Lutera and Sore Breasts: What Users Say

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking Lutera 3 months ago. I have to say, I was tremendously reluctant to try this birth control after reading some of the horrifying reviews. My main concern, if I'm being honest, was weight gain. I lost 60 pounds by eating healthy and exercising, but I am someone who gains weight rather quickly, so it was definitely a concern for me. Here's a little backstory: I've been on a few birth controls from ages 14-25. I initially began taking birth control to help with my cramps. I decided to take a break after being on it for 10 years. In the past year, I have been experiencing excruciating cramps to the point where I was vomiting and calling out of work. I'm a pain-tolerant person, but my cramps were unbearable on days 1 and 2. I went to my gyno, and she suggested I start birth control. Enter Lutera. The first week, I was feeling slightly nauseous when I would first take Lutera. I decided to eat a large snack or small meal with it, and that helped the nausea. I also noticed that I had awful mood swings for about 2 weeks. I would be laughing one minute and crying the next. I even called my gyno within the first week to see if I could switch birth controls, especially given the reviews I had read. She insisted that I stay on for at least one month, and if I still felt the same, we could switch it. I'm glad I listened. The nausea and mood swings went away. I have not experienced any weight gain. I've actually lost weight. As I mentioned before, I gain weight easily and fast, so I am always mindful of what I'm putting into my body. I haven't experienced weight gain, but I also try to eat well and exercise regularly (this is something we should all be doing anyway). I haven't experienced acne or depression or anxiety while on Lutera. My periods are shorter and much lighter (about 3-4 days vs. 6-7), and my cramps are not nearly as bad as they were. The only thing I've noticed on Lutera is that my breasts are pretty sensitive and my sex drive is slightly decreased, but no more than what I had experienced on other birth controls. I'm writing this review because I was one of the people who read these reviews and was scared and stressed to try Lutera. I'm glad that I listened to the medical professional who prescribed the birth control (I voiced my concerns ahead of time) instead of listening to reviews online. I will also add that every body is different, but I wanted to share my experience in hopes that it puts you at ease. I haven't experienced the symptoms that many people discuss in the negative reviews. Again, we are all different, so I can't speak for everyone. I would imagine that medical history and your daily habits would have an effect on any medication you take. I would give it a try for at least a month and make an informed decision then."

• new...
• November 9, 2009

For Birth Control "I started birth control for the 1st time a little over a month ago, and my doctor prescribed Lutera. So far, it's been a great pill for a 1st-time user. I was a little moody for the 1st week or 2 that I started taking the pill, but I'm also being treated for depression so I don't know that I can attribute my mood swings to anything in particular. My mood is definitely back to normal now, either way. The only lasting symptom I've noticed is a little tenderness/swelling in my breasts, which really doesn't bother me very much. All-in-all, I recommend Lutera for 1st-time users because I think low dose birth control is a great way to start. Also, I set my cell phone alarm to remind me to take it each day, and that really helps me remember!"

• Sap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I (23, 115 lbs., no kids) have been on Lutera since I was seventeen because it has been the only birth control pill that doesn't give me insane mood swings, heavy bleeding, and constant general discomfort. I was placed on this pill after going months having a continuous period on Yaz until I collapsed and lost consciousness from the fatigue and anemia I experienced. The only negative side effect I have had over the last six years on Lutera is occasional breast tenderness around my period. Aside from that, it has kept my skin clear, my hormones in check, and given me much more pleasant periods."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I switched to Lutera after a bad experience with Junel FE. I’m finishing my first month and love it. It cleared my bad back acne, I don’t get bad mood swings anymore, my cramps are mild, and overall I’m having a great experience. The only downside is my breasts are constantly sore, they were on Junel too and have been constantly growing, but that’s not too much of a complaint. Overall, it’s been going very well, and I’d recommend! Remember, each works differently for everyone, and it’s important to find what’s best for you :)"

• nr3...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera now for 8 months, and it has made a very positive difference in my life. This was my first time going on birth control, and it was originally because I had such horrible headaches and cramps, but now I have a lighter period, headaches and cramps are rare, and I don't get depressed every month. Overall, it has worked really well for me. The only downside is having to remember to take it at the same time every day... and for the first week or two, I just felt a little off and had some headaches and breast tenderness. Everyone is different, but after my experience, I would recommend Lutera."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old, and I have been taking Lutera for about seven months now. I have had hormonal problems and have noticed that this is a great solution. The pills are small and easy to take along with my other medications. The first two months of taking it, I felt pretty nauseous, and my breasts were a little tender. I started having sex about five months ago, and I was very nervous at first about getting pregnant, however, after being on this contraception, I am confident that this is a genuinely effective pill to take. I strongly recommend!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 12, 2025

For Birth Control "I have used Lutera for 13 years. I'm sexually active and have never been pregnant while taking this pill. I'm currently 42 and have been told that I'm still safe to take it. It's a low-dose combo pill that is safe to use for women who aren't high risk for side effects from using oral contraceptives (refer to your physician). I have had no side effects from this pill. I get the normal PMS syndromes I have always had (since I was a teen before I even went on BC), like breast tenderness and occasional cramping, but overall it has been very effective with no other side effects."

