Amethia and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 9, 2018

For Birth Control "This one is a 10 for me. It dramatically cleared up my skin, and I had no spotting when I started this medication. Occasionally, I will start spotting about a week before placebo week, which seems to be my body saying that it's ready for a period. But apart from that, there is no spotting. No weight gain or depression or other side effects for me."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Amethia for 2 years now (I am 24 years old). The first 3 months were tough, as your body gets used to it; you will have spotting for about half of that time. After that, it seemed to be working as expected. Do not ever forget a pill in the first 6 months, or you will have another period. Once I hit the 9-month mark, if I missed a day or two, then I would be fine to continue taking them without issue. It is worth the rough patch in the beginning. Going 3 months without a period is amazing; I get to enjoy my entire summer without dealing with one. I never had a problem with mood swings, acne (what I did have went away after taking this), or weight gain."

• Jus...
• August 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I've recently switched from Trinessa (taken for 18 years) to Amethia (taken for 6 months). I discontinued Amethia mostly due to mood change and weight gain. Pros: effective in preventing pregnancy, normal periods lasted 4-5 days once every 3 months. Cons: severe moodiness and impatience in the first 1.5 months, which turned to moderate depression for the remaining months and overall general unhappiness. Increased appetite, which led to increased weight gain in the belly (5-7 lbs in 6 months). Extreme bloating in the belly area in the 2nd and 3rd month in each cycle. Mild monthly cramping during times when periods normally come. Bone and muscle pain - mostly in knees, legs, and teeth. Cost of medication was high (based on my insurance coverage)."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I've taken other generic versions of this before. Camrese made me gain weight, and while I was okay in the short term, I began experiencing depression in the long term. I've just finished my first 3-month cycle, and overall I am happy with Amethia. One big pro: it cleared up my skin a lot, more than any acne medication I have ever tried. For that reason alone, I'd probably keep taking it. The first month I had more intense mood swings than I normally do, but by the end of the 2nd month, everything seemed back to normal. I did experience spotting and slight cramping my 3rd month, but not nearly as severely as I usually cramp, and it went away. I'm hoping my next 3-month cycle the spotting and mood swings will go away completely."

• jka...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2019

For Birth Control "The first 3 months of this Amethia pill were rough. I'm on it to control acne, cramps, breakthrough bleeds, skipping periods (while I'm on the copper IUD). I started a whole new regimen of vitamins and various other things because I felt nauseous every moment of the day. It felt like I was pregnant. Going into the second pack, I started to even out and enjoy the benefits that I was hoping for-cramp prevention. I have a copper IUD, and it sometimes throws a random huge cramp at me out of nowhere. This pill put a stop to it, and not having to juggle picking up a new pack every 3-4 weeks was nice-everything neatly tucked into one big pack. However, by the time my nausea subsided, I started breaking out a bit and gaining weight. I've just finished my third pack, and I've certainly put on several pounds since I started. I haven't changed my eating habits (other than eating less of everything). I honestly would stay on this drug if it weren't for the weight gain because cramping and breakthrough bleeds have become a very distant headache."

• Cas...
• July 27, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control was the best thing for me because I'd bleed for a month straight before the pill. This was difficult since I play sports. Now I only get my period once every three months. My period comes right when it should (on the sugar pill). The only bad effects I've had are weight gain, bloating, and an increase in appetite. I've read many reviews, and weight gain is an issue, but if you work out regularly, you should see a decrease in bloating."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm halfway through week nine on this medication and have no complaints at all. I've had absolutely no spotting or cramping. I had bad hormonal acne before starting this pill (I was not on any birth control prior to taking Amethia), but now I rarely break out except for a few stress-related pimples in the past couple of weeks. I haven't had a period on this yet, but so far my body has taken to this medication very well. No weight gain or mood changes either that I have noticed!"

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I started in Jan 2018; I never got a period the first 3 months. Also, not sexually active at that time, so I knew I was fine. My body balanced out; I started getting a little period once a month, 4-5 days. If you miss two days, you will spot, sometimes multiple days like a period, so carry it with you... I did put on a few pounds with this pill; my doctor told me to just work out more. Haha, it's the price we pay with BC: extra hormones, cravings, etc. But overall, my mental and emotional health is balanced."

• LY7...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 30, 2021

For Birth Control "So the first pack is absolutely the hardest, but I had trouble for 3 packs and was ready to give up. I stuck to it for 3 packs (9 months), and I finally have gotten my body adjusted to it. Bloating always happens at the end of the pack, and it’s extremely uncomfortable. I have gained at least 10 pounds while taking these pills, but then again I skip the placebo pills and go straight to another pack, so I don’t get any periods at all."

• Chi...
• May 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I am new to birth control. I first took it when I was 19 and turned 20 shortly after. My first three months were hell. My nausea was terrible that I could not eat anything, engage in sexual activities without the urge of vomiting, and be dizzy. My period was very off. My body was almost on a whole month of just my menstrual cycle. It was nasty. HOWEVER, I decided to stay on it because those side effects are normal. On my second pack (4-6 months), my acne cleared up!!! Since I had gone through puberty at 11 and had acne since then, now my skin is like a baby again. My period is officially 2 weeks long (I begin spotting and gradually have a heavier flow). I have gained about 17 pounds, but I think that's because I stopped exercising rigorously since graduating high school."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis and was put on Camrese so I could have fewer periods and hopefully lessen the severity of cramps and pain. The first six months were rough, with spotting almost every other week and a two-week-long period weeks eight to nine, but once I started the third pack, symptoms subsided and improved. However, in January, insurance decided to switch me from Camrese to Amethia. I have since gained 20 pounds and am very moody. My acne has stayed fairly clear, though cramps and pain are still managed better than they were with one-month BC pills."

• Mee...
• February 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I have nothing but great results from these pills. I was put on Amethia when I was 15 for very heavy and extremely painful periods, so bad I would live on a heating pad for a week and miss school or work a few days each month. I've been taking it for 8 years now and have not had any noticeable side effects: no spotting, moodiness, weight gain, or acne. My periods are much lighter and shorter, much more manageable. My only complaint is the price, normally, my insurance covers it fully, but between coverage when my deductible resets, I end up paying close to $300 for a 3-month cycle pack."

• BCa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Amethia for 7 years and did not have any problems unless I missed 2 pills. I knew once I missed 2 I would have breakthrough bleeding. Over the years, I did gain weight, but it could also have been from aging. I went from my 20s to 30s on the pill. This method was extremely helpful for me being in my 20s, not wanting to stop everything I had planned just to stay at home with a cycle... because who wants to do that, lol. However, even though they allowed me to have all the fun in my 20s, now in my 30s (31), I'm having trouble getting pregnant. I've been trying for 6 months, and so far nothing. My review about this method of birth control is 'It worked great for me, almost too great, but I don't recommend using it for long-term use.'"

• Jax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2020

For Birth Control "So, I am approaching my first period on this pill. After being off birth control for 2 years, I don't mind this one. I will suggest that you take it at nighttime. Most people get very nauseous on the pill. My first week taking it, I threw it up twice because I was taking it in the morning. I have been spotting nonstop for about half of this pack. Apparently, it can take 6 months for your body to get used to the every 3 months cycle, especially if you have a normal cycle. Overall, no crazy PMS anymore, and I haven't noticed any weight gain. Also, as a person with chronic migraines, I can't say this has made it better or worse."