Apri and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Col...
• January 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I started Apri a year and 4 months ago. When I first started, I was 175. I'm currently 210. My appetite has increased tremendously. It doesn't make me very moody, although I was depressed for a couple of months (maybe that could have been due to school). I've missed as many as 3 days and was still fine. My sex drive has decreased just a little, but nothing too major. My cycle is very regular and only lasts 3-4 days. I cramp, but not every cycle. Overall, it's decent."

• rag...
• December 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I started Apri after switching from a birth control where I'd only get my period once every three months. My partner said I was very moody during the first couple of months after switching, but I've since mellowed out. I've noticed my sex drive has decreased to being nonexistent except for during my period week. Other than the decreased sex drive, this pill works fine for clearing my skin and preventing pregnancy. I've noticed slightly heavier cramps than normal, but they're not unbearable."

• Ann...
• June 30, 2015

For Birth Control "Over 6 months ago, I switched to this from a more traditional BC pill because of nausea. I was taking it for acne and pregnancy protection. Cons: My acne got way worse initially and then leveled off to kind of bad. Gained about five pounds, but I'm not sure if it's due to Apri. My periods went from unnoticeable (3-5 days, no cramps) to intolerable, lasting over a week and bleeding like crazy with initial cramping. I have also had frequent yeast infections right before my period since starting this drug. Pros: Boobs got way bigger. Nausea went away."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2011

For Birth Control "I love Apri. A friend recommended Apri, and as soon as I picked up my prescription, that is when my love affair with Apri began. Prior to taking Apri, I had severe PMS (irregular periods, depression 1 week before and 1 week after my period, horrible cramps, acne), so my doctor suggested a birth control to help regulate my PMS symptoms. After taking Apri, my acne has completely cleared up, no weight gain, 3-day periods with light bleeding, and no depression. I haven't noticed increased bust size and no change in my sexual desires. I do have increased discharge. But that would be the only bad side effect."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been using Apri for a year now, and I love it. In the first few months, my boobs grew bigger, and I have never had problems with acne, so I can't say it cleared it, but it definitely kept it away. The only problems I've had in the last few months using it are the cramping I get during my periods. It's unbearable. I can't even go to school the first two days of it. Besides that, I've had no problems with it."

• kik...
• March 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on birth control for 11 years. For 8 years, I was on Loestrin 24 Fe, and I had no issues. I had to switch to Apri because I changed insurances. At first, I did not notice a difference, but now I can confidently say I have the absolute worst period cramps and bloating I’ve ever had. I dread getting my period. I’m not saying this will happen to everyone, but it’s been miserable for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2012

For Birth Control "Apri was the first birth control I took (at the age of 24). I started taking it to prevent pregnancy, not for any other reason since my periods were regular and I rarely experienced any kind of cramps or moodiness. This pill changed that entirely. I started experiencing cramps around the time my period began. I noticed a considerable drop in my sex drive, which frustrated both me and my boyfriend. I also became depressed, my moods fluctuated from happy and positive to irritable to extremely depressed in a span of hours. I stayed on this for over six months before changing. I changed to Aviane and have noticed a vast improvement."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my first month on Apri, and I haven't been on any other forms of the pill since I was 18. I was prescribed Loestrin in 2009 for bad cramping and PMS but got off that due to huge mood swings, bloating, weight gain, and breast tenderness. It is now 7 years since then, and I am using the pill mainly for birth control. I am on my third week and am feeling awful! I have had headaches several times per week, extreme nausea, cramping, and tiredness. I have also felt anxiety and will wake up in the middle of the night. I take the pill in the morning but will be switching to a nighttime routine to see if my symptoms decrease or if I tolerate it better. My mood has been pretty normal, and my sex drive is good. The worst thing has been the nausea."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I started originally on Tri-Sprintec, but after a few days, I couldn't handle the cramps, bloating, and spotting all the time. I called my doctor, and she prescribed Apri. After seeing all the reviews, I felt that this was a better choice than the Tri-Sprintec pill. Since Apri had better reviews than Tri, everyone's body is different, but so far it has worked great, no side effects. I LOVE IT."

• Mqa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Apri has been terrible to me. I’ve experienced painful cramping (not on period), bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, and I’ve even fallen into depression. I was all happy and energetic before the pill, but once I got on it, I’ve had no energy, and I’m always sleeping."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2011

For Birth Control "I just finished my first month, and this is what I've found. No noticeable weight gain. The first week or so, I was waking up nauseous, but since then, it's gone away. I'm not pregnant. I continued to get pretty bad cramps the first day of my period. I do tend to be a little more tired throughout the day. Overall, so far, so good!"

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2023

For Birth Control "I started taking Apri birth control about three months ago. At first, it was okay. Now, three months in, and I can’t handle it anymore. I’ve gained 15 pounds, my mood swings are horrendous, I’m severely depressed and literally crying every day, which is unusual because I don’t cry. I got a job promotion and was sad… I just couldn’t be the happy self I knew I was. Cramping is constant. About a month in, I would randomly get sick. My last period lasted two weeks. Massive headaches every single day. I just stopped taking this pill as of today because even my family members were concerned for my mental health. Such a horrible birth control."

