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Gianvi User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

Gianvi has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 264 reviews on Drugs.com. 45% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 32% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Gianvi

  • Sandy...
  • May 19, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "The pill worked wonders for me, after being diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17. I was overweight, pimply, and struggled with chronic depression. I was originally prescribed Yaz but then began taking the generic, Gianvi, because of insurance reasons. I personally couldn't tell any difference between the two. This pill cleared up my acne, improved my depression, gave me light, short bleeds every month on the clock (as opposed to heavy periods every 4-6 months lasting 10 days to two weeks!) and it helped me lose a lot of weight over the course of a year. Unfortunately, I haven't been taking it the past couple years, and it's been rough. I greatly look forward to going back on it soon."

9 / 10
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  • Hal
  • February 5, 2016

For Acne "I recently was switched to Gianvi, after trying at least four other birth controls to try an control my acne. I do not have severe acne but everything I was trying did not work. The dermatologist prescribed creams, oral medications etc. and I was still having breakouts. I've been on this birth control for almost a month and ever since I started taking it, I haven't had one breakout. My face has been as clear as ever. Different things work for different people but I would recommend this birth control to anyone struggling with acne."

10 / 10
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  • IndigoB
  • August 18, 2017

For Acne "I am not one to write reviews, but I'm compelled to warn others about the serious side effects I've experienced. I took Gianvi after I took Yaz, and because both pills contain the same amount of hormones, I thought that I will have the same, fine experience with Gianvi as I did with Yaz. Upon my first week into the pill, I became depressed and dealt with some serious anxiety. These mental symptoms only worsened as the days progressed and as I approached the end of the pack, I suffered constant suicidal thoughts. Once I realized that this pill was the cause of my madness, I immediately stopped. It's been 2 days since I last took the pill and I feel better already. Also, the pill did nothing for my moderately to severe acne."

2 / 10
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  • Amont
  • September 10, 2018

For Acne "I was so nervous to try this after reading the reviews but I'm so glad I made the leap. I'm 35 and have been struggling for a decade with next-level awful cramps (vomiting/unhealthy amount of Advil), moderate cystic acne and PMS that made me psycho. I stuck it out since I had bad birth control experiences before but no natural remedy worked for me and it wore me down to the point where I couldn't stand it anymore. My doctor recommended Gianvi and I've been on it 6 months now. My face is virtually clear, the cramps are so mild (more like bloating), the emotional stuff is manageable and my weight has stayed the same. The first month was great. Month two and three were rough emotionally as my body adjusted (really dark thoughts) but I stuck it out on my doctor's recommendation since my cramps and acne were better. I don't know if my 25-year old self could have made it through those two months but I'm kicking myself for not having taken this years ago."

9 / 10
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  • Holly
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 21, 2012

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I loved Gianvi. I took it for about 5 years, and noticed minimal side effects. I feel like birth control pills really help stabilize people who have hormonal mood problems to begin with; but if they are fine to begin with, they throw it off balance and cause side effects. I was not fine to begin with. Very irregular, heavy, painful periods, hormonal acne, and PMDD. Gianvi stabilized me. One thing I did notice was my hair growth pretty much stopped for some reason, which was weird. But that was the only side effect. Cleared my skin."

7 / 10
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  • Happy...
  • July 14, 2013

For Birth Control "Regardless of all the negative reviews, I tried this birth control & I do like it a lot. After about 3-4 packs it cleared up my acne (I'm on the inert pills of my 5th pack now), it has relieved my menstrual cramps, helped to regulate my hormones, and is very effective as a birth control. I like pills that force me to bleed if I miss too many days, which helps to ward off sexual activity that could grant me an unwanted pregnancy. This does just that. After about two missed pills you receive your period, and during the inert pills you actually get a period & don't just spot. My insurance usually covers it & it was $36 for three months but recently it has become free of charge after my insurance coverage switched & covered contraception."

9 / 10
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  • Jano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 31, 2019

For Acne "I started taking this because I would get one or two cystic pimples near the time of my period that would lead to bad scarring. I figured I would give Gianvi a try since it is known for treating hormonal acne. I only have been on it for two months. Although I have read that it can take at least three months or longer to fully adjust, I am going to stop taking it. I’ve tried a few different birth control pills before but this one has been the worst for me. I have experienced irregular bleeding, bad headaches that can last days at a time, weight gain, and the worst acne I’ve ever had in my life. All of these symptoms have made me depressed. Maybe I should’ve waited another month to see but it wasn’t worth it to me. Everyone reacts differently so you have to try it out for yourself. I’ve read that some girls had their skin clear up in two weeks. Sadly I did not have a positive experience on this birth control."

