Loestrin 24 Fe and yaz

I just started my first pack of Loestrin today, so we'll see what happens... But it can't be worse than my previous 2 BC's - Yaz and Desogen. The desogen gor worse and worse over a period of 8 years or so... I began having mood swings, depression issues, severe anxiety... it was starting to affect my relationship... Not ok. So i talked to my doc and she switched me to Yaz.... the first 2 months were ok.... the next 3.... NIGHTMARES. I was exhausted all the time, sad all the time, depressed 3 weeks out of the month, bloated, gaining weight, breaking out with acne on my chin and jaw... I never even had acne as a teenager. It was awful. I'd cry over nothing. I felt like I was losing my mind... So the Loestrin was the next option. Time will tell... but it can't be any worse than it was on Yaz!

Honestly... Don't be afraid to try a new pill because of reading one of these sites. If you read up on any of the major BC's: Yaz, Loestrin, Ortho Tri Cyclin Lo, Yasmin, etc. They all the say the same thing for the most part, and everyone is experiencing all the side effects from this site on those as well.. Everyone reacts differently to the pill, so don't let it deter you from making a decision to try something new.

I am 28 and have almost been on Loestrin 24 for a month now. I haven't noticed many side effects. It has actually even helped my acne thus far into my journey. However, I've felt bloated for about two weeks straight. I was on Yaz for the past few years and liked it okay but switched due to a conflict with another medication with potassium in it. Long story short, I have gained 5-8lbs this month. I am working out at least an hour most days and eating well, so I am really bothered by this. It seems others have had this issue as well. When you switched back to another BC pill did the weight seem to come off? I am trying to decide if I stick it out for another month or two and see if my body adjusts to Loestrin or if I should call it quits and start on Yaz again.

I was on Yaz for two years before switching to Loestrin in July because of cost and because my Ob/Gyn gave me a discount card. I thought that Yaz was making me depressed. Well,I am still depressed and I have never had acne like I have now in my life. And its not premenstrual break out-its constant on my forehead and my back.
Worse, and most startling, is my inability to wear my contacts. It seems as though my blood vessels pop, my eyes get so inflamed and irritated. This concerns me most. I have been wearing glasses for weeks to allow the irritation to subside, and I fear that the inflammation was caused by the Loestrin, the only variable. What else is this pill doing to me, I wonder, after reading all of the other posts. I need to get off it, but switch to what???

I am 20 years old.

I was put on Loestrin when I was 17 to prevent pregnancy. I had very light periods that lasted a day maybe every month. Until I completely stopped having a period altogether for about 8 months while being on it. I enjoyed it, but started to get a little concerned so I went to my gyno and they gave me a pregnancy test (standard procedure) which was negative (I knew my body and knew I wasn't pregnant and it was just the pill that made me not have a period but still wanted to check).

I was 18 at the time and they switched me to Yasmin. I started having a normal period again. But I had awful side effects with Yasmin..HORRIBLE depression and mood swings....soooo bad that I went back to the gyno and switched to Yaz...I don't remember much about Yaz but I didn't take it very long because I wanted to be back on Loestrin again.

My script ran out when I was 19, and I never went back to get another script...to give my body a break from BC.

I just turned 20 and recently went to the gyno and asked to be put back on Loestrin again. I have been on it for three weeks so far. I've have some mood swings and slight depression. I also have had some very light spotting, nausea/heartburn/acid reflux this time around....which i don't recall having when i was on it before... but i'm sure my body is just getting re-adjusted and I plan on waiting it out, considering I had a positive experience with it before (minus the nonexistent periods..which wasn't even a problem to me)

I also had mild acne before BC, but when I take Loestrin it completely clears up (Which is a huuuuuuge plus for me..obviously.) When I wasn't taking BC for a year, my acne came back! It was awful! (to me at least) Big difference! But it has once again diminished once I started taking Loestrin again.

