Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Liz...
• October 26, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on TriNessa for about two years, and I love it. My skin is clear, my periods are usually only 4 days long with no severe cramps, and I haven't had any noticeable side effects like mood swings or weight gain. In fact, I've lost almost thirty pounds in recent months through diet and exercise, so losing weight hasn't been an issue either. I've tried so many kinds of BC (the shot, the ring, other pills), and so far, this one is my favorite."

• Ido...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 13, 2022

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control I have been on since I was 16, and I am almost 22. It has cleared my acne, and I have always had regular periods with it. And it works because my long-term boyfriend and I use this as our only protection (TMI, but he cums in me every time), and I feel 100% safe with it. I did gain weight at first, but I do think that was because of the year I had then."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I'd never been on birth control up until a few months ago, and I was given Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo as a starter because I did not want it to have much hormones. I went through two whole packs and decided to switch because of extremely low sex drive, extreme mood swings, and increased appetite (I would eat a full meal, and two hours later my stomach would be growling again). My relationship began to suffer due to these side effects, so I stopped taking it and am back to normal. However, this pill DID have pros: I didn't get pregnant, it regulated my period, and caused no breakouts or acne. But be wary of weight gain, decreased libido, and mood swings."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I've seen a lot of negative reviews, so I felt I'd share a good one. Ortho Novum 777 made my hair fall out, mood swings, and weight gain. Switched to Trinessa. Hair stopped falling out, lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks, no mood swings, super happy all the time, flawless skin even though Necon gave me acne, but I don't have it naturally. Sex drive is through the roof, which my boyfriend loves! No nausea, headaches, or any other crazy things. GREAT PILL. You don't know until you try! Also, I'm 20 years old, almost 21. Ortho Novum 777 and Lo Loestrin Fe had terrible side effects. Also took Reclipsen (Ortho-cept) for about 3 years, no problems."

• MMa...
• April 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Oh my god, when I tell you I was feeling so defeated, and then I came to this page and saw all these reviews. I have been on Sprintec for 10 years... that's right, 10. I have cystic acne and am also irregular, and it was the only thing that helped me with both. Pharmacy said the patent ran out for Sprintec when I went to pick it up. I had a GYNO appointment the following week, and my doc said not to worry, it's the exact same.... IT'S NOT. I repeat, IT IS NOT. First month was basically a period for three weeks. I also had pretty significant mood swings, and was breaking out for the first time in years, and not small blemishes. I've also had significant weight gain, which is partially bloating that doesn't go away and partially actual weight, but really, who wants either! I have tried to wait it out since my doctor said three months and it regulates, but it hasn't changed. Please, if you just started on Mili, save some time and switch."

• Sie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 5'6" and 114 lbs. Very good pill to take if you're tiny and new to hormones. I recommend starting it the night of your new cycle to help your body get used to the hormones. Take it at night with a snack to fend off the nausea. STAY HYDRATED. You're going to confuse thirst with hunger on this pill. Drinking more water will combat bloating, weight gain, and fatigue. It takes longer to recover after workouts. My mood has improved drastically, as well as sex drive and wetness. My acne got worse, but I'll give it a few more months to straighten out. Love it so far."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I was switched to Mili suddenly when my pharmacy stopped ordering my other brand (other brand wasn't great for me either), so I stuck with it, and things were okay for a while. But I noticed I got severely depressed frequently, even though I couldn't explain why. My periods became irregular, and I gained about 20 pounds. I stuck with it for so long because doctors told me birth control doesn't make you gain weight or destabilize your mental health. I just found out I wasn't the only person who experienced this, so I switched to a brand I had a few years ago. I feel so much better."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2010

For Birth Control "I took this for 5 months and loved it. It actually cleared up the acne I had before I started it, and it kept me from getting pregnant. I started forgetting to take it, so I switched to the Depo Provera shot. It has made me depressed, crazy, gain weight, no period, lactate, acne breakouts, and no sex drive at all. Now my doctor even thinks I might have a tumor on my pituitary gland and will have to get an MRI to find out soon. So, I have definitely switched back to Sprintec, today actually, and I hope all these side effects from Depo Provera go away."

• 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!"

