Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Elm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Switched from Ortho-Cyclen (Sprintec) because of decrease in libido. Have trialed twice, and both times have had weight gain (10-15 lbs), increased acne (I don't normally break out), and uncontrollable emotions. I literally would cry all month long, not just the week before my period. I have been super irritable and have unpredictable mood swings. After this month (the 3rd month of taking), I will be discontinuing and attempting a non-hormonal contraceptive, as I am prone to depression and this medication is junk."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this pill for a year and a half before I decided enough was enough. It cleared my face up, and I did not experience tremendous weight gain, but I lost my sex drive and became extremely moody and depressed. I was crying over everything, I was always irritated and angry at my boyfriend, and on top of that, I never wanted him to touch me. I stopped taking the pill about three weeks ago, and I cannot begin to explain the difference that I already feel. I finally feel like my bubbly, lovable self again, and it feels great."

• Anonymous
• December 26, 2011

For Birth Control "Pros: breasts got bigger (they're AA normally, so this was a big plus!), it worked (I didn't get pregnant), light periods, can skip periods by taking continuously. Cons: much more acne, dramatic mood swings (crying uncontrollably for no reason), nausea, weight gain. I only stayed on Mircette for three months due to the dramatic increase in side effects compared to Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which I'd been on for three years at that point)-especially crying easily and acne. I get mood changes with any birth control pill, but it was by far the worst on Mircette. Every other pill I've tried improves my acne, but Mircette made it worse. I did like the breast enlargement, but that wasn't worth being totally crazy with an acne-covered face!"

• Ash...
• April 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Highly recommend, no weight gain or mood swings compared to other birth control pills I have taken. Everyone is different, but I give this birth control an excellent review because of the experiences I have had with others."

• man...
• October 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for a year and was recently put on another, then forced back due to a recall. I was so sad to be put back on Apri. While off for 2 months, my weight had gone down, and my sex drive went back to normal, and I had energy again. Now back on for not even a month, and everything is getting messed up again. It's not the pill's fault, but you may notice weight gain, feel sluggish, and a lower sex drive if your body reacts to this the same way I do. :( It's time to figure out something else... My body and relationship can't go through this again."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "My doctor switched me to Apri because the birth control pill I was using before is no longer available. I’ve only been taking it for a little over 1 month, but I’ve already had 2 migraines. I’ve never had a migraine before! Also, my face is covered in acne, and I’ve gained 5 pounds. My self-confidence has never been so low. I’m very unhappy with Apri :("

• Jor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Quasense for five years, starting when I was 14. I should’ve switched a long time ago. It gave me horrible nausea every time I started a new pack, to the point where I started to stop eating the night I took the first pill along with a nausea pill. It gave me acne, weight gain, and depression. It did NOTHING for my abnormally heavy and painful periods. I switched to Isibloom only a week ago, but I already love it. No nausea, I’ve lost 2 pounds and gained a cup size. I’m giving it a 9 because I haven’t been on it long enough to see what it does for my acne or for my periods!"

• gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Isibloom for 3 months now. I’m in a serious relationship, so we thought it’d be a good idea. I didn’t really have that many side effects. The only things that have happened are a little weight gain, moodiness, and, worst of all, the entire time I’ve been on it, I’ve had a dark red discharge. I read that it can happen in the first 3-4 months, so I’m hoping it goes away soon. I’ve just had to wear panty liners every day!"

• Rsa...
• March 10, 2014

For Birth Control "After my first month on this pill, I have had nonstop acne on my chin like I have never had before. Also, I had my period (5 days) and then continued to spot for another 7 days. I don't weigh myself, but it is obvious I've gained weight as well. Don't even get me started about my over-the-top mood swings. I never had these problems when I was on Orthocept. Even though it has been only one month and it may balance out after a few months, I do not think I will wait to find out."

• zic...
• September 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've used this birth control for 8 years. I was a late bloomer and didn't have my first period until well into age 16. I'm told it's because I'm small and athletically inclined. I never had cramps or mood swings, but my periods were extremely irregular and would arrive unexpectedly to ruin my favorite pairs of underwear. My doctor selected this initially due to cost, as I was not sexually active and just wanted regulation. Now, at age 24, I'm happy to report its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy, as well as a complete lack of any side effects. No acne, no weight gain, no mood swings, no spotting, no cup size enhancements (unfortunately), and a nice 4-5 day window that I know exactly when and how much I'm going to bleed."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on Reclipsen for over a year now, and I didn't think it was that bad. I thought I had finally found my birth control, but now I have changed. I loved this pill because it really controlled my periods and cramps. I had little cramps and lighter periods, but my period wouldn't start until three days after taking the sugar pills. I've been reading other comments about headaches, and I can agree that I have had headaches every other night, but they weren't bad. I could still fall asleep. I am changing to a different pill because I didn't like how I gained weight on this pill. I gained ten pounds at least, and I've been getting heavier. It's really hard to lose the weight on this pill also. Time for a change!"

• apr...
• January 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I like this Apri birth control pill a lot! I was quite surprised running across all these negative reviews. I understand everyone has a different experience with Apri and is affected everyone differently. Personally, I’ve had no problems, although it’s only been a few weeks of being on it. If anything, my mood swings (from when I was BC free) have gone down DRASTICALLY. I feel much more chilled out and content. No cramping, headaches, etc., but slight anxiety. I have noticed a little weight gain, but this is something that isn’t that big of a problem for me or detrimental. I was initially taking Depo, which caused me to bleed every day straight for 3 months (the same amount I normally would at the start of a period, except EVERYDAY) and suffered from cramps from time to time and nausea. My doctor switched me over to Apri, and so far I have little to no complaints. My skin has been consistently clear and I don’t feel fatigued."

