Mononessa and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• May...
• May 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been taking Mononessa since January 2013 and have had a really good experience. No weight gain, no hormonal changes, no unexpected pregnancies! If I ever had side effects, it was within the first month of taking the pills just because my body was adjusting to them. But ever since, my period has been extremely consistent and gotten a lot lighter (which is nice!). I honestly just have no complaints. Also, with a committed partner, it has been totally safe to have sex without a condom (if you're wondering about that kind of thing). I've never had a scare or anything with this birth control -- it's been super effective. Overall, it's just a great product. Love it. Also, shout out to Obamacare for covering my birth control!"

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2014

For Birth Control "It's almost been 1 month of taking this birth control. At first, I was experiencing nausea for 5 days, then it went away. I have noticed weight gain, and I am constantly bloated! I've taken anti-bloat meds, but nothing seems to help. I work out and eat super healthy, and the bloat sticks, and the weight can stick also! I am thinking of dropping this birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 3 months now. At first, I didn't really notice anything, but recently I have realized that I have gained a couple of pounds, even though I work out 5 times a week and eat relatively healthy. The worst part is my mood; I'll be happy-go-lucky one second, then become a psycho emotional wreck the next. I flip out about EVERYTHING and get really upset; I used to be very mellow and laid back. However, it has really cleared up my skin, and my period is regular now."

• asm...
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on and off different birth controls for the past 6 years, including the Mirena IUD, NuvaRing, and other pills. The Mirena made me lose weight and have bigger boobs, but it also made me crazy. Like a psychotic to my husband, and my acne was horrible. The NuvaRing cleared up my face amazingly well, but made me gain weight like crazy, which in turn made me depressed. Some other pills I tried (can't remember names because there were probably 3 different kinds) worsened my acne or made me have crazy mood swings. A year after having a baby, my doctor put me on Mononessa, and it's the first time I have been happy with my birth control ever! My face is normally clear, weight is normal, mood swings low, periods normal to light."

• Amb...
• November 3, 2014

For Birth Control "Been taking this birth control for 8 months now since giving birth. Pros are light periods that last 3-4 days, 5 tops, and they always come on time. No pregnancy, so that's good. Cons... (Well, my only MAJOR con) is WEIGHT GAIN!!!! I am constantly gaining weight every month, and it's scary. Every time I step on the scale, I've gained another 2-3 lbs. I don't even eat a lot & have never gained weight this rapidly in my life. So far I've gained 13 lbs since starting this pill... It's depressing, and I cry about it. Also, it is almost impossible to lose the weight other than practically starving yourself. The contraceptive side of Mononessa is good, but the weight gain is NO GO!!!"

• jus...
• June 27, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Before Mononessa, I tried four different birth controls (can't remember the names), but all of them gave me bleeding constantly, it was horrible. Finally, I tried Mononessa. It's helped so much, my periods are much lighter, no more acne, and I didn't experience any weight gain like the other reviews I have read. Also, it is a lot cheaper. This pill is the one I've been needing."

• Anonymous
• June 26, 2012

For Birth Control "Been on this birth control over a year now, and I gained so much weight. Thinking about changing it up. The periods are normal. It's always 4-5 days regular. I thought I was the only one gaining weight from this birth control."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this pill for about 2 and a half years. It worked great, only had a few pregnancy scares from forgetting to take the pills on time. I usually always remembered, but it was sometimes a hassle to remember every day. I had good and bad side effects. It got rid of all of my acne and made my periods regular. I did gain about 25 pounds and had a much lower sex drive, though. I did spot occasionally, but not too often. If I decided to take the pill through my period rather than stopping, sex would start to hurt deep in my uterus eventually. That happened many times. I decided to get off that birth control a few months ago, and I could tell that I had a complete change in my body. I lost weight and felt happier. My sex drive went up incredibly."

