Loestrin 24 Fe and loestrin24

I have been on Loestrin24 since I had my six week appointment from having a beautiful baby girl... THIS PILL SUCKS! Its bad enough after you have a baby that you have to have a period for almost six weeks... but I haven't stopped.. Ever since being on the pill I will have like two days I don't spot then two weeks where I spot constantly. I have headaches, backaches.. I am ALWAYS tired which could be from the baby but I NEVER feel rested.. I have constant anxiety and there is too much going on to tell if its just stress or the dang pill! I have a doc appt in a couple of days and I am demanding to be taken off of this pill!

I just want to thank all of you on this blog and other blogs. I was going to start this pill for pms and pmdd. I feel like I have the flu when I have my period. I am so exhausted. Bleeding is not so bad, cramps could kill me but thank god for alive and Advil. I started to get headaches about 2 years ago during my period or a few days before and sometimes the aleve and Advil don't help it even though they help my cramps. I am a group fitness instructor and don't want to feel sick or be unable to teach my classes. But after reading the side affects that could happen forget it. About 20 years ago( i was 18 then) I was on pills and had severe panic attacks and was hospitalized for a week. They couldn't directly pin it on the pill but trying it a year later and having it happen again I never took them again. I was assured by my gyn that pills have changed and that I would be fine on loestrin24 but I just can't chance it. I would say to the people who have severe bleeding and prolonged bleeding, fibroids or other problems, find a pill that can maybe help you. But for those of you who just need it for birth control and are having these problems, find another method. It is not worth it if you loose you sex drive, have mood swings and depression or any other of the horrible things I read can happen. And if you are predisposed to panic and depression, I wouldn't take it after reading all these complaints. The bad is outweighing the good on all the blogs I have read. Thanks again and good luck ladies!!

I have been on Loestrin24 for about 4 months now, i am ending my pack today. Ive found that i have become very emotional towards my boyfriend and parents, i was on Yaz previous to this and i thought the yaz was not working for me but then i discovered when i went onto loestrin the yaz was fine, i found that with this pill i have extreme break outs on my face that i never had before besides the occasional ones around my period now i feel like they come all the time. My breast were randomly sore in the middle of the month and i was worried that i was pregnant. After reading all of these side effects from everyone else i have decided to go back on the Yaz.

I have been on Loestrin24 since March 2008 and have been hospitalized once, in the emergency room once and suffering since. About two weeks after I started taking Loestrin24 in March 2008, I had what they thought was a TIA or, a "mini-stroke" and was put in the hospital. I was seeing a rainbow-like aura, had a splitting headache (for only about 30 minutes), became extremely confused, my blood pressure jumped up to 168/93 (stage 2 hypertension) and I couldn't speak for a few hours. Of course, they hospitalized me, ran all kinds of tests and found there to be no medical reason for a mini-stroke and the neurologist cleared me so, I was sent home with no mention of the fact that it could be the Loestrin24 that was causing it and, yes, my husband did tell them I was taking it. Two months later, I was back in the emergency room with the same symptoms. However, this time I recognized the symptoms as the same ones I'd had before and we immediately headed to the hospital. I was not hospitalized this time and the ER doctor said it was a migraine (there's a migraine that causes stroke-like symptoms) and that it's possible it could be the Loestrin24. Well, I'm taking the birth control pill because I have incredibly painful periods and was trying to be able to live a normal life. Without the birth control pill, I literally have to plan my life around my periods. So, not wanting to believe it was the Loestrin24, I continued to take it because, I hadn't had a period since I started taking it. That, alone, was worth it for me. But, last night while watching TV with my husband, the worst symptom hit me. It was like someone took a sledge hammer and slammed me in the forehead with it! I was wracked with such pain in my head that my hands flew to my forehead and I was screaming/crying. My head hurt so badly that I was would not have been surprised if I was actually bleeding from my eyes and ears. This morning, I'm still having the ringing in my ears and I could sleep for hours. I have contacted both my ob/gyn and my family physician and both of them said to stop taking it immediately.

