LEVONORGESTREL/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL 13 WEEK CONTRACEPTIVE - ORAL

I have gained over 40 pounds within 8 months of taking this medication. Do not take it unless you want to gain this amount. It also caused my blood pressure to sky rocket high. HOWEVER it did truly help with my PMDD as I never got my period on it but I would almost rather deal with the depression than the insane amount of weight this particular BC caused me. and yes my doctor and I did process of elimination and it was in fact the birth control that caused the amount of weight gain.

Okay so the first 2 months are good for me but going into the third month I spot for 2-3 weeks until it’s time to take the placebo pill (the “sugar” pill). I haven’t had any noticeable side effects. I did gain weight but I’m not sure if it’s from the medicine or quarantine. I was on it for almost a year but now I am switching because I’m not satisfied with the random spotting even though I’m supposed to be period free for 3 months.

I was started on this pill by my doctor for suspected endometriosis, as my periods have been getting increasingly painful. For the first 3 months, my ONLY complaint was weird muscle cramping in my legs (and yes I got an ultrasound to rule-out DVT- the curse of working in healthcare!!). However, my first placebo week was HORRIBLE. The worst pain I have ever experienced on my period. Then in the weeks after my placebo week I broke out with horrible cystic acne like I've never had before. While not getting my period every month was great, I cannot live my life obsessing about this horrible acne all over my face. The progesterone in this pill is highly androgenic, so I asked for a pill with a different progesterone. We'll see how it goes! Overall, please know that COC's will affect every individual differently, so by all means give this medication a try because it might work for you!

I have been using this birth control for several years now (around 6 years) and it has always worked very well for me. I'm 26 years old now. My body adjusted to this pill super easily, but of course it helps significantly if you are able to take it consistently at nearly the exact same hour every day! I love love love having only 4 periods a year. This has made a huge positive impact on my life. I almost never have to worry or even think about a period. My OBGYN as well as my own research has assured me that there is no risk to my health by only having 4 periods a year instead of 12. This is the beautiful thing about science and advancements in medical research in the age we live in. One caution: I do recommend taking this pill early in the day, after eating something. Otherwise it can be harsh on your stomach, especially if you missed a previous days pill and now have to take 2 pills instead of 1.

Getting your period 4 times a year instead of 12 is great. Also don't read these reviews right before going on birth control or you will psych yourself out and it will terrify you. Just get it and if there are issues you and your doctor can work on it.

I started taking jolessa November of 2016 to regulate my periods since they were all over the place, and at first it was great I had little breast tenderness, a little cramping, little to none spotting and a little bit of mood swings, and I thought wow what a great experience I'm having on jolessa. But now that it's January of 2017 and about 2 weeks away from the sugar pills, I've been bleeding like crazy ! At first it was mild and I put on a pad and I thought it would be like that for a while , but now I've been bleeding for 7 days and I have terrible cramping that's waking me up OUT of my sleep at night, One night I had a crazy large blood clot when I peed and it scared the hell out of me, once that happened I contacted my doctor and she said to keep taking it so I'm gonna give it another week. But if I keep bleeding I'm going to have to stop it's making mad a little depressed. Everybody's different so this may or may not happen to you, by the way I'm 17 and 5"1, started at 16 ( I went in on November 5th and my birthdays that 11th).

This medication caused massive and sub-massive pulmonary embolisms; as well as a major saddle embolus. Thus causing my right ventricle to become enlarged, resting pulse to become over 150 and lowered my oxygen levels. If I had not had a CT scan because I repetitively complained about how it was getting harder and harder to breathe- I would be dead! My cardiologist doesn't know how I am still alive. I am a healthy female in my 20's who took low does estrogen B.C. pills for years until I switched to this drug. Months later and I am on blood thinners and unable to continue my schooling or physically demanding job. It seemed to be working fine. Over time I started developing what I thought was back strain, or from overworking my abs. Turns out the pain was actually caused by the lack of oxygen to my lung tissue which is now dead (infarction). I was in physical therapy for weeks until the shortness of breathe kicked in. I'm a runner. There was no way I got out of shape that fast. I pushed. They considered asthma. After my heart "was nearly beating out of your chest and I could hear it without my stethoscope" said my NP- I got a CT which revealed the clots and was immediately admitted for EKOS surgery (direct catheter thrombolysis). I had to lay on my back for over 24 hours. They had to put wires into my lungs and legs. Blood work following the procedure shows that my ONLY risk factor was this birth control- it nearly killed me in my early 20's.

I gave Jolessa 6 months of my time and I hate it. Hate. I was taking Sprintec  (orthotrycyclin lo) for about 8 years prior to that and loved it with the exception of the hormonal migraine I would get the day before starting. I switched to this first the purpose of only getting 4 periods a year, hence 4 migraines a year. Jolessa has indeed helped my headaches,  but the bad definitely outweighs the good here. I went from a steady 133 to 148 (I've never had this issue before with any BC). I had a period for the second and third months (which conveniently started on my 30th birthday, on a toilet in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter).I had to ask a stranger in Harry Potter bathroom for a tampon. In the HARRY POTTER BATHROOM. Stopped for a couple months, and then while still currently taking the active pills, I started a random period (this time the day before our trip to Key West). It's cool though, I'd rather stop at CVS for tampons while on Duvall street than party, ya know? Other than those untimely mishaps, I also developed bad night sweats - I've had to change clothes in the middle of the night   a couple times because I was drenched. I feel more legargic, frequently constipated, winded - like if Darth Vader was trying to do cardio, that's what I feel like. I always feel uncomfortable and clammy. And even though it helps with my headaches while on active pills, the weeks where I get my period is just a week long migraine. So no matter how you look at it, myself, who is now 15 pounds heavier, had to ask someone for a tampon in a Diagon Alley bathroom, on my 30th birthday, and I was wearing a cape. 6 months is all I can take,  so I'm switching back to my Ortho and just dealing with the monthly migraine!

