Kariva for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2009

"I started this a few months ago, and since then, it has fixed my cycle to be every three to four weeks instead of a week and a half, and for that, I am incredibly thankful. But I have had terrible migraines with blurred vision, and it has not lightened or shortened my period, which is why I was prescribed this. Like all medications, things work differently for everyone, but this has been my experience, so I thought I would share."

• Kar...
• October 23, 2018

"Started on the Depo shot when I was 14. Although not having periods was nice, I still had every symptom of periods but without bleeding (headaches, cramping, mood swings, increased appetite, etc.). So, 6 months later, I got switched to Kariva, costing me approximately $50 a month, without insurance. I can’t say I’ve had any “major experiences” with Kariva. I started birth control with the intention of lighter periods, which have gone from heavier 2-week-long periods to a medium flow of 3-4 days. I still have a few symptoms, but I can’t 100% say it’s due to Kariva since I’ve been on it so long, such as moderate cramping, weight gain (due to large appetite), and occasional moodiness, but definitely nothing that I would say is ‘out of the ordinary.’ As for the pregnancy preventative aspect, I’ve had sex occasionally throughout my time on Kariva but haven’t gotten pregnant even due to occasionally forgetting 2-3 pills a month. Overall, I would recommend Kariva."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 3, 2015

"It's kept me to where I cannot have kids, which is a good thing. Sex drive is still as usual. The weird part is I don't get periods anymore, which has caused me to fear I was pregnant, but otherwise it's fine. I have symptoms of menopause, but I am an 18-year-old girl, so I can't have it just yet. My guess is the side effects?"

• Bob...
• August 6, 2015

"I have been on Kariva for 3 months and liked it pretty well. It definitely does its job with preventing pregnancy and also made my periods super light and short (4 days), which was nice. But I gained about 10 pounds on it, which was awful! It did make my breasts fuller, but the weight gain is terrible. No change in sex drive, but it did cause some serious dryness for me in that I just wouldn't get wet down there, which was frustrating for me and my bf! But overall, not a bad price for a pill that does its job."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2020

"Do not recommend... Kariva made my face break out bad, and I never previously had problems with acne. It also made me feel like the Incredible Hulk (imagine severe PMS that lasts all month long). I had to stop taking it. My moods were so severe that I wasn’t even able to finish 1 month on it."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2010

"I had been on Kariva for 4 years. I had noticed that if I missed more than one pill in a given week, I would have some spotting. One time I missed one pill but remembered the next day and had continued to take them as normal but had a week of not normal bleeding. Also, very bad migraines. Did keep my periods quite light and regular, though."

• cta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2019

"I’ve been on this birth control for about 2 or 3 months now, and it is honestly the worst birth control I’ve ever taken! I had to switch to it because my period became irregular on my other one, and with Kariva, I’ve been having serious mood swings and been more emotional than normal before and during my period week. Not to mention the fact that I have been retaining water weight and have definitely had a weight gain, which was never a problem on my other BCP. Overall, I do NOT recommend taking it."

• Yua...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2019

"I was switched to this from Azurette by CVS without any options, as they are supposed to be generics of each other. I gave it a shot, and the first 3 months seemed okay, but then on month 4, I got massive migraines. In month 5, I got about 20 cysts in my breasts and had one so huge that in month 6, I had to get 3 of them drained for the first time in my 35 years on this planet. That was the last straw, so I completely stopped taking it and threw away all my future dosages. After being off it for almost a week, I feel like I get better sleep, and my breast pain has gotten better - though still not 100%. Don't even get me started about sex drive, I forgot what that even feels like anymore."

• Han...
• June 29, 2017

"At the beginning, Kariva seemed to be working well, my skin started to clear up, lighter periods, and emotional stabilization. However, once I started my second pack, my emotional state felt off. I didn't realize that it could be the pill I was taking, so I continued to use it. I felt very depressed, sad, and on the verge of crying most times. Once I told my doctor, I changed to Blisovi 24 Fe, and my emotional state began to change in a positive way!"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2015

"I LOVE THIS PILL!!! I was having a continuous period for 3 weeks from taking Loestrin after deciding I would start birth control because of my irregular periods. Went back to my GYN, told her that Loestrin wasn't working for me and that I was still bleeding. She then prescribed me Kariva 'cause she said I needed a higher dose of estrogen. Kariva stopped my heavy period in 1 day. I will say that you will definitely notice a change within yourself when taking this pill, not in a bad way, but you will feel the changes your body is making and a change in mood while your body starts to adjust. That was my only side effect."

