Apri and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Cry...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I liked all of the physical side effects for the most part. Skipping the placebos as directed by my doctor allowed me to skip my period completely, and I’ve never had any spotting. I also haven’t gotten pregnant, which is great. I had zero weight gain (my boobs did go from a B cup to a D cup over the course of like, 2 months), and I haven’t gotten a single zit since. With all that being said, I’ve been experiencing some pretty severe emotional side effects that have led me to seek other options. Ever since starting Apri, I’ve felt like a different person, and the severe depression that came along with it is taking a serious toll on my life. I also have had virtually zero sex drive, which is horrible. I am currently looking for alternatives."

• All...
• July 13, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for about three years now, and it has been great. I've never had any problems with it. It regulated my period and also kept it really light. The only thing I've noticed is that it made me gain a few pounds. Other than that, it's worked well. The best part: I'm not pregnant. It has kept my acne under control as well. Overall, it has a few side effects, but I recommend it."

• Ano...
• March 18, 2017

For Birth Control "Apri did what it was supposed to do. But during the few months that I had it, I was very depressed and had dark thoughts. I would cry for a week straight for no reason. I also had no sex drive. It affected me and my relationship. Now I switched from it and feel much better. No weight gain or other side effects. Regular periods, lighter than before. Each birth control affects people differently, but this one was not the one for me."

• 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."

• Ccc...
• August 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for several years. My periods went from being extremely heavy for unhealthy lengths of time, which occurred frequently (heavy 2-4 week periods every 2 weeks or so), to having regular periods all around. They only last for 4 days and are much lighter compared to what I was experiencing before, but are still slightly heavy. It has cleared my acne almost completely, but my cup size has gone from a D to a DDD (I am not a big girl, so this was quite extreme and I would say the only side effect that has bothered me. I experience no pain though). Weight gain is a lot easier, but like anything, it can be controlled with extra effort. I am quite happy for the most part."

• Cbk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Apri for a year and a half, and honestly, it’s so-so. Hasn’t put weight on me (+) and hasn’t depressed me or made me incredibly lethargic (+). However, it’s not perfect. I take it 3-4 months continuously- that helps some with the pain, but I still have acne flare-ups all the time, and even ovarian cyst ruptures still (more rarely). My hair continues to fall out like crazy. I’ve reduced my spironolactone to 100 mg a day (doctor’s orders), and despite the THREE medications, I still experience androgen-related symptoms like acne and thinning hair. Been thinking about changing, but apparently, Ortho-Cept has a weak/low androgenic effect, so I don’t know WHY I’m having the exactly opposite side effects. I don’t want weight gain or lethargy, but don’t want to lose my hair either :(. I even take vitamins, proteins, and use special shampoo. I’m at a loss. Just tired of the acne and thinning hair."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control for 5 years now. I switched to Apri about a year ago and didn't think anything of it. I also suffer from bipolar disorder, and not long after that, I had a lot of issues with that and ended up being hospitalized and having my meds re-evaluated. On top of that, I gained about 40 pounds. Because I had issues previously, I never attributed them to Apri. I had been on birth control for so long, I just assumed they were all the same. 2 weeks ago, I switched to an IUD, and I've already lost 5 pounds out of nowhere despite having worked my butt off for months trying to lose weight with hardly any success. While Apri may not have been the direct cause of my 'episode,' I definitely attribute it to my weight gain."

• T-7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2015

For Birth Control "Made acne worse! If you already have issues with acne, I strongly recommend avoiding this medication. I only took it for 6 days, and my breakouts got much worse. In addition to that, I gained at least 5 lbs in that short amount of time and had mood swings. I specifically asked my doctor for a birth control that would also help with acne. I'm going to ask to be switched to a pill that is an anti-androgenic."

• 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."

• Amr...
• December 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I got off of this birth control this month because I have gained almost 30 lbs since I started it in May, and it is now December, and I'm gigantic. I got an IUD today, and I'm hoping my weight will get under control now."

• Kik...
• March 15, 2018

For Birth Control "It made me put 20 pounds on! I have had the worst cries of my life, and my sexual drive for my partner is almost gone. Hunger issues: I am always HUNGRY, and the cravings since a week prior to my period are the worst. And cellulite everywhere, even in my arms where I never had any. I am changing it right away."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I just switched to Apri a few months ago because my insurance would not cover my other generic birth control. Literally, within 2 months, I put on about 15 lbs without changing my diet or exercise routine. I have been trying to get the weight off, but it seems impossible. I also have had worse acne and have been tired quite a bit. I also have lost my sex drive. To me, I would rather live my life feeling better about myself and have a better sex life than to be on this. To me, the cons outweigh the pros."