I love my Jolessa! I used to have incredibly heavy, painful, and sometimes very long periods that would drain my energy. I've been on it almost a year and am at the end of my third pack. At the end of my first pack, I did have breakthrough bleeding before the withdrawel pills, but not since then. My period during the withdrawal pills has been much lighter and less exhausting, nothing like how it used to be. The only concern I've had is that I seem to bruise more easily than before, but my doctor does not think it is related. I do sometimes get a bit of cramping if I don't take it on time, but I just see it as another incentive to take it on time. The benefits far outweigh the slight side effects I've experienced. I recommend it to all my women friends.

I have been using Jolessa for going on 3months now. So, yes, it's my first go at it. Just to start, every woman is different; therefore, every body is different. To some, this product is going to be the best ever. To others, the worst. My experience has been good. I have not had a period since I started taking this pill. Now, I am towards the end of my 3rd month & a week away from the "period" week. About a week or so into the 3rd month I started spotting. At first it was tolerable, no big deal. Now I have to wear a panty liner all the time just to keep from ruining my underwear. It's not heavy enough for a tampon, & it's too heavy to go without anything. Yes, spotting is annoying. But I figured its a new medication, with higher estrogen & my body needs to adjust. I have not suffered from any of the other symptoms. However, my sister was on this medication & suffered from every single side effect. I have not. See? Everyone is different. If it sounds good to you, try it. If it doesn't work like it should, then it's just simply not for you! Hope this helped :)

I have been using Jolessa for almost 5 months now and mostly my experience has been great. I switched over from 30-day to extended cycle pills because I simply could not handle dealing with cramps every 28 days. During my first 3 months my appetite was out of control and I ate constantly throughout the day. I haven't had any spotting in between periods and my cycle is shorter and less painful. Although, recently my breast have ballooned and I have constant acne breakouts. I also have noticed that my sex drive has decreased and it has become harder to get aroused. I have gained 5-10 pounds so I now exercise regularly to manage my weight. Jolessa has changed my body a lot, but I still think it's worth it to only have 4 periods a year.

I take bcp to regulate my cycles and I've taken Jolessa for only 3 months. So far it's been great. No weight gain. No spotting. My only complaint is that I get a huge pimple about once a month which is not a huge deal. Overall I would recommend this bcp.

Two weeks after starting this medication I started spotting very heavy and this continued everyday for the entire 90 day cycle. I finally switched after finishing the first three month supply. I also gained 10 lbs. during that 90 days and have never had a weight fluctuation like that before. There was no changes to my diet or exercise routine. I also noticed that if you do not take this at the EXACT same time everyday you will spot very heavy for a couple of days. It was not for me.

I've been on Jolessa for about three years now. And it's ok. My biggest complaint about Jolessa is that I spot for about two weeks every month. Nothing big, but I've had to keep panty liners with me almost constantly. I love only getting my period every three months. HOWEVER, now when I get my periods, I'm more of an emotional wreck than before. My emotion are horrible during my period week, but all other symptoms have been helped. My cramping is much less, same with bloating. I don't bleed as heavily or for as long.

After three weeks I started spotting. Spotting has continued for two weeks and shows no signs of stopping. Started this pill to have only four periods a year which is not possible now that the spotting is longer than the normal period. Also, have had serious mood related issues as well as hunger and fatigue issues while on this medication. Works as a birth control pill, but not as a good weight management and menstral control pill.

I have had many side effects i have read about from other reviews; weight gain, prolonged bleeding, night sweats, headaches, bloating, nausea, cramping. I hate this pill. Going to discontinue ASAP.

I am 18 years old and have started jolessa a month ago. I am weeks away from going away to college. The pill has been pretty decent for me, besides the fact that I have been experiencing the strangest dreams I have ever had in my life. I have read up in it and it is due to the change in my hormones. I find myself talking and walking during sleep. Other than the occasional cramping and moodiness the pill has been wonderful. I have not spotted or gotten my period which is convenient. The pack itself is very useful because it is in a hard case that is not easily lost. I would recommend this pill but the strange dreams are not pleasant.

I just finished my first month on Jolessa. I had no spotting. I switched from orthocyclen because of pelvic pain and repeated UTIs and yeast infections. This has not gotten better and the pain is worse but I'm not sure if it has to do with this birth control. I did get acne, but nothing terrible. No mood swings. I have noticed an increase in appetite, I see why many women gain weight on this pill.

Three days after starting Jolessa, I had lower abdominal pain that lasted for over a week. I broke out in a rash like acne that covered my face, chest, back, and arms. After almost 3 weeks, I called it quits and went off this pill.