Kariva User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• 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."

• qq33452
• October 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I switched to Kariva from Apri. I have been on Apri for 6 month, and I have noticed that my hair started to fall out. However, it might be connected to other reasons, my hair is usually sensitive to stress, and I had particularly bad times 3-6 months ago. Anyways, I switched because of this and water retention I have been experiencing. It definitely helped! I have lost approximately 5 pounds in first 2 weeks with Kariva, and I do not loose my hair anymore. However, I have noticed PMS with the first pack of Kariva. I had it all the time before I started BC, it stopped with Apri, and now it seems to be back again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 3, 2015

For Birth Control "It's kept me to where I cannot have kids which is a good thing. Sex drive is still as usual. The weird part is I don't get periods anymore. Which has caused me to fear I was pregnant, but otherwise it's fine. I have symptoms of menapause, but I am an 18 year old girl so I can't have it just yet my guess is the side effects?"

• Stacy...
• July 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Kariva definitely had its ups and downs for me, but the downs were so horrible I had to go off. Pros: I never got pregnant. I stopped getting cystic acne on my chin and my skin was way clearer than it had ever been before (other birth control had been ineffective in doing this). My sex drive was not decreased at all. Cons: My boobs went from a C to spilling out of a DD and tender. I gained 10 lbs and NONE of my clothes fit anymore. My feet and ankles got so swollen that some of my shoes stopped fitting. For the first three months I spotted like crazy. After that, my periods were regular and not too bad of flow, but other birth controls had made me have a 2 day "barely there" period or not get a period at all which was way better."

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I started this a few months ago and since then it has fixed my cycle to be every three to four weeks instead of a week and a half and for that I am incredibly thankful. But I have had terrible migraines with blurred vision and it has not lightened or shortened my period, which is why I was prescribed this. Like all medications things work differently for everyone, but this has been my experience so I thought I would share."

• Yuano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched to this from Azurette by CVS without any options, as they are suppose to be generics of each other. I gave it a shot and first 3 months seemed ok but then on month 4 I got massive migraines. On month 5 I got about 20 cysts in my breasts and had one so huge that on month 6 I had to get 3 of them drained for the first time in my 35 years on this planet. That was the last straw so I completely stopped taking it and threw away all my future dosages. After being off it for almost a week, I feel like I get better sleep, and my breast pain has gotten better - though still not 100%. Don't even get me started about sex drive, I forgot what that even feels like anymore."

• Alice
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Kimidess for 2 years and it was great. When I moved and got new insurance, for whatever reason I kept getting Kariva and not Kimidess from my pharmacy. It has been awful for me. After little to no sex drive, hormonal acne and Perioral dermatitis appearing, I stopped taking the pill and am now hoping to go back to Kimidess. While all BCP work differently for different bodies, this one certainly did not work for me. Super disappointed I was even given this when my doctor never prescribed it! Ladies, be careful about generic BCPs. I personally do NOT trust them now."

• 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."

• Nikki
• 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 for 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 months I received bad head aches and 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."

• Kariv...
• October 23, 2018

For Birth Control "Started on the Depo Shot when I was 14. Although not having periods were 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, w/o 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 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 of 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."

• eieie...
• March 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about 6 months. At first I had rapid weight loss. But in the past few months I've retained several pounds of water weight. No issues with mood changes, or loss of sex drive. My period comes every Thursday of the week of the blue pills. It lasts till usually Saturday night. I've yet to get pregnant so besides these small side effects I would deffintly recommend this birth control. My skin has never been better, it's no longer oily, and I only break out the week of my period."

• HanaB...
• June 29, 2017

For Birth Control "At the beginning, Kariva seemed to be working well, my skin started to clear up, lighter periods, and emotional stabilization. However, once I started my second pack, my emotional state felt off. I didn't realize that it could be the pill I was taking, so I continued to use it. I felt very depressed, and sad, and on the verge of crying most times. Once I told my doctor, I changed to Blisovi 24 Fe and my emotional state began to change in a positive way!"

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2010

For Birth Control "At half-way 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. "

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2020

For Birth Control "Do Not Recommend... Kariva made my face breakout bad & I never previously had problems with acne. It also made me feel like The Incredible Hulk (imagine severe PMS that lasts all month long). I had to stop taking it. My moods were so severe that I wasn’t even able to finish 1 month on it."

• Brit
• 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 cuz she said I needed a higher dose of estrogen. Kariva stopped my heavy period in 1 day. I will say that u will definitely notice a change within yourself when taking this pill, not in a bad way but u will feel the changes your body is making & a change in mood while your body starts to adjust. That was my only side effect."

• Happy...
• 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 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 moodswings but other factors contribute to them as well."

• Bobbi...
• August 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for 3 months and liked it pretty well. It definitely does its job with preventing pregnancy and also made my periods super light and short (4 days) which was nice. But I gained about 10 pounds on it which was awful! It did make my breasts fuller but the weight gain is terrible. No change in sex drive but it did cause some serious dryness for me in that I just wouldn't get wet down there which was frustrating for me and my bf! But overall not a bad price for a pill that does its job."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2010

For Birth Control "I had been on Kariva for 4 years. I had noticed that if I miss more than one pill in a given week I will have some spotting. One time I missed one pill but remembered the next day and had continued to take them as normal but had a week of not normal bleeding. Also very bad migraines. Did keep my periods quite light and regular though."

• ctano
• 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"

• Aykay
• November 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for a year now. I have a heart arrythmia that is aggravated my 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 wack, 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 BC. It also kills your sex drive. I will be asking for an alternative when I see my doctor next month. I have taken other BCs in the past with no issues."

• Leah
• March 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I've had a pretty good experience with this birth control. I didn't experience any mood swings or weight gain. I actually lost a bit of weight the two times I switched to Kariva from a different birth control. Overall I felt better on this birth control than any other that I have taken. The big issue that I had is that after taking it for a couple of months I would get breakthrough bleeding in the middle of the month. The bleeding would last so long that it pretty much a second period. It was a bit frustrating being on your period for half of the month. It might have decreased my sex-drive a bit too."

• 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."

• dani
• 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 too 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!"

• Emily
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2022

For Birth Control "I took this starting my Junior year in high school back in 2014 was on it for about 6 years then got off it, recently started it again back in December 2021 it's been 3 months taking it, my acne is cleared sometimes. I cant seem to shake the soreness in my breast and I seem to spot a lot. I am not sure if it's because as I get older my body changes. But since I started again I've been a little moody, tired and when I wake up I feel super bloated and heavy and just discomfort in my stomach. My OBGYN said to stay on the pack and after 3 packs my body should get used to it, but I feel as if it's not changing. When I started it back in 2014 I never had any problems, but now I seem to have the side effects and I am not sure if I should stay on it in hopes they stop or try something else. I have not gained weight but in my boobs I did."

• Jane...
• 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 your 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"