Jolivette and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• wea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been taking Jolivette for three months now, and couldn't complain about it. I used to have crazy irregular periods, for instance, the month before I started, I had a 10-day cycle, which meant two and a half periods in a calendar month, and the time before was 50 days. Since taking Jolivette, I haven't had a single period. No cramping, bloating, weight gain, mood swings, nothing. In fact, I've lost weight. It's also great because I no longer get migraines as opposed to being on an estrogen pill. Would recommend it to anyone."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2011

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Jolivette due to my high blood pressure, which was being caused by Ocella birth control. For the first 3 months, I did not experience any side effects besides the irregular period, which was advised in advance. After 3 months, I first noticed the side effects below: extreme weight gain (50 pounds!) and cravings for food that I had not previously eaten. Oily scalp and hair loss, this was a first for me and I thought that I was just getting older, but then confirmed that it was Jolivette! (I'm 30, by the way). Anger and stress to the extreme. Depressed for no reason (I actually thought I was pregnant and would take home and doctor tests, but they resulted as negative every time). Chest and stomach pains."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been taking the mini pill for three months now! My first period lasted three days, with the first day heavy and the rest with spotting. I chose this mini pill for a few reasons. I have 4-day periods with heavy flow and horrible back pain. I love to snowboard, so that wasn't going to be okay to be dealing with. As well, my family has a history of mental health, to which I don't like to play with the chemistry in my body. So far, I've been on it for three months with one period! Of course, I'm loving this mini pill, but when is my period going to hit?! I haven't gained any weight, and my breasts are not tender."

• olo...
• January 16, 2013

For Birth Control "The first 3 months I had a period every 14 days. They lasted about 5 days, slightly heavier bleeding than normal for me. Then, after the 3rd month, my periods went back to their normal 28-day off, 6-day periods. I'm breastfeeding my 7-month-old, so this is a great option. No weight gain, no mood swings, no soreness or anything negative."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2012

For Birth Control "Just started my 2nd month. The 1st week and a half, I had light bleeding every day. Then, the next week, my nipples were so sore. Now, this past week, I've had on-and-off light bleeding and cramps during the last week of pills. I have no side effects emotionally, which is great, because everything else makes me go crazy. But, I have noticed a little weight gain and craving food all the time, and I jog 3 to 4 times a week. I am 24, no pregnancies ever. I'm not sure about this pill yet. I'll give it another month and see how it goes. I don't even want to be on birth control, but my cramping and periods are so terrible without it."

• Hel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 4, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Omg, where to begin. Doc had me switch from Yasmin (on for over 15 years) to Jolivette. I have been on it for 3 years (?). My symptoms have been: weight gain, inability to lose weight (very slow loss) despite 6-day workouts and calorie (low carb) control, hot flashes, night sweats, neck pain, headaches, low energy, terrible depression, insane hostile angry mood swings, and constant irritability. I went to the doctor as I thought I might be in early menopause. A battery of tests and blood work came up empty. She dismissed that Jolivette was the cause. Finally, I googled it and found countless forums of women in the same boat as me. It's been 3 weeks since I stopped the pill and most notably my moods have been so even, no irritability at all!"

• Hel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 4, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Omg, where to begin. Doc had me switch from Yasmin (on for over 15 years) to Jolivette. I have been on it for 3 years (?). My symptoms have been: weight gain, inability to lose weight (very slow loss) despite 6-day workouts and calorie (low carb) control, hot flashes, night sweats, neck pain, headaches, low energy, terrible depression, insane hostile angry mood swings, and constant irritability. I went to the doctor as I thought I might be in early menopause. A battery of tests and blood work came up empty. She dismissed that Jolivette was the cause. Finally, I googled it and found countless forums of women in the same boat as me. It's been 3 weeks since I stopped the pill and most notably my moods have been so even, no irritability at all!"

• Zom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 8, 2015

For Birth Control "All the other reviews make this pill sound horrid. I have been on this pill for two years. Let me tell you, the first few months of taking this pill is hell. Complete hell. I had a period every other week, I broke out, I gained weight, I had mood swings. I talked to my doctor to switch, but he insisted I stay on it. And I did. Months went by and the side effects went away. My period just kinda comes and goes when it wants. But other than that, it's fantastic. I take it every day at the same time. Stick with it and all will be fine :)"

• Esq...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on the pill for 3 months. As soon as I started taking it, my milk supply dropped so drastically that I had to rent a hospital-grade pump to keep up with my daughter. I gained 17 lbs in 4 weeks, which is awful considering I was finally getting rid of my baby weight. I've never had acne, and my arms are now completely broken out. Terrible pill! I think it must be great for keeping you from getting pregnant, though... who wants sex when you feel fat, tired, hungry, while covered in acne!"

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I started bleeding last year, 2016, in April and bled until this year, 2017, June. I had a D&C in Nov 2016 and had Mirena placed. Well, Mirena wasn't for me, it caused weight gain and loss of hair, not to mention no sex drive and was still bleeding, so I had the Mirena removed on 6/18/16. Bleeding got worse by the next day. Doc had prescribed Jolivette, the mini pill, there are like 7 different names for this pill, also known as the mini pill or POPs. I started it on Saturday, the 19th, and 6 days later, period free, no cramping, no bloating, no back pain - nothing. I'm so happy after a year of bleeding, it's finally over and I'm 47, no side effects at all. I'm actually losing weight, so if you have abnormal bleeding, I would highly recommend this pill."

