Loestrin 24 Fe and loestrin

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.

Hey everyone, well things change in two days lol

Quick recap, i had been on orthocyclen for like three years and i finally went to a gyno and he said to try Loestrin bc i was still getting really bad 7 days periods. this is now day 7 of loestrin. I was doing fine till last night.

my roommates and I were having a few drinks, went to the bathroom and noticed that i was spotting. it wasn't heavy or anything. so when i woke up this morning i checked it. I just hope that it does this for the month.

I also made the mistake of having sex last night too so i am hoping nothing comes from it

I posted about four months ago with all my side effects from Loestrin. I was having terrible depression, anxiety attacks, horrible chest pain, tingling and numbness in my left arm, etc etc. All the same side effects that a lot of women are having with this pill. I switched to an older bc called desogen. I used to be on this one when I was in high school and had no side effects. I have been on the desogen for three months now. My issue is most of the emotional side effects have gone away, but I'm still having terrible chest pain and tingling and numbness in my left arm especially at night when I'm laying down. Does anyone have this problem? Any suggestions? My doctor said it would take a while for the Loestrin to get out of my system. But I'm worried it may have caused a more serious problem. Any comments would be helpful. We all need to show this site to our doctors. They aren't listening.

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.

When I was on this pill, I was just hungry all of the time! All I wanted to was eat. I've pretty much been on every pill there is to be on. I've suffered from dysmenorrhea (painful periods) and menorrhagia since I began menstruating at 11. I was stick skinny back then, 5'6 weighing at 106 pounds and I was athletic, but after taking the pill to shorten my periods, I started gaining weight. That was 15 years ago. I have been on Yaz, Yasmin, Loestrin, Depo (this is the worst!) and some others that I cannot even remember

I'm 22 years old and I've been taking Loestrin since the end of February. I haven't had any real severe side affects from it. It's my first time on birth control and I was very weary about getting on the pill all together. I do notice my period is different. Sometimes I'm really heavy for 5 or 6 days and sometimes I don't see any blood. I don't notice much nausea from it and I was really concerned about that before I starting taking it. I do notice my libido is down and I don't have much energy. I need to switch off of this pill because it's not in my price range. I'm trying to find a pill that was actually kind of similar to it. A pill that was low in hormones more particularly. Does anyone have any suggests?

I’ve been on Loestrin 24 fe for a year now, and I started it because I had so much breakthrough bleeding with Orthocyclen. Strange side effect of Loestrin is that I have never got a period since I started (1 year), even though I follow the directions completely. Anyone else had this experience? The worst side effect I would say is that I have absolutely no sex drive. None. It’s very depressing to me and confusing to my husband. I haven’t found anything that helps. I’m afraid to try another pill for the chance of having worse side effects. Any suggestions?

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 have been taking Loestrin for only 1 week and feel the worse i have felt for a long time. I changed from Cilest to Loestrin as my sex drive was 0. After a few days i suddenly felt so dizzy and light headed. I thought i was going to faint at any second. I also feel all 'not with it'. I am not taking anything else nor been drinking etc. I have also had very bad mouth ulcers (to which i am not sure if related) but all a bit strange just days after taking Loestrin.
I have been back to Dr.s twice but have not suggested anything. I have stopped taking them and hopefully this awful feeling will go to. It really doesn't give me much hope reading other stories.

I've been taking Loestrin 24 Fe for a year now. It took about 3 months to get used to. The good things for me is that my skin cleared up, my hair was not as oily, lighter periods and no weight gain! The bad things were HEADACHES, feelings of anxiety, rapid heartbeats, moodiness, and dryness. I want to come off the pill but I am kinda fearful of what other methods to take...I guess I should talk to my OBGYN.

I started taking Loestrin because I was having very heavy and long periods. However, once I started taking it, I bled for a month straight. Then, I noticed that I had an increase in acne and hair growth. I was unsure if this was a side effect of the BC, but after doing some research I found that Loestrin has a very high amount of androgens, which cause acne and hair growth. I stopped it after 3 months and my hair growth and acne have definitely improved within the past month that I haven't been on Loestrin.

