Tri-Previfem and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• San...
• December 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I use it as birth control, but it has helped a lot with my acne. No more oily face. Also, how effective is this in regards to birth control? So far, no problems, no weight gain. It was difficult getting this approved by my insurance, BCBS."

• Anonymous
• January 26, 2016

For Birth Control "Best birth control out there, in my opinion. I have been having unprotected sex with my boyfriend for almost 2 years on this pill, and it is very effective in keeping you from getting pregnant. Never had any negative side effects, didn't gain any weight. The only thing is my boobs grew from a C to a DD, but that's a good thing for me, lol. Highly recommend this birth control!"

• Kof...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Best decision ever. I love this birth control, it regulates my period. I've never had a pregnancy scare (my boyfriend and I don't use condoms) or acne. When I first started taking it, my breasts were sore, and I gained a little weight for a very short time, but it went away. Other than that, I love it."

• Sar...
• September 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I am now on the last week of my second pack of Tri-Previfem. I started using this medicine only for birth control, and it has caused many side effects. The first few weeks, I had severe headaches, and since I started taking it, I have noticed weight gain. Also, my breasts have definitely become bigger and are always very sore. The first month of taking it, my period was much heavier than usual and lasted longer. I have noticed I have been more depressed as well. However, for the purpose of birth control, I haven't gotten pregnant. But I think I will be switching to a different one soon."

• Tia...
• June 26, 2016

For Birth Control "So far, been on this for about 3 months now... And I've gained weight rapidly. My mood swings are way off the wall. I'm tired just about every day, even after countless hours of rest. My periods are extremely abnormal, in which they never were before. Random spotting...which is extra annoying. My past period cycle was so weird because I've just gotten it, and it looked like it was going away, even though it was lighter, it lasted a lot longer than usual. You definitely get pregnancy-like symptoms...such as the bloating, excessive eating, sensitive nose, mood swings, and definitely lots of fluids releasing from your body."

• Soo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my 4th month after switching from Ortho Tri-Cyclen to Tri-Previfem due to my insurance and availability, and I am miserable. For preventing pregnancy, sure, the pill works. But for anything else, it is horrible. I have gained several pounds over the last month and have not changed anything about my lifestyle. My face is breaking out along my chin nearly every day. I am having constant serious mood swings. I am antisocial, and I have no sex drive. I have considered ending my year-long relationship for the tiniest reasons, and I am horrible to my family. I have never had mental health issues before I took this pill, and I am hoping stopping will help me return to my normal self..."

• jeg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I went on this pill about 4 or so years ago and did not have too many issues. I occasionally broke out from time to time and I did gain a little weight over the last few years, but I think that's more my fault for living off a college diet and not exercising like I should have. I went on the pill almost as soon as I became sexually active and have not had any pregnancy scares, so it did that job in that respect. It also kept my periods regular and fairly short (about 4 days). However, around the time of my period, I experienced extremely bad headaches (sometimes migraines accompanied with vomiting), so my doctor just switched me over to a new pill recently. But other than that, I've had no complaints and would recommend this birth control."

• but...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2017

For Birth Control "First of all, the worst side effect for me is the constant yeast infections. Never had one in my life until I started this pill, now I will have one constantly, cured for a week, then it returns with a vengeance. So dry down there, to the point where my partner and I had tension about one of us unknowingly carrying an STD (neither of us were). Absolute horrific mood swings, you will become a completely different person. Nausea. Sweating. Weight gain. All of the things you don't want. It took me 3 months to realize this pill was the source of my misery. Do yourself a favor and stop it, there are so many better options out there, ladies! Best of luck x o."

• Bug...
• November 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on Tri-Previfem for almost a year, and I love it. I originally did the Depo shot, and it made me gain a lot of weight, but this did not make me gain any weight. My skin has cleared up completely, I have no acne, and I used to have cystic acne. My periods are very light and very regulated, plus I haven’t gotten pregnant, so I know it works in that area too. I definitely recommend this birth control. I weigh 135 pounds, and I’m about 5’6” just for reference."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the pill for over three weeks, and the side effects are horrible. I've gained 10 lbs in just these three weeks. I've been bloating really bad and thought I was pregnant. I originally got on this pill for mainly my acne, and the pill made it worse. I've woken up with terrible migraines and being nauseous. My mood swings are bad, and sometimes I'm depressed because of the weight gain. I couldn't ride my horse, the soreness of my breasts was terrible. I'm thinking about getting off this pill and trying a different one."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I hate this birth control!!! I used to be on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and I loved it, never had any side effects or problems. I was switched to Tri-Previfem 3 months ago and it has been awful from day one. I have severe headaches from the beginning of my period to the end. I've gained 10 lbs. I have had a yeast infection every month since I've been on it. (I've never had yeast infections before). My mood swings are ridiculous. I never want to have sex. The list goes on. Do not get this birth control!"

• Jol...
• August 29, 2016

For Ovarian Cysts "Orthotricyclen is pretty bad, but this is the worst generic of it. As soon as my pharmacy switched to giving me this instead of Trisprintec, my side effects dramatically increased. I gained weight, had horrible mood swings, and even had a blood clot in my leg from this pill! It nearly killed me! It's claimed that generics are all the same, but that can't be true for birth control pills. Tri-Previfem is the worst! Do not take it if your pharmacy forces you to switch!"

• Kil...
• April 23, 2015

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control pill. The first month, I had some light spotting, which is expected when starting most pills. I've now been on the pill for three months, I've experienced some weight gain but nothing drastic. My breasts have gotten larger, and occasionally in the week before my period, I am easily irritated. It has lessened the acne I get before my period as well, but has not made it completely disappear. No change in sex drive and no crazy mood swings or depression. I am only switching to a lower hormone dose pill because in the last month of taking this, I had a huge psoriasis flare, and I know that it's from the pill because I never had it before taking it, and it cleared as soon as I started the placebos."

