Balcoltra and Headaches: What Users Say

• Sas...
• December 21, 2019

"I am a perimenopausal 48-year-old woman with a history of severe PMS and endometriosis. Tried other birth control pills. GYN just started me on Balcoltra three days ago. For three days, I woke with a terrible headache - a migraine. Nothing else has changed, so I can only contribute this to the Balcoltra. I can't take this. Stopping after only 3 days. What the heck. Anyone else?"

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Balcoltra is the first birth control that I’ve ever been on. The first 2-3 months, I had really bad headaches and bad mood swings that would come after taking the pill at night, and I was about to call my doctor to switch off of it. The only other side effect symptoms that I’ve noticed are my breasts becoming tender, headaches every now and then, mood swings, and abdominal cramping. Over the months, it’s gotten a lot better, and I really can’t complain about Balcoltra. It’s helped my acne, and I still sometimes get those other symptoms, but it’s not often, so it’s bearable. It’s a lot better than I expected it to be."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I was encouraged to take this BC by my OBGYN to prevent breakthrough bleeding. The only positive things I can say about this pill are that it has prevented pregnancy and breakthrough bleeding. However, from the beginning, I noticed severe breast tenderness, cystic acne, stomach cramps, headaches, and, worst of all, mood swings. I’m currently home for the holidays, and my mother brought up the fact that something is off with me emotionally, which really opened my eyes. Everything in my life is going well, so I have no doubts it’s the birth control messing with my anxiety and depression. My doctor encouraged me to test it out for a few months, but I’m so miserable that I’m getting off of it immediately."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve experienced the worst side effects possible with this drug. Doctors couldn’t tell if I was having a seizure or a migraine so severe it mimicked seizures. The headaches didn’t start until two weeks after I had taken the drug. The headaches completely crippled me, and Drs couldn’t tell me why or what was happening. Birth control was ruled out as not causing the problem because it had been two weeks since I’d taken it. It’s been a solid month in and out of hospitals and seeing new Drs. After my last trip to the ER, I stopped taking my birth control and my headaches stopped the following day. On the second day, I realized I had lost my memory of the entire month. Currently, I haven’t been off of it for even a week yet, and I’ve started my period way too early as I’ve already had my period once this month. I’m terrified and traumatized to the point where I never want to try another birth control pill so long as I live."

• All...
• May 9, 2020

For Birth Control "Switched from Lo Lo to Balcoltra, and the first 3-4 months were great. Then I started to have horrible depression and anxiety. Went to a therapist, and it didn’t help, so she prescribed me an antidepressant. I’ve also gained lots of weight and lost weight on Lo Lo. Recently, I’ve started having the worst headaches and migraines. It’s almost every night. It seriously just prevented pregnancy. Do yourself a favor... don’t take this!!! Anyway, I’m switching to an IUD because they aren’t systemic. Wish me luck://"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched to this BC pill because I wasn't getting my period and was starting to have a low sex drive. I took this for 3 months, and I experienced the worst side effects ever. I started having cramps while on the pill, off the pill, and while being intimate with my boyfriend. I got headaches every time I was on my period, and I completely blew up like a balloon (went up 2 jean sizes). To top it off, I completely lost my sex drive (which was initially one of the reasons my doctor switched me to this BC pill). I also experienced my very first anxiety attack ever. I know everyone's body is different, but I had horrible side effects to this pill."

• Lot...
• June 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Strong headaches the first 2 months. I NEVER get headaches. Random cramping here and there, easy to manage, no breakthrough bleeding. My period became longer and less painful, but the mood swings and cravings intensified. I started getting acne and bad scars, but I found that 10% benzoyl peroxide helps! I skip the bottom row of pills, so my period is sometimes longer and less noticeable bleeding."