• J J...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and I started taking Lutera 4 months ago. It's been working pretty well for me, but I had a horrible period, mood swings, and nausea in the first month I took it. After that, my periods were light, and the only side effect that stuck around was some breast tenderness and mild cramping on the first day of my period. Also, it caused my breasts to grow larger, even though I weigh the same as when I started it. It's a great birth control pill once you get past the first few weeks."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I love Lutera!! So I switched to Lutera 3 months ago from Junel Fe 1.5/30, and Lutera was so much better! It was a change from a higher dose to a lower dose, so maybe my body reacts better to a lower dose, not sure, but Junel Fe gave me so many mood swings, cramps, and anxiety, which is not normal for me. I don’t usually experience mental health issues, so it was totally out of the normal for me, and it was horrible. Before Junel, I was on Tarina Fe 1/20, and that one gave me spotting all the time! The spotting was always brown. Very annoying. It defeated the purpose of me being on birth control because my main reason to be on it was to regulate my period. But after going from Tarina to Junel to Lutera, I’m happy to say I found a BC that reacts well with my body. I’m sticking with Lutera! The only side effect I have is tender breasts and some slight PMS. My period is regular, on point, and I’m not pregnant, so I recommend!"

• nan...
• January 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Lutera about a year and 3 months, and I love it. Clear skin, no weight gain, but I lost some, no mood swings, no cramps, no tender breasts, no pregnancies. I had heavy 7-day periods, now I have light 5-day periods, which is awesome."

• Pea...
• April 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm about 3 pills away from finishing my first pack. My experience is okay so far. I say okay because I started the pack 3 days before my period. Worst mistake ever. My period was super heavy for 4 days and had really bad cramping. My advice for first timers is to wait until you end your period and start taking the pill right after. Because I didn't wait, now I have my period again (this time it's really light, still cramping). Hopefully, by this next pack, my period is on track. On a good note, my skin is clear from acne, and I went up a cup size. Breasts are still tender, but I'm hoping that goes away. I have gained some weight, but I'm working on losing it. Some PMS, nothing crazy. I can say I'm pleased with Lutera so far."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for 8 months now, and so far my experience has been great! My OB/GYN switched me from Safyral to this because it was over $100 a month. But my periods are only 5 days long, with a medium to light flow. I bled extremely heavy before ever being on the pill. I have had no weight gain, actually lost 2 pants sizes, no unusual mood swings, breasts went down a cup size but seem perkier, and no babies. The only thing I have noticed is a little bit of breast tenderness before my period, and I only get slightly moody at PMS time. It has been a good pill for me so far. Every woman is different, but I highly recommend this pill."

• Anonymous
• February 5, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for almost a year, and that's the first and only birth control pill I've ever been on, so I can't compare it to others. However, I have found this pill pretty good. The lower dosage of hormone still works as well as any other pill as long as you wait about three months after starting it. My skin got so much softer, and my periods are now very predictable. My breasts got a lot fuller (B-D cup), and my hair grew longer and is now shinier. I have mild mood swings, but that's how I was before I started Lutera, so I doubt it's due to the pill. I did gain some weight, I get a few stomach cramps, and my breasts hurt a little from time to time. Everyone's different, and I recommend this pill to not only first-time users, but to everyone."

• Tay...
• December 13, 2013

For Birth Control "This is my second birth control. I started off with Microgestin, and it worked okay for me, but my periods were extremely irregular, and my breasts were so sore that even slightly touching them on accident would hurt a lot. Now that I've been through a full pack of Lutera, I really do like it. Other than the fact that I seem to cry at every little thing and seem to irritate a little more easily, my period was on point this month, and it lasted only 4 days. Although before I started, I cramped really terribly, I'm thinking that since it was my first month on Lutera, that should subside as my body gets used to it. My skin is the clearest it's ever been, my breasts grew a little, I gained a little weight, but it seems to work for me quite nicely!"

• han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2013

For Birth Control "For 8 years, I was on Aviane. Had horrible cramps, breast soreness, awful mood swings, weight gain (at least 5-7 lbs), and very odd periods (some would be heavy, heavy, then the next month barely anything). Not too long ago, the pharmacy gave me Lutera instead for no reason. Questioning how good this was, I was very nervous. My first week on Lutera, I lost those lbs, felt happy (like a weight has been lifted), no cramps! My period was light, short, and cramp-free! I had NO MOOD SWINGS. Then, the next month, back on Aviane...worst breast tenderness I have ever felt within the first few days back on it! Cramps returned. The next month: Lutera. After that...Aviane. Now, I've finally been on Lutera...for good! This is the best."

• han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2013

For Birth Control "For 8 years, I was on Aviane. Had horrible cramps, breast soreness, awful mood swings, weight gain (at least 5-7 lbs), and very odd periods (some would be heavy, heavy, then the next month barely anything). Not too long ago, the pharmacy gave me Lutera instead for no reason. Questioning how good this was, I was very nervous. My first week on Lutera, I lost those lbs, felt happy (like a weight has been lifted), no cramps! My period was light, short, and cramp-free! I had NO MOOD SWINGS. Then, the next month, back on Aviane...worst breast tenderness I have ever felt within the first few days back on it! Cramps returned. The next month: Lutera. After that...Aviane. Now, I've finally been on Lutera...for good! This is the best."

