Previfem for Birth Control User Reviews
Reviews for Previfem
- Fio...
- August 14, 2019
"Reading other reviews on Previfem was such a relief. The side effect that was the most significant for me, and by far, was the depression. I had never experienced something like it. I thought I was feeling that way due to some personal issues in my life at the moment, but as it turned out, it was these pills. You always hear of such side effects and think it won't happen to you, but this was like an anvil for me, very much present. I felt so sad and alone, it was terrible. I only took these pills for a month. My usual Mononessa is not available anymore, so I was given Previfem as a substitute. I left it after the first month. At the moment, I am taking this opportunity to not take anything, to cleanse my body after years of taking birth control and use condoms. Let's see what happens. But no matter what, I am not taking Previfem again. How can it be exactly the same composition as Mononessa and yet have such a profound negative effect?"
- Dan...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- February 13, 2017
"I am in the 9th month of taking this medication, and I don't have anything bad to say about it at this point. It has definitely done its job of keeping me from getting pregnant. My acne was also bad around my nose and chin before I started Previfem, but my skin is very clear and my period cramps aren't nearly as bad as they were before. They are also lighter. The only bad thing about this pill was that it made me very moody in the beginning."
- 19n...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- January 16, 2017
"I started birth control when I was 15 for acne, and I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about a year. I woke up every morning sick to my stomach, I had no appetite most days, and my acne only sort of improved. My insurance switched, and so I switched birth control to birth control for a few months straight. I went from a knockoff to Sprintec to a knockoff of that, etc. All helped with the nausea a little more, not too much with my acne, and a few made me very depressed. I switched to Previfem, and I have been on it continuously for around 2 years now. It makes me feel so normal that the first few weeks on it I was scared it wasn't working. Not pregnant. No acne. I have my cycle down to the exact hour. Would recommend for young girls who don't react well to combo packs."
- Kan...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 16, 2018
"Do NOT take this birth control. For the past 5 years, I’ve been switching my pills for different reasons. The last time I switched was because I wasn’t getting periods at all (I know, stupid reason to complain, right?). So they switched me to Prev, worst decision ever. They told me it helps clear up acne, but I already have little to no acne, and I was getting the worst breakouts of my life in spots I NEVER break out. Instead of not having a period, I bled for 3 and a half weeks straight and/or spotted almost every day. My MOOD swings on this pill were unbearable. I was so depressed and so anxious 24/7. 0 sex drive. I would randomly start cold sweating profusely (when I wasn’t even hot). I would wake up almost every day with a killer migraine that would last all day. I’ve been off this medication for a month now, and I have not had a migraine since, I feel like myself again. Man, PLEAAASE do yourself a favor and don’t take this pill!!!"
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Lam...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 24, 2018
"My pharmacy switched me to Previfem, without asking or notifying me, from another brand of BC because the wholesaler didn’t have my brand in stock. The pharmacy said it’s essentially the same. However, it’s a generic, and this brand uses different inactive ingredients. My OB is mad and said I can take it, but there were specific reasons he has me on my original brand and asked to notify him if my pharmacy can’t fill my original brand. I have clear skin. I have always had clear skin. I now have acne all over my face, chest, and back. I’m with ridiculous bloating, gas, constipation, and mood swings. Nothing in my life has changed except the pills. I’m beyond pissed. Whenever I get back to my original brand, I’ll go through more changes."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 22, 2020
"This pill is so awful! I normally take Mononessa, which worked just fine. They were no longer carrying Mononessa, and I was assured that this was the same thing. I got the worst migraines. My breasts were enlarged and hurt like hell. It was so bad! Not only that, I was nauseous and throwing up. I was anxious! I gained weight, and I eat healthy and work out 4-5 times a day. I had pregnancy symptoms and wasn’t even pregnant. I was completely exhausted. My sleep patterns were all over the place. It was hard to work and concentrate. I had very little sex drive! DO NOT take this pill. I swear, please. It’s not worth it! Took it for 2 months and quit."