I have tried Loestrin, Yasmin, and Yaz..and will swear by Loestrin over the other two....especially Yasmin (that was awful). For those of you who have only tried one brand of BC and hated it.. i suggest you switch to another one before completely saying goodbye to BC pills forever. Thankfully I did switch and try other brands..because I now know that Loestrin is right for me. But everyone is different. Good luck :)

I just turned 21 this month and went to the gyno for the first time just before my birthday. she gave me a trial pack (one month) of loestrin. a few of my friends are on yaz and told me about the horrible side effects, so i figured this one would be better since it's the lowest hormone dose and my body is super sensitive. i started them last week and since then i've been even more moody than usual, go into these random bouts of hysterical crying for no reason, and the worst part is that two days ago my "breakthrough" bleeding started- only it's not just spotting, it's basically like a full-blown period. i got blood work done (almost a month ago) at the gyno's, and i called last night because i hadn't gotten a call since. waiting to hear back this morning because there was a slight abnormality with the pap smear.. needless to say i'm pretty pissed with this doctor for not following up, and for leaving me in anxious suspense about what's wrong with me. is this normal to bleed like this? i went on birth control to regulate my severe, debilitating periods, and now i feel sick and have been bleeding for the past two days pretty heavily. :( really disappointed & upset.

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 had been on Yaz for about a year and a half. My doctor just switched me to Loestrin 24 Fe because I started to experience spotting between periods. This is my 3rd week on Loestrin and I have gained 5 lbs, have experienced bloating, and spotting. I am also breaking out. I am assuming this is because I was on Yaz for so long and my body is not used to the new pill. Hopefully the symptoms clear up after I get my period next week (though reading these posts I am just hoping I get one or I will freak about pregnancy).

Anybody experience anything similar? Did it clear up after a cycle?

i have been on loestrin24 for about 2 months , its the worst thing in the world!! i was on yaz for 3 years and i started feeling sick about two years in i had anxiety, depression , my hair was falling out and i read blogs about the pill and decided to get off i called my doctor and she gave me loestrin24 , my sex drive is so so bad,my boyfriend noticed it right away! i have nausea,headaches, dizzy spells, blackouts, and worst of all im 27 years old and have never had acne until now!!!! im on my last active pill and i will not continue the pills ...... i would rather have a 5 day heavy period then take this i feel like im dragging all day long and all i wanna do is sleep this is so not worth it !

I'm 24 and was switched from Yaz to Loestrin. My doctor indicated that this medication was around for awhile and would be similar enough to Yaz while being different enough to stop my spotting. Within the first few weeks, I noticed myself becoming dazzed and disoriented - like in the middle of the mall, I would forget where I was or what I was doing there, though only for a split second, and I forgot to take basic turns while driving to a familiar place and this NEVER happens. I also noticed immediate 5-10 lb weight gain, though I was eating healthier and exercising the same. And somehow I just did not want to be social at all (which is not like me). All of this freaked me out so I quickly got off.

I'm 23 and just started Loestrin 24. I noticed the negative side effects immediately- nausea, cramping, constant headache, breakthrough bleeding, and severe depression. In general, I feel sick and unwell; ironically, I feel like I'm in the first trimester of a pregnancy. My doctor told me it may take a few cycles for me to adjust to this pill but I don't think I want to commit to a pill that causes this many adverse health problems. I think a baby would be less hassle!

I started on Yaz after having my first child last June. It was great, but now due to all the lawsuits I'm a little nervous about trying it again, plus it's pretty pricey even with health insurance. So, after I ran out of samples of that, I decided I wanted to take the shot. With the shot, I bled for almost 6 months and I decided I wasn't doing that either. It wasn't spotting, it was bleeding. So, the dr. gave me some loestrin samples to help regulate my period until the shot was up, it worked then. I don't know if the hormones aren't strong enough in this pill or what the deal is, but I spot constantly, I have periods before I'm supposed to, I cry ALL THE TIME, I honestly have no desire for life half the time. I work in a nursing home, and my residents are very needy on the unit i work, and there are times that I have to walk away from them for a few minutes just to gain my composure. I also have a 15 month old and its definitely affecting his and I's relationship. I'm getting ready to start my 3rd pack without the shot being a factor, and I honestly don't know if I will continue to take it. I would much rather risk getting pregnant or having an allergic reaction to the condoms!