• Dre...
• October 2, 2019

For Birth Control "So I switched birth control because my old one, Novial, gave me bad side effects. It took me a month to find Lutera, but in the month I was not on birth control, I started to break out quickly and my breasts started to get extremely sensitive. Once I started Lutera, my acne went away immediately and my breasts were not swollen or hurting. I was impressed because my old birth control made me extremely unhappy, but so far Lutera has worked great. My only problem could be I started to get small little rashes like little mosquito bites on my arm. It does not bother me, they went away, but I do get them once in a while."

• She...
• June 12, 2017

For Birth Control "Negatives of this pill: Rapid weight gain (I gained 30 pounds, and my diet was the same as it has always been, and prior to birth control pills, I've never had problems with weight gain). While I already suffer from anxiety and depression, taking this pill had doubled that. Almost every day, I felt depressed, angry, and sad. I've had so many breakdowns, it was tiring. Now that I am off it for a couple of weeks, I feel much more calmness and peace of mind. There's no doubt that the hormones in this pill had something to do with it. Do not take this back to back (skipping inactive week), when I did this, my legs swelled up and hurt, and I couldn't stand for long periods of time and also had constant spotting and cramps. Always had breast tenderness."

• Den...
• May 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Lutera after my previous birth control got taken off the market. I was told that it had a lower level of estrogen, which may cause spotting. The first packet was wonderful - no issues. The second packet, before I completed the active pills, I started bleeding, and it is paired with horrible period cramps and nausea. I thought birth control pills would help with cramps. And according to my doctor, I will be having a period again when I get to the placebo week. Basically, I will have a two-week-long period. Not to mention, I did gain weight, got tender boobs, and have trouble sleeping. I did expect those side effects, but definitely did not expect a full-blown crampy period that lasts for two weeks. I’m giving it a shot for one more packet since it takes three months to settle in. Hopefully, I don’t go anemic before then from all this bleeding. If anyone has found the perfect birth control, please let me know because I’m still on the hunt for one."

• EC2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I started this medication two months ago, and I start my third pack tomorrow. This is the first hormonal birth control method I have used, and I am very satisfied. Before I started it, I had terrible PMS. I was ready to go on antidepressants if birth control did not help; I felt that bad. As soon as the second half of my cycle began (for me, around day 16), I was very depressed until my period, to the point of missing work, not showering, not even getting out of bed. I also had outbursts of anger, extreme fatigue, my skin got oilier, and I had headaches throughout the month. All that went away when I started this pill. My breasts feel sore and got bigger, but all other minor side effects went away after the first two weeks."

• Jay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 27 years old, 5'6", and 125 lbs. I'm a mother of a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old. My first time on any kind of birth control was after the birth of my 3-year-old and was the implant Implanon. I had a horrible experience overall with the side effects (extremely hormonal, excessive bleeding, horrible removal, and much more). After lots of research to avoid another disaster experience, I chose Lutera. Within a week and little by little, I started noticing a difference in everything. Pros: For the first time since I was a teenager, my periods were on time and even better, only lasted 3-4 days. My skin is clearer, my breasts are fuller, and no more mood swings. I feel like a normal woman. Cons: My breasts are a little sore, possibly because I'm a DD with now fuller breasts."

• Suc...
• February 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm not certain how I should typically feel being on a pill since this is my first time. It's been 5 days, and last night was the worst. I take my pill about 12 pm every day, but towards the end of the day I'm feeling so nauseous. I also developed a lot of headaches, which is not normal for me, and there was some tenderness in my breasts. Not sure how to feel or if I should change pills to a lower dosage of estrogen!"

• Kel...
• February 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Lutera for 7 months now. The first 3 months, I had horrible, painful bloating every time I ate anything. That has subsided, but I have gained a lot of weight, my hair and fingernails are growing rapidly, but are very brittle, my acne has gotten worse, my breasts are larger and more tender, and I get frequent headaches. I have been on several other birth control pills, and they all gave me insane mood swings. I don't seem to have that problem with this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2015

For Birth Control "First, my first time on birth control, this had to be the worst option for me. The first month was fine, the second month my period lasted for 18 days. The third month I began to feel dizzy the day before my period would start. I would get terribly sick before each period after that. For the first 4 months, I'd have tender breasts for the entire month. I gave it an extra 3 months to see if anything would change since my body was just trying to adjust to the new medication, but nothing changed. I got tired of the 2-week long periods, so I stopped the medication."

• cas...
• April 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I have had the Implanon rod in my arm for two years. It made me have a period for 19 days and off for about 4 to 5. My hair was falling out, horrible cramps, and bad headaches. I have switched over to the Lutera pill, and instantly it has made a difference. I did have a little bit of tenderness in my breasts. Yes, I crave sweets. But who doesn't? My periods come the same day every month and are light and easy. I love this product. For the past six months, it has been good to me."