Alesse-28 and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• PIL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2023

For Birth Control "When I started taking this pill, my life went downhill. I was on it for 2 months and bled for 2 months straight. Within the first week of taking it, I was so bloated and gained so much weight to the point where I couldn’t fit into any of my pants. It caused numerous mental health issues, and I thought I was going crazy. I couldn’t control my emotions, and I was extremely irritable. All of these problems went away as soon as I stopped taking this pill. Do not take it or have your children on it."

• Ema...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control Alesse-28 for over 3 years now. I was fine for the first year, but then after that, I was so moody and irritable, always sad and depressed, and very emotional. I have no energy at all, and I’m always tired. Another thing is that for some reason I get really bad leg cramps and am always constipated. Something else that I have experienced is weight gain, ovaries always hurt, and painful intercourse. Another awful side effect is that I have ZERO sex drive and vaginal dryness! One good thing about this birth control is that it cleared up all my acne, but other than that, it’s definitely not worth the side effects."

• Ban...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control, Alesse-28, for about 4 years now. At first, it was great. I did notice weight gain, every three months, I found my period would go from heavy to light, and then my boobs would become extremely sore on the third month. Extreme mood swings, depressed. Since May of this year, my periods have been almost nonexistent, sometimes I’ll have some spotting. I’m not pregnant. My stress has increased. I am a university student, but I had major life changes, so I’m not sure if the increased stress is what is causing the missed periods. Last month, my period did last for about three days. I’ve had to go onto an antidepressant recently as well. I’m currently trying to switch pills, as I cannot stand the missed periods and worrying every single month if I’m pregnant. As much as I like light periods, I would like to have at least something so I don’t have a heart attack."

• Mad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Alesse-28 for almost 3 years, and as far as using it as birth control, it has worked perfectly! I did gain some weight and become a little more emotional after starting this pill, which hasn’t been great, but I had no other significant side effects like nausea. I never really had acne, so my skin hasn’t changed much, maybe more pimples around the time of my period, but that’s about it. My periods used to be pretty heavy and last about 6 days long, now they last about 4-5 days, they’ve gotten pretty light, and I only cramp on the first day or so. I also use an app to track my period, and after being on the pill, my periods have been very regular! There have been a couple of times where I had out-of-the-ordinary spotting, which made me worry that perhaps I was pregnant, but my period had always come a few days afterwards. Overall, it works well for me!"

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Can honestly say this has ruined my life, and I wish I never took it. I was only on it for 4 months, and I'm still affected by it almost 4 years later: headaches, lightheadedness, irritation, weight gain, and most dramatically, inability to orgasm. This has made my life an emotional roller coaster, I have so little hope of ever being taken seriously or recovering from."

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 7 months, and I have noticed many side effects lately. Constant bloating in abdomen and face, depression, severe anxiety, and weight gain. My worst symptom is the breakthrough bleeding each month! I do not recommend this pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2022

For Birth Control "This birth control was awful. It’s day 16 of my period this month, and it’s heavier than ever. My period has never been this bad, and usually my periods are extremely bad due to endometriosis. I gained so much weight in less than a month and gained some acne, which I never get. I’ve also heard that many people get pregnant while on this birth control, and there’s a lawsuit against it. Look for another birth control."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2022

For Birth Control "I love this birth control! I have been on Alesse for over a month and have experienced absolutely no negative side effects. My mood is normal, I have no abnormal bleeding, no weight gain, no increase in appetite. My breasts feel much fuller now, which I love! My first period was normal, and I only had cramps on the first day of my period. I have very acne-prone skin and tend to break out with hormonal acne. Since taking this birth control, my acne has not gotten worse. It has stayed mostly the same, but my skin is always better in the summer. But I have not had any large cystic acne breakouts so far, so I'm fine with it. I was previously on Yasmin for acne management, however, that birth control made my acne far worse, and I had other negative side effects. Alesse is definitely worth trying because it has a lower dosage of hormones, so you are less likely to experience negative side effects like in other birth controls. I would recommend Alesse to anyone!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2023

For Birth Control "It did what it was supposed to, in the way of not allowing pregnancy, however, it caused horrible side effects. Coming onto it, I had acne for months, which went away but returned for months when I came off. I would have random mental breakdowns, weight gain, depression, and anxiety."

• No...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I noticed weight gain, irritability, and worsening of depressive symptoms when I first started taking Alesse a few years back. However, I stopped as the symptoms were just too much for me to endure. After taking a two-year break, I started again as I have severe periods, and my OBGYN suggested taking a pill each day without a break, as I am done having children to completely stop my period. That is the only good thing I can say about this product. I ended up developing such severe swelling in my calves and ankles that I couldn't put my shoes on past the early morning after a week, couldn't kneel by week two because the water retention was so bad it would completely cut off my circulation in my legs, and I had gained 15 lbs by week three. I stopped taking my daily pill (now on day two), and the water retention/swelling is finally dissipating."

• Bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for almost 5 years, and this is the first time I ever took a look at the reviews. I really haven't found it bad at all. Moodiness and weight gain are my chief complaints, but other than that, I love the super regular periods."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2021

For Birth Control "Was terrible. Gained 10 pounds, started having panic attacks, breasts grew so much it gave me stretch marks, was always crying. Go on this birth control if you feel like ruining your life for a bit :)"