Falmina and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was really hesitant to take this birth control after reading the reviews on here. I have been on a variety of BC, including Aviane and a bunch of others, but none have stabilized my moods as much as Falmina. In the first month, I definitely had an increase in breast size and a little bit of weight gain. Acne hasn't been that extreme except for one zit on my chin (spironolactone helps with that), but that's minimal in comparison to PCOS symptoms in general. I've had a really good response to the medication, and I have had the most emotionally stable month I've had in a long time. Please try it for yourself before freaking out about the comments. I know how anxiety-provoking it can be to be switching hormones up."

• Kal...
• December 18, 2019

For Birth Control "On Falmina for about two years, stopped taking it after I missed a week due to my doctor failing to update my prescription, been off for two months. My acne was okay, but it used to be pretty clear before I went on it. I'm sure other factors mixed in, but I gained over 60 lbs over the course of the last couple of years, which was abnormal for me. Since going off of it, I've already begun to lose weight, and I'm not exercising at all and eating about the same as I usually do. Since Thanksgiving, I've lost 10 lbs, which is fast for me, which I didn't even notice till I happened to weigh myself a few days ago. As for my periods, they were short, like 4 days max, always landed on the Wednesday night/Thursday morning of the placebo week pills, and ended Saturday night/Sunday morning about 98% of the time. Super light most of the time and rarely any cramps, and if I did, it was like once during my period for a few minutes, and it wasn't ever so painful I couldn't move. I hope this helps someone."

• kal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 15, 2019

For Birth Control "When I came home from college, my pharmacy didn’t carry Aubra and switched me to “generic” Falmina, and I HATE it. It made me gain an incredible amount of weight. My periods are completely out of whack; some months it will come a week early, some will be a few days early, and others will be when it’s supposed to be. When I get my periods, I never know how heavy they are going to be, and some months they still give me awful cramps. My breasts are tender for all weeks of the month other than the week right after the placebo pill. I get worried that I’m pregnant (which Falmina has been good at preventing) because my symptoms, such as breast tenderness and random spotting between placebo pills, are so bad. I get dizzy and nauseous, have had no motivation, have zero sex drive, and have been prescribed an anti-depressant medication since I’ve been on Falmina. I have been on Falmina for 9 months and will be switching."

• keg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2019

For Birth Control "Prior to Falmina, I was taking Aubra for birth control, and I loved it. I never had irregular periods, mood swings, or weight gain. Since starting Falmina about 6 months ago, I’ve had extreme issues. My period comes days early nearly every month. I’ve had pregnancy scares because I will have breast pain to the point where they can’t even be touched, and I’ll be extremely bloated 1-2 weeks before my period. I’m very irritable and cry over nearly everything, something that usually never happened. Also, since beginning this brand, I’ve gained 10 pounds without changing any of my eating or exercise habits. Overall, I’ll be talking to my OB/GYN about switching brands, and I do not recommend."

• AS3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Beware of this birth control! I've been on them for the past 3 months. They are effective in preventing pregnancy, but the side effects were so not worth it. For the past 3 months, I had absolutely no energy and no motivation. I fell into depression and actually went to a psychiatrist and was prescribed anti-depression/anti-anxiety meds! I had no idea that the birth control was causing all of these issues until I did my research. I got off them immediately and already feel so much better. Not to mention, I gained 15 pounds (that was probably a combination of hormones and the fact that I didn't feel motivated to actually exercise). There are many other birth control options on the market that are so much better. Pass on this one!"

• Vlo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I will be extremely blunt with this review. Falmina did the job for birth control very well as I never had any babies, and it did help me semi-get on a better period schedule, although I sometimes would start way early. I gained about ten lbs, which is insane because I was a varsity athlete all through high school, and I only used to gain muscle mass, but the weight gain really happened almost overnight. Lastly, this drug affects you mentally. I would act out and have insane mood swings and crazy panic attacks that didn’t really make sense with me, and my depression/anxiety came back full steam. For example, I took the pill as scheduled last night, and I was crying hysterically and fighting with my boyfriend and saying things I didn’t mean. I don’t recommend it for birth control. I’ve got to try to regain myself back from that because it’s been traumatic."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 13, 2021

For Birth Control "This medication was prescribed to me because it is the generic version of 'Lutera.' I was taking Lutera for over a year without issue, no weight gain, no acne, nothing. Then I got Falmina one day and that all went out the window. I got horrible cystic acne all over my chin, cheeks, and chest that I have never before experienced in my life, and I gained over 15 lbs in about 6 months without any dietary or lifestyle changes. I was extremely moody, anxious (heart palpitations came back on this), and I was frequently feeling rather sick. This medication is awful, please do consider the differences between generic and brand name. The hormones are the same, but the filler ingredients make a huge difference."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I typically don't experience much weight gain with birth control, have regular and fairly light periods, and nice skin. Three weeks in, my general four-day period is going on three weeks. My face feels rough, and I've gained nine lbs. OH MY LORD, my boobs hurt, and I've gained cup sizes. I'm also more emotional. Remember, everyone's body is different... try it and see if it works. I myself will be looking for something new."

