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Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

Brand names: Apri, Kariva, Enskyce, Isibloom, Viorele, Volnea, Velivet, Azurette, Desogen, Cyclessa, Reclipsen, Juleber, Bekyree, Simliya, Emoquette, Kalliga, Cyred Caziant Pimtrea Kimidess Cyred EQ …show all brand names

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol has an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 from a total of 1,573 reviews on Drugs.com. 36% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 38% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • DMH...
  • July 20, 2014

For Birth Control "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!"

9 / 10
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  • Moa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Isibloom is great so far. I was switched to it after having spotting the whole time I was on Nexplanon (6 months). Irritating! But things definitely lucked up the moment I got the Nexplanon out of my arm and began my first pack of Isibloom. Because I was due for my period when I had Nexplanon out of my arm, I went on to have what was a two-day liner bleed. Nothing major! Especially after having spotting for 6 months. Then it was gone!! I feel happy, my face is super clear and glowy looking :) highly recommendable. I’d also advise taking a women’s vaginal ultimate floral probiotic (50-90 billion CFUs) with your birth control daily also. Just for your overall vaginal well-being!! Eat lots of yogurt as this also has good bacteria cultures for our vaginal areas!! I feel overall amazing!"

9 / 10
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  • Dan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 31, 2021

For Birth Control "I want to share because it seems like most people only ever post reviews if their experience was negative. This Enskyce birth control has been wonderful for me. After having my Paragard taken out, I needed to get back on a pill. I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and Yaz, both of which made me feel like I was gaining weight! Finally, my Dr. put me on this brand, and I have had NO problems. I had minor blemishes (unnoticeable to everyone else) the first month. My period is light, and I've had no emotional issues. While I've only been on this pill for three months, I'm really happy with this brand. With the others, I could feel negative effects very quickly."

10 / 10
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  • GBa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I started using Isibloom because I just started my sex life, and I wanted to be responsible. I received it through The Pill Club. I used to have acne. Isibloom helped with that. I’ve been using it for 5 months already. I’ve been suffering from pain in my breasts. It did not help with my cramps, I still have the same pain as before. I did not gain weight. I did not have any nauseousness. I did have diarrhea for the first 2 weeks or so. The only problem I have is that my sex drive is super low. Before taking Isibloom, I would get turned on easily. I would want to touch myself. After this product, I have painful sex! It’s horrible. My partner and I have thought maybe it will go away because, according to the prescription, side effects go away within 3 months. This month would be my 6th month, but I’ve decided to stop using it for the sake of my relationship. It’s pretty uncomfortable to have sex while it hurts."

6 / 10
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  • J C...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking Enskyce for about 3 years now, and it was all good at first. Lighter, shorter periods, my cramps lightened up, and I had no more headaches until the beginning of this year (Jan 2019). At first, my periods became so light that I would only need a pad for about 3 days, then the period was gone. But now, all of a sudden, my periods have become extremely heavy. Now, I have to wear a tampon and a pad, and I’m changing it out about every 45 minutes. It lasts about 3 or 4 days, and then it’s back to spotting. I spotted for two weeks after my period was over. It is now about to be August, and I’m still bleeding heavily. I’m not sure what’s going on or if the pill isn’t working anymore, but I am looking to get on a different medication."

5 / 10
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  • Nor...
  • February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I've used Reclipsen since I was 16 and have never had any problems. Most importantly, I've never gotten pregnant. It helped with my acne as a teenager, and I've never experienced mood swings. Periods are light and very regular. I gained a little weight in high school and college, but this is probably due to many other factors (quitting sports, not exercising, eating poorly, etc.) as opposed to the birth control. Both of my sisters have also switched to Reclipsen after experiencing mood swings and other problems with other birth controls and have seen good results. Highly recommend."

10 / 10
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  • lms...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 23, 2013

For Birth Control "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."

9 / 10
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  • Let...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 19, 2020

For Birth Control "On month three of Isibloom, and it works! Not pregnant, and my boyfriend finishes inside most of the time. I’ll be honest, the first month was awful, the nausea was bad and headaches. But once my body got adjusted, it was fine! I do get the headaches a tad bit, but would rather have that than worry about an unexpected pregnancy. It works! I would say to try it for three months before switching."