• Ova...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Previfem for 3 months, and I am still experiencing breakthrough bleeding that lasts until my withdrawal bleed. I take the pill at 6:15 every morning and have never been off by more than 15 minutes. The only positives are that my breakthrough bleeding occurs like clockwork (after 12 active pills), and it made my skin better. But the bleeding itself drains the life out of me and makes me really depressed. I gained 7 pounds on the pill, but I think I had a hormone imbalance that made me lose weight before that. I had lost 10 pounds while eating everything in sight before that, and I had a period that faded into light spotting but would not stop for almost 2 months (only stopped because of the pill). I am switching pills next month."

• CMa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control from when I was 13 to 17 and never really had any issues. The first month, I had spotting every day, but it went away after my first period. I did experience weight gain, but that was due to diet changes and eating disorder recovery. I didn't experience any mood swings either. This was the first birth control I had experienced, and I loved it way more than the IUD that I currently have."

• cyn...
• March 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I could not recommend this birth control any less. Yes, it worked for preventing pregnancy, and it made my period regular, but this stuff made me crazy. I had horrible mood swings, it affected my sleep, I gained weight, lost my appetite, and even lost the desire to have sex. I would rather abstain from sex than take this stuff anymore. I wouldn't recommend this stuff."

• Loo...
• March 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this for 4 months. I had just gotten off of Orsythia, and that gave me terrible depression and anxiety throughout my menstrual cycle. This pill, however, did the same, BUT only for the 1st week. I thought for a bit that it was a fair trade-off for not getting pregnant. So I'll shorten this and make some pros and cons. Pros: Extremely regular period (I was before I took BC, however), only 4 days long (used to be 7-9), libido stayed the same, NO ACNE (a little breakout nearing period). Cons: Very bad memory problems (I'd forget what I was saying mid-sentence, and I usually keep track of things extremely well), I still had cramps, anxiety, self-image issues, worse vision, gained a bit of weight, very manic (very very happy or very very sad)."

• Jul...
• November 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I love Tri-Previfem! The only side effect I experienced was a little weight gain during the first few months. My period was much lighter, with fewer cramps, and my sex drive remained completely normal. I have been taking Tri-Previfem for almost 5 years, and I have been currently considering changing to the implant; being in college has created a very hectic schedule, and I tend to skip pills constantly and fail to take them on time."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2017

For Birth Control "After years on Ortho, they forced me to switch when my insurance no longer covered it. My skin broke out, I gained 10 lbs, my libido was non-existent, I sweat constantly, and between migraines... which lasted for 2.5 out of 3 weeks I was on the pill... I had depression and breakthrough bleeding. Not something I would recommend."

• Sof...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the medication Tri-Previfem for 7 years. Started when I was 17, and it was my first ever birth control. I gained 15 lbs, but it cleared up my acne and I loved it for 5 years. About a year and a half ago, it stopped working for acne, and I have horrible hormonal acne all over my chin. It looks like a rash and can be covered up with makeup, but without it, it’s bright red. I’m unsure if it is birth control related, but I recently went off BC for 2 weeks, and it cleared up. I just started a new pill brand (Blisovi 24 FE), and the reviews are horrible, so if I hate it, I’ll switch back."

• van...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I was prescribed this medication after years of issues with my period. Prior to this, I missed a lot of school and work because my period symptoms were so severe that I couldn't get out of bed. Ever since August 2016, my period has come every 28 days, my acne is very minor each cycle with only like one big zit, little to no cramps, etc. I don't know if this pill caused me to gain weight, I never paid attention to that (personally, I'd take a few extra pounds over awful periods). I've experienced no adverse reactions to this medication, and I swear by it."

• gia...
• April 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for about 3 months now. This is the 3rd prescribed type of pill I've been on. Weight gain was an issue when I first started with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, but my weight has been pretty constant now. My acne has cleared up significantly, which is nice! My sex drive is still the same, unless I'm in the water pill week. My periods have been pretty brief compared to my original 7-day cycles, then becoming 2 weeks (yes, weeks!) on the 2nd BC I was on for months. They are very predictable, and my calendar is always accurate, so I am well prepared, but I still get SEVERE cramps the first 2 days, which has always been a constant problem for me on and off ALL the BCs I've been on. I am still a virgin, only 17, and not sure why this is??"

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I started this pill for 3 months and nothing changed when it came to acne, and I like that my period starts exactly at the same time every month. However, I gained 15 pounds on this pill with no dietary or exercise changes, my sex drive has decreased, and I’ve been experiencing more depression and anxiety when it comes to panic attacks. I’m going to the obgyn to see if I can switch to the IUD."

• Cup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2017

For Birth Control "At first, I didn't have any problems with this. No nausea, no weight gain, there wasn't really a change in the amount of acne I had. I was told it would help reduce cramps and the amount of blood during my period, but it actually did the exact opposite. Cramps were horrible, my stomach was quite swollen, and the length of my period was increased and the blood flow was horribly heavy. I was told it could happen on occasion, but it was rare, so it's a bit unfortunate I had that reaction to it. At least it prevented pregnancy."

• Lea...
• August 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I absolutely love this pill. I was previously taking Yaz, which made me a crazy person. This has regulated my abnormal period. I get it the same day, same time, every month with no cramps. It has given me no negative side effects EXCEPT the fact that I gained 20 pounds. Other than that, I love it. No decreased sex drive, spotting, emotional distress, etc. None of that. Just weight. Which I can live with compared to the horrible pills I've been on. Also, has not failed me in regards to pregnancy. Only reason I gave this pill a 9 was the weight gain! Other than that, it's a 10!"