Alesse User Reviews & Ratings

• JJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I was terrified reading the reviews online of Alesse, but the experience wasn’t nearly as bad as I was expecting. I didn’t have any of the horrible side effects, and I never got pregnant. I did, however, have breakthrough spotting that didn’t go away after the first few months. I kept hoping it would go away, but it didn’t, so after 9 months on this birth control, I decided to switch. Other than that, everything was great. My boobs grew, but not much. Don’t let the online reviews scare you, everyone’s bodies are different! Most of my friends took this birth control and had no issues as well."

• Lor...
• September 29, 2014

For Birth Control "When I first began birth control years ago, they put me on one that made me so moody, depressed, killed my libido, and changed my personality, it felt. I went back to my doctor and tried several different pills, and eventually, I tried Alesse since it was low dose and I didn't have any negative side effects! I was always regular, but I have always had bad cramps. This cut them back and made my periods short. I didn't get any unusual acne or weight gain. If anything, I lost weight. And it not only increased my libido, but it made my orgasms very strong and last longer. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but I just loved it! I got off it after my divorce, but I will never use any other pill again. I've tried too many, and this one is for me."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for 4 years and am very pleased. Before I was on Alesse, I was naturally very moody, and my periods were heavy, long, and painful. When I started this pill, my mood swings evened out, and my period not only got less painful but shortened to only 3 days. I was a little concerned about how quickly I would get pregnant when my husband and I decided it was time, but no worries there. I came off the pill New Year's 2009 and was pregnant by Valentine's. It is now January 2010, and I'm holding a beautiful baby girl. I plan on going back on Alesse as soon as possible."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I used to take Diane 35 from age 20-25, and my new doctor in a new city convinced me to start taking Alesse recently. I've been taking it for two months now, and I have experienced spotting basically every single day since I started, sometimes light spotting, sometimes heavy, and it only stopped for one or two days. I can't find anyone else who has had this same experience so far - might have to change to a different pill. I'm hesitant to do that though because one very good side effect from Alesse has been a reduction in appetite for me! I haven't had aching breasts or acne yet. My moods also have seemed pretty fine. I just want to stop spotting every day."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I am in love with this birth control Alesse! It is the first one I have ever taken, and I went on it because I would get such bad acne all over my cheeks, especially around my period. There was never a time when my skin was clear, and when it was better, it would still have a bunch of scars until it would get horrible again. In the first week, my skin got a little better, there was a little bit of cramping and mood swings, but not too bad. In the second week, it was breaking out (but not nearly as bad as the worst it's been), and then in the 3rd week, almost perfect, just scars to heal up. I'm on just over a month, and my skin is literally perfect, just a couple of scars left to heal, and now they can actually heal because my face isn't going to have another huge breakout the next day anymore!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 18 years old. I started taking the pill about a month ago. At first, due to the sudden change of hormones, I had a horrible breakout of acne on my face, and I was very emotional and bitter at first. But my first period since being on it was much shorter than my usual periods. Normally, my periods last a full week, but this one only lasted about 3-4 days or so. So right away, my period got lighter with tolerable and few cramps, as opposed to my normal constant excruciatingly painful cramps that would sentence me to a day or two on the couch with a hot water bottle and some Aleve. My face has cleared since, and my emotions are back to normal. I definitely recommend this pill!"

• Cic...
• February 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Alesse for 6 years. It's the only birth control I have ever used, and I love it. I've never had problems with it before. My periods are predictable, very light and regular. I don't experience mood swings or any major cramping on the pill either. It controlled my acne as well. I would suggest Alesse to every girl."

• da9...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 20, have been using Alesse for about 2 years now. Good: no pregnancies, lighter, predictable periods with no cramping whatsoever (HUGE plus), no weight gain. Bad: I am completely insane on this pill, extreme mood swings, never happy, always in a lulled state of lazy depression, brought to tears by every and anything, constantly tired, no motivation, really low sex drive. Horrible: my skin is at a point where I don't even want to step outdoors and be seen by people! Worst breakouts I have ever had, and perpetual yeast infections. The yeast infections, laziness, and diminished sex drive basically erase the need for a birth control pill anyway. Very unhappy."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse twice, this time for 2 months so far. I've had no problems at all. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and it's fixed my period so far. My complexion is getting better, I've had no unusual depression or anxiety, and I haven't gained additional weight."