First off, i think its important to remember that all bcp have these side-effects. its not that one pill is better or worse than another, its that everyone's body reacts differently and sometimes you will experience these side effects and sometimes you wont. all these horrible things women are listing about Loestrin, other women have said about other pills.

for example, when i first started taking a bcp, i was on ortho-lo. this one seemed fine at first (outside the three month adjustment time) then one breast started to swell and ache while the other was fine. it was just my body reacting to the combination of hormones in that particular pill. i know other women who have taken ortho-lo for years and have been fine with it. But i wasn't.

eventually i decided to try a new pill and a friend recommended i research Yasmin. i found many sights just like this one with women going on and on about how evil it was. for every good review, i read ten bad. but my doctor decided to try me on it anyway thinking i needed i higher level of hormones and the five months i was on it were horrible. severe weight gain, cramps (i never had them before), spotting, migraines, NO sex drive, etc. i went back to my doctor and she was surprised because both Yasmin and ortho-lo are supposed to be good drugs. bottom line is, they weren't good for me. she decided to switch me again, this time to a lower level of hormones, but with more active pills, trying to find the right balance for me.

now i read everyone saying horrible things about Loestrin but I have to tell you, i've been on it for a few months now and have never felt better. i didn't even have the months of 'adjusting' to a new pill. i think i may have finally found a combo pill that works for me.

all bcp pills have side effects and you can read horror stories everywhere about ALL kinds of pills. it DOESN'T mean the pill is horrible, or awful, or evil or the worst kind ever. it just means, that for whatever reason, its not right for you.

so if you are out there, reading comments like this on all these pills, please don't take all these comments to heart. read them, take heed, but don't dismiss a pill because it gets bad reviews. i've done my research and they ALL have bad reviews. You have to know that all pills have some side effects BUT each woman's body is different and just because some women experienced bad things on this pill, doesn't mean you will. we are all different after all. you can judge how you will react to something based on someone else's experience.

if you're looking to start taking bcp or looking to switch, be sure you know your own body, communicate with your doctor and know that somewhere you may be able to find a bcp that works for you. i'm lucky i found one in Loestrin.

Much Luck.

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.

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!

During my second month of being on Loestrin, I started experiencing a lot of nausea, faint feelings, a little dizzy, moody, sweats, breakouts, acid reflux and just an overall unwell feeling. After reading these posts, I am convinced that Loestrin is the cause off all these symptoms..I am going off of them immediately and can't wait to feel normal again.

this is my second month on Loestrin, and the first two to three weeks of taking it everything wa perfect and . then all of the sudden i got my period and i was not suppose to have it not for another week or so i though it was because i started consuming alcohol and maybe it triggered something, i started my new pack today and i still have period..i don't know what is going on so i decided to stop drinking, but i went to a party today and i don;t think i can do it any longer!!
any answers??
is it the alcohol??

I was on Loestrin for 4 years, and though I've been on depo, pop, yaz, and ortho-tri lo since, Loestrin was far and away the best pill. All the others caused depression, mood swings, weight gain (depo was the worst for all of these. stay away) and loss of libido, which were serious problems for me. I'm either done with pills altogether, or going back on Loestrin.

Yaz made me vomit, the pop gave me acne, ortho made me so bloated I gained 4 lbs in a week (and I'm an athlete--it was water weight that came off days after I stopped the pill). I don't know how anyone stays on those things. Maybe you can handle them if you don't miss your sex drive.

Loestrin has gotten terrible reviews, but it *can* be a good choice, so don't discount it entirely.

Every website I go to, most women say that they haven't had a period at all since starting Loestrin, but I'm having the opposite problem... this is my third month on the pill and every month, before I even make it through 2 weeks of active pills, I start bleeding. It's not extremely heavy most days but it lasts for the rest of the month! I seriously can't take it anymore. I basically have about three weeks of bleeding every month and a week or so of normalcy... is anyone else experiencing this problem? My gyno told me that it takes 3-4 months for my body to get used to the pill, but this is ridiculous.

