Zarah and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Br3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I have only been on this for a month. I am one of the several of you ladies who are going through the agonizing trial and error for the 'perfect' birth control. Zarah seemed perfectly fine when it came to controlling my mood swings and not getting me pregnant! BUT, I have gained weight, and on my period week, my flow was very heavy and crampy, plus it lasted the whole 7 days... eww, I am not used to that. I also did take note of how it affected my sex life. I still wanted sex, but noticed I had a very hard time trying to orgasm. Sorry if that's too much info, but I personally like knowing how the birth control affects my sex life. I hope some of this info helps. Don't give up, ladies!"

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2014

For Birth Control "Zarah is officially my favorite birth control I've tried. Other pills and the NuvaRing gave me very bad side effects (acne, moodiness, weight gain), but I've been taking Zarah now for almost 3 months, and I've experienced no bad side effects. It has only enhanced my life! My periods are now much shorter (3-4 days long) and lighter, my skin has been clearer than usual, and since taking Zarah, I have had absolutely no period cramps, which I used to get very badly. This pill also doesn't affect my mood or weight. When I was on NuvaRing, my emotions immediately went crazy, and I felt paranoid about everything, so I am very glad to have found something that doesn't turn me into an emotional wreck! Love Zarah, can't say a bad thing about it."

• ann...
• October 23, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good things about Zarah 28 were that it helped me not get pregnant, my acne cleared up slightly, and my boobs grew. But ever since I started the birth control, my emotions have been out of control, and I haven't felt like my true self. I gained 20 pounds, my sex drive decreased significantly, and I've felt depressed ever since. The only way to express any of my emotions anymore is to cry, and it drives me insane! I do not recommend this drug, and I have recently decided to quit the drug and not switch to a new birth control to see if I become the happy person I used to be. I will post a new review after a few months of stopping the drug and talk about results."

• ani...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 1, 2016

For Birth Control "Worse birth control ever! I had breast tenderness, vaginal dryness, 0 to none sex drive, mood swings, and weight gain. I was on this pill for 1 year before I thought it was ruining my relationship with my husband because I had no libido whatsoever and vaginal dryness. I experienced dry skin as well. My periods were long, 7-8 days / regular. I am now on a new pill, Lo Lolestrin Fe, I think it's called, and noticed a significant improvement. No breast swelling, no long periods, happier moods, not as angry or tired, and have regained my libido...I think even more than before I started taking birth control. It's amazing! Just in case someone has the same side effects as me on Zarah."

• Che...
• July 2, 2013

For Birth Control "Zarah was the 4th and final stop for me. I tried 3 other pills and had horrible side effects. I had the worst breakout of my life and rashes. I even had to change gynecologists. My new gyno, the first and only one she has ever prescribed me, was Zarah. I immediately saw results. My skin cleared up, even though I will get minor blemishes around period time. No more rashes, and periods are WAY better, they are light and barely any cramps, and they last 3-4 days tops, come like clockwork for me now. I do feel more bloating, but it's a small price to pay when there is really nothing else wrong with the pill. I would definitely recommend this pill. Possibly lightweight gain, but I think it's manageable and not extreme. Expect discharge a lot."

• Lin...
• June 25, 2014

For Birth Control "My experience on Zarah was absolutely horrible. At first, things were good. I never carried water weight, and my periods lightened up. All of a sudden, in these last couple of months, my body has been going haywire on it. Everybody swears I could be pregnant, but I'm not. I have gained 20 lbs, even though I watch my diet and stay active. My acne has not cleared up, I spot 2-3 times a week, crave spicy foods a lot, sweets make me nauseous, and I stay with headaches and constant mood swings. My OB-GYN switched me back to Safyral because I was never bloated and, in fact, lost all my excess weight. The only side effect I had was that my periods were a bit heavy the first 2 days. So my OB-GYN tried me on Zarah. I would much rather deal with heavy periods."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 17, 2012

For Birth Control "Works great for me. After two children, I use Zarah as birth control, and after endometriosis and multiple ovarian cysts, I appreciate the positive effects of this medicine. Decreases my horrid mood swings, decreases my cramps, and decreases noticeable ovarian cysts. Give it at least 1 month, you may like it. I do have a bit more weight gain with this."

• Cam...
• May 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 21, very fit and active. Although I've had two kids, I only weigh about 140, and I work out daily (4-5 days a week). I walk 3.5 miles a day and go to the gym. I began taking Zarah in hopes that it wouldn't cause weight gain, however, I have gained 5 lbs in the first week. Not to mention I cannot lose the weight no matter how hard I try! Keep in mind I also diet. I have retained so much fluid, and this medicine caused crazy mood swings and irritability. I also bled when I wasn't on my period. I stopped using Zarah about a week ago... I've lost those 5 lbs, no more mood swings, and I feel much better."

• Cri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2016

For Birth Control "Well, I've been on Zarah for about three months. I hate it. I've always been a happy person, but lately, I look in the mirror and cry all the time. I gained 15 pounds, have horrible anxiety about stupid things, and cry at the drop of a dime. It is effective in preventing pregnancy, and I have not had a low sex drive like some others. Overall, I am super displeased, and I can't wait to switch."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I never write reviews, but had to share my terrible experience so that others don't make the same mistake that I've made. I had been on Yasmin for years, my doctor suggested I switch to a generic since it's free (as opposed to $50), so I gave it a shot for a month. I have one more day on Zarah, and here are the side effects I've experienced in that time: nausea, severe moodiness, dizziness, yeast infection, swollen tongue (?!), cystic acne, loss of appetite, yet weight gain. I'm a healthy, active 31-year-old woman without any other medical issues. Avoid this pill!!"