2 / 10
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  • SarahT
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 2, 2015

For Acne "I am on Gianvi primarily for horomonal acne. Was on Yaz for 3 years for this but since this is free, I switched. It works WONDERS for my hormonal chin acne! There is some light spotting at first and breast tenderness before my period but that's it."

8 / 10
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  • Taylo...
  • January 23, 2011

For Birth Control "I had never been on birth control before Gianvi. My boyfriend and I both wanted me to take it, and if there's anything positive I have to say about it is it does its job with preventing pregnancy. Other than that, I have incredible mood swings from happy to incredibly depressed. Ever since I started taking it about 5 or 6 months ago I haven't in the slightest bit been as happy as I used to be. My personality has completely changed, I've lost weight honestly. I get mad over little things, etc. etc. I don't know. It's tearing me apart. I don't recommend it to anyone."

5 / 10
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  • Mehh
  • April 10, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I started taking birth control to treat painful periods, and this did get rid of the super painful cramps and I did not get pregnant while taking it, so it was effective. However while on this my anxiety became worse than it had ever been before and my sex drive completely vanished. I noticed my sex drive return about 1 month after I discontinued Gianvi."

6 / 10
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  • Gogog...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 9, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "First off I'd like to state that before I got on birth control I had HORRIBLE HORRIBLE cramps! I mean completely miserable! But after I got on Gianvi my miserable horrible cramps are gone. Yeah I may have some minor pains here and there but at least I can still function and make it to my classes! Also I've noticed that my weight hasn't changed at all. I'm just happy that I don't become sad and miserable when my period comes. One negative would be that my sex drive has decreased. But hey, it is called "birth control"."

8 / 10
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  • TSano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 19, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was on Nikki for about 4 months for PMDD. According to my doc, it should've been working by the 3-4 month range. And while it took my period away (yet added spotting) and lowered some symptoms, it really only took away any predictability of my cycle. Instead of knowing exactly when to expect my downturn, I would wake up each day wondering if it would be a good day or a bad day filled with thoughts of suicide, nausea, & panic attacks. When my 4 packs of Nikki were done, I requested Gianvi. I've only been on it a week, but I've noticed significant improvement. My breasts are still VERY tender/swollen and my acne's still flaring, but I've actually been able to play with my daughter and enjoy it. I've been able to handle my high-anxiety dog without losing my mind. It's not perfect, but to not have the Jekyll/Hyde complex that is PMDD, even for just a week, has been amazing. I definitely intend on continuing with Gianvi for a while. Hopefully it continues improving my quality of life."

7 / 10
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  • Journ...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 26, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Gianvi and its counterpart Loryna for almost 5 years now and the closest thing to a side effect that I have had is sometimes I will have some spotting on the 3rd Saturday of my pack (day 24). My period lasts 2 days at most and is super light. I have no more cramps, no more cysts, my skin is clear except for a random zit, and even having depression and anxiety I have no psychological symptoms even without anti-depressants. I am not sure what problems everyone else has had, but they are probably sensitive to an inactive ingredient in the pill like I was with the depo shot."

9 / 10
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  • Fox
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 13, 2021

For Acne "I started this birth control for acne around my chin and jaw line. It was mainly whiteheads and clogged pores. I would get about 2-3 break outs a week. I’m on week 2 of this medication and I’m definitely experiencing the WORST breakouts. Lots of cystic acne on my jaw and chin (like 8-10 spots). Legit embarrassing to go in public type of break outs. I’m praying it’ll clear up in the next couple weeks but I’m absolutely one of those who is experiencing a worse before better (hopefully)."

7 / 10
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  • bean
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 11, 2019

For Acne "I have had severe cystic acne for a decade now since I was 13 years old and I'm now 23 so after trying many many different treatments my dermatologist finally insisted that I go on accutane but to be on accutane you have to also be on 2 forms of birth control. I was prescribed Gianvi and I swear like 90% of my acne cleared up within a WEEK. I am so happy I have had nooooo side effects whatsoever the only side effect I have is clear skin and I couldn't be happier. "

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 30, 2010

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was given this generic by my pharmacy--who did not inform me that it was a generic that my insurance company told them to give me even though the doctor has specifically prescribed Yaz to treat my PMDD symptoms. My main PMDD symptom was menstrual migraines. After about 2 weeks of being on Gianvi I was suffering from constant headaches that got progressively worse until my doctor told me to stop taking it. In addition to this side effect I suffered from persistent muscle spasms and extreme changes in appetite. "

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • May 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Gianvi for a month. I found myself in a spiraling depression to the point that I was crying daily. I had terrible anxiety and trouble concentrating. I couldn't focus and had trouble sleeping. I couldn't figure out why I was in such a funk, until I got my period and suddenly felt better. I then googled Gianvi and discovered that this level of depression and anxiety isn't uncommon on this pill."

