Apri and Headaches: What Users Say

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

For Birth Control "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!!!"

• Ahm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I was put on Apri because I had horrible cramps and long, heavy periods. I took it for about six months, and around the five-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 on Apri. I went to my doctor and told her this, and she told me that this was because of its high levels of progesterone. I switched and am much better now without Apri."

• 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."

• SEa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I just started this, and right now I am on the period pills. I feel horrible and have felt horrible since the very first pill. Legit nausea all the time to the point where I was waking up once or twice a week around 4 am throwing up (I tried to take it around 12-2 with food every day to maybe avoid this). I also experience uncomfortable bloating really bad when I haven’t even eaten much to be bloated. I haven’t even been eating much period because I’m nauseous all the time. Add mood swings, sadness, anxiety, and headaches to the mix too. I just feel so awful and not myself, so I DO NOT recommend this pill! I hope it gets out of my system ASAP!"

• Tor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about 5 months now. And it sure is doing its job very well. But I do get huge headaches from time to time and feel dizzy for about 2 months now. When I started to take this birth control, everything was fine. But until now, I'm thinking of trying another brand of birth control."

• Suf...
• March 5, 2021

For Birth Control "After years of suffering with PCOS symptoms, Apri has saved me! It has eliminated most of my acne. The 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! The 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 15 lbs. My appetite has started calming down this month. I went from an A cup to a 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 and mood swings have depleted. I'm meeting with my doctor to renew my prescription!"

• Kaa...
• January 23, 2013

For Birth Control "I started Apri five months ago. I have always suffered with terrible ovarian cysts, and now they're starting to finally decrease. I have lost twenty pounds while I've been taking the pills, without changing my diet or exercise. I'm not pregnant, nor have I ever been. My sex drive is the same, but I can't eat anymore. Small meals twice a day that have absolutely no dairy in them are all my stomach can handle now. I have never had a problem with dairy before Apri. I also get terrible headaches and am constantly tired. There are positives and negatives to this pill."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Apri for about 3 weeks now. Just after the first few weeks, my boobs have been super sore and have grown to where everyone, including my boyfriend, notices. I have weird cravings and am getting hunger pains, but feeling full quickly. I am nauseous more than usual. This pill has made me feel pregnant just based off of side effects. I did miss one pill, but doubled up the next day with no issues. I do feel tired and get small random headaches, but nothing unmanageable. Not too bad after being on Depo for over a year. Lol"

• Mmi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Let me tell you... this Apri birth control pill has been something terrible. I was put on it because my hormones were messed up bad, and sometimes I had a period that wouldn’t stop for a month, then I didn’t have a period for like 3 months. So my OB-GYN put me on Apri. I also have PCOS. Anyway, I have terrible headaches, my sight has gotten terrible, made my anxiety worse, no sex drive at all, and the worst thing, I gained 40 pounds in like 6 months. This pill is straight the worst thing ever!"

• Lov...
• May 14, 2013

For Birth Control "My experience with Apri has been great. I have been on it for about 5 years now. I do not get any of the side effects - no headaches, mood swings, weight gain, etc. I was recommended by 2 doctors to take 4 x 21 packs of Apri in a row, totaling 3 months of birth control, then stopping for a week to get my period. So this means that you only get your periods 4 times a year. This causes no health risks at all (unless you take it longer than 3 months in a row), and I have been doing this for 3 years with no side effects at all. I have spoken to 4 doctors about this, and none of them disagreed with this method. I was told to try it, and if it worked for me, to definitely keep doing it. *May not be for everyone, so please consult your doctor first*."

• Sg1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I have to say, so far, so good! I was diagnosed with endometriosis and had to find the right hormone therapy post-surgery. I have had so much success in 2 months on Apri. I have been skipping the placebo pills and skipping my periods (instructed by my MD). I have had 0 spotting. I had headaches the first week for sure, but that passed! I tried a few other pills before my surgery that really upset my stomach and cycle. This pill has been a lifesaver!"

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Since the time I have been taking Apri, I have been facing various problems like intense chest pain, problems in concentration, nausea, headaches, extreme mood swings, acne, dizziness, fluctuations in the quality of vision."

• apr...
• January 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I like this Apri birth control pill a lot! I was quite surprised running across all these negative reviews. I understand everyone has a different experience with Apri and is affected everyone differently. Personally, I’ve had no problems, although it’s only been a few weeks of being on it. If anything, my mood swings (from when I was BC free) have gone down DRASTICALLY. I feel much more chilled out and content. No cramping, headaches, etc., but slight anxiety. I have noticed a little weight gain, but this is something that isn’t that big of a problem for me or detrimental. I was initially taking Depo, which caused me to bleed every day straight for 3 months (the same amount I normally would at the start of a period, except EVERYDAY) and suffered from cramps from time to time and nausea. My doctor switched me over to Apri, and so far I have little to no complaints. My skin has been consistently clear and I don’t feel fatigued."

• Mar...
• December 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 19 and have been on this pill for 4 months now and have realized many changes. Some pros are that my acne has cleared up and excess hair slowed its growth rate, but the cons outweigh the pros. I have terrible mood swings, headaches, and nausea when I never had that before. My sex drive is nearly non-existent. My periods are more controlled, but they are very heavy and leave me very tired. I have gained 15 pounds in 4 months despite getting 2 hours of exercise almost every day. I thought this pill would help my hormones level out and help my depression, but it has made my relapses far between but much more intense when they happen. Overall, it gets the job done, but if you can, try a different pill."

