Norethindrone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

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

Norethindrone 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."

• Jro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2014

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been in this 3 months now. Have gained 11 lbs!!! I exercise, eat right, and I look swollen. Have had 3 different spotting occasions that haven't lasted more than 3 days at a time. No cramps to really report, occasional night sweats, no headaches. Just really hating the weight gain!"

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

Norethindrone 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

Norethindrone 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!"

• Sal...
• December 18, 2016

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "I started Nora Be in April of 2016 because of severe cramping, vomiting, cysts that came especially burdensome with each menstrual cycle. It is now December of 2016, and I can say my pain and cramping have decreased to a much more livable situation. However, weight gain, laziness, anxiety, and depression have all increased so much. I definitely do not want to go back to the pain but am thinking of trying to go without for a bit to see what happens."

• Spe...
• April 30, 2014

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on this medication (Nora-Be) for a little over a month now, and my only complaint is that I have no idea when I'll get my period, the random spotting, and the length of the period. Each time I have spotting, I'm not sure if it's my period or spotting. Then when I finally got my period, I had no idea how long it would be (still having it 6 days later). One of the main reasons I went on birth control was to control my period, since I have migraines, however, I'm no longer allowed (per PPNE) to have estrogen in my birth control, which takes out that ability to control my period. Beyond that, no other side effects (i.e., weight gain, breast tenderness). I'll report back if that changes over the next few months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2017

Norethindrone for Birth Control "24 yr old female. I've been on this pill for a year, and I have been on various other pills since 17. This one is one of my more favorite pills. Hardly any acne, no weight gain, no moodiness. I pretty much feel like myself except I get no periods at all, like going on 8 months now. So I talked with my OB/GYN, and I want to get my monthly cycle back, so I'm switching back to a pill I had previously. Nothing was wrong with this pill, and I loved that it was estrogen-free, but the lack of periods was disconcerting."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 26, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Jencycla has been the worst birth control I've ever been on. My hair is so freaking thin near the front of my head since I started taking it, getting yeast infections, periods come sooner than expected, cramps, mood swings, weight gain. I'm switching pills now and hope my hair grows back and can feel confident again."

• Bye...
• August 24, 2017

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Imagine being pregnant and on your period at the same time -- without bleeding -- for months. That's what this pill is like. Countless pregnancy tests bought -- because surely all of this bloating, cramping, weight gain, fatigue, EXTREMELY sore and swollen boobs means I'm pregnant! Except no. This is just life now, courtesy of Camila. I ignored the negative reviews. I gave it 6 months. It's awful. And less effective than combo pills. Needless to say, I'm stopping immediately."

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

Norethindrone 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 :)"

• hal...
• November 4, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Long but important! Don't take this! I absolutely hate this birth control! It makes me so rotten! Horrible mood swings to the point where I am snapping at people at work. I have gained 100 pounds being on birth control overall... that's right, 100 pounds. But this one keeps tipping the scale! My acne is terrible, I have absolutely no sex drive, and my periods are so irregular. My ankles swell to the point where I can't feel my toes, my hair is falling out in clumps, and I am absolutely miserable. Please don't waste your time on Camila like I did. I don't want anyone to ever experience what I am right now. I am getting it switched today. Good luck, ladies!"

• Yon...
• November 7, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "This has been my 5th contraceptive and I like it the best. When I was on NuvaRing and Cryselle, I developed vulvar vestibulitis (similar, but not vulvodynia). My GYN thought that I had chronic yeast infections for about 2 years, and she finally realized it could be the hormones causing this painful condition. Since Sharobel has no break in the drug (no sugar pill week), my hormone levels off. I am almost cured of the vestibulitis. I have noticed a little weight gain. No hair loss. Some back and facial acne, but NO PMSING! I always had strong mood swings, and because I now rarely get a period, I do not have ANY PMS MOOD SWINGS! I highly recommend it to anyone with terrible mood swings. The only con is I have trouble getting to sleep and waking up."

• Emm...
• September 26, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been taking this drug for about two years, and I have mixed feelings about it. I started it because I had 10-day-long periods with severe cramps lasting even longer than that. I started on the lowest dose and had constant spotting for a long time. Told the doc, and she moved me up a dose. This is where the mixed feelings come in... I have had perhaps two days total of bleeding (only when I forgot to take the pill) in the past two years, but I've also experienced significant weight gain, acne, and mood changes, and it's getting old. At this point, I'm considering switching to a different BC method. Unfortunately, I can't take anything with estrogen! (Migraine with aura)"

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

Norethindrone 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!"

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

Norethindrone 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."

