Generess Fe and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been using Generess Fe for about 10 months. The first few months I had breast tenderness, but that went away. I may have had some weight gain, maybe about 5 pounds, but they may be just from unhealthy eating also. I have not experienced any other bad side effects and no pregnancy. The first few months I had a normal period exactly when I should. It slowly started decreasing in length and in heaviness. Now my period is barely spotting, not even enough to wear a pad. It's easy to use since it's chewable, tastes like mint. So for people that have trouble swallowing pills, this is great. It can be swallowed whole as well. I haven't used any other birth control before, but this has worked really well for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2013

For Birth Control "As a 33-year-old, well-conditioned athlete, I had missed periods for over 6 months. My body fat percentage is extremely low and probably the cause of amenorrhea. I am on the last 'active' pill now of Generess Fe and have changed no other factors in my life since starting this medication (Paleo diet, CrossFit & running). I have gained 15 pounds in the last 23 days and have never felt more uncomfortable in my own skin. I have taken birth control in the past and never had such an awful experience with side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2012

For Birth Control "Generess Fe made me gain 10 lbs in 2 weeks! I had cravings all the time, and I was always tired. All I could do is sleep and eat. My body retained so much water around the stomach and thigh area that I couldn't look at myself in the mirror without getting depressed! Overall, it was a HORRIBLE experience, I stopped taking it after 3 weeks. My OBGYN said I should have stuck with it for at least 3 months before stopping, but I didn't want the 10 pounds to turn into 30 or 50."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2012

For Birth Control "Was on various birth control pills, the last one being Loestrin. Very moody, 15 lb. weight gain, acne (I NEVER break out). I've been on Generess for about 4 months, and it has been great. I actually LOST weight, my skin is back to being clear, and my mood swings are very mild. Besides mild breakthrough spotting at times, I have been very pleased with the results of this birth control."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on Generess Fe for roughly 5 months, and I'm still experiencing bad nausea. I have also noticed weight gain (probably around 10-15 lbs within the first couple of weeks), my breasts are constantly tender, and I'm depressed and tired much of the time. I have an appointment to switch my birth control."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I have had nothing but a great experience on this pill. I've been on it for over two years now. I've gained no weight, my chest is a little fuller, but I didn't have to buy new bras. And, best of all, most months I don't have a period, but if I do, it lasts for a day or two, and I only need a light tampon. The negative is the cost, but if you go on the Generess FE website, you can print out a card so your pills only cost $25/month. I highly recommend it!"

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2013

For Birth Control "Seriously, is this pill a joke? Screw Generess FE. I'm about to enter my 4th week, and I've never been more miserable in my life. Let me start by saying that no pill just magically makes you gain weight, it's the increase in appetite that makes you gain weight. I'm freaking starving ALL the time, no matter how full I am. I'm EXTREMELY tired. I have done nothing all week except go to work, eat, and sleep. I'm a totally different person. My boobs hurt, and I had a huge fight with my new husband. Would rather have sex never again than feel like this any longer."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. It's the only one I've been on, so I can't compare it to others, but I've been on it for about 4 or 5 years. My fiancé and I don't use condoms or any other backup method, and I have never been pregnant. I didn't have any weight gain, and it cleared up acne. I love it and will stay on this until we decide to have children."

• Jen...
• February 25, 2013

For Birth Control "Been on this for a little over a year. Experienced some moodiness and depression the first few months. Didn't feel myself. This is just what happens when the body gets used to the hormones. Periods went from painful, heavy, and 7-8 days to light, less painful, and approximately 3 days. No pregnancies or even scares. Mild weight gain (maybe 5 lbs - probably just normal from eating anyway). No problems with acne. Does what it should - prevents pregnancy and lightens periods/makes them less painful. Chewable and decent tasting as well."

