Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Ann...
• June 30, 2015

For Birth Control "Over 6 months ago, I switched to this from a more traditional BC pill because of nausea. I was taking it for acne and pregnancy protection. Cons: My acne got way worse initially and then leveled off to kind of bad. Gained about five pounds, but I'm not sure if it's due to Apri. My periods went from unnoticeable (3-5 days, no cramps) to intolerable, lasting over a week and bleeding like crazy with initial cramping. I have also had frequent yeast infections right before my period since starting this drug. Pros: Boobs got way bigger. Nausea went away."

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2011

For Birth Control "I love Apri. A friend recommended Apri, and as soon as I picked up my prescription, that is when my love affair with Apri began. Prior to taking Apri, I had severe PMS (irregular periods, depression 1 week before and 1 week after my period, horrible cramps, acne), so my doctor suggested a birth control to help regulate my PMS symptoms. After taking Apri, my acne has completely cleared up, no weight gain, 3-day periods with light bleeding, and no depression. I haven't noticed increased bust size and no change in my sexual desires. I do have increased discharge. But that would be the only bad side effect."

• ELC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2021

For Birth Control "I loved Viorele. I switched to it after having bad side effects with 2 other pills that were 30 mg of estrogen. Viorele is amazing because I feel absolutely nothing, no nausea, have lost weight since I began taking it, no cramps, although I have been breaking out some, but it could also be due to wearing a mask. 10/10 recommend if you are coming out of a higher estrogen pill."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been using Apri for a year now, and I love it. In the first few months, my boobs grew bigger, and I have never had problems with acne, so I can't say it cleared it, but it definitely kept it away. The only problems I've had in the last few months using it are the cramping I get during my periods. It's unbearable. I can't even go to school the first two days of it. Besides that, I've had no problems with it."

• bc_...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the worst BC pill I’ve ever dealt with. I have only been on this pill a month, and my mood swings are crazy. I am angry ALL the time, I have been bleeding with terrible cramps, and it’s not worth it. Don’t take this pill."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Been on this birth control for about a year and a half and never really had any notable side effects until about 4 months ago when I started to notice something was different. My acne came back and was worse than it was before I even started the medication, I’m always stressed and have the worst anxiety, constant migraines, mood swings, complete loss of sex drive, depression, bloating and cramping, loss of motivation, you name it, I’ve gotten it as a side effect. More recently (these past couple of weeks), I’ve been constantly nauseous and have been throwing up almost nonstop. It’s been so bad I’ve had to call out of work. I do not recommend this birth control. DON'T TAKE THIS."

• 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."

• kik...
• March 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on birth control for 11 years. For 8 years, I was on Loestrin 24 Fe, and I had no issues. I had to switch to Apri because I changed insurances. At first, I did not notice a difference, but now I can confidently say I have the absolute worst period cramps and bloating I’ve ever had. I dread getting my period. I’m not saying this will happen to everyone, but it’s been miserable for me."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking Desogen for almost a month and a half. I get dizzy, have severe headaches, cystic acne, extreme cramps, and the worst part of it all is my moods are awful. I get so angry and emotional at the drop of a hat. So I stopped taking it because I was tired of getting angry all the time and taking it out on my boyfriend. Luckily, he's very understanding. My moods and acne have now practically vanished once I stopped taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2012

For Birth Control "Apri was the first birth control I took (at the age of 24). I started taking it to prevent pregnancy, not for any other reason since my periods were regular and I rarely experienced any kind of cramps or moodiness. This pill changed that entirely. I started experiencing cramps around the time my period began. I noticed a considerable drop in my sex drive, which frustrated both me and my boyfriend. I also became depressed, my moods fluctuated from happy and positive to irritable to extremely depressed in a span of hours. I stayed on this for over six months before changing. I changed to Aviane and have noticed a vast improvement."

• Ani...
• June 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking Velivet for about a year now because I started to have periods that lasted all month, which resulted in anemia. My only complaint is that the cramps are quite bad, but it's done its job for me, so I can't complain!"

• key...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I really liked Isibloom in the beginning, and it helped make my body more feminine and less a fridge, but each month my period was worse and worse. The cramps, the back pain, the irritability. I literally don't know who I was when I was on my period, but she wasn't me (she was awful). My gyno took me off since my cycle got longer each month."

