Apri and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2011

For Birth Control "I was on Apri for probably a little over a year, and my side effects started progressively getting worse. I went from being nice to instant bad for no reason. My migraines got worse (almost every day), and my sex drive went way down. I just got off this pill and went on Loestrin."

• Jen...
• December 3, 2017

For Birth Control "Been on Apri for about a year. My sex drive went down horribly low in the past 12 months to the point where it became a problem. Acne is moderate, though a bit worse than it used to be on my previous pill, but definitely better than what I would have without any pill. My weight fluctuated a lot in the past 12 months both ways, but I wouldn't say it's the pill's fault. Periods are regular and painless."

• get...
• July 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched from Lo Loestrin Fe to Apri because I was getting married and wanted to ensure I was having a monthly period (no pregnancy scares for me, thanks). I didn't experience many side effects at first, but with my first period on the new pill came painful cramping and heavy bleeding. Mind you, I hadn't had a real period in about a year thanks to Lo Lo Fe, but that sort of pain was why I started birth control in the first place. I've been on it about four months now and have seen a significant decrease in my sex drive, which, hello, sucks (newlywed, remember?). I've also seen mood swings and nausea the last couple months as my body has been adjusting, and I'm just not about that life. Switching as soon as I can."

• Mar...
• December 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I was put on this birth control after I was on Tri-Previfem for a couple of years. After taking a lower dose BC, my periods started to be irregular, so they put me on a higher dose (Apri/Desogen) to regulate my periods. So, now about Apri... It did, in fact, make my periods regular. As far as everything else... awful. I have anxiety, definitely get depressed for no reason. Mood swings every week for no reason, like crazy. Zero sex drive. Doesn’t do anything for acne, it makes it worse, in my opinion. I always break out when I’m taking it. It made me gain a lot of weight in the beginning and messed with my moods. During my cycle, I have a terrible crampy ovulation-like symptoms, I have awful period cramps and terrible mood swings, pimples, it’s just terrible. Periods are long. I’ve never been worried about pregnancy because this stuff is so strong I missed multiple days and never got pregnant when I probably should have. But other than that, this birth control is terrible."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 18. This is my 3rd birth control I tried in a year. Did the job, but I definitely noticed a lower sex drive and feeling super emotional. Crying at the thought of things and became super sensitive. I'm hoping to switch to one that suits me better, as it is emotionally draining being so emotional and sensitive, which has affected my relationship from time to time because everything bothers me. I can become very irritable as well. Overall, not great, not horrible."

• sar...
• July 14, 2016

For Birth Control "My libido was nonexistent even after taking it for more than 3 months. It also made me gain 10 pounds, but that wasn't a huge problem for me. The only thing that sucks about this pill is the noticeable decrease in sex drive, other than that, it's fine."

• eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I had been on this pill in my 20s and did fine, but restarted in my 30s and have had a totally negative experience. I felt nauseous the first few days. My breasts are so sore and painful. I have two emotions: either very angry or crying. I have 0 sex drive, and I had spotting and acne. I'm also very bloated. I’m basically trying to finish this month and stop this pill so as not to mess with my period schedule. I got on it to try and stop mid-cycle spotting I was having, and it made it worse (though I know, to be fair, you need to give a pill 3 months). I was way better off off of it. Every day on it has been a challenge."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for almost 2 years now, and I am finally getting off of it next week and starting Ocella. I lost my sex drive, wanted to eat everything in sight, and was very emotional. No change in breast size, and never had trouble with acne. I dealt with Apri for this long because it helped with my ovarian cysts and kept my periods light and regular. Four months ago, I started eating healthy and working out consistently to lose weight, and yet no successful results. I am so sick of having to eat minimal calories and work out 4+ days a week just to MAINTAIN my weight. I really hope Ocella works!"

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking this medication for a few years. I'm not pregnant and my periods are predictable and relatively painless. I haven't gained weight and my skin is good, but my sex drive is completely gone. It's hurting my relationship with my husband."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2011

For Birth Control "I switched to this pill from Necon 1/35 to try and improve my acne in addition to birth control. I tried it for 2 months. Side effects I noticed: tired and it felt hard to get out of bed (very unlike me!), faint tension headaches across my forehead, acne breakouts on my chest and face, ravenously hungry at times, and then no appetite (haven't gained any weight, may have lost a pound or two), slightly sore but much larger breasts, decreased sex drive but not as low as while on Necon 1/35. I have decided to try a new pill because of these side effects. This pill was meant to help my acne but it seems to have made it worse, and feeling tired all the time with headaches isn't tolerable for me since I am very active."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for about two months. My sex drive is almost completely gone, which causes problems between my fiancé and me. I am also very moody all the time. I'm planning on getting a Mirena instead."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri since December 2008 when my daughter was 6 weeks old. At first, I loved this pill. My periods came on time, weren't painful at all, really light, and lasted 2-3 days. In the last year or so, my period has become very heavy, lasting 4-5 days with cramping for at least 4 days. I am miserable! After I had my daughter, I had lost 50 lbs, but I have gained that and probably plus some back. I have NO sex drive whatsoever, which is affecting my relationship with my almost husband (in 5 weeks!). I go to my doctor next week to see about switching to a non-hormonal IUD. I have seen successful stories with Apri, but I don't think this pill is for everyone."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for a couple of months. I have completely lost my sex drive, which is hurting my relationship, and I feel depressed all the time. I'm not pregnant, so I give it a four, but I'm going to switch to a different medication."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for over a year now. I was on Yaz before this one, and it made me absolutely crazy! This one didn't seem to have much effect on me besides NO sex drive... Enough where my husband and I argue about it at least a few times a week. I'm only 20 and should want it more than NEVER... Thinking about switching birth controls now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2012