Also, like I've read in several postings here, my sex drive is completely gone. And, when I do give in to my husband and have sex, my heart feels like I'm going to have a heart attack. The sudden splitting headache has actually come on during sex, too!

I certainly do not want to go back to the debilitating pain of my periods but, I can't live like this, either!

im so glad i found this site.. i have been taking loestrin24 for almost a year now and i cant stand it. i started taking it about the end of august '07 and of course had some break threw bleeding in the first months. then it stop and my periods became so light, i always felt sick and my breast were very tender i thought i was pregnant. i wasn't, thank god, and decided to just keep taking the pill. the past couple months I've been break threw bleeding again and the pains get worse and worse. I've gained a good 10 pounds threw the course of it and know that its from the pill. I've not changed one eating or working out habit ever since i can remember and never gained or lost a pound then. i get unbearable headaches from time to time and I've lost a lot of self confidence since it makes me some what moody almost everyday. It pretty much just makes me feel like crap all the time. so i have decided today that i am officially done with loestrin24. it sucks.

I have just started my third week on Loestrin24 and let me tell you, it has not been an easy 3 weeks. I have been on BC for what will be 9 months. The first two didn't work for me but this pill has already caused me problems. As im typing this i have bad stomach pains. I have had horrible mood swings. My poor boyfriend has dealt with so much. I took the pill one night and woke up a different person almost. I've thrown up, spotting, nausea, indifferent moods, etc.
I've read everyones comments on this pill and I've gotta say, im nervous. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow and hopefully get off of this thing. Condoms and a period are much better then these side effects.
For anyone thinking of starting this pill, as you can see from all the comments..i haven't found one positive one..the side effects occur in a matter of days...

im and taking loestrin24fe because ive had 2 ovarian cysts in the last year. the first time i took fecomfe for a month and it went fine. this time around the doctor prescribed loestrin24 and everything has been crazy. im not sexually active but honestly these pills have me thinking.about 5 days into the first week i was bleeding brown and a bit red on occasions for 2-3 weeks. it stopped when i was supposed to get my period except it never came? im on the 2nd pack now and have been having the worst stomach pains and my breasts are hurting. ive read most of this is normal but at the same time i think something is wrong.

So I just finished my second month on loestrin24. And I have to say things went much better. once I started the white pills on the second month - I had no breakthrough bleeding (no spotting) the whole month. My period was pretty light (lighter than what they usually are for me) and cramps were much lighter too. My breast tenderness has gone away, but I still feel a little moody (i'm not sure if this is the pill or me!). My first month was god awful - 2 weeks of heavy bleeding, breast tenderness, mood swings. I originally took this OC to help with heavy bleeding from fibroids. I just hope it continues to run as smoothly as the second month did. Doctors should really let folks know what they might experience before starting this pill.

Hey everyone... I was on Yasmin and I loved it! I had to switch to Loestrin 24 because of insurance. Like most people I have had a really irregular period on Loestrin24, or I guess lack of one. The first pack I had HEAVY breakthrough bleeding after the first week. Since then, with the second pack I had no period, I took a pregnancy test, it was negative. Then this month the third, I am about to finish the brown pills and still no period. Since I started the pill I had had horrible stomach aches, and my left breast has been in so much pain. I went to the doctor, told her about my worries, she said to wait 3 months and see what happens. I hate this pill but I am in a bind because my insurance will not cover any birth controls for a reasonable price (under $65-$90) except for the generics. It is just frustrating because of course I am worried that I am pregnant but there's no way I could be (we are always double protected). I want to know if anyone has any suggestions on how to get an inexpensive form of birth control...