• Yee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2016

For Birth Control "While I haven't been on it long, I can say I have been worlds different. I originally was on Sprintec for a good 10 years. Got a new job where I just got my RXs filled there (insurance requirement) and was given Estrace as a substitute. Can we say all hell broke loose on it? Moody (which I'm not at all), gained 15 lbs, always bloated, foods I should want and love made me sick, no sex drive, horrible periods, lethargic, etc., etc. Well, then the pharmacy got Mononessa in. No joke, within a week the bloating subsided, I dropped 5 lbs, my mood was way better, and my drive is back. Honestly, I feel better on it than even Sprintec. Watch your inactive ingredients, those are what cause the side effects more than the hormones."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2015

For Ovarian Cysts "I've been on Mononessa for approximately 17 months to treat PCOS and prevent pregnancy. PROS 1) Consistent periods 2) Little to no cramping 3) No spotting 4) No increase in acne CONS 1) Digestive problems. This has been the most troubling issue. Mononessa aggravated my constipation, and no amount of exercise or dietary restrictions can alleviate this issue. See below. 2) Weight gain. I lost about 8 - 10 lbs after the first 4 months of taking the pill, but I've been steadily gaining weight since then. In fact, I've surpassed the weight I was prior to starting Mononessa (> 10 lbs) despite a healthy diet and exercise. 3) Hair loss (from the scalp). I had to get another cover for my shower drain because it was so bad."

• ova...
• July 25, 2013

For Ovarian Cysts "The first month of the pills went by fast, but had long-lasting side effects, such as very hot flashes, a lot of them, weight gain, and migraines that would last for days. Now I'm almost done with my second month's pack. My breasts have increased in size, I'm extremely irritable, and snap for no reason at all. I also cry a lot. My period started on day 1 of the 2nd pack. I am currently at the end of the pack (with 4 pills to spare), and my period is still here. It's been almost a month, I'm bleeding extremely heavy, too much blood loss, tired, and dizzy."

• Nin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2017

For Birth Control "Love this pill! Great hormone balancer and contraceptive. Pros: cystic acne gone, moods regulated, no more monthly migraines, few to no cramps, on my period for only 5 days each month, did not decrease my sex drive. Cons: weight gain (25 lbs in 3 months that won't come off 3 years later), bigger breasts (D cup to DDD). Other pills made me spot all month and have mood swings. This one does not. Free through my insurance too!"

• MsL...
• October 28, 2013

For Endometriosis "I have been on Mononessa for about 18 months. I have put on 20 pounds. I have tried to lose the weight while on the meds, but I lost 10 pounds and plateaued. I am so done. I just turned 40 and have decided to go with a no-hormone permanent solution!"

• cen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2015

For Birth Control "Mononessa has prevented me from getting pregnant (even when I missed a pill), but not without side effects. I have been taking it for 2 years and have gained 15 pounds and constantly look bloated. I have vaginal discharge from it and experience vaginal dryness constantly. I don't have cravings from it, but sometimes I have depressive mood swings. On the upside, my period went from being so painful I couldn't function to pretty light and barely any cramps."

• acr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 19, 2016

For Ovarian Cysts "I started Mononessa after having been on at least 5 other birth control pills. I've now been using Mononessa for almost 5 years. Having been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, my OB-GYN put me on birth control to help the symptoms. Mononessa has eliminated most of my symptoms. While I still struggle with weight gain, this pill hasn't made me gain weight or made it harder to lose weight. (Anyone with PCOS knows that losing weight is the actual struggle). Overall, I really like this pill, and it has been a lifesaver!"

• Nik...
• October 6, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control works and does its job, it's just the mood swings that have been terrible for me. I cry all the time over nothing, and I go from being happy to angry to depressed. I feel it putting a strain on my relationship, and I am considering going off it. On the plus side, however, my period cramps are now nonexistent. I haven't experienced any weight gain or cravings (I've always eaten a lot, though, so it's hard to tell!). My acne actually got better, but only slightly, and that could be due to other factors. I just feel like the mood swings outweigh the benefits, and I just want to feel better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for almost a year. It started out great, and my periods were regular and light. My breasts also got bigger, which was an advantage. Right away, I noticed the biggest change in my lifestyle: my sex drive plummeted, and I became extremely emotional. I went from having sex with my boyfriend every day to maybe once a week, and it's so difficult for me to get turned on. I'll watch a commercial with a dog in it and cry or sob uncontrollably when my boyfriend does something nice for me. It's ridiculous. I also gained a lot of weight since starting Mononessa and always feel tired and foggy. It has been effective in preventing pregnancy, but it's not the right birth control for me."