• Tal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2013

For Birth Control "I've tried several different birth control brands since I was 18 (I'm 25 now; taking it to prevent pregnancy), and Generess has been my favorite! I used to suffer from migraines, horrible acne, and cysts in my breasts because most estrogen/hormone levels were too high in other pills, but Generess is so low that it has solved all those issues. I noticed a little nausea at first. I've been on the pill for 6 months or so. I did notice a small weight gain - 5 lbs is all. I'm writing this because, for the first time since I've been using Generess, I BARELY had a period this past month, and it kind of scared me. But now, reading about the pill and other women's experiences, I'm realizing that this pill can make your periods almost non-existent. Phew."

• liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2012

For Birth Control "On the medication for 8 weeks now. Terrible mood swings, bloated all the time, face constantly breaking out (after contraception, I'm taking it to clear my face), mild weight gain, very light periods - if any, SEVERE nausea and constipated since the day I started the medication. Symptoms were so bad, I thought I was pregnant for a while... took 4 pregnancy tests over 3 weeks' time to convince me it was just the severe side effects of birth control. I take no other medications on a consistent basis."

• Noe...
• February 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I just want to say finally! Finally! I've found a pill that hasn't made my skin break out, messed with my emotions, made me gain any weight, or given me a natural breast job (I have big breasts to begin with-I'm more interested in how to shrink these). My last birth control pill I took when I was a sophomore in college-5 years ago. I gained like 20 lbs, broke out, and my breasts went from C to DD. Needless to say, I felt terrible. It took me 5 years to give something else a try after that horrible experience, and I've been on Generess for 4 months now. I'm sticking to it. I love it! My skin is the best it's ever been, I haven't gained a lb, and my breasts have stayed put. Knock on wood, but I'm liking this pill a lot!"

• mm3...
• August 22, 2014

For Birth Control "LOVE this birth control! First 3 months were pretty rough as my body adjusted, but now that I'm on my 5th pack, I feel 100% like myself! No acne, no weight gain, no mood swings, great energy, normal appetite, etc. Once your body adjusts to it, it's a great birth control option!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2014

For Birth Control "Been on this for a little under a year. I have had no issues with weight gain, and it took a couple of months for my body to get used to it. Once it did, I found myself skipping periods, and when I got them, it was super light. Freaked me out at first but realized it's how this pill works."

• mel...
• April 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Generess FE for a year and three months, and it works great! No weight gain, no acne, no episodes of mood swings except period PM symptoms, but those are normal. I still have a period, but it's shorter and lighter. I do have cramps a lot, only on period though. There's no spotting or discharge for me. I've had a great experience with this pill and totally recommend it for those who are anemic like me, especially!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on the pill for 6 months, and this was my first time taking birth control pills. For the first month or two, I found myself feeling nauseated quite often, but I suppose that was just my body getting used to it. And for the first month, I spotted for 1 day, and I didn't have my period for the whole time I was on the pill. Before taking birth control, I often got severe menstrual cramps, but with no periods on the pill, I had no cramps at all. One bad side effect was the feeling of being bloated... ALL THE TIME. I also had some weight gain as well, probably about 7-10 pounds in 6 months. I got off the pill a month ago, and my periods have started again, so I'm sure it was the pill that caused my lack of menstruation."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking the generic version of this drug for about 4 months. Gradually, I've been feeling more and more depressed and hopeless. I have no history of depression or any emotional issues, and just yesterday, I couldn't get myself off the floor to leave the house. I've also gained weight, have an increase in body hair, and my sex drive is completely gone. I'm 28, far from puberty or menopause. The only good thing about the pill is my periods are extremely light, sometimes it doesn't even come at all. I am switching immediately to a lower hormone pill because the depression is now interfering with my life and relationships, and I know it's not normal. I am a student, and my insurance completely covers it."

