Gianvi and Headaches: What Users Say

• TEA...
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Gianvi for about 3 months now, and honestly, at first, I was very worried about side effects and very nervous as to what would happen to my body, but it’s the best decision I ever made! Within the first week of starting the pill, I was nauseous almost every day (I take my pill at 9:00 pm). Every now and then, I’ll get a bit nauseous, but it is tolerable. I did not gain/lose any weight and do not bleed (nor haven’t bled) any other time than when I menstruate within the first three days of starting the placebo pills. The only significant complaint I have is frequent headaches. I have a headache at some point throughout the day almost every day, some last hours and others, minutes. Again, they are uncomfortable but tolerable, and if they are very bad, I’ll take some OTC pain relief drugs. I am happy having peace of mind and no more pregnancy scares! Also, my periods have shortened, lightened, and are much less painful ever since I started taking Gianvi, which is great."

• DDa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2019

For Acne "Prior to the Gianvi birth control pill, I was taking Zarah, and it was a godsend. No issues at all with Zarah birth control until Walgreens pharmacy stopped carrying it. I've tried a bunch of other generics, but I feel like Gianvi is my best bet. I don't get headaches or extremely dry during intimacy. My skin is pretty flawless except for these tiny bumps on my chin- a lot of them too. I never had this issue before, and they're not closed comedones or cysts. If I try to pop them, they come out like hard seeds. Even with a chemical exfoliant like BHA, it's hard for these to leave my chin."

• Mis...
• April 3, 2011

For Acne "Took Yaz for 3 years and loved it. Have been using Gianvi for 6 months and have not noticed any difference at all. I skip all inert pills and start a new pack and did the same thing with Yaz. Without doing so, I get bad headaches. No breakthrough bleeding. No increased acne issues."

• Anonymous
• August 30, 2010

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was given this generic by my pharmacy, who did not inform me that it was a generic that my insurance company told them to give me even though the doctor has specifically prescribed Yaz to treat my PMDD symptoms. My main PMDD symptom was menstrual migraines. After about 2 weeks of being on Gianvi, I was suffering from constant headaches that got progressively worse until my doctor told me to stop taking it. In addition to this side effect, I suffered from persistent muscle spasms and extreme changes in appetite."

• gir...
• May 19, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Gianvi for over a year now, and I love it. I lost some weight, but with that, my breasts also got a bit smaller. The headaches I was getting on my previous birth control are completely gone, and I get my period for 2 days, and it's extremely light, compared to my 2-week long extremely heavy period. On my previous birth control, I gained some weight, my breasts got huge, and I got terrible headaches, but none of that with Gianvi. I know a lot of people have terrible side effects, but honestly, I love Gianvi. (I was previously on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo.)"

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2019

For Acne "I started taking this because I would get one or two cystic pimples near the time of my period that would lead to bad scarring. I figured I would give Gianvi a try since it is known for treating hormonal acne. I have only been on it for two months. Although I have read that it can take at least three months or longer to fully adjust, I am going to stop taking it. I’ve tried a few different birth control pills before, but this one has been the worst for me. I have experienced irregular bleeding, bad headaches that can last days at a time, weight gain, and the worst acne I’ve ever had in my life. All of these symptoms have made me depressed. Maybe I should’ve waited another month to see, but it wasn’t worth it to me. Everyone reacts differently, so you have to try it out for yourself. I’ve read that some girls had their skin clear up in two weeks. Sadly, I did not have a positive experience on this birth control."

• Hao...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2013

For Acne "This is the first oral birth control I have tried, and I enjoy it. I have been on it for almost 3 months now. The first month I had some side effects: I had mild nausea, headaches, and super cravings for salty and sweet foods. I started taking this birth control to clear up my acne, I didn't see a difference until after the first pack. I notice a huge difference now, and my face is a lot more clear, but not all the way yet, but it takes time for your body to adjust. My periods have been lighter, and I don't get as bad of cramps. Recently, I have been feeling extra moody and tired, though, which I do not like, but I will wait it out and let my body adjust. Overall, I like it."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2013

For Birth Control "My gynecologist put me on Gianvi for my skin. I was so excited to have a pill that would focus mainly on my skin problem that I have been having for years. I didn't see any difference in the change of my skin. And the worst part was my mood swings. It caused major problems with my boyfriend and me fighting all the time and him seeing the change in me. It also made me feel super depressed all the time, with headaches almost every other day. After two months on this pill, I couldn't wait to switch. Now I'm on Generess Fe and couldn't be happier. Stay away!"