• Add...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been taking the Velivet birth control for almost a year now, and it’s been a terrible ride. My cramps are paralyzing (I had bad cramps before, but these are worse), and they even happen when I’m not on my period. The worst part has to be the constant emotional mood swings and change in sex drive. I do not cry normally, but on this pill, I have full days where I cannot stop crying for no reason. My sex drive lowered significantly, and it dries me out during sex even when I am in the mood, which was never an issue before. I am easily irritable, overly sensitive, and depressed when I’m on my period. I’ve tried to stick it out in hopes of it getting better, but the side effects have actually enhanced over time. I do not recommend it. Only positives are not getting pregnant and lighter periods, but even the periods fluctuate."

• kat...
• August 19, 2017

For Birth Control "Cramps and fatigue were my major issues with this pill. I switched from Orsythia to this after having some breakthrough bleeding on the other pill. I've been taking it for a year and have decided to switch to something else because of the cramping I got even when not on my period. I always felt like I had my period. Had several yeast infections and always felt kind of itchy. It did do a good job of stopping my period because I would take it for three months straight with no breakthrough bleeding, then have a break. But I'd rather get my period every month than cramp all the time. My skin did look amazing on this and no weight gain either. Also prevented pregnancy."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my first month on Apri, and I haven't been on any other forms of the pill since I was 18. I was prescribed Loestrin in 2009 for bad cramping and PMS but got off that due to huge mood swings, bloating, weight gain, and breast tenderness. It is now 7 years since then, and I am using the pill mainly for birth control. I am on my third week and am feeling awful! I have had headaches several times per week, extreme nausea, cramping, and tiredness. I have also felt anxiety and will wake up in the middle of the night. I take the pill in the morning but will be switching to a nighttime routine to see if my symptoms decrease or if I tolerate it better. My mood has been pretty normal, and my sex drive is good. The worst thing has been the nausea."

• No ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this pill for 4 months, thinking my body would get used to it, but it only got worse. I have been taking different birth control pills for about 6 years now, and never have I ever had the symptoms that I had on this pill. My periods were heavy and lasted 7 plus days. I had intense cramps to the point that I couldn't move and had to practice breathing exercises. I had blood clots that were the size of quarters or bigger. It may have just been my body, but I will not go back to this pill."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I was recently diagnosed with (thin) PCOS after stopping birth control for four years. The only reason I stopped my original pill was that they were no longer manufacturing it. I tried Mircette for a week in an effort to manage my PCOS symptoms (low progesterone, acne, irritability, no menstruated cycles), and this pill was terrible. It increased my irritability and gave me the worst cramps I've ever had. It was so painful I couldn't even move/walk to get to the bathroom. My doctor said this is not normal and to stop the medication. I haven't tried another one yet, and I'm considering going back to using my essential oils with natural progesterone. At least it improved my mood."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I started this when I was 13, for heavy period relief. Pros: no weight gain, shortened my period from 7-8 to 4-5 days. Cons: before Reclipsen, I never had cramps, moodiness, or really any period symptoms or PMS. Although my period lasted for 7-8 days and was very heavy, it was honestly pretty easygoing. After I began Reclipsen, my period was shortened to 4-5 days, but it took about 3 days of active pills for it to start and two of my inactives for it to stop. This hasn't stopped. I started getting cramps, moodiness, and extremely bad PMS. I used to act no different on my period than off, but since starting Reclipsen, it's been much worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I started originally on Tri-Sprintec, but after a few days, I couldn't handle the cramps, bloating, and spotting all the time. I called my doctor, and she prescribed Apri. After seeing all the reviews, I felt that this was a better choice than the Tri-Sprintec pill. Since Apri had better reviews than Tri, everyone's body is different, but so far it has worked great, no side effects. I LOVE IT."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for probably about 4-5 years. My experience has been overall pretty pleasant. I never noticed it affecting my mood or behavior, and I have never felt depressed due to the pill. I also never gained any weight or experienced acne. My periods last about 4 days, previously, before using the pill, they lasted much longer. I usually experience cramps and bloating the day before and the day I get my period. My cramps have always been pretty bad even before I began using birth control, so I don't think it is caused by the pill. I do recommend this pill for people who are looking to use it as a form of birth control and a way to regulate the menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, I must switch pills due to insurance coverage."

• Mqa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Apri has been terrible to me. I’ve experienced painful cramping (not on period), bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, and I’ve even fallen into depression. I was all happy and energetic before the pill, but once I got on it, I’ve had no energy, and I’m always sleeping."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2011

For Birth Control "I just finished my first month, and this is what I've found. No noticeable weight gain. The first week or so, I was waking up nauseous, but since then, it's gone away. I'm not pregnant. I continued to get pretty bad cramps the first day of my period. I do tend to be a little more tired throughout the day. Overall, so far, so good!"