• Bc ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2013

For Birth Control "I started taking Zarah 2 months ago. Before that, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which made me very nauseous, so I switched). When I started Zarah, I was nauseous all the time. My sense of smell was heightened tenfold to the point where I couldn't even be around my dog or the trash can without feeling sick. I couldn't and still can't eat meat, salad, or any of the healthy foods I loved eating. I feel weak and lazy all the time and like I am carrying bricks on my shoulders. I originally got on Zarah and off the IUD because my doctor said it would help my acne, but it didn't. The IUD was amazing besides not helping or even causing my acne. I also have constant headaches and eat junk food constantly and have gained 5 lbs."

• zar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I am rating Zarah a 5/10 because I did like some aspects of this med. I did not have any unnecessary bleeding during the month, which was great, my acne cleared up significantly, and my periods were very regular and not that heavy. I did gain some weight on this med, but nothing too serious, and I did have a headache when I first started this medication and on my periods. BUT I have recently stopped this med. I was EXTREMELY anxious during the time I was on this medication. I cried at least 4-5 times a week and would usually have at least one breakdown a day. Crying, chest pain, trouble breathing, couldn't focus. Just writing this so those feeling this way know they are not alone. I am feeling much better and hope I continue to get better."

• Lis...
• March 18, 2014

For Birth Control "The pharmacy made an error last month, accidentally giving me Zarah vs. my regular Vestura. I don't know what it is about this pill, but my body went haywire -- mood swings, swollen tender breasts, a few lbs. weight gain (even though I am on a strict 1500 diet that didn't change), fatigue, sensory changes (smell/taste). My partner and I were both convinced I was pregnant until my period finally came! On the plus side -- my skin looks amazing and no spotting like I get on Vestura... but these side effects are too much!"

• Jen...
• May 23, 2017

For Birth Control "Love this birth control. I was on Ocella before and had to switch due to the pharmacy not carrying Ocella. My skin is clear, with no crazy mood swings and no weight gain. My period is still 5 days, the first two days are horrible. The cramping is the same, but I don't get PMS. This birth control is great if you are battling acne and PMS. It's totally effective. I have only been on it for 4 months, and I love it."

• Ade...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst experience of an entire 4 weeks! This was the first time I took an oral contraceptive, and I regret it. I've had terrible mood swings. One minute I'm fine, then the next I'm arguing and angry with everyone and everything. I've also gained weight. Sex life hasn't been disrupted, however, being deeply depressed ruins it anyways. I'm usually happy and alert, however, on Zarah, I've been tired and sleepy. Can't wait to finally stop this and try another brand."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this particular kind of birth control because it is supposed to be similar to Yasmin and my health providers covered it at no cost. I suffer from mild acne, and Zarah made it worse. The only time my skin would clear was during the off week I wasn't taking it. I also think Zarah may be the cause of gaining around 10 pounds. I tried Zarah for about 4 months and saw no improvements."

• Hil...
• August 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I usually never give reviews on any products, but this is something women need to know of before even going on this pill! I have been on a lot of different birth controls in the past, I have never in my life experienced such a horrid birth control in all my life. The pharmacy ended up giving me Zarrah 21 instead last time I filled my prescription, and for the first month, I thought 100% I was pregnant! I was getting 'morning sickness' and gained probably about 5-10 pounds just in the first month, and I am completely exhausted and lethargic almost 24/7 now. Honestly, I can deal with the sickness and the little weight gain, but the acne! I have never had acne in my life, but this is unreal... it's painful and horrible all over my face! Don't go on this pill!!"

• Gia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2014

For Birth Control "Zarah has been okay. I first started on the pill about 5 months ago, and it helped a little with my cramps that were horrible before I started the pill. However, I noticed some weight gain and realized that I have horrible mood swings. My period isn't much lighter than before, and my period doesn't come until a few days after I start taking the sugar pills. It definitely decreased my sex drive a lot, and I started getting a lot of discharge every day."

• Mar...
• June 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Zarah for about 2 weeks now. My doctor switched me to Zarah after my last birth control (the generic form of Yaz) gave me bad spotting. So far, I've had no problems with Zarah. No spotting, cramps, weight gain, or emotional changes. My skin is clear and I'm no longer constantly in pain like I was before I started Zarah. I'm so happy my doctor had me change birth control pills."

• QsM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Zarah for 3 years, never missed a pill and always took it right at 3 pm every day. So it worked great. No weight gain. No painful cramps. A light flow during period week. But I rated this 5/10 because I did end up getting pregnant 3 1/2 years after I started taking Zarah. I didn’t take any medications around the time I conceived besides my BC Zarah. My doctor was shocked when my blood test came back positive. So beware, even the best birth control pills can fail and result in pregnancy. I will say, though, it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I have a beautiful 1-year-old to prove it."

• NL8...
• June 4, 2014

For Birth Control "Overall, no major side effects, but I do think I've gained weight. I am very active - strength train 5 days/week & run 20 km per week and eat quite healthily, around 1500 calories/day, and cannot shed this extra 10 lbs. I think it's the Zarah. As far as acne goes, I have mild acne & have not noticed an improvement."

• BAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I experienced depression, zero sex drive (almost ruined my marriage), and massive weight gain. The only thing it did was prevent birth."