• let...
• September 5, 2017

For Acne "I've been using Gianvi for 7 months now, and my skin is clear. I didn't have acne before, but the usual breakouts here and there. I do get extremely irritable the last week of pills, but I guess that's expected. Other than that, no complaints besides the usual headaches, like twice a month."

• mid...
• December 2, 2012

For Birth Control "Hard to tell I'm even on birth control! After several pills in the past made me an acne-covered, fat crazy maniac, I swore off pills for 7 yrs. Gianvi is my first and only one! Only on the 2nd pack, but my horribly painful, heavy period is already so much better! Hardly any cramps, no bloating, and much lighter flow. No acne, no emotional issues, I actually seem calmer! Breasts have gotten a little bigger, but no tenderness since the first week. Side effects I experienced the first week or so were headaches, breast tenderness, and very tired. I almost stopped taking it, and I'm so glad I didn't because it passed, and now I have no complaints! You just don't know until you try!"

• Mag...
• June 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I had headaches for a few months, but my body got pretty used to it. Periods were like clockwork - 2 days sometimes only lasted even 1, but last year I started getting random spotting. I told my doc I wanted to try something new as there are so many options, and the random spotting wasn't making my husband happy. So she prescribed me Lo Loestrin. WORST MISTAKE EVER. First month on Lo Loestrin, I didn't get my period (thought I was pregnant). Second month got it twice, third month got it 3x. Was dizzy, sick to my stomach, constantly tired, started breaking out all over! Long story short - stayed on Lo Loestrin for 5 months. Now I'm back on Gianvi and happier than EVER!"

• xKa...
• May 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Gianvi for about 4 months now, and at first, I really enjoyed it. Now I'm feeling nauseous, my breasts are swollen and painful, and I've had a headache every other day for a month. I've also noticed a slight weight gain, and I'm moody as hell, not to mention my sex drive is gone. I'm so frustrated, I want off this pill and back on my old one, Ocella. I'm calling my doctor and demanding to switch back so I can stop being a monster and enjoy my sex life with my fiancé again."

• Hap...
• July 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I LOVE Gianvi. I used this for birth control and for PMDD. I've had ZERO moodiness, very little PMS symptoms, and very light periods. I've been taking Gianvi for 4+ years and can't say enough great things about it. My local pharmacy recently switched to a different brand (same hormone combo) of this birth control, and I felt horrible: headaches, mood swings, stomach aches. Please be sure you are getting Gianvi and not a different name brand."

• 454...
• April 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I just finished my second month of Gianvi, and it will be my last. CONS: Constant bleeding, gained weight, horrible headaches, and mood swings that make me feel crazy. PRO: No pregnancy, on-time period, went from a B to a C cup, no change in skin."

• Anonymous
• December 26, 2011

"Month 4 of these pills... day 14 of bleeding... day 3 of a constant headache... increasing stomach issues. Experienced horrible nausea and increased appetite that subsided after 3 months, but now experiencing new side effects."

• Kat...
• May 21, 2018

For Birth Control "Gianvi has been a disaster. I was so excited to take it as I needed a birth control method and also have adult acne and PCOS, and it's supposed to be good for that. After the very first pill, I felt very bad, with heavy fatigue, nausea, and headaches. I thought I had a stomach bug and just needed a day to rest. Then I started having panic attacks and severe depression. I had to leave work, it was so terrible. Over the next 7 days, the nausea and headaches persisted, and I alternated between periods of panic, anxiety, severe anger, and sadness. One day I sobbed the entire day for absolutely no reason. It ruined my sex drive. I couldn't get wet enough to have sex at all. I have run 25 miles per week for two years and never missed a week, but for the 7 days I was on Yaz, I couldn't run because I was so exhausted. Even doing the dishes or taking a shower was too exhausting. My acne got a lot worse. This drug is dangerous!"

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I am 25 years old. Not on birth control 2 years prior to taking this med. I just finished my 3rd month, and every day I have migraines, headaches, and become dizzy for most of the day. I am switching. On the other hand, I used to feel nauseous around my ovulation, this med fixed that. No weight gain. Acne diminished. But the migraines get in the way of school and work."

