Balcoltra and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Started Balcoltra about 4 months ago. I was so scared with all the bad reviews, but my gyno put me on it, so I went with it. Other than a little breakthrough bleeding, I haven't had any major side effects. I noticed the cramps during my period lasted a little longer the first couple of months, but now on month 4, I can say that my period is shorter and lighter than what it used to be. No acne, no bloating or weight gain. I'm happy with it!"

• eg1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Balcoltra for 9 months. I am only 18 years old and was 17 when I started on this medication in hopes it would help with my acne. I have always had a fast metabolism and never gained a significant amount of weight in my life and have always been able to drop off weight fast. However, after taking this, I gained about 20 pounds after a few months and tried everything I could to lose it, but never did until I switched to a different birth control. Balcoltra makes you feel bloated 24/7, even when you first wake up in the morning. I also did not notice any change in my acne. I would NOT recommend this to anyone, UNLESS you want to gain weight."

• Lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on 2 other birth controls, which made me nauseous and feel horrible every day. Balcoltra is the only one that hasn’t made me feel that way. I haven’t had excess weight gain or acne. I feel really normal."

• Mar...
• June 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I had an absolutely awful experience on this Balcoltra pill. I had almost constant cystic acne that abated during the placebo week but returned immediately upon starting the new pack. Nothing improved the acne, and it actually worsened over time. I also experienced weight gain and moodiness. I haven’t experienced such significant side effects on any other pill, so I really cannot recommend it to anyone."

• bir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Balcoltra because I was experiencing breakthrough bleeding on Sprintec and Tri-Sprintec. At first, Balcoltra was great -- had NO breakthrough bleeding or side effects for the first 3 months. For some reason, at month 4, I started experiencing breakthrough bleeding again, as well as lots of gastrointestinal problems, bloating, mood swings, acne -- you name it. It was very frustrating, but my doc encouraged me to keep with it for a few more months. During these months, the pill was very inconsistent. Sometimes, I'd have a great month with no breakthrough bleeding and short periods. Others, I'd have every side effect in the book. I also gained about 5 pounds, but that could be for a number of reasons, even though I eat very healthily and work out 5 days a week. I've finally decided to switch off Balcoltra and try something else."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I needed to get on BC, and this was my first-ever prescription. Week 1 of the pills, I didn’t notice much-just tiny little pimples. Week 2 was absolutely horrible. Nauseous, always bloated, no motivation to do anything, weight gain, and the worst of all, dizzy all day, every day, and bad chest pains. I stopped taking the pill due to these side effects. Do not get on this BC!"

• Jan...
• July 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Balcoltra has caused my acne to go from mild to severe in a matter of 6 months. Previously, I was on Yaz for 7 years. My acne on Yaz was mostly mild. It also made me lose weight. But, over time, I started experiencing migraines and increased acne, so I talked to my gyno, and she switched me to Balcoltra. She explained that my body could have changed and the hormones in Yaz just weren't working the same. Boy, do I wish I never made that switch. I have always been the type to say birth control does not make you gain weight, but in 6 months, I've put on almost 10 lbs, and I really haven't made any changes in my diet. But the worst is the horrendous cystic acne that's now covering my jawline, cheeks, and chin. I tried not to believe that this was the culprit and that it's just because I've been under a lot of stress, but I can't hold out any longer. I'm coming off completely. For now, I'm just praying that my acne gets under control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

For Birth Control "DON’T use this! I’m 26. I’ve been on birth control (Ortho Tri-Cyclen) since I turned 20 with no major issues. I switched because of predisposition for heart conditions and blood clotting disorder, and Balcoltra is supposed to be lower in hormones. Gyno gave me 2 free packs. I don’t have insurance, and I quickly realized the pharmacy wanted to charge me $240 a month! I had already started taking them, so I figured I’d finish the free packs. Within maybe the first weeks, I had become extremely depressed and unmotivated. I’m usually a happy person, and I’ve never had issues with my body. I developed some sort of body dysmorphia. I lost my appetite and often skipped meals and somehow still managed to gain weight and had bloating. I started having severe acne, and I think I might be losing my hair too. I didn’t think it was the pill until the second month on it. I’m done with it now, but my recommendation is to save yourself the mental strain!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2023

For Birth Control "Not worth the stress. I’m in my second month of taking this birth control. I was put on this to help shrink an ovarian cyst. So far, I’ve had nonstop bleeding. I’ve been bleeding/spotting for a month straight, literally. I normally have a cycle of 4 to 6 days, so going from 4 to 6 days to a whole 30 days nonstop is insane. I’ve experienced abnormal mood swings, weight gain, increased anxiety, depression, random crying, and acne for no reason. I get off work, shower, and get right in the bed because I’m so depressed, and I have no reason to be. My life is great, I’m a mother, wife, and business owner, but taking this birth control just has me feeling depressed. Having acne as a side effect makes depression even worse. Now I’m depressed and feel ugly. Ughhhh."

• Ros...
• December 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Balcoltra for a total of 4 horrible months. This was the first BC I’d ever been on-recommended by my OBGYN to treat ovarian cysts. Now, my cysts were painful, but nothing compared to this BC’s side effects. I was nauseous every single day. I woke up nauseous, I went about my day fighting the urge to vomit, and I’d go to bed sitting upright until I’d fall asleep and wake up at 3 a.m. with food coming up my throat. I’d also get frequent migraines, definitely gained some weight, have episodes of depression, and I’d developed acne that I hadn’t had since my teenage years. The only upside is that my period would last about 3 days when prior to it, it would last about 7-8 days. I know it was this BC doing all of this because I switched to Blisovi and have yet to have any side effects. My acne cleared up within days, I sleep through the night, and I’m losing some weight. I know every body is different, but this one was so intense I really wouldn’t recommend it to ANYONE."

• All...
• May 9, 2020

For Birth Control "Switched from Lo Lo to Balcoltra, and the first 3-4 months were great. Then I started to have horrible depression and anxiety. Went to a therapist, and it didn’t help, so she prescribed me an antidepressant. I’ve also gained lots of weight and lost weight on Lo Lo. Recently, I’ve started having the worst headaches and migraines. It’s almost every night. It seriously just prevented pregnancy. Do yourself a favor... don’t take this!!! Anyway, I’m switching to an IUD because they aren’t systemic. Wish me luck://"

• Wor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 6, 2021

For Birth Control "Loved it so much. First birth control I began taking, didn’t treat me well the first week I was on it. Gained a few pounds, nothing too serious. Cleared my skin and changed my attitude 100%. Unfortunately, had to change my birth control due to an insurance change, wish I could stay on Balcoltra forever."

• lpb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2022

For Birth Control "I was put on this after trying six different birth controls over a three-year span. I began birth control because of a six-month-long period and ended up on this one later on. I became very depressed, it caused weight gain, and a lot of suicidal thoughts. I began taking Lexapro to help with the depression, but it didn’t seem to be working. After about nine months, I decided to wean myself off of it and also stopped my Lexapro, and I felt so much better. I want to find a new method of birth control because this one was a living nightmare. I figured it caused the depression because the moment I stopped taking it, I felt so much better mentally, and I could actually be happy again."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve gained 8 pounds, and I haven’t even been on this for two weeks. My acne is worsening!"