Kariva and Cramps: What Users Say

• Sar...
• August 23, 2013

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2011

For Birth Control "I love this birth control pill. It's my second month on, and I haven't had trouble with any negative side effects. I used to have horrible periods (horrible cramps, puking, the whole nine yards), but now there's only light cramping on the first day. Shorter, lighter period for sure. I haven't gained any weight - if at all, I've lost a few pounds. I used to have some trouble with breakouts, but my skin is clear as can be now. The only thing I've noticed is I'm a bit moodier, but I don't want to blame that on Kariva since my relationship's going through a rough patch. Everyone's different, but Kariva definitely worked amazingly for me."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2011

For Birth Control "I love this birth control pill. It's my second month on, and I haven't had trouble with any negative side effects. I used to have horrible periods (horrible cramps, puking, the whole nine yards), but now there's only light cramping on the first day. Shorter, lighter period for sure. I haven't gained any weight - if at all, I've lost a few pounds. I used to have some trouble with breakouts, but my skin is clear as can be now. The only thing I've noticed is I'm a bit moodier, but I don't want to blame that on Kariva since my relationship's going through a rough patch. Everyone's different, but Kariva definitely worked amazingly for me."

• fbh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for over 2 years now, and I have never had any problems! It lightened my period and got rid of my cramps and acne! I have had no spotting or anything. As long as you take your pill correctly, your experience with Kariva will be great! No crazy mood swings and fewer cramps! My sex drive is the same, and my breasts have gone from a C to a DD while being on this pill. I have a little more vaginal dryness, but nothing too crazy. I would not want to be on any other pill! Beware of getting this pill if you are with CVS Pharmacy (switch pharmacies). CVS will fill Kariva for you for a couple of months, then without your permission, they switch you to a generic brand, Viorele, and it's TERRIBLE, my friends. Best of luck to you."

• Rui...
• August 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking Kariva in May 2013 when I was 18. It was the first time I was taking a birth control pill, and I was with my boyfriend for 3 months at the time, so it seemed like a smart decision. I mainly went on it to control my periods and clear up my acne, which I was fed up with after years. Now I have realized that over the past year, it has made me completely emotionless, and I have absolutely zero sex drive. On the bright side, my periods have been light and short (still painful cramping), and my skin has never looked better. I am going to stop taking it and try out a different pill that hopefully doesn't diminish my emotions."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2024

For Birth Control "Kariva has been amazing for me. After reading so many negative reviews, I was nervous to take the pill. I suffer from extremely heavy periods, breast tenderness, and awful cramping. I was prescribed Kariva and haven’t looked back. My breasts aren’t sore anymore when it gets close to time for my period. My period flow has been cut in half! As a 33-year-old woman, this is the first time since I have started my period that I feel as if I can breathe. I feel so much better. Give it a try."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this for about 3 years and experience very little cramping and other period side effects, which is great. Also, I haven't gotten pregnant, so I guess it does the job. But I experience drastic mood swings, no sex drive whatsoever, and my hooha is like a desert. I stayed on it because I'm too lazy to make a new appointment with my gyno, but it's starting to drive a wedge in my relationship as the side effects are getting increasingly worse, so I plan to change soon."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control is amazing! I was definitely skeptical about it reading all of the mixed reviews, but I cannot really complain. The first month I started, I had a week of migraines and a strenuous and painful menstrual period. But after that week, the migraines were gone and I literally had no cramps, headache, nausea, or any menstrual signs. My period only lasted 4 days, I'm in the best moods ever. I cannot say this medication affected my sexual desires. But the medication did lighten my discharge, which I am very thankful for. CVS did try to switch me to the generic brand, but I could not take the risk. Literally, it's great!"

• Jil...
• November 11, 2011

"This pill was AMAZING. I was on it for three months, no spotting or breakthrough bleeding even if I forgot my pill. I gained a little weight the first month, but it was only about 2 lbs and dropped it by next month. I was underweight, so it didn't bother me. I didn't break out, my mood overall improved, no or very little cramps, nothing some Midol couldn't fix. Which was why I went on the pill in the first place. My period came the same time every month, and I went up about 1 cup size. The only reason I switched was because my mood swings on the placebo week were ridiculous, but that's how I was before the pill, so I don't think Kariva made me like that. Great pill, I highly recommend it!"

