Norethindrone and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Spr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2021

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I'd been taking the combo pill for about 16 years, and a doctor finally told me they won't give me them anymore because of the migraines I was getting. She recommended I try this one. The first 2 months were rough - breast pain, random bleeding, MAJOR BRAIN FOG. I see that confusion is a symptom on the side effects list. That's fine, but I feel like a different person. I can't focus, have a hard time remembering, can't find the words, and struggle to explain things. Has anyone else had these brain fog symptoms?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 3, 2021

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have been on this due to not being able to take estrogen-based BC. I will give this a pretty positive review with one downside. Positives: Extremely light periods (2-3 days tops of spotting and nothing more) when taken regularly. Lost 10lbs in the first 2 months. No PMS whatsoever. No headaches. It has actually helped them so much because prior, my cycles were so short I was constantly PMSing. Negatives: I have noticed I am a bit more fatigued. I have always been go-go-go but occasionally now I seem to want to nap after work. Breast tenderness is a bit more some months but nothing terrible. If you miss a pill or are late, you will have breakthrough bleeding. It's not much but it can come at any time. My experience in general hasn't been so bad, and I am pretty happy on it."

• Jpa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2020

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed Errin as an alternative birth control because of having high blood pressure. The first 3 months were normal with my period lasting about 5-6 days. On the 4th month, I started bleeding profusely! I would bleed through heavy pads in 3 hours. The bleeding was full of huge clots. I lost so much blood that I was pale and required to come into the doctor's office for a checkup. The cramping was unbearable. There is no way this medication is worth the pain and money it costs in feminine products. The birth control works in preventing pregnancy because who would want to have sex with you when you are bleeding through your clothes! Terrible experience."

• Pri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2021

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "It’s been 75 days of constant bleeding - from a few days of using a pantyliner with a few spots of brown blood to couple days of needing a medium pad for red blood then back to spotting then back to slightly heavier bleeding. Basically non-stop spotting and bleeding. And I’m sick of using hygiene products EVERY DAY."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2019

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm a little surprised at the negative reviews, but I understand everyone is different. I was put on Nora-Be due to extremely heavy periods in my mid-30s. I have been on this pill for 5 years now and am quite pleased with the efficacy. While I still have a cycle (some people will stop having a period once taking Nora-Be), it is significantly lighter. Once in a blue moon, I would get breakthrough bleeding, but that all stopped after the first month of taking Nora-Be. I feel my mood has been more stable since before the pill, and it has not affected my weight at all."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2015

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I love this birth control! I have struggled since I was 16 with finding a birth control that was right for me. I have had so many issues with abnormal bleeding, mood swings, weight gain, etc., and have not liked the fact that the long-term effects of birth control can lead to heart disease, blood clots, and more. This birth control has changed my life. I have lost all of my mood swings, I feel so much better in general, I have lost weight, and most of all, ladies, my sex drive is THROUGH THE ROOF. Not that me or my husband are complaining. It's been a very nice thing. All you have to do is take it every day at the same time. And no matter how busy your schedule, you can set a simple alarm on your phone. Try this pill! You won't regret it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on this for 3 months now, and the first month was fine, but after the first month I have had 4 periods within 5 weeks, and each is 5-6 days. I have a 3-4 day break from bleeding, but then it starts up again. I've never experienced this before taking this birth control, and I'm done taking it."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2020

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This is the most awful birth control pill I’ve ever taken in my entire life, and I’ve tried several. I took it exactly on time every day for one week. Starting with day 3, I had a constant headache, nausea, acne, pain in my legs, generalized pain in my body (back, joints, etc.). By day 5 I was bleeding a little, then by day 7 I was bleeding a LOT - like if someone just drew blood straight from my arm and dumped it in the toilet. It wasn’t even like normal period blood, it was so bright red and thin. And on top of the other symptoms, I was dizzy and had cramping, too. It also gave me intense hot flashes and a slight fever, I was sweating practically all the time, and I would wake up several times a night. AWFUL! I would absolutely never recommend this pill to anyone. If I could give it negative stars, I would."

• EM0...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2013

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This medication was amazing at the beginning, but now it has caused severe moodiness and abnormal uterine bleeding. (I've had 2 full periods in 3 weeks) and some days I start spotting and get cramps even though I take my pills on time."