About 3 months ago I started birth control. My doctor prescribed me Yaz to help with my terrible acne, but after two months I had to switch because of the expense of Yaz. So my Gyn prescribed me Loestrin24Fe, I have been on it for a month and a day and am still waiting on my period. With the Yaz, I got my period at the right time according to the pill cycle, but so far my period is 5 days late with Loestrin.

My girlfriend and I have been dating for over 3 tears. She just switched her birth control 3 weeks ago to this from Ortho (no problems at all with Ortho, just got to expensive). Ever since then she has been very irritable and upset. One day she was fine and then the next the smallest things set her off. I was wondering how long these symptoms are going to last and if her body will finally regulate it. Should she switch again?

Thanks.

Okay. I have been on Yaz for the last year. I have been having horrible migraines. I have been told to switch from Yaz to something else. The doctor prescribed me Loestrin 24. Now, ever statement I read someone says they have had a lot of spotting. Is there anyone taking Loestrin and is not spotting? I am not sure if I should take this pill now?????? I also need to loose about 10 pounds from taking the Yaz. I am afraid that taking the Loestrin I will gain more........ I just don't know what to do.

I am 20 and I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for almost 6 months now. Before that I was on Lybrel for almost a year. I started taking Lybrel because I had always had awful periods to the point where I would sometimes faint from the pain of the cramps and would pretty much couldn't function normally. Lybrel was fine for the first couple of months but I began to spot after 6 months and decided to try a different one. I was put on Loestrin and like other pills I have been on I had intense mood swings, felt more anxious, depressed, and had night sweats for the first 3 months. I had light periods, 2 or less days and then about 3 months ago, I stopped getting a period all together. I have had no spotting and recently I have started to have cramping around the time I should be getting my period, breast tenderness and bloating. These are all symptoms I have had on past BC too. I take my pill every day around the same time and have never missed a day. I like not getting my period but it does concern me a bit because my doctor didn't tell me that I would not get a period at all, he actually warned me that I probably have spotting for a while. Does anyone else not get their period on this pill?

I'm trying to determine some sort of pattern based on each woman's experience with different brands (estrogen/progestin levels) of birth control... Recently my gyn prescribed Loestrin 24, I have yet to begin a cycle but am trying to gauge possible side effects.
Generic Ortho-tricyclen: AWFUL!!! Reeked havoc on my emotional stability. Bitchy, moody, impatient, weepy (constantly), and weight gain. I did not notice any sexual side effects though.
Yaz: Better than Ortho... Random periods (heavy one month, non existent the next). Emotionally and sexually I feel fine, but hard to measure after taking Ortho and Cymbalta.

Please share thoughts and experiences

I am 42 years old and started taking Loestrin in January to regulate my irregular period and I suffer from ovarian cysts as well. The first 2 months my body ached like I had the flu. I could not stand for my knees to touch each other as I slept, so I had to sleep with a pillow between my legs. My knees ached like I was about 70 years old with arthritis. I had lost 5 lbs by the time I got to the 3rd row of my 1st packet. My normal period only lasted 3-4 days anyway, so that did not change at all. However, last month, my period came 1 week early starting out with "spotting" or "breakthrough bleeding" for 3 days and what I assumed was my "period" last for 7 days and back to "spotting" for 3 days after that. I thought it would never end!!! I was about to go the ER and have them administer the shot that stops your period! On top of that, I suffered with severe lower back, knees, and lower part of my stomach pains that were almost unbearable. I also have experienced severe headaches (may be migraines) since I have started taking Loestrin. And sex, oh forget about it!! Sex has been painful to the point where I have to stop and lay in the fetal position for about 20 minutes before I can get myself together. What is that all about!!? My daughter who is 17 started at the same time I did with Yaz to help with dysmenorrhea and acne, and she's been fine!! (Except for a little weight gain!!) What is it about this pill that does this to our bodies? I said I would give it 1 more month (June) and see what happens. If my body and period go haywire this month, I will discontinue Loestrin and deal with the irregular periods!

I have a question. I'm 27 years old an just switched to Lestrin from Yaz. Had no problem with weight on Yaz. Been on Loestrin for about 2 weeks and have gained about 10 pounds. Anyone else have this issue?