• jwa...
• May 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Kariva for probably 3 years or less now, and it is my favorite BC. I have tried others with crazy emotional side effects and heavy bleeding. Kariva gets rid of my period about 99% of the time, and with that, it decreases sex drive. It got rid of my acne and constant hot flashes. I didn't gain any weight on it. In fact, I just came off of Kariva a few weeks ago due to a severe yeast infection, which I had no idea what was causing, and since then my hormones are insane from being off of it. I keep binge eating, have cramps, my vagina is almost tingling a lot, my face gets very flush and red, and my skin is super dry. I gained 6 lbs in that time and hadn't changed my eating patterns. I am going back on Kariva due to this."

• kjo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for less than 2 years, and I guess I never read the drug information because my sex drive is near nothing. I even get annoyed when sex is brought up. My period is only 3 days long, though, and no nausea or cramping to go with. But the fact that my body refuses sex now is getting ridiculous. My doctor suggested it for me because I am pretty moody, or my moods flipped a lot on everything else I tried. But Kariva was the last thing I could try. I'm breaking up with it. I miss being intimate with my boyfriend..."

• Kan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Kariva for irregular periods after being on another pill. At first, it was fine because my periods were lighter, but after a few weeks, I started getting terrible cramps, bloating, and my acne got awful. It also completely changed my mood, and my sex drive is absolutely non-existent. Will definitely be switching."

• 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."

• Boa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been extremely happy with this birth control. After about 3 years on this bc, I had to switch pharmacies, and my new pharmacy switched me to Viorele, which led to my absolute worst experience with birth control. I had headaches, felt fatigued, experienced a heavier period with more cramping, and gained weight. Finally, I realized that even though Kariva and Viorele should be the same, they, in fact, are not! Once I switched to a new pharmacy that would specifically fill Kariva, I lost 10 pounds in about 2 months, and all the other side effects from the Viorele disappeared. After a year of consistently being on Kariva, my pharmacy just switched to Pimtrea, which really upsets me that they can't be consistent with Kariva."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2011

For Birth Control "I used Kariva for three months and have been off it now for two weeks due to insurance problems. It did not cause me any weight gain. My periods, which were usually 7-8 days, were down to 4-5 days, and the bleeding was lighter. Also, much less cramping and feelings of nausea during my period. I didn't notice until after I stopped taking the pills, but they definitely lower your sex drive. You will still enjoy sexual activity, but just not crave it as much as you usually would. Other than that, I haven't had any other problems with this pill. I used it as the only form of birth control, and it prevented pregnancy even in the first month."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

"Literally, the only good thing Kariva did was prevent pregnancy and clear up my acne. I'm 18, and it's the first birth control I've ever tried. Within the second week of taking it, I had a lower sex drive, I gained weight, and I couldn't get wet no matter what I did. Also, my periods were never bad to begin with, but on this pill, they were so heavy for 7 days. I had extreme cramping, was always tired, and had shooting pain through my anus every time I would sit down on the toilet. I've been off this for 3 weeks now, and everything is completely back to normal."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on Kariva for 5 months now and am looking to switch. I get my period the third week of pills for several days, and then again the fourth week as a full period. Both sets of periods I get come with cramps, bloating (and several pounds of weight gain, which disappears once my period is over), and moodiness. When I asked my doctor to switch initially, she suggested I wait several months, as sometimes these effects subside, but mine have not."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Kariva about 1.5 years ago to help with breakthrough bleeding that I was experiencing with the prior birth control. For a few months, my period was light and only 3 days long and was expected during the inactive week. I would say I did notice that this medication made me more depressed before my period was coming, and I did gain around 8 lbs. After taking this medication for a longer time, I experienced breakthrough bleeding earlier and earlier, to the point where I ended up having a heavy two-week period as well as longer bouts of moodiness and cramping. I do experience a lot of bloating and gassiness. I have decided that I need to try another type of medication. This was great for the months that it worked properly for getting my period on time, but I could not imagine continuing this."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I started this pill back in August after being on Loestrin FE. I was happy with that pill, but it turned out I was having a bunch of the side effects listed to call your doctor about! Anyways, every month for the past 6 months that I have been on Kariva, I have gotten my period a week early, and it has lasted through the whole 2 weeks. When I was on Loestrin, I got my period on the 4th Monday of the month and was finished that Friday. My period has been heavier, and I am getting cramps again. The good part of this pill is I am not getting shooting pain in my breasts before my period now, the downside is getting my period for 2 weeks in a row every month. I am going to call my doc on Monday to try a new pill."

• Kar...
• October 23, 2018

For Birth Control "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."

• Kar...
• October 23, 2018

For Birth Control "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."

• 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
• April 2, 2010

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

• 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."