Kariva and Headaches: 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
• October 21, 2009

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I have been on it for 3 months now. No breakthrough bleeding at all. Short, light period. Have had a few more headaches, but nothing Advil won't take care of. Great results with this pill. A lot less moody than with other pills."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2011

For Birth Control "My doctor suggested Kariva to me because I was previously on Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which made me extremely moody/emotional) and more recently Lo-Estrin (which gave me no sex drive whatsoever and made me completely emotionless). I was anxious to find a happy medium after going from one extreme to the other. I've been on Kariva for three months now. I've never been one to have any type of headaches of any kind, and after being on Kariva I experience headaches multiple times a day. I'm extremely tired all the time and I've gained weight in my breasts (I'm naturally a D and I've gone up to a large DD). No sex drive, extreme mood swings, acne, and increased appetite. I can't wait to get off this pill. Look for other options before taking Kariva."

• Gal...
• August 6, 2010

For Birth Control "This birth control pill has its advantages in the fact that it gives you a very predictable period, and that's it. The side effects outweigh the benefits. I started getting acne at 23 when I hadn't had it for years, my skin became oily, I started getting headaches that persisted all day, my appetite increased, my sleep was disrupted, and I became depressed. The depression is the worst part. I would wake up and be horribly angry or depressed, without cause. I'm switching back to my old birth control."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2011

For Birth Control "I was prescribed this for birth control because I didn't like the weight I gained on Yaz, but it was a mistake. For weeks, I had horrible headaches to the point where I couldn't think, and then I had terrible mood swings. Effective as a contraceptive because I didn't get pregnant, but I was confused as to why I didn't feel like myself at all. After I figured out that it was probably Kariva, I stopped immediately. I had no clue birth control pills could make me that crazy! After a month, I felt much better. Not taking this ever again."

• 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
• June 19, 2011

"I've been on Kariva for 2 months, and it has turned me into a completely different person. I'm always tired. I can sleep just fine, but I'm constantly tired. I never feel rested. I've noticed it's made me depressed. Everyone around me notices, also. I've had horrible headaches. My appetite has changed. I have blurred vision, dizziness. It's ridiculous. As far as spotting, I haven't experienced any of that. So, effectiveness has been pretty good."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 4, 2015

For Birth Control "Took brand Mircette for 2 months. Great for skin & body adjusted quickly to brand only. Had no immediate side effects, but the manufacturer never made enough. Was forced to generic. Estrogen placebos did nothing to help menstrual migraine/estrogen withdrawals, debilitating headaches. It was actually worse on this pill. Many trips to the ER. On brand, I didn't have the daily headaches. Sex was ridiculously painful on both, and the 3rd month on brand was unbearably dry in my vagina. Took Kariva & had the most debilitating migraine/daily headaches ever. All doctors denied the correlation. Had breakthrough bleeding/spotting, tampon amounts for 3 months & then anemic. Demanded to be removed off this! Get rid of your gyno if she doesn't believe you."

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Kariva for 3 months, and then I decided to stop taking it altogether. I'd experience dizziness to the point where I'd have to sit down and also had an increase in constant headaches. The day that I decided to stop taking it, I had an extreme mood swing/panic attack. Some days while taking the pill, I didn't feel like myself emotionally. I originally got on the pill to help reduce my cramps because they were so painful. The pain of my cramps did lessen, but occasionally it was still as intense as it was before I was on the pill. I bled/spotted on the third week and had my actual period the fourth. So I ended up bleeding well over a week, which is more than my normal. I did not gain any weight, but my appetite increased."

• Nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2019

For Birth Control "When I first took the pill, I lost 10-15 pounds, which was great. It made me extremely nauseous the first week to the point where I didn’t want to even eat. The nausea went away, and I was eating again but feeling more full, so I wasn’t eating as much. My acne got a little better, but since I suffer from PCOS, I still get acne, so it didn’t totally help in that department. Period cramps are a little better. BUT I NOTICED over the past couple of months, I received bad headaches, and I was really tired and craving sweets like crazy. Would I recommend it in the beginning? Yes. Would I recommend it now? No. My OBGYN switched me to Yaz, so we will see where that takes me."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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!"

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

For Birth Control "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!"

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2010

For Birth Control "I tried this for several months and loved everything about it except the migraine headaches that I would experience about 2-3 times a month, and nothing would help them go away. So not sure if it's the fillers that bothered me, but I am contacting my doctor to get something different. I didn't gain weight, I didn't have mood swings, and everything was fine except the headaches."