- Che...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 2, 2016
"I am on my 2nd week of this pill and have had terrible diarrhea, nausea, pelvic and leg pain, headaches, frequent thirst, and much more. I want to switch, but my doctor tells me it's not possible for that medicine to cause those side effects."
- all...
- September 30, 2019
"I was on Previfem contraceptive pill for 2 plus years, and overall it worked great for me. I had terrible acne before taking this pill, and it went away almost completely after I started taking it. Over the 2 and a half years taking it, I only gained around 5 pounds (mostly due to unhealthy eating). I did get a little irritable around the time of my period, but nothing out of the ordinary. No spotting or irregular bleeding either while on this pill. The only reason I stopped taking it was because I was getting migraines, so I had to stop estrogen pills completely."
- Ame...
- April 10, 2015
"This birth control has given me terrible side effects of depression. I don't feel like the same woman. I want off of it as soon as I can! This is not in my character to act, feel, or think the way I have been thinking."
- Mom...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- June 30, 2018
"I have been taking Previfem birth control for over a year. So far, no major side effects, but I do notice a lot more breakthrough bleeding, especially a week before my period. Mood swings are also something that happen more often, along with bloating. I have little to no sex drive. No hair loss. No weight gain."
- Jam...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 13, 2018
"I started taking this BC not even a week ago, and I've been nauseous and had migraines this entire time. I've been so sick that I decided to quit this brand completely. When I drove in a car, worked out, or even ate my own dinner, I would get so sick that I'd have to stop. I don't recommend this pill, but everyone's different, so I can't tell you what will be your side effects or if it'll work well for you."
- nik...
- October 29, 2018
"I've been on this form of birth control for going on 3 months. I've never been on birth control before. The first side effect I noticed almost immediately was vaginal itching, I kept thinking it was a yeast infection. When the yeast infection symptoms started again the next month after my period, I did more research and realized that it wasn't a yeast infection but a side effect of this drug. The next thing I noticed was my mood swings. I equated the mood swings and anxiety to the fact I was working, moving, and planning a wedding. Well, now those things are done, but I still feel so emotionally unstable and depressed. I started to think something was wrong with me. It's comforting to read that these feelings are a side effect of this drug, and I plan on getting off of it ASAP. Oh, one other side effect is my libido is almost nonexistent."
- Jen...
- November 3, 2018
"I was put on this medication to try to keep my estrogen levels steady. This medication has made my menstrual cycle last for almost 3 weeks now. I stopped taking it after only taking 5 pills because it was making me feel bloated and nauseated. I can only imagine taking it longer."
- AKa...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 31, 2018
"I’m on the first week of these pills because my pharmacy literally switches my BC each month. I’ve been nauseous on and off, I have anxiety attacks every day, depressed thoughts, and I’m exhausted. I’m so over this, why do I even bother taking birth control?"
- Var...
- April 30, 2018
"I've been on this birth control for almost a year now. If you want to prevent pregnancy, it's great, but it KILLS your sex drive. I haven't wanted sex since I started this pill. I gained 18 lbs, and I eat decently healthy. Plus, I exercise every day. I have noticed terrible mood swings as well as depression. My life isn't crazy stressful. I bled for two weeks straight in December 2017. I just finished a month-long period two days ago. I've never been this irregular! After months of saying, 'I'll give it another try.' I AM SWITCHING! As I said before, great at preventing pregnancy, only if you want all the bad side effects that come with it."
- Jes...
- July 11, 2016
"Sure, it's effective as birth control because I have not gotten pregnant. HOWEVER... My periods have been heavier with bad cramps and acne. I also gained 8 lbs in a month, now I am extremely active and eat healthy, so this was unpleasant. The weight went away when I stopped taking it, but honestly, I've tried many birth control pills, and this is BY FAR the worst. Just say no."
- Sto...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 18, 2016
"As a mother of nothing but girls, this really scared me. If your family had a history of blood clots, miscarriages, etc., don't put your daughter or yourself on an estrogen pill that has ethinyl estradiol in it. They gave her samples to take for six months. My daughter was on this pill for three months or less and ended up in the hospital with a blood clot in her lung. It was given to her to regulate her periods. This is horrible and I would like all you women and young ladies to do your research and family history before starting any birth control. Now she has to suffer every day with two shots of blood thinners, possibly for life."
