Larin Fe 1/20 and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for over 2 years now, and I LOVE it. I haven't had a period since I started taking this pill, and I barely have any acne. The pill, however, did make me gain a few pounds, but that's pretty standard for birth control. My insurance does not cover my birth control, and luckily, this product is extremely affordable! I highly recommend this product."

• Pep...
• September 5, 2019

For Birth Control "My experience with this pill was horrible. The first month was fine besides some nausea and minor weight gain (mostly in breasts). By the second pack, I was an emotional wreck. All my underlying depression and PTSD came back tenfold. I cry all the time, and I never used to cry. My anxiety is horrible-and it had been under control before I started this pill. I started taking it because I have PCOS and hadn’t had a period in 10 months. I will say it did regulate my cycle, and I haven’t had any skin issues, cramps, or migraines... but wow, nothing would make this pill worth it."

• MEB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 22, 2022

For Birth Control "This is the BEST birth control I’ve ever been on. I’ve been on this pill for almost two years now, and it’s changed my life. I have PCOS, and this pill manages all of my symptoms! Mood swings, bloating are gone thanks to this pill. Recently, I tried Hailey Fe. Although the same active ingredients, I gained a little weight on that one and feel bloated. This pill works in harmony with my two PCOS medications - I call them the perfect trifecta because they’ve all changed my life. I wanted to leave a positive review because I had no idea people were having so much trouble with this medication! This may be the perfect BC for you. It is my absolute favorite, and when they sub it at the pharmacy, I go out of my way to get it back, just because it works so well for me."

• Mg4...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I've always had normal periods, the first few days would tend to be heavier, and I wanted to prevent pregnancy and have low maintenance with my cycles. I do suffer from depression/anxiety and do take Adderall for ADHD, along with IBS. Larin Fe has been wonderful, I no longer get periods, which is great and preferred. You want to make sure you take your medication on time every day, or you'll spot. If I missed a day, I would get a period for a few days. I have no weight gain, no loss of appetite, and no noticeable changes to my mental or physical health. Larin has allowed me to stay on track with my medication and not detract from its effects. I am sorry for the women or families that have had bad experiences. I personally want to share it isn't a one-size-fits-all and to ease the scare of those who need to switch due to costs/insurance. I've been dealing with mental health/physical health issues before Larin, and I can say it has not affected me negatively, and I will continue to stay on it."

• Bel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2021

For Birth Control "My ob-gyn prescribed this to me to treat menopause symptoms. Well, peri-menopause. I was still ovulating and having some periods sporadically. She also prescribed a low-dose testosterone gel to go along with it. The combination was life-changing! I felt like my old self again! My symptoms were major fatigue, anxiety, joint pain, loss of sex drive, loss of all motivation, and weight gain. After taking the combo of Larin Fe and testosterone, I felt so much better. I’m like a different person now. This review is supposed to be about Larin Fe, and I can say it is responsible for helping me feel myself again. I was on it for several weeks before the testosterone and no longer had hot flashes or mood swings. The testosterone gel added to it was a perfect combo. Finally, an ob-gyn who knew what they were doing! All the others kept giving me estrogen and progestin pills, but my hormones were still fluctuating. The Larin Fe took over and kept my levels at a steady rate."

• pug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2019

For Birth Control "So I've been on this pill for two months now. At first, it was a little rough. I was nauseous and felt like I was going to throw up. Every time I ate, my stomach hurt like anything. Then, about the third row down, it went all away. Now my face still gets acne, and for some odd reason, my face is dry as well. Never used to be like that, smh. And I've gained weight on this. I was almost down to my pre-pregnancy weight, then bam, almost gained all the weight back, which was about 30 pounds. I've had one period, no cramps, which is ok. I haven't had a period yet for the second month, though."

• Unk...
• February 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Larin 1/20 for about 4-5 years now. My periods have become lighter and less painful. I never really have acne. I have gained weight, but there are a lot of factors that could have caused the weight gain."