I'm 20 years old and have been taking Loestrin 24 Fe for six months. I've become moody and my breasts have gotten huge. I went from a barely 34 B to a 36 C, and they are still getting bigger. My sex drive is no where to be found and yes i have wonderfully short periods, but side splitting cramps. Anyone know of any other pills i should consider switching to that may cause my breast to not grow, hopefully shrink to normal and regulate my moods?

I've been on Loestrin24 for about a month. I have been having a lot of nausea, but that's about it. I've tried many other kinds of bc pills before, and they all have side effects. Everybody responds differently!! How many women have taken any birth control pill for the first 3 months with NO side effects??? If there is one out there PLEASE tell me what it is..............Deal with them or have your tubes tied or be celibate..Those are the other options...lol

I have been on LoEstrin24 for over a year and a half. For the first year, I had no side effects. After starting a very competitive graduate program this fall, I began having panic attacks, anxiety, hot flashes and am sweating constantly during the first week of a new pill pack. I believe that the stress have exacerbated the potential side effects of the pills and only now am I seeing the downside of this method. I was previously on Depo Provera for 7 years and then tried the patch for 1 year (HATED it). I've found that controlling my stress levels has helped but not completely ameliorated the side effects. Also, as an FYI for those who are worried about the brownish discharge - I still have it after 18 months on this pill.

OK, now that I have gotten that out of the way-- I am 32 and I have been on Loestrin24 for about 9 months and it seems that every 3rd period I skip. I had a Prego test 2 months ago and it was neg. Now I missed again and I am still freaking out! I get so paranoid! Other then that its OK. I have break through and bloating, but nothing major. I just want to get tubes tied...he he!

Hi, I am only 17 years old and I am at the first week of my second Loestrin24 pack.. But I haven't got a period yet.. Should I be worried? I started as a Sunday and Day 1 starter, because I had gotten my period on a Sunday. I can't stop thinking about why I haven't got my period ?.. I've taking all my pills on time and never missed one so I don't know what went wrong? I know I posted this before, but I didn't add a few details. I'm also on an antibiotic that makes the birth-control not as effective. Well it "might" make it not as effective.

Hi im only 17 years old and i am at the end of my first pack of Loestrin24.. I'm taking my last "sugar" pills tonight & tomorrow and starting my new pack sunday. But I havent got my period yet.. Should I be worried? I started as a Sunday & Day 1 starter because I had gotten my period on a Sunday. I can't stop thinking about why I havent got my period yet?.. I've taking all my pills on time and never missed one so I dont know what went wrong?

I WONDER... i have REALLY bad cramps and nausea and I'm light headed during my periods. My doctor perscribed Loestrin24 for me to take and i have it now. From reading the posted side effects im debating whether or not i should take the Pills. What do u think?

My daughter is experiencing nearly the same side effects as chloe11. she just turned 18 and was put on Loestrin24 last year to regulate her period because it was very heavy and she had severe cramping and nausea just before each period startes, or just as it started. She now has difficulty sleeping, has strange dreams, she cries very easisly for reasons that she doesnt really know, and isnt even particularly sad at the time. She has cried once during a class in college. She can get very irritable, has stomach problems that we cannot relate to certain foods, and she has developed cystic acne. She was recently tested at school for hyperthyroid, but the test turned out negative. Now were thinking its possibly Loestrin 24. She has beeen on it for just over 1 year.

If brevity is what you're looking for, you're not going to find it here in my response. After readying through all these posts, I'm relieved to finally know I'm not alone and I'm not crazy for the side effects I've had. I'm just one of MANY!! So, here's my story and my experience.....

I've been on Loestrin 24 for about a year and a half now. At first, I thought my doctor had given me the miracle birth control pill. Literally, I've tried everything on the market since I was 17 before I was even sexually active. I had periods lasting heavily for 7-9 days. You name it, I've taken it. I'm now 33. Immediatly after starting Loestrin 24, I was recommending it to everyone I knew. I started having periods that literally lasted half of a day and with minimal bleeding. Soon, like clockwork, I was only having periods every other month. Every other month has now turned into a period every 3 or 4 months. Sounds great right? Wrong! Just keep reading. And no, I don't worry about being pregnant and not knowing (you were thinking it weren't you?) because when you have zero sex drive, you can't get pregnant. I'll get to that soon enough.

