Apri for Birth Control User Reviews

• mands
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 5, 2021

"I just want to remind everyone reading these reviews that an individual who has a horrible experience is more likely to share their experience as opposed to someone who had a just fine or great experience. I have taken Apri since I was 14, I am now 23. It has always worked well for me, no weight gain, my skin is completely clear, and I barely have a period anymore, which is the reason I started taking it so young as I had debilitating periods, and Apri was a total game changer. Also, as someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety throughout their life, Apri has had no affect on my symptoms. Please, do not take these (some of them terrifying) reviews too seriously when choosing a birth control and listen to the advice of your DOCTOR above all else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2020

"I took Apri for 5yrs. First 2yrs were great - light periods, skin cleared up etc. However everything slowly started to change. 2018 I found myself constantly worried, feeling like walls were caving in on me. My anxiety climbed everyday. Fell into a deep depression where I contemplated suicide. Started having violent thoughts - wanting to hurt those around me. Physical changes - gained 30 pounds in 2yrs, skin started to get greasy. I would sleep 12+ hours & still not have energy. Mood swings. Crying daily - not able to control my emotions. I decided enough was enough. I stopped taking Apri immediately. It has now been 2 months since then - I no longer cry daily, mood is significantly improved, skin is less greasy. My sleep schedule is learning to regulate itself, I have more energy. Apri for the first 2yrs was great. However, somewhere along the way that changed. It's possible that in the time I was getting older, my inner body started to change and Apri just no longer worked for me."

• anon
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 24, 2020

"I've been on Apri for about 4 years now. I've never had any serious reactions/symptoms. If you're seeing other people's stories about their struggle taking this pill please remember that everyone is different! Symptoms vary! It's been a long time but I believe I was slightly nauseous for a few days when I first started Apri but since then no problems at all."

• Anonymous
• July 11, 2010

"I started originally on Tri-Sprintec for about 3 months, which I believe is the generic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I was an emotional wreck, so my doctor switched me to Apri. I had absolutely NO symptoms whatsoever. I actually lost weight! Didn't increase my bra size, which could have been from the losing weight part. My acne cleared up within 2 months of starting Apri. It made my period so regular that I knew to the day down to the hour that I would start my period, with absolutely no spotting in between periods. I didn't really notice any changes in my sex drive. Overall, I would strongly recommend this pill!"

• ______
• April 7, 2013

"This birth control pill is awesome. It made my periods even lighter than they were before, I get no pimples, I've lost 15 pounds, my breasts went from a B to a D, and emotionally I feel the same as I did before it. I would highly recommend it."

• JZano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2020

"I have been taking Apri for about 6 months now. For about 4 of those months, I have spotted heavily the week before my period, so basically I feel like I have my period for two weeks in a row. I asked my doctor about this and she said it is normal because I started the pill recently. I feel like by 6 months this shouldn't still be happening. Does this happen to anyone else on this pill?"

• alive
• February 20, 2019

"Just over 1 year ago I went through a horrific medical event, one that almost claimed my life because of Apri. On December 9th, 2017 I went to the ER because I had what I thought was a severe migraine. They treated and released me. Only to go back on Dec11th -They had found blood clots in my brain so severe I had to have surgery and it ultimately saved my life. I spent 2 long weeks in the hospital. I have been through a crazy amount of genetic tests and all this point ALL of my doctors blame my Birth Control. Surprisingly I have no lasting side effects. Though I am told I am a rare case. You think the warnings cant happen to you...until it does. They tell me there are birth controls that are "safe" - but it is not worth my life. I want nothing more than to let people know that this CAN and DID happen. REALLY talk to your doctor, and do your homework before just accepting whatever they give you."

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2020

"if you are prone to anxiety or depression please be very careful while taking this Apri birth control pill. The first couple of months I felt very nauseous and would have the worst cramps around my period not to mention it made my flow heavier. I would get awful headaches the days leading up to my periods as well. I had anxiety before I started this pill but when I started to take it it escalated very quickly. I have been on this pill for a year now and it took until now for me to realize that it was making me lose my mind. I felt completely out of control in my thoughts and was making my anxiety spiral. I am now off of it and I feel like myself again. Be careful!!!"