• Ayk...
• November 12, 2018

"I have been on Kariva for a year now. I have a heart arrhythmia that is aggravated by fluctuating hormones. It has always been more of an issue right before my period due to hormone changes and is a PMS symptom for me. I see a cardiologist that has me on medication to control my arrhythmia on a daily basis. If my hormones are out of whack, my heart medicine can’t completely control the heart palpitations. I was having hormone-related issues, so my gyno put me on Kariva to help with everything. However, throughout the month, I have breakthrough bleeding, bloating, mild cramps... right before this, my heart arrhythmia goes crazy. I don’t feel like the Kariva is regulating my hormones properly. I do take the Kariva at the same time every day and never miss a dose. I have also developed extreme anxiety, which only started after taking this birth control. It also kills your sex drive. I will be asking for an alternative when I see my doctor next month. I have taken other birth controls in the past with no issues."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2010

"At halfway through my third pack, I have been bleeding heavily for a week (compared to the first day of a regular period, but ongoing and with cramping). This is on top of having spotted nearly continuously since I started these pills two and a half months ago. I was going to hang in there to see if these reactions subsided after the third pack, but I am thinking now that I need to get off of them. I have also noticed mild weight gain as well."

• Hap...
• March 22, 2010

"I've been on Kariva for about 2 months now, and just started my third pack a couple of days ago. I'm very happy with this BCP, though it's the first one I've ever tried. Usually, I get pretty bad cramps, especially on the second day of my period. However, I've noticed that for the past couple of months I only got mild cramps on the first day, and none on the second. Looks like I won't have to buy painkillers anymore! My periods have been lasting 3-4 days, and before it used to be definitely 4+. I haven't experienced any noticeable weight gain. I do get the occasional mood swings, but other factors contribute to them as well."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

"I’ve been on Kariva for almost 3 months, and I really like it. I spent a lot of time researching BC pills, and with this, I haven’t experienced any negative side effects other than the bloating right before my period, which is to be expected. Before birth control, my periods were beginning to become irregular, and Kariva has kept it on track. Although the first week of starting Kariva, I became nauseated, had a slight headache, and even threw up. I called my gynecologist and was told it would ease off. It did just that! I feel good, and I’m happy with it!"

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2022

"I took this starting my junior year in high school back in 2014, was on it for about 6 years, then got off it, recently started it again back in December 2021, it's been 3 months taking it, my acne is cleared sometimes. I can't seem to shake the soreness in my breasts and I seem to spot a lot. I am not sure if it's because as I get older my body changes. But since I started again, I've been a little moody, tired, and when I wake up, I feel super bloated and heavy and just discomfort in my stomach. My OBGYN said to stay on the pack and after 3 packs my body should get used to it, but I feel as if it's not changing. When I started it back in 2014, I never had any problems, but now I seem to have the side effects and I am not sure if I should stay on it in hopes they stop or try something else. I have not gained weight, but in my breasts, I did."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2022

"Promised myself I would leave a review. I recently got on Kariva two weeks ago to help with acne. After about a week, I definitely saw improvement when it came to how many breakouts I was getting. This is the longest my face has went with at least one pimple, so if you're interested in helping with that, I do recommend. Other than that, I have noticed I can get a little more emotional, so beware of that. But other than that, no drastic side effects. Hope this helps someone."

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2017

"I switched from Orsythia to Kariva due to painful sex. I was cautious to try it, seeing all the bad reviews, but I'm glad I read them, considering I had many of the same problems. First of all, your period SHOULD come during the first two days of the placebo week; that didn't happen. I got my period at the very end of the week each time, with bad cramps. Flow wasn't terrible, still kind of heavy for birth control though. I also didn't like how many headaches I would get; at least 3-4 a week. I would also feel very foggy and tired all the time. My appetite has definitely changed on this also; I would constantly want to eat all the junk food I could find. Didn't gain much weight, but still. Boobs also got bigger. I'm changing back to Orsythia!"