My doctor put me on Loestrin24 because I was having severe migraines during the "inactive" pills on normal 21 active pill OC's. At first when I started L24, the migraines reduced to just painful headaches, so I thought it was working. And, my boobs did get bigger, which was a plus-no complaints there! Now, my big boobs get painful and soar once a month and my headaches have gone back to 3-4 day full blown migraines. After reading about the cerebral thrombosis, I'm seriously considering having a cat-scan or an MRI, if my doctor will refer me. The last migraine lasted 4 days. I was so nausious I couldn't even stand up. My eyes felt like they were going to explode and the back of my head at my neck felt like a knife was stuck in me. These have been the worse migraines I've had, being on Loestrin 24. The migraines are so bad and last so long that they've scared my husband to death.

I'M DONE WITH L24!!! The worse side-effect (for my husband anyways) has been no libido, not even an ounce. When I voiced my concerns to my doctor (I'm a newlywed), she said, "that's the most common complaint I get." Well,duh, why didn't she tell me this in the beginning when she knew I was getting married?????? For fear of losing my husband, I agreed to try the regular Loestrin and all hell broke loose. My face broke out like a pre-pubescent 13 year old boy, my face was so oily I was embarrassed to not wear makeup, and I was so depressed about the way I looked and felt that my self esteem was gone. Needless to say, feeling as ugly as I did, sex was the last thing on my mind. I didn't want my husband to see my bare face, let alone my naked body. So, with no hope in sight, I opted to go back to Loestrin 24.

Can I just say, "Big mistake, BIG" so said Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Looking back and after reading everyone else's postings, I too now know why I've gained weight. I thought it was because I'm in my 30's now and don't have the energy and metabolism I had in my 20's. But looking around to my same- aged friends, they aren't having any weight problems. Nor are they on Loestrin 24. At 5'8", I've always weighed around 125-130 pounds since I started college in the early 90's, but after being on this pill over the last year & 1/2, I've gained weight. The weight gain reached a whopping 153 at my max. I've been dieting so I'm now down to 142 but I can't seem to go lower. I'm still at least 12 pounds more than I normally weigh and I'm a very small-framed person.

The worse side-effect that I've had to deal with is the acne. Typically most OC's help your skin. Well, my skin is horrible now. I'm 33 and there are days/weeks when I feel like avoiding going outside because my skin is so broken out. Not just pimples, but cystic acne and it's an embarrassment!! Needless to say I've had to do a few rounds of antibiotics and had to spend extra money on topical Rx's for my face. Now I'm getting ready to have some laser treatments for the acne & facial melasmas caused by Loestrin 24. The melasmas have just shown up over night here and there, regardless of how much sunscreen I apply to my face. In addition to the breakouts on my face, I've also had problems with acne on my back, which I NEVER had until I started Loestrin 24.
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Other side effects include horrible, strangely bizzare nightmares. I didn't realize they were abnormal until telling my husband about them. Being a newlywed not wanting sex and having disturbing dreams and nightmares, he thinks I'm weird at this point!! I don't know that L24 has caused these, but I've read some other posts about nightmares, so I'm thinking there's a common thread here!

Another common side effect I have that others have mentioned is crying so easily. Seriously, I could get a Oscar for the performances! If there are any aspiring actresses, this is your pill! I've always been a sensitive person, but one shouldn't cry in a public shopping mall at the sight of a kid in a wheelchair.

When I'm not having the nightmares and weird dreams, I don't sleep well. This is probably due to the nightmares and racing heart that awake me from the dead sleep. They say when you're dreaming, you are getting the much needed REM sleep. Believe me, I'd rather not be getting any REM sleep than having nightmares like I've had.

