Jolessa and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Abs...
• November 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I am on my first pack, one and a half weeks before my placebo week. I had dark brown spotting for three weeks, starting the second month. It has progressed into a period. I'm going to do one more pack to see if anything changes, but this is a horrible side effect. I chose Jolessa because I'm a newlywed, and I didn't want as many periods. In addition to the spotting, my sex drive doesn't exist. This is very challenging, as my breasts have grown significantly, and my husband likes breasts. On a positive note, I didn't get pregnant while I was able to have sex. That's wonderful. Now, I can't get pregnant because I'm not having sex. Thanks, Jolessa."

• Jol...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Jolessa for 9 years. I have my period 2 days after starting the sugar pill, and it's always been the same and right on time. I don't have acne except an occasional zit or two, my weight for the nine years has been the same besides small weight gain. I started Jolessa when I was 15-16, and I'm 24 now. I've never had a problem, and I haven't gotten pregnant. I don't take it at the exact same time, I just take it when I wake up or remember. Thus far, I love it! I'm also very active in sports, so it's nice only having a period every 3 months. I will say that after a year or so of taking Jolessa, I did lose the sex drive. That lasted about 1-2 years, but it came back twofold."

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I have used Jolessa for several years, and I love it. I used Seasonique for about two years before that and did not notice a big difference (except reduced co-pay) when I changed. I have never had spotting. I LOVE not having a monthly visit, and it is very light when I do have it. The downside would be reduced libido. I have just learned to live with it. I also think this causes me to have some acne that seems to have started about the time I began taking it. However, I would rather buy pimple cream than tampons. Weight has not really been an issue. I wish it would make my boobs grow! No such luck. I would recommend it to anyone."

• Mor...
• October 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Was on Jolessa birth control for a year and recently stopped taking it because of side effects. I had very frequent migraines that lasted 2-3 days. I lost my appetite and 10 pounds, as someone who is already very skinny, it was concerning. As far as acne, it cleared up a lot until the last three months I was on it, I started getting monster pimples that were painful. I got the chills and fevers almost every day. My boobs got a full cup size bigger, so that's something to look forward to! I also experienced pain during sex and itching in nether regions while on this. I've tried 4 birth controls, and none of them have worked out, so you may experience fewer or more side effects."

• Jun...
• February 16, 2014

For Birth Control "This has been better than past birth control pills that I have used. I have been on Jolessa for probably 1 1/2 years. I like that you only get 4 periods a year, however, I have noticed my sexual drive decrease the longer I have been on it, and my sensitivity to sex has decreased. Other than that, I like the pill."

• Rox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 19, 2017

For Birth Control "6 years I've been on this pill. It's a great pill if you hate having a period every month. But being 22 is a lot different than being 16, and my body just isn't liking the pill anymore. Main cons - heavy bleeding, ZERO sex drive. Cons of taking the pill in the 1st to 3 years - painful sex due to vaginal dryness, slight nausea if taken in the morning. Cons at the end & why I'm stopping (4-6 years) - hair loss (just more hairs come out when I would brush it), more pee breaks, breakthrough bleeding, cramps & spotting when climaxing, & spotting during vigorous workouts. Pros - never got pregnant, stable mood, no breakouts, hair thinner on arms & legs. I never had spotting in between packs (until now) or gained any weight, & I'm pretty sedentary."

• Rox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 19, 2017

For Birth Control "6 years I've been on this pill. It's a great pill if you hate having a period every month. But being 22 is a lot different than being 16, and my body just isn't liking the pill anymore. Main cons - heavy bleeding, ZERO sex drive. Cons of taking the pill in the 1st to 3 years - painful sex due to vaginal dryness, slight nausea if taken in the morning. Cons at the end & why I'm stopping (4-6 years) - hair loss (just more hairs come out when I would brush it), more pee breaks, breakthrough bleeding, cramps & spotting when climaxing, & spotting during vigorous workouts. Pros - never got pregnant, stable mood, no breakouts, hair thinner on arms & legs. I never had spotting in between packs (until now) or gained any weight, & I'm pretty sedentary."

