Mono-Linyah and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Aly...
• November 17, 2020

For Birth Control "If I could give this medication a lower rating than 1/10, I would. I was told 'Mono-Linyah' is a generic form of Sprintec. This can't be any more different in the effect it is having on me. I have been on Mono-Linyah for approximately 9 months. I don't know how I stayed on it for this long. I trusted my doctor when she told me it was a generic form of Sprintec. I gained about 15 pounds in the 9 months I've been on this pill. My acne has been awful while on this pill. The biggest and most drastic change in myself, other than the weight gain, was my mood changes. My anxiety was already pretty bad, but while on Mono-Linyah, it made me feel I couldn't manage it. I started to have mood swings, dark thoughts, anxiety attacks, and would cry all the time. I regret not realizing this medication was the reason for all of my symptoms earlier on."

• gga...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Mono-Linyah for about a year now, and I am actually kind of shocked to see so many bad reviews! I started taking this mainly for hormonal acne, though I still get a few pimples every now and then right before my cycle, my acne has improved a lot. I have not really had any adverse side effects (weight gain, irritability, spotting, etc.), the only thing I do get is more breast tenderness. But other than that, this BC works well for me. If you're scared because of the reviews, please remember all our bodies are different! Also, if you incorporate healthy eating, exercise, and meditation into your everyday life, then there will be a much lesser chance for negative side effects!"

• Mal...
• February 1, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control was amazing! I didn't get my period for the 3 months I've been on it, I had a little bit of spotting that only lasted about a week when I first started it, but it didn't bother me as it's your body's natural reaction to adjust to the medication. My breasts grew a bit, which I have no complaints about. I did have a bit of weight gain, but I blame it mostly on the holidays since I started in November. If you're not on insurance, this pill is very affordable! I really recommend it!"

• Won...
• November 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I am ready to get off this pill. I have been on this pill now for a year and some change. I want to get back on my lower dosage because this pill is just horrible to me. I have been on BC pills for 10 years and never experienced what I am going through right now. I gained 20 lbs and changed nothing with my healthy eating habits, my migraines got so super bad I had to get an MRI to make sure everything was okay. I am usually nauseated and I spot a lot. Three weeks out of the month I am spotting or lightly bleeding with some bad-ass cramps. I have my appointment Thursday and I am ready to be done with this!!"

• bal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2019

For Birth Control "During the time I took this medication, I gained nearly 25 lbs with no change in my eating and exercising habits. Towards the end of my nearly 2-year experience, I began to get horrible migraines very frequently. They were unlike any I had ever had before, I wouldn’t be able to go on with my day if I started to develop one, and oftentimes sleeping them off did not work. I believe it changed my mood drastically and caused excess anxiety and waves of depression. And the worst part, my sex drive was absolutely 0. Now that I have stopped taking this pill, I have further realized how awful it made me feel! I just got Kyleena placed a few weeks ago, and I’m hoping that will help me continue my path to feeling my normal self after 2 years. I gave this a 4-star because I never got pregnant while taking this correctly, and it was easily accessible."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2020

For Birth Control "This Mono-Linyah birth control pill is absolutely terrible! I use Sprintec, which the pharmacist swore was the same as this (she said Mono-Linyah was the generic brand of Sprintec), but due to financial reasons, I went to Costco pharmacy and was prescribed this pill. Worst mistake ever! I’ve been on it for about 2 weeks, and I’ve gained around 3 pounds already and have broken out terribly. I learned my lesson, and I’m never again getting Mono-Linyah, it’s most definitely not the same! I’m switching back to Sprintec after this month."

• Jul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Mono-Linyah for quite some time now, and I do have to say that the first couple of months were the hardest. I was having crazy mood swings, I would make up these scenarios in my head that just weren't real but started to believe they were. My hormones were just out of this world. It was a crazy time. But it's cleared my acne, I get a breakout right before/after my cycle, but nothing too crazy. I did gain some weight, but not too much, maybe 5 pounds, but it's hard to say 'cause my weight always fluctuates. It relieved my terrible cramps. My bleeding is regular. Reduced clotting. The only thing is that I don't always get my period when starting the white pills, I always get it 3-4 days into the white pills. I want to say I've been taking this BC for maybe 3 1/2 years, and once my body got used to it, I was perfectly fine and would definitely recommend this. You just need to let your body adjust. Everyone is different."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I am 29, and I have been using this pill for a little over a year. This pill in particular, I noticed an immediate weight gain. However, I was underweight before taking the pill. I gained almost 15 lbs, and my weight fluctuates between 1-10 lbs. Have not gained any more than that, though. I also have odd cravings that I didn't have before. Acne has cleared up for the most part. I now have one mood swing just before my period instead of having a mood swing all the time. I have noticed while taking this pill I retain more water than I did before. Day to day, though, I feel alright, good blood pressure, and everything seems to be working correctly, and I'm not pregnant, so there's that. Psychologically, I seem better as well. There are some occasions just a few days before my period where I feel my mood shifting, but that seems pretty normal. I feel more stable. All in all, I rate this one a 7 out of 10."