And now for the sex chat. They say women hit their sexual peak in their late 20's and early 30's and I did. I couldn't get enough of it. It's probably why my husband married me. Now, the poor guy is deprived nearly completely of sex. Of course, this is not a bad side effect for me, because by not having the urge, means not worrying about getting pregnant like some of the other people who posted have had the unplanned incident.

And once again I'll mention the headaches and migraines. They've been so intense, that if someone hit me over the head with a cast-iron pan, it would feel better. Like I initially said, I thought I had found "the one", the pill that had rid me of my 7-9 day periods. The only good thing about this pill is the fact that I haven't bought a box of tampons in over 4 months.

If any of you reading this are looking to reduce your period if not, miss it all together, then this is your pill. If you are anorexic and looking to gain weight, this is your pill. If you need an excuse to not have sex with your boyfriend or husband, then this is your pill. If you need a reason to miss an exam or cut class because of a migraine, this is your pill. If your goal is to one day win an Oscar for drama, this is your pill. If you want to park in the "mothers to be" up close parking spots, then once a month you can. You'll be so bloated you'll look 3-4 months pregnant. I'm not even exaggerating here. I was once asked if I was pregnant. You know how awful this is...Urgh!!! If you want to feel absolutely miserable, then this is the pill for you. The initial tease of "barely there" periods and clear skin is gone before you know it! Beware! I had a lot going on in the first six months of taking L24. We were planning a wedding, working a lot of hours, so I thought all my symptons were initially stress related. Once the wedding was over and work calmed down six months later, nothing changed. Thanks to everyone who posted before me, I now know what has been wrong with me over the last several months. I wished I'd found this sight long before now!! The periods have hardly existed, but even something about that makes me feel weird. I just finished my last pack!!!!

And the last concern I would like to mention in regards to pills like Loestrin 24 and others that have so many active pills you rarely have periods or have them every few months, is the overall health concern. To all of us currently or previsouly taking Loestrin 24, we need to ask ourselves...what are we going to find out next about this pill? Once it's been out for 4-5 years on the market we'll start hearing more of the complaints, strokes, debilitating side effects and so on. I mention this because one other pill I took a couple of years ago when it first hit the market was "Seasonale" and it was great for the headaches and reducing my period. Now, look at all the issues with Seasonale and similar pills...several women have actually DIED from them. I have to ask myself as well as you all reading this...are we going to be the next victim to the FDA's quick approval of a truly dangerous form and method of birth control? Will my sex-deprived husband have to read my name in the obituaries in the morning paper because his wife died of a stroke?

I'm seriously contemplating getting off OC's all-together. These billion dollar pharmaceutical companies have sales reps with degrees in communications or business going around pushing prescription medications!! Rarely do you see a drug rep who actually has a medical background. These sales reps with 4-year bachelor's degrees are convincing our OB/GYN's who've gone to school and completed residencies for a combined 12 years, that these drugs are safe and okay for us to take. My grandmother had a stroke at age 32 yet, my doctor said I was not high-risk being on Loestrin 24 despite the family history because that's what the drug reps say. WTF??

Here's what doesn't make sense to me in regards to the FDA. The FDA takes 10 years to approve a surgery and disc replacement that has been successfully conducted in Europe for 15-20 years. Meanwhile doctors here were continuing to do spinal fusions. Look at these poor people who suffer daily. The new surgery finally approved has now helped 10's of 1000's yet people had to suffer for years to get the new procedure? Yet, the same FDA will throw new drugs on the market in a year's time? What is wrong with the FDA? Oh, let me guess, the pharmaceutical companies are tied to politics?? You bet they are It's funny what waiving a few million dollars around will do and how quickly it will get drugs approved. Read on for a good reference and publically documented "donation".

