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

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Endometriosis "I was on this birth control pill for four years. It shortened my period from 18 days to 7, stopped my cramps completely. I did not gain any weight or have any other symptoms. When I stopped taking it, within one month I gained 20 pounds, got acne, and my cramps are worse than before. My period was back up to 10 days after one month."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Stay far away from Low-Ogestrel-28, that is all I can say. This birth control has made me the most unhappy human being. I cry at random times, my mood swings are unreal, and I’ve gained so much weight. I’ve also started getting acne. I am switching asap."

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2009

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Since starting this brand of birth control two years ago, I have gained forty pounds. During the two years, I exercised thirty minutes a day, seven days a week. Despite the weight gain, this pill worked very well for me, and I never had any other problems."

• Pin...
• September 28, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 3 months now, I think. My Dr. switched it up randomly, and it says it clears your skin, but honestly, my skin has been very bad since I started taking these. I have very bad breakouts, and I've never been this bad. My period has always been kind of normal and still is, but I have gained weight a lot too. Any recommendations?"

• jus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been taking Cryselle since I was 15, I am now 21. I needed a medication to lighten my periods because I have severe anemia. Overall, I was satisfied with this birth control. I did have side effects like weight gain. I gained nearly 50 lbs over the last 7 years, which isn't normal since I have a strict diet and work out every single day. My periods were still heavy at first. But during the last year and a half, my periods last 2 days and are very light, like spotting. I am sexually active, so I was worried that I may have been pregnant, but tests say otherwise. I had random acne before my periods on my chin and cheeks. I craved salty foods around the time of my period, so that could be the culprit of my acne. Cramps weren't awful. There would be cramps that stopped me in my tracks, but they lasted a few seconds and I was fine. It's just the normal period symptoms that are normal to have! I am currently switching to Lo Loestrin and have read more bad reviews than good ones, so I'm not sure that I want to go ahead and start the pack after my last dose of Cryselle or not."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2008

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "It is the only medication that controls my period. I am 50 years young, and my period should have stopped. After trying many things, I am taking this even though I can no longer have children. I have been on it for a year and have gained some weight, but I don't know if that is the pill. I exercise regularly and eat healthy. I would recommend anyone to try it."

• Jaa...
• April 26, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on the pill for more than a year now, and I love it. I used to get really bad headaches before, horrible cramps, and a heavy period twice a month. The pill changed everything: no more constant headaches, no cramps or any menstrual symptoms, no acne, light flow 3-4 days, and no weight gain. The pill's been great to me!"

• col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Was on this pill for two years. Gained about 15 pounds, had cystic acne around my periods, and my mood swings were unbelievable. I would find myself getting so angry and irritated at everyone and everything for absolutely no reason. Perks were I didn't get pregnant and my periods were short and light, with no cramping. This was my 6th pill I tried, and after this, I gave up and switched to an IUD. Couldn't be happier."

• the...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 9, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was on this pill from age 21 to age 31. After concerns of hypertension, my doctor inserted an IUD (Liletta). I gave it a go, loved the idea of not having a period or having to take a pill every day. After 5 months of insane mood swings, nipples so sore if I even looked at my breasts, there was a surge in pain, yeast infections, and a 10-pound weight gain with no decrease in blood pressure, I'm very happy to be back on the pill. On the Low-Ogestrel-28 pill, my periods are very regular and predictable. They last about 5 days, only 3 of those with significant flow. I have had no problems losing weight on it, no acne, no mood swings, or headaches. Starting back has been a shock to my body, as I've been on my period for about 12 days now, but that kind of thing is to be expected when you switch birth control methods. Just started placebo week for the first time since the IUD removal, and I honestly feel like a different person. I love this pill, never going back to an IUD."