I think it is interesting the symptoms that you mention here. I have been on birth control pills since the age of 19. I am now 28. Over the past year I have had similar symptoms. I have been on so many different BCP's that is is hard to keep count. They don't seem to work the way they claim to. The last BCP I was on was orthotryciclen. While taking these I began to experience severe heart palpitations. So bad that they would wake me up at night. Because I wasn't sure if it was an anxiety attack or just being in my head I decided to ignore it. Four months passed by and it seemed to get increasingly worse. I had enough and decided to go to my PCP. She wasn't really much help either. Although I was tested for Mitral Valve Prolapse, which I was told affects younger women my age. There was nothing found. What I thought was interesting is I really felt that it was the birth control pills, but I couldn't find it as a side affect on the information that was provided in the box. The tech who was doing my echocardiogram began to tell me she also experienced the same feelings and found out it was her BCP. Once she confirmed what I thought was right, decided to stop taking them. After three months the symptoms began to disappear. I figured it was just the particular brand. I began to take loestrin 24. I started to feel the same symptoms again, just not as severe. I would feel my heart beat when I would like down in my back and my stomach. My heart rate would reach 90 to 100 sometimes. I know this is not normal. When I visited my gyno yesterday she told me it was impossible that it was a result of the BCP. Maybe it was just anxiety and or perhaps I should get checked out by a cardiologist. That is serious stuff when you are talking to a young person about getting there heart check out. I think if there are any other women out there who are experiencing any similar symptoms should speak up. So these doctors won't keep telling us it is all in our heads and help to take care of this problem.

I've been on this pill for almost a year (Sept. 07). At first it worked great, but about 3 months into taking the pill I didn't get my period. I talked with the gyno office and did some research online, and apparently its common not to get your period at all on this pill (I still don't get it, and that's fine with me). But I also started having anxiety attacks, and every once in a while I feel lightheaded, almost like a mild vertigo affect. I thought maybe this was due to the fact that I just got married and bought a condo AND got a new job all in a few months. Now its August 08 and I have a yeast infection. I got one last month and needed two prescriptions to get rid of it, and now I have another infection less than a month later. I don't see why I'm having this so long after I started taking this pill, but I have a feeling Loestrin is a main cause of all my problems. I'm also very moody, but I have a history of mild depression, so all of this is hard to pinpoint a cause.

I am so glad I found this site. I just switched to Loestrin from Ortho Tri Cylin which I thought was making me break out and have heavy cramps. I have been taking Loestrin for a little more than a month and thought I was pregnant because I am constantly tired, nausea, and moody. My hair coming out a lot more than usual, I am hungry all the time, and I have had severe headaches. I am going to stop taking this pill immediately.

I have now finished my fourth month on Loestrin 24Fe. Still no period. Prior to being on it, I was on Seasonale--now, sure it's great not getting your period for 3 months, but that is another side effect page! Since switching to LoE24, for the first 2 months I had CRAZY mood swings and 6 out of the 8 signs of peri-menopause (I'm only 37). I did find out that Seasonale has a higher dosage of hormones and LoE 24 has less.

When I first switched, I LOVED the Loestrin--it made me feel so much more alive and like me again from the Seasonale. After two weeks, I started the "yogurt-like" discharge that went on for two months--no, not a yeast infection or anything, just weird hormonal stuff according to my doctor. After the two months, the discharge and the major mood swings went away all of a sudden, I was just fine one day and those symptoms have gone. Still, no period...it's been four months and 6 pregnancy tests. Now, I'm still a little moody but I'm not sure if it is pill related or frustration at not knowing what is wrong.

A girlfriend of mine loved this pill, so I guess everyone is different.

I'm 25, on birth control for the first time and I am just finishing up my first month on Loestrin Fe (I was on Yaz for one month before that). I am a bit concerned that I'm set to start a new pack tomorrow and have not had a period, not even spotting. I haven't really had any of the side effects some are describing of weight gain, chest pain, or hair loss. Maybe a bit more acne than usual, but I had expected that since this is only my second month on The Pill.