• I...
• March 23, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking Apri for about 2 years now, and I am definitely a fan. I had awful acne before, and it all went away after a few months of taking the pill. I have cramps and a little acne right before my period starts, but it's usually no big deal. My sex drive has decreased slightly, but I won't let that put a damper on my nights. I, unfortunately, forgot my pack of birth control when I traveled home from college and missed four pills, so now I am stuck waiting until my next pack starts up again. My mood has become wild this past week, not to mention getting my period again because of getting off of the pill. My acne has also been a huge problem since getting off of the pill. I strongly recommend the pill, just don't stop taking it."

• Sha...
• January 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I actually lost weight the first 2 months I have been taking it. My periods were never regular, and I have Asperger's, which made it hard to keep up with a heavy flow. I noticed my periods were shorter, and the cramps were less."

• Ari...
• January 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I just started taking Apri. I have not been on birth control since 2008 when I was taking Tri-Sprintec. After a few months of Tri-Sprintec, I gained 17 lbs! I have always been small (5'4", 108 lbs), so this weight gain was very noticeable, and I could not shed the weight. I got off Tri-Sprintec and do not recommend it to anyone! Anyway, I'm on Apri now, and I really like it. The only downside I've noticed is intense cramping the first week I took it. Hope this helps!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "It’s extremely effective in regulating menstrual cycles. However, I had so many negative side effects, some of which I didn’t even realize. The worst was depression. I lost all of my attraction whatsoever. I had the worst cramps I’ve ever experienced, accompanied by the heaviest bleeding! The regulation was about the only positive thing I got from this medicine."

• Anonymous
• July 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Apri for 5 months. I would get migraines periodically with aura before taking birth control, so I was curious to see how it would help those. This birth control made me horrible. I was very moody, depressed, lacked energy and motivation to the point where I rarely felt like going to work, and I felt bloated a lot. I gained weight, got more cellulite, and overall poor digestion. A few cycles I also would get abdominal cramps around the time I’d be ovulating, and I had low and mid-back pain a lot. My periods were very heavy— leaking through a super plus tampon in 2-3 hours, and they still lasted 4-5 days. I took 4-6 pregnancy tests throughout these months because I thought I was pregnant even after a withdrawal bleed— all negative. It prevented pregnancy, and my skin looked good, but I had so many negative side effects. The final kicker for me was 4 migraines in the first week of the pack my last month on this pill. Too much for me, so I’m switching to a different pill."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for a year now, and I'm finally getting off. Unfortunately, I gained about 15 pounds (which I'm already heavy, so that sucked). My boobs went up 2 sizes, which also sucked. It definitely helped with my anxiety and depression because that basically went away while I was on it, but it didn't help with periods. I still cramped insanely, was bleeding a lot, and couldn't bear being on my period. I've been on 6 different kinds of pills, and this was the best one for anxiety reasons, but now I'm going to try the Mirena."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Reclipsen for years, then Walgreens said the name changed to Enskyce. Now this month they told me it changed to Apri. I’m on my second week of this pill, and I already have spotting and cramping, yet I shouldn't be on my cycle for another two weeks. And I’ve been nauseous. Nervous to keep using this birth control. Never had any problem with Reclipsen."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2018

For Birth Control "This was my first time ever on birth control, and it was an awful experience. I started out feeling nauseous and depressed within the first few weeks, and it only got worse. I started feeling extremely paranoid and anxious, uncontrollably crying, irrational thinking, and feeling emotionally detached almost, if not, every day. People very close in my life started to notice and mentioned I started acting this way when I started the pill, so I talked to my doctor and switched brands, and I’ve felt more like myself ever since. The only upside was that I was not pregnant, my period was always on time, even though I still had unbearable cramps and heavy bleeding."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2018

For Birth Control "My doctor believed I might have endometriosis, so first I was put on the Depo shot. I gained 10 lbs in a month and a half! I bled for three months straight. So I went back to my doctor and she put me on Apri. I was excited to hopefully stop bleeding and potentially lose the weight I gained. I stopped bleeding for a week and I’ve been going on bleeding for week five now. Not spotting. Bleeding. I am super nauseated, extremely moody and emotional, unbelievably hot and sweaty, crazy tired, and have zero sex drive. Oh, and how could I forget my cramps?! Which are crippling and leave me literally crying on the floor. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, and I can’t wait to change to hopefully something better."

• LAa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I've actually had a pretty good experience with Apri. My only side effects are increased vaginal discharge and cramping (not during my cycle). Apri has helped with shortening and lightening my cycle. I haven't gotten pregnant on it either, but I don't take it at the same time every day. I was paying $8 for it, but because of the Affordable Care Act, I get it for free."

• Abe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for almost a year now. I've tried two other different brands prior to this, but due to insurance issues, I had to switch to this. It has been my worst experience with birth control! I've gained about 10 lbs since being on this pill, even though I work out and eat healthy, I can't lose the weight. My period is very irregular, I have awful cramps, and my acne came back. But I think the worst side effect is that my sex drive is non-existing, which is affecting my relationship. I will be going off this pill soon, and would rather pay more than keep taking it."

• kai...
• October 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I've only been on this for about a week, and I have already gained 7 pounds! My acne started to clear up, and then today, all of a sudden, my face broke out in several huge pimples. I'm more tired than usual and get severe cramps on and off. I think I might be going back to the doctor's soon and seeing what else I can take."

• Hay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I was switched onto Apri, and I got my period for seven days, when before I got it for only 3-5. I get severe cramps, bloating, and heavy periods. I will get spotting for about a week or two after I get my period. It has prevented pregnancy but does not help with any symptoms that come with periods."