• Bex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I love this Azurette birth control so much! I switched from another pill to this one, and I only wish I had sooner. I have zero side effects, and my period is 3 light days. No weight gain either, like my other pill :)"

• Anonymous
• September 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for almost 5 years. I was originally put on it for acne, but it's also been very effective as birth control too. My partner and I don't use any other form of birth control unless I'm on conflicting meds. My periods are regular and predictable, usually 3-4 days. I've gained weight, but I don't think Apri was the cause. Overall, Apri works well for me and I've had no issues with it."

• Rec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2013

For Birth Control "Worsens depression, fatigue, increased appetite, weight gain, bloating, constant mild fever, headaches, unstable mood swings, decrease in sex drive overall but spikes in demand for sex at certain times (unstable). It did work as a birth control and did not worsen or help with my slight acne. I was on bupropion 300 mg for a few months before I started Reclipsen. It countered the positive effects of bupropion: increased energy, decreased appetite."

• Sum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2019

For Birth Control "So a lot of these reviews really scared me, but this pill works great for me. It’s easy to take because it’s small, and I haven’t had any crazy mood swings. It’s been a little strange sometimes, and I might have gained a little weight, but that’s all. If you’ve been prescribed this, I would say just go with it."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I am not happy with Reclipsen. I have gained a ton of weight in the last 3 months I have been on it. I get super nauseous in the mornings, and I have one extremely bad migraine on the last day of the pills. I changed to Reclipsen because my other BC was giving me headaches. Now I'm fat and have zero sex drive. I am going to stop Reclipsen ASAP."

• wta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for one year exactly, and I mainly went on this for my skin, but I didn't notice anything different with my acne when I was on it compared to when I didn't take birth control. The only thing I can say was that around the time I got my period, my face was the clearest it ever was, and then as soon as my period stopped, I began to break out again. I think with this birth control I did gain weight, probably around 15-20 pounds. It also made me very moody. I never got so upset/mad as easily as I did when I was on this. I felt like an emotional wreck at times because I would get mad so easily, and I hated it. I decided that this birth control, while effective for preventing pregnancies, was not for me."

• miu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I've posted here a few months ago, and it's an update. I'm starting the 4th pack now, and almost everything I was complaining about went away! During the first few months, I've gained around 10 lbs, my boobs became much larger (that was super uncomfortable, because they're large anyways), I felt a little depressed and tired (nothing I couldn't handle though, I've been living my normal life). I couldn't work as hard as I wanted. Now I've lost all the weight I've gained, and I am me again. Feels like magic. Also, my tastes for food changed a bit. Something I loved does not taste good to me anymore, it's strange but fun to experience."

• dec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 30, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for about 12 years now. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I have gained weight in the last year, I wasn't sure if it was caused by the birth control, so I went off of it for about 6 months. Nothing changed, it's obviously just my diet and lack of exercise. My OBGYN said that being on this pill has significantly reduced my risk of breast cancer, and I have much more regular periods and less cramping."

• Mar...
• December 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 19 and have been on this pill for 4 months now and have realized many changes. Some pros are that my acne has cleared up and excess hair slowed its growth rate, but the cons outweigh the pros. I have terrible mood swings, headaches, and nausea when I never had that before. My sex drive is nearly non-existent. My periods are more controlled, but they are very heavy and leave me very tired. I have gained 15 pounds in 4 months despite getting 2 hours of exercise almost every day. I thought this pill would help my hormones level out and help my depression, but it has made my relapses far between but much more intense when they happen. Overall, it gets the job done, but if you can, try a different pill."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Cyred for about a month now, I just finished the first pack. I started taking BC to avoid pregnancy and to regulate my period because I wouldn’t have it for months at a time. The first week my breasts started to get tender, but nothing unbearable. I would get some cramps and constipation, but again, nothing too bad. I did notice some weight gain and an increase in appetite. My breasts have noticeably grown, but I guess that’s a plus. I had clear skin before starting Cyred, and I still have clear skin now. I had moments where I was more emotional and irritable than normal, but it occurred around the time I would start my period. Before Cyred, my heavy periods would last about 5-7 days, but now I would bleed heavily the first day and have a light period the following two days. I take the pill at 8 pm every day (sometimes 1/2 an hour before/after) because I don’t usually wake up at the same time every morning, but I am at least awake at 8 pm every day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had a terrible time with birth controls, and this one was no different, except maybe the side effects were more extreme. Not only have I gained 10-20 pounds, but I have been extremely depressed and have had horrible nightmares. It took me a while to figure out that it was my BC, and I stopped immediately. My period was pretty regular, and I did not get pregnant, but the mood swings, depression, nightmares, and anxiety are unbearable. Absolutely do not recommend."

• Oce...
• February 1, 2018

For Birth Control "Moody, depression, lethargic, weight gain, and overall more emotional. Lost my sex drive completely, and my depression has taken over my life. It’s awful, and I wouldn’t recommend this to my worst enemy. Take anything else. I have been on 7 different types of birth control, and this has been the second to worst, the worst being the Depo-Provera shot. I am getting off of it as quick as I can right now. The only good things about this medication are that it decreased my cramping and cleared up my face in the beginning. Please don’t take this. I felt awful for so long because I was recommended to “wait it out” for 3 months to “get used to it.” I was on it for a year and a half, and nothing has changed. Don’t do it!"

• har...
• April 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Out of the 15 years I have taken birth control, this one has been my favorite. It made me have regular, light periods and toned down my mood swings. Didn't gain any weight and never got any pimples. I'm extremely sad my new insurance doesn't cover it anymore, and I am devastated. I am now on the hunt for a new bc and have had no luck with one that responds well with my body."