• lov...
• June 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I first started taking birth control around age 15. When I first took Gianvi, I experienced nausea, headaches, and dizziness. I was on it for about 5 months, then I decided to stop. Around the age of 17, I decided to get back on the pill. This time, I was prescribed Lo Loestrin Fe. WORST MISTAKE EVER! So I told my doctor to switch me back to Gianvi because I was familiar with it. The second time around, I LOVED it! My periods were back to normal, no more mood swings, and my appetite was back to normal. And as for the symptoms, I just eat before I take the pill, and it makes me feel better! I would recommend this to anyone!"

• NBD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking Gianvi for almost two months. I've had spotting for weeks on end, sometimes an odd pain in my chest, frequent headaches and nausea, vision changes in my right eye, and my mood is often really low. I already have anxiety issues, and this has magnified them too. I found it helpful to read that others have had some of these odd symptoms too."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2010

"I have been on Gianvi for four months. I've been on birth control since I was fourteen (I am now 19) for irregular periods, and with Gianvi, I didn't have any periods. I was okay for the first couple of months, but now, at the fourth month, I have no periods, migraines all day, every day, spotting instead of a period, sharp cramps during the time when my period was supposed to come. I am unable to wear my contacts now (they hurt so bad and end up giving me a headache if I force myself to wear them, even with brand new pairs). It is pretty effective when it comes to preventing pregnancy because I did miss a few pills, but in the past, with other brands, I'd miss pills and never have any side effects. Now on NuvaRing."

• tee...
• September 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I just recently started taking Gianvi for about a week now, and I already feel some of the side effects. I'm in and out of sleep and feel nauseous in the mornings. I got my first headache and have little cramps in my lower abdomen. I don't really have a lot of bad things to say about Gianvi since I just started a week ago, but I'm hoping these side effects will go away soon."

• ann...
• December 21, 2017

For Birth Control "Now I’ve shared on this pill before, but I’ve been on it for almost a year and a half now. Even though it sucks, stick it out for AT LEAST 4 months. Yeah, the beginning sucks, you’re spotting, acne gets worse, moody. However, I’ve had the best skin of my last year. I also went from 127 to 119 pounds, but my boobs got slightly larger (win-win, am I right?). I thought it was giving me bad headaches, but in reality, it’s mostly from dehydration. While my anxiety is still bad on the pill, a lot of it is probably natural. CONS: ~can be slightly moody and have bad anxiety some days ~some months I begin my period A WEEK early before the placebo pills (usually due to stress) PROS: ~no pregnancy ~clear skin ~lost about 10 pounds."

• Per...
• October 10, 2018

For Birth Control "I really liked Gianvi. I'm a little upset about the one side effect that's making me cease using it: extreme hair loss. Gained a little weight, and my breasts are bigger, but I recently noticed bald spots on my scalp. I started using Rogaine 4 weeks ago, but it's too soon to notice a change. And last night, I noticed a new balding area. It is quite upsetting. Other than that, I get headaches often and have 7-day long periods. Apparently, desogestrel birth controls are 'hair-friendly pills.' I may have to pair that up with a testosterone blocker, like spironolactone, which can be additionally beneficial for those who have experienced hormonal hair."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2012

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me to Gianvi a little over a year ago from Yaz. I had no negative side effects on Yaz (it was also the first birth control I've ever taken). Since switching to Gianvi, I get severe headaches that last 1-2 days a week before my period starts, which force me to sleep in bed all day. My periods also start early, late, and trail on for a few days after they're usually supposed to end. My acne cleared up at first, but recently it's only my acne medication, Benza-Clin, that clears up my face. (Yaz did the opposite of everything Gianvi does, despite it being the 'generic' equivalent). I'm switching to a new birth control this week. I'm going to try Beyaz."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2018

For Birth Control "My doctor prescribed me Gianvi to help my debilitating cramps and terrible heavy bleeding. My cramps would make me puke, I couldn’t even talk or get up. And I would bleed through if I didn’t change my tampon after 20 minutes. But after being on this pill, it has drastically helped my bleeding, and my cramps are still kinda bad but definitely not as bad as they used to be. But I have to say that this gave me terrible nausea and bad headaches. My pimples cleared up as well. The only con for me is the nausea and headaches, but it did its job."