• kay...
• August 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for three months now, halfway through the third pack. I've been getting my period halfway through the active pills. This has been happening every month like clockwork. It usually ends around the time I start taking the sugar pills. I'm curious if this is happening to anyone else."

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse 21 for seven and a half years (about my entire sexual relationship with my now husband). It is the only birth control I have ever been on, and while it's done its job in preventing pregnancy (hardly ever missed a pill), I am coming off because of what it has done to my period. Over the last three to four years, it has become so light that sometimes my period consists of spotting for twelve hours! And last month, I didn't even get a period at all. Using tampons and sometimes even sex was becoming unbearably uncomfortable from the dryness, as well my sex drive diminished significantly. I haven't been off for even a full cycle yet, but I have yet to experience any adverse effects except for some bloating and mild mood swings. Has anyone else's period disappeared on Alesse or another form of BC? It was basically the straw that broke the camel's back for me."

• Hot...
• March 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Since Alesse was my first birth control I was put on, I was super nervous and anxious about how it would affect me. Now being on it for 3 months, I can happily say I’ve not been negatively impacted. The first week was rough, with nausea and increased anxiety. But after the first week, any symptoms went away! I feel like myself, and I’m super happy I’m not pregnant!"

• Ivy...
• March 31, 2015

For Birth Control "This has been my first form of birth control, and so far, so good! I researched reviews on this one, which freaked me out. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I haven't had any nausea, headaches, or mood changes. I have been on it for about 2 weeks, so things could change, but I like it a lot so far. Also, the type of hormones in this pill does provide the lowest chance of more serious side effects like blood clots. This was something that was nice to know since I was so worried about those chances (even though I had no reason to be). Everyone is different, but just give it a chance! It's not as bad as you think it might be, and if it is, you can always change pills! Hope this helps those who are worried about starting BC :)"

• azn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for 6 months without problems. I gained a cup size and maintained my weight. No mood swings. No spotting. Take note of the brand at your pharmacy, though! Oftentimes they prescribe you a generic brand even if your doctor wrote Alesse. I had noticed this and spoke to my pharmacist, and got the name brand."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Honestly, I don’t know where to start. This is month 2 of taking the Alesse pill, by the way, my first ever birth control. I have been so moody for the past month, and at this point, everyone irritates me, which has never happened. I had bad acne before this, but Lord help me, it’s gone from bad to worse. I sometimes get a sharp stab in my chest, which scares me so bad. I cry for no reason, and the smallest of things tick me off. Now I’m stopping this pill today because it’s not worth dying from it. It’s obviously not working for me, but it could work for someone else, but just a heads up, be careful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 2, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for 6 years now, and I have never had a single problem. I had a little bloating and discomfort when I first started on the birth control, but that is normal. I have since then had a lighter period (approx. 4 days), it has also come at the same time EVERY single month. I have never had a late or early period that is not counting around the time of my grad when I was extremely stressed, and it was because of the stress that my period came late that month. It is nice to be able to see reviews on this product because my fiancé and I are getting married next year, and we plan to try to have children shortly after that, so now I know that it isn't a problem. I would recommend this birth control!"

• Ozm...
• November 13, 2013

For Birth Control "My favorite birth control by far! I have had no side effects other than a minimized monthly period. I've tried other birth controls, including Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, Desogen, and Microgestin Fe, and Alesse has worked the best for me."