• Lyn...
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Apri about four months ago due to migraines during my period and pretty bad acne, especially leading up to my period. My pharmacist said this is what she takes, and she takes it continuously, so recommended I do that as well. For the first three months, it worked great aside from my sex drive dropping to below zero. Not getting a period for the first time in nearly 15 years was amazing. It did help clear my acne. However, about a month ago I started spotting and had a couple of mild headaches. Google said this was normal, so I didn't freak out. Last week I started bleeding much more heavily and having the worst cramps I have ever had. Make me double over in pain cramps. Advil and Tylenol barely work. Came here looking to see if others have had this experience but instead found a ton of other symptoms people are experiencing as well. I'm afraid if I stop, my migraines and acne will come back, but I don't know if I can handle this for much longer."

• ouc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2022

For Birth Control "I can’t speak for its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy, but I wanted to share my experience for PMDD/PMS. I tried Junel Fe in the past and liked it, but felt like I was always bloated. Then I asked my gyn if I could try something else because I felt like the Junel helped with anxiety and digestion, but didn’t like some of the effects on mood. I took Apri at night, and within 15 minutes I was incredibly drowsy and dizzy. I slept by the toilet all night because I felt like I was on the verge of throwing up, but I never did. Horrible headache the next day. If this one doesn’t work for you, try another (: each pill is different, and I don’t regret taking it because it told me something about my body. Seriously, don’t be afraid to experiment!"

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This was an awful experience for me. I fell into deep depression, couldn't leave my bed for 14 hours at a time and had really dark thoughts. I became a ball of anxiety everywhere I went, my mood swings were insane. I had a headache that literally lasted for 2 weeks straight and painkillers wouldn't do much, and the nausea I felt like I was going to vomit at the most random times, and every little thing irritated me, so I was being annoying to my boyfriend, my friends, and my family, and I truly felt like I was going crazy. I forced myself to toughen up and at least finish the month (there were like 4 red pills left when I realized I didn't want to do this long term). Now I've reached the placebos, so I'm waiting to get my period and then never touch this medication again. I reacted very badly to Plan B as well, so I'm thinking birth control pills just aren't for my body at all. In conclusion, unless you're lucky enough to not experience symptoms, this can and will mess you up!!!!! :("

• har...
• April 4, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control made me miserable. I could not even take it for one whole week. Immediately after taking it, I started to feel sick. I had a headache every day after starting to take this pill. It made me feel tired, lazy, and depressed. It seriously made me feel like I was pregnant all over again! I also felt really bloated right after taking it. My pharmacist recommended it because my new insurance wouldn't cover my old BC, Pimtrea. They said it would be basically the same, and it definitely was not. I know everyone's body responds differently, but this one has been the worst for me. I have been taking birth control for 15 years, and this is the only one that has ever made me feel sick."

• E8a...
• January 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I gave it a rating of 5 for its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. I only do the withdrawal method with this. But the side effects are so awful. Possibly the worst I've had with any brand. It is quite potent, I'd tell you that. I get a lot of headaches, nausea, and stomach discomfort for a week into starting a new pack, decreased libido, and in the beginning, I'm quite dry, which is, uhm, I've never been an issue for me. I get so moody, stress is harder to deal with, I get anxiety attacks, I get so easily fatigued, and the combination of these two I just get so unmotivated to do daily activities. It's pretty bad. I'm changing brands on my next cycle. Maybe a milder combination OCP."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on for 1 month and a half. My period lasted for 10 days, then I came on again in the same month for another 10 days. That was all new to me. Sex drive has increased. My period is still irregular, so I'm waiting on my next period. Slight headaches, and I feel sick sometimes. This is my first birth control, and I haven't been on it long. Things may change. Not sure."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Ocella in the past for years until they took it off the market. I tried several different birth control pills, and none worked for me. Someone recommended I try Apri, it has worked great for me, cleared my horrible acne up, which I was spending a lot of money on trying to correct, doesn't change my mood or sex drive, weight stayed the same, no headaches, no depression, light predictable periods last three days! Let's just say I love Apri, and it's cheap."

• 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."

• Apr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on a bunch of different pills, trying to find one that actually worked for me. Previous to this, my experiences were heavy periods, terrible cramps, headaches, weight gain, constant spotting, two-week-long periods, anxiety, which I never had before going on the pill. I did some research and found that Apri contained a different type of estrogen and asked my doctor if I could try it. I'm so glad I did, it's been two years, and all I get is a headache around the time my period is due. I have pretty normal periods, and they actually stop when they are supposed to. I get a little spotting the week after, but I can deal with it. It normally lasts an hour and goes away."

• 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."

• Fle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Once I started Apri, I had headaches at first, but after adjusting, they went away. My primary concern was that it completely erased my sex drive. Not just decreased, but totally eliminated. No desire and totally dry. This pill has driven me to try an IUD (which I never thought I’d do) just for the sake of avoiding trying another pill. I’m giving it such a low rating because completely eliminating my sex drive was ridiculous, and when I got off of it, it took a very long time to come back. Don’t take this unless you want to throw away an entire year of your dating life."