Heather and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for about one year, April 2018 to April 2019. My gyno told me to expect changes in my skin/weight, but boy did I not know what I was in for. The only upside of using this pill was no periods, but the downside was so much of my hair fell out, I gained about 30 pounds, and I went from clear skin to the worst acne I've ever had in my life. I'm 31, and it wasn't even this bad in my teenage years. I'm officially done with this pill. I gave it time for my body to become used to it, but even after a year it only seems to be getting worse. Seems like the weight gain is not stopping and the acne is so bad. If possible, please find another BC pill."

• Ali...
• November 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I don't normally leave reviews, but I definitely felt obligated to share my experience with the Heather birth control pill. This is a mini pill, so of course, I was taking it after I had my son, so I could continue to breastfeed him. Not only did it make me gain all 30 lbs back that I initially lost after I had him, but it completely wrecked my normally clear skin. Aside from physical issues, the reason I really wanted to leave this review is because of the mental side effects it gave me. I am regularly a very happy person, however, this BC made me extremely depressed, which is definitely not good for a woman who just had a baby! I don't believe it should be prescribed for women, period, but most definitely not for new mothers. It did its job of allowing me to not get pregnant and still breastfeed, so I gave it a couple of stars, however, other than that, I would recommend something else."

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2018

For Endometriosis "Taking this medicine is a severe mistake. This drug does not at all reduce cramping, bleeding severity, or promote bodily menstrual regularity. Instead, after only 2 months of using it, my hair is falling out in the shower, my acne is severe, I've gained 11 pounds, and my anxiety is unbearable. This drug has caused me to have a period every 2 weeks since being on it, and with each period, I am vomiting and swelling up. My breasts are so tender that I cannot even put a bra on. I am entirely exhausted all of the time - something I never had an issue with until taking this medicine. I have an appointment first thing tomorrow to come off of this drug - what a nightmare."

• tde...
• April 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had trouble finding a birth control that wouldn't make me gain weight, give me UTIs, or make me depressed. I have finally found the one! This birth control has given me no issues at all. At first, my period was a little irregular when adjusting to this pill, but now it comes regularly and I have no negative side effects. You do have to be a little more exact with the time you take this BC, but I have my phone alarm set every day to the same time, so it's usually not a problem. The only time it is, is when my schedule is a little out of whack. Other than that, this is the best birth control I've taken and will continue to take."

• Run...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using Heather for 3 months. I was advised to switch to a no-estrogen pill since I am 38 years old and a smoker. My prior birth control pill was Ortho Tricyclen Lo, which was phenomenal! Since I began taking Heather, I am either extremely irritable and moody or completely emotionless. I have gained 8 pounds, yes 8 in 3 months, coming from someone who runs a full marathon every year and is an addictive runner. I have lost all motivation and energy to work out, due to being extremely fatigued! I’ve also experienced breast tenderness, severe bloating, painful low back pain, and muscle aches. Not to mention that I’ve had my period 6 times in 3 months! I will be stopping this medication as soon as my husband gets his vasectomy and his post-vasectomy test is clear!"

• Sta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2022

For Birth Control "I was put on Heather as a 42-year-old with pretty easy, light, regular periods. My boyfriend is not “fixed,” and we do not want more children. Now Heather. No periods? Sign me up! Well…my periods have been SO irregular. I never know when I might have one. My anxiety/depression has gotten so much worse to the point where I’ve felt like a lab rat trying all these meds to help my mood. Let’s not forget about the weight gain. I literally do not sit down. I’m on the move constantly, I don’t eat junk, and I drink my water. I have gained…are you ready? 45 POUNDS. 45 pounds?! Seriously. I am so upset. I can NOT get rid of the weight. I feel like a slob. I really don't like how I look. I was always tiny, but this stuff made me blow up like a blimp in less than a year’s time. My muscles in my legs ache constantly, and those headaches it was supposed to help? Yeah…no. It didn’t touch the headaches. This BC is a joke. Stay FAR away from it. I just stopped taking it. Fingers crossed."

• Cod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Heather for three months. I’m a 38-year-old female and 135 lbs who gets migraines periodically (2-3 per month). Heather was suggested due to migraine history. During those three months, I experienced unpleasant side effects. I gained a little weight, had great difficulty losing it even though I’m quite active and was exercising 4 times a week. I started to break out about 1 month in, I experienced some form of cystic and painful acne. The acne showed up on my jawline, face, and the back of my neck. Tiny rash-like bumps stayed on my neck and never went away for the 3 months I was on it. My experience was terrible on this pill. I switched to Viorele, a combination pill with a very low dose of estrogen, and within a week, my acne showed signs of clearing up and the rash on my neck is disappearing. I have naturally oily skin and was cleaning my face and neck 2-3 times a day, but I continued to get cystic acne when on Heather. Switching off the mini-pill was the best decision."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been taking Heather since June 2020, after not-so-great experiences with the combination pill and my family's history of strokes. For side effects, in general, I have a really high metabolism, so I haven't noticed any weight gain. I haven't noticed any changes in libido. I used to get periods every 30-35 days, and after 2 months of taking it, my period stopped in August 2020, and I didn't get any abnormal or mid-cycle bleeding. Birth control reacts differently to each of us, but I just wanted to share my positive experience with it."

