Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 5)
Brand names: Apri, Kariva, Isibloom, Enskyce, Azurette, Volnea, Viorele, Cyred EQ, Velivet, Cyred, Bekyree, Pimtrea, Desogen, Juleber, Cyclessa, Reclipsen, Simliya Emoquette Kalliga Caziant Kimidess …show all brand names
Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol has an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 from a total of 1442 reviews for the treatment of Birth Control. 35% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 38% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol
- Lola
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- November 30, 2020
Enskyce (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "Enskyce gave me full blown depression. It made me lose my libido, no interest whatsoever in sex, couldn’t even get wet if I tried. Started getting intrusive thoughts and lost interest in a lot of my hobbies. Please do not do this to yourself ladies ♥️"
- Anony...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 1, 2023
Viorele (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I have been using this birth control for almost 4 years now because of my heavy periods and painful cramping. It has done its job as far as pregnancy prevention and I no longer have heavy or painful periods. However, my mood is always off and my sex drive has really plummeted this is not like me at all. I’ve also noticed I often get yeast infections and am always extremely tired. I will be discontinuing this birth control and all others permanently."
- wooooo
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 18, 2016
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I've been on Apri for 7 months. This is my first time ever using bc, so I don't have much to compare it to, but i'm incredibly happy with it. My skin was gradually getting worse and worse with each year, and I can't tell you the last time i've had more than 1 tiny blemish at a time. My skin is amazing! My doctor did warn me about the initial side effects, and they were pretty bad honestly (highly emotional, weight gain about 10 lbs), but after I gave it 3 months something clicked and I stopped being emotional and I have lost all the weight and even a bit more. I have found that I don't have much of a sex drive at all, but it's not worth it to me to switch just for that reason. If you're willing to go through the first few months, go for it!"
- Anonymous
- January 6, 2010
Kariva (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I have been using Kariva for five months now and it's been pretty good. I had some itching, mood swings, spotting and lowered sex drive in the first two months. After the first three months all the side effects were gone and I've been feeling great with the pill ever since. I had no weight loss or gain and over all good health. Just wanted to share."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 7, 2018
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "Going into my inactive pills of my first pack. Although this is only my first pack, it has been the pits. Very nauseous, but no vomiting. Bloated, more depressed, very irritable, overthink everything more than usual, almost no sex drive, horrible cramps, almost no appetite, lost all motivation for things, got bad chest pains, indigestion, heartburn.. you literally name it. I’m trying to give this pill a chance, but so far, it doesn’t seem worth it."
- Lucy
- May 12, 2019
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I was hospitalized last year due to severe anemia & very low hemoglobin. I'm 50 & unfortunately I'm still going through perimenopause. Because of this my periods are horrendous & I would bleed 18 to 21 days a month, be off my period for a week & it would start all over again. After being hospitalized for it last year & was treated with blood transfusion, potassium, magnesium & rest, I followed up with a excellent obgyn specialist. She put me on Apri & I have my life back, my bleeding is down heaps. Instead of suffering 18 to 21 days my period is only about 5 days with only 2 days heavy bleeding. I'm doing so much better & so thankful for this birth control. I also don't have any side effects."
- Anonymous
- February 29, 2008
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I've taken about every Pill on the market, and this is by far the best. I've never had a problem with my drive while on this formulation of the Pill. Actually, my drive is more normal than it's been than with the other pills, especially the Ortho line and Seasonale. I have had no side effects other than my appetite has increased, but there is a such thing as self-control, so other than watching what and how often I eat, I love Apri!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- October 25, 2012
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I haven't had a single noticeable side effect while taking this pill. No acne, no significant weight gain, no mood changes, no loss of sex drive. Not to mention it works wonders for your cycle: mine's extremely consistent, my periods are lighter, and my once terrible cramps are distant memories. Oh, and you also won't get pregnant. This is a great pill, the side effects some people report are probably an expected reaction or an individual bad experience. Highly recommended."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 28, 2012
Reclipsen (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I'm on my 3rd pack and so far it has been GREAT! I've tried Ortho-Tricyclen Lo and Alesse in the past, and both made me feel super emotional and like I was PMSing. I feel like I normally do while taking Reclipsen and I've noticed that I've dropped some weight as well. I do have polycystic ovarian syndrome, so it may be because my hormones are getting regulated with the pill. Another thing I've noticed is that my breasts have grown a bit larger. I am now wearing a D cup instead of a C. My breasts were a bit sore the first 6 weeks, but not anymore. But so far, so good!"
- Let
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 19, 2020
Isibloom (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "On Month three of Isibloom and it works! Not pregnant and my boyfriend finishes inside most of the time. I’ll be honest first month was awful, the nausea was bad and headaches. But once my body got adjusted it was fine! I do get the headaches a tad bit, but would rather have that rather than worried about an unexpected pregnancy. It works ! I would say to try it for 3 months before switching."
- JEano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 29, 2019
Enskyce (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I've been on the pill for years, since my teens because my periods were excruciatingly debilitating, and I suffered from hormonal migraines that lasted my entire period length. I've tried various pills throughout the years, trying to find the one that felt the best. I finally found Reclipsen in my early twenties, and my periods were like clockwork, knowing exactly the day & hour it began and 3 days later, the hour it ended, no migraines, clearest skin. Then suddenly my pharmacy switched to the generic brand - Enskyce it is suppose to be exactly the same. But after 3 months, I had enough: each month, very heavy, very painful, lasted longer, very emotionally unstable (up then down/happy then severely depressed; a lot of crying for no reason and a second later- fine). I felt impaired to go to work and thus, decided to stop, give it all a rest and wait for my next check-up. Already two weeks off Enskyce, and I feel so good and balanced. I downloaded the app "Clue" to track my mood and help re-regulate my cycle, and it's free."
