Norethindrone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2019

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I started taking Nora-Be in January of 2018 for my periods (horrible cramps and heavy periods) and for birth control. Since I've been taking this, I haven't really noticed any bad side effects, except maybe my weight gain. In 16 months, I have gained 30 pounds. Other than that, I haven't had any bad mood swings, acne (other than what I normally have gotten my whole life). I can't take regular birth control with both hormones because there is a history of blood clots in my family. Overall, I like this medication, it's helped my bleeding and cramping so much."

• Mot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I’ve been on this Jencycla pill for a year now. Chose this one because I wanted to breastfeed my newborn. This is the first time I use birth control, so I don't know how to compare it to other pills, but I honestly feel like this caused me postpartum depression. I feel on edge most days and really overall depression. I didn’t think it was the pill, but upon doing more research, I found that maybe it has been the pill messing with my overall mental health. I’ve gained a tremendous amount of weight. I eat like I normally would over the years, but I feel like after starting the pill, weight just packed on easier. And yeah, I also don’t feel motivation to do much around the house, I think that comes from the depression. I was waiting for a full year of using it to pass to really be able to see if I liked it. I haven’t gotten pregnant since being on it. So that works fine, but at the cost of my mental health and physical health, lol."

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

Norethindrone 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."

• Ikz...
• May 19, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I switched from the patch to 'Errin' in mid-February by my doctor as she was worried it was affecting my blood pressure as it was too high. I've been on it for 3 months and have had inconsistent periods. 1 being a week and a half long, spotting a few days after I had just had it, not getting a period at all the following month, and now receiving a very light period (possibly spotting) for 5 days already. During these 3 months, I have gained 10 pounds although I have not changed my healthy eating habits and actually added a few workouts during the week. I have noticed I'm moody or depressed throughout the day at work and at home a couple of times a week. Nice that my blood pressure has been normal, although I'm taking blood pressure medication as well. I'm currently switching to the patch again once I finish this pack since I'm not happy with the outcome. Hope this helps to whoever is seeking insight who has high blood pressure and is considering taking Errin."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 24, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I'm 25. I was put on this pill 8 months ago because I've been breastfeeding. Since starting the pill, I've gotten horrible acne. I'm bloated and gassy all day, every day. I'm extremely moody. My period is typically every 14 days, with the occasional 5-7 week break (very rare though) and very heavy with horrible cramps. I've gained 14 lbs; I was losing lots of my baby weight until I started this pill. Since I've started this pill, it doesn't matter how much diet and exercise I do, I can't lose the weight... I will never recommend this pill and will never go back on it!"

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2018

Norethindrone for Birth Control "Anyone break out in a horrible, unexplained hive rash for months due to Deblitane? I have been suffering and am now able to maybe pinpoint the problem to this pill. I don't get a period, which I'm glad about. I also gained a lot of weight from this medication. Anyone with a similar story?"

• All...
• January 13, 2019

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I had the most painful cramps during my periods to the point where I would crawl into a ball on the floor, screaming and wailing in pain. I absolutely dreaded my period and had to plan around my period because I knew that I would have to stay home and be in agonizing pain. Norethindrone has been a lifesaver! My doctor recommended it to stop my periods so that I wouldn't feel the pain anymore. The first month, I had spotting for 3 weeks. I was taking it at nighttime, but then I read the bottle and it said to take it in the morning. As soon as I switched to taking it in the morning, the spotting stopped! I haven't had a period in 6 months! I'm pain-free! Thank goodness. For years, I thought my cramp pain was normal, but it wasn't. I wish I'd found this medication sooner. Cons: - weight gain - my acne increased - I started giving off a scent. It's not bad-smelling, but it's weird. I'm not happy about the side effects, but they're a small price to pay in exchange for being pain-free!"