I have to ask the makers of Loestrin 24, is this drug going to be the classic example of an overly needed redlight at a treacherous intersection? Will we have to see multiple strokes and female deaths before pills like Loestrin 24 and others are pulled from the market by the FDA? They are quick to put them on the market at the waive of a few million dollars toward certain politicians, yet, it's like pulling teeth to get them banned. You think I'm joking? I was at the National Democratic Debate two months ago in Charleston, SC. There were 3 major sponsors: CNN (the host), You Tube/Google (Provider of video questions) and Allergan. Which is the odd one? Yep, Allergan, you guessed it. Allergan is a major pharmaceutical company who's biggest product is ironically, Botox. Coincidence? I think not.

I guess I've rambled enough, but one final comment and I'm done. If you are reading through these posts because you are contemplating Loestrin 24, please don't even consider it. Don't do it to yourself. And, if you are a drug rep for Loestrin, shame on you for selling/supporting a dangerous product!!

has anyone suffered from postpartum depression put on the pill to see if symptoms go away and was feeling worse? I swear this pill did me in. I am still dealing with ppd but it has been a month now that I stopped loestrin 24 and I feel so much better. I still have rough days though not to bad. I swear I am ready to file a lawsuite on this company and my doctor who kept pushing it down my throat instead of getting to the bottom of it they madi it worse with this pill. Good luck to everyone. I hope you do not have to suffer as long as I did

I think everyone here has to realize that they just had bad luck with the pill. every medication generally acts differently with everyone on the planet. i've been on loestrin for about a year now and ive had positive and negative side effects. i lost weight and my boobs grew. it had no effect on my cramps or amount of blood. it just changed the color of the blood to a brownish, and my boobs are sore sometimes. so im just going to go to my doctor and tell her. i think everyone here needs to realize you should just be able to talk to your doctor over the phone when something happens that you feel is not normal. ive called my gyno several times about side effects i was having. i see people on here posting about having these symptoms for over a year...so why not switch? come on people your doctor is there for a reason.

I filled my prescription for Loestrin at Walgreens and they told me that there was no generic form of it and spent $64.99, but in reading the comment posting by "teamcatlook" I found out that I was lied to.
It pisses me off that I could have spent a lot less.

I took this BC for only a month...after just my first month I decided that this pill was NOT for me!!! I got my period like clockwork in my last week of the packet. This month I haven't gotten my period yet I STILL am experiencing the cramps...has anyone experienced a missed period after having stopped Loestrin?!?!?

I hate this pill. I have been on it for four months and have had two periods every month. I get my "first" period on my second week of pills and my "second" period at the normal time. My first period is pretty heavy with cramps...the works. The second is more normal and shorter. This pill is horrible. Also my breasts are swollen and I am tired all the time. I want to switch but am scared that I will just be swapping side effects with another pill.

I'm into my 8th pack of Loestrin 24 Fe and I'm ready to get off of them. Major issue is no sex drive and spotting right before period is supposed to start. So its like I have a really long period anyways. I've been on these pills for more than half of a year and there has been no change in my periods (no shorter periods or lighter periods) :-( And the website says "shorter periods less than 3 days by cycle 6". So its like I'm paying $50 for a "regular pill"anyways. Oh and my boobs hurt like all the time!!! I'm thru with it!!! Does anyone have a recommendation of a pill I can ask my doctor about next month??

I am 41 and Loestrin 24 seems to work for me better than my ortho 7/7/7. However I have noticed it's not working as well as when i started and my cramps are starting to get worse. If I forget to take it the first day of my new pack, I can notice a difference in my moods. Please note: Walgreens tells you there is no generic for this and Wal-Mart just advised me there is. I've been paying $50 per month when I could have been paying only $15.00

i have been on this pill now for about 4 months, and i finally know why i am gaining so much weight. It seems to be getting worse everyday! also, i have been having extreme mood swings. everyone notices and it is even interfearing with my boyfriend of over a year. i dont reccoment this birth control to anyone. (unless you are trying to gain some weight!) :D