Viorele and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Sup...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Haven’t gotten pregnant on this, and my period is pretty light. It lasts about 5 days. My face is also pretty clear, except for random chin breakouts. However, I am SO moody/ sporadically depressed, have gained 15 lbs, and have a severely decreased sex drive. I kept thinking something was wrong with me because I’ve always been very easy-going/positive, but I’m beginning to think it’s this pill. Beware!"

• pic...
• October 14, 2015

For Birth Control "Holy no. I do NOT recommend this birth control medication. I've been on it for three months now, and I've experienced: bloating, breakthrough bleeding (heavy), headaches, moodiness (anger), crying, increase of Tourette's tics, anxiety, 7/10 lower back pain, weight gain, increase in desire for all things sugar :( And the blister pack itself is terrible! I've never had such a difficult pack to use. I wouldn't recommend this medication whatsoever."

• Mto...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2018

For Birth Control "So I have been on this pill for about 6 months now. I’ve gained 15-20 lbs, I’m bloated 3 weeks out of every month, and the week before and the week of my period I’m hormonal as heck!!! It is effective for not getting pregnant, and I only bleed for a few days when I’m on my period, but not worth the weight gain and hormonal episodes, nope. Not for me."

• run...
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Viorele for a little over two years. I started out with a prescription for Kariva, but CVS gave me the generic version, which is Viorele. I was really impressed at first because my face was very clear and my horrible cramps and backaches from my period went away. After a few months, I gained 20 pounds and 2 cup sizes and became very depressed and anxious. I did not know that Viorele was the cause of this until I went to my doctor. I just switched to a different birth control, and I am waiting to see if there is a difference. Overall, this was great for acne and cramping, but the depression and weight gain were not worth it."

• Ame...
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "My doc prescribed this for endometriosis. I've tried other BC pills, and right away they either made me depressed, nauseated, made my period last for weeks, gained weight, breasts ballooned up and were painful, cramps every day, acne, pretty much every awful side effect you can think of. But thankfully NOT on this pill. There have been zero side effects. Maybe for the first week I experienced mood swings at the same time at night when I took the pill, but it didn't last if that was related to it. I only gave it 9 out of 10 because I've just started the second month, and I'm keeping an open mind in case things were to change. But I'm so thrilled with it so far, and I hope it holds up!"

• 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
• 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."

• Mar...
• February 6, 2015

For Birth Control "Tried lots of different pills after the one I was on was discontinued, and nothing worked for me, so I stopped trying for about 3 years. When my doctor suggested the pill for acne, I said, sure, why not. This pill is one of the few I don't have spotting or crazy 3-week periods with. The only downside is that I find my cramps are 10x worse, and I have gained some weight, I've especially seen that my breasts have grown. My acne has been a lot better, and my periods are more normal, although they do last a bit longer, my mood has also been consistent. Overall, I have had a good experience and am happy to have normal, predictable periods."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I have gained 35 lbs in the last year on this pill. My acne is the worst it has ever been, and acne medication has not helped. This pill has made my periods light, and I have no cramps, but the weight gain is crazy. No matter how hard I try, I can’t lose the weight."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Viorele for approximately 2 years. It worked great for clearing up my cystic acne, and it did its job in preventing pregnancy; however, I’ve noticed the following for the past 2 years: -NO desire to be intimate/NO sex drive. This has hurt my relationship, as I now have sex with my fiancé only once a month, if that! -UNRULY CRAVINGS, which led to 25 lb. weight gain. Currently medically diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder -moody, irritable, and short-tempered demeanor -increase in anxiety and depression. The only reason I continued to take Viorele was because it was completely free with my insurance, but it’s clearly not worth it. In my opinion, you should definitely consider another BC pill/method!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on Viorele for the past 4 months, and within that time, I have gained between 15-20 lbs. I have severe bouts of depression and anxiety, I have chronic migraines that have intensified in pain and occurrence, and the lowest libido I've ever experienced in my sexual history. Thank goodness my boyfriend is the amazing man he is, because I would have left me due to the irritability alone! The only plus about this pill for me is the regulation of my cycle, the clear skin, and the fact that I'm not pregnant. I have set an appointment to get back on the IUD."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I started these pills because of a very irregular period, and once I started, all my periods became regular and shorter. This pill cleared up my acne as well. The second month taking it, however, I would feel nauseous, but it went away, and it also weirdly increased my sex drive. I did gain a little bit of weight in my stomach, and my boobs grew 2 cup sizes larger. Overall, this pill works for me and helped with my period, and I would recommend it, although it works differently for everyone."