• Tin...
• June 6, 2013

For Birth Control "Generess Fe is my very first birth control, and I'm in the middle of my second pack. I can say it's a good medication, although the side effects are pretty noticeable. I get extremely sensitive, sad, a big crybaby for stupid reasons. Breast tenderness, a lot of spotting in the first month. I was feeling a little more thick lately, I asked my boyfriend, and he said I had gained a little bit of weight. And looking back, I have been eating a lot of junk, so it increases your appetite. Your period becomes light. My first period lasted three days. And before the birth control, I had a crazy heavy period. So it might feel scary if you're used to having a crazy period and suddenly it's really light, but you're fine. That's how it works. And I'm baby-free!"

• Han...
• August 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 10 years now, and I've never had any problems with it. Before the pill, I used to have bleeding for 2-3 weeks at a time, but now it's predictable and only light bleeding for 2 days, 4 days at the most, but that's with stress in life. Some months have no blood at all, which I'm cool with. I did gain a little bit of weight here and there, but it was nothing I couldn't work back off. No mood swings, no cramps, no acne, nothing. I love the fact that you can take it at different times and it still works. I try to take it every night at 9, but sometimes things get busy and I'm late by a few hours. I've never missed an active pill before, and I actually don't even bother taking the brown pills that taste like copper. I got the chewable kind, so it's like popping a mint. The payment is a bit dumb, though. When I had my mom's insurance, it was free, but now that I'm married and on my husband's insurance, it's about $94 a month and keeps climbing in price each year."

• Alf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2013

For Birth Control "I almost stopped taking this because the first couple of weeks were pretty bad. I was really down, anxious, short, and hungry. I decided to try taking it at night instead of in the morning because that's what my sister's doctor told her to do. What a difference. I just started my 2nd month and feel normal again. I don't know if it's because I take it at night or because my body is used to it. Either way, it's good so far. I did gain 5 pounds, but it's definitely because, like I said, I was really hungry."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I only took this medication for 2 weeks. I noticed significant weight gain in that short amount of time. I also experienced crazy mood swings and depression. I was crying over nothing and at the drop of a hat. I stopped taking it and asked my gynecologist for a different pill. I then started Beyaz and didn't experience any of these side effects at all."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I did not like Generess. It made my periods very regular (but heavy) and did prevent pregnancy well, but it made me break out like crazy and gain weight. I've never had a real acne problem until I got on this pill at 20. I've been on it for 4 months and have had non-stop cystic acne. This acne has been not only on my face, but also on my neck, chest, back, and butt. This pill also made me gain 8 lbs, and I have not changed eating habits at all. This pill has also caused me to have ridiculous mood swings and be a cranky, moody, slightly bitchy person. Would not recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 3 months now. Dr. switched me to it because I have endometriosis and the original birth control I was on (Loestrin) wasn't helping my symptoms. I've been symptom-free for 2 months now. I've had no nausea or weight gain. I have been breaking out, but considering the symptoms I had with the endometriosis, I'll take a little acne if it means my pain is gone. Periods have gotten much lighter and shorter. So far, so good!"

• Vio...
• May 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I never got my period regularly, but once I started taking this, I stopped getting it altogether. No joke, I gained over 50 pounds in the year and change I was on this, and I can't attribute more than maybe 5 or 10 pounds to lifestyle changes. I went from an A/B cup to a D cup as well, and towards the end, I was exhausted 24/7 and sleeping up to 18 hours a day. I can't say much about what changes once you stop, as I've only been off of it for a week or so now. I take other medications too, and this was the first birth control pill I'd been on, so I wasn't sure at first if the birth control was the one causing all this for a bit, but I'm fairly certain it is now."

• Kat...
• October 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I started taking the chewable tablets in mid-March when my period was lasting an extremely long time and was extremely heavy. Yes, I got my period at age 14, which is to be considered late, in December, and got it at the end of February randomly, and it lasted almost two months EXTREMELY heavily to the point where I was missing classes and my bed sheets were soaked. Once I started these pills, I felt great. My periods were extremely light, my breasts were huge, and life was great. But then, weight gain occurred, and I gained almost 15 pounds in a month. Coming from someone who used to be able to gain nothing after eating everything, this was awful. I tried exercising, and nothing worked."