• len...
• July 17, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I used to take Ogestrel 28, which is a high dose. I have been on Ogestrel 28 for over 5 years. I am on the pill to help regulate my period. I got a new GYN Dr, and he wanted to change the pill to a lower dose, so I started on Cryselle. I gained 30 pounds. Diet, physical activity was the same as before, in fact, I was more physically active, but I still gained all that weight. My primary Dr thought it was me, that I was overeating or not active, that she doubted it was the pill. I went from a normal BMI to crossing the obese border after starting Cryselle. I told my Dr I wanted to change back to Ogestrel 28. Within the first few months back on Ogestrel, I started to lose the weight."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 30, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was on Cryselle for a year and one month. I had noticed some random anxiety here and there (never have had anxiety), but it always went away quickly, and I didn’t think anything of it. However, my parents noted how I was more apathetic, withdrawn, and disinterested as time passed. I was put on an equivalent (generic) of this drug at my annual, and things quickly went off a cliff. Weight gain, acne, irrational anxiety and depression, no sex drive at all with my fiancé, and mental fog all the time. I would say that it all depends on individual body chemistry, but this pill was awful for me, maybe due to being higher in estrogen than my previous pill. I am now off this and doing so much better. Do not recommend."

• She...
• April 22, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been using Cryselle for almost 2 years now. ACNE: The first couple of months... my acne got pretty awful. Eventually, I started to see my acne dramatically getting better. I had severe acne before starting the pill, and now I only have a couple of pimples at a time. WEIGHT: For the first 5 months, I stayed the same weight, and my breasts didn’t grow at all (so if you are looking for a pill to make your breasts bigger, I would not recommend this pill). By the 7th month, I gained 15 pounds without changing anything in my diet or exercise. Now I fluctuate up and down quite a lot in weight without changing anything. MOOD: my mood has pretty much stayed the same from what I have noticed. The only thing that has changed since taking the pill is that my irritability has increased quite a bit. This could just be non-related to the pill, but I’m not exactly sure. Do realize not everyone reacts to medication the same, so my experience may differ from yours!"

• Ari...
• August 4, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been taking Cryselle for just over two years and have been fighting depression, weight gain, terrible headaches, and anxiety attacks for the entire duration. I live a very stressful life, but I was always optimistic and could fight through it until I started taking this pill. After about 3 months, I tried to commit suicide, my depression has become debilitating, and I have anxiety attacks at the most random moments without any triggers. I've been off the pill for about a week, and my mood is already improving. This pill changed who I am completely. I lost my friends and became distant, all because of the depression. I'm not sure how to be me again or who I even am anymore. Be careful and watch out for any side effects."

• blb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 4, 2022

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was on Low-Ogestrel for about a year and a half after getting married. I experienced about 30 lbs of weight gain, moodiness, anxiousness, and overall felt depressed. I stopped birth control in May of 2021 after my husband and I decided we wanted to start trying for a baby. I have always had regular periods. It took 2 months for my period to come back, and now I believe I have pill-induced PCOS. I get a period every other month, and we have been trying for about 5 months now, and no luck. We have started seeing a fertility doctor and are getting bloodwork done to see what next steps we can take. I definitely do not recommend any form of hormonal birth control if you plan to start a family down the road. Looking back, we both seriously regret the pill and wish we had gone with natural family planning instead."

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2011

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I switched from another pill to this one because of the side effects of the other pill. This pill regulated my moods and increased my chest size and sex drive. However, I gained 12 lbs in less than 6 months and was unable to lose it despite diet and exercise. It also gave me dangerously high blood pressure, which went back down when I switched off of it. So if you are worried about weight gain and blood pressure, this isn't the pill for you. Periods were also heavier than on the previous pill I was on."

• 9an...
• March 16, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Endometriosis "I am very displeased. I started Cryselle because my previous birth control wasn't strong enough to stop bleeding caused by endometriosis. This drug made me very sad, depressed, and angry, and I had a lot of mood swings. On top of all of that, I gained 14 pounds in a month. What fun."

• Wen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "Severe constipation started within 2 days after I started this pill (had been on Low-Ovral for years prior, but currently unavailable), acne followed, and now 5 lb weight gain in the past 3 weeks. The stomach cramps are so painful (constipation-related) that I am completely distracted throughout the day, every day now. I cannot wait to finish the cycle and move on to another pill. I've taken many different types of pills in the past 20 years...never had a single issue of any sort until this one."

• DD1...
• October 19, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I first took Cryselle when I was 15, and I had the worst side effects: breakthrough bleeding, headaches, anxiety attacks, weight gain, and my periods lasted 2 weeks. I got on it again when I was 18 and had little side effects! My periods are a little heavier and hurt a bit more, and I have very sore boobs. Other than that, it's a charm. No pregnancy."

