Gianvi User Reviews & Ratings

• Anon
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I hate writing bad reviews, but PLEASE DO NOT use this birth control! I have been on it over a month and bleeding non stop, having anxiety attacks all day long while at work, intrusive awful thoughts, vision feels different and blurry, feeling depressed and moody one minute the next I’m fine. will not be taking anymore pills on this brand. I was on Loryna (which they say is comparable) and it is not. I felt perfectly fine on Loryna, and figured it would be the same on Gianvi. It’s not, I don’t want this to happen to anyone else, so please girls watch out."

• Nina
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on many birth controls trying to find the right one for me. I was on Apri a couple years ago which gave me very bad anxiety so after that I switched to Tri-Sprintec. This pill didn't cause any anxiety but my skin broke out so terribly on it! My third and final switch was to "Yaz", at the pharmacy I was handed the generic Gianvi. I spent hours reading reviews and was a little nervous to start taking these pills but they have been great. My skin has completely cleared up, I never break out at all anymore. I had no mood changes or anxiety, nor weight gain. This pill is sensitive with regards to breakthrough bleeding, if just one pill is missed you can expect spotting the next day. Otherwise an AWESOME pill! Highly recommend!"

• LuLu
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2019

For Acne "I didn't realize that I had depression until after I started taking the medication. This tiny pill has changed my entire life, I am able to be the person I have always wanted to be without feeling mentally exhausted from being kind, energetic, or optimistic. I have been able to lose and maintain a healthy weight (was able to lose about 5 pounds, I am 5'3 weighing 123 so it's not like I have tooo much to lose, but still) ANDDDDD for the first since I was 11-years-old, I no longer have acne. After a decade of trying medicines and topical solutions and being a very healthy eater and exerciser, this pill is the only thing that has gotten rid of my acne for good. I know some people have a horrible experience on their birth control and I personally had no expectations of it, in fact I didn't think it would change anything. I can't imagine my life now without this medication and would recommend anyone at least give it a shot."

• Vano
• October 19, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "After trying an IUD and two other pills, I was turned off by the idea of birth control because of how horribly depressed and moody the others made me feel. Gianvi has been totally different. I suffer from anxiety, acne, and PMDD. I have been taking Gianvi for about 4 months now. Emotionally, I feel the same as I did before, except my PMDD has improved drastically. It is not completely gone, but instead of feeling suicidally depressed for two weeks before my period, I just get a little down for only a few days which is huge for me. I have always struggled with acne and my skin has cleared up significantly since being on this pill. I still get pimples here and there, but nothing like before. Weight gain was a big concern of mine, but I am happy to report that I have not gained weight from this pill. And a bonus is that my boobs have gotten a bit bigger too! While Gianvi has not completely eradicated my acne or PMDD, I am so happy to have found a birth control pill that works well for me."

• BibiB
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I LOVE GIANVI! No mood swings, no weight gain, it's helped my acne, it controls my appetite, and my breasts have actually gotten bigger. I have been on and off of Gianvi for three years now (I tried different birth controls here and there but I always come back to Gianvi because it has always been the best for me) and it's absolutely free! I definitely recommend it, but like always, everyone is different."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

For Acne "I was very apprehensive to take this medication because of all the negative reviews on this site and others, but I'm telling you, TRY THIS PILL. I've literally tried every product, been to multiple doctors and dermatologist, have had facials, treatments, etc., etc... NOTHING has worked. Except this. PROS: Started to control my acne(less "patchiness", less breakouts), made my breasts grow almost a whole cup size bigger in the first 2 packs, made me more relaxed and chill then I already was, 4 DAY PERIODS. CONS: the first pack I experienced constant spotting and really bad mood swings (only the first month, after the first pack I am more in control than ever) I can now go to the dermatologist to fix my scaring and my skin will be perfect! good luck!"

• Anonymous
• April 26, 2011

For Birth Control "I first want to say that I read a bunch of reviews before starting Gianvi and became extremely nervous because of all the negatively. However, my experience has been absolutely wonderful, with only one complaint. I am on my third pack and am having the best periods of my life. Little cramps, no bloating, no mood swings, light flow, AMAZING! My mood overall has also been very positive. I'm much less stressed and don't feel as anxious. As for my skin, like my doctor said it did break out very bad at first, but it is clearing up. Also, my breasts have gotten noticeably bigger, which I love. My one and only complaint is I tend to be dry during sex, which has never been a problem before. But hey, there's things to help with that."

• Irish...
• May 17, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "This is the best birth control I have ever been on! I'm willing to pay extra for it. Give it a chance, ignore the negative reviews (everyone is different). This birth control keeps me happy, did not affect my sex drive, continues to keep my skin clear and as an added bonus I gained a cup size. I give it an A, about time something works right for me."

