Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding User Reviews

• Sha...
• April 22, 2020

"My doctor recommended this birth control pill (Levlen) to me because of my heavy cramping and acne (46 years old). I am on my 5th pack of this pill. If I had read the reviews before I started, I probably never would’ve started. So my advice to people is every pill is going to work differently for each person, so try what your doctor recommends. This pill has changed my life, my periods were so heavy that it caused me to be dangerously anemic. I got anxious during my cycle because they were so heavy that I couldn’t go an hour without having to change my pad and tampon. Now my periods are super light and last only about two days, and I no longer have cramping. I’ve had acne my entire life up until 4 months ago, I hardly break out at all, my skin looks great, and I’m no longer getting the hormonal cystic acne on my chin that I would get monthly! I have gained about 6 pounds, but I can’t necessarily say it’s from the pill. I hope you all find what works for you! Good luck, ladies!"

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2020

"I’ve been taking Seasonique for almost 2 months. I’d heard that it would allow me to skip periods, which I desperately needed because my periods were so severe. Completely unbearable cramps, nausea, fatigue, heavy flow, etc. About 3 weeks ago, I started having horrible cramps and bleeding, and it has not stopped for one day since. I have literally been on my period for 3 weeks! I would have been better off not taking it at all. At least this pain would only last a week or so. I’ve also had some weight gain without changing my diet, so I feel like it’s another side effect of this birth control. I had such high hopes for it, but sadly, it kind of sucks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2013

"I have been on birth control for 9 years for heavy/too frequent periods. For the first 6 years, Seasonique was amazing. However, especially within the past two years, I have had excessive spotting. For a while, I was on the generic and just thought there was a difference between that and the name brand. Initially, I had no problems, but I started a doctorate program and am sure the stress has a lot to do with it, but my spotting has started again. It'll happen any time I stress out or after having sex. I like not having my period for 3 months, but now, I'm on my period more than a normal BC. Except it's worse. It comes unannounced and has ruined a number of undergarments."

• Nai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2020

"I had painful periods my whole life, and for about 11 years, I went from doctor to doctor, trying different pain medications, herbal medicines, and undertaking multiple ultrasounds in the hopes of detecting endometriosis. Finally, one good doctor suggested going on birth control before doing my endo surgery. I was extremely hesitant at first and scared, but I gave it a go and do not regret it since. With LEVLEN ED, I have had no acne, no weight gain, no painful periods, no problems whatsoever. It felt almost like a magical potion I had taken. I was hesitant to initially take it as I read some bad reviews online, but this was my wonder drug, and I had to review it."

• ECl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2013

"I have been on Seasonique for over 6 months. I have had continuous spotting along with cramps for the last 16 days. My doctor informed me to skip the pills at the end of the pack so that I do not have any periods due to my periods being extremely painful. However, I hate the fact that I have been spotting for over 2 weeks. I started this birth control to treat endometriosis and to regulate my periods. Yet, spotting every day is not any better. I am looking into other options right now. I don't like bleeding all the time."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2018

"This birth control has literally ruined the past few months of my life. Not only have I gained almost ten pounds, about a week after I started taking it, I started bleeding. I have since been bleeding, and today is day number 16. I have the worst cramps, headaches, and heavy flow that I have had in YEARS! Not only does it keep happening, I am clotting... and the blood looks horrible. I also developed a rash on my legs, and my doctor told me to keep taking it! I will absolutely NOT keep taking these pills."

• bnc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2020

"I am shocked at how many bad reviews this BC has! I was on this pill for around 5 years and recently got off due to getting migraines with aura, and now am switching to an IUD because it has no estrogen. However, my time on this pill was great. Everyone’s body is different, but when I got put on this, I had little to no spotting-it was so nice only getting a period 4 times a year as someone who suffers from heavy bleeding and cramps. For people who are worried or experiencing spotting, give your body a chance to get used to it! You aren't bleeding for 3 months straight, so it’s normal to get a little bit of spotting as you are approaching the placebo week. The only cons I would give this BC are the fact that I did get migraines on it, it definitely made me a little more emotional (but any BC will), and I did notice a little thinning of my hair. However, I never got pregnant, my boobs grew a size, I didn’t gain any weight, and it improved my period significantly. Don’t believe the hype on this site!"

• KJA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2020

"I'm peri-menopausal and have not been on any birth control for 20+ years. All of a sudden, my periods became so heavy for the full 5 days that I felt disgusting. My periods were also coming on sporadically every 2-3 weeks. My doc was reluctant to prescribe BC pills because of my age (46), but I basically begged lol, so she started me on Lessina low dose. I saw instant improvement my 1st month with my period being much lighter. I just finished my 3rd pack, and I couldn't be happier! I'm back to a 28-day cycle, and it's so light! I went from flowing through super plus tampons every 2 hours to barely needing a regular on my heaviest day! No side effects at all."