• Sir...
• February 10, 2017

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been taking Cryselle for about 2-3 weeks now. It is much better than my previous birth control brand (Tri-Estarylla). My previous birth control caused weight gain, had horrible mental side effects, and caused various other problems. Using Cryselle has eliminated all of these problems for me. I can't say I love it just yet, but it is definitely better. My main issue/concern is the spotting. I'll wake up in the morning, and it'll look like I just came on my period. This pill also moved my cycle up. I'm used to having periods starting around the middle of the month, but this first month using the pill, it came on the 1st. I'll speak to my doctor about it, but I'm pretty content so far with this birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for a little bit over a year, and let me just say it has been interesting. I honestly got it to help with periods, which it is okay at, but I was definitely expecting better. My periods used to last a heavy 6 days, but it switched to a slightly lighter 4 days. So it worked in that aspect, but when it comes to regulating, it would be off by a couple of days every month. I have gained 10 pounds in the past year, even though I was active, I feel constantly fatigued and have cramps all the time randomly. I never had acne, so that was not an issue, but the overall feeling of just feeling gross and depressed has outweighed the positives for sure. I'm going off of birth control, I just cannot handle this anymore. I wish anyone luck, I am glad to hear that some have positive experiences, I just did not."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was on this birth control pill, Low-Ogestrel-28, for 3 years. Overall, I had no problems. I weighed about 115 lb when I started it, and after 3 years, I was about 135. I was a college athlete and have always been active, but I found it harder to maintain my desired weight on this pill. Although I don't fully contribute my weight gain to the pill, after the first month after stopping it, I have dropped almost 8 pounds (with a balanced diet and exercise). Other than weight, I have completely enjoyed this pill. My periods were light and lasted about 4 days total. Minimal cramps. My period also started exactly when it was supposed to every single month. I only had to switch birth control methods due to high blood pressure caused by the estrogen in the pill. But if you are good about remembering to take the pill, I highly recommend this pill!"

• AZ ...
• August 27, 2013

For Birth Control "In my 20s, I used several kinds of birth control, and this had the least side effects, so I stayed on it for about 5 years, then went off birth control and became pregnant. After pregnancy, my OBGYN put me back on this birth control (9 years ago, age 28; used various brands based on insurance), and overall, I didn't experience any negative side effects. It keeps my period regular (as long as I am consistent with taking my prescription on time each day), and I don't have acne issues. I did gain a few pounds when I went back on it, but that is typical with any birth control. The only thing I have noticed in the last year (age 37 now) is some heavier periods and some cramps I didn't have before, but that may be due to my age. Hope this is useful."

• Lil...
• October 7, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "I was originally prescribed Low-Ogestrel-28 once I got off the depo injection, which literally turned me into a different person. I only had two depo provera injections, and I was miserable. Side effects ranged from weight gain, anxiety/depression, hair loss, no sex drive, and constant bleeding. The best way I could describe it is as having a literal dark cloud over my head. Anyway, I was prescribed the Low-Ogestrel pill, and I’ve never been happier. I have absolutely no side effects, it’s amazing. My acne is significantly better. I mainly use the pill as a prevention of pregnancy and for my acne. So far, it’s been doing a superb job. I definitely recommend this pill, without a doubt."

• Rea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Birth Control "This is the first birth control that I have been on that didn’t cause any harsh side effects! I was mainly placed on it because of my acne, which has cleared dramatically. I believe it caused weight gain in the beginning, but it has stopped. I was 135 before starting it, and now I’m 140. I’ve been 140 for a while now. I can’t recall any mood swings or rapid heartbeats."

• Bnn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am so satisfied with Low-Ogestrel! I am only a teenager, just using this birth control for period management; not actual birth control. Before I was on this pill, I had the worst periods ever. I had unbearable cramps, I was sick all of the time, and yet they were very, very heavy! Now I have been on Low-Ogestrel for 8 months, and I couldn't be happier with the results. My periods are much lighter, only last a few days, I have far less cramping, and I don't get sick anymore! I experience very slight side effects, sometimes nausea after taking the pill every night, and slight weight gain. Overall, totally worth it!"