After being on YAZ for about 7 months and realizing how it was harmin my mind and body, my doctor told me to stop taking it immediately, even though it was mid-cycle. he put me on Loestrin24fe because "there has been a much higher success rate with a lower dose of estrogen" NOT IN MY CASE!

i started taking it on a Tuesday, it is now the following Monday and i have already experienced:
harsh aches and pains throughout my body, unbelievable mood swings from cryin until my eyes hurt for NO reason to sitting and talking calmly within 5 minutes of each other, once again a complete lack of sex drive which i *just* recovered from with YAZ, not being able to eat yet having extreme weight gain??? my stomach is completely round when i have had a 6pack for my entire adult life and my jeans will not get past my thighs anymore, my skin and hair are oily and i have broken out worse than i did when i was a teenager ...

and the BEST one yet! Severe Panic Attacks during the night to the point where i am terrified to sleep because of waking up hysterical and actually "feeling" my dreams. i woke up from a nap yesterday crying uncontrollably because i was convinced i snapped my spine/neck because i dream it, felt it snap and HEARD it snap in my dream. it is all too real and i am on lack of sleep AND not eating for a few days.

Needless to say, i have stopped taking the pill as of last night. i am hoping to get back to normal in about a week because i clearly cannot function like this. I missed a gorgeous Easter day yesterday because i was having a low grade panic attack ALL day and couldn't eat or even talk to anyone.

i am not going to let another bc pill ruin my life this year. its not worth it but i must ask, where do i go from here? i am concerned about getting an IUD because my body seems to have every side effect possible with any type of birth control but i think the IUD is my only option besides complete abstinence.

i hope you can help me. my daughter is almost 17 and started on yaz for severe cramps, heavy bleeding, and pmdd. within 2 weeks, the boyfriend that she hated to be apart from, annoyed her. he was all she thought about before.
about a week later, she said that everyone was bothering her and she needed a break from everyone. she stayed in her room in the evenings-not like her. she even broke up with her boyfriend. she said she wasn't upset with him, just not interested. she got back with him 2 days later. her gyn switched her to loestrin. after 2 days, she seemed to be doing better, but only for 3 days. i don't know if it's the hormones or if she's going through something. she is normally an upbeat, optimistic person. i don't know what to do. she was very serious and happy with this boy 3 weeks ago. i don't know if she could be depressed because she doesn't feel the same about him or she doesn't feel the same about him because of the pills. any opinions or suggestions?

I went on Loestrin 24 about 3 weeks ago and have kept telling myself to wait it out. From the first day I started to feel depressed but I stayed with it. Ive started to fight with my boyfriend of 2 yrs now and questioning our relationship more than ever. I have NO sex drive what so ever, Im constantly depressed, I have anxiety and my mind is constantly all over the place with weird thoughts that I have NEVER had before. Ive already started to gain an uncomfortable weight. I am 5'4 and 115 pounds, very active, and I eat very well so the weight gain does not make sense to me. The only plus is that my boobs are getting bigger...but feeling like total crap and hating everyday of my life isn't worth it. Im debating going off of this pill but keep telling myself to ride it out. I was on the shot for about 5 yrs and went off of that about 2 yrs ago. I started back on this pill because I get really bad PMS...the shot made me gain about 20 pounds. So I dont want to go back on that. After reading all of these horror stories - Im beginning to think that my 3-5 days of serious PMS are totally worth it vs. 3 weeks of serious depression

I started on Loestrin 24 in October of 2007. I had some weight gain due to an increased appetite, but after the four month waiting period and a little exercise, the weight was gone. I actually noticed that after a while, it curbed my appetite. In October of 2008, I decided to give Yaz a try. That was a mistake. I was an emotional wreck, constantly hungry and bloated, and my periods were much heavier than on loestrin. So after 4 months on Yaz I switched back to loestrin, been taking it for a week, and I'm happy. Women just have to keep in mind that everyone's bodies react differently to different BC, so give it the 4 month trial run and if you're not happy switch off it. Most of the time there is some kind of BC that will be perfect for you.