• gen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this pill to anyone. I have been on Apri for 10 months. I originally went on Apri after having been off birth control for over a year to help regulate my periods and alleviate acne. While it did improve my acne slightly, succeeded in regulating my period, and prevented pregnancy, I had a panic attack within the first 2 days I was on it (not normal for me at all), gained probably 10 lbs in the first 2 weeks-and I watch my diet, has made me gain 30 lbs since then, and the mood swings and depression have been horrible! I know my body and I know how it reacts to birth controls; as I've tried about three other pills, this has been by far the worst. My gyno told me to ignore the reviews online and give it a chance; I shouldn't have listened!"

• mxr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "Apri made me feel really nauseous when I first started taking it. That went away in about a week, but two weeks in, my anxiety and depression went through the roof. It made me gain a little weight as well... Not for me."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I switched from my generic birth control to birth control with higher estrogen because my menstrual cramps were so severe on the previous pill. I was prescribed Apri. Being on Apri for the past two and a half months, I have suffered horrible acid reflux, yeast infections, an extremely heavy flow, a lengthier than normal period, and it did not help my cramps. I have experienced serious weight gain, hopefully just water retention, and increased hunger and cravings which are constant. Only positive, my skin is very clear, and it prevents pregnancy. For me, the side effects were not worth it... will be going back to my original birth control next month..."

• 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."

• CRJ...
• March 14, 2022

For Birth Control "I honestly have loved Apri besides one thing. Everyone's bodies are different, so please take that into account when reading these reviews. My moods were great, no sex drive changes, skin stayed clear. My only thing was I gained a good amount of weight. I went from a small in bathing suit tops to a large in what felt like overnight. It’s been taking a toll on my body, imagine, but if this didn’t happen, I would stay on this for the rest of time!!!"

• Bir...
• February 28, 2022

For Birth Control "Apri was my first birth control. I started taking it when I was 17, and I took it for about 5 months. It was a terrible experience for me. I ruined relationships because it seriously made me crazy. The mood swings were awful, and I gained a lot of weight. It worked great for preventing pregnancy, but the side effects were unbearable :("

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I am on my 2nd pack. I switched from Triquilar because I was having breakthrough bleeding and feeling depressed. I’ve been going for tests for stomach troubles, and I have found since being on these I’m nauseous daily, so I started taking them before bed, and it has helped somewhat, but I usually go to bed queasy. I have had awful diarrhea, which I think may be from my nausea and stomach issues, that has subsided some since I started taking it at night. I have never had much sex drive, but I blame that on birth control in general. I have noticed my boobs look bigger, but I have a bit of weight on. I just can’t control my appetite and just want junk, but again not sure if it’s the pills or not. My depression seems to have subsided somewhat, but it’s Christmas, so time will tell. The worst has been my stomach issues and diarrhea. I have a referral to get my tubes tied because I just want to feel normal again."

• 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."

• Lus...
• November 12, 2015

For Birth Control "Apri works, and it doesn't have a lot of terrible side effects. Within the first month, I experienced some mood swings, and I would get emotional. It cleared my skin and gave me a lighter period, however, I noticed I would sweat out of nowhere, even in air conditioning. Also, after 4 months on Apri, I gained about 9 lbs while doing cardio and eating a healthy diet. In month 4, I noticed an overall fatigued feeling 24/7. I'll have no energy, and I'll wake up tired. Overall, I liked Apri, but I'm switching because of the weight and the lack of energy/fatigue."

• 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."

• jab...
• February 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been using Apri for 5 months and have not had any weight gain and no decrease in sex drive. I have, however, experienced harsh emotional side effects. During the week of my period - as soon as I hit the 22nd day - I am just ridiculously emotional. I am irrational and will cry at the drop of a hat. I'm worried about this having put me into a state of depression and am going to speak with my doctor soon about it. This puts my boyfriend in a bad position because he never knows what to do and feels bad but gets frustrated with my being so irrational. I'd be cautious taking it if you have ever had any experience with depression, cutting, etc."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

For Birth Control "I gained about 5 lbs just in my butt since using this birth control. I've even gone mostly vegan and can't seem to get rid of it. The only positive about this birth control is I feel pretty sane on it and have regular periods."