• Jun...
• February 2, 2018

"The worst decision of my life was to start this birth control. After just five weeks of being on it, I started spotting, then it moved into a full-blown heavy period. With the worst cramps I’ve ever experienced in my life! I would be changing my pad every hour along with taking pain medicine to try and help with cramping, but even that didn’t help. I was in so much pain I was calling in to not go to work, which I have worked for over 35 years and never call in sick. Starting this birth control has messed with my life physically and emotionally the past month and a half that I’ve been on this, so I stopped taking the pill and my symptoms have been getting worse. I talked to my doctor and she said to just stay on the pill. I refuse to continue to take it. I’m just praying that the symptoms will go away as soon as the hormones withdraw from my body. I took this birth control to help not get my period, and it’s only been the opposite and a nightmare of symptoms since taking it."

• Fem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2020

"I started to take the Seasonique as directed and did not make it past 10 days. My period, which normally lasted 5 days, is still going on for 3 weeks! I stopped on day 10 because the bleeding was awful. The point to take it was to have less period, not to bleed every day. 3 days after taking it, and I have never bled so heavily in all my 34 years of having a period. This stuff is awful!"

• jas...
• August 29, 2018

"Been on Seasonique for just over 2 years. While getting periods only four times a year is great, it's never been a true reality for me. Out of the three months that are within a pack, the first two are great, but every time I hit the third month, I start spotting. But not even just a regular little bit of brown discharge. It starts like that for a few days, and about a week or so into that 3rd month, I begin getting very large clots. It resembles a light period almost, as if my entire uterine lining comes out in these clots. This lasts for a few weeks, all the way up until my last week of pills... which is when I'm supposed to get my period, which I don’t because I lost all the blood in the 2-3 weeks prior to that. This medication has also made me gradually gain 20 pounds since I first began it. I cannot wait until I get off this pill. 2 more weeks and then I will not be getting a refill. I have had enough. Do not recommend this medication."

• Dis...
• February 17, 2017

"I wish I would have read these comments prior to my starting this pill. THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!! I have been bleeding and passing EXTREMELY LARGE blood clots for 13 days. It started 2 days into my second pack. The pain is severe, almost mirroring labor pains, with abdominal contractions every time I pass a clot. I stopped the pill, and the bleeding continues to get worse. Avoid this pill like the plague!!"

• Roy...
• October 31, 2015

"I've been on the pill for a little over a month, and I'm stopping. I'm extremely anemic, and I asked my doc for this to help with my periods. They were getting increasingly heavy and painful and making my anemia worse. I started taking the generic of this pill, and in 1 month, gained 10 pounds. Then I started spotting and got a full-blown period month 1. This period is heavier than normal and has zapped me of all my energy. It has lasted 7 days of constant normal to heavy bleeding that doesn't seem like it's going to stop. The blood is still fresh bright red, so it doesn't look like it's stopping soon. Also, this week of bleeding has made me extremely emotional. I almost quit my job! I feel very angry, irritated, annoyed, and depressed."

• Gin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2019

"I always had heavy, unpredictable periods and hated it. After spending two months straight bleeding an extremely heavy, clotting flow, I asked my doctor about alternatives, and she recommended taking birth control pills without the weekly break. I started on a different medication but switched to this one because insurance covers it at no cost to me. I haven't had a period in over 10 years, and I've never been happier."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2017

"This birth control is the worst! If you were OK with having consistent bleeding for over a month, then this is for you. If not, try something else because this is not worth it. I am now on week eight and still bleeding/spotting. I wish I would’ve read the reviews before starting this prescription. I hate it. If I could rate it a zero, I would."

• Lou...
• December 1, 2010

"After reading all the horrible comments on sites about this medication, I thought I would add my positive ones. I have been on it a little over 4 months now. As of the 4th month, I stopped all bleeding. Very few side effects at first, maybe being tired (I was anemic too), a little nausea and cramps right at first, but getting past all that, the bleeding finally stopped. This is a wonderful medication. Don't let the negative comments impact you. Each of us reacts differently. I have fibroids, and the bleeding was very bad. They didn't know if this would help or not, worth the shot. Glad it is so far. Just don't give up at first, even if you want to. Give it at least until the 4th month for your body to adjust."