• S04...
• July 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I went on this birth control because my period was so irregular, and it was getting out of control. When I first went on this birth control, I threw up for the first 3 days, and then after that, I was fine. Two weeks after I began, my mood swings increased a lot, it was really unpredictable what my mood would be like. I've also been throwing up ever since I went on this birth control. My appetite has decreased, I've gained weight, I always feel bloated, my mood is terrible, and everything makes my stomach feel sick. I hate throwing up, so this pill has been the worst for me. Definitely a waste of my time."

• Cas...
• August 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Mononessa to attempt to get my hormones back in check. As if I wasn't already feeling bad before... boy, did this birth control make me feel even worse! Constant nausea, stomach pains, hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, weight gain, bloated, the only positive it gave me was a lighter period, but it wasn't worth it with all the side effects. Stopped it today, and I can't wait to start feeling better again."

• Kcr...
• May 22, 2015

For Birth Control "So I have been taking it for almost a year now, I am thinking of switching. I have gained 20 pounds over the time I have taken it. Can't lose the weight either! My cravings are really bad, which also does not help the weight loss. I get super moody at times, and I'm always tired. The first few months of taking it, my sex drive plummeted. I didn't want my man to touch me, look at me, I was so moody. My acne before and after my period is horrendous. The only good thing about this medication is my period is lighter. I received this medication from a Planned Parenthood clinic, I will definitely be going to a GYN next month to change this."

• oli...
• February 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I got my prescription from PP after previously using Chateal and having an awful experience, so my expectations were not high. However, since using Mononessa for 3 months now, I have had the best experience. No weight gain, feelings of depression, or pregnancy. My period is a day longer, but all in all, it is lighter and less painful. The only negatives I have noticed are that I have small breakouts and cravings."

• UTi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2015

For Ovarian Cysts "This medicine has made my periods a lot better. They are no longer irregular, so I can definitely time them accurately, and I am never surprised. However, I do get really bad mood swings, I am very irritable at times. I have definitely gained a lot of weight since I started. My breast size fluctuates, and my nipples are tender the majority of the time. Besides those things, I am very satisfied with this medication."

• tay...
• February 3, 2015

For Birth Control "It has worked incredibly well for me, and I rarely ever get pimples. I have never gotten sick, either, and my periods have been manageable. I've been on this for about 5 months now, but one thing is I did gain a ton of weight. It wasn't really a bad thing because I already was incredibly skinny. I started out at 100 lb, and I'm now at 115. But the problem is that all the weight went straight to my stomach. I look incredibly bloated all the time and have to suck in to try and look normal. I have a feeling strenuous workout is necessary to make the pill worth it."

• kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2015

For Birth Control "The pro of this pill is it did regulate my period, but that's the only pro. I was on it for 6 months and stopped. It made me sick all the time, I gained 15 lbs, if not more, and stayed bloated. My mood swings were out of control, and I'm a pretty chill person. It may have worked great for some, but just not for me."

• Bla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm only 15, and the doctor prescribed me this to regulate my period because I would only get it once every 6 months, and it was making me gain a lot of weight. I gained 20 pounds in less than a year. The pills have worked on getting my period monthly and at a decent flow. The only thing is I'm worried this is causing me to be depressed. I'm normally really happy and fun to be around, but for about 2 months now, my mood changes from mad to sad. It's rare when I'm happy. I don't know if it's just because I'm still young and I'm having the typical teenage mood swings or if I'm actually getting depressed and it can be a serious problem. I'm very concerned about that."