• Kri...
• April 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on various forms of Mono-Linyah for 11 years (Ortho Cyclen and Sprintec). I am tired often and generally fatigued. I attribute that to birth control but also forget what it’s like to feel normal without it. I got on it to help with acne, and it definitely helped me a bit but not much. My sis was also on it for 13 years and just got off of it and did a birth control cleanse and feels so much better. She doesn’t lash out and have mood swings anymore, and her “dark thoughts” have gone away. BC in general can give you mood issues. So overall, I would say this is a great BC compared to most. This option is MUCH better than the Nexplanon implant. I have friends who have had the implant, and they gained weight and had terrible acne. Mono-Linyah doesn’t get rid of sex drive, but it definitely lessens it a bit compared to another one I was on that had the opposite effect. Other BCs made me lose hair or break out, but not this one. BC in general has many side effects. So pick your poison."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2020

"Mono-Linyah is absolutely terrible. Worst birth control I’ve ever taken. Stay away from it. Made me so dizzy, nauseous, made me break out like crazy, made me gain weight, made my period 10 days when my period usually only lasts like 3 days. Screwed up my stomach, gave me so much gas. In all, worst decision I’ve ever made. And it’s only been 3 weeks."

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been using this Mono-Linyah birth control pill for over a year after my pill (Prevefem) was discontinued by the manufacturer. I was reluctant to use this pill as I have had bad experiences taking different pills. Luckily, this pill has been great. No cramps, anxiety, or weight gain, and my period is very normal. The only negative is that I always spot on the second week for 2-3 days. After having horrible experiences with other brands, I can live with the spotting."

• Ede...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2020

For Acne "Cleared up my acne wonderfully—however, the reviews saying it makes you gain weight are probably true. I haven't gained weight, but I also have been making huge efforts to lose weight (working out every day, counting calories, etc.). However, the scale won't budge. Before I was taking this specific pill, I was on a different one, weight was coming off at an expected pace. It literally came to a screeching halt when I started taking Mono-Linyah. Again, I haven't gained weight because I've been staying (generally) in a calorie deficit—but if I wasn't, I could definitely see this aiding weight gain."

• Cyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2022

For Birth Control "I've bled non-stop for 3 months on Mono-Linyah. I've gained a substantial amount of weight (15-20 lbs) in the last 3 months, despite doing absolutely nothing differently besides taking this medication. The healthcare community can lie and say it's impossible, but if everyone has similar experiences, are we all just delusional? I'm discontinuing use today. I'd rather have a horrible period once a month than bleed for 3 months straight and get fatter, thanks."

• She...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this birth control my entire teen years and now into adulthood. I struggle with both anxiety and depression, so it is very hard to see if this pill has contributed. As far as acne goes, it hasn’t helped at all, and I still have awful breakouts. Ironically, my skin is the clearest on placebo week, if that tells you anything. I only continue to take this because this helps tremendously with my awful bed-ridden cramps. I have not gained any weight with this pill, but I did go up two cup sizes back in high school when I first started taking it."

• Tex...
• March 19, 2021

For Birth Control "So I was on Sprintec for about 3 years, then my doctor changed me to Mono-Linyah without asking me if I was okay with that. She told me how it is the same pill, just the generic brand, and I wouldn’t even notice a difference. Well, I don’t believe that one bit. My hormones are everywhere, I’m emotional all the time, my horrible cramps came back, and I’ve gained 10 lbs in 2 months. My diet or exercise routine hasn’t changed at all. I am very upset because I loved Sprintec and never felt a difference with my body. This pill has given me most of the side effects it lists. I do not recommend."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking this med to help control my cycle better. Immediately made me gain weight, noticed increased acne, mood swings, excessive fatigue, and severe upset stomach. Within an hour, I would go from feeling hungry to nauseous, then it traveled down. I do not recommend this med. All of this just from one week of use."