• Mar...
• April 22, 2020

For Birth Control "One of the worst birth controls. I’ve been on Larin Fe for a month now, and I’ve already gained 6 pounds. I always feel bloated, and my self-esteem has dropped to a whopping zero. I was on Junel Fe before this, but my insurance stopped covering it, and they said this was the generic brand, but that doesn’t seem right. I’ve been crying about myself, I’m always worried about my weight, and it’s horrible. Definitely not recommended, but at least I’m not pregnant, even though I feel and look it."

• JDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for almost 5 months. The first three months, I had spotting between periods. I think it may just take a few months to regulate. It does indicate that these are common side effects for the first few months. Now my periods seem more regular, just very light, which I don’t mind. I haven’t experienced any weight gain. In fact, I’ve lost just a little weight. My skin looks better than usual. I don’t experience cramps nearly as badly as before. I don’t experience any nausea or headaches. I don’t notice any feeling of depression or fatigue. I do feel a little more anxious than usual. Not sure if it’s the result of the pill, or just life stressors. All in all, though, this pill works fine for me."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Been experiencing severe depression since I started using this pill several months ago. I imagine different people react differently, but I would strongly warn anyone taking Larin to monitor their mental state and stop taking the pill if they become depressed. I’ve been miserable and detached from myself and my emotions. I came dangerously close to “cashing in my chips.” Please be careful with this pill. Also, pissed about the weight gain :/"

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2021

For Birth Control "On this or PCOS. I thought I was going crazy till I read y’all’s comments here. This BC sucks. So I already have anxiety/depression, but I’ve been a basket case lately. I was nauseous for 2 weeks and could barely eat. I’ve been gaining weight when I’m really not even eating, and my boobs are painful and swollen/growing. I’m one pill away from the end of my first pack, and based on all these comments and my terrible side effects, I’m done. I never had this with my previous BC. Wish I could give a negative rating."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I had severe acne, and I had irregular periods (three to four months without periods) before I got this birth control. Now on it, I felt good and it even motivated me to work out. My cramps were less and my heavy periods were now light. I get my period every month since I've been taking them. I did gain a little weight, but I don't mind at all. Overall, I'm so happy, and my face has improved!"

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this pill when I was 13 (17 now), and trust me it was a rollercoaster, but I was also super young with raging hormones when I started it, which could have been a lot of why this pill was difficult for me. I started this to help my acne, which it did help clear up significantly. I developed depression and anxiety that I was medicated for, but it was tolerable. I noticed I was a lot more moodier and snappy when just starting the pill. I also gained weight, which wasn’t really a problem for me because I had an eating disorder at the time of starting it. This pill regulated my periods a lot and only brought them down to 4-5 days, and I had absolutely no cramps or breast tenderness. I just recently switched over to a new birth control because this one stopped working for me. I’ve had a huge increase of acne that I have never seen before, not even when I hit puberty. I also bleed in between my periods, which I have never had a problem with. I also have mild cramps."

• Sta...
• July 9, 2017

For Birth Control "My gyno recommended this pill to help with my PMS symptoms and migraines. I took it for 6 months, and I had no migraines episodes after I started it, didn't have my periods (not even spotted), and therefore no PMS symptoms. It was 100% effective for that reason, BUT on the other hand, I've gained 20 lbs that no matter what I did, I couldn't lose. I quit the pill 30 days ago. It took one month for me to get my first period after starting this pill, and in 30 days, I've already lost 10 lbs! The weight gain is the only reason why my rating was so low. No woman would like to be treated for one symptom and get as a gift the side effect of gaining weight!"