• Nur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2019

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This medication made my life purely awful. I have PCOS and was placed on Jencycla for period regularity. Well, I was on it for two years. I lost almost all of my hair, was having horrible mood swings and depression, gained more weight, and became suicidal. My doctor kept telling me it was related to PCOS and kept putting me on more meds that I refused to take. So eventually, I decided to stop taking it, and honestly, I never felt better. In two months, I’ve lost twenty pounds, my hair is growing back quickly, and my mood swings have slowed tremendously. I do not recommend this med, but like with any other, it affects people differently."

• Dee...
• April 7, 2016

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "I started this pill in November 2015, and now in April of '16, I am fed up! I have horrible bloating, gas, constipation every day (worsening in the evenings). I've gained over 10 pounds, and my abdomen looks like I'm 3 months pregnant. I'm 45 and have no plans for children. I can't exercise this weight off either! My back is covered in pimples, and my chest area has them also. I've noticed a decrease in my appetite (mainly in the evenings), yet I'm gaining weight. I have fatigue and completely random periods. My doctor, for the record, told me that these symptoms I was having were not related to my pill! So, needless to say, I'm finding a new doctor. Peri-menopause stinks! You young ladies, exercise while you can and enjoy that body!"

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "First time trying birth control and it was terrible! I stopped after two months because of terrible acne and weight gain. The first couple of weeks I had a few headaches and woke up nauseous, but it went away. The only upside was regulated periods."

• AlF...
• January 21, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have to take it because I can't take the regular birth control pills with estrogen. It's nice in the fact that I only get my period once every 3-6 months, but that can also make me a bit paranoid about being pregnant. I've just learned to trust the pill and take it perfectly on time. I haven't made any lifestyle changes, but in the past couple of months, I've gained about 20 pounds seemingly out of nowhere. Not sure if it's because I've been on the pill for a year now or not, but the timing was strange because I started gaining weight after exactly a year on it. That's the only reason I didn't give it a 10. Weight gain aside, my periods are only about three times a year and only 2-4 days when I do get them. So that's a nice benefit."

• Glo...
• January 4, 2017

Norethindrone for Birth Control "If you want to bleed constantly, heavily, and unexpectedly, this is a great pill for you! You also get the bonus of horrible bloating, quick and noticeable weight gain (I gained 15 pounds in 2 months, and I have an excellent diet). I can't have sex with my boyfriend because I am ALWAYS bleeding. So I feel low self-esteem because I can't be intimate with the man I love, which makes me feel insanely sexually frustrated. This is a horrible birth control option. I took it at exactly 12 noon every day and never missed. I had a total mental breakdown this morning because I realized I have been bleeding for about a month and a half and I am fatter than I have ever been in my life."

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

Norethindrone 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."

• Hap...
• July 18, 2016

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have very light abnormal bleeding after intercourse and was prescribed Nora-Be. I was so scared of taking this due to the fact that I've taken the patch, the shot, and the combo pill, and they all sucked. They all caused weight gain, hair loss, and moodiness, and my period lasted FOREVER. So I expected no less from this pill. But to my surprise, my period stopped when it was supposed to, no bloat, weight gain, or hair loss so far. Guess my body doesn't agree with extra estrogen, so progestin it is. If you have a bad experience with all these estrogen birth controls, I suggest giving this a try. Only thing I hate about it is taking it every day at the same time, but dealing with that rather than the estrogen side effects is minor."

• Ach...
• August 15, 2019

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I gave Errin birth control pill a whole year to settle in with my body. I gained weight, have had irregular periods, including one that leaked all over my white pants (talk about being 44 and feeling like you are 14!), fatigue, you name it! I also have had issues with inflammation and an undiagnosable lymph node issue in my neck that happens to flare up just once a month. I’m convinced it’s due to this pill. Stopping it today after talking to gyn."

• Tam...
• July 15, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Wish I read the reviews before taking Errin. I have been on Errin for 15 months and stopped taking it a week ago due to severe migraines, weight gain, moodiness, and decreased interest in things that I usually enjoy. My sex drive has decreased, and I have little or no interest in my husband. I could not figure out why I was so upset over small things, and he even asked me to look into alternative methods of birth control. PLEASE do your research. It's not for everyone."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2018

Norethindrone for Birth Control "This is the first time I’ve ever been on birth control. So far, I like it. I read some reviews because the stars are so low, and I was curious to why they’re so low, but I truly believe that everyone is different, and therefore you can’t really go off of what each person's experience was. I was afraid to even go on birth control pills, but so far I’ve been on these pills for 3 weeks now, and I noticed my skin has gotten so much nicer! At first, I had no idea why my face was looking so nice, but I realized it’s probably from the birth control pills. I haven’t noticed any weight gain. I actually just lost one pound. My doctor prescribed me these during my postpartum visit. She told me to come back after 6 months to switch them when I’m done breastfeeding, but it’s been about two months since I had my baby, and my breast milk has run out. I don’t want to say it’s from the pills because I don’t pump persistently... but I think I’m going to stick to these pills."