User Reviews for Loestrin Fe 1/20 (28-Day) oral

Pros: Minimal weight gain (mostly in my breasts- went up a whole cup size!) no mood swings outside of a few days of regular "PMS" mood, no depression, light period. Cons: Biggest con- ACNE! New blemishes everyday, very annoying and painful. Tender breasts all the time. Also expensive. Switched to a different brand since the acne and breast tenderness were not something I could control no matter how much I tried.

Within the first few days of taking this i was SICK. Bloat, Vomiting, Diarrhea, mood swings and a headache that would not go away

I've been on Loestrin 20 for almost three years and I'm about to switch. I started it after becoming sexually active and enjoyed the effects of lighter periods, fuller breasts and obviously, sexual safety. However, a year into my prescription I started noticing recurring yeast infections, weight gain, mood swings, water retention so that my abdomen always seems bloated or full, and eventually in my second year I developed p.i.d. I had pap smear after pap smear for months and no cause was determined other than a projected yeast infection that could not be controlled. Eventually I was given diflucan for 2 weeks, the pelvic inflammatory injection, and a rigid prescription to clear the p.i.d. I was never diagnosed with any sexually transmitted infections having only two main partners, and I have had trouble with this drug ever since. Now that I am experiencing breakthrough bleeding and just as violent, uncomfortable periods as before the pill, I am soon switching to a higher dose. My advice: Read the entire pamphlet that comes with this prescription, know the symptoms backwards and forwards, and take this correctly. Listen to your body and report to your doctor if anything seems amiss.Read More Read Less

I was on this pill before, inbetween, and after children. Never had a problem and I only got pregnant when not on it for several Months. When going through menopause I had to resume taking this pill to control my hormone levels. I strongly recommend to consult your doctor if this pill will work for you.

I have been taking birth control on and off for 10 years. For the last 5 years, I was on Yaz (which worked wonders for me, I loved Yaz), but came off of them. After a year of taking no pill, I decided to give Lo Esterin Fe a chance, and my body has never acted so poorly to a birth control pill. I have never experienced any of the symptoms I am about to describe on any other birth control pill. You have to take the pill on Sunday, 4 days after starting the pill, I woke up 4 consecutive nights with piercing pains in my stomach, and a severe migraine. On the third day of pain, I started bleeding heavy, and 4 days later I am still bleeding, am in tremendous pain, and decided to discontinue Lo Esterin Fe. I literally stopped this pill 9 days into the pack. This pill did not, AT ALL, work for me. Read More Read Less

I have been taking this bc for 6 years now and when I first started it was SO great. My periods before were super heavy and I had to take pain killer the whole time or I'd be curled up in a ball of pain. After getting on the pill my periods became super short and light and haven't had bad cramps since. I had a little weight gain but it didn't really bother me since it also gave me boobs. You do have to take it RIGHT on time EVERY DAY or you will spot or more than spot depending on how long you missed it by. The last year has been different though, 6 months of heavy periods and then 6 months of no period or just a day of spotting and now that I've read other reviews I wonder if my depression in college wasn't partly due to being on this bc. For years I've really loved being on this bc but I am considering switching.Read More Read Less

this is my first time EVER going on bc. was hesitant because i didnt want to gain tons of weight. this pill is great. no mood swings, light periods, NO WEIGHT GAIN! love it.

I have taken Loestrin for 3-1/2 years now and could not be happier. It took one month to go from having ten day long heavy periods to no period at all. I have had two occasions where I had spotting but that's it. Yes! I mean I haven't had a period in over three years and it's awesome having that kind of freedom! I took ortho tri-cyclen for probably four years before starting Loestrin and liked it too, but I noticed that when I started taking Loestrin, my mood mellowed out, I had no cramps, and a lot of my acne went away. I highly recommend this birth control. Read More Read Less

I was prescribe this bc to help reduce the size of a cyst, and the first months I had many doubts about since I was bleeding for 3 weeks straight, by reading other comments i came to the conclusion i need to take it exactly at the same time every day and the bleeding went away. Now its been 4 months had my ultrasound , cyst is gone, no other side effects , no weight gain. The only down is that with insurance is 25 bucks a pack , pricey but the cheapo bc i was on before messed me up very bad so I will continue to use this one.Read More Read Less

