Heather and Cramps: What Users Say

• Not...
• January 14, 2021

For Birth Control "Read reviews, but thought... hey, everyone is different, so it may help. YEAH RIGHT. I’m on month 3, and my periods are horrible. I was put on Heather to regulate them, but it’s made my days longer. I was originally 6-7 days a month, now I’m 11-15 days. I’m already anemic and was hoping this would be the answer. Not to mention acne. It’s awful. I’ve never had acne. Tender breasts for 2 months, mood swings & depression. Crying for no reason. I’m discontinuing this."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I have struggled with depression and anxiety for years. When I decided to get back on birth control at age 43, my Dr. prescribed Heather because pills with estrogen had a high risk of adverse reaction with an antidepressant I'm taking. After 3 months of extreme fatigue, super irritability, increased depression/constant crying, hair loss, acne, insane bleeding with large clots, bloating, cramps, headache, and back pain, all my Dr. (who I used to love) said was, 'I'm sorry you're having trouble adjusting to the hormones.' I feel like I've been set back several months on the progress I'd been making with my emotional issues. I stopped taking it today and can't wait to get back to 'normal.' Beware!"

• Kor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control, Heather, for 2 months. I'm pretty sure the mechanism of action for this drug is actually just abstinence because bleeding and cramping for 3.5 weeks each month is not conducive to having sex. The depression (which I have no prior history of) doesn't help. My medical professional never warned me about any side effects and has since told me to 'stick it out', so I'll give it a full three months. I had been on estrogen-based birth control for over 20 years and loved it, but hypertension :( At this point, though, I'd almost rather have the hypertension. And can I just take a moment to rant that in all my many trips to the gyno over the years for birth control, no one has EVER brought up vasectomy, when uterine ablation (literally burning out the inside of the uterus) has been suggested though. Come on!! Vasectomy was the first thing my partner suggested (bless him), so we may end up going that route."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2020

For Endometriosis "I have chronic endometriosis and adenomyosis. I was prescribed the mini pill and was given a 3-month supply of Heather birth control pill by my pharmacy. I continue to have extreme cramping even when not on my cycle. I have been bleeding for, so far as we speak, 12 days and counting. I'm 47, will be 48 in April and used to have clear skin, and now I have itchy, weird, puffy skin, especially on my cheeks near my eyes. Getting a lot of itchy hives on my face in random spots, especially around my upper cheekbones near and around my eyes. Really tired all the time, emotionless, and I've also noticed constipation. This pill is supposed to have regulated my period and help with the pain. I'm at the end of my second pack and am stopping the pill immediately! Not taking it anymore... Everyone is different, and that is my experience. Hope it helps. TAKE AT YOUR OWN RISK."

• Joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I am exclusively breastfeeding and now 8 weeks postpartum, so I decided to try out the Heather birth control pills. The side effects were instant: severe headaches and cramping daily, drastic changes in mood, and a period that lasted almost a week. I've been on this pill for barely even 2 weeks, and although it takes roughly 3 months to adjust, it's not worth my mental or physical health."

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

For Endometriosis "It's okay, but not the best. Without birth control, my periods are extremely heavy, and I cramp so badly I can't move. I also have migraines. This has improved them a little bit, but compared to my on-the-clock bleeding, I am actually going to scream! I have been having my period for three weeks! Has never happened to me before!"

• Sma...
• February 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I cannot use birth control with estrogen due to migraines. I have been on this pill for just over a year. At first, it was great. Mild or no periods at all. But about 8 months after I began taking it, I started having a period every 2 weeks. It is just as heavy and painful as it was pre-birth control. Not a fan of Heather anymore."

• clo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I wanted to use this pill, Heather, to try and minimize my period. All it did was make me feel extremely nauseated and couldn't poop ever, to where my stomach was cramping. It gave me the most awful acne I’ve ever had, and it took my period completely away, which wasn’t what I wanted. Being sexually active and not having a period is really awful for not knowing if you could be pregnant or not."

• Kic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on Heather, one of the progestin-only birth control pills. Before taking this medication, I barely had a period, maybe 2 days long. And I was like a clock, every 30 days. Now I get random periods every 2-3 weeks that last 8 days and are super heavy. It has really interfered with romance. And I get cramps now too, which I barely had before. Would not recommend."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on birth control pills for over a year now for heavy periods. My pharmacy only had Heather brand of norethindrone in stock recently, so I received a 90-day supply. And OMGoodness, the next 90 days were horrible. I had horrible cramping for days before and during my period and literally just felt sick from the pain. Once my 90 days was coming to an end, I went to my pharmacy and demanded they order another brand. I will NEVER use Heather again."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I had been on Depo for over 3 years and loved it, but had to stop due to being on it for so long. I tried a combo pill, and my acne and cramps were horrible. So my doctor switched me to a progesterone-only pill. I've been on it for a couple of months, and it seems to be working well. My body seems to only like progesterone. No acne, no depression, and sex drive is good. Usually only have cramps for 1 day, periods are heavier than I would like, but way better than not being on anything to control them."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2021

For Birth Control "Had my period or heavy bleeding at the end of every week. When my period was due, I had severe cramps and abdominal pain that I have never had an issue with before this type of birth control. I was on this medication for one month before stopping due to side effects."