10 / 10
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  • JEa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on the pill for years, since my teens because my periods were excruciatingly debilitating, and I suffered from hormonal migraines that lasted my entire period length. I've tried various pills throughout the years, trying to find the one that felt the best. I finally found Reclipsen in my early twenties, and my periods were like clockwork, knowing exactly the day and hour it began, and 3 days later, the hour it ended, no migraines, clearest skin. Then suddenly my pharmacy switched to the generic brand - Enskyce. It is supposed to be exactly the same. But after 3 months, I had enough: each month, very heavy, very painful, lasted longer, very emotionally unstable (up then down/happy then severely depressed; a lot of crying for no reason and a second later - fine). I felt impaired to go to work and thus decided to stop, give it all a rest, and wait for my next check-up. Already two weeks off Enskyce, and I feel so good and balanced. I downloaded the app 'Clue' to track my mood and help re-regulate my cycle, and it's free."

1 / 10
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  • hdp...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Kariva for about 9 months. The positives include that my period was extremely predictable, and it didn't last too long. It didn't affect my weight, and my acne cleared up. But the negatives outweighed the positives by far. I had experienced the worst mood swings I've ever had, I became anxious, and cried multiple times a week (yet before Kariva, I was not an avid crier and was able to keep my emotions in check). I was more sad and emotionally unstable than I had ever been, and I had absolutely no motivation to work or to push myself to be happy. I noticed a small change in my mental state within the first 2 months of taking it, but thought it would level out. I kept taking it because it kept my period more regular than other pills. I switched birth controls 2 weeks ago, and since I've stopped taking Kariva, even after 2 weeks, I have been the happiest and calmest I have been in months, and am only realizing now just how emotionally and mentally unwell I was."

3 / 10
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  • Abc...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Kariva for a year and 4 months. I switched to it due to unwanted side effects of an IUD. Some pros of Kariva are that it’s super reliable (never had a pregnancy scare), and it did lighten my period. The negatives far outweighed the positives, though. The cons were: extremely low sex drive, dryness, extreme weight gain, and increased anxiety the week before my period. I love the effectiveness of this pill but can’t stand the side effects. Switching soon and can’t wait."

2 / 10
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  • moo...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 5, 2022

For Birth Control "The first three months of this pill were not that bad, although I did begin to experience abnormal anxiety (for me) and mood swings. I also began to experience some heart palpitations (which I had chalked up to the anxiety). I am in month 5 now, and I'm beyond done. This BC has made me more moody than I ever have been. I get angry and irritated and snap at things or people, and I am usually a very genial and happy person. This has made me feel like an entirely different person. I have experienced awful anxiety as well, like panic attacks waking me up at night. Also, extremely vivid dreaming that causes me to feel like I'm not sleeping, which I am sure has perpetuated my other symptoms. Everyone's body is different, but my experience has been terrible."

1 / 10
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  • Gig...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "So, I took this birth control for 3 years. Did its job in terms of preventing pregnancy, but at a horrible cost. I gained over 30 lbs, had terrible nausea, mood swings, anxiety, depression, headaches, almost no libido, you name it. It wasn't until I got off the pill completely to give myself a break from the constant stream of hormones that is birth control that I realized all of the issues I was experiencing were all the pill, not me. After 2 months off of the pill, all of the aforementioned issues have disappeared. Consumer beware. Not worth it. When I do decide to go back on birth control, it will not be Viorele."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been using Kariva for five months now, and it's been pretty good. I had some itching, mood swings, spotting, and lowered sex drive in the first two months. After the first three months, all the side effects were gone, and I've been feeling great with the pill ever since. I had no weight loss or gain and overall good health. Just wanted to share."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Kariva for a month now after switching from Loestrin (which gave me insane mood swings and heavy discharge). My skin is good, periods are light, cramping is limited, and mood is normal. But my boobs have gotten bigger, and I do notice that I have gained some weight in my upper thighs and hips."

7 / 10
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  • syd...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 1, 2019

For Birth Control "Literally, the worst pill I have ever taken. I switched from the last pill I was taking because of extreme depression, but I would honestly rather have extreme depression and cry at all hours of the day than take this. The first three months I thought it was great. Then, slowly but surely, I began to get so irritated. Now I cannot stop lashing out at everyone and everything, when I have never been this type of person. I literally feel nothing at times if I'm not feeling angry, and that is downright scary. I feel like a zombie sometimes. I have no care in the world and am an angry, sad person. I gave it the benefit of the doubt and continued with the pill for three more months, but it literally has just gotten worse, and now I feel like I'm losing my mind. Please don't take this. You will have no motivation or joy."