However reading your experiences I'm beginning to wonder about the mood swings. I have been EXTREMELY pissed off this month, anxious, and stressed, and in general a horrible person to be around. It's like I'm 15 again going through "that stage." It's awful, and I'm quite embarrassed by my childish behavior though I can't seem to help it. I've attributed it to other factors (which, who knows?) but reading your experiences makes me wonder if this pill isn't contributing. I'm definitely going to pay attention; if this continues for another month I'm going to change to another pill. Ugh.

I'm also wondering if I'm going to get my period back? I began taking birth control to control my normally heavy bleeding and severe cramps. Not to eliminate my period entirely!

I wanted to know if anyone got their period twice a month? I have a two and half month old. I didn't know if it was a side effect from the birth control or if this was normal after giving birth.

After reading these experiences others have had I feel like I'm not crazy for the first time in a long time. I have been on Loestrin for about 11 months, it is the first time I have taken birth control and I am 20 years old. Since starting this pill I have gained about 20-30 pounds, and figured it was just due to a change in my lifestyle. However, no matter how much I have worked out or changed my diet I just can't seem to get rid of the weight. I have had many of the other side effects too, like terrible anxiety, shortness of breath, unexplainable chest pain, terrible stomach pain, and I get extremely angry at the drop of a hat. My boyfriend has said that if my emotions continue to be this out of control he won't be able to handle it anymore. I have tried to control myself, but no matter what I do I feel like I am not myself anymore. I become dizzy for no reason and I have developed some type of acid reflux, has anyone else had this issue? My period is irregular even after 11 months; some times I have it for a week and a half, sometimes not at all, and my period was very regular before starting this pill. I am going to the gyno next week and was wondering if anyone had suggestions for another pill that does not cause so much turmoil.

I just started taking Loestrin, and so far it's made me sick to my stomach, cramp and generally feel like I'm on my period.
I started taking it right after a normal period and so far it's been ok except for the symptoms mentioned above. Surprise surprise, I started what seems to be like my normal period when it's the last two days (mostly brown rust color). I know that it might take a while for the hormones to regulate in my body, but I feel that this shouldn't be happening... Any suggestions? I'm planning to call my doctor tomorrow.

I began taking Loestrin 24 Fe in May 2007. Three months later when my son left for college I experienced the most terrible depression. It was really not normal to be that depressed. I have had normal anxiety that everyone experiences from time to time throughout my life but nothing like this. I was put on antidepressants and finally felt normal again. Eventually I got off the antidepressants and was fine. Then last month I began to experience unexplained anxiety and depression. I have told several people that I believe it is the Loestrin but my doctor says it shouldn't affect me this way. It is hard to want to get rid of the Loestrin because I don't have a period at all now and it used to control my life. Has anyone switched to another pill to help with periods that does not have bad side effects?

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 have been on Loestrin24 since March 2008 and have been hospitalized once, in the emergency room once and suffering since. About two weeks after I started taking Loestrin24 in March 2008, I had what they thought was a TIA or, a "mini-stroke" and was put in the hospital. I was seeing a rainbow-like aura, had a splitting headache (for only about 30 minutes), became extremely confused, my blood pressure jumped up to 168/93 (stage 2 hypertension) and I couldn't speak for a few hours. Of course, they hospitalized me, ran all kinds of tests and found there to be no medical reason for a mini-stroke and the neurologist cleared me so, I was sent home with no mention of the fact that it could be the Loestrin24 that was causing it and, yes, my husband did tell them I was taking it. Two months later, I was back in the emergency room with the same symptoms. However, this time I recognized the symptoms as the same ones I'd had before and we immediately headed to the hospital. I was not hospitalized this time and the ER doctor said it was a migraine (there's a migraine that causes stroke-like symptoms) and that it's possible it could be the Loestrin24. Well, I'm taking the birth control pill because I have incredibly painful periods and was trying to be able to live a normal life. Without the birth control pill, I literally have to plan my life around my periods. So, not wanting to believe it was the Loestrin24, I continued to take it because, I hadn't had a period since I started taking it. That, alone, was worth it for me. But, last night while watching TV with my husband, the worst symptom hit me. It was like someone took a sledge hammer and slammed me in the forehead with it! I was wracked with such pain in my head that my hands flew to my forehead and I was screaming/crying. My head hurt so badly that I was would not have been surprised if I was actually bleeding from my eyes and ears. This morning, I'm still having the ringing in my ears and I could sleep for hours. I have contacted both my ob/gyn and my family physician and both of them said to stop taking it immediately.

