Nikki and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• hol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I started taking Nikki mainly for my PMDD. I used to get it so bad the 2 weeks leading up to my period-extreme anxiety about everything, panic attacks, zero energy or motivation, suicidal ideation, and even attempts. I was seriously considering dropping out of university and getting my uterus removed before finally getting prescribed Nikki! It took around 4 months to really notice any difference, but I’ve been on it for about a year now and my mental health has never been better! I feel like a normal person now. Also, I used to have cystic acne (even Accutane didn’t clear it up), but Nikki has made my skin amazing. I haven’t noticed much weight gain or hair loss either. I also skip the placebo pills, so I don’t get my period, and it works perfectly for that."

• Cja...
• April 9, 2021

For Acne "I’ve been on Nikki for 6 1/2 months now. Don’t get discouraged if you read about someone having bad side effects after being on the pill for a week, give the pill time to adjust to your body first. I’ve always been acne-prone, but in Fall of 2020, I started getting severe cystic acne along my neck, jawline, and cheeks. The cysts on my neck were new, so I knew something was wrong internally and did some research and tried Nikki. I didn’t experience any nausea, mood swings, or weight gain :) The first 2 months, I saw no change in my skin. By the end of month 3, I started seeing improvements, and the cysts on my neck were gone. The amount I was breaking out was less, but I was nowhere near clear in month 3 like a lot of people reported. Now I’m 1 week into month 7 and I don’t have 1 bump on my face! I still don’t feel I can say I have CLEAR skin yet because I have a lot of work that needs to be done with scarring and hyperpigmentation, however, I feel healthier, and my face is smooth!"

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I've taken Yaz since 2006, and I had body issues. They switched to Gianvi, and still no issues. Now they switched to Nikki, and I've gained 10+ pounds in 2 months! I feel so bloated and crappy. I also have migraines. I've asked the pharmacy about it because I thought I was losing my mind and found out many others are having the same problem."

• mac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 11, 2019

For Acne "I have been on Nikki for about 10 months. I switched from Sprintec because that was making me moody and depressed. I used to suffer with cystic acne, and this cleared my acne miraculously, as well as my moodiness. However, I'm worried it made me gain weight. Has that happened to anyone else?"

• Ken...
• November 9, 2019

For Acne "I have been on this birth control for a little over a month. It has cleared up my acne a lot. If I forget to take a pill that night, I take it right away the next morning, and I don't have any breakthrough bleeding. I feel like my moods have calmed down a little, but I do get upset kind of easily after starting this pill. I also have noticed barely any weight gain, but my breasts became fuller after starting this pill."

• KBa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2018

For Birth Control "If I could give this a zero and wipe the pill off the earth forever, I would. I was on Yaz until March, I had an issue with my insurance and got switched to Nikki. I already have anxiety and depression, all of which were completely under control at the time I switched to Nikki. The first few months were fine with no side effects. About six months ago, my attitude took an insane turn, my anxiety and depression had reached levels I could not handle anymore. I kept putting it off, thinking I was finally just at my breaking point. And now, exactly one and a half months ago, I have not stopped bleeding/spotting. Seriously, not even for one day has it stopped. The past six months I've gained nearly 10 pounds because I can not stop eating, the hunger cravings will not go away. I finally looked up all the reviews I possibly could and I'm now seeing how many people are saying the same thing happened to them."

• Ril...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2015

"I hate this birth control. I was originally taking Gianvi, which I absolutely loved because I didn't gain ANY weight. My acne cleared up, and I stayed slim. For some reason, my pharmacy switched me to Nikki, and in 2 months, I went from 121 to 143. I am 5'4" and I lift weights 5 days a week. I used to be defined/toned, and now I'm so bloated all the time I look fluffy and bulky. I do NOT like this birth control, and my skin does not like it either!! :("