1 / 10
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  • Clw...
  • March 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I have tried 5 different birth control pills, and Kariva has been a lifesaver. I had cysts in my ovary, and Kariva shrunk it, and now it is gone! I have been on Kariva for 12 months, and my skin is porcelain-like, no pimples, lost a few pounds (I've been going to the gym, so it might not even be the birth control), and my mood stayed consistent. I'm switching to either the patch or the ring this month, though, because my sex drive has been awful for the past 4-5 months, and it's driving me (and my boyfriend) crazy! Zero sex drive and dryness are my only complaints."

8 / 10
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  • Gab...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I have no complaints with this birth control pill Isibloom so far. I tend to be pretty sensitive to medications, but the only symptom I’ve experienced was slightly heightened anxiety for the first week or so. Once I pushed through that, everything went back to normal. My period has also been super light, which is exactly what I wanted since I usually have extremely heavy periods. Don’t let the negative reviews scare you away. This is a pretty good birth control and it’s super affordable."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • October 21, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on this medication for about 5 to 6 months. And it works great for birth control. Even if you miss a pill or two by a little bit, you're still protected, and it doesn't affect your period. But ever since I got on the pill, I'm not myself. I'm constantly depressed and get bad mood swings. And I have literally no sex drive whatsoever."

4 / 10
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  • woo...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for 7 months. This is my first time ever using BC, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I'm incredibly happy with it. My skin was gradually getting worse and worse with each year, and I can't tell you the last time I've had more than 1 tiny blemish at a time. My skin is amazing! My doctor did warn me about the initial side effects, and they were pretty bad honestly (highly emotional, weight gain about 10 lbs), but after I gave it 3 months, something clicked, and I stopped being emotional, and I have lost all the weight and even a bit more. I have found that I don't have much of a sex drive at all, but it's not worth it to me to switch just for that reason. If you're willing to go through the first few months, go for it!"

8 / 10
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  • Jam...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • November 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking Cyred a year ago for acne, then it got switched to Isibloom by my pharmacist, and I did not notice any change in symptoms on Isibloom. I had very bad acne for 10 years, and this completely cleared my skin. However, my breasts are so tender, I have cramping throughout the month (sometimes it’s continuous, and sometimes it will be a random moment of intense cramping, and then it will stop), and spotting can sometimes occur for weeks at a time, which is extremely frustrating. I also have noticed that I am not interested in sex at all. Not even interested in kissing my partner. For these reasons, I am switching to a different birth control, but if that has the same side effects, I will return to using this one because the clear skin ultimately outweighs the negative side effects for me."

5 / 10
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  • hka...
  • April 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I really like this birth control. When I'm not on birth control, I have extremely painful menstrual cramps, very heavy periods, and crazy hormonal acne breakouts. It took about two and a half months to see any improvements, but my face is almost always completely clear, I have much lighter cramps, and a much lighter flow. I did feel a little nauseous for the first couple of days, but I had no weight gain and no other adverse health or psychological complaints. The only other complaint I could state would be that within a week of taking the pill, my sex drive was almost completely gone. The main reason I am staying on the birth control is for the acne treatment! It is something I have been struggling with for years, and I am so happy with the results."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • October 30, 2008

For Birth Control "I have been taking Apri for at least two years and have never had any problems with it. Some say it lowers sex drive, but my sex life has stayed the same. This is the best pill I have taken. I have taken a lot of different kinds, and I get serious headaches from taking the others. This is the only pill that I have had no side effects from. I only have my period for 2 days, and they are very light. If you are in the market for a great birth control, this is it. You will feel normal, and you won't have heavy periods. So take Apri."

10 / 10
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  • Rhi...
  • January 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I love this pill, I've been using it for over 4 years now. I had some pretty bad acne, and my periods were heavy and long. Now my face is pretty clear, and my period is still a little heavy, but it's super short now (4 days tops). I haven't put on any weight since I started taking the pill. My significant other and I haven't used a condom in over 4 years, and I haven't gotten pregnant, so it works!"

10 / 10
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  • Mrs...
  • March 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I received Isibloom from the Pill Club. The first month was kind of crazy. It made me extremely nauseous, my boobs hurt all the time, and I definitely noticed an increase in anxiety, depression, and just overall mood swings. I didn’t notice a difference with acne (but I’ve been lucky enough to never really have a problem with that). I decided to stick with it though, and I'm glad I did because after my body adjusted to it, everything else leveled out. I’m now on month 3, and the ONLY issue I still have is ongoing breast tenderness and occasional breakthrough bleeding (but it’s such a small amount that it’s not troublesome or a hindrance at all). I also have not gotten pregnant, so it evidently does its job. I’ve previously been on other birth control pills that literally turned me into The Incredible Hulk, so the side effects from Isibloom have been relatively mild by comparison."

8 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.