Seasonique and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2021

For Birth Control "The worst!!! I've tried several birth controls, and this is by far the worst. I've gained 20 pounds in a 3-month period. I even went on a diet (keto) and lost no weight. I've taken this pill at the same exact time each day and have never missed a day. I have been on my period for 6 weeks… Going to my OB-GYN in a few days, thank God! Additionally, I've gotten ovarian cysts since starting, and I have never in my life had them before. One ruptured and sent me to the hospital. Do not take this medication. It is awful."

• ae2...
• February 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I was attracted to the four periods a year setup. I had really bad cramps and spotting for the first 8 to 9 months on Seasonique. I continued to have intermittent cramps and spotting after. One strange side effect is that after an orgasm I would have terrible cramping and blood a little later. Not pleasant. I also gained about 10 lbs in one year, which is not normal for me. I go to a gym and avoid junk food. I was generally puffy, and no matter how much weight training and cardio I did, could NOT GET IN SHAPE. I'm switching back to Loestrin after I get my weight back to normal. This is an effective birth control, but the side effects were a bit unpleasant in my experience."

• bcg...
• March 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I took Seasonique for 2.5 years. I rated it as a 5 because it did its job in that I did not get pregnant. However, I have switched to a monthly pill now (Cryselle 28) because the side effects from this medication were awful. I had migraines at least once a week, I bled for a month straight during my second pack, I had breakouts periodically that I didn't get before, my heart raced consistently (at least 3-4 times per week), and I gained 40 lbs in the past two years. I am a vegetarian and work out at least an hour a day, so I know the weight gain was not due to my lifestyle. While I enjoyed having 4 periods per year once the medication caused me to stop bleeding, it was not worth the ensuing side effects."

• Sar...
• March 18, 2017

For Birth Control "If I could give this birth control a 0, I would because of the side effects. I have been on it for almost 3 months, and I have developed horrible acne all over my chin and side of my cheek. It is red, bumpy, and painful. Makeup won't even cover it effectively. It looks like I have some sort of skin disease. Nothing helps it to go away. I am intensely moody all the time and cry almost daily. I have constant bloating and seem to be gaining weight even though I have not changed my diet or exercise amount. Stopping this immediately and going back to Tri-Cyclen. I wish I had never taken this."

• Jas...
• August 3, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on BC since I was 17. I first had NuvaRing for 4 years, and then I heard about Seasonique and was excited about having only 4 periods a year. The first month (January 2015) was perfect-no spotting, no weight gain, no period. Halfway into February, I started spotting and thought, okay, this may be normal. After two days, the spotting stopped... it returned four days later, and I continued to spot up until the end of March when it was time for my period! I started a new pack, and everything went smoothly-no spotting until the week before my scheduled period. I started a new pack in July, and everything was okay. I started spotting really heavy on July 31st, and my period isn't supposed to come until the end of September... should have stayed on NuvaRing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for about 8-10 years. At first, it was great only getting your period a few times a year. In the time I was on it, my face started to break out, and I gained about 40 lbs. I was depressed and had no energy or sex drive as well. I would spot for weeks until stopping so I would get my period. I finally got off of it because my health insurance ran out. Almost immediately, my skin cleared up, and I lost 20 lbs. Then I started dating someone, so I had to get back on. I started with Mono-Lynthia, which was fine for my skin but made my hair fall out. I then switched back to Seasonique, and I have been on it for a week and already have had 3 huge zits on my chin and feel extremely moody and bloated."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been taking Seasonique for almost 3 months now, and for the most part, I am very satisfied with it. The only downfall I've found so far is weight gain, around 5-10 pounds, which doesn't seem like much, but to a smaller person, it makes a huge difference in clothes fitting. Normally, I could get this weight off pretty easily, but so far that's not the case. I haven't made it to the end of the first pack yet, so I'm hoping this first cycle I have isn't as bad as what some of these comments say. I'm on week 7, and in the last week, I noticed a tiny bit of spotting, not enough to use a tampon or even a liner. So far, so good, best I can tell. This is still way better than having a period every 28 days."

• Anonymous
• December 28, 2011

"I have been on Seasonique for 3 years. At first, I had no problems with the pill. Recently, I have noticed an extreme change in my body. I have severe mood swings along with depression. I have also had severe cramps and breakthrough bleeding. For as long as I can remember, I have not had a sex drive, which is not good being newly married. It's almost to the point where I do not want to be touched at all. My legs ache all of the time no matter what I am doing, and I have gained around 10 lbs. I have always had bad periods, and it has helped a little but not enough to continue to stay on this pill. I am now asking myself why I have stayed on this pill for so long."

