Seasonique and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been taking Seasonique for almost 2 months. I’d heard that it would allow me to skip periods, which I desperately needed because my periods were so severe. Completely unbearable cramps, nausea, fatigue, heavy flow, etc. About 3 weeks ago, I started having horrible cramps and bleeding, and it has not stopped for one day since. I have literally been on my period for 3 weeks! I would have been better off not taking it at all. At least this pain would only last a week or so. I’ve also had some weight gain without changing my diet, so I feel like it’s another side effect of this birth control. I had such high hopes for it, but sadly, it kind of sucks."

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

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This birth control has literally ruined the past few months of my life. Not only have I gained almost ten pounds, about a week after I started taking it, I started bleeding. I have since been bleeding, and today is day number 16. I have the worst cramps, headaches, and heavy flow that I have had in YEARS! Not only does it keep happening, I am clotting... and the blood looks horrible. I also developed a rash on my legs, and my doctor told me to keep taking it! I will absolutely NOT keep taking these pills."

• jas...
• August 29, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Been on Seasonique for just over 2 years. While getting periods only four times a year is great, it's never been a true reality for me. Out of the three months that are within a pack, the first two are great, but every time I hit the third month, I start spotting. But not even just a regular little bit of brown discharge. It starts like that for a few days, and about a week or so into that 3rd month, I begin getting very large clots. It resembles a light period almost, as if my entire uterine lining comes out in these clots. This lasts for a few weeks, all the way up until my last week of pills... which is when I'm supposed to get my period, which I don’t because I lost all the blood in the 2-3 weeks prior to that. This medication has also made me gradually gain 20 pounds since I first began it. I cannot wait until I get off this pill. 2 more weeks and then I will not be getting a refill. I have had enough. Do not recommend this medication."

• Roy...
• October 31, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the pill for a little over a month, and I'm stopping. I'm extremely anemic, and I asked my doc for this to help with my periods. They were getting increasingly heavy and painful and making my anemia worse. I started taking the generic of this pill, and in 1 month, gained 10 pounds. Then I started spotting and got a full-blown period month 1. This period is heavier than normal and has zapped me of all my energy. It has lasted 7 days of constant normal to heavy bleeding that doesn't seem like it's going to stop. The blood is still fresh bright red, so it doesn't look like it's stopping soon. Also, this week of bleeding has made me extremely emotional. I almost quit my job! I feel very angry, irritated, annoyed, and depressed."

• Kat...
• February 24, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking these pills January 12, 2017, because I didn't want to deal with having a period anymore... the worst mistake, do not take! My hormones are jacked up. I'm very moody, my appetite is crazy, I have gained 10 pounds, and also I have been bleeding for 3 weeks straight. My doctor told me to continue to take it, but I will not take this medication - he even tried to change the dosage and give me some menopause meds. I said I'm not taking any of those meds, it had me so messed up bad. I'm bleeding so much from my uterus. They are recommending that I have NovaSure surgery done. I will keep you posted, but beware, this birth control is not good at all, these reviews are the truth."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I would absolutely recommend Seasonique! I have been on this pill for close to 5 years, if not longer, and I have had no bad experiences other than a little weight gain (about 10 lbs), but that is to be expected. I take my pill at the same time every day and have never had any spotting at all. My periods are less than 5 days and sometimes last only 2-3 days, and I have little to no cramps!"

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been so happy on this medication. I actually take the generic version and am on my 3rd month. I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for years. I am 32. Just some occasional light spotting so far. I have suffered from migraines for a long time, especially around my period, and on these pills they have decreased. My breasts have increased at least a cup size and are super firm (boyfriend approved!). No loss of sex drive at all. I have gained about 10 pounds, but I don't really mind the weight gain with having no period, no migraines, and a free increase in breast size."

• Fr1...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 16, 2022

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonique for nearly 5 years. It cleared up cystic acne, lessened the severity and frequency of my migraines, and most importantly, controlled the psychotic symptoms I have with severe PMDD and menstrual psychosis. The drawback? I gained over 30 lbs without major exercise or dietary changes. So it's a toss-up in my opinion."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2012

For Birth Control "While on Seasonique, I didn't notice the changes my body went through until I started doing some research. I loved only having one period every 3 months, but the periods were painful-bad cramps, lower back pain the first 2 days. The first 4 months were fine, then I started a month and a half long period, but I stuck it out hoping it would be better. Then things were going good until I started bleeding during intercourse. I went to see my doctor, and she told me it was probably caused by the birth control. Also, since I started taking it, I would get the sensation that I would faint, and I have fainted once while on it. Had a little weight gain, it really messed up my hormones. Guess my body didn't like it!"

