Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Emi...
• August 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe after taking Sprintec for three months, and at first, I liked it. It is effective for birth control, but I had the worst side effects. It made my face break out, I gained some weight, and it made me so moody and depressed. Going on month five, I spent a lot of time sleeping and spending time alone because of the pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2012

For Birth Control "In February, I started Junel. It's been very good with almost everything, but it hasn't helped with my cramping. I have regular periods that aren't heavy or light, they're just sort of painful. I haven't had any breakouts, major weight gain, or bad nausea. As for spotting, it only happened for a few weeks during my first month on Junel. My breasts also grew about a cup size."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2023

For Birth Control "Please do not take this birth control. I have always maintained a healthy weight. In less than a year on this pill, I gained over 20 pounds. My mood swings are awful, and I get a lot of anxiety. My self-esteem and confidence have been so low that I never want to leave the house. I also had a lot of swelling and pain in my ankle and leg, which was most likely a blood clot. I feel like I have experienced every single negative side effect. Please avoid this pill, it has changed me so much."

• Foo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

For Birth Control "At 40 years old, my period was heavy, and my iron was crashing. I had never taken birth control before because I already struggle with weight. After months of dealing with a heavy period, I decided it was time. I explained my weight gain and acne fears (yes, I break out easily) to her, and she told me that Lo Loestrin Fe would be the best for me. I’m on month four, and my skin is horrible. I’ve had to have laser treatments just to calm the inflammation down, and I started having debilitating anxiety. This stuff is poison. I am angry at the gynecologist for even prescribing it!"

• YRa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2019

"My doctor recommended these Blisovi pills to regularize my period and stop menstrual pain. I must say that the experience has been terrible for me. First, I gained 30 pounds, I feel unhappy, I am in a bad mood all the time, my head hurts, I have no sexual desire, and the irregularity of my period continues. I asked my doctor to change this pill, but she insisted on continuing it for 3 months. Reviewed the comments of the other women, I wonder how it is possible that this pill is on the market. I wonder what agency protects patients from situations like these. How is it possible that no one is responsible in cases like this? Our bodies and mental health are at risk, and no one is responsible. I decided to stop the medication today. I would rather have irregular periods than put my body and mental health care on the line."

• Odg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2013

For Birth Control "I switched to this birth control from Yaz because my periods (although controlled) were still 7-8 days long and heavy. When I switched to this pill, I gained about 8 lbs, was intensely moody, and noticed my hair and skin became extremely oily. I was on it for 4 months, and it only got worse. I had breakthrough bleeding the entire time. The second month I was on it, I bled for 2 weeks straight. It was absolutely miserable. I know birth control affects every person differently, but this was AWFUL for me."

• Jes...
• July 26, 2010

For Birth Control "I started Loestrin 24 about 5 months ago, and I LOVE it! My boyfriend and I regularly have unprotected sex, and it has done its job so far. The first month of taking Loestrin, I admit, was hell. I was not myself at all. However, I haven't gained any weight, and my periods are super light and last only about 2-3 days. After the first month, I was right back to normal. If a birth control pill, patch, or whatever doesn't feel great the first month, my suggestion is to stick it out until at least the third month because your body will eventually adjust. Also, because Loestrin is such a low dose of hormones, you MUST take it around the same time every day. If not, you will bleed a bit within like 8 hours of a missed pill, and it's annoying."

• Esh...
• January 14, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control. I had no side effects. Only switching due to high out-of-pocket cost. Experienced no weight gain, acne, mood swings, etc. If you can afford the out-of-pocket cost for this TIER 3 medication, then I definitely recommend it."

• Jos...
• September 8, 2015

For Birth Control "Negative side effects: 1. Weight gain: I'm very petite, and I work out at least 4 times a week. I track my activity using a Fitbit, and while taking this BC, my activity was actually higher than the previous month. That being said, I still gained about 7 pounds. My appetite increased, but not enough to justify this weight gain. By my calculations, I should have been losing weight due to higher activity levels. Additionally, the weight gain only occurred around my midsection, and I felt bloated and uncomfortable. 2. Mood swings: I rarely cry, and when I do, it's for good reason. With this BC, I wanted to cry over everything. 3. Acne: My skin was clear before taking this, and now I have cystic acne all over my forehead and cheeks."

• JKR...
• June 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 7 years and do not have complaints. I never experienced negative side effects and did not gain any weight. Before going on this birth control, my periods were irregular and had been for 6 years. I can pretty much predict the hour I will get my period each month. My periods only last 2-4 days now and are very light. The only 'problem' I have had is, over the past few years, I have skipped a few periods (about 3 or 4 a year). I talked to my OBGYN, and he said that is nothing to worry about. Overall, I think it's a great birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 4 months now. It was my first ever, so I was really nervous! While taking it, everything was normal, no side effects, which was a plus! Before the pill, my period was for 5-6 days, and on the pill, it was only 2-3 days, which was great! In my 3rd and 4th months, I was spotting a lot! On top of that, I was getting my period, which was a pain! No weight gain and acne, my sex drive increased."

• lu8...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I was extremely hesitant to start this pill based on the terrible reviews. I was prescribed this pill after a ruptured ovarian cyst and mildly elevated testosterone levels, so kind of had no choice but to try it. I am on day 5, and so far, so good! I have not experienced any side effects at all. I was really worried about acne and weight gain as side effects. No acne, and I actually seem to be losing weight, which is amazing. I will update again after 1 month of use, but so far, so good!"