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonique for 3 weeks now. I switched because the 4-period-a-year thing got me interested. I've noticed weight gain (I've been eating the same), more acne (I drink lots of water), and I've been way more emotional than I have been in a long time. I'll be calling this week to switch back to my old pill!"

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm 15 and have been using this birth control for about 3 months now. I find it amazing! There is some spotting, but it's okay. As for weight gain, I gained 5 pounds, and on a girl who's 5'1, it looks like a lot. I never had acne ever, and when I started the pill, I had oily skin and acne. There are side effects, but this pill is amazing, and I recommend it to everyone."

• kat...
• June 20, 2011

"I seldom write reviews for anything, but I have found the reviews that I read on this site very helpful. My doctor presented me with a few birth control options after having my second child. I liked the idea of only having 4 periods a year. I've been taking Seasonique now for almost 8 months, and I absolutely hate it. Since taking it, I have gained 10-15 lbs (with no change to my diet or exercise - if anything, I'm eating less and more on the go). My periods are now heavier than ever before, more irregular (anywhere from every 4-7 weeks), and longer than any I've ever had (usually around 3 weeks). If I take my pill 2 hours late, I will start spotting the next day. I also get these weird rashes on my neck (that started 8 months ago)."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2018

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Treated the problem, caused lots of others. Dry, brittle hair, awful acne even after 4 months of use, weight gain - had to resort to calorie counting, am starving 24/7. Caused me one major yeast infection when I first started, and I have never had one in my life, guess the fluctuating hormones can cause them. Am giving it 6 months before I call it quits, hope it gets better soon."

• Anonymous
• October 2, 2011

For Birth Control "Seasonique was the first birth control medication I tried. Of course, I was attracted to the idea of 4 periods a year. During my second month of my second cycle of Seasonique, I had breakthrough bleeding for over three weeks when I wasn't supposed to have any bleeding until the end of the third month. I also had moderate weight gain, intense cravings, moderate issues with acne, and hysterical crying episodes. I switched to a birth control where I get my period once a month and have had none of these issues."

• TMC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on the Seasonique pill for 10 days. I started taking the pill with 2 days left of my period, and I'm still bleeding! Aside from that, my breasts have been swollen and sore. I've been irritable, and my appetite has increased. I'm 5'5'', 120 lbs, and after reading reviews, I'm scared I'm on track to weight gain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2022

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was on Seasonique for 4 years and had to go off of it in 2018 due to financial costs and living in another country. In 2019, I started gaining excessive amounts of weight, facial hair, extreme hair loss, and feeling tired all the time, sometimes sleeping for 12+ hours and still feeling like shit… basically all the signs of PCOS. I went to my doctor at the time and was told I was being irrational for thinking that maybe being off the birth control started something or triggered something. I just got diagnosed with PCOS this year (2022), and my new doctor believes that this birth control caused cysts to form… with me stopping the pills, and my period trying to get back into a normal state of once a month, my body triggered some kind of reaction, and now I’m dealing with full-on PCOS. I can’t lose the weight, I have to be on a strict diet and constantly shaving my beard. It’s not normal to have one period every three months, y’all."

• Hol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I wish I could give this a zero! I was on this for almost two years. It was the worst mistake I ever made. I took them continually (never having a period). I only did this because I was having diverticulitis flares with every menstrual, so my doctor teamed up and needed me to stop my periods for a while. I gained 40 pounds, had zero sex drive. It did interfere with my marriage. I was sad, depressed, and moody. I had no energy... then came the panic attacks. I've never had those before. Luckily, by chance, a round of antibiotics I was taking for a UTI made me have breakthrough bleeding, so my doctor said to get off and allow my body to have a period. I'll never get back on them. Please be careful with these pills!!!!!"

• abe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "2nd month. Weight gain, horrible acne, nausea, and spotting every day. Even started 2 full-blown periods during this month and a half. Trying to stick with it, not sure."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 6, 2016

For Birth Control "Gained so much weight, feels like I'm always hungry. Waited too long to switch, I was 123 lbs now 151."

• Kas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2021

For Birth Control "It caused cystic-like acne, migraines, weight gain, and jaundice."

• Eme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2018

For Birth Control "Not the best. Two-week-long random periods in the middle of each pack. Lots of cramps and spotting. Weight gain and bloating."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2010

"I really like this birth control so far. I've been taking it for about two months, and I've had no bleeding at all, no weight gain, or acne. I love this!"

• Lyn...
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "My experience with this pill is 50/50... I love only having my period every 3 months, but I spotted for months when I started, have lots of headaches, my breasts are bigger, and I gained weight."