• BXL...
• July 1, 2017

For Birth Control "This is effective in terms of keeping me from getting pregnant. I was a little upset my pharmacy gave me something new without telling me, but I tried it anyway. My previous birth control didn't make me lose weight or gain weight. Made it constant unless I worked out. This new birth control I've been taking for three months now made me gain back weight that took me a long time to lose. I'm pretty upset. It makes me act out and feel more depressed than I am at random times. I'm more upset about it making me gain weight. I also break out a little more than usual. I already have bad acne, but I noticed I get it more often now. Other than that, no baby. No other side effects I noticed. I will be asking my pharmacy to change my birth control when I am done with my last one."

• Liz...
• December 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Falmina for about 5 months now, and before this, I was on Tri-Linyah. I switched over to Falmina because Tri-Linyah constantly made me nauseous and physically sick. Falmina has not made me feel like that, and my period is really light. I have gained some weight while being on it, but I’m also 19 and don’t eat the healthiest because my boyfriend has been cooking for me. My boyfriend and I are sexually active and don’t use condoms or the morning-after pill, and I haven’t had any pregnancy scares, and I’m super paranoid about that all the time. I would recommend this birth control, but I know everyone reacts differently."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I had severe cramps and leg pain to the point I had to sit in very hot baths and burn my skin to feel better. With Falmina, the first year not bad, I was up and walking with a super mild cramp. BUT, I started losing hair, gaining weight, depression, mood swings, and panic attacks. In year two, I noticed I started to get pimples (I'll get a pimple once every four months, maybe), and my leg pain came back, and I would get the pain before my period."

• Til...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2016

For Endometriosis "PROS: What I love about Falmina: I have no cramps, no spotting between periods, no heavy bleeding. Only 3 days of very light bleeding. Last day I only wear a panty liner. CON: As I was reading AS36's experience, I thought I was reading my own. Gained about 20 lbs in less than 6 months while taking the Falmina. From a size 2-4 to 6, bra size 34B to 38D (hubby loves it). I've become very anxious and depressed. I got so crazy and suicidal, I had to see a psych. He put me on depression meds (which maybe contribute to my weight gain). I remember that I experienced the emotional/mental issues while taking Yaz, that's why I checked drugs.com. And bingo..."

• Tat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2023

For Birth Control "I find Falmina to be an effective birth control medication for me. I have tried others but have experienced anxiety. I had a bit of breakthrough bleeding but needed nothing more than a panty liner, and my period is now regular. I notice I get slight headaches here and there, especially during my period, but not bad at all. I have gained about 3-5 pounds, but that could be life. I have had no acne either."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2022

For Birth Control "When I first started Falmina in August 2021, I had constant nausea and heavy bleeding for a couple of weeks. I called my doctor, and she told me to stick with it for three months as a trial. I was miserable, but I did it anyway. During the three months, I experienced constant mood swings. I cried easily. I got angry for little to no reason. I became very anxious about everything. The pros of this pill for me are that I never got pregnant and I knew when I was going to have the withdrawal bleed. The cons of this pill for me are the mood swings, anxiety, depression, and weight gain. I have never had so many panic attacks in my life as I have had in these months from August 2021 to January 2022."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2022

For Birth Control "I've been on Falmina for a little over two weeks now. I have noticed that it has caused some mental health issues, I'm much more emotional with panic attacks. I've gained 5 pounds, which coming from someone who has been no more than 100 pounds since I was 16 (now 26), seems like a lot, although I am unsure if the weight gain is due to the birth control since I haven't been on it very long. I switched to this brand after I went to see my PCP. I plan to have him switch me to another one due to the emotional distress this brand has caused me, but I wouldn't say not to give it a try. Different birth controls work differently with women. We all don't have the same hormones and bodies."

• Kk1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

For Ovarian Cysts "This BC in only one month has given me the worst experience. I’m constantly nauseous and dizzy. Have gained eight pounds even though I have had loss of appetite and have been retaining water like crazy, my ankles are swollen so bad. Have always had bad anxiety, but it has become crippling, and I have experienced a lot of dark thoughts and am constantly sad. This medicine is horrible, and I will never take it again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Works fine for me, no acne, weight gain, and it makes me less moody during my periods, which are also very light now. Don’t have to use anything higher than a regular/light."