• Butta
• January 23, 2012

"I've been takin Apri for about 3 wks now....my sex drive is extremely high, even 15-20 minutes after I take the pill. I've had sex more times in the past 3 weeks than I have had in the past 6months prior...no exaggeration. My breast has been extremely tender, which turns me on...everything turns me on....its ridiculous. I love it."

• KristiK
• February 5, 2016

"Was switched to this from reclipsen-works great for me. I think a lot of the reviews are from people who don't do well on a lower estrogen/higher progesterone pill. Ortho did to me what all the negative reviews on Apri said it did for them. You have to find what works for YOUR body. Don't get scared off by other peoples' experiences-everyone is different. This works well for my body, and is affordable."

• Ahmi
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2014

"I was put onto Apri because I had horrible cramps and long heavy periods. I took it for about six months, and around the 5 month mark, my longtime boyfriend and I broke up. He told me it was because I was "too emotional" and stressed him out. He was right, before Apri I was always happy and relaxed, but on it. I would lie in bed at night and cry sometimes for no reason at all. I had constant fatigue, frequent headaches, mood-swings, moodiness, and felt depressed a lot of the time. After a conversation with my boyfriend, I realized that we began to argue about the time I got onto Apri. I went to my doctor and told her this and she told me that this was because its high levels of progesterone. I switched and am much better now without Apri."

• Allyn...
• November 21, 2016

"I was switched from Loestrin 21 to Apri a few months back because my periods were irregular and my doc thought Apri would be better for me. I like that there's placebo pills in Apri cause I was awful at taking 21 day packs. The first couple months were a little tough adjusting to the higher dose of hormones. I was super emotional! But that's normal. I'm on month 5 now and things are fine. I'm still a little emotional, but only "cry at something dumb" emotional. Nothing I can't handle. My periods are light and I barely have any pain. Close to no acne. My boobs seemed to have grown a bit, so that's cool. My sex drive seems to be a tiny bit lower, but I never had a crazy high sex drive in the first place. My husband and I still have a healthy sex life. I might have gained like 5 pounds or less but that might be because of my lazy ass and not the birth control :) best of all, I haven't gotten pregnant! I recommend Apri. Give it a chance and let yourself adjust to the hormones."

• Andi
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2020

"Took one month of Apri in preparation for IVF frozen embryo transfer and it has been horrible for my mood. Every night I took the pill at 9pm and within 1.5 to 2 hrs my mood plummeted and stayed that way throughout the following day. I haven't been sleeping well, lots of laying in bed thinking. I just took my last pill last night and today am in such a horrible mood. It has been over a week I have not wanted to do anything during the day and been in nearly nonstop bad mood. I feel depressed, also had breast tenderness the past week or two and wanting lots of junk food. Honestly the depression/mood side effects were worse on my body than any of the hormones I was on during my 3 IVF cycles. Really do not recommend this drug and disheartening to see many others talking about similar mood changes."

• momof...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2012

"I had a baby 12 weeks ago and have been on Apri since my 6 week postpartum appointment. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and my periods have always been VERY irregular. I also get a few whiskers that grow on my chin from the PCOS. Since starting the pill I have noticed that those whiskers aren't growing anymore, also I have regular periods, my sex drive is normal and I have not gained any weight! INFACT I have lost 20lbs since starting it and have not changed my diet or exercise routine. I love this pill, this is why I rate it 10! Oh and after having 3 children there is a BONUS I am not pregnant."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2010

"I have been on Apri birth control for 3 years now. I give it a 3 for the fact that it in fact helped me to get and regulate my period, at the very late age of 22. And that I am not pregnant. But I have worse acne now than I did when I was 13. I have gained a lot of weight on my hips and stomach. I have the worst mood swings and my sex drive is completely gone. It has caused a lot of problems in my relationship since I started taking it."

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2008

"I've taken about every Pill on the market, and this is by far the best. I've never had a problem with my drive while on this formulation of the Pill. Actually, my drive is more normal than it's been than with the other pills, especially the Ortho line and Seasonale. I have had no side effects other than my appetite has increased, but there is a such thing as self-control, so other than watching what and how often I eat, I love Apri!"