• Anon
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 11, 2019

For Acne "The Gianvi pill is the best of the best for acne!!!! I had painful cysts for almost 20 years and absolutely nothing worked. They wanted to put me on spirolactone, but my blood pressure is too low to take it. Gianvi was basically my last hope. It cleared the cysts themselves quickly, and then I had to go on a presciption cream to get rid of the scarring. My skin is now completely clear, and I even get comments about it. HOWEVER... Huge downside to the pill: I have no sex drive at all. All I feel when I have sex is friction. Its awful. Now that I'm almost 40, I'm talking with my dr about alternatives."

• Iggs
• August 27, 2013

For Acne "After trying almost everything to treat my sudden/severe cystic acne (diet changes, topical and internal antibiotics, regular aesthetician visits, other birth controls) this is the ONLY thing that has worked. My acne was isolated to where a man would grow a beard which indicated I had higher than normal testosterone levels. No initial breakout either! Within the first month, I noticed less breaking out. I broke out during my first period, but I'm in month two and my skin is almost totally clear of active breakouts and no cysts! Seriously a miracle, this medication saved my sanity, social life and self esteem. It costs me $85/month with no insurance but worth it. Still experiencing spotting but it should dissipate after a few more pill packs."

• KCatty
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I switched to this after taking Yaz for years due to cost. Under the Affordable Health Care Act, BCBS offered me Gianvi for free whereas I had to pay $50 for Yaz. After 6 months, I'd pay anything to switch back. Since going on Gianvi, I've seen considerable weight gain (some attributable to lifetime changes) but I now experience uncontrollable bouts of anger that near the level of rage. My sex drive is virtually non-existent and my skin isn't nearly as clear as it was on Yaz. I switched back as of today. The only upside... after dealing with my increasingly awful personality for the past few months, my boyfriend is still around. Guess the Gianvi was confirmation that man really does love me!"

• Katie
• December 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking Gianvi for 9 months now. This is the first Birth control I tried and was highly recommended by my Gynecologist. After the first few months of taking it I didn't seem to have any problems my period always came on the third day of the placebo pills and lasted about five days. One thing I will say is I have only missed one pill and if you miss one you will break through bleed for a little bit. Last month I did get random spotting before my period, then my period started and stopped for a day then came back very light. I think this is just my periods lessening, I know some on this medication don't receive a period at all. I would greatly recommend this birth control I LOVE IT! And it has prevented pregnancy!"

• Sophie
• April 23, 2019

For Birth Control "This was one of the worst experiences of my life. Women who have a history of anxiety and depression should be warned not to take Gianvi contraceptive pill. It made me have horrifying panic attacks and an episode of depression. I felt very drowsy, constantly nauseous and fatigued. I am not on any other type of medication and have a very active healthy lifestyle. This pill was like poison for the whole body. I am so angry I wasn’t warned about all these VERY serious side effects."

• ZFano
• November 12, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz since I was 16 (now I'm 25), I got switched to Gianvi 3 months ago. First month was okay, I didn't notice much changes, but the last 2 months were horrible. My mood swings are horrible, I go from extra happy to sad in a second, I have no energy what so ever, I used to not be able to sit in one place for 10 minutes now I can't drag myself from the couch, I'm extra sleepy and tired, my appetite is off the chart. I feel like I haven't eaten in days after eating a meal. I started having horrible migraines, it gets to the point that I feel like if I open my eyes my head will explode. I snap at every little thing, the things that never bugged me before, drive me up the wall now. "

• Bella...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2019

For Acne "Aside from preventing pregnancy, my goal on this pill was to eliminate my horrible adult acne. Months 1-3 I noticed no improvement in my skin. Then, at the end of month 3, I was bleeding for weeks on end. By month 4, my skin dramatically changed. The heavy bleeding stopped and my skin was flawless. I like to think my body was ‘purging’ with the heavy bleeding and my body was adjusted to the pill. My skin remains clear, and my period always comes around the 3rd or 4th pill."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2011

For Birth Control "I switched to Gianvi from Yaz because of the price after Yaz stopped that cool $25 program. I wasn't interested in paying over $50 for birth control. I must admit, I was freaking out after I read the reviews on this site. My doctor calmed me down after I called her and she was right. There is one positive review on this site that I read that gave me courage to try. Therefore, ladies I have to echo the wise girl that said you have to try it in order to know if it works for you or not. I am on my third pack of Gianvi and I am okay. I may be a bit more emotional at times, but I was a wreck when I started Yaz, so that's no different. I am not breaking out any different from the past. My libido has not changed, and my weight is not affected. "

• kgirl...
• March 6, 2011

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Gianvi is the only birth control I've ever used, and granted I've only been on it two weeks, but so far I LOVE IT. Not only am I less irritable, judgmental, and teary, but for the first time in months I am able to fall asleep without using melatonin or any other sleep aid. Also, my sex drive has way increased. I haven't felt bloated, but breasts are a little larger. I have noticed that if I don't take the pill within the same hour range I am a little "off" emotionally. But if I keep it regular- I feel better than I have in years."