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 5, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My GP recommended Seasonique because I was anemic and experiencing very heavy blood flow each month. In the year that I took this medication, I felt depressed and even suicidal at the beginning; gained weight as expected and had a hard time losing weight while on it. At the end of the first 3 months, the flow was heavy for 8 days! I kept with it in spite of menstrual cramps, higher appetite, heavy bleeding when I had my period, and really annoying mood swings. After one year, I decided to stop because it's easier to take iron supplements than take this pill. With 2 children and at peri-menopause age, I wouldn't recommend this product to any woman at any stage of life. Too unpredictable and not worth the unseen side effects."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2017

For Endometriosis "For the first 2 months of taking it, I didn't stop bleeding, gained 10 lb (I've been 125 lbs for the past 10 years), got zits! (Maybe had 5 zits in my whole life), then started this pill and I'm a bloated, bloody, zitty beast! I threw the pills in the trash today. Enough is enough! Horrible medication."

• Jfo...
• November 1, 2015

For Birth Control "Loved this birth control, had to change because I changed insurance and the new insurance would not pay for it. I began taking this my freshman year of college (did gain the freshman 15-well, 17), but I assumed the weight gain was due to stress and eating Taco Bell and drinking. The first few months, I had some problems, but eventually got on some anxiety medicine and have been fine ever since! I loved having my period only every 3 months. No acne. Great birth control! Would recommend to anyone."

• unb...
• September 13, 2009

For Birth Control "I was on Seasonique for 2 years. Seasonique started out as an okay form of birth control. It took my body a while to get used to it (probably about 2 packs, so 6 months). When I did get used to it, it was great. But then the problems started. I've never had acne or even bad pimples, and my face started to really break out. Also, I don't know if my body got immune to the birth control, but after a while, my heavy periods came back as well as the cramps. Also, if I ever forgot to take my pill and had to double up, I would get really sick. Overall, it started out great, but the effects were not long-term. I've gained 15 pounds, and my libido is very low, and I'm very dry when having intercourse. Also, as mentioned earlier, it gave me very bad acne."

• Ano...
• July 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I love taking Seasonique. I spotted on and off for the first three months after starting this birth control pill, and after that, I never had an issue with it. I have been on this since March 2011. My periods are also so light that they are barely noticeable and last three days tops, so I really only have my period for 12 days a year. That is perfectly great by me. However, I recently decided to stop taking birth control as I have not been sexually active and do not plan to be anytime soon. Since I stopped taking this in April 2015, I have gained 15 pounds regardless of working out 5 times a week and limiting my diet, and my diet has only improved over the last five years."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm about to start on the placebo pills, and I'm intensely considering not starting the new pack. When I first started this birth control, I had mild nausea and light cramping. Since then, I've gained 10 pounds, I'm tired, nauseous, and bloated all the time. For me, it's been all the fun pregnancy symptoms without actually conceiving (Doctor confirms my ego is not preggo), so I'm seriously debating stopping it. My lifestyle three months ago is no different than my lifestyle now, with the exception of this stinky little pill, and I can say that I am definitely unhappier now."

• Not...
• June 5, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 38 years old and perimenopausal. I started this pill to regulate my horrific bleeding and cramping. The first two months were awesome, but since that time I have been bleeding for six weeks straight. My doctor advised that I skip the sugar pills and try a couple more weeks of the second pack and see if my cycle regulates. Into the second week of the second pack and I'm still currently bleeding and cramping and am stopping this medication today. Also, I gained 10 pounds, feel 'blue,' randomly cry for no reason, and have had extreme mood swings. I would not recommend Seasonique or any generic equivalent of this drug. My next step is an ablation procedure. : ("

• Zed...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I took this pill because I wanted fewer and lighter periods. I have had no side effects when I take it properly. I did not experience any weight gain, and my sexual drive was not affected. However, like with any pill, misusing it has consequences. There have been times where I have forgotten to take it with me on trips, and the cramping was unpleasant and usually resulted in light spotting. That’s pretty much par for the course, though. Wish it was cheaper."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2011

For Endometriosis "I have been taking Seasonique for 2 months to stop the continual cramping from endometriosis and the heavy period. The first month and a half, I didn't have a period, but I have been bleeding for 2 weeks straight, this is my 15th day of bleeding and horrible cramping. I did have energy at first, and that was nice, along with the almost non-existent cramping until I started bleeding. I had sex last night, and it hurt. I have also experienced hot flashes (the doctor said that this isn't because of this birth control), and I am 36. I have had heart palpitations, weight gain, anxiety, and major mood swings at times."