• ANA...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking Nikki for a couple of months now, and it helped my acne so well. I have taken Sprintec and Ortho Tri-Cyclen before, and none helped. Also, it has only 4 days of sugar pills, thus shorter, lighter, and painless periods. I love it! I sometimes skip those days to keep my skin clear because I tend to break out during period days. I also had very bad side effects with other pills, such as headaches, weight gain, etc. I haven't had any of these with Nikki."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "So I am ending my 3rd month of Nikki, and unfortunately I have gained about 10 pounds in the last 2 months. I’m very sensitive to hormone shifts, having PMDD for years, but really, since taking Nikki, I don’t feel any better. I know it can take months for the body to adjust, but I don’t know if I can stick this out any longer. The first 2 months I was nauseous almost every day, now my bloating is out of control, my stomach is always distended and worse right before my period starts. For the past two days I’ve had 2 people ask me if I was pregnant :(( I’m really over it. The only positive is my period went from 6-7 days to 3/4 with moderate bleeding. I still cramp 1-2 weeks before my period starts. It could work for you, but it just isn’t worth it for me at this point. I’m sad about it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I’m giving this a two only because it was prescribed to me for my debilitating cramps that caused me to call out of work because I was unable to move from my pain (my boyfriend had to carry me to the bathroom type unable to move), and the pain was almost gone aside from an occasional cramp that would leave me winded. For me, however, the side effects of this birth control were not worth it. While Nikki is supposed to make your period light/stop completely (stop completely was the goal for me), Nikki made my periods LONGER, my last month using it, my period lasted for 9 days, along with spotting, which I never experienced before using Nikki. I also became a lot more depressed and anxious, and the weight gain was horrible as I gained about 20 more pounds. If any of this is relatable, PLEASE reach out to your doctor rather than just waiting it out like I did."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been on Nikki for over a year, and I am excited to be going off of it at the end of this month. I have gained 20+ pounds and have had no luck losing weight with diet and exercise. I live a very healthy lifestyle, the weight gain does not make sense to me. I have also had severe issues with libido, so low, almost non-existent. This is not natural for me. I often feel bloated, even when I change my diet to reduce inflammation. I do have healthy skin and hair, but I also don't know if there's a connection with Nikki or not."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2018

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me over from Gianvi to Nikki. Since taking Nikki, which has been for about 4 months now, my once clear skin has become a playground for acne. Not only is my skin a problem, but my periods, my horrible cramps have come back, and I never know when it's coming. One of the main reasons for being on birth control is to regulate my cycle and also help with my PMDD. I plan things around when my cycle will be, and with this I have had to miss wax appointments because my period just shows up randomly. Can't forget to add the headaches, nausea, weight gain, blurred vision, and the biggest problem being mood swings and aggression it has caused me. I have found myself becoming increasingly aggressive, and that's not me. Thank goodness I went and saw my doctor last week, and I have now been switched back to Gianvi. I can't wait to feel back to normal again."

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 23, 2018

For Acne "I was on Gianvi for years, and my skin was like glass. I was thin, no mental issues, etc., and had no problems until my pharmacy randomly switched me to Nikki. I've since gained 10 pounds on my 5'5" frame. None of my pants fit. My super thick hair has been falling out like crazy. My cystic acne is back. My mood swings are back. My cramps are back, and my periods are heavy. What is this pill? Stay away!"

• iha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2022

For Birth Control "If you are slim and petite, this is not the drug for you. This drug completely ruined the way I see myself; it made me extremely depressed, gain up to seven pounds in one week, anxious, interrupted my ability to focus, and destroyed my self-confidence. The only plus side is that it keeps your skin clear. The nature of Nikki is not a diuretic; therefore, you do not lose any water weight. While still eating the regular amount of food I consume, I still gained weight from the shift from a different drug. I 100% do not recommend this to anyone and wish I never took it."

• Lim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I first started this pill 6 months ago. It cleared up my acne very quickly. However, continuing the pill, I became very moody and anxious about everything. I have also experienced some weight gain and major cravings, and while I am very active, I found it hard to resist cravings and work out more. I have become very tired, pissed off, and unmotivated. I am in high school, and there is no reason for me to feel any of these symptoms, but it has messed with my hormones terribly. Before BC, I would have up to 5-day-long light periods. Now, I bleed up to a week and a half, heavier than before also. I do not recommend; the only positive factor is clear skin (and not getting pregnant, I guess)."