For Birth Control "I was taking Yaz for about a year and a half, and it was actually working great. I started taking Apri about 4 or 5 months ago. Yes, my periods are regular, and I am not pregnant, but my cramps are extremely painful still, and I am very moody. I also have a very diminished sex drive."

• Jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for years now. It has cleared up my years of acne completely, and I don't even have any scars. BUT I have no sex drive whatsoever. This wasn't that big of an issue when I started it because I was in a long-distance relationship, but fast forward to now, I'm married, living with my husband, and I have to literally force myself to sleep with him at least once a week or sometimes not at all. When I say I have no sex drive, I mean none. For the longest time, I thought I was asexual and felt horrible about myself, but then I remembered how I was before the pill, and this was not the case. I'm currently not taking it anymore, even if my acne does come back, it's worth saving my marriage."

• M91...
• February 6, 2018

For Birth Control "Switched from Enskyce to Apri after a manufacturer change. I liked Enskyce, it did its job without affecting my body or hormones. I don't like Apri. My libido is way down, I am more emotional, and my period this month is 10 days early. I have an appointment with my doctor and will be telling them to take me off of Apri."

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been using this medicine for two months. So far, my sex drive has decreased. I’m also more irritable, and I have more cramps. I don’t know if I have gained weight or not. My doctor prescribed this for my PCOS and as birth control."

• BML...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for about 8 months and I like it so far. I haven't gained any weight, my skin cleared up, and my periods became lighter and more regular. Also, the best part is that I went from an A cup to a triple D since I started. The only downside is that my sex drive is kind of dead now, and I hardly get any 'natural lubricant' for a lack of a better word. As someone who likes to be active (iykyk), that isn't really a good part of it. Either way, I don't mind it too much as I can always get stuff at CVS. I take it daily about the same time."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Been taking Apri for 3 months; first 2 periods were fine, no cramps, pretty normal. My last period I had was the worst period I ever had. Was extremely heavy, no cramps, but the heaviest period I've ever had. My boyfriend says he's noticed changes in my mood; I'm very irritable and sad all the time. I feel bloated all the time; I've gained weight in my face and stomach. My acne seems to be the same, a few breakouts here and there. Some days I have a very low sex drive; some days very high. Overall, it works, just makes you feel super insecure. Was doing fine for years without birth control; I think I'll be fine for another few years without it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I did not want to change birth controls, but I had no choice. I was on the patch for 5+ years, I loved it, no problems, only had to change it 1 time a week on the same day. Never gained weight, never had emotional problems, nothing. But Apri is horrible, and by reading these comments, I’m lucky my situation isn’t as bad as others. I had to switch because I changed insurances, and this company didn’t offer patches as an option. Apri made me lose my sex drive completely! I never feel like doing anything. I get headaches more often than I ever have in my life, and I’m 23. I’ve gained a little weight, which is crazy because I work a very physical job, and I’ve been the same weight since high school. Also get cramps and never did before. Stay away from Apri. I’ll be switching back to the patches next month when I’m able to start my insurance at my new job."

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been taking Apri for 7 months now and have gained about 8 pounds. I have lost my sex drive, and when my period starts, I get horrible cramps. However, I do always know when my period will come, and it only lasts for a couple of days. This has been the most predictable pill I have taken."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I have taken Apri for 4 years since I was 16 due to my periods being heavy and very heavy cramping, and it has been great until about the past year. I was beginning to get very nauseous on the pill, and my sex drive was extremely low, and I had never had this happen to me. My period was still very regular and happened every 28 days, but I could not deal with nausea after taking it every day."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for 2 1/2 weeks, and it has instantly made my hair fall out. I never had my hair literally come out of my scalp ever, and I know it's from the birth control. My baby is almost 4 months old, and prior to taking Apri, I was on Camilia, which made me have a non-stop period and no sex drive. With Apri, I've noticed I'm moodier, no sex drive, depressed, suicidal thoughts, all of which I have NEVER had any of these problems. I know it's this birth control because I'm not on any other medications. Monday, I am calling my doctor so she can put me on something else. I know this pill can work wonders for others, but everyone's body is different."

• Dil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I had blood work done, and my doctor said my levels are fine. Went to my gynecologist, and she said I needed birth control to regulate my periods (I don't care if they’re regular or not, and they don’t hurt), but I went on Apri for my relationship. My sex drive lowered, I was an emotional wreck, weird cravings, and didn’t feel well overall (everything triggered some kind of emotion). She said it was normal, and I was just imagining things. I stopped the pills because my period started smelling like ammonia, and that’s never happened. Day 16 of this period, and it still smells like it. It’s like I took a Windex bath."