- SHano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 22, 2019
Kariva (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I just started my third month of Kariva. I switched from Junel Fe 1/20. Before, I would get insane mood swings and depression. On Kariva, my mood is balanced as long as I take it at exactly the same time every day. I haven’t noticed any weight gain or change in my sex drive. I had a horrible migraine the first day I took it; after that it’s only happened one other time. My periods last 3-4 days and are light. The only side effect I can’t stand is that I can’t sleep. I have trouble falling asleep and, once I do, I wake up throughout the night. I’ve been dealing with that for two months and I’m trying to hold out and see if it gets better because it is a great pill otherwise."
- anon
- October 15, 2014
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "This pill works great! The first 4 days of taking the pill there was some bloating but that was the only side effect really and it went away. I definitely have not gained weight from it if anything it makes me feel full faster and longer."
- Megan...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- September 28, 2014
Reclipsen (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "First I wanna start by saying weight gain depends on you. Of course not everybody is the same and you can expect birth control to help you lose weight. Secondly this birth control is great, had to switch to it after the one I was taken got recalled (Yaz). So far this has made me happy. Like I said everyone is different, I've had no bloating, cramping, or weight gain. I have been a little emotional but it's something I can deal with."
- hibis...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- February 18, 2017
Mircette (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I was on several different types of BC that all made me nauseous/vomit until I found Mircette. I had absolutely no side effects with this pill. The only reason I stopped taking it was because my husband and I wanted to start a family. I stopped taking the pill in August and we conceived in October so it had no effect on my fertility. I plan on taking this pill again as soon as I finish breastfeeding."
- Alisa
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 1, 2020
Mircette (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I switched to this by accident from Valette — on Valette I had a very stable mood, clear skin, no weight gain etc. This pill, on the other hand, is horrible. I had nausea for the first week and a half, cramps for two weeks and I’ve just come to the realization that my insane mood swings are from this pill. It’s making me very depressed and I cry often"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 7, 2019
Isibloom (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I have been on Isibloom for 2 months now. The first few weeks were rough. I was nauseous and had tender breast, and as of today the tender breast are still happening. I haven't had any weight gain. It has lighten my cycle, which is only 2 days now. For the most part isibloom is great once you get back your body adjusting to the hormones."
- Linzf
- March 17, 2010
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I was previously on Yaz both for birth control and to reduce my mild acne. I am normally a very happy optimistic person, yet this pill made me depressed and very moody. I switched to Apri, it's been 4 months, and I love it. I am not moody at all, and haven't gained any weight."
- Shells
- August 24, 2016
Kariva (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I've been on Kariva for almost 3 weeks now and the first week or so my body definitely had to adjust to the hormones. I was getting hot flashes, burning up at night, fatigue, nausea and easily agitated/emotional. At the beginning of this week I feel like I'm finally adusting. What I don't like is my vagina is so dry when normally it's wet all the time, and my sex drive has diminished quite a bit. Like others have said, this is taking a toll on my relationship. Guys have to be so patient while we deal with this crap! Overall though, this is the best birth control I've been on. My skin is looking great too! I'm going to stick this out for a couple months but if my vagina continues to be like the Sahara, I don't think it's worth staying on."
- Tiika
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- October 27, 2019
Isibloom (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "No problem with pill been on for 5 months since starting my breast use to hurt everyday they just stopped hurting (They use to hurt around time of period) . Haven’t had a period since starting the pill no cramps I do get bloated some times. Only thing is I’ll eat then I’ll get hungry like 10 mins later lol , gives me the munchies but I don’t munch I have also lost weight being on pill. I pay out of pocket 19.99 for 4 packs so not bad on price either!"
- izh
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- September 29, 2019
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I’ve been taking Apri since November of 2018. This is my first time ever being on birth control. During the first month, I was experiencing dizziness. I’m assuming because i would take the pill in the morning without anything on my stomach. When I switched my dosage to the evening (I’ve eaten by that time) the dizziness left. It’s very effective. My only issue is my weight. I’ve never had an issue losing weight, but I could gain weight rather quickly. It’s like I’m unable to lose weight. I’ve been Vegan for almost a month now, and I haven’t she’s a pound. I believe it’s due to this birth control. Since, i do believe it’s due to that, I’m going to stop this brand and method. I truly wish I didn’t have an issue losing weight because it’s very effective."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- September 5, 2012
Kariva (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I started taking Kariva when Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo became too expensive for me. I have been on Kariva for the past 4 years. Positives: predictable 5 day periods, no acne, less moodswings. Negatives: weight gain (20 pounds), NO libido whatsoever. I was able to deal with the side effects for 4 years(my poor boyfriend), and now I've had enough. I've stopped taking it, immediately lost 5 pounds, have a great libido again, and find it easy to track my period with P-Tracker app. "
- SEano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 1, 2019
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "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 4am throwing up (I tried to take it around 12-2 with food everyday 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!"
- Anonymous
- August 25, 2010
Apri (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "I started taking Apri about 7 months ago. My breats got noticeably larger within the first few weeks and I gained about 10 pounds, but I'm a thin girl anyway so I gladly take on the extra few pounds and curves. I got prescribed this birth control because of my ovarian cysts and since I have not had any problems with them. They've been unnoticeable and my cramps don't even exist anymore. I love Apri and it's affordable. Just what I need in this economic clash."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Kariva (desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol) "DO NOT TAKE. The hormonal rage, hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, night sweats, insomnia, THAT'S JUST TO NAME A FEW side effects. We won’t even address the hemorrhoids, breast pain, vision problems. I’d rather be pregnant."