• 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."

• Bar...
• October 5, 2017

For Birth Control "My daughter was switched from Azurette (no side effects) to Viorelle, by the pharmacy. She's miserable. Periods are still unstable, the breakouts have stopped, but that's the only plus! Her periods last forever, she's always exhausted, looks like a zombie half the time, got sick with a cough and took a month to kick it, has no energy, no strength, gaining weight, horrible headaches and period cramps. After reading the other problems ladies have had with this pill, she will be stopping it! Thanks, ladies, for coming on here to tell your stories!"

• Ryl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Viorele for 4 months. At first, all was great. But then I started having severe side effects. First was painful, cystic hormonal acne, and I’ve never struggled with acne. Then, slow sex drive, like zero, which has impacted my relationship with my partner. I noticed I was having severe PMS, depression, anxiety a week before my period. Now it’s turned into full-blown panic attacks, which I’ve never experienced before, and it’s scary. I feel fatigued, depressed, anxious, dizzy, and weak all the time. I do not feel like myself, and it’s really impacted my life. I also gained 15 pounds, even though I eat pretty healthy and work out. I would NOT recommend this BC. It’s horrible. I can’t believe it’s even on the market. Beware!"

• Lul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Viorele for almost a year now, and I can definitely say that it helps you be protected from pregnancy as long as you take the pill every day and almost at the same time. Sometimes I even take it 10 or 30 minutes before my actual time. But when it comes to weight gain, I know some ladies would worry about gaining weight too, and this pill always made me hungry. I don’t know if it’s just my body, but it makes me hungry. I’ve been going to the gym for 7 months, and this pill makes it so hard for me to lose weight even if I tried eating less. There’s no change at all! Anything doesn’t work, even ACV gummies or anything that can suppress my appetite, it still makes me hungry. To all ladies that work out and want to lose weight, consult with your doctor about the pill you can use. If you don’t mind always feeling hungry, then I suggest this."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2021

For Birth Control "My GYN prescribed this for endo. Experienced depression, irritability, significant hair loss, acne (never had before), dry skin, and weight gain. Had breakthrough bleeding after about 2 months, then extremely heavy bleeding (two ultra tampons soaked in minutes at times) for ten days with a tennis ball-size clot around day 3. GYN at that point said to stop taking and prescribed meds to stop the bleeding. The worst one yet."

• Sel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 3-4 months now. I don’t have any side effects. No weight gain, nausea, low sex drive, nothing. I was really nervous to start taking these pills at first, but I literally feel no change from before I started taking them to now. No complaints."

• Suz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 24, 2020

For Birth Control "Back in 2017, I was switched to Viorele because Walgreens said my insurance no longer covered Azurette. I kept complaining to my OBGYN about the massive migraine I would get monthly before my period. I literally felt like my brain was on fire, and I was getting stabbed in the head. This would last into the next day, and nothing would help me. I’ve gained weight from then until now, about 60 lbs. After all of this time, I finally figured out that my OB was indeed sending an Rx for Azurette, and Walgreens was too lazy to order it after being on it for 5 years prior. They were just replacing it with Viorele. I raised a complaint and have been back on Azurette for a month now. The irritability is almost gone, depression is leaving, weight is slowly going back down. This is by far the worst BC out there!"

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking Viorele since March 2018. Before that, I spent 3 months on Blisovi Fe, which was horrible (recurring BV and experienced anhedonia the whole time). I switched to Viorele, and it was awesome. I gained weight (from 125 to 140, but I should weigh 135-140 anyways), my moods are better. I take it to manage my ADHD in tandem with stimulants since unmanaged periods can worsen symptoms. I have occasional long-lasting breast aches and bloating after eating. I've been considering switching again because it takes 2-3 days for my period to come, then it lasts 7 days, and I won't start a new pack until I'm totally done (because every other time I tried while actively menstruating, I then spotted for the entire pill cycle, and I use it as an extended cycle of 9 weeks!). The last 4 months, I've also been more prone to crying or being enraged, like 'I read a sad story and I burst into tears.' Since I take the pill to manage my emotions, this isn't really the desired result."

• Aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Viorele for two weeks and one day, and I've already gained a noticeable amount of weight. That is not the part about this BC, though. Recently, I've noticed I'm also losing hair and eyelashes in clumps. Definitely stopping this ASAP."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2022

For Birth Control "It hasn’t even been a full month I’ve been on Viorele, I gained 5 lbs, breasts went up like 2 sizes, and cramped the whole month. Everyone has a different experience, but I stopped taking it today. It had me feeling like a pregnant woman."