Kariva and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this birth control. I've been taking it for almost a year now, and it just makes my period all wacky. It also makes me extremely emotional, as opposed to my last brand before this, which was Trivora (love Trivora). After I finish this pack, I'm going to stop it altogether. I just can't deal with it anymore. In the beginning, it was fine, but as time went on, it just kept getting progressively worse, and my period became all out of whack now. Definitely more cons than pros. The only thing that's good is that I haven't ever had a pregnancy scare. Other than that, would not recommend."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Hap...
• March 22, 2010

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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

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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2009

For Birth Control "This pill worked fine for birth control, but I felt really down for about 2 weeks before my period. My mood swings were horrible."

• My...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for about 3 months now and noticed that my breasts hurt and are so tender. My periods last 4 days now instead of 3. I get mood swings too."

• Nop...
• April 21, 2018

For Birth Control "Sorry, also have horrible mood instability with this medication."