• Fir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2020

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "Errin is a medical miracle. I have been off birth control for quite some time and have started this wonderful medication. My sex drive is up, I feel so much energy, I'm excited for my husband to come home. So far, no bleeding or spotting. And I have been urinating like crazy, so it looks like I am dropping a ton of water weight. I'm excited to see what next month holds as far as my period goes. Thank you for whomever made this drug. My husband and I love you."

• Tri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was prescribed norethindrone from the pill club due to being estrogen dominant. I suffered badly from heavy bleeding, so I decided the pill was the best option. I took the pill, and the bleeding immediately stopped. I could almost cry. Until two weeks later of consistently taking the pills. Now I’m bleeding so heavy, like a period, and it won’t stop. These pills are supposed to prevent a period, and I started them to avoid this. Now I’m cramping and crying because I can’t stop bleeding. I know breakthrough bleeding is normal, but not like this. I wish I never started this stupid pill. I’ve just decided to get my uterus removed and my ovaries. I don’t want to deal with period problems anymore. This pill didn’t help. Avoid."

• Sop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2019

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Errin now for almost 3 months. I used to get my period every 20 days, which was too frequent for me, lasted 3-4 days. Now, I am bleeding every day, granted, some days it's just spotting. I am officially quitting today, yesterday, I started bleeding so heavily that I filled my overnight pad in less than an hour, and there was heavy clotted blood. I had never experienced this before. I read about breakthrough bleeding, but I can't anymore. I didn't gain weight, I didn't get acne, and my hair is the same. I am 38 yrs old. Everyone is different, but this is my unpleasant experience."

• Ren...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 15, 2023

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I was taking this contraceptive as a replacement for the one I was on. My CNP told me I was at high risk for a heart attack being on the other birth control with my blood pressure med. Started taking it and my period became longer, 5-7 days. I was so used to a 2-3 day period. After 4 months on Heather, I was bleeding very heavily to the point I became scared. I was going through a heavy flow tampon every hour. I would have a 7-day period, stop for a week, and then wham, another 7 days. Every other week, a damn period! One month, I bled for 18 days straight, had a four-day break, and voila, another full 11-day period. I was miserable and spent more money on feminine products in 9 months than I had ever in my previous birth control experience of 2 years. Acne, so fun at my age of 48. And, the worst side effect I noticed - arthritic aches in every joint. I could barely move in the morning. I discontinued recently and feel wonderful!"

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Got prescribed norethindrone for premenopausal symptoms, have been bleeding now going on the 4th week! Called last week, they told me to stay on it. I am not liking this at all, and they said the other alternative would be IUD, which I am not happy about. May be calling my family NP to see what’s going on. This pill is horrible!"

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2016

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "Ok, almost 3 months into taking Nora-Be, and I'm back with an update... So, I had breakthrough bleeding the first 2 months, but it slowly went away. You have to make sure to take the pill at the exact same time every day. I've lost weight, typically, looking at BC makes me gain weight. All the pain and bleeding I had for years with endo is gone. I haven't been taking the week 4 pills and jumping to a new pack, but I just read somewhere that pop doesn't have placebo pills, so the 4th week is also hormone? I'm not 100% on that yet. Ok, back to side effects... No more acne, but skin feels dry. I'm dry everywhere, unfortunately. Small price to pay for a pain-free, cyst-free existence. No headaches, no nausea, no more breakthrough bleeding. Will update in another month..."

• Lov...
• January 31, 2013

Norethindrone for Birth Control "This birth control did prevent me from getting pregnant, which is the main concern. However, I have never bled so much in my life. I am someone who has always had perfect periods without birth control. I went from that to bleeding three weeks out of the month, and it never would stop. It wasn't necessarily heavy bleeding, but it is very aggravating to bleed constantly. This medicine also made me have acne, and I normally have very clear skin. It made me have mood swings that my husband noticed. He even asked me when his nice wife was coming back. I decided after giving this three months to go for a permanent birth control method."

• Tis...
• April 30, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have uterine fibroids, and I'm anemic. I elected to have the myomectomy, however, all surgeries were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to stop the bleeding and keep my blood levels up, I was prescribed norethindrone to stop my cycles altogether. The first three weeks or so, I didn't have any bleeding. However, at one month, I began experiencing severe acne at 42 years old! The same week, I noticed bleeding and then more frequent breakthrough bleeding while at work and when I woke up. I called to tell my gynecologist about these incidents, and the dosage was increased to 1 in the AM and 1 in the PM...the bleeding never stopped. Three packages of overnight superpads and 1 box of super tampons later, I began having excruciating contraction-like cramps. I couldn't even stand up straight. I've gained 15 lbs, and within 2 months, all of this...I'm not going to take this medication. I'll take my iron pills and hope for the best with my cycles. But nothing should feel like this."