• NYC...
• February 24, 2014

For Birth Control "I've only been on Lo Loestrin for a couple of months, but I am very pleased so far. With other pills (and I've been on plenty), I break out, gain weight, am extremely moody, but this one has been a breeze. My skin looks great, I haven't gained weight (my breasts are slightly bigger), and my mood is great. I think I finally found a pill that works for me. I also love that they offer a coupon card, which makes my payment $35!"

• AJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I got on this pill to regulate my periods because I had mild PCOS. However, I will be switching pill brands since on this medication I have had cramps but no period, despite taking the pill regularly and at the same time. Apparently, this is common for this pill, but I prefer having a period. I also realized I gained around 10-15 pounds after getting on this pill, and getting the weight off is difficult. I grew fatter facially and in my stomach. I also noticed an increase of acne, not only on my face but also on my back, which has never been a problem before. I look forward to switching my pill in the next few days and hope for better results!"

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2017

For Birth Control "After reading a couple of reviews, let me first start off that everybody responds to medicine differently. Not everyone has the same response to the same medicine. This is my first BC that I've taken, and so far I like it. Before, I would always have light periods that were either lengthy or off and on, so I wanted BC to keep it consistent. Now I have extremely light periods that last barely a day or two. My skin is fairly clear, and I've gained about 5 lbs, which is a struggle for me to keep on weight (5 ft, 106 lbs). I noticed that I am a whole lot less moody, but the cramps prior to my period are more severe."

• Caz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Obviously, with birth control pills, you need to find one that's right for you, so what's right for some might not work for everyone. That being said, don't be scared off by a lot of the negative reviews. I got on Blisovi Fe 1/20 to skip my period, and it does the job nicely. Aside from spotting in the first month, I've been period-free. I've been on another pill before, I don't remember what it was called, but I have never experienced any negative symptoms with that one or this pill either. No breakouts, no weight gain, no extra hair in odd places, and I haven't gotten pregnant either. Aside from not having a period, literally nothing has changed for me."

• Jma...
• November 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I switched from a triphasic pill to Blisovi, and I have been very pleased. I have not experienced any negative side effects, such as spotting or weight gain. My period came on the third day of the placebo pill and lasted less than 3 days. My best advice is that everyone is different. I was very discouraged when I read some of these reviews, but it all turned out okay!"

• fai...
• March 29, 2012

"I love Junel. I was switched to Junel after my previous birth control had me bleeding for 3 weeks at a time every month, and I got really depressed and gained a bunch of weight. Now I am on Junel, and I LOVE IT. I have lost 10 pounds, my headaches and acne are gone, my depression has decreased, no more fatigue, and I have yet to have a heavy period. I only have 3 days of light spotting, and I must say my sex drive has finally come back since my last birth control completely diminished it."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "Excellent! Do not be afraid of the reviews. Everyone is different. I'm 47, tried others, but this is by far the best! No weight gain, less mood swings, overall fantastic. Biggest challenge is taking the pill at the same time every day."

• Anonymous
• July 13, 2009

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I started the pill after being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome when I was 18. My doctor put me on Yasmin. I gained a lot of weight, and my cup size went from barely C to D/almost DD. I switched to Loestrin 24 FE to make my breast 'normal' size again. It worked, and I went back to my normal weight, too. The first month, I was spotty and moody; the pill timing is sensitive. But since then, everything has been smooth. I have a light period (only about 3 days) with minor cramps every month, which sure beats the inconsistent, week-long ones with heavy bleeding and paralyzing cramps that resulted from PCOS. Overall, after almost 3 years, Loestrin has worked great for me and made my menstrual cycle a breeze. As long as you are consistent, it should work fine."

• Sal...
• September 9, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was on Gianvi before, which gave me horrible mood swings, I put on weight, and I had my period every day. I was then switched to Gildess Fe, and I love it. My weight went down, and it's easy for me to lose weight. I don't really have junk cravings, and I don't get my period. The first month of taking this medicine, I spotted every day, but by the second pack, all my spotting was gone. Definitely would recommend this medicine."

• MJ2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2017

For Birth Control "So happy I read these reviews! I was switched onto Blisovi after my beloved Gildess went out of production. Within the first few months, I noticed a massive weight gain (15-20 pounds) that has been impossible to get off with diet and exercise. My anxiety has been through the roof, I bloat the second I so much as look at salt, sleep is on and off, my breasts can get extremely tender, and I no longer get my period at all but experience god-awful cramping and random spotting. I also have a thyroid condition (borderline Hashimoto's), and this has mucked up my head and my mood/depression like crazy. Some days, it's impossible to get out of bed, and my energy is gone by 2 pm. I'm in my first year of marriage, and I've been a miserable fat wench thanks to Blisovi."

• Cat...
• October 4, 2017

For Birth Control "Okay, I used to be on Lomedia, then I was put on Minestrin for some reason a few years ago, then for some UNKNOWN reason they stopped making that, so I was forced to accept Blisovi. Honestly, I think I hate this pill more than Trump. I was fine with it for the first few months (all you 'nice' reviewers need to wait a few months to really know what you're dealing with). I barely got my period at all and sometimes not at all, which was nice but also scary at first because that has never happened. I have been on birth control for over 10 years now, and this is the worst by far. I thought I was just getting older, but I have gained weight (10-15 lbs) way faster than I ever have in the past, and it's hard to get off. My moods are terrible, and I spot now."

• Ivo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I recently switched from Microgestin 1/20 to the 1.5/30 (gynecologist suggestion). I noticed even less cramping, a less heavy period, however, I did get a few cystic nodular pimples around my mouth. I am not sure if it's because of the increase in hormones or something else, however, I will wait for a few more months (I've been on this new birth control for about 2 months) to see if it goes away or gets better. I may switch back to the 1/20 if the acne doesn't get better. I also noticed a few pounds of weight gain."