2 / 10
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  • MissC...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 24, 2020

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control choice ever! I was originally on a generic form of Yazmin and decided to try a lighter dose because of weight gain/decreased sex drive. I also started to break out around my period and knew this was supposed to help with acne. Well it didn’t, my forehead now has little bumps under the skin that go away and come back in a week! I’ve been super emotional and I cry almost every day since starting my second pack, and my migraines are so much worse! I don’t have a history of depression. It takes a lot for me to cry! Now I can’t control it! And to top it all off, I’ve been spotting for a week and a half. I’m done with this pill, and not taking the last 2 of my 2nd pack."

1 / 10
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  • Kano
  • October 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking Gianvi brith control pill for the past 3-4 months and have experienced more good than bad. The first couple things I've noticed that's different is my skin and period cycle. For one thing it did what it was supposed to do and regulated my period. I used to get my period every other month during random days. It was irritating because I never knew when it would come. For my skin, it's improved it a good amount but I'm not someone who had bad skin to begin with. I noticed I stopped getting pimples altogether and when I do it's rare (I promise I have a bad skin routine too so I was surprised.)I haven't gained weight and I didn't experience any decline in my mental health. The only thing that it didn't help with was my period cramps. My OBGYN told me this was supposed to help but my cramps are just as sore. I also noticed that my periods are longer than when I wasn't on birth control. I used to only have my period for 5 days but now it's the full 7 days."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 13, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Gianvi for 8 months now. At first I was an emotional wreck, like almost all the reviews on here, but after your body gets used to the added hormone it does go away. It took about 3 months for the acne to go away also. After about the 3 month mark Gianvi was perfect for me. I have no bloating when my period starts, my period is perfectly on schedule, less cramping and bleeding than before, no more migraines, and no mood swings. Its almost like I'm not even on my period anymore. But, as someone said before, you have to try it to know if it'll work for you."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • September 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri for 4 years but was starting to have some breakthrough bleeding issues with it so my doctor put me on Yaz. I'm a broke Graduate student so I went on Gianvi instead. I keep seeing all these negative reviews on here about it, but I LOVE Gianvi. My acne has almost gone away and my cramps have lessened. I did, however, have some issues adjusting to a 4 day period instead of a week long one, but after a few months that straightened out. I love Gianvi and have been on it for 6 months without issue."

10 / 10
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  • Kara
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for three years and I absolutely loved it and put up with it solely because it cleared my skin up beautifully. But ladies please please be aware that this specific birth control can increase digestive flora and give you terrible IBS symptoms. My symptoms were so bad to the point where I required surgery and I failed to recognize that this birth control was the reason why. After this, I began to develop chronic yeast infections/ irritations. Making sex a nuisance and me being EXTREMELY uncomfortable. This pill may work for others just fine but be aware that the high levels of estrogen can take a huge toll on the female body."

7 / 10
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  • WBE
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I kept trying to figure out why I felt so much better this month and why I’ve finally been able to lose some weight and abdominal bloating. I follow a pretty healthy diet and workout hard usually around 5 days a week and sometimes twice a day. Sadly, it never occurred to me it was my birth control! I’ve been taking Loryna for 3-4 years and will definitely NOT be taking that again. Previously I was on Ocella and Yaz. I’ve been on Gianvi for almost a month and feel so much better. I’ve lost weight and definitely the bloat. I haven’t noticed any changes in my mood and if anything my sex drive is better."

8 / 10
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  • Marie
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 25, 2018

For Acne "Can't say I'm a fan. I went on Gianvi for acne and mood swings. The first two months were a really rough adjustment. I levelled out after that and my acne seemed to calm down a bit, but my mood swings were still bad. It's been 6 months now and I'm going to kick this pill to the curb. I've had bad acne flair ups, menstruating twice a month, and my mood is up and down constantly. If the reason you are taking a medication is to help rectify a problem, and that problem becomes worse, it's not worth it."

2 / 10
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  • Tasha
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Have been taking this a full month now. I started because I developed hormonal acne during my period but now I’m actually regretting starting the Gianvi!!! My skin is soooo BAD. Actually terrible. Little tiny bumps all over my face and pus filled pimples, cysts. You name it. Eating away at my face. It’s only been a month, so I’ll wait 2 more because I heard that can happen. If no changes I’m off this ASAP. Otherwise I haven’t experienced any of the mentally altering side effects, my mood is the same. No depression or panic attacks. Oh, also unsure if I’m spotting? Or if I got my period and it’s very light?"

3 / 10
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5 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.