Also, like I've read in several postings here, my sex drive is completely gone. And, when I do give in to my husband and have sex, my heart feels like I'm going to have a heart attack. The sudden splitting headache has actually come on during sex, too!

I certainly do not want to go back to the debilitating pain of my periods but, I can't live like this, either!

I am so thankful for this website. I have been on Loestrin for about 5 months now. Two months ago I started experiencing many of the symptoms the rest of you have been describing. I started having head aches, insomnia, hot flashes, and then terrible anxiety attacks. I've also been having horrible chest pain that extends out my left arm. At first I thought I was having heart problems, but, like many of you, EKG's and chest x-rays came back normal. The anxiety attacks have gotten so bad that I thought I was going to have to go to the emergency room the other night. When I talked to my doctor about it, we decided its stress and depression, and she prescribed me an anti-depressant. I was supposed to start it today, but I got a wild hair to do some research on Loestrin since its the only other med I take. And lo and behold... Thank goodness I found this before I started the anti-depressants. I plan on calling and getting my BC switched first thing Monday morning. You couldn't shove another Loestrin down my throat. I'm so frustrated, as I'm sure many of you are, that NO ONE told me about this. My doctor did not discuss these extra possible side effects because its a low dose pill. And my general practitioner completely overlooked the fact that it might be the BC pill causing all this. Not that I blame her. I overlooked it too, and it is true, we are our own best advocates. Thank you to all the women who posted on here. Just like many of you, I've been feeling like I'm absolutely crazy lately. With the mood swings and uncontrollable crying, no one understands. I think its ok to say this website might have just saved me several years of being on anti-depressants. Granted, I haven't had any bleeding problems like some women, and I love the three day periods. But I would take a 7 day period over how I feel right now any day. Does anyone have any suggestions of what BC to switch to? And can anyone tell me how long it took for them to get back to normal emotionally? Thank you so much...

ok so ive been on loestrin for about 6 months....it was fine until last month when i got my period for an entire week 3 weeks early. then i missed my period when i should have really had it, then spotted for a quick second at the beginning of the week and then another hot second at the end of that week i have been having cramps since i should have originally had my period in the beginning of july. i have symptoms like i did when i was pregnant with my son. Cramping, heartburn, feeling like ur gonna get your period everyday. this made me nervous so i took a test it said no. but still this is so odd because my doctor probably just like all of your doctors said that you should get your period very light for about 3 days...uhh what the hell is going on ..oh yeah and im moody getting sad a lot but i don't know if that has to do with other things in my life.. i am going to the dr tomorrow to try to get this worked out..i cant keep changing birth control!!!!!!!!

I was really liking this BC, I was on Mircette before and it made me crazy, constant crying, weight gain (I'm on the collegiate rowing team, and we work out for 2+hrs/ day) No reason fro gaining 6 pounds in 7 days. Everything was going fine with Loestrin 24 Fe, but now i've been bleeding for the past week, before the brown pills started... but i guess we'll see what happens in the next few days.

For the people who experienced bloating, I did also on the first day, but if you take a B6 vitamin then it goes away, (I heard that from another gynecologist)

I've been on this thing for about 3 days. I've been feeling nautious since the first day, but at first it would be mild & would go away within a few minutes. Tonight I'm lying in bed, dying with stomach pains, not cramps, intense stomach pains. Nausea...... stomach pains again. Nausea..... pain again. I ran to the bathroom like 5 or 6 times to puke and eventually gave up. I look like a freaking whale, too. I'm a little 110lb girl but I've gained easily a few pounds in the past few days and it shows. My dad slapped me on the stomach today & asked me if it was "a new addition to the family." My lower stomach area is all bloated. Just sitting here I can feel my stomach churning. Anyone else feeling my stomach pains? I mean really.