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2017

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I love Micronor. I have been on it for 2 years, and I'm about to get off it because I want kids. For the first 3 months, I had some side effects (tender breasts, bloating, cramping, breakthrough bleeding). But after those 3 months, it was PERFECT! No symptoms, no mood swings (unless PMS), and sometimes, I would just not have my period, which was fun in summertime. I had tried Alesse, Yaz, NuvaRing, all of them giving me the worst headaches and weight gain. On Micronor, no weight gain, I was dieting, so I managed to go from 130 to 115 pounds in two years on that pill. :)"

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

Norethindrone 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."

• Ven...
• May 6, 2016

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 41 and have had heavy periods for 3 years. I was bleeding for 10 straight days before seeing my OB. I did tests and vaginal ultrasounds, and my OB says everything looks fine. She put me on Micronor because of my HBP and because of my age. I was having breakthrough bleeding for 3 weeks after starting on Micronor. After the 3 weeks, I guess I had my period because it was heavier. I still had a little spotting afterwards, and thankfully it tapered off after a few days. Now no blood, it stopped, and I'm period free. I'm now in my first week of my second pack. I don't really have any side effects, just a little hungrier, but no weight gain yet. My complexion is fine, no mood swings, my sex life is fine, no depression either."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2020

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I started to take Errin because this was what was suggested. I regret it so much. I took it every day on time - I had an alarm set so I know it was taken on time religiously. I started to bleed constantly, and it got to the point the clots that started to come out were huge. Like ungodly, my new normal became multiple periods in a month, it sucked. Costing more in hygienic products in a month than I have spent over 3 months without taking it, I shouldn't be going through the big box of tampons in a week. -_- When they normally last me months, granted everyone can experience different things. But this is my experience and why I rated it what I did."

• CCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I am on my second pack of Jencycla and highly considering calling it quits. My periods were always 3-4 days prior to taking this pill, and the past month, my period lasted for 9 days and was heavy the entire time. My period stopped for 5 days, and now I'm bleeding again. In a little over a month, I've gained close to 5 lbs, my skin feels different, I have on/off depression and moodiness, and seriously, the random and constant cramping. Also, I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but I swear I can smell chemicals from my skin, and it only started once I started taking this birth control. It's a very noticeable and strong chemical smell that's especially strong on my hands. No amount of washing with soap gets rid of it. I'm giving this one more month, and if the side effects don't stop/slow down, I'm going to try a different pill."

• CCa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 7, 2019

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I started taking Nora-Be over 7 years ago after having my baby. I was breastfeeding at the time, and going on this mini pill made sense. Throughout the past 7 years, I’ve gained 37 pounds. I didn’t change my diet or exercise. I had horrible migraines and sensitivity to light. My hair was falling out like crazy. My periods were so irregular. I would have random bleeding and spotting throughout the month. I had horrible mood swings and anxiety. I would feel sad and stressed out for no reason. I had bad insomnia, and my blood pressure also increased. I never got pregnant, though. I never ever made the connection that Nora-Be could be the reason why I was experiencing all these issues. I kept going to the doctor throughout the years, and no one made the connection either. I finally stopped taking it 3 days ago. I hope it gets better for me. I’m in the process of losing weight and just being healthier. Everyone is different, but I wouldn’t recommend Nora-Be."

• Jen...
• January 24, 2014

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have used other birth control in the past that has regulated my periods like clockwork after one month of use. I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and was told this was one of the only pills that did not have a side effect of higher BP. I gave it 4 consistent months, and after I have experienced epic bleeding, to the point it was like having 2 periods back to back, I decided it wasn't for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 11, 2023

Norethindrone for Birth Control "This is awful. I am 25 years old, and this pill has made me gain over 20 pounds in half a year. I bleed every other week heavily, and it's never red anymore, it's always dark brown. I have terrible and extreme cramps, worse than I've ever had too! My acne is next-level bad, and a rash started appearing on my shoulders, chest, neck, and back. My skin is super dry and weird too. I had to go on this birth control because of my migraines, but I absolutely hate it. I have never had issues like I've had on this pill before. I will be trying to get on something else soon."