• Raspk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

"I have to say the best birth control I've ever been on I have high free testosterone and diagnosed with PCOs. Still have sex drive an think Apri even increased it more. I haven't got any acne on it so far either. I'm not moody or anything that I noticed yet I've been on it 5 days so far. If I notice anything different I will repost."

• Linzf
• March 17, 2010

"I was previously on Yaz both for birth control and to reduce my mild acne. I am normally a very happy optimistic person, yet this pill made me depressed and very moody. I switched to Apri, it's been 4 months, and I love it. I am not moody at all, and haven't gained any weight."

• Suffe...
• March 5, 2021

"After years of suffering with PCOS symptoms- Apri has saved me! It has eliminated most of my acne. First month was harsh, but I knew with how out of whack my hormones were, I was going to have side effects adjusting, so I bared down and now I'm in the last week of my third pack! First month I had the worst morning sickness, I didn't know how I was going to handle it. Each month so far I've thrown up at least once in the first week.. I find the more often I eat, the less I feel the sickness. I've gained about 15lbs. My appetite has started calming down this month. I went from an A cup to C cup so far so I stopped wearing a bra. Some nights the pain is so bad I have to massage my breasts. I don't find I'm holding much water weight anywhere. I have experienced some headaches but I try to sleep them off. My periods are already lighter, but still adjusting overall. The best thing from all of this is my depression & mood swings have depleted. I'm meeting with my Dr to renew my prescription!l"

• yort
• September 5, 2007

"My wife has taken Apri since January 2007. We were married on July 28th 2007. It has SERIOUSLY messed up her sex drive. I'm sure happy we aren't pregnant but a pill that keeps someone from wanting sex AT ALL isn't exactly what I was thinking when she got onto Apri."

• DMH
• July 20, 2014

"I've been on Apri for a few years and it works 100% great! -My acne is nonexistent -my periods are always falling on the 3-4 days that are supposed to -My cramps are gone, I used to curl over in pain because of them! Now I have little to no discomfort -BUT the reason I gave a 9 out of 10 is because, your sex drive is close to none, I hate it for my husband, which is why I'll probably have to make a switch soon, but for me, I love the product!"

• Kate
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2019

"This pill makes my anxiety spin out of control. I don’t get panic attacks like I do with other pills, but I worry nonstop. I worry about everything from my dogs to getting in a car accident. I will lay awake at night worrying about one thing after another. I always feel a sense of doom. It also makes me feel very tired and almost drugged... it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning. I haven’t gained any weight, I lost a couple pounds but also changed my diet so not sure if it was the pill or not. My boobs are always extremely sore. It cleared my skin aside from the occasional zit here and there. This isn’t the worst pill I’ve ever taken but anyone with a predisposing to anxiety should watch it carefully. I get panic attacks on other pills and feel almost on the verge of that with this one."

• lms
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 23, 2013

"I took Apri for over 2 years with no side effects. My periods went from extremely heavy for 6-7 days to very light for 3-4 days. My cramps went away, skin cleared up a little bit. Then I switched to Implanon for a month. During that time I bled every single day and broke out horribly all over my chest and back. So I got that removed and went back on Apri. Since then my periods have gone back to normal, I've gone up 2 cup sizes in the last 8 months, but I have been experiencing some very mild nausea and lightheadedness. I love it overall."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 30, 2019

"After 10 months of debilitating night sweats and sleep disturbances my doctor finally pinpointed it to Apri. Apparently this is a very common side effect which this medication. It also gave me horrible anxiety. There are plenty of other birth controls out there. Steer clear of this one!"

• TLFos...
• May 1, 2016

"I have been on Apri for almost nine months and it works great for me. I was 135 pounds when I started taking it and I am now down to only 117 pounds. Also my period used to be heavy and I ended up getting it twice a month but once I started apri I now only have it for five days tops and it is absolutely fine. I used to break out really bad and my face would get really red but thanks to apri I only get a pimple every now and then and my face is no longer red. Apri works great for me I love it."