I have been on Loestrin for about 7 months. I have had similar symptoms as everyone else has posted, but my main concern is the irregular period. I get it twice sometimes like in the middle of the pack and then when on the blank pills. Sometimes they're painful too. There was a two month span where I didn't get it at all, I took home pregnancy tests religiously for 2 weeks to ensure I wasn't preg. I'm getting nervous, I was on ortho tricyclen before but it made me so emotional and I gained a whole lot of weight. I haven't had any massive moodiness, I gained some weight but I also quit smoking, Has anyone had anything similar to this, how long is it going to take to get my periods normal? Should i switch brands?

I have been taking Loestrin for close to two months now and its driving me crazy. The sole purpose for taking the pill was to regulate my excessively long periods (5-7 days). About four days after taking it, I started what is called breakthrough bleeding. My dr. said its completely normal and since then, I've been spotting everyday! It normally takes your body three months to adjust to the pill but I am not even sure I want to continue taking it. I am dating someone new and we haven't been intimate often because I do not feel comfortable doing so spotting. He's been extremely patient and he's great about it but I am getting the opposite results of what I had hoped for. I must say I have pretty decent skin and am usually pimple/zit free, but I've noticed I've been getting some zits on my face more than usual. I am unsure if this is a direct result of Loestrin or not. I am going to complete my three months and hope that I get fewer and lighter periods as the pill suggests. I've read so many different reviews on the pill that I am unsure what to think anymore!!!

I am in my second week of this pill and I suddenly developed a rash all over my face, mostly on my cheeks and on my eye lids near the bridge of my nose. Has anyone else experienced these side effects??

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.

I'm a couple weeks into taking this Loestrin pill, after being on Seasonique for about 3 months, and I'm nervous about it. I'm in a monogamous relationship with my boyfriend, he uses condoms , and I'm on birth control , but I'm experiencing nausea in the morning, weird food cravings, unpleasant cramps, headaches, but still light blood spotting. I was absolutely terrified that I was pregnant, but after reading these other entries, it seems mildly common to 'be pregnant' for a month. To be safe I'm getting a pregnancy test, but I'm hoping that the chemicals in the Loestrin doesn't mess with the test. I don't think I dig these pills very much if this is going to happen every month.

I was put on Loestrin because I am anemic due to heavy periods. I have been on it for almost two months.For the past week, I have felt absolutely horrible. I am naturally a very calm individual and always have good days. Last week, I felt like I was going to die of panic. My leg was cramping at night and I thought I was going to pass out in class. I was dizzy and thought I was going to throw up, which I later did. I can't quench my thirst and my dizziness hasn't stopped since last week. Sometimes I feel like I am going to have a panic attack, but my blood pressure remains at its natural level, which is low. Even my pulse is great, at 55 on average. I feel like I have a 3rd eye which is throbbing all day, like when you have a migraine. I feel bloated all day, have a almost headache/migraine that won't go away, anxiety attacks without high blood pressure and only spotted when I had my last period. Could it be the Loestrin? I went to Doctor and they said I don't have any flags at all, but why am I feeling so bad? All the symptoms come back to the Loestrin24Fe, I don't take any other pills.

HEY..WELL HERE IS MY EXPERIENCE...I STARTED LOESTRIN 24 ALMOST 3 MONTHS AGO..I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ONE PERIOD YET...I SPOTTED THE FIRST WEEK I WAS ON IT, BUT OTHER THEN THAT IT NOTHING. I TOOK 2 PREGO TESTS BOTH SAY NEGATIVE...I AM SO MOODY, MY POOR HUSBAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ME..THE HEADACHES ARE SO UNBEARABLE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO MY DOCTOR ON WEDNESDAY TO BE SWITCHED AND HE ALSO WANTS TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT PREGNANT. NO HAIR LOSS FOR ME OR WEIGHT GAIN YET, BUT I GUESS ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN IF I STAY ON IT, I JUST CAN NOT STAND WONDERING IF I AM PREGNANT EVERY MONTH. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS SIGHT, I AM GOING TO ASK MY DOCTOR A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT LOESTRIN AND HOW MANY PEOPLE HE HAS HAD COME IN WITH PROBLEMS WITH THIS PILL..DOES ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT PILL TO ACTUALLY SWITCH TO?