• Sus...
• February 16, 2010

For Birth Control "I took Tri-Sprintec for almost 3 years. Finally, last year, as a freshman in college, I quit taking it-realizing then only how much I hated it. Tri-Sprintec did reduce my cramps and bloating, but it made me very moody and irritable. I felt angry a lot and did not realize this until I quit taking the pill. I also gained about 8 pounds within the first month, and my appetite was way up, I was hungry all the time. To make matters worse, my hair started falling out, I was shedding a ton, my hair got a lot thinner. My breasts, which are already inconveniently large, got even bigger. I feel awful that I put up with this medicine for almost three years-I was naive and thought that these were unavoidable side effects. I would never recommend this pill."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2012

For Acne "I've been taking this birth control for about 7 months and have no real complaints. It cleared up my skin fairly well. I still break out a little but not as badly as I did before. It regulated my period and shortened it, and while I still get cramps, I no longer get back cramps or ones that physically make me sick. This birth control made my depression and mood swings, which I was already having, slightly worse, but nothing a higher dose anti-depressant didn't fix. My breasts were very tender for a few months, and I gained a cup size. I gained a little weight at first until I realized the pill was making me hungry, but with exercise and a balanced diet, I'm back to my original weight. Overall, I say it's worth a try."

• Laf...
• February 27, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about a month and a half. I gained 20 pounds in about a month without changing my diet. I have been a complete antisocial freak who doesn't want to do anything besides sleep and be alone. My period was terrible, and I went from having sex with my boyfriend 2-3 times a day to 2 times a week. I have been to a therapist because of how emotional I've been, and I have wanted to drop out of college. The only 'semi' good thing about this birth control is no babies and huge breasts. I went from a C to a DD, which my boyfriend loves, but me not so much. I am getting off of it."

• Qui...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm using this pill for the second time -- for the last few years, I didn't need birth control as the man I was committed to had a vasectomy. The first time I used Ortho Tri-Cyclen I was 18 and continued use until 21. Now I'm 25 and have been using it again for 2 months now. I love this pill! The only negatives I've experienced have been very mild and include slight weight gain (5 lbs), but mainly in the breasts and hips (and whoever complained about looking more like an hourglass??), and I've also, after two periods on it, noticed that my periods are more painful. It's not awful in my case, I never really had a problem with cramping anyway without the pill. But, my periods are very light, short (2-3 days), and manageable. No complaints!"

• Jho...
• February 13, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on the Ortho-Tri-Cyclen-Lo for 4 years, but my insurance won't cover it anymore, so my doctor switched me to TriNessa. It's been almost a month I've been taking it, and my husband and I love it. I was scared at first because of the bad reviews, such as weight gain and depression. But with me, it's been good so far. No headaches, I've lost weight because, with Ortho, I was bloated a lot. I'm more interested in sexual activities, so my husband is happy with that. The only thing I don't really like is I'm a little bit more emotional, but not moody or crabby."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2014

For Birth Control "I started Sprintec last November for my heavy periods, and for that, it's working great. It has reduced my periods from 10 days to 5 days, and after the first few months, they are now incredibly predictable. I know exactly when they'll start and end and what flow intensity to expect each day. They have also considerably lightened my periods. The only side effect I have noticed is weight gain. It may not have helped that I started the pill around the holidays, as I have found myself with a bigger appetite since starting Sprintec. I gained about 10 lbs by about January (but I haven't gained since then due to changes in diet) and went up about 1.5-2 cup sizes (so annoying since I'm an athlete). My butt and thighs also got noticeably bigger."

• Kit...
• June 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm a 19-year-old girl who, after a pregnancy scare, decided to go on birth control. I was nervous getting back on it since I was on B-Yaz before, and it was horrible for me. I got on this in late March, and I haven't had much issue at all. I have diagnosed depression and anxiety and haven't had an issue with it getting any worse. I have gained a little weight, but it's probably my eating habits and not the pill. My periods are one day of spotting, two regular days (only have to change my pad every 8 hours, really), and another 2 days where I just wear a liner. My husband and I have been having completely unprotected sex except for the pill since and have had no issues with the protection. Cramps are almost non-existent. Been great."

• Ree...
• October 10, 2013

For Birth Control "First, let me preface this by saying that every woman's body is different. Don't let these comments highly influence if you decide to take or not to take Sprintec. You yourself have to try it and see if it works for you. With that being said, I have been on Sprintec for a little over 5 months. It works for me. I really haven't had any side effects... no weight gain, no acne, no crazy moods. I am a Sunday starter, and my period usually comes on late Tuesday or early Wednesday during the week of the placebo pill. The only thing I will say against it is that I haven't experienced the shorter periods. My period still stays on for about 5 days. Most importantly of all, I haven't gotten pregnant!"

