Jolessa and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Dra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 24, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Jolessa for 7 years. I don't take the placebo pills and have not had a period in the 7 years except for once when the doctor's office and mail-order pharmacy my former insurance made me use got their wires crossed. If I don't take the pill at exactly the same time every day, my body lets me know that it needs its dose! No acne, and I have not had any weight gain. Slight spotting here and there, maybe once or twice a year. I don't plan on having any more children (I have a 10 1/2-year-old), but am only 28, so the doctors won't let me get a tubal ligation. I thought of the IUD, but quite frankly, I like never having a period. No ill effects after 7 years without it. Healthy as ever."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Jolessa in April 2019, and I’ve had an overall good experience with it. The last 3 weeks, I had to wear a liner (most times no spotting would actually make it on there. The first 2 weeks, I would notice the spotting when wiping while using the bathroom). When my cycle would actually come, it wasn’t super heavy; only needing to change my pad maybe twice a day (if that). Cramps during my cycle were very manageable with ibuprofen, and I had a lot of bloating during the second month. The only thing I didn’t like about Jolessa is I think it contributed to my weight gain, about 15 lbs, during this year. I’m considering stopping the pill to try to get my weight back under control, though. Other than that, I haven’t had any bad side effects, and my experience has been good with it!"

• Phi...
• June 10, 2016

For Birth Control "Last update... I gave these pills six months and that's all I could take. The last straw was when I started my period randomly while in Key West on vacation. I switched back to my Ortho Lo, but not before I went from 132 to now 153 in a matter of months. I'm frustrated, bloated, and desperate. I hired a personal trainer, have been running, drinking a ton of water, eating only around 1200-1400 calories a day, and I'm not even exaggerating, I GAIN a pound and a half a week. Stay away. Remember when Caty gave Regina the Swedish weight gain bars and said they were for losing weight, and then Regina ended up wearing sweatsuits every day, but Caty said to 'give them a chance?' IT'S THE SAME THING. These are mean pills."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2011

For Birth Control "This pill didn't work for me. I was on it for 3 months. I spotted for several weeks (probably 6 weeks), gained weight (went from size 0 to a 4-6), and felt depressed and suicidal. I switched back to a pill I had been on several years ago (Levora/Portia). It's been 2.5 weeks since I switched pills, and I already feel back to normal. I'm back to size 0, mental health is normal, and no more spotting. Jolessa didn't work with my body's chemistry, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work. The birth control pill is trial and error, in my opinion. Find what works for you."

• Blo...
• November 9, 2016

For Birth Control "When I started Jolessa, I had been on the Depo Provera shot for almost two years. While on Depo, I gained 30 lbs, and I experienced every side effect. When I switched to Jolessa, I didn't experience spotting, and my weight plateaued. I am very pleased with Jolessa, and I love that my periods are only every three months, also that they are only heavy for three days. I know I keep water weight given that I am on birth control, but that's the only negative thing I have to say about Jolessa!"

• Pri...
• November 2, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking Jolessa to alleviate perimenopausal symptoms, i.e., inability to sleep, weight gain, fatigue, unpredictable periods, thinning hair, and new facial hair. The first month on it, my facial hair lightened up and my face became smooth again. My mood lifted, and I felt great, but that was the only beneficial thing about it. I started bleeding for months-heavily. Using tampons and pads at the same time did not protect me from accidents. The minute I stood up in the morning, it would be flowing all over the place. I started getting bouts of sciatic nerve pain, and severe pain in my knees. I'd be unable to go from a sitting to standing position. I had headaches and more weight gain. I immediately stopped taking it and opted to try natural herbs and vitamins: hemp oil, kohosh, omegas, and magnesium/zinc. Plus, I just started taking the cherry juice concentrate. I wouldn't recommend it. Try to go natural, you'll see the benefits like I did."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2013

For Birth Control "This is my third month on this birth control, and so far my breasts have gotten bigger, they have been sore, I happen to be hungry all the time, and have gained a good 10 pounds. Other than the weight gain, being hungry all the time, and soreness in my breasts, this birth control is pretty good. Hey, only four periods every year! I think I'll stick to this for a while. I'll just have to exercise and have self-control on what I eat!"