SO I took yaz for a year then I switched to Loestrin 24 Fe last month and the period following I got my period a day earlier than usual and It was heavy the first day then it went lighter until Monday it was hardly there. It was about 3-4 days of a period and I'm worried i might be pregnant. On yaz I had 3 days of heavy period and 1 day of light. two months ago I had sex Two days before my period Obviously i was on the pill and had periods since. There is no fatigue or frequent urination or sickness and I have had at least 6 negative Home tests over this period of two months. I'm worried a little, There was no coming inside and he did not wear a condom and he had urinated before sex. I am wondering If it is the pill switch that is tripping up my period or is it pregnancy?
I'm so stressed and yesterday a rash developed on my face. not red, ichy or burning just little bumps. I'm worried this might the pill or signs of pregnancy. HELP!

I switched from Yaz, which caused extreme dizziness and leg cramps at night to Loestrin 24 Fe and I dislike this even more. I have SEVERE mood swings, within minutes of each other sometimes. I can't concentrate, and the mood swings can often result in anger and aggression. I didn't experience these extreme effects until a week into my second pack. Also have lower back pain since starting, swollen calfs and sometimes ankles...none of which existed prior to taking Loestrin. I have sudden bouts of nausea, the effects were so dramatic that at first I thought I was pregnant! I would NOT recommend this pill.

Last yr i was on yaz. after 4 months i started having bizarre and unlikely side effects because of an allergic reaction from yaz. I went off the pill for a few months and now im taking loestrin 24. I've been on it for 5months now. I have experienced spotting but that has decreased with time as i've been on it. I am now realizing that i might be gaining weight from this pill. I've been going to the gym almost everyday and have lost no weight, instead i've gained. last yr i never went to the gym and weighted less. This makes me think its the pill thats causing the weight gain but i'm not sure if this is true since i've been on it for 5 months and am just now noticing my weight.

After taking yaz for for three months and finding that my sex drvie disappeared i went to the doctor and switched to loestrin 24 fe for two days still it did not help me . I ended the pill after the two pills of the pack that i have started because enough was enough i would have mood swings and my libido was also disappearing. i have been off of it for three weeks i would say and still i don't have a sex drive sometimes and still feel like my libido is not there i know its not my boyfriend because before i went on the pill i loved sex. now its either i am to tried or just not in the mood i feel so bad for him! can someone please help me is this normal will i be better in a month or two?! does my body just need time to get back to normal?! do you think its from me just stopping the pill right away it messed up my body?!

I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for 2 years and it is the best BC for me! I am a newlywed and our sex life is great! Previously I had tried OrthoTriCyclen Lo and Yaz. Both did not work for me at all!!!! I felt awful with both, especially Yaz. On Loestrin 24 Fe I might have a very short period or sometimes I do not even have a period at all and it is amazing! My doctor said that is okay and normal. I love Loestrin! It has saved me a whole lot of pain that I used to go through once a month. I had the worst cramps and bleeding in the world. I would have to go to bed I was so sick and take tons of alieve and ibuprofen. Now I take nothing but my multivitamin in the mornings! I feel great. Actually I just went to Disney World and my period was due, but I felt great and didn't even have a period!!!!!!!!!!!! INCREDIBLE! Life has changed for the better. I hope you all can give it a try. I will forever be thanking my OBGYN!

I stopped taking yaz 4 months ago and started taking Loestrin. I was on yaz for 2 years and after so many side effects I stopped taking it. It's been a week now that I've noticed my hair is coming out in my hands when I take a bath. I counted the strainds and it's around 30 to 40. I'm so worried because I love my hair what should I do. I've been on Loestrin for about 4 months.

I have been on Loestrin 24fe for the past three years. The first two years were great; no period since Dec 06, it's very rare that I have any spotting. Since June 2008, my health has gone down hill. I have had extreme weight gain (20 lbs), retaining fluid, fatigue,terrible migraines, memory has gotten poor, lack of concentration, depression has gotten worse, very very moody and will cry at the least little thing. I have also experience eye floaters and eye twitching. My dr. wants to change my BC to Yaz, but the horror stories are the same. At this point, I really don't know what to do. I have been on BC for 18 yrs total. When I first started taking Loestrin, it was wonderful.....up until last year. I am still taking it, not sure if I should switch to another type or totally go off of BC to give my body a rest.