• Jun...
• April 5, 2013

For Birth Control "The only positive thing about Alesse is that it does its job at preventing pregnancy. I've been on Alesse since January, and it has noticeably affected my mood. Before Alesse, I was always calm, cool, collected, and just easygoing, but now I get upset over things that never bothered me before. I'm sensitive to almost everything now. I thought it was me, but after reading the reviews and talking to my doctor, it's definitely Alesse that's causing me to be this way. It's causing me to overreact and do rash things, which is not in my nature. It's ruining my relationship with my boyfriend. And it's also causing me to be mean at work towards my coworkers. After I finish my last pack, I'm going to switch to a different pill."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2012

For Birth Control "This was the first pill my doctor prescribed me when I started on birth control, and I only took it for one month because of the side effects. I had spotting the first week, acne worsened, and my moods were absolutely uncontrollable. During the third week of my pack, I cried every day at little things that would normally not faze me. I stopped the pill before I even finished the month because of how out of control I felt. This was not a good first experience for me and made me skeptical to try any other pills."

• Sov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I was put on Alesse 28, it's the first birth control I've been on, and my overall experience has been good. When I first went on it, I could barely keep my hands off my boyfriend, but I blame it mostly on having a slight hormone imbalance. I also experienced an increase in breast size, but I was told that it was a possible side effect. Then I missed a pill, and even though I followed the procedure, it triggered my period. Then after that, I kept spotting and was getting really frustrated. It would stop for a couple of days, then start up again for a couple of days, then it magically stopped, and I didn't have any problems after that. I found out later that you can have spotting within the first three months. Other than that, I have less acne and lighter periods."

• Ano...
• January 7, 2014

For Birth Control "Started taking this birth control at 16 and have taken it for a year now. The first three months were horrible, I had mood swings where I would start crying randomly, most of the time because I would take it at 7 PM and around 9 PM would begin feeling sharp cramps in my stomach that were unbearable. It was so hard to continue taking them at work knowing I would be in pain from them. However, after three months, I stopped having pain. Before the pill, I had terrible cramps on my period, but since Alesse, my cramps are much milder. My mood swings have calmed down, and I am not affected at all! A good thing to keep in mind is Alesse is a mild birth control (less hormones than others), so you can still take other medications. I love it, good choice!"

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2009

For Birth Control "I was on Alesse for over 5 years and never had any side effects. It was recently discontinued, and I'm now realizing how great it was. Every pill I've tried since makes me sore, bloated, and causes strange mood swings."

• Sal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2014

For Birth Control "Alesse was the first birth control pill I tried. Prior to this pill, I had Depo Provera (there was about a 3-month gap in between these contraceptives), and it was such an awful experience. I was so scared to try any birth control because the last one made me feel so incredibly crappy. My nurse told me to try Alesse because it was the lowest dose of hormones (according to her), so I reluctantly tried it. It's been 9 months, and I haven't had any problems. Periods are only 3 days, and they're extremely light. No depression, no major weight gain (I work out regularly, so it's hard to know for sure), no complete loss in sex drive, no spotting. The only con to Alesse that both my friend and I agree on is the facial acne. Try Alesse if you need birth control!"

• jul...
• August 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 20 years old and have been taking Alesse for 2 years now. It has done wonders for my period, no cramps or bloating, the period is so much lighter and manageable. I haven't had any acne problems or weight gain. My moods have been affected, but I believe it's only around the time I get my period. As for the tenderness of my breasts, I only feel it if something accidentally hits them, other than that, the pain isn't noticeable or disturbing. Another plus is the pill is extremely small and easy to swallow, I hate taking pills. I definitely recommend this pill."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Just quit Alesse after 4 months. I tried to tough it out, but it just wasn't working. I was always hungry, then I would eat and feel constantly nauseous and bloated. I had no energy and felt tired, always wanting to eat sweet stuff. Didn't really gain much weight, just water weight around my hips and boobs (those were constantly sore as well), such bad mood swings and depressed and anxious often. Got lots of headaches, acne got worse (cystic acne on my chin, back, and chest), and lower sex drive. This is my first day without birth control (period will start in a few days), and I can honestly say that I feel so much better, which is weird because Alesse is 'ultra low dose hormones.'"