• Unh...
• March 19, 2021

"Pluses: clear skin, no mood swings or headaches. BUT, at first, I spotted every day for months. Light enough for a pantyliner. My period stopped for a while, went fine. Then, with no warning, I would have gigantic clots and blood gushing when I stood up. Then later on in the day and the next day... nothing. Happened a few times. Last straw: family goes to Disney World for the first time. Second day I’m walking around the park then stand up, start gushing blood. I spend the whole time afraid to stand because I’m going through a tampon and pad every hour. Next day nothing. Fourth day at Disney, same heavy gushing and clotting. Airport gushing. Arrive home, bleeding lightens. Then I stand up, heaviest bleeding ever! Soaked through a super tampon, pad, my underwear, pants were soaked with blood and it stained my bed. I am 39 years old and this didn’t happen before Jolessa. I had heavy periods but not random hemorrhaging in between cycles. I have stopped this birth control and my provider is trying me on something different!"

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2014

"I was prescribed Sronyx as a way to control the amount of blood I lose during my very heavy periods. I have been on it for about 5 months now, and here is my experience with it. I feel very normal taking this pill. About Me: - Age: 24 - Weight: 105 - Ethnicity: Hispanic - Sexually Active - I eat healthy - Little to Moderate Exercise My Experience: - Period was lighter after 1st month and has continued to stay light. I used to bleed for 5-6 days heavily and get severe cramps. Now my periods are light and will last 3 days. I still get light cramps. - I have not gained weight. - Skin cleared up - No mood swings or depression. - Sex drive has not changed. - On occasions, I will experience nausea after I eat. - I still PMS - NO 'breakthrough bleeding.'"

• Spo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 13, 2016

"I loved the thought of not having a period every month, as advertised. It worked great for 6 and 1/2 years. Light spotting when I started back then, and lighter periods and not buying so many tampons was very nice! I got off the pill for 6 months (for financial reasons). Decided to go back on it, and now I'm in month two and on my 11th day bleeding. Started as spotting, then got heavier each day after, and minor clotting. I saw dark brown blood on day 9 of bleeding, thought it was ending finally, then the next day...BAM, back to bright red bleeding again, and horrible cramping to go with it! I'm a mess emotionally. It's like PMS, but not going away once the period starts. I think it's turned on me. Time for a switch! I can't afford all these pads."

• Kat...
• February 24, 2017

"I started taking these pills January 12, 2017, because I didn't want to deal with having a period anymore... the worst mistake, do not take! My hormones are jacked up. I'm very moody, my appetite is crazy, I have gained 10 pounds, and also I have been bleeding for 3 weeks straight. My doctor told me to continue to take it, but I will not take this medication - he even tried to change the dosage and give me some menopause meds. I said I'm not taking any of those meds, it had me so messed up bad. I'm bleeding so much from my uterus. They are recommending that I have NovaSure surgery done. I will keep you posted, but beware, this birth control is not good at all, these reviews are the truth."

• Sup...
• December 29, 2010

"I started this pill to only have 4 periods a year. I don't need the birth control because my husband is 'fixed.' I was like clockwork every 28 days, but my period would last 7 horrible days. I had major bleeding, clotting, and cramps. So, I thought this would help with both the flow and amount of time. I started the pill 8 weeks ago, since then, I have been bleeding (enough to wear a pad) for 4.5 of those weeks. My breasts are super sore and have grown a cup size. I have had cramping for most of the time. I'm going to stop because it's causing the very thing I'm trying to eliminate."

• bry...
• November 14, 2011

"I have been on this pill for about a month, and on my second week, I am bloated, never hungry, have mood swings, and don't want to get out of bed in the mornings. Also, I started light bleeding, like when you are coming off your period."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2019

"I started taking Levora 3 months ago with the initial goal to correct my anemia and reduce bleeding. My Dr. prescribed it for a short period of time, 6 months max. I must say, I started bleeding heavily before the first 'scheduled' period on the pack. I bled for nearly 2 weeks, which never happened before. The Dr. office nurse said it was normal to get used to the medication. Fine. Now, I'm on the 4th month of taking Levora and I'm quitting it because I'm outraged that, again, I have heavy bleeding for nearly two weeks, and it's not even close to the 'period' mark on the blister. Again, that's very concerning and causing my anxiety to spike. I haven't noticed any weight gain, however, acne appeared on my face and chest, which hasn't happened since my teenage years. Also, I noticed worsening symptoms of gas, bloating, cramping, and pain in my ovaries."

• 38...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2016

"I wanted to try Seasonique for the 4 periods a year. On my 1st month, I started bleeding on the 3rd week and still bleeding 3 weeks later. The bleeding is really annoying and doesn't seem to be letting up. It's a thicker consistency and small clots. I will give this a little more time, but so far, I'm not happy at all! After reading other comments, it seems more bleeding is expected than what's advertised! :("

• 7...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2020

"Alesse was the first birth control I ever took. I was 18 and had been having horrible periods. Constant, painful cramps and heavy flow. My gynecologist suggested Alesse to make my period lighter. I bled for over a month! Not spotting. Full-on heavy bleeding with horrible cramps. I eventually stopped and decided to deal with my period. At least I knew when it would end."