I have been on Loestrin 24 for 2 years!! And I am finally getting off... and so happy to find this site! I have had to be put on Topamax because my migraines became so bad, which helped my weight gain (that I attributed to my own depression that I thought was my own fault!) I didn't even realize bc could cause depression but it all makes sense! I came on here to find out if Loestrin has been the cause of my SEVERE HAIR LOSS over the past year and a half! When I started taking it, I was also going through a stressful situation and thought that was the cause, but have now realized that my life is back to normal that something else must be causing it. I tried to get my Dr. to take me off of Loestrin about a year ago due to the EXTREME nausea, dizziness, headaches and fatigue that it was causing and he decided that I should just be put on Topamax because I was just a Migraine sufferer! What a nightmare. I can't wait to switch tomorrow!!

i have been on loestrin for only 10 days and i have already gained 5 pounds. i used to be on Yaz, and i was always 115 on the dot no matter how much i did or didn't eat. Now i've gained this weight, plus i started bleeding today, not just a little bit but enough for a tampon! i switched from yaz because it made me cry a lot and gave me brown spotting, but i'll take that any day over the weight gain and bloating!

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?

I have been taking Loestrin since Aug 2007 since then i have gotten my period ONE TIME ! Its will be a year this Aug 2008 that im on this pill and my period is like a ghost !!! I take prego tests every month to make sure im not pregnant.. my doctor said its b.c the estrogen levels are so low it makes your period just about invisible. Also does any else feel like there hair is falling out, the amount of hair coming out of my head is NOT normal!?? does anyone else possibly have the same side effect or know if this is common?

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?

After reading all these posts I am shocked I didn't do research on this bc sooner. I got off the pill last July and developed an ovarian cyst. My gynecologist suggested I go back on the pill to try and dissolve the cyst, well that hasn't happened...I still have one on my right ovary and it isn't big enough for them to remove. I do not want to stay on bc but my doctor insists that I do to get rid of the cyst. I have had terrible side effects from Loestrin that I never had when I took Apri....I stopped taking Apri due to the high level of hormones. I have had really bad acne and dryness of skin even though I moisturize, I have been randomly crying over the stupidest situations, and I get side cramps a lot. There are a lot of things that are going on in my life that are positive and ever since I started taking this bill I keep getting down. I wish there was another way to get rid of this cyst! I hate taking birth control....anyone know a better one to take?

Hey all! I've been on Loestrin 24 for an entire month (just finished my pack today) and things have been smooth. No tender breasts, no weight gain, no depression, nothing! ***EXCEPT I still haven't got my period! I'm almost completely positive I'm not pregnant.. my boyfriend and I are extremely careful. What's weird is that I keep expecting to get my period because I'm getting the usual signs I get right before my period..

**Has anyone else experienced no period on this birth control???

I switched from Yaz to Loestrin 2 weeks ago, On day 11 I experienced spotting, now its full on breakthrough bleeding like a normal period. It is now day 15/ At night it tends to get light and then mid day its very heavy w/ lots of cramping. In the morning I don't want to get up cause the cramps hurt. I never experienced problems on Yaz. No weight gain, I only would get cramps and do to the increased level of potassium yaz causes my doctor didn't like me taking too much midol,etc on Yaz. So I switch to Loestrin. I was coming on here to see how long the breakthrough bleeding generally lasted....looks like it ranges. Hopefully I'll luck out and it will stop soon!!!! But some positives...I was experiencing some nausea daily before the switch to this pill, that has now stopped, and I haven't experienced any weight gain or moodiness as others have described.