• Rox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 19, 2017

For Birth Control "6 years I've been on this pill. It's a great pill if you hate having a period every month. But being 22 is a lot different than being 16, and my body just isn't liking the pill anymore. Main cons - heavy bleeding, ZERO sex drive. Cons of taking the pill in the 1st to 3 years - painful sex due to vaginal dryness, slight nausea if taken in the morning. Cons at the end & why I'm stopping (4-6 years) - hair loss (just more hairs come out when I would brush it), more pee breaks, breakthrough bleeding, cramps & spotting when climaxing, & spotting during vigorous workouts. Pros - never got pregnant, stable mood, no breakouts, hair thinner on arms & legs. I never had spotting in between packs (until now) or gained any weight, & I'm pretty sedentary."

• Vee...
• January 16, 2013

For Birth Control "I first got on Jolessa because the menstrual cramps I suffered each period were horrible. I haven't had any cramps or spotting since starting the pill, other than the obvious period-related ones when that time finally does roll around. I'm mostly happy with this brand! However, one thing I have noticed since meeting my boyfriend and becoming sexually active with him is that this pill kills sex drive dramatically. I gave it a good rating because I'm pleased with its performance, but I'll be switching for a more healthy sex life with someone that I care deeply for."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking Jolessa since October 2016. I have only had a few months this whole time that I did not spot or bleed heavily. I have bad cramps during my period and clotting while on this pill. I noticed that my sex drive is much less, and I am drier during sex. I was not like this before I started taking this. It does prevent pregnancy. I am not sure if it is worth taking anymore. I recently found out I have a corn intolerance, and microcrystalline cellulose is in this pill. My skin is super dry, and I did gain weight. Some of these symptoms could be perimenopause since I am 45. I did read that it is supposed to help prevent those symptoms, but it has not for me."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2023

For Birth Control "This medication is horrible. I've had really bad anxiety and panic attacks constantly. I've never had this bad anxiety before, and I am definitely not going to take it anymore. I've also had headaches and a lack of appetite. I was restless and couldn't fall asleep. I wish I never would have taken this at all. I also was bleeding constantly. I have read that your body has to get used to the medicine, but with all the other side effects, I just couldn't take it anymore. I also have had a very low sex drive because of it and have mood swings. Hopefully, I can get back to normal soon because I am miserable. Please don't take this medicine, I hate it."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on Jolessa for about 45 days now. My insurance wouldn't approve the original brand, which my RN mother-in-law says is better, but I've read about other women spotting on Seasonique too, so it's probably more personal experience. Light spotting at least every few days, and I still got a period even after my first month, which lasted about 10 days as opposed to my short, but very painful ones. On the plus side, I didn't even know the period was coming like I usually do: no severe cramps, mood swings, PMS, etc. On the downside, I have zero sex drive. But overall, I feel very 'calm' with less anxiety. Not sure about weight gain, perhaps a few pounds, but I'm making an extra effort to eat better and exercise."

• Do...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I have always been 110-112 lbs, and then after starting Jolessa, almost immediate weight gain of 7-8 lbs even though I am still just as active and eat very healthy. My sex drive is non-existent now since these awful pills. The only reason I went on them in the first place is to get my period every 3 months. Well, it took me at least 7 months for that to happen because the first few months I still got my period every single month, and the spotting lasted for weeks at a time. I also have no patience anymore and can easily snap when this would have been totally out of character for me. I am switching back to my previous birth control this month finally."

• aun...
• July 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because I hate my period. I was on it for about a month and a half, and I felt horrible. I had serious mood swings, making me so mean and a totally different person. I also had terrible cramping and a loss of libido. I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for acne and thought that this would keep my acne at bay. Um, no, I was wrong, I broke out everywhere! So I decided to go back to my old birth control, and I am back to normal again."

• Nab...
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking this after I got a depo shot, which made me gain like 15 lbs and made it hurt to have sex. When I started taking Jolessa, I gained weight very quickly, going from 160 lbs (I was 145 lbs before the depo shot) to 200 lbs in like 6 months. No matter how healthy I eat or how much I exercise, the weight won't drop. Even doing P90X, I can't get anywhere weight-wise. This pill also totally killed my sex drive. I get moody, especially if I forget to take it a day or two and start taking it again. I'm always tired. I never had any issues with pimples ever in my life, but when I take the white pills for the period or forget to take a few pills, I break out so bad. I hate this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I am on my 3rd month, close to the sugar pills, and I have been spotting for the past week and a half. I've gained 10 lbs, experienced pimples here and there, mood swings, and a decrease in sex drive! I'm not sure if I like the pill yet or not because my body hasn't had time to completely adjust. I hate the spotting and cramps, but my breasts did grow, and the first few months on it were great. I think I'll try another pack to see if my body adjusts."