I have only been taking loestrin 24 for a couple months. It was recommended to me by my doctor when I asked to switch from Yaz. When I was taking Yaz, my skin cleared up and it helped with my mood swings and PMS but I was getting yeast infections monthly (1 week before my period like clockwork). When I switched to Loestrin 24 it seemed to be better, I haven't had a yeast infection and I think it has definitely improved my sex drive. I have, however, recently experienced some mood swings and I have been very tired no matter how much sleep I get. It's just a little frustrating to be so negatively affected by something that is supposed to be beneficial!

what the heck I am about to switch tonight my pill from yaz which caused me to be so mean to my boyfriend I would flip out at him if he wanted to take me to a party (which is ridic. why would i flip over that?! ) tired, my sex drive decreased, i would be so sore after sex that never happened before i started ever! The only good thing about yaz is that my boobs grew and i had no acene. After reading the blogs I am scared to even try Loestrin. My friend told me about it and how she loves it but wow this was a lot to take in blood clots, longer periods, and even spotting!?!!? I don't know if i should just stay on yaz and contitune with it ! I have only been on it since September but was very moody and never wanted my boyfriend we even got in fights over stupid stuff and also did break up , i was never bitch to him and would never get mad at him ! so it was def. the yaz but after reading all the blogs i have no idea what to do i can't be up happy anymore!! I deff know that everyones body reacts differently but come on is there anything good i only read two post that were good ones. i am scared! someone tell me good stuff :)

I was on Loestrin 24 for 9 months and thought it was wonderful....until I was recently hospitalized for 2 weeks with blood clots in both lungs. The doctors determined that it was the Loestrin. If anyone knows of a class action lawsuit against them, please let me know.

hey...ok so this is my STORY!....
MY FIRST BC PILL WAS ORTHO TRYCYLEN LO. IT WAS GOOd but i started to notice that i was feeling like a rollercoaster.. so i decided to go to my gyno...she changed me to YAZ(HORRIBLE PILL) IT MESSED UP MY HEAR VALVE..I WAS TO ANXIOUS AND GOING CRAZY NOW I HAVE A MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE..WHICH IS COMMON BUT I HAVE ALL THE BAD SYMPTOMS ....I ENDED UP GOING TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BECAUSE IT WAS TO EXPENSIVE( NO INSURANCE) THE CARDIOLOGIST GOT ME OF OF YAZ AND SEND ME TO A GYNOO... WELL THEY ENDED UP PUTTING ME THE IUD (COPPER)..HAD TO GET DILATED AND IN TO SURGERY (I WAS TO SCARED) THE FIRST MONTH I WENT CRAZY STARTED VOMITING IT WAS HORRIBLE THE SECOND MONTH I BLED FOR THE WHOLE MONTH.....GOT TIRED OF IT AND WENT TO A GYNO N GOT IT OF IT WASN'T TOLERATING MY BODY....GOT ON LOESTRIN 24 ON MY THIRD WEEK OF IT I MISSED A PILL TOOK IT IN THE MORNING HOURS PASSED AND STARTED BLEEDING TOOK THE SECOND PILL RIGHT AFTER THAT...I STARTED BLEEDING WITH FOR PILLS LEFT..NOW II DIDN'T TAKE THE IRON PILLS AND STARTED THE NEW PACK THINKING IT WOULD STOP IT...BUT NO! TODAY IS MY SEVEN DAY BLEEDING WITH HEAVY CLOTS.. HEAVY BLEEDING... AND LOTS OF CRAMPZZZ ...I NEED HELP ....I THINK IM JUST GOING STOP ..TAKING BC! I BEEN THROUGH HELL THE PAST MONTHS!

I am so happy I googled this! I am one of those people that just takes the pill and does very little research. I was on yaz and told my doc that I wanted something cheaper since we don't have insurance at the moment. She prescribed me Loestrin 24 fe and when I went to get three months it was no cheaper. Not only that, I am so depressed!!! It's Christmas and I should be happy. I am moody, miserable about everything. I try to snap out of it with my boys, but I just get overwhelmed. I know my life was hectic before, and can't say I never got depressed. This is REALLY BAD. I am happy to see I am not alone. I also have not had my period since I started this, 2 months ago. I have had nausea and cramping. YUK I even took a prego test because it's all the symptoms of when I was pregnant. This med is simply not for me.