• Kat...
• March 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I started using Jolivette after my daughter was born; while I was breastfeeding. I've tried a lot of different types of BC over the years. This option was just OK - I really like using Seasonique better and will probably switch over at some point in the future. I'm not sure about weight gain (as I did just have a baby recently), but I have had A LOT of spotting... and it feels like it's never going to end."

• kmp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm taking this for the first time because I'm breastfeeding. I'm at the end of the 4th month. I haven't had a period at all. I've experienced mood fluctuations, moderate acne (unusual for me), hair loss, and inability to lose weight. As others have mentioned, I feel hungry often and crave chocolate. I will be discussing other options with my ob/gyn."

• Joa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I had heavy migraines with my previous pill, so the doctor recommended Jolivette. The migraine was gone for good, no pain at all. But I have side effects. First, I don't have my period for 3 months, which the doctor says is common. I also gained weight very fast and gained a lot of abdominal perimeter. And sometimes my mood swings are very intense. Overall, this pill treated the pain that I was having, but I feel uncomfortable gaining weight and not being able to control my cycle due to the lack of period. I will be taking it for a couple more months to see if something changes."

• des...
• May 3, 2015

For Endometriosis "I was on this medicine for about 7 weeks, and I gained a lot of weight, and on the start of my 3rd pack, I got extreme migraines when I crouched down. I was in crazy pain, so I stopped the birth control. After about 3 weeks, my migraines stopped. I got MRIs, and the doctor didn't see anything wrong with my brain."

• jol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I was previously on Ortho Tri Cyclen, which made me have weight gain, super bad mood swings, anxiety, and depression. I was then switched to Jolivette and have had no horrible side effects. I have noticed I haven’t really been able to lose the weight gained from my previous pill, but that’s the only downside. Other than that, I completely love this pill! I am back to the same old normal happy me. :)"

• Nuj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking Jolivette 6 months ago after I had my daughter since I was breastfeeding. After 1 month and a half, I was late taking a pill one day, and the next day I started my period that lasted 5 days. Then the next month, no period. Then the next month I was spotting. Each month has been different and unpredictable. I haven't had any side effects, besides the fact it's a lot harder for me to lose weight than with my first born. I don't know if the birth control is the cause, but I'm guessing it is. The only negative thing about the pill is irregular periods and weight gain."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Major weight gain! Holy heck! Want to know how bad it was? There happened to be a lapse in my refill of this medication. I could not get it for almost 3 weeks. I lost almost 15 pounds. Started taking it again - boom. Weight is back. It seems so hard to believe that the 0.35 mg I am on causes so much hassle. Side effects at the beginning were so bad I thought I was going insane. Massive mood swings, my breasts hurt so bad I thought I was going to die of boob pain, back pain, horrible weight gain... I could go on and on! Also, I got pregnant on this medicine even with perfect use in the first 6 months of taking this medication despite my husband 'pulling out' and suffered a miscarriage. I literally had no clue I was pregnant until that happened! Scary! I've been on all the other brand names of this medicine Errin (discontinued?) and Heather - but Jolivette is the WORST!"

• Dex...
• September 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for a year. After my son was born, they prescribed it to me because I was breastfeeding. I lost a lot of my pregnancy weight, but within three to four months, I gained 10 lbs back, maybe even 20 lbs. Horrible, right? I didn't have a period for 7 months. Now I get irregular periods, light periods. My doctor sent me to get an ultrasound to see what else might have been causing the irregular periods. They found something on both ovaries, so my doctor is switching me from Jolivette to something else. I've had hair loss with this pill, weight gain, dramatic mood swings, and out of control hot flashes. It's horrible, I feel like I am having early menopause. Oh yeah, also made milk supply low."

• Lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Jolivette for 14 years and loved it! I started it after my 3rd child because I was breastfeeding. I’ve tried estrogen and combination pills before but felt moody, experienced weight gain, so even after I finished breastfeeding, the doctor recommended that I get off Jolivette and get on something stronger. But I’ve even skipped a day here and there and doubled up and never got pregnant the entire time, so Jolivette was super effective and I had no side effects whatsoever taking it! I hate that they discontinued this brand, that’s the only reason I was forced off it. However, I’ll be finding a progestin-only substitute soon!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Tried for 3 months because all other types of pills were causing me ovulation cyst problems. Jolivette made me gain weight, bloat, break out on my face, feel depressed, have low libido, and very swollen, sore breasts. This pill is not worth the issues. I'm stopping immediately. I have never gained weight on a pill like this. I work out and am pretty fit. Hopefully, I can lose it."

• ncg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Jolivette pill is pretty good. I take it mainly due to the fact I can get migraines, and it's safer to take a non-combo pill. My period is not as bad on this pill, and the side effects aren't too bad. Small weight gain and increase in breast size, some irritability, but not too bad. It does help with my headaches and is effective in preventing pregnancy. You just need to be careful to take it at or around the same time each day/night."

• Dr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched to Jolivette from Ortho-Tricyclen because of the side effects, my PCP recommended a progesterone-only pill to help with these. I became horribly depressed to the point that I was actually suicidal. I stuck to it for two months because I knew that most side effects go away by the end of the third month, but I couldn't deal with the fallout from this pill. I ended a relationship, and I would cry in clinic, I felt so lost and alone, like taking this pill made me feel like I was separate from everyone else. It also made me a bottomless pit, I was always starving and gained a bit of weight. I also had a period every two weeks, not spotting, a full-blown period. I got off the pill, and within the week, I felt better. It was like the sun started shining again. This pill works for some, but if you find yourself suicidal when taking this, get off of it!"

• nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I had weight gain and severe hormonal acne after 5 months on Jolivette. I would not recommend."