Kariva User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2011

For Birth Control "I started this in September 2010 and continued to use it until July 2011. Everything about it was great except for one thing, NO SEX DRIVE whatsoever. My periods were short and light, no weight gain or bloating, no cramping or mood swings, however the no sex drive didn't work for me. After being off of it for a month or so, my libido returned."

• Julie
• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I have taken Kariva for about 6 months and my boobs have gone from an A cup to a D cup, which is alarming. I have pregnancy like symptoms very often, but I'm not pregnant. Overall this birth control made me extremely moody and gain crazy weight."

• MissA...
• 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 withdrawls dibiltating headaches. It was actually worse on this pill. Many trips to ER. On brand I didn't have the daily headaches. Sex was ridiculously painful on both & 3rd month on brand was unbearably dry in my vagina. Took kariva & had the most dibiltating migraine/daily headaches ever. All dr's denied the correlation. Had break though 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
• 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 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."

• BoatsM
• 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 consistently being on Kariva, my pharmacy just switched to Pimtrea, which really upsets me that they can't be consistent with Kariva."

• Alexa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This will be my 4th month using Kariva. The only thing it helped with (besides preventing pregnancy) was making my period shorter. I went from 8 long, heavy and painful days to only 2 very light, no pain days! Other than that, I've been miserable . It hasn't helped with acne at all, it actually started to cause body acne which I've never had. Also, a huge issue that I have, I'm VERY dry down there; causing it to hurt during my period when I want to insert a tampon AND painful sex. I can't even begin to describe how painful it is, it's like my insides are being torn apart & the pain doesnt go away for hours after trying to have sex. Its taking a huge toll on my relationship. I would not recomennd this pill. I will have to talk to my dr soon."

• Sahara
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2018

For Birth Control "Was on Kariva for 3 months, would have stayed on it if I wasn't for the negative side effects I got from this pill. PROS: Breast grew from a B cup to a C cup. No depression, feeling sad or moody. Shorter, light periods 4 days at the most. CONS: Extreme vagina dryness, so extreme I couldn't climax at ALL for the entire 3 months. I had acne that broke out on my forehead, chin, chest and back. I'm already really skinny and wanted to gain weight instead I lost about 8 lbs. Overall, just couldn't put up with the dryness down there it ruined sex for me, after 3 months of taking it had my doctor switch me to a new pill."

• jwall
• 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."

• 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 20lbs in 2 month going from 140lbs to 120lbs."

• Anonymous
• August 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I switched to this from Ortho Tri Lo almost a year ago. I have had crazy mood swings. Seriously, I can be the happiest person in the world one minute, the next I can be super angry or super depressed. My flow is real light but breakthrough bleeding in between periods have happened more often. "

• Nause...
• 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."

• reneed
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Kariva did improve my acne but as far as anything else I wouldn’t really recommend. Really put a toll on my emotions and made me have either bad bursts of crying randomly or just being angry for no reason. Didn’t really mess with my weight though, but did lose all sex drive completely which was awful as well."

• 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."

• Misskd
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2017

For Birth Control "When I first switched my birth control from the generic version of Ortho tri-cyclen lo to Kariva, it was an attempt to regulate my ph balance. Although the switch made no difference in that area, I noticed a significant change in my mood. In a GOOD way! I had been taking the other birth control for so long, I thought it was just me that had crazy mood swings every month. Once I switched, the moods were gone. My mind was blown. I have also noticed a decrease in acne which is always a plus. They've also just changed the bubble pack to release the pills more easily. I recommend."

• Kano
• 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."

• 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."

• Anon
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Kariva for about 1.5 years ago to help with breakthrough bleeding that I was experiencing with the prior birth control. The 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 a great for the months that it worked properly for getting my period on time but I could not imagine continuing this."

• Jaclyn...
• March 24, 2016

For Birth Control "Hello, I took this birth control for four years ( I started it 15 because I was diagnosed with PCOS). Overall, it really helped me. It cleared my acne, and gave me a predictable period. The fact that it cleared my acne was the most amazing thing for me. I went from layering on concealer to cover red, even purple zits on my face to being confident in my skin. One thing I suggest if you take this medication is to read over ALL of the side effects. A little known one is constipation. I suffered from it the entire time I took this medication. Despite that one problem, this medication worked extremely well. :). Also, at age 19 I use it in conjunction with condoms to prevent pregnancy. ( take it at the same time every day and you're golden."

• Coffe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Kariva for about 2 years. Up until the last 3 months, everything was great. It made my period lighter and regular, only had slight cramps on the first day, skin clearer, boobs even grew from a small b to a small c. I decided to change to a different pill recently because I was experiencing emotional side effects. I have always struggled with anxiety but I was very stressed out due to life circumstances but noticed heavy mood swings. I wanted to try switching my pill before I tried a psychiatric medicine. I would still recommend trying kariva to everyone, It’s worth a shot and I liked it for a long time!"

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Kariva for about 2 years straight (almost never ever 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."

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Kariva for 3months and then I decided to stop taking it all together. 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."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on Kariva for 7 years now and have loved it! I used to have the worst periods ever, going through tampons and pads every hours, but now my periods are light and less painful. Sure, I get moody once a month, but I am a person, right? But everyone is different, and this pill has always worked for me."

• 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. Its ridiculous. As far as spotting I haven't experienced any of that. So, effectiveness has been pretty good."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2020

"I went on the pill for my skin 5 years ago. I struggled with very dry skin & acne.I never noticed change in my behavior, I do get a little moody during my period but I feel like that’s normal. Before going on Kariva my periods were long, painful and heavy. I noticed once I went on the pill I had short, light and manageable periods. I could always expect what week/day I’d be getting my period. I’m not sure if I gained weight because I was only 14 when I started. I do always wonder if I got off Kariva if I would lose weight (Although I’m already slim).I wouldn’t say this pill affects my sex drive, but again I was on the pill before I was sexual active so I’m not sure.Overall, I would recommend this birth control for people who have dry, flaky skin.Everyone’s body acts differently, but this pill has never made me anxious and/or depressed.I would definitely recommend this to people who are starting out or people who have preexisting problems with their skin."