• MCR...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2022

For Birth Control "This pill was fine at first, but it gave me so much anxiety after about a month. I don’t recommend this to anyone anymore. My depression has become so bad, and the weight gain is out of control. I’ve never had this experience with birth control, so I don’t recommend this to anyone that’s suffering with anxiety already. It is effective in the sense that it will prevent pregnancy, but the effects are ridiculous, so please be safe if you use this!"

• pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2019

For Acne "CVS changed me to this in August, and ever since, I've been gaining weight rapidly with no change to my lifestyle or daily routine. I'm at the highest weight I've ever been in my life. As a former athlete who still remains pretty active, it's been incredibly frustrating for me. I switched to Walgreens so I could get my Loryna back - a drug that caused me basically no side effects."

• Ste...
• November 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I’d been taking Gianvi for years without any issues, then my pharmacy randomly switched me to Nikki. I’ve been using it for the last 2 months, and since I’ve started using it, I’ve had frequent migraines, mood swings, acne, and weight gain. None of these occurred while taking Gianvi."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Nikki since January. Throughout my time on Nikki, I’ve had my period 3 weeks out of the month, gained 15 pounds, and have had more anxiety than I’ve ever had. I have to take my birth control within the same hour every day or else I get my period. I’m not sure if this is normal or not. It’s been 5 months and I’ve had no change. On the other hand, my skin has been clearer than ever before."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2023

For Birth Control "Nikki was great for my acne. My skin was super clear after struggling with cystic acne for years! My period, however, was constantly late and irregular, and my cramps were the worst they’ve ever been. I gained a lot of weight on it too. Didn’t get pregnant, though, so that’s good! Overall, you just have to try it and see if it works for you. I am choosing to move on to a different pill, but am happy with the cleared acne it gave me."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I just wanted to post this for the ladies who are taking Loryna, and your pharmacy now keeps giving you Nikki. Switch pharmacies and save yourself the time and heartache. I took Nikki for two months and just switched to Walgreens to get Loryna back. My hormonal acne came back, cramps, and I gained weight! I was using it for birth control, but if it’s going to make me a chunky, acne-covered psycho, I don’t think having sex will be an issue. Stick with your Yaz/Loryna, girl!"

• the...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2019

For Birth Control "So before I was on Cyred EQ for 4 months. I switched to Nikki because of my cramps. So I noticed my breasts got bigger, I gained 4 pounds in one month, my appetite is just, oh my gosh, I get hungry all the time. I have horrible mood swings. I watched the Grinch movie that just came out, and I was sobbing because the Grinch was being nice to his dog - I'm serious. This birth control is horrible, it didn't help my acne, I noticed more when I got on Nikki. I feel so heavy. I'm switching to Yaz."

• bk ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2022

For Birth Control "I have a mostly love/tiny bit of dislike relationship with Nikki. I took it for 6 months, and my acne was not only cleared, but my skin was GLOWING. After 6 months, though, I realized my libido wasn't quite what it used to be, so I stopped taking it. After a few weeks, libido was back to normal, BUT I had started gaining weight, and my acne came back with a vengeance. I just started taking it again after a few months off, and I'm glad I did. Going to try to balance my libido with some supplements instead. Previously, I've been on Reclipsen (which I loved, zero side effects) until they stopped manufacturing it. Then, I had a Paragard for many years, but my body kept forcing it out (too big). Everyone's different, of course! Just my experience."

• BHa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2018

For Birth Control "Ever since starting birth control, I have used Gianvi. I recently switched pharmacies, and the new pharmacy gave me Nikki instead of Gianvi (the new pharmacy is not eligible for Gianvi). After the first week of using it, I have already experienced: - headaches throughout the day - depression/mood swings - weight gain - inability to concentrate/focus - fatigue. I am only on day 6 of this and have already called to switch back to my previous pharmacy so I can get Gianvi again."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2019

For Birth Control "Took Gianvi for years to regulate period, for acne and migraines, and it always worked great. Then the pharmacy switched to Nikki, and only 10 days in, I think it is a horrible medication, I've become anxious, moody, have weight gain, acne, and insomnia - it is horrible. Don't take this med."