. old daughter was on Loestrin 24 Fe for almost a year with seemingly few side effects (except larger breasts). When her Rx ran out, the doc would not prescribe more until she had an exam. She ended up going off the pill for a couple of months, which was okay because there was no boyfriend or sexual contact during that time. She then got a prescription refill and went back on it. Within about 3 weeks she started experiencing random panic attacks including, headaches, nausea, rapid heart beat, sweaty hands and dizziness. At first she wrote it off as stress, but now they are happening ALL the time and are interfering with her life. She is a college student and is becoming paralyzed by the anxiety and the fear of a panic attack. She can't go to class, can't drive and is worried all the time. This is soooo unlike my happy-go-lucky daughter. She feels like she is going crazy. I talked to the GYN and she thought that the pill could definitely be enhancing these symptoms, but didn't feel they were the main cause. I now have a completely different opinion from her since reading all the posts on here describing the exact same symptoms while on this pill. My daughter has now stopped taking them (it's been about a week) and the doctor said it could take a couple of cycles for the drug to be completely out of her system. I'm praying that these symptoms go away after the hormones are flushed out....anyone have any experience with the anxiety going away after going off the pill??????

What can I say, Breakthrough Bleeding, Breakthrough Bleeding, Breakthrough Bleeding!!!!!!! I have been on this pill for about 3 weeks and have only experienced two side effects, a little nausea and as you can guess breakthrough bleeding. The doctor warned me that I may spot a little but this is ridiculous. I have ruined about 12 pairs of underwear and 2 sets of sheets. I am going to give it a little longer but if the bleeding doesn't stop soon I am going to switch pills.

When I first stated the pill I was experiencing weird eating habits. I would feel incredibly hungry, but when I attempted to eat I could only eat about 3 bites. I had no appetite until the late afternoon when the hunger would strike. Along with this, I'd wake up with nausea, and sometimes would vomit. That lasted about two weeks in.

About a week into starting the pill I started to have a bit of spotting for about two and a half weeks. I didn't know that that was normal, so I went to the hospital. Come to find out that I had developed bacterial vaginosis.
That's caused from having un-protected sex, however having un-protected sex was nothing new when starting the pill. Perhaps the pill could have some effect.

I am now on the un-active pills of my very first pack and things are normal. Tonight was my first time taking the placebos, so I wont know how they go. I stopped spotting about two weeks ago. However, is it okay to not take the active pills every night on the exact hour? Sometimes I forget, leaving about a 3 hour max delay every once in awhile? For example, I've arranged to take them every night at 10:00 P.M, and one night I forgot and took it at about 1:30 A.M. I mean, is that little bit of time going to have a significant interruption with the pills process?

Okay so I really need advice.
I'm taking a test tomorrow because I've been feeling HORRIBLE the past month. I'm SUPER nauseated, sort of having stomach pains, and always hungry..but it's a weird hunger.. the type where you feel kind of full but like you're really hungry all at the same time. I'm on my 2nd pack now and was on Yaz for 8 months before I started Loestrin. Is it bad that I've been sexually active w/o a condom but using the "pull out" method? I'm supposed to start tomorrow..haven't had cramps or anything so far. But I don't want to freak myself out so bad that I miss my period, so I guess that's another reason why I'm taking a test tomorrow.

I started taking this pill about 2 weeks ago and its given me horrible side effects and it makes me really nervous...I have had my period for like 10 days now and its heavy bleeding that just wont stop..I have been so moody and depressed, one minute i am crying the next I am pissed off about something stupid. Taking birth control already makes me nervous so I am pretty anxious right now but I know I have to be on it because it rather not get pregnant..I just hope the side effects will go away soon!

I;ve been taking Loestrin FE 1.5/30 tabs for about a year now. Love not getting a period at all but still get heavy bloating, slight cramping & break outs. Have been severely depressed though so I went on Wellbutrin. After reading some of the postings here I'm beginning to think the Loestrin is making me depressed! Also have gained about 10 lbs. Not sure if my side affects are from the Loestrin or Wellbutrin (Wellbutrin is supposed to decrease your appetite however mine has increased!) I am tired and feel bloated all the time. Maybe I should try a different pill but i am getting used to not having a period and not sure I want to go back to having one.

I'm concerned that shorter period means no period. Has anyone been experiencing "missed" periods instead of shorter, lighter periods instead since taking Loestrin 24 Fe? I haven't had a period since I started taking the Loestrin 24 Fe, but I am not pregnant and my Dr. says it's normal. Has anyone else heard it's normal?

Wow. After reading all of these comments I'm shocked. I have been taking Loestrin 24 Fe for 5 months now and I love it. The only symptoms I get is period cramps about a week before I'm due for my period. I have also gained about 5lbs, but for me thats great. Im 21 and this is the 2 type of birth control I am on. I tried the Seasonique.. HORRIBLE... I got the worst eye problems ever! My eyes were constantly red and a week after I quit it I was back to normal. The extra iron pills for Loestrin are great! Good luck ladies!!!

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

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

Good Luck!

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.