• Bjs...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2019

For Endometriosis "Reading these reviews has really shed so much light on my situation. Since I started taking this pill, I've experienced extreme mood swings/depression. I often experience nausea and have gained 20 pounds in a year. I don't know if that is directly because of the pill or more related to the depression/exhaustion that I experience. On the bright side, my periods and cramps are much more manageable, I break out less, and I'm not pregnant. It does what it's supposed to do, but I don't think that it's right for me. I'm going to talk to my gyno to try to find a better fit."

• ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got on Mono-Linyah to regulate my periods when I was about 16. I took it for 5 years, and those years were the most miserable years of my life so far. I gained a significant amount of weight-nothing could help it, even if I exercised every day and ate right. I cramped 2.5 weeks out of the month. It caused bad mood swings, headaches, and extreme anxiety. It seems like I'm just naming every side effect in the book, but that's how bad this stuff is. I do not recommend this birth control to anyone. The only reason I gave above a 1 is because it regulated my period, but I had extreme consequences for that."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2022

For Birth Control "This is easily the worst birth control I’ve ever been on. I’ve gained 30 pounds, nonstop issues regarding my female health, and it has given me acne. It is so awful, do not recommend this birth control whatsoever. My doctor switched me to this one as I was having issues while on the previous one, and it exacerbated the problem. I’ve been on it for over a year, and nothing has gotten better. I’ve been tested for everything underneath the sun, and the only thing it comes back to is how this birth control has my hormones all messed up."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2021

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this pill if you do not want to gain weight. I was on Junel Fe for several years then got off once I stopped having regular sex. I took Mono-Linyah for a full month and have already gained 10 pounds, even with daily exercise. If keeping weight off is important to you, do not take this pill."

• Hor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I was taking Femynor before taking Mono-Linyah and was fine, however, I no longer had insurance, so I decided I’d do the online birth control and get it sent to my address. Well, the worst thing I did, this birth control is the worst I’ve ever used! I gained 15 pounds since taking it, I have the worst mood swings ever! Please be careful when taking this birth control!"

• Gar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2022

For Birth Control "Honestly, in the first two months I did have side effects like nausea, weight gain, and got bad acne, but I knew that my body would get used to it. After that, my body went back to normal and my skin cleared up, I wasn’t nauseous anymore and I started losing weight easily. As for mental health, it never made me get depression or anxiety, but then again, I never had that in the past, so maybe that’s why I never developed it. My periods came every month and I never got cramps or heavy blood, before I was on the pill, my cramps were bad and painful, so I’m glad they’re not anymore. Again, all bodies are different, but I really like this birth control for me."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2022

"I had to come off of Tri-Previfem (which I have been on for almost 10 years for PCOS, and it worked so well for me until recently), and my gyno switched me to this birth control. The first week I didn't notice a difference, but when my body really started to react with the hormones, I got bloating that hasn't gone away and I began breaking out. On Tri-Previfem, I had glowing skin all the time and now I feel like I'm in high school again. I cannot stand the constant bloating. I feel like I've gained ten pounds and my boobs are at least a size, if not two, bigger. I'm at the end of month two and I can't do it anymore. Not the pill for me."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on this for 2 months. I wanted to give it a chance. Immediately upon taking it, I was extremely fatigued. I spent most days in bed and was unable to care for my kids. I did bare minimum. Usually, I’m bursting with energy and would describe myself as a super mom. I gained over 10 pounds, I constantly looked 4 months pregnant and was extremely bloated. My clothes were tight on me. I was irritable and felt depressed. No libido. My placebo week, instantly I felt great. The doctor said I was imagining it. As soon as I started again, I felt awful. One week after throwing them away, I lost 5 pounds and my energy has returned. I feel great. It WASN'T all in my head."

• Kb1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2022

For Birth Control "This is the third pill I’ve been on, and it is definitely NOT my favorite. I will say it has made my face extremely clear, in the 6 months I’ve been on it, I’ve had maybe 5 or so pimples. I don’t have acne, but normally around my period I’d break out in a few spots, and I have not experienced that. Now, this pill has made me gradually gain weight, I’ve gained like 7 pounds, but it’s not even about the number on the scale, it’s that I feel bloated all the time. I feel like it makes me retain water so much, no matter what I eat. My eating habits have not changed, and I’m a pretty active person. Also, the biggest reason I’m getting off of this is because it has made me SO irritable and anxious about a week to week and a half before I started my period, and that isn’t normal for me."