Orsythia and Cramps: What Users Say

• jrh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Orsythia for about a year and a half, and I have no complaints about it. After reading a lot of the comments, I noticed people were only unsatisfied with it because of pimples and weight gain. Sure, I get an occasional pimple or cramp, but can we look at the bigger picture? It does its job in protecting us from getting pregnant. That's all I have to say."

• tru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I've taken oral contraceptives for a couple of years, almost 10 years ago. I decided to try again and was prescribed Orsythia. While it does its job - I'm not pregnant - I'm constantly tired and sleepy, my sex drive is almost nonexistent now, my breasts often hurt, and the first day of my period is very painful. I can take Tylenol for the menstrual pain, but other side effects are unacceptable."

• bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I've had no negative side effects. Been on it for two months. No acne, I lost weight and my sex drive shot through the roof! No pregnancies. Only thing is my periods are a bit heavier and more cramps. But it only lasts four days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I've just completed my first week on Orsythia. Being that I had to start it during my period, I noticed a change in my cycle immediately. I'm usually a 3/4 day-er. I am now on my 7th day with no sign of let-up. That's a bummer. From what I've gathered from friends/family, it's just my body getting used to the hormones. But when is it going to end? No cramps, no mood swings, no headaches, and FREE! I guess, so far, so good. Just ready to be off my period!"

• No ...
• January 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for 6 months now, and I'm calling my doctor today to switch. I'm constantly tired, my cramping is more painful than when I was on a different pill that was discontinued, I have 10-day periods when I used to have 3-4 day ones, headaches all the time, and absolutely no sex drive whatsoever. The only positive thing I can say is no pregnancies!"

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I never have a problem with this birth control. I've been on Orsythia for at least 3 years. I see all of the bad reviews, which I find interesting. I've never had a problem. I don't get cramps anymore, and I have a very light, short period. I've never gotten pregnant. Very effective for me."

• L L...
• December 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I am on my 4th month taking this pill. This is my first time regularly having sex without a condom, and I have not gotten pregnant. My sex drive is great, but I have a lot of cramps and breast tenderness. I gained some weight at first, but I went back down when I stopped eating as much. My periods have been long, but relatively light. Considering I can overcome the side effects, and I get this brand for free, it works for me."

• gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2015

For Birth Control "So this is my first week on any kind of birth control. I'm experiencing a very heavy and painful period, very low mood and depression, and lots of crying and weeping. I didn't think it would affect me so quickly. I'm not sure whether to ride it out for a month or just stop or switch. I really can't afford to be this out of it, given how demanding my work is. If you've had a similar experience, let me know!"

• DH1...
• November 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I started this pill in June 2014 and have had only a positive experience. No weight gain, no acne, and no pregnancies! I used to get bad back pain and cramps, however, after starting the pill, they are gone and my period only lasts 3-4 days. I do get emotional right before my periods do, but nothing too extreme. I would recommend it to a friend, as I know friends who have also had a positive experience."

• Jil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Orsythia since I was 14. I am now almost 19. I am nauseous a lot and cry for no reason. I am very moody all of the time and have a lot of mood swings. I have an EXTREMELY low sex drive, to the point that I think it will ruin my relationship someday. I am sexually active, but I am always safe using condoms, so I haven't gotten pregnant. For me, Orsythia has stopped the clotting during my periods, but I still will get cramps and my periods will sometimes be very heavy. I never got acne, so that hasn't been a problem for me. If I were you, I would steer clear of Orsythia and make this your last choice for birth control."

• Kou...
• February 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I was previously on Tri-Previfem, and had horrible acne, cramps, and mood swings on it. Switched to Orsythia, and I am currently on the third week. My acne is totally gone, I've gotten one pimple this month (I would get 7-10 while on Tri-Previfem). No more mood swings, and I am totally satisfied with it."

• Bre...
• August 13, 2016

For Birth Control "This was my first time on the pill, and I can say that it has been great. I gained a few pounds the first month, but I also started lifting weights and eating a lot more to help build muscle the same time I started taking it, so I can't say definitively that the pill is what made me gain weight (and by gain weight I mean like 5 to 7 pounds-I haven't gained or lost more than 2 or 3 in the past 4 years as a high schooler, so that was pretty significant for me). It didn't clear up my acne, but it didn't make it any worse. I've had no mood swings, no cramps, no PMS symptoms, no bloating, really no side effects at all. The only real change I've experienced by taking this is that it made my period more regular and lighter. I have no complaints."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2016

For Birth Control "The only reason I even give this two stars is because I never had an issue with pregnancy on this pill. I started with Aviane (which I had no side effects and generally felt great) and was switched to this by my pharmacy. Since then, things have gone downhill. I had very mild anxiety before going on the pill, Aviane did nothing to it, but Orsythia has amplified it to the point where I've really struggled with my anxiety and mood swings. A few days before my period, the smallest things will set me off into episodes of weeping and panic. I've gained some weight (5 pounds). Experienced nausea every so often (more than Aviane). Worst is the cystic acne on my chin. While my periods have been lighter and shorter, cramps have gotten worse. Terrible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2013

For Birth Control "Reading the reviews. I'm really jealous of those light periods, no crampers. I've only been taking Orsythia for 5 weeks, and at first, it wasn't too bad. I noticed significant weight gain during the past 2 weeks and am on my first period on birth control. They are killer. I have never experienced cramps this bad. I get sharp pains in my back, legs, shoulders, and stomach. Everyone's body is different, and this pill isn't working for me."

