Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 2)

• Kri...
• February 5, 2016

"Was switched to this from Reclipsen. Works great for me. I think a lot of the reviews are from people who don't do well on a lower estrogen/higher progesterone pill. Ortho did to me what all the negative reviews on Apri said it did for them. You have to find what works for YOUR body. Don't get scared off by other people's experiences, everyone is different. This works well for my body and is affordable."

• Sca...
• August 8, 2019

"I felt like I needed to post my positive experience on Isibloom since there are so many bad reviews on here!!! I was kind of terrified to start it after seeing the reviews, however, it’s been the best BC I’ve been on so far. I was a little nauseous the first pack I took, but not horrible. My skin is great, my mood is fine, sex drive didn’t change, and I don’t have any spotting or breakthrough bleeding (which I always have on other BC), also, it’s quite affordable! Works just fine for my bod. Give Isibloom a chance."

• ali...
• February 20, 2019

"Just over 1 year ago, I went through a horrific medical event, one that almost claimed my life because of Apri. On December 9th, 2017, I went to the ER because I had what I thought was a severe migraine. They treated and released me, only to go back on Dec 11th. They had found blood clots in my brain so severe that I had to have surgery, and it ultimately saved my life. I spent 2 long weeks in the hospital. I have been through a crazy amount of genetic tests, and at this point, all of my doctors blame my birth control. Surprisingly, I have no lasting side effects, though I am told I am a rare case. You think the warnings can't happen to you... until it does. They tell me there are birth controls that are 'safe,' but it is not worth my life. I want nothing more than to let people know that this can and did happen. Really talk to your doctor, and do your homework before just accepting whatever they give you."

• Sar...
• August 23, 2013

"I have been on Kariva for about five months. It is my first experience with the birth control pill as I am getting married in September and wanted to be regulated by the wedding. The first couple of months, I experienced mood swings, headaches, and weird appetite. However, my side effects have leveled out. I no longer have any side effects. In fact, it has cleared my acne up some. My periods have never been bad, but they are now only about 1-2 days long. I would say my cramps may be a little worse, but since the period is shorter, it evens out. I have not gained weight from this pill. In fact, along with diet and exercise, I have been able to lose weight while taking this pill. I would recommend Kariva."

• Cho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2021

"I'm so surprised to see so many bad reviews! This pill has had zero side effects on me, I love it. I've been on it for about a year and a half. It's my first birth control pill, and I remember thinking, 'Wow! I lucked out,' since I've heard so many horror stories about the pill. I think it's great. It's low dosage, and I've had no negative side effects. Originally went on it to regulate my periods, but I keep using it to prevent pregnancy (too young for kids right now). It's worked well so far!"

• All...
• November 21, 2016

"I was switched from Loestrin 21 to Apri a few months back because my periods were irregular and my doc thought Apri would be better for me. I like that there's placebo pills in Apri because I was awful at taking 21-day packs. The first couple of months were a little tough adjusting to the higher dose of hormones. I was super emotional! But that's normal. I'm on month 5 now, and things are fine. I'm still a little emotional, but only 'cry at something dumb' emotional. Nothing I can't handle. My periods are light, and I barely have any pain. Close to no acne. My boobs seemed to have grown a bit, so that's cool. My sex drive seems to be a tiny bit lower, but I never had a crazy-high sex drive in the first place. My husband and I still have a healthy sex life. I might have gained like 5 pounds or less, but that might be because of my lazy ass and not the birth control. :) Best of all, I haven't gotten pregnant! I recommend Apri. Give it a chance and let yourself adjust to the hormones."

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

"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."

• Lil...
• December 15, 2020

"I’ve been on birth control for 5 months, but my doctor recently changed me to Isibloom. I’ve been on Isibloom for almost 3 months, and the first month was normal. Then the second month got worse - at first, I thought I was pregnant (also keep in mind I take my birth control at 9 am every morning and never missed one) because my breasts hurt, I had headaches, nausea (without throwing up so far), and a couple other symptoms. Then I looked up Isibloom side effects, and it all made sense. Hopefully, next month things get better."

• Bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2020

"I went on this birth control about 2 years ago, and I feel like a different person. I don't know why I didn't switch off of it sooner. Made me an emotional wreck, affected my relationship, and worsened my acne. Steer clear from this."

• Bun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 25, 2019

"So I was on a regular birth control, Ortho, and gained weight and was super moody and crying all the time. I got switched to Mircette, doctor thought less hormones would be good, and she was right. I lost weight, I wasn't crying nonstop, and when I was ready to have my son, I was pregnant within a month of stopping the pill. I ended up getting an IUD after, and it was the biggest mistake of my life. It threw my body's immune system into a panic, and my health got worse and worse. Acne, weight gain, like being pregnant, etc. Doctor removed it, and I am going back to Mircette. Best birth control I have ever used."

• mhm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2020

"I have been on many types of birth control before, and I have never left a review, no matter how good or bad. But this pill literally was destroying me mentally. I was on this pill, Kariva, a little less than 2 months and had to stop mid-month because I could not handle the anxiety and depression anymore. I'm a sensitive person, but wow, this pill made me not able to function. I cried ALL the time. I didn't want to go anywhere. My anxiety was a level I never experienced before. At first, I was like, cool, this pill doesn't make me hungry. Later, I realized, yeah, I'm not hungry because I'm so anxious all the time I couldn't focus on eating if I tried. It did its job at preventing pregnancy, but the emotional state it put me in was so not worth it! Please be careful taking this pill. I know it affects everyone differently."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2019

"Ok, so I received the Isibloom via the Pill Club, and oh my Lord, so far this is perfect. I say try it longer than two days because yes, I got nauseous, but only for two days. After that, nothing. I feel the same as before I started, and nothing bad about it. So don’t let the other reviews scare you because this will work different for everyone. GET YO BIRTH CONTROL, GIRL."

• emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2022

"For the last 3 weeks, I have been an emotional mess, with my moods swinging from furious to extremely sad to overwhelmingly depressed. I thought maybe it was just me, but after reading these reviews, I am so relieved to know that it is a side effect."

• mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2022

"HORRIBLE. My pharmacy changed the brand of my birth control three weeks ago, and I have been having severe mood swings, panic attacks, depression, and anxiety. Not to mention the lowest sex drive I have ever had, and I'm only 26. The last three weeks have been a nightmare. I have a toddler and a 4-month-old, and quarantining with two kids under two for 10 days while being on these pills caused some VERY bad moments. I threw these out immediately once I figured out what was causing these depressive episodes. Just sharing my experience so that others don't go through what I go through. You are NOT going crazy. These pills are making you crazy. Trust me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2020

"I started taking Isibloom about a year ago. In the beginning, I didn't mind taking this, I did not have any of the side effects, and everything was okay. These last few months, however, my libido has gone down the drain. I've seen other reviews with the same thing, it literally is so painful whenever I have sex with my partner. :( I also have been having migraines these last few months, and my cramps seem to be worse than ever. I got prescribed this from Pill Club, as I am a broke college student with no insurance. I'm trying to find a different prescription through them at the moment."

• Ras...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

"I have to say the best birth control I've ever been on. I have high free testosterone and was diagnosed with PCOS. Still have sex drive and think Apri even increased it more. I haven't gotten any acne on it so far either. I'm not moody or anything that I noticed. Yet I've been on it for 5 days so far. If I notice anything different, I will repost."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2020

"My experience with Isibloom seems to be the opposite of everyone else. I was fine the first 3-4 months, but around month five, my mood swings began. I would be laughing one second, and the next, my boyfriend would say he wants to go get food, and I would cry because I didn’t want to get out of bed, or I was so happy he was thinking the same thing. Now we’re in about month 8, and I have diarrhea most days of the week. Three days of my week, I’m crying for nothing, or because I’m happy, but I can never tell my boyfriend why I’m upset because I simply don’t know. I’ve never felt this way, and it’s concerning to me why it happened to most women within the first month and stopped, but it’s happening to me in months 5-9, and it just keeps getting worse. I still am sexually active, and my sex drive is the same as it always has been. But I wonder what could help the mood swings stop...?"