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2018

For Birth Control "My experience with Jolessa hasn’t been bad. I started the pill about a year ago. Just like with most birth control pills, they all come with a few side effects. I noticed while on this pill during the last month of taking it I would have a lot of spotting but not an actual full-blown period, I found it annoying because I’d constantly have to wear a pad/liner over the course of the month because of the spotting. Birth control pills definitely affect your mood change as well, especially for me. I tend to feel more grumpy and short-tempered. I also feel like you gain more weight while on birth control. My recommendation before starting this pill is to know that you’re basically shutting down hormones in your body, which causes these side effects, so don’t think the entire experience with birth control will be terrific. All the while, it does help prevent pregnancy and menstrual cramps, which are the reasons why I’m on Jolessa. But give it a try and see how your body adjusts to it."

• Anonymous
• December 25, 2011

For Birth Control "Jolessa is my favorite birth control so far. I have tried many, including Yasmin, Depo-Provera, the patch, NuvaRing, and Beyaz. None of these helped my acne, and a few had horrible breakthrough bleeding. However, since I've been on Jolessa, I haven't experienced any negative side effects, and surprisingly, my breakouts are few and far between. When I do breakout, it's usually one pimple at a time and heals much faster than before. No weight gain or increased appetite, and my sex drive is thriving. No breakthrough bleeding whatsoever. Love it."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I got on Jolessa because I get horrible migraines when I get my period, so having it just 4 times a year is much better than 12/13 (I got it every 22 days). I gained a little weight, but other than that, I love it. I've never had any issues with other side effects, and I've been on it for a year and a half."

• Eli...
• April 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I went on this pill so that I didn't have to have my period every month, but within the first 2 weeks, I gained 10 pounds. I've been on it for 4 months now, and for 2 months straight, I was spotting every single day. I tried absolutely everything to lose the weight, including dramatic changes, and nothing has worked. I am now having a full period, so I am going off the pill because it doesn't seem to be effective. My face did get better while on it, but nothing is worth the emotional unstableness and weight gain I am experiencing."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I have finished my first pack and started on my second pack. I absolutely love this birth control. I have had no extra weight gain (I'm a steady 120), I have had no acne breakouts, I haven't spotted, and my periods are light. I was so nervous to try it, but I'm glad I did. Like they say, it all depends on how it interacts with your body, so try it for yourself."

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for a month and gained 12 lbs! I went from 135 lbs to 147 lbs, and I look like I am 6 months pregnant! I am constantly hungry, and I continue my workout regimen, but I have decided this is simply not worth looking and feeling like the Goodyear Blimp!"

• Lin...
• January 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Started taking Jolessa after using the NuvaRing and spotting almost non-stop. Jolessa does just fine at preventing pregnancy, and I have not had any other horrible side effects that others have had EXCEPT I literally gained 10-12 lbs the first month I took it. I have been on it for 7 months, and no matter how much I exercise and watch what I eat, I cannot shed any of this extra weight. I have always been able to maintain or lose weight, but not while taking this particular BC. I am switching to TriNessa next week, and hopefully will be able to lose what I have gained while on Jolessa."

• Ave...
• June 18, 2015

For Birth Control "Before leaving for a semester abroad, I requested that my doctor give me a birth control where I wouldn't have periods every month. That turned out to be a big mistake. Once I started taking Jolessa, I became much more moody and overall depressed. I started getting zits on my chest and back - something that hasn't happened to me since freshman year of high school! My acne on my face has gotten worse. I gained 10 pounds. I have always been the kind of person that could get away with eating whatever I want (fast food 5 times a week!) and not exercise and never weigh more than 134 pounds, but not anymore. No change after altering dietary and exercising habits. After 5 months taking Jolessa, I'm most definitely switching after I finish this pack."

• lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I'm on my second pack. I have not taken birth control in years, but my doctor recommended it to help with my endometriosis. Previously I had cramps, no cramps now. No spotting, period came as scheduled with the pills. No headaches. I have noticed some acne, but nothing to worry about really. I have gained weight, about 10 pounds, and went up 1 bra size without any change in diet or my exercise program. I find that I am hungry all the time and not sure how to lose these 10 pounds without going on a very strict diet. Other than the weight, I'm very happy with Jolessa."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2010

For Birth Control "Just started the second month of the three-month pack. I've had no spotting at all. I am breaking out, and I feel like I am always hungry even after I eat and have gained a few pounds. The acne is big red bumps, which sucks. I have been on other four-periods-a-year birth controls and had no problems at all, but insurance changes led to this."