My period is a constant guessing game. I feel like I have been on my period for 3 months- the time I devoted to taking this pill. Loestrine curbed my apetite, bloating, and my mood swings (the reason why I was taking it), but my periods became much longer (5-8 days) and more irregular. I was warned of spotting, but, this is much heavier than that. I was also told that I might lose my period, completely. NOT! I finished my period in mid June, for example, and 12 days later I started my period... again... and this is month THREE on Loestrine! My breasts are horribly tender (much like when I was pregnant) and my PMS symptoms (migraines, cramping, backache) have not diminished, whatsoever. Loestrine is not worth the guessing game, for this lady. Read More Read Less

Taking this med to decrease my days of a period. I came to this web site wondering if anyone else is having a yeast infection that doesn't clear up with diflucan ( 9 pills!) after being on loestrin fe. Been on it a couple months and if I'm late on a pill I get light bleeding. ticks me off. the yeast infection for at least a month now- tho is the final straw. not sure if there is a connection. Before this I was on seasonique and lo-seasonique to diminish my period to 4 times a year. After over a year I gave up as I was unable to get any regular decrease in my period- very erratic bleeding. I think I'll just give up meds and have the darn period until menopause.Read More Read Less

I am not sure if I can fairly review this drug as far as effectiveness is concerned. But, I took it for three days, and my arms went partially numb, I got pins and needles in my feet, and I would wake up in the morning with random pains in my legs. Also, very oddly, my palms got sore (?). The side effects started within hours of the first dose, and are now mostly gone (stopped taking it two or three days ago-- had pins and needles in my feet throughout the day today though). I now feel incredibly depressed... though I am assuming that will subside and is probably just due to the brief hormone tweaking. Really sad the side effects were so bad, since I've heard good things from others. The numb arms just scared me too much. Since that is apparently one of the worse side-effects, I didn't think it would be wise to just power through it in hopes it would go away. Read More Read Less

I took this pill to help with my painful cramps and irregular periods. The periods have been light and fine but the mood swings have been unbearable. I have severe anxiety now and can cry over anything- it is NOT worth the severe depression I now have the week before my period. Do NOT take this drug unless you don't mind being chronically depressed.

I've decided to switch after a year on the Loestrin 24 pill. I was not dissatisfied, but the potential for a decrease in periods actually became a total elimination of my period, which is a bit unsettling month after month. I also think this pill might be the cause for my greatly reduced sex drive. The positives, and why I would consider returning-- My extreme cramps were virtually eliminated, greatly reduced bleeding, and no noticed weight gain.

this is my 4th pack of taking Loestrin Fe 1/20. starting taking the pill in April, had a light spotted period, May, June, July no period at all. I feel like I am swelled up all over. I believe it's caused weight gain. I feel its not normal not to have a period at all. Not sure about this pill yet, no face out breaks nor hair loss.

I was happy with Loestrin (Junel generic) for the first two months. On the third pack, I started to notice more side effects. I experienced a 5 lb weight gain that I couldn't get rid of despite increased workouts and healthy diet. I felt tired, like I just wanted to lay around all day; I'm normally very energetic. I had some insomnia, constipation, and in general didn't feel like myself. It was moderately effective at controlling my endometriosis symptoms. Skin not as clear as with Yaz (endo was better on Yaz, too, but it gave me photosensitivity so I've had to stop taking it for the summer). Read More Read Less

So, just a little background... I have been on almost every form of BC out there from IUD to the Patch and tried every pill. This is hands down the best in terms of minimal side effects. No decrease in sex drive (increase if anything) no crazy thoughts of suicide or depression that can be directly linked to the medication and so far no pregancy. It's so mild that unless you like putting large doses I highly recommend it.

I have had no problems with this bc. No period, No significant weight gain outside of note exercising regularly and eating healthy, No acne problems, no mood swings, no headaches or getting sick.

My typically low-key mood and high patience levels, changed to daily mood swings, irrational anger, headaches and zero patience. Mild depression. Switched after one month, improvement shown.

I have been on almost every birth control pill out there. It seems like whenever the "bigger, better pill" comes out my doctor likes to try and switch me. I was on Yasmin for a few years and loved it... until about 4 months ago when I started getting erratic chest pains. I passed it off at first as I ate something that didn't agree with me or I moved wrong and pulled something, but when I saw the commericals for law suits about it I called my doctor and asked to be changed. They recommended Loestrin. The first month was awful! I could tell my moods were off right away. I switched from the generic to the brand, since my body has never worked well on any generic birth control. It isn't much better. I have more acne on my face than I ever had in my life, and I'm in my 30's! My moods continue to be off, so much so I feel like I have to take Midol all month! I have gained weight, which I have never done on any other pill. This may work for some but not for me. It's horrible! If you try it and don't see anything positive after 3 months (if you can wait that long!) call your doctor and switch!Read More Read Less