• mic...
• November 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonique for over a year. For the first six months, I had non-stop spotting, which made sex embarrassing. But I have endometriosis and thought having no pain outweighed the spotting. Now I have two new problems: I am overweight by 15 lbs and can't lose the weight even though I work out 4 times a week and eat very healthy. I have also lost all my sex drive! At this point, I am thinking of going back to my gyno and finding another solution. The cons far outweigh the pros for me."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this for a year and a half, and I never had periods during the off weeks, which my doctor said was common. I did notice some weight gain and increased appetite. The reason I stopped taking it is because I developed melasma on my forehead and upper lip. I used Nexplanon and other combination pills before this and never had issues with my skin."

• LRi...
• January 19, 2022

For Birth Control "Been on Seasonique for about 5 years, switched me to Ashlyna 3 years ago. The first 3 months, I recall feeling nauseous and having intermittent spotting, I almost stopped taking the darn thing. After reading reviews to wait it out, I can say I'm so glad I did. I no longer have periods, even on my off week. I'm told it's normal, and my uterus is fine. I'm no longer building a lining for potential pregnancy that needs to be shed every month. This birth control has leveled out my emotions, I no longer get the moodiness I once did every month. I have gained weight, about 5 lbs or so. Is it my pill or my age? Who could say? I'm not about to stop taking it to find out, though. Lol!"

• sta...
• April 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Seasonique for 3 months. I had been spotting every day since I started using it, and I had a full-blown period 2 weeks after starting to use it. I love the fact that I only get my period every 3 months, but the spotting is not much better. I notice that I get really angry sometimes for no reason, and I feel sad and depressed. It also made me gain 15 lbs, which is making me a bit stressed out. I talked to my doctor, and she said since I'm just starting this medication, my body has to get used to it. I think I'm going to wait 3 more months to see how my body adjusts to it. Also, I take my pill at the same time every day on the dot, so my spotting is not caused by missing doses or taking it at different times."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2012

For Birth Control "Honestly, I know experiences often depend on the woman, but I had nothing but problems. I bled every single day for 4 months before I finally stopped taking it. It was awful. I am a healthy young woman with a regular period. My doctor said the bleeding was normal. But 4 months straight? I don't think so. That being said, the upside was I didn't have worsening acne, weight gain, headaches, etc."

• Cry...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Seasonique for about nine months. I just started my 4th pack. I was originally on the shot, but it made me extremely depressed after getting it once, so I took a 5-month break and started Seasonique. I rarely have mood swings, I don’t get acne or headaches, and haven’t gained any weight. This birth control was perfect for me until I started bleeding for 3 months straight. I don’t bleed a lot, I could pass by just wearing liners all day, but it stops for maybe a week when I start a new pack, and I start it again out of nowhere. If I didn’t bleed so constantly, this would be the perfect birth control for me. When I am on my “period pills,” I only bleed for about 4 days and get a little cramp here and there, but it’s nothing compared to how they used to be. Debating if I should wait to finish my last pack or just try to get a new one."

• No ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on this birth control for 4 months now. And have bled 3 out of the 4 months. I thought my body would have adjusted by now, but it hasn’t. I had a period the first month taking it. The second month I didn’t bleed until 2 weeks in, and now I’m on month 4 and still have not stopped bleeding. I started taking Seasonique because my periods were so painful and heavy. My doctor says to continue to take them, but I’m not because it should not take this long for your body to adjust. I’d rather deal with a heavy period for a week and just take ibuprofen for the cramping than to have continuous heavy spotting. I could not even enjoy the summer months at the beach because of this. I have gained 5 pounds, and I’m always nauseous and tired. I do not recommend this birth control."