Gianvi and Nausea: What Users Say

• Sop...
• April 23, 2019

For Birth Control "This was one of the worst experiences of my life. Women who have a history of anxiety and depression should be warned not to take the Gianvi contraceptive pill. It made me have horrifying panic attacks and an episode of depression. I felt very drowsy, constantly nauseous, and fatigued. I am not on any other type of medication and have a very active, healthy lifestyle. This pill was like poison for the whole body. I am so angry I wasn’t warned about all these very serious side effects."

• Mic...
• May 1, 2013

For Acne "I have never been on any pill. My acne was getting really severe, so my doctor suggested Tri-Cyclen Lo. The first two months on Tri-Cyclen Lo made me get cystic breakouts, and I was miserable. I finally switched my birth control to Gianvi, this has been the best alternative to cleaning my skin. I haven't had any negative side effects, and my skin is finally clear! The only downside is the increase in appetite. I haven't gained any weight, I live a healthy lifestyle-eat clean and work out regularly. But I'm constantly hungry! Besides that, my skin looks its best that it has in years! Now I only need to get rid of my blemishes. I would highly recommend Gianvi, your period is light, and you don't experience nausea or mood swings."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2010

For Birth Control "In my third month of taking Gianvi, I have had major mood swings, depression, anxiety, and changes in appetite varying from nausea to overeating. I have not felt like this before with any other birth control. A little with Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, but I don't think it is as bad as this. I feel like I'm at constant war with myself to keep my emotions and my feelings in line. I'm not usually an emotional person, so all these feelings are very overwhelming and frustrating. I have an appointment in a week to go to Planned Parenthood and ask for a different kind of birth control. I've decided to stop taking it today. It does work, however, I have not gotten pregnant."

• dod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I took Gianvi for 3 months, and I loved it. I lost weight (about 10 lbs) even though I was eating a lot of fast food and crap. My mood improved, I felt more motivated, and despite having some spotting a couple of days before starting my period, it did make my periods lighter and shorter with virtually no cramps. After three months, my insurance switched me to Loryna, which has been a nightmare. I've been on that for a month and had such horrible nausea constantly and was sick to the point of throwing up on several occasions and even threw my pill up once and had to take Plan B! It was a dreadful experience, and I'm going back on Gianvi today. Couldn't be happier! Give Gianvi a try, it's been awesome for me."

• TSa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was on Nikki for about 4 months for PMDD. According to my doc, it should've been working by the 3-4 month range. And while it took my period away (yet added spotting) and lowered some symptoms, it really only took away any predictability of my cycle. Instead of knowing exactly when to expect my downturn, I would wake up each day wondering if it would be a good day or a bad day filled with thoughts of suicide, nausea, and panic attacks. When my 4 packs of Nikki were done, I requested Gianvi. I've only been on it a week, but I've noticed significant improvement. My breasts are still VERY tender/swollen, and my acne's still flaring, but I've actually been able to play with my daughter and enjoy it. I've been able to handle my high-anxiety dog without losing my mind. It's not perfect, but to not have the Jekyll/Hyde complex that is PMDD, even for just a week, has been amazing. I definitely intend on continuing with Gianvi for a while. Hopefully it continues improving my quality of life."

• 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."

• 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."

• Sad...
• January 26, 2012

For Birth Control "When first taking this medicine, I was a bit nervous after having read so many negative reviews. Needless to say, this birth control has actually worked beautifully for me so far, and I am going into month three of taking it. I did experience severe nausea twice, once in the first month and again in the second. But other than that, no significant changes in my skin, weight, menstrual cycle, etc. My breasts increased in size only slightly. I will say, however, that the most surprising side effect was an increased sex drive, as I had assumed that my libido would take a dive after starting birth control in general."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking Gianvi for about a year now. The first three months I felt fine, once in a blue moon, I would experience nausea. But after the first three months, my body was completely used to it. It was the first birth control I've ever taken. My gyno recommended it to me because she herself had been taking it for 12 years. So I trusted her opinion completely, and I'm glad I did. While taking Gianvi, I gained 6 pounds. I needed it though, and it all went to my breasts and bottom. I have grown a full cup size, and my bottom looks good. Nothing went to my waist or face. My sex drive has severely gone down though, and I cry at the drop of a dime. Both developed after taking this, but I'm willing to work on these things for myself."

• SW1...
• April 5, 2012

For Birth Control "I started Gianvi because my Yaz switched to the generic. I did notice a larger growth in my breasts (nice) with an overall weight gain in 3 months of about 6 lbs (not so nice). I had nausea in the morning-I have never had that before and now dread what morning sickness must feel like. I also broke out like a teenager with cyst-type acne along my jawline, which after 3 months is just about clearing up with leftover spot marks. I did notice that I got yeast infections and an increased pH level within days after I had sex (which I never had on Yaz or Yasmin). I did not notice any bad mood."

• mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

For Acne "I started taking the Gianvi birth control to help with irregular bleeding and, most importantly, with hormonal acne. I haven't stopped spotting since starting the pill a week ago. It also makes me feel so nauseous and fatigued! Haven't noticed a difference in my skin yet. I really want to stop taking the pill because the nausea is horrible, and I overall feel like poop. I will finish the pack and see how I feel over the next couple of weeks. If the nausea, spotting, fatigue, and skin don't improve... then I will stop taking it. These symptoms are not worth it for me."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Gianvi for three full months now. It took a while for my body to adjust to it. For the first month, I felt really nauseous, almost like morning sickness. Food didn't sound very good. I had been on Yaz in the past and really liked it. My insurance told me to try Gianvi since it was cheaper. I have to say that I could tell my body didn't like it much at the beginning. I feel like I've leveled out now. I'm glad I stuck with it, but it wasn't much fun being sick to my stomach a lot. I have a thyroid condition as well, so I can't say for sure that it was Gianvi or my thyroid issues making me tired as well. I would have stopped taking Gianvi in my third month if these issues didn't subside."

• 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!"

• Mad...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on Gianvi for 7 years now. It has prevented pregnancy, which is the main point of taking it. I can't remember having any issues with nausea when I first started taking it, but I usually take it with food. My periods are normal, I wouldn't say lighter on this pill. I still get cramps and moodiness, and it definitely kills my sex drive. One odd fact about this pill is that since I've been taking this brand, I developed IBS. I've actually seen research studies that link IBS to Yaz and its generic counterparts. I'm finishing out my last pill pack of Gianvi and switching to something else to see if the IBS diminishes. I wouldn't say Gianvi has been terrible, but I think I could feel better on something else."

• 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!"

• Ano...
• March 23, 2019

For Birth Control "This is one of the worst birth controls I've used. Before this, I was on Loryna, and it was perfect. Even Nikki was okay, the only side effect being extreme nausea. This one doesn't give me mental issues, although I've never had a birth control that has. BUT the big negative on this is it not only kills my libido, but it also makes me dry, and for some reason I'm not able to fully stretch out when having sex and keep getting tears. It is both frustrating and painful, and my partner is extra cautious and considerate, and it's so frustrating to have this problem. I know it's this BC because I went off of it for 2 months, and sex became great again. As soon as I got back on, boom, problems came back. Never had this issue with Loryna or Nikki, and I am furious. I've been trying to get Loryna, but the pharmacy is out, and they gave me another generic instead, so I'm hoping this new one isn't as bad as Gianvi. Even though the active ingredients are the same in all these pills, the inactive ones seem to either make or break it for different women."

• hur...
• July 26, 2015

For Acne "I am 14 years old, and I am taking this pill for several reasons: acne, bad menstrual cramps, and heavy periods. So far, it has cleared up my acne way faster than anything else I've tried, but I am on two other pills for acne as well, so it could be the combined effects. It hasn't had much of an effect on my period itself, but the cramps are way less. The downside to this medication is that it makes me feel really nauseous. I've tried taking the pill with a meal or a snack, but nothing helps. This pill makes me vomit if I eat more than a few bites at once. The pill made my breasts grow up a size (which is weird considering the weight loss from not being able to eat). If you're just looking for birth control, look elsewhere."

• 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."

• ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this BC pill to regulate my period and then used it as a birth control option. I always use a condom too, so I can't give an honest opinion on how well it worked in that department. My shoulders and back had some mild acne, but it's all cleared up by now, and I've been on the pill for 6 months. My face still gets the occasional bump or two, but nothing nearly as bad. My body synced up to the pill, and my period is light and only 3 days long. The worst side effects are nausea and the mood swings. I cry a lot easier now and seem irritable. The spotting stopped within the first two months of taking the pill."

• hev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 8, 2015

For Acne "I got on it for cystic acne. It really did a great job for my skin with only a couple of pimples around my period. It helped with periods. I rarely had any cramps, and my period lasted about 3 days using only lite tampons. It had a lot of downfalls, though, that included hair loss, migraine headaches, spotting all month long, and terrible nausea a couple of times a month."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2013

"This was the first birth control I've ever tried, and I have been on it for about 10 months. Overall, it's been a positive experience. Before I went on birth control, I had a heavy period for 7-8 days, awful cramps, and extreme nausea. Sometimes I even threw up because the cramps and nausea were so bad. Being on this pill has lightened and shortened my period to 3 days and completely eliminated my cramps. I know exactly when to expect my period every month. I do notice that I've gotten a little more emotional and grouchy sometimes, but there are other things that could've contributed to that, so I don't want to put much blame on my birth control since my mood change is so slight, it hasn't completely affected my life in such a negative way."

• Gul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been using Gianvi for the past two months. I have started to get horrible migraines, chest pain, nauseous, and anxiety. However, my acne has been in control. I am planning on getting off this medication because the migraines are unbearable."

• Lex...
• July 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Nikki birth control pill for 8 months, and then I got switched to Gianvi, now I have been on Gianvi for 4 months. I honestly like it. When I was on Nikki, I got really bad acne, and since I've been on Gianvi, I only get a few pimples once a month. I got my period with Nikki even if I didn't take the white pills, but with Gianvi, I haven't gotten mine in 3 months. IDK if it's because I've been on the pill for a year or this one just affects it more, but I am liking it. I was on the implant for 8 months before Nikki, and I got such bad side effects from it. I've never had acne before except maybe 1 pimple during that time of the month, and I had it so bad all over my face. I bled pretty much the whole time out of the 8 months on the implant. It would stop, then start right back up again the next 2 days. I am loving Gianvi, except I get really nauseous at times, but compared to the implant and Nikki, it is great."