Balcoltra User Reviews & Ratings

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Started Balcoltra about 4 months ago. I was so scared with all the bad reviews, but my gyno put me on it, so I went with it. Other than a little breakthrough bleeding, I haven't had any major side effects. I noticed the cramps during my period lasted a little longer the first couple of months, but now on month 4, I can say that my period is shorter and lighter than what it used to be. No acne, no bloating or weight gain. I'm happy with it!"

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I was switched to this birth control to help regulate my periods and help with breakthrough bleeding I’ve had with another pill. I haven’t been on this pill for a week, and for the first few days, I kept telling myself that I need to continue this birth control at least 3 months because maybe my mood will level out. It has not. I have become extremely depressed and unmotivated. I was not struggling with depression before the pill, and I was generally in a happy mood. However, I did suffer from depression in my early teen years. I have been on this pill for 5 days, and I am already having suicidal thoughts. Because of this, I have decided to quit taking the pills. There is no reason I should have bad thoughts about myself and my body and my existence this much from one pill. It has also made me lose my appetite, and I cannot sleep."

• hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m on my second month of taking this BC. My gyno put me on it to help shrink an ovarian cyst I have that’s close to rupturing. So far, I have noticed somewhat of a decrease in cramps. Thank goodness because those cramps were the worst pains I’ve ever felt, and I would consider myself a person who has a very high pain tolerance :/ But on the other hand, I have been bleeding/spotting for about 3 1/2 weeks now after I had my full 6-day period. I’ve experienced abnormal mood swings, increased anxiety, worsened depression, and insane random crying sprees over the smallest things or just nothing really at all. At this point, I think the pain is a better option than how crazy this pill has made me feel."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control, Balcoltra, sucks. I was off of BC for 2 years because the brand I was on (Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo) was discontinued. Pharmacy switched me to Lo Sprintec, and that also sucked, so I stopped altogether. Anyway, had a pregnancy scare and decided to give BC another chance. My OBGYN said this was a mild, low-dose BC and shouldn’t give me any side effects. WRONG. I threw up every day (took it before bed), had constant dizzy spells that rolled over to the next day, and the worst of all were mood swings. Not only did I almost break up with my boyfriend, but I cried and almost put my fist through a wall over a text message. Safe to say that only lasted 5 days before calling it quits. My suggestion? Don’t try it, I get everyone’s bodies work differently—which is why I ignored the reviews and tried it anyway. Boy, was I wrong. To put it simply—don’t do it. You’re welcome."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

For Birth Control "I recently switched to this as another option to Lo Loestrin, which I heard worked in a similar fashion. The mental side effects have been absolutely horrible. Five days in, and I am moody, agitated, and picking fights, which is definitely not my personality, and I have been so incredibly depressed it’s insane. While this might work well for some people, if you are doing well on the Lo Loestrin, or have had any issues in the past with other birth controls with higher estrogen that affect your mood, I would definitely not recommend this birth control. This has been a nightmare, and I’m immediately going off of it."

• Yaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. Experienced terrible mood swings and increased depression and anxiety, plus cystic acne that I never experienced before this pill. I’ve also been constantly bleeding for the past 4 weeks because of it, wouldn’t recommend at all."

• eg1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Balcoltra for 9 months. I am only 18 years old and was 17 when I started on this medication in hopes it would help with my acne. I have always had a fast metabolism and never gained a significant amount of weight in my life and have always been able to drop off weight fast. However, after taking this, I gained about 20 pounds after a few months and tried everything I could to lose it, but never did until I switched to a different birth control. Balcoltra makes you feel bloated 24/7, even when you first wake up in the morning. I also did not notice any change in my acne. I would NOT recommend this to anyone, UNLESS you want to gain weight."

• 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?"

• Bal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 7 months. I started using Balcoltra after my IUD started to fall out (yeah, scary, I know). Since starting it, I have been tracking my cycles. My period comes within a day of when it has been predicted (either 1 day early or late). I am an overall anxious person, so I don’t see my anxiety being worse because of this BC. Another plus is that my weight has been maintained, even through quarantine. Overall, this form of BC does its job, and I’ve had no major side effects."

• Kan...
• January 14, 2021

"Literally the worst birth control on the market. I’ve been off birth control for three years and got back on due to irregular menstrual cycles. Back in 2017, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen and only experienced minor bloating as a symptom. My gyno gave me this script because of the low hormones, but I highly regret it. When I started the first pack, I started breaking out like CRAZY! I kept going because I figured my body just might be getting used to the pack. Come week three, I have a full-blown period before I even reached the blue pills. Two weeks after that, I have developed insomnia, chronic fatigue to a point where I can hardly stay awake during the day, accompanied by nausea and extreme hunger both at the same time. To top it off, I’m moody as anything and have been super irritable. Let's not forget the huge mountains forming on my chin and cheeks still. Safe to say I’m switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen ASAP! Stay away, ladies."

• xob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 13, 2022

For Birth Control "This was the best BC I ever have been on! My full face of acne completely cleared up, I didn’t gain weight, my period lightened up, and I stopped throwing up each month! I tried Lo Loestrin, and that was the worst 3 months of my life. Thanks, Balcoltra!"

