Kariva and Anxiety: What Users Say

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Bew...
• June 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Beware this drug! I experienced the most horrendous mood swings and extreme anxiety while on this drug. The side effects took a while to develop, but once they did, it was truly unbearable. I had no idea why my personality was changing so drastically. It was truly terrifying. I wasn't making the connection between this drug and my highly elevated emotions. I told my doctor on a whim about my terrible anxiety/mood swings, and he immediately took me off of Kariva. Within a week, I was feeling back to my normal self. It has now been 4 months off of Kariva, and I have not had one mood swing or case of anxiety. I would never recommend this drug to anyone. As far as I'm concerned, it should be taken off the market permanently."

• hdp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Kariva for about 9 months. The positives include that my period was extremely predictable, and it didn't last too long. It didn't affect my weight, and my acne cleared up. But the negatives outweighed the positives by far. I had experienced the worst mood swings I've ever had, I became anxious, and cried multiple times a week (yet before Kariva, I was not an avid crier and was able to keep my emotions in check). I was more sad and emotionally unstable than I had ever been, and I had absolutely no motivation to work or to push myself to be happy. I noticed a small change in my mental state within the first 2 months of taking it, but thought it would level out. I kept taking it because it kept my period more regular than other pills. I switched birth controls 2 weeks ago, and since I've stopped taking Kariva, even after 2 weeks, I have been the happiest and calmest I have been in months, and am only realizing now just how emotionally and mentally unwell I was."

• Abc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Kariva for a year and 4 months. I switched to it due to unwanted side effects of an IUD. Some pros of Kariva are that it’s super reliable (never had a pregnancy scare), and it did lighten my period. The negatives far outweighed the positives, though. The cons were: extremely low sex drive, dryness, extreme weight gain, and increased anxiety the week before my period. I love the effectiveness of this pill but can’t stand the side effects. Switching soon and can’t wait."

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2010

For Birth Control "So I was put on the birth control Kariva, and I never got pregnant, and it was the only form of birth control I used, so in that effect, it worked. However, I experienced severe migraines that were bad enough. They checked me for a tumor, decreased sex drive, tiredness, nervousness, dizziness, weight change, appetite change, and numbness in the left arm and hand. I have been off this birth control for just a few weeks, and I am already feeling back to normal."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this for almost 2 months. It did its job of preventing pregnancy, and it also cleared up my skin, but it wasn't worth the side effects. I started getting anxiety attacks and debilitating depression. It got so bad that there were days I didn't want to get out of bed. Also, my sex drive was nonexistent. I didn't want to be touched at all sometimes. All of the emotional issues and the low libido really took a toll on my relationship. When I thought this could be related to the pill, I went off. It hasn't even been a week, and I feel so much better."

• but...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I think it is important to note that birth control is different for everyone, but I was on Kariva for 5 days, and it was awful! I would wake up between 3-4 times in a night, have night sweats (which is not normal for me), my breasts were so tender, I was insanely bloated, and the worst part... I think a blood clot was forming in my calf. I did not think this was possible since I was only on it a few days, but then I read that clots normally form when first starting birth control. I was also very emotional/anxious/depressed. I will be switching birth controls."

• Gra...
• September 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I can't give this medication a 10 without being on it for a long time, but what I can say is that this medication was recommended to me by 2 different doctors who also take it themselves. Also, I can say that my side effects from my previous birth control are going away after taking Kariva. I had the worst mood swings and anxiety from Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I was always either angry and upset or hysterically crying for no good reason. From the first time I took Kariva, my mood dramatically improved. I actually feel friendly towards others for the first time in months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for about 3 years now. I originally went on the pill for my severe cramps and heavy bleeding. After one month, my acne cleared up, my period got much shorter, and my cramps were less intense. However, I have gained 20 pounds and a full cup size since being on the pill. In addition, I have absolutely no sex drive and a lot of dryness. Though I have experienced anxiety before taking the pill, it has gotten much worse since being on it. My PMS is much more severe as well."

• Jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2019

For Birth Control "This Kariva birth control has completely ruined my mental state! I have not gotten pregnant or had any scares, but that is not worth what it has done to me emotionally. I am always on the verge of crying, I wake up mornings feeling depressed, and I have even developed anxiety and have anxiety attacks once a month when I have NEVER had anxiety in the past. It has put a strain on my relationship with my boyfriend because he is constantly having to tend to me emotionally as I am always susceptible to mood swings and upset. My period has not even improved other than the fact it is consistent, it is still five days and not even much lighter. Also, my cramps have not improved at all, they may have even gotten worse."

• sol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2023

For Birth Control "I never leave reviews, but let me tell you, this birth control affected me severely. I had horrible mood swings, depression, and anxiety. I cried almost every day, experienced diarrhea, and lost more than 20 lbs in 2 months, going from 140 lbs to 120 lbs."

• Ayk...
• November 12, 2018

For Birth Control "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
• November 3, 2021

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 18 and Kariva was the first birth control I was prescribed. Definitely does its job birth control-wise, there was some prolonged spotting after my first period on the pill, but my flow was steady after that. No weight changes, however, I noticed it did nothing to help my acne, which was a factor in starting birth control. My first week on the pill, I experienced heavy nausea and diarrhea, so first-timers, keep that in mind. The worst part about the experience in general was the mood swings. I have always been an anxious person by nature, but Kariva increased my level of self-consciousness, stress, and feeling of uneasiness. I also experienced some bouts of depression. All in all, it could work well for some, but I have just switched my b.c. brand."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 18 and Kariva was the first birth control I was prescribed. Definitely does its job birth control-wise, there was some prolonged spotting after my first period on the pill, but my flow was steady after that. No weight changes, however, I noticed it did nothing to help my acne, which was a factor in starting birth control. My first week on the pill, I experienced heavy nausea and diarrhea, so first-timers, keep that in mind. The worst part about the experience in general was the mood swings. I have always been an anxious person by nature, but Kariva increased my level of self-consciousness, stress, and feeling of uneasiness. I also experienced some bouts of depression. All in all, it could work well for some, but I have just switched my b.c. brand."

• noo...
• July 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m still currently on Kariva and have been for 3 years now. It is extremely reliable and does prevent pregnancy. However, I never cramped until I started taking it, and they are severe cramps. I used to cramp all throughout the month, but that has gone back to normal, and I only cramp while on my period. I will say, the reviews are true. I do experience depression and anxiety, and I’m positive it’s a side effect from Kariva. However, it does its job well, and I always feel protected. So I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get on birth control. It’s also a combination pill instead of a progesterone-only pill, which I really love because I have some wiggle room if I accidentally miss a pill. It also got rid of my acne! I love my skin very much since taking it."