• Nic...
• November 12, 2014

For Birth Control "Works as far as preventing pregnancy, shorter, on-schedule periods, REALLY good for preventing acne, but HORRIBLE for weight gain. I literally gained almost 20 pounds when I started taking this. And a lot of people say it's because it makes you feel hungry more often so you eat more, but I've had zero change in my diet so it must be something in the hormones. I've only been off this birth control for a week and a half, and I've dropped 9 pounds."

• hon...
• May 9, 2010

For Birth Control "I am currently 19, in good health, not taking other medicines, have been tested negative for STDs, and sexually active with one partner only. I am taking birth control mainly as a contraceptive and partly to regulate my irregular periods. I have just completed my first week on Tri-Sprintec and have not experienced any significant changes. I have not had any mood swings in the past week, nor experienced drops/spikes in libido. No significant weight gain in this past week, however, I do feel my sports bras tightening up. (Hopefully, my breasts are growing?) No breast tenderness. No change in appetite. Complexion looks better if not the same. I will continue to share my experience with this pill. Currently, very happy with it."

• Mel...
• July 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I was extremely scared to start taking this pill because of all of the reviews, but I saw one review that made me change my mind. The girl said, 'Everyone's body reacts differently. The only way to know how yours will react is to try it.' So I did, and now I feel the same as she did. This birth control is great. I only had symptoms the first 2 days, and that was only nausea and one time vomiting. After that, I never felt nauseous again. I've been on it for about a month now, and I've experienced some weight gain, but mostly in all the right areas (breasts, butt, and hips). Because of where the weight gain is, I suspect it's the pill because normally my weight fluctuates. If you're worried, just try it. The worst that could happen is you stop using it."

• BCb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 19, 2016

For Birth Control "With every online review, you have to take it with a grain of salt. Everyone's bodies are different. I was prescribed Tri-Sprintec when I was 15 and have been using it for the last 5 years. I rarely had any skin problems, besides the monthly pop-ups everyone gets. Stress, food, genetics, and physical health are contributors to breaking out too. I didn't gain any weight, I didn't get sick (unless I took it on an empty stomach), and for being sexually active for a few years, with this pill, I haven't gotten pregnant. There are several reviews out there that are horrible, but my experience has been a good one. I am sorry for those who experience otherwise, but don't let all the negativity deter you from choosing something that could be good for you."

• Kke...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Sprintec for about a year and a half after being on Mirena for 6 years. I didn’t have a period on Mirena, so naturally, I started getting mine on Sprintec. But it definitely was very light through the whole time I was on Sprintec. My acne cleared up (less cystic), but boy, did my moods change, and I gained about 15 lbs. I didn’t change my workout routine or eating habits and still put on weight. The pharmacy switched me to Mono Lynyah, which has horrible reviews. So let’s see how that goes."

• hap...
• June 7, 2011

For Acne "I'm 15, and I've struggled with mild acne for a while, and I've tried Proactiv and tons of other products, and now I use expensive dermatological products. I get facials, and I even use an expensive Thermaclear zit zapper. I'm almost done with my second month of these pills, and I'm happy to say I don't have one zit on my face. I have no weight gain or anything. I'm taking this for my mild acne, and since I'm only 15, it's not for the birth control, but when I'm older, I'm sure it will be good for that too. I used to be weeks late on my period also, and now I'm on time. I'm very happy. Try this."

• BMS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Well, I am really glad I came on here to see I wasn't the only one with the experiences I have been having. So, I decided to add my comments in as I was trying to use Estarylla for abnormal bleeding. I initially would pretty much bleed weeks out of the month, granted some weeks lighter than others, so the doctor recommended this brand. It was not effective for my problem (actually bleeding more), and the side effects it gave me scared me. I became severely depressed, crazy mood swings, sex drive dived down to zero, and weight gain. I am 42 years old, unsure if age is a factor with this birth control pill but...."

• Ver...
• July 23, 2013

For Birth Control "I had been taking Ortho Cyclen for two years when my doctor accidentally gave me Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo instead of my normal pill, and I decided to give it a try. It was a terrible idea! The first month I was nauseous and dizzy, my thoughts started feeling fuzzy, and I could feel myself turning into an angry person. After three months, I was still constantly angry and couldn't think clearly. Not to mention the weight gain! I look five months pregnant! So today, I got my prescription of Ortho Cyclen, and I can't wait to start taking it again. I've tried many types of birth control, and if you're a woman who has troubles with hormonal birth control affecting your mood and brain chemistry, I would definitely go with Ortho Cyclen! Love it!"