• 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."

• Bal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I’m usually not one to leave bad reviews, but I’ve been on 3 different pills, and this was the worst experience I have ever had. Cystic acne on my jawline, neck, cheeks, back, and chest. 2 periods every month. Made my suicidal thoughts so much worse. Horrible cramps and super heavy period. MAJOR hair loss and scalp issues (that stopped immediately after I stopped taking it). I took it for 3 months, but I should have listened to the reviews before I started taking it. Everyone’s experience is different, but I would 100% not risk it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2021

For Birth Control "This is my first time ever being on birth control. I’m not sure how other brands work, but this brand really works for me. It helped with acne, lighter and shorter periods, less cramps, and everything."

• JTE...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Everyone's chemistry is different, and what works for one woman will not necessarily work for another. This is the third hormonal birth control I've tried, and the side effects have been the most manageable on this medication. First, it does what it claims it will do; I've been on it for about a year now and am not pregnant. ;) For me, the side effects have been mild, much milder than other BCs I've tried (generic patches and LO Loestrin FE). I do experience mood swings (generally irritability, sometimes lethargy) and bloating (which goes away during period week). Acne doesn't seem to be affected; it's slightly better than when I was taking nothing, but it does not keep my skin entirely clear. Periods are shorter than normal on this medication, and I don't experience cramping any more or less than typical."

• Lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on 2 other birth controls, which made me nauseous and feel horrible every day. Balcoltra is the only one that hasn’t made me feel that way. I haven’t had excess weight gain or acne. I feel really normal."

• Roa...
• March 4, 2021

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control I've ever taken. I was prescribed this due to abnormal bleeding I had prior, and it was supposed to “regulate” my period. It worked for about 4 weeks, and I started bleeding again. When I tell you I've become depressed! I was bleeding for about 4 weeks, HEAVY! Heavy blood clots. I went to the gyno to get switched, and they told me this brand is designed to make you bleed compared to other birth control, which stops your period! Overall, this is the worst birth control, I wouldn't recommend! I kept cramping, it's just ridiculous."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2022

For Birth Control "I don't know how I feel about this pill. It has stopped my period in its tracks and helped to get rid of some pain I was having, but I have this new depression that has turned me into a completely different person. It is really like what they say on the commercials, doing things that used to make me so happy, now I'll leave early because I feel blah. I have anxiety and did have my first anxiety attack in a while about a week into the pill. I don't know if that is related, though. No big changes in weight or diet, though."

• gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I am not even kidding when I say this pill, Balcoltra, made me bleed for 3 months straight. I’m three days into a new pill, and I’m STILL BLEEDING. I was bleeding through ultra tampons in less than two hours. Not to mention, it’s insanely expensive. There are better options, I promise."

• Mar...
• June 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I had an absolutely awful experience on this Balcoltra pill. I had almost constant cystic acne that abated during the placebo week but returned immediately upon starting the new pack. Nothing improved the acne, and it actually worsened over time. I also experienced weight gain and moodiness. I haven’t experienced such significant side effects on any other pill, so I really cannot recommend it to anyone."

• bir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Balcoltra because I was experiencing breakthrough bleeding on Sprintec and Tri-Sprintec. At first, Balcoltra was great -- had NO breakthrough bleeding or side effects for the first 3 months. For some reason, at month 4, I started experiencing breakthrough bleeding again, as well as lots of gastrointestinal problems, bloating, mood swings, acne -- you name it. It was very frustrating, but my doc encouraged me to keep with it for a few more months. During these months, the pill was very inconsistent. Sometimes, I'd have a great month with no breakthrough bleeding and short periods. Others, I'd have every side effect in the book. I also gained about 5 pounds, but that could be for a number of reasons, even though I eat very healthily and work out 5 days a week. I've finally decided to switch off Balcoltra and try something else."

• Ell...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Balcoltra for around a year, and it really is one of the best birth controls I have been on. Previously, I was on Sprintec, and it caused me to be very depressed and have mood swings. Being on Balcoltra allowed my acne to heal up, and a very short, light period. The only downside with this pill is that I find if I take two in one day, I get violently sick to my stomach and vomit."

• 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."

• Bal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I have lost count of how many birth controls I have been on at this point to manage my period pain. I will generally skip my blue pills and start a new pack to avoid my period symptoms, as recommended by my doctor. This birth control, however, has caused SEVERE cramping and bleeding. I am on my third month of this pill and am currently up at 4 AM writing this review since the pain woke me up. This has nowhere near made a dent in my normal pain, if not made it way worse. I have taken multiple pills over the past ten years, and this is one of the first times I’ve experienced this kind of pain so early since I am now only three months into taking it. I have a consultation for endometriosis surgery in May, so ladies, if you are having similar symptoms of endo, I suggest staying away."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I needed to get on BC, and this was my first-ever prescription. Week 1 of the pills, I didn’t notice much-just tiny little pimples. Week 2 was absolutely horrible. Nauseous, always bloated, no motivation to do anything, weight gain, and the worst of all, dizzy all day, every day, and bad chest pains. I stopped taking the pill due to these side effects. Do not get on this BC!"