• Bro...
• July 10, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Started taking this pill 3 months ago. Worked fine the first month. No spotting or anything. Now I'm on month 3, and I have been on a heavy flow period for 3 weeks. Acne is acting out, and massive weight gain. Used to weigh 120 and now I weigh 134. Do not recommend this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Jolessa since about a month before I got married, so about a year and a half. I started on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, but it literally gave me blinding migraines. So, I started Jolessa and had minor spotting during the first few months, but nothing major. I also had minor (compared to the previous ones) migraines, but haven't had any in at least 8 months. Unfortunately, I have gained at least 20 lbs and have gone from a 36D to a 36DD (possibly larger). I loved that I had no breakouts in the beginning, but now it has returned with a vengeance. All in all, I love only having 4 periods a year, despite the side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2010

For Birth Control "I absolutely love this birth control. I have always had really terrible periods that lasted for several days, and I'm only 16. My doctor told me the best thing to do was use birth control, and I picked this one. I am so glad I did: no spotting, no cramps, some weight gain, but it comes off, and my breasts have grown a little. I'm starting the second pack soon, and I hope the next pack will be as good as the first!"

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2010

"I do think it's important to note that Jolessa is NOT Seasonique. Jolessa is the generic form of Seasonale, and NO, they are not the same! Seasonale's last week is comprised of placebo, 'sugar' pills. I have been on Jolessa for 4 years and LOVE it! No acne, no weight gain, and no spotting! I have been on birth control in general for about 7 years now. I wouldn't be on anything else!"

• Unh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 9, 2018

For Birth Control "Reason for medication also includes irregular menstrual cycle, bilateral breast pain (ongoing), menstrual migraines. Years ago; I was on the brand name Seasonelle and had minimal issues. When my insurance changed at 23, I tried Jolessa due to the brand name being $235 (circa 2012). I remember having terrible mood swings, weight gain, acne, so I stopped taking it. Fast forward to 2018, I asked my doctor to try BC again due to irregularity and breast pain. Since the name brand drug now costs $435, I was forced to try Jolessa again. I have bled for 26 days straight and have stopped taking the pill. There has been no “trade-off” as far as my symptoms being reduced. I have had cramping, breast pain, headaches, and excessive bleeding. I do not recommend this generic medication."

• Jus...
• March 20, 2017

For Birth Control "So I'm this person that hates birth control, as in hate them to the core. But since we have one child and wanted to wait to have another, and the latex on the condom was getting me sick all the time, I decided to look into BC. My doc suggested Jolessa because I have painful cramps. The pill was great, no spotting, no periods at all. I mean, I had nothing, and it never killed my sex drive like the depo. I had some bad side effects: nausea, a little headache, but the worst of all was the weight gain, 20 lbs in 3 months. I mean, I work out 5 times a week, eat healthy like I'm told, but the scale keeps going up. I can't do this anymore, I'm going to try another one. Been told Jazmin helps with weight loss, so I may give that a shot, but I can't stand the way I look."

• TJ9...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 12, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Since being put on Jolessa by my gyno about a year ago, I have experienced mood swings, increased appetite, excessive weight gain, and most of all, extreme fatigue. No matter how much sleep or rest I get, I am ALWAYS tired. I actually only feel well-rested and energized when I'm on my period (which makes no sense!). Needless to say, I won't be using this birth control much longer. The only good thing that has come out of my experience with Jolessa is lighter periods. My horrible cramping is still the same though. Heavy periods and horrible cramping are the reason my gyno put me on this birth control! VERY disappointed."

• Ano...
• December 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Horrible experience with this birth control. Had intense cramping start within the first week, and it has only gotten worse. It’s a constant dull aching pain with waves of extreme stabbing pains all day, every day. After 8 weeks, I am calling it quits. Also, I started my period after 4 weeks... it was strange. However, I did not experience any weight gain as many others have... overall, would not recommend at all. Stay away!"