• Lem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2020

For Birth Control "After the birth of my second child, I went back to my pre-pregnancy weight within two weeks. I went for my six-week post-pregnancy follow-up, and my doctor put me on Heather. I immediately started having periods twice a month, even while breastfeeding. Then the weight gain started, and hair loss. I have gained 25# in 3.5 months! I work out daily and eat healthy. My hair also falls out in handfuls every time I touch my head. I have also started to break out with acne. I was on the mini pill with my first child, and it did not have these side effects. I will be discontinuing use of Heather immediately!"

• Nae...
• November 26, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Heather birth control pills for about two years or so. Since I've been taking these Heather pills, bleeding (at least for me) is almost nonstop. I bleed more in most months than I don't bleed. I thought, maybe it's because I'm getting older and closer to menopause, but after reading these reviews, I realize I am having the same types of symptoms as many others are. In addition to the excessive bleeding, the following are additional problems: weight gain, thinning hair/balding, random tender breasts, and forget the glowing facial skin. About the time I was switched to these pills, I was at my ob-gyn for an appointment. I informed my doctor's assistant what was going on the first time I noticed the extended bleeding, but because she didn't seem worried, I didn't connect the dots back then. Just recently, after giving more thought to my dilemma, I realized these problems began about the same time the pharmacist(s) switched me to this Heather brand from the one I was on."

• CEM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been taking Heather for about two months. I am a transgender man, and I'm taking this pill to practice safer sex/not get pregnant. This pill was recommended to me by my doctor as an estrogen-free BC option. I’m sharing my experience since I have seen no other reviews from trans people. I was extremely nervous about this medication “bringing my period back,” as I have not menstruated since I started HRT five years ago. I was relieved when I noticed no side effects. The only thing I noticed was an increase in appetite for about two weeks, but no subsequent weight gain, as I controlled myself and didn’t alter my diet. No acne, no mood swings, it also didn’t mess with my head at all, which I was concerned about considering my history of depression. As long as you can remember to take the pill at approximately the same time each day, this is a great hormone-free BC pill option for trans men."

• mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2023

For Birth Control "My 4th baby just turned 5 months old, and I've been taking the mini-pill since my 6-week postpartum checkup, prescribed to me due to breastfeeding (estrogen can affect milk supply), and I have absolutely zero complaints. I actually had a period at 4 weeks and 8 weeks postpartum and haven't had another since - and I can't say if that's solely because of the pill or if breastfeeding has played a part as well. I have no side effects whatsoever that I could attribute to this birth control. No acne, no spotting, no weight gain, no nausea... nothing. I set an alarm on my phone and take it at the exact same time every single day!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2018

For Birth Control "This pill did its job of protecting me, a 33-year-old overweight female. However, it caused horrible mood swings, weight gain, and anxiety. My breasts were always tender, and it did alter my sex drive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2022

For Birth Control "I didn’t do well on this birth control. I was on this certain brand because I just had my son and am currently breastfeeding. I have gained so much weight that I initially lost after delivery and the first couple of weeks of breastfeeding. I suffered severe depression and mood swings. I had periods longer than the normal 7 days. I honestly had more period days than break days throughout the month. So glad to be trying something else now. Just beware and talk to your doctor if you notice anything."

• Gre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2024

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control since I was 15, now 26. First, I was on the regular combo pill. It regulated my periods, but I had migraines so bad, I was actually diagnosed with a migraine disorder. Later, I started the 3-month packs, where I only had a period every 3 months. Loved it, but still, migraines. When I was 21, I started the Depo shot. I took that until I was about 23/24. I loved not having a period, no migraines, and I loved the weight gain it gave me. But my doctor tested my hormones and they were borderline menopause levels. I was having major hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, etc. Then, I was put back on the combo pill, and that's when the migraines came back. Figured out it was that pill causing them. Then, I tried the mini pill. And BOY, I have never felt better taking birth control. Before this one, I had thought about getting off of it completely. I've been on this pill for 2 years and have no migraines, no periods (with the occasional spotting), no mood swings, no PMS! And no pregnancy!"

• Mia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 9, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 3 years now. My only complaint is the first year I had terrible hormonal acne. I still don't have the clearest skin, but it has definitely improved. My other symptom is that I haven't had a period at all, I only had slight bleeding one day because I took it late. Other than that, I've had 0 symptoms, I haven't gained any weight or had terrible mood swings. Would recommend trying this if you are hesitant. Make sure you take it at the SAME time every day."

• Kin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 27, 2022

For Birth Control "While taking Heather, I experienced bleeding for 14 days each month, spotting, weight gain, and hair loss."