• Beanie
• November 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on Yasmin for over a year and I switched to Gianvi. I've been taking it now for 2 weeks and my appetite has increased like no other but my weight hasn't changed. I eat and 20 minutes later I'm starving again. This will go on all day. My sex drive has increased and no changes in my complexion yet. Anyone else experience this?"

• TEANAD
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Gianvi for about 3 months now and honestly at first I was very worried about side effects and very nervous as to what would happen to my body but it’s the best decision I ever made! Within the first week of starting the pill I was nauseous almost everyday (I take my pill at 9:00 pm), every now and then I’ll get a bit nauseous but it is tolerable. I did not gain/lose any weight, and do not bleed (nor haven’t bled) any other time than when I menstruate within the first three days of starting the placebo pills. The only significant complaint I have is frequent headaches. I have a headache at some point throughout the day almost every day, some last hours and others, minutes. Again, they are uncomfortable but tolerable and if they are very bad, I’ll take some OTC pain relief drugs. I am happy having peace of mind and no more pregnancy scares! Also, my periods have shortened, lightened, and are much less painful ever since I started taking Gianvi, which is great."

• Jessi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2019

For Acne "I was on Zarah which is a generic for Yasmin and it was working for me all this time for years, then all of a sudden in December 2018 my mail order pharmacy started sending me Syeda ( a generic for Yasmin) Immediately after I took that I started breaking out on my chin. Ladies, there's a face map on acne and if your chin is breaking out that means it's related to hormones - research acne-face-mapping Anyway, I called my Doctor right away and she prescribed me Gianvi which is the another generic for Yaz (same hormones as Yasmin but one of the ingredient is a lower dose). Immediately after a day my skin was getting better and the bumps were going away. I am on my second day and my skin is getting better and better. I am very happy with the results and I thought I'd write this review as I have never written a review on BC before."

• Moni
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve just started to take this pill I believe 5 days ago and I would say it’s working great. I haven’t had any problems other than fatigue and moodiness. I was skeptical about taking this pill since there was mixed reviews but one of my good friends said that birth control pills work differently for everyone, so don’t be afraid to try it. My doctor prescribed me this one. This is the first birth control I took and I don’t have anything bad to say about it. Don’t rely on reviews because it may work for you unlike others!!"

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2010

For Birth Control "In my third month of taking Gianvi I have had major mood swings, depression, anxiety, and changes in appetite varying from nausea to over eating. I have not felt like this before with any other birth control. A little with Ortho-Tri Cyclen but I don't think it is as bad as this. I feel like I'm at constant war with myself to keep my emotions and my feelings in line. I'm not a usually emotional person so all these feelings are very overwhelming and frustrating. I have an appointment in a week to go to planned parenthood and ask for a different kind of birth control. I've decided to stop taking it today. It does work however, I have not gotten pregnant. "

• Used...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I started taking this as a teen when my psychiatrist recommended that I ask an OBGYN about it for mood regulation. I came off of it for a few years wanting to take a more natural approach but ultimately decided that being on this was in the best interest of my mental health. I am aware of the risks but to put it into perspective my dr says that you’re taking more of a risk with your life every time you get in a car than you do taking this pill."

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2012

For Birth Control "I recently switched from Yasmin to Gianvi by accident (I thought I was on Yaz instead of Yasmin and asked my doctor for the wrong pill). After reading reviews of Gianvi, I was really scared to start taking it. Many reviews mentioned increased acne, weight gain, mood swings and heavy periods. I have been taking Gianvi for 4 months now and have had no negative side effects. I have no acne, I lost 5 pounds, my periods last only 3 days and are very light and I have had no problems with my mood. I actually feel better than I did on Yasmin. Each pill works differently for each person and there are people with positive experiences with Gianvi."

• ohhhs...
• June 6, 2011

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I decided to write a review since I did not see anyone mention PCOS. I have been on Gianvi since October 2009. It is now June 2011. I initially took Yaz until I was switched to the generic version, Gianvi. Both medications have not given me any issues. My periods are normal, no cramps (I never had any to begin with), reduced acne, and maintained weight. I have always been an emotional person to some degree. This hasn't seemed to increase my emotions and I do not get angry or get headaches as some as said. My only worry is getting blood clots or DVT as I've recently read. "