Kariva and Nausea: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I felt inclined to write a review after reading all the bad ones on here. I have been taking this birth control for almost 4 years now. Firstly, my skin feels and looks amazing and has never been better. My sex drive has not been negatively affected by taking this medication. I highly recommend this birth control for girls looking to increase their breast size (even though I am sure you are perfect the way you are!) I went from a C cup to a full DD. I didn't have any nauseous symptoms with this pill, even taking it in the morning on an empty stomach. My period is not heavy either. Don't be afraid to try this medication, it could work for you just like it did for me."

• She...
• August 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Kariva for almost 3 weeks now, and the first week or so, my body definitely had to adjust to the hormones. I was getting hot flashes, burning up at night, fatigue, nausea, and easily agitated/emotional. At the beginning of this week, I feel like I'm finally adjusting. What I don't like is my vagina is so dry when normally it's wet all the time, and my sex drive has diminished quite a bit. Like others have said, this is taking a toll on my relationship. Guys have to be so patient while we deal with this crap! Overall, though, this is the best birth control I've been on. My skin is looking great too! I'm going to stick this out for a couple of months, but if my vagina continues to be like the Sahara, I don't think it's worth staying on."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking Kariva for about 8 months, and so far I love it. My skin has cleared up, I have less cramps and far less moodiness before my period. Also, my periods are usually only about 3 days long when they used to be almost a week. I love this birth control! Also, I haven't gotten pregnant yet, which is a huge plus. The only negative is I have gained about 15 pounds since starting Kariva (much of which went straight to my breasts). This weight gain could, however, be from the stress of college and a new boyfriend. Also, the first month I took the pill, I would get incredibly nauseous every day around 8 or 9 pm, but thankfully that subsided. Occasionally, I will get this way on the first pill of a new pack, but it is bearable. Overall, love it."

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this pill a week ago due to Stage 3 endometriosis. I am having pregnancy-like nausea. It is all day. The only way to fix it is to continually eat. If I did that, I would pack on the pounds. It is also making me feel weird in my head. Like I cannot focus. I would not recommend this at all."

• 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!"

• Nau...
• December 16, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on Kariva for 1 month and have had several side effects. My moods swing more so than usual, going from happy and giggly to angry and screaming the next. My abdomen is bloated, I am gassy to the point of severe pain, and I have had bouts of diarrhea and nausea. The first day of my period, I felt so awful! The pain was less than when I was not on birth control pills, but I had horrible gas pains, diarrhea, and I threw up. I will give Kariva another 2 months to see if I adjust to it over time. If I don't, I'm definitely asking my gynecologist to switch me."

• 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..."

• 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
• January 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Kariva for about 2 years straight (almost never missed a pill) after being on various other pills for 3 years before that. Kariva solved my cramp problem, and I did not experience any nausea or depression/mood swings like I had on other pills. I recently switched off of Kariva after missing a week of pills - I didn't even realize until then how low my libido had been! My doctor just switched me to Microgestin Fe 1/20. Obviously, everyone's bodies are different and will have different reactions, but I am happy to be off Kariva."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2016

For Birth Control "My doctor started me on Kariva after having a terrible experience with Chateal, which gave me terrible acne. My skin started clearing up almost immediately. I do have times when I'm just in a mood due to the extra hormones, but I have not experienced any nausea or pain with this medication. Overall, I have no true complaints about this."