• Ano...
• August 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I stopped taking this pill two months ago due to the nightmare that was my life while on this pill. I got switched from Gildess to this one simply because my doctor's office didn't carry it anymore. Within the seven months that I was on this pill, I was nauseous from the time that I woke up to the time that I went to bed. In fact, at least once a week, I would actually get sick from being so nauseous. In addition, I ended up gaining 25 pounds...and I've never had weight issues with any birth control I've taken prior. This weight gain is extremely embarrassing to the point where I've had worsened depression. The only good thing I can say about this pill is that it does regulate your periods, to where mine only lasted about a day. Very light."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m about to switch from this to something else. I’ve been extremely depressed. I’m an outgoing person. Never been too lazy. But since I’ve started this pill, I’ve been not wanting to do anything but sleep, and I’ve been really depressed. I’ve also gained a lot of weight. I was 128 lb, then within the two months and a half I’ve been taking the pill, I’ve gained 15 pounds. Not happy about that at all. I’m also very sensitive and get upset really easily. I’ve never really been like that before the pill. Headaches are another problem. It seems like I always have a headache. This is my experience with the pill. I honestly don’t recommend it."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible! I was on Larin Fe 1/20 a few years ago and forgot what it was like, so I went on it again because I can’t find a birth control I like. Made me gain weight! Every month the scale started to climb for no reason, I then increased workouts and started counting calories, and nothing changed. Also gave me severe breast pain... I literally had to ice them."

• Nay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I just started it like two weeks ago, but I’ve been getting acne more often than before, and my period is longer than usual, and I feel like I’ve gained weight. My stomach always feels bloated, and I feel like every time I comb my hair, more falls out."

• San...
• July 20, 2021

For Birth Control "All I have to say is: stay away from this birth control pill. I’m 44 y/o, and this is the worst birth control pill I have ever been on. I am fit, trim, work out four times a week, and eat super healthy. Within a day of starting to take this, my already big breasts (natural) ballooned up and have been hurting like anything for more than three weeks continuously. I don’t even get that kind of pain before my period as I significantly reduced caffeine. It is absolutely ridiculous. I am bloated, I gained 7 pounds for no reason, and the mood swings the first two weeks were out of control. The worst part: I have now bled for eight days straight (end of three weeks of active pills), have cramps, and today I almost passed out. I threw away the remaining two packages and I am switching to Yaz (generic) as it does not cause water retention."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2023

For Birth Control "Decided to go back on birth control to help with my PCOS symptoms that were coming back hard from going birth control-free for 5 months, and so far it's been so-so. Originally, I was taking Junel, and it worked wonders for me. But I got prescribed this instead. I did some research and read a lot of reviews on this page and was nervous I'd have a bad reaction, but I tried to be hopeful. The 4th month in, and I've gained 20 pounds. Before I started taking Larin back in November, I was 170. I'm at 192 now. It had helped with my acne to a degree and have had mild periods, but my libido is extremely low. I feel intense cravings for sweets along with the weight gain, which I struggle with enough as is. :( I can honestly say I don't recommend. It helps, and it doesn't help. Just depends on you. I know everyone is different, but listen to these reviews and, at the very least, consider your options. I tried giving this a few months, and it wasn't worth it."

• Kwa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 21, 2021

For Birth Control "Immediately after starting this medicine, I began gaining weight, causing self-esteem issues. I also notice a big increase in my anxiety and depression, having very dark thoughts, and almost feeling like I was in a constant state of panic. I would often cry and feel sadness for no reason, which caused me to feel extremely tired and irritable. I stopped liking things I usually loved. Don’t recommend for people that suffer with mental health."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2018

"I used this for 5 months for my horrible periods. I hated it. I had my period for 3 months, and just when I thought it was getting better, I was getting my period every two weeks. It was the worst. I was so depressed from this pill, it was insane. I gained 15 pounds, and that, along with this pill, gave me very low self-esteem. Also, my contact lenses became painful. Needless to say, this pill isn’t for everyone. Take your chances, but don’t make the same mistake as I did. Switch to another pill if you can if the pain and adverse side effects stick around for too long."

• CCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Tried switching from Mono-linyah to this Larin Fe 1/20. I was on this for 2 months and was spotting the whole time. Plus, I gained 5 pounds. Frustrating. But I didn't get pregnant. So it works, haha."