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Orsythia since January. Ever since, I've basically completely lost my sex drive. I'm never in the mood, and I have terrible sleep and am very irritable. I thought it was just me, but reading the reviews and people saying basically the same things I'm having makes sense. The only good thing is that I've barely had any cramps."

• Ama...
• August 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I used to have really bad cramping and a really heavy flow before I started this birth control. I've been taking it for a year now, and my period is only four days compared to the week and a half it used to be. I did gain a bit of weight, but it was all in the boobs area. Love this birth control!"

• Kay...
• January 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this now for a little over a year. At first, the birth control worked great for me! I would only have about four-day periods, and I barely ever had cramps. But starting about three or four months ago, every time I'm not supposed to be on my period, I will start on my first or second week of the pills and will be on it until my month of pills is gone. I'm not sure if it's my body's way of saying it doesn't like this pill anymore or what. Has this happened to anyone else? I'm going to my gyno soon, and I want to either switch my BC or get completely off it."

• Moo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2015

For Ovarian Cysts "I am 40 years old. My doctor prescribed this medication to treat heavy bleeding due to an ovarian cyst that developed after several Clomid cycles with my infertility specialist. After three months, my periods are regular again, but at the cost of several unpleasant side effects. I have painful cystic acne in my genitalia, I have gone from being calm and relaxed to short-tempered, and my sleep cycles have been disrupted, leaving me tired all the time. The first day or two of my period is extremely painful, but that may be due to the fact that I have more like a 25-day cycle and the pill is trying to force a 28-day cycle."

• Sil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I was put on this BC because it was what my insurance was covering. I was on it for about 9 months. Prior to using Orsythia, I was on Lutera. I am now back on Lutera, thank goodness! They supposedly have the same ingredients, but Orsythia really made me feel awful. Here is what went on. Every month was different, some months I was extremely emotional, other months my breasts would get very tender, all the way through the nipple, ouch! I would also get frequent headaches, like maybe 4 a week. There was more cramping too. I connected the dots and told my Dr. and she switched me back to Lutera and put on the prescription that there should be no substitutions. I have been fine for the past 6 months since I changed back. Orsythia sucks if you ask me."

• Ker...
• January 16, 2017

For Birth Control "Just started my second pack of this pill. I switched from Tri-Sprintec due to side effects from that, such as nausea, constant breast tenderness, and increased anxiety. I have had no side effects with Orsythia so far. My breasts did get tender before my period, but I'm used to that anyway. My period started the 3rd day of placebo pills, and I had mild cramping. My period did last for 5-7 days but was not heavy. My sex drive is pretty low, but it has been ever since I started taking any form of birth control about 7 months ago. Overall, I'm really pleased with this pill!"

• 198...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I switched to this from Loestrin FE 1/20 and got my sex drive back, acne cleared up, and I barely notice that I am on this pill. No longer dizzy or hormonally sad, or feeling like everything is cloudy. I also actually have a noticeable period and no longer spot throughout the month. I do have bad cramps again, but I've always had cramps. Best switch!"

• Oka...
• November 1, 2015

For Birth Control "Well, I've been taking it for about 5 months now, and my acne has cleared up, but sometimes I feel like it isn't working, so I get pregnancy scares. But my period has been shortened, and my cramping is still the same. I just don't cramp as much anymore."

• ant...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Orsythia for 6 months for controlling dysmenorrhea, or painful periods. Before starting birth control overall two years ago, I missed at least two days of school and work a month because my cramps, backache, nausea, and headaches prevented me from doing more than sitting in bed crying. After Orsythia, I barely get a period, it lasts four days, and I rarely need to use anything more than a pantiliner. I get the occasional cramp, but nothing unmanageable. I love this pill!"

• A...
• July 29, 2016

For Birth Control "From using this pill for a year, I can say my opinion is firmly that Orsythia is not for me. The pharmacy/insurance switched Lutera to Orsythia, and I just went along with it, despite the negative reviews. This past year has been a completely different me. My sex drive was fine, bad cramps only once, and then other time from the white week sticker falling off and accidentally missing some pills. But my mood swings became so frequent and awful. I experienced depression and suicidal thoughts and am glad to have switched out of this birth control. I understand everyone's experience is different, but please don't be afraid to switch out of this birth control. Or keep a mood diary if you experience unusual moods."

• Kev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was put on this because I originally had irregular bleeding. Normally, a week before my period, I would spot, have my period for about 3 days, and be done. Since being put on Orsythia, I've already been fully bleeding for 2 weeks plus 1 week of heavy spotting beforehand. Needless to say, I have an emergency OB appointment on Monday to get me on something else that doesn't make this condition worse than it already was. The only two things this helped with were the life-altering cramps/body pains during PMS, and it also did not take away from my sex drive (though I could not even have sex because of the erratic bleeding).... I would NOT recommend this to my worst enemy."