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2020

"Took one month of Apri in preparation for IVF frozen embryo transfer, and it has been horrible for my mood. Every night I took the pill at 9 pm, and within 1.5 to 2 hours, my mood plummeted and stayed that way throughout the following day. I haven't been sleeping well, lots of laying in bed thinking. I just took my last pill last night, and today I am in such a horrible mood. It has been over a week, I have not wanted to do anything during the day and have been in nearly nonstop bad mood. I feel depressed, I also had breast tenderness the past week or two and wanted lots of junk food. Honestly, the depression/mood side effects were worse on my body than any of the hormones I was on during my 3 IVF cycles. Really do not recommend this drug, and it is disheartening to see many others talking about similar mood changes."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2012

"I had a baby 12 weeks ago and have been on Apri since my 6-week postpartum appointment. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and my periods have always been VERY irregular. I also get a few whiskers that grow on my chin from the PCOS. Since starting the pill, I have noticed that those whiskers aren't growing anymore. Also, I have regular periods, my sex drive is normal, and I have not gained any weight! In fact, I have lost 20 lbs since starting it and have not changed my diet or exercise routine. I love this pill, this is why I rate it 10! Oh, and after having 3 children, there is a bonus: I am not pregnant."

• Sha...
• October 3, 2014

"My overall experience with Reclipsen has been mostly positive. Weight loss, lighter periods, less severe cramps, no acne (although that was never an issue). My only cons would be the rise and fall in my moods. Other than that, I can't complain about the product. Will continue to use it for as long as I need to!"

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2013

"I was on Kariva for about 6 months and gained about 15 pounds. It regulated my period just fine, but I had to go up like 2 pants sizes and had to buy all new bras. I used to be a size 0-3 (depending on the brand, usually around a 2 though) but went up to a 5-7 on Kariva. Once I switched to Apri, my breasts stayed about the same size, but I lost all of that bloated water weight that I had on Kariva. On Kariva, I was so bloated every single day and it was miserable. I was all squishy and plump, and considering I gained all of my weight on my stomach, wearing anything other than sweatpants felt horrible. DO NOT RECOMMEND."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2019

"My experience so far with Isibloom is the opposite of other users, I find it great. Three months in and I have no complaints. No periods anymore, which is a blessing since, as a hemophiliac, mine are dreadful. As a normally small-breasted woman, I also appreciate the extra cup and a half I've gained in bra size! The only thing I've noticed is an occasional increase in appetite, but so far no noticeable weight gain. No mood changes. All in all, a great experience for me so far!"

• Kit...
• February 8, 2014

"The first thing to remember is that everyone's body will react completely differently to different types of birth control. It all depends on your body. I was on Reclipsen for one year. I'm a pretty upbeat and happy person, but literally, as soon as I started taking Reclipsen, I fell into depression. I hated it. I wasn't myself, I was moody, irritable, I lost confidence, and I was really, really sad, which is not like me at all. I also gained a ton of weight, which didn't help with the whole self-confidence thing. The only good thing I have to say about it is that I didn't get pregnant, and my periods were shorter."

• Dan...
• December 26, 2016

"I was a bit on the edge to start taking this pill because of how poorly it was reviewed. I'm now a couple of months in, and I have no complaints. My mood has stayed as positive as before, and I have had depression before, but no signs of that came back. My sex drive was pretty high before, and is now the same, or even more now that I don't have to worry about getting pregnant. I haven't gained any bloating, or gained weight, but that could be because I exercise and have a minimal decreased appetite since I've been on the pill. My acne has been clearing up as well. The only weight gain I have noticed is that my breasts grew a whole cup size. Nothing but positive effects from Velivet!"

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2017

"A lot of the reviews on here are scary, but I think it must be personal chemistry that decides if this medicine will work for you or not. I've been on it for 2.5 years, and I didn't really have any physical side effects. I maybe had some breast pain when I started it, but cutting down on caffeine cured that. I do have anxiety, but I don't think I can blame this pill for that, it's kind of just my personality. Overall, this pill has just done its job for me."