I had been on Yaz for one year and loved it for the most part. I didn't gain weight, my adult acne cleared, and my periods were very light. However, right the week before my period I would become depressed. My gyno found a very large cyst on one of my ovaries and told me that I should not have one that large while being on birth control. She told me Yaz was not right for me and I could not longer take it. I begged her to prescribe me Yasmin, she said NO. She thought Loestrin would be the best, so she put me on Loestrin 24 for 6 weeks to see if it shrinks, if it doesn't she will remove it. I have only been on Loestrin for 5 days and it has completely turned my world upside down! I have no sex drive, dryness down there, my face is breaking out, and I have been super down. I hate it!!!!! I hope that when I go back for a re-check that my cyst is still there so she can see that Loestrin is not right for me! I hate being on birth control and would love to stop taking any form of it, but it looks like my body cant regulate it's self, I just hope I can find a birth control that is right for me. Good luck everyone with Loestrin and if you find a birth control that works let me know! Take care.

so happy to have found this site! I have been taking loestrin 24 since mid July, making it almost five months on this medicine. IT IS HORRIBLE. to say the least. for almost a year and a half I was on NuvaRing, which surprisingly I liked, aside from the almost 20 lb weight gain and virtually no sex drive. Who needs birth control if you don't have a sex drive? So anyway, I switched to loestrin 24 in July. BIG MISTAKE. for the first few weeks of this pill I lost all appetite and hardly ate a thing. In the past few months I have been experiencing incredible anxiety, uncontrollable thoughts, and depression. This pill is messing with my head! It almost cost me and my boyfriend of two years our relationship because of the way it makes me crazy. I experience increased heart rate, especially when I wake up and strange leg cramps. I have always been funny, outgoing, and upbeat about life until this pill. This past weekend I was a social recluse and just felt like being alone. I cry over the littlest things and am so irritable when someone says the slightest things. I have been overly mean to my mom, sister and boyfriend over the simplest things. Something is not right with this pill. I thought I was just losing my mind until I read all these other posts. Thank goodness I'm not alone. I had an appt. with my OBGYN today, told her all my symptoms, and she gave me a trial pack of Femcon FE. I am very wary to start them because I have read it has very similar side effects to Loestrin. Has anyone found a good birth control that actually makes them a happy, normal person?! Jeeze, I am ready to swear off hormonal birth control for good! Please let me know if anyone has any experience with switching from Loestrin to Femcon? I just want to be my old, happy self again!

I know I just posted a really long post but I also have a question. Warning the question is kinda nasty and personal. To any reading that is willing to answer: When I get my period now (since I've started the pill) I don't bleed regularly. The only way I can describe it now is the blood looks like Old blood and to me it is just disgusting. I was wondering if anyone else had had this issue....?

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.

Well, I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for about a year now and let me tell you, the person who said their side effects increased with time is exactly right! I have been miserable lately. I have been beyond moody, I have no appetite, my husband hates me because I have ZERO sex drive...I mean ZERO. We'll go a month at a time without having sex. My attitude is miserable. I feel like the most depressed person on the planet and I have never ever experienced depression symptoms until being on this pill. Recently, I missed 5 of my pills while I was on vacation, and magically, my sex drive reappeared and I wanted to eat everything in sight. Seems to me, the pill is causing me grief now. Within the last 2 months, I've had crazy pregnancy symptoms too. I'm SO beyond over this pill, I'm finishing the pack and then it's back to condoms for us. I was on Yaz for a while too before Loe, and let me just say I was the biggest bitch on the face of the earth. I'm just guessing these pills aren't right for me. The only thing that DID work was a minipill that I was on when I was breastfeeding my daughter. My ob-gyn took me off because she said that the hormone levels weren't high enough when I stopped breastfeeding to prevent pregnancy. Gosh, I miss that pill. Oh well. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with these problems.