- bel...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 12, 2019
"I’ve been taking Previfem for almost a month now, and it’s been making me nauseous, very irritable, low sex drive, having trouble staying wet during sex, emotional, and it gave me a yeast infection. I do not recommend this birth control."
- Hor...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 24, 2014
"I have never had such severe side effects with an oral contraceptive in the last 14 years (just turned 29); bloating, gas, 20 lb weight gain, mood swings, still having cramps, and decreased sex drive. I gave it 3 months, and it's just gotten worse. Beware, ladies."
- Ash...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 19, 2018
"Literally started this birth control 3 days ago, and I missed 1 day of classes from feeling extremely nauseous, and went to school the next day, and as soon as I got there, felt so nauseous, I threw up and got sent home. I used to be on pills but not this kind, then stopped birth control altogether for about 2 months. Tried the patch, and when I would take it off, it would leave little itchy bumps on my skin. Then was going to give the Depo shot a try and decided not to due to all the side effects I’ve heard about and the fact that I hate needles. This was my next option, and it literally has been the WORST feeling 3 days of my life. I will be getting off these pills very soon."
- Kat...
- January 17, 2018
"My pharmacist changed my birth control from Tri-Sprintec to this and told me it was the same thing. I do not like this birth control at all. The first month I was on it broke me out so much, the second month I bled for 15 days straight, and the third month it made my mood TERRIBLE. The only reason I’m still on it is because they gave me a 3-month supply. After I finish this pack, I will be changing back to Tri-Sprintec."
- Kar...
- March 27, 2016
"This was the first BC I was put on. Bled continuously for 6 months. My OB/GYN prescribed it to take so my periods would stop, so 6 months of that was enough. I also have migraines, which I take Topamax to prevent, but with the Previfem, they were coming nearly every other day. Extreme nausea and regular vomiting were also lovely side effects I experienced. I switched to Gildess or Junel, depending on which the pharmacy had in, and they were both a dream. None of these symptoms except for occasional nausea, so I took it at night to remedy that. Gildess and Junel are also used to regulate hormonal migraine headaches, and they both helped tremendously. I just got the Nexplanon, but will go back to Gildess/Junel if I don't do well with it."
- mlm...
- February 15, 2016
"This has been the first birth control method that I haven't had a poor reaction to. My moods have been regular, and I've experienced no abnormal bleeding. My breasts have gotten a bit larger, which is nice, but they are somewhat sore. Also, I've gotten a few stray pimples, but nothing too concerning. Overall, this has been a great option for me, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking a new form of birth control."
- Sha...
- March 31, 2016
"Before I started taking this, I was on Gildess for about 2-3 years. My periods became so much lighter, and it just made my skin that much better! I did gain a lot of weight with Gildess in the beginning, but it soon shed off after a month or so. I ended up coming off of birth control (worst mistake of my life! I got post-birth control acne at its very worst!). Anywho, I went back to the doc, and she prescribed me Previfem... I've been on Previfem for a little under a year, and I flipping hate it!! First of all, weight gain wasn't a problem, but my acne is not under control at all. She said it was supposed to clear up my skin, and it has yet to do anything! The best thing about it is no babies. Do not use this!"
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.Learn more about Birth Control
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More about Previfem (ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate)
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- Drug class: contraceptives
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Other brands
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Other brands
Sprintec, Estarylla, Tri-Sprintec, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, ... +20 more
"This Previfem was the first birth control I tried. I was hoping to prevent pregnancy and reduce my severe period cramps. I’m not pregnant, but I have terrible nausea, constant gas and bloating, zero sex drive, itching down there that I saw someone else mention as a side effect of this. Depression really got worse, and hating my bloated body all the time definitely didn’t help. Doesn’t matter when or what I eat, I feel constantly sick. Stuck with it for three months, and nothing has changed. Would never recommend this pill."