• kk0...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2015

"I started taking Kariva in September after talking with my doctor about my family medical history. For the first month, it worked perfectly! My skin looked healthy and bright, however, a week after my period (which lasted a normal 4 days), I started my period again. I typically have a light flow with little cramps, but the flow has increased to the point where I have to change a tampon and pad almost every hour! I've been tracking my period progress for the month that I've been on it. My sex drive hasn't changed, but I am extremely dry and experienced discomfort during sex. I should be starting my third month on Kariva, but I have made the decision to contact my doctor and to search for an alternative."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2021

"I’ve been on Kariva for almost 2 years, and when I got off the pill, I felt completely like a new person. This pill made me extremely emotional, I was always crying and always tired. I had a lot of anxiety and had so much brain fog. The day I decided to stop taking it was the best day of my life. I’m so much happier, better off."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 1, 2021

"It did clear up my skin, but I had constant breakthrough bleeding, and I was VERY emotional. You know when you are very agitated and emotional before your period? Well, I was constantly like that while taking this. The negative outweighs the benefits, and I was on it for almost a year."

• kai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2021

"I started taking Kariva to improve my skin, and it only got worse. After only a week on this pill, I started feeling horrible depression and anxiety, plus my skin was breaking out worse than before. I went from having zero symptoms on my previous pill to having all the symptoms in the book: breakouts, weight gain, lower back pain, horrible periods, mood swings, etc. This was only after about 2 weeks on the pill. I just finished my sugar pills and couldn’t switch back to my old pill soon enough. Would not recommend this pill to anyone who has a history of depression and anxiety."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2021

"Once the medication fully kicked into my system, it started giving me severe migraines and seizures. I experienced bad mood swings, acne, and weight gain on this stuff as well. I was previously functionally healthy, but now, because of this pill, I’m essentially bedridden with MS-like symptoms. Given that doctors don’t pay much attention to migraine/seizure patients or to reproductive problems, especially from my demographic, I’m still dealing with the debilitating symptoms. This medication was essentially pushed onto me as the only treatment for bad period cramping (no previous fibroid or PCOS diagnosis). This medication made my life an absolute living nightmare. Be very careful, especially if you have any underlying conditions or odd feelings about this whatsoever. If I can even help one person stay out of my position, that would help me to sleep at night."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2023

"Switched to this pill after I started to have breakthrough bleeding on Apri. In these two months, my anxiety has heightened to levels I didn’t know possible, I’ve become so tired, and nothing fixes it. Worst brain fog, no sex drive, dryness, and I can’t even drink water without feeling bloated/puffy. Not to mention that I’m extremely nauseous when my period comes."

• Lea...
• March 15, 2016

"I've had a pretty good experience with this birth control. I didn't experience any mood swings or weight gain. I actually lost a bit of weight the two times I switched to Kariva from a different birth control. Overall, I felt better on this birth control than any other that I have taken. The big issue that I had is that after taking it for a couple of months, I would get breakthrough bleeding in the middle of the month. The bleeding would last so long that it was pretty much a second period. It was a bit frustrating being on my period for half of the month. It might have decreased my sex drive a bit too."

• Mer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

"I’m 23 years old and recently got diagnosed with PCOS. In October of 2021, my gyn placed me on Kariva to help with the symptoms of PCOS (acne, missed period for months, body hair). Instantly, my skin began to break out 10 times worse, but I remembered my gyn mentioning a purging period, so I continued to use the bc. Over the course of the 4 months I was on this pill, not only did my skin look terrible, but my mental health was in the gutters. I was crying every day, I was super paranoid about literally every little thing, I had suicidal thoughts and so much more than I never thought could happen to me. Often, you hear people talking about what bc does to them, but you never think you’d ever be in that position, and that’s what I thought. After giving it a chance, I returned to my gyn, and she took me off of them, and within days, my sanity returned. I’ve been off the pill for 1 month, and I can’t explain how grateful I am."