I was on Yaz for a year, but had some side effects (tingling in the arms and legs, swelling) so my doctor put me on LoE24. I have been on it a month and my world has turned upside down. Just a few days after I started LoE24, I got Bell's Palsy, which is a condition where half your face goes paralyzed. I've had it before, so I thought nothing about it having to do with my bc. Well...2 and a half weeks later I broke out, like I was 14 again (im 21). Its all over my face and neck. I am going to the neurologist tomorrow, but I have been very irritable, TIRED, and anxious. I switch back to Yaz in a couple days....

I have been on Yaz since I was 18 and I'm 22 now and I had to switch to Loesterin 24 Fe because my cramps were getting bad, almost as bad as they were before I was on birth control. I switched about mid-July and ever since then I thought I was going CRAZY. I have been so depressed, my mood swings are insane, I am constantly nauseated, and I've been bleeding for about 2 weeks straight. I thought I was pregnant even though my take home test was negative so I went to my obgyn. She switched me off Loestrin 24 fe because she thinks that is what is making me so anxious and depressed and completely uninterested in having sex with my boyfriend My poor boyfriend has had to deal with me during this, I think I broke up with him twice and week and then cry and beg him to take me back, which he did, every time, while shaking his head and wonder where his old girlfriend went. So hopefully getting off Loestrin will fix this!

I have been on Loestrin24 for about 4 months now, i am ending my pack today. Ive found that i have become very emotional towards my boyfriend and parents, i was on Yaz previous to this and i thought the yaz was not working for me but then i discovered when i went onto loestrin the yaz was fine, i found that with this pill i have extreme break outs on my face that i never had before besides the occasional ones around my period now i feel like they come all the time. My breast were randomly sore in the middle of the month and i was worried that i was pregnant. After reading all of these side effects from everyone else i have decided to go back on the Yaz.

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.

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

I was on Loestrin 24 for a year and was having issues with mild acne, which I have never experienced in my whole life. I was also having major issues with my contacts. My eyes were always red and really bothersome. Now I have been off of Loestrin for a few weeks and back on Yaz and feeling great! I love Loestrin since I would never get my period, except 2x in the whole year and it was barely there. But now on Yaz, I don't have acne or trouble with my contacts. Plus I had gained weight on Loe and now losing a couple of pounds. The difficult thing is that the doctors tell you that you shouldn't experience side effects from these pills, such as weight gain, since they are such low hormones, but I think it's definitely possible. Anyways, if you are on Loe and reading a bunch of this stuff and nervous, it's fine, it's a great pill and you never get your period! How great is that! And in the beginning there may be breakthrough bleeding and spotting, which is normal while your body adjusts. But if you have other issues, later on, you just have to decide if you prefer side effects or your period?? It's your choice! lol! I am loving Yaz though!

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 am 19 and was on Loestrin 24 for about a year and just switched to YAZ 3 days ago! I went on birth control because my periods were so awful..i was having a period every 2&1/2 weeks. So, I was hoping that going on this pill would make me regular. Well, from the very beginning it was like I wasn't on anything at all. They say it takes a while for your cycle to become regular, so i waited a few months and my period stayed messed up! Throughout the year I was spotting so much..I can't tell you how much money I spent on tampons. Not only was the spotting and 5-6 day period annoying, I just was not myself. About a month after starting them I was a wreck. I couldn't eat, little things upset me and made me feel depressed. I would cry uncontrollably, and I blame a lot of it on the pill. I really don't think it was right for my body. The month before I switched, I had three periods. I'm not talking about spotting, I mean 5 day long periods. I got cramps, headaches and even backaches. I felt awful. This pill may be good for some, but i sure HATED it and am happy to be trying something new.

First off, the side effects listed are not the norm....the "no periods" or very short periods, are the concept of Loestrin 24. Very short, very light periods. The moodiness are often side effects of the YAZ, the other 24 day pill. This is because the progestin dominance of YAZ. Loestrin 24 is known for the very short, very light periods, less side effects due to the shortened time off the pill. The side effects you read are unfortunate (make sure your pharmacist is not switching to a generic - even though there is no generic equivalent) but for the most part, these side effects are RARE!

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???