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

Norethindrone 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2017

Norethindrone for Birth Control "This has been one of the best birth controls for me. I don’t get any cramping, bloating, pain, weight gain, and my periods were very light and short (2-3 days). My skin was really clear. I don’t think it messed with my libido, but I do think it made me a lot drier during intercourse. I was on it for almost 2 years, stopped taking it because I was dealing with other health concerns, but thinking about starting back on it. The only inconvenience is taking it in the same time frame, but it’s the pill so..."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 5, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I wish I had never even heard of this pill, Ortho Micronor. I switched to it because the combination pill started giving me migraines. The first month was great. And then I gained about 15 pounds overnight and broke out in cystic acne all along my jawline and chin. I’ve been off it now for two months. The weight came off as fast as I put it on, thank God. But my skin is ruined. It won’t stop breaking out. I’ve never had acne like this in my life, not even as a teenager. I wouldn’t recommend this pill to my worst enemy."

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

Norethindrone 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!"

• Ebo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2018

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I began taking Errin for a month, and I've had the worst experience ever with this birth control method. I have gained 20 pounds since taking it. There was spotting between my periods. I had extreme mood swings that were crazy ups and downs. I experienced headache, anxiety, and increased blood pressure. I don't recommend this b.c. to any woman who is thinking of trying the progestin-only pill. Yes, it is the mini pill, but I had a horrible experience. I will just deal with my adenomyosis and heavy periods w/o birth control. Never again!"

• Asa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have had a pretty positive experience on this pill. I have been on Nora-Be for about 5 months, and I have had regular periods, lasting exactly my usual 26 days, except for the most recent month where my cycle lasted 40 days (period length has still been 4-5 days). My mood feels more stable on this pill than not, and I felt stabilized after the first month. I have gained 8 lbs since being on this pill, but it feels like this pill just increased my cravings for bad food, not necessarily forcing my weight gain. For the first 2 months, my acne was really bad. I’m on a prescribed acne cream, and it took my skin 4 months to clear back up, but everything is fine and adjusted. The UTIs are the biggest hassle. I had never had a UTI before this pill, and I’ve had one almost every month since."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 6 months and love it! For the first week, I had headaches for about 30 minutes and very minor nausea for only 3 days that went away with some Dramamine or a Tums. During the first month, I had some mood swings, but that's pretty normal. I only had spotting for two days, and it wasn't bad, there were only pink spots when I wiped. The only downside was that after 3 months, I had gained 15 pounds, which may seem alarming, but it was due to the bad cravings and because of my bad anxiety that made me lose my appetite before the pill. So after starting, it brought my appetite back, and I think it helped with my anxiety! My boobs and hips got bigger, which was nice! After talking to my gyno about my weight, I ate better food and worked out, and the weight fell off in 2 months! I seriously love this pill and have not experienced any negative side effects directly caused by it. If you're looking for a pill that doesn't give you a lot of bad side effects, I definitely recommend this one!"

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

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have been on Nora for about 8 months. It has been a positive experience. Everyone is different; the way hormones affect you will be different; I felt that on combo pills with estrogen (particularly the 2 years I spent on Microgestin, yikes), I experienced consistent depression, anxiety, weight gain. I just think the way estrogen affects my body/brain is not good. So I tried a progestin-only pill. Negatives: your period is (somewhat) inconsistent. Mine has still been a normal period, 4-5 days; it's just not as easy to plan as the combo pill. I do miss being able to skip periods like on the combo pills, but not feeling emotional all the time is worth it. Have to take the pill at the same time daily within an hour or so. Set an alarm, and it's easy!"

• ADG...
• July 23, 2015

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I am on the third month of this pill. No pregnancy, which is the point, and no mood swings or weight gain. BUT ... I am having my period for the third time this month. First month went well, period came on time, lasted a week. Second month, same thing, but this month has been just more than obnoxious. I had my period, then nothing for two days, then slight cramps and another light period for another four days, then nothing for about five days, and yet again cramps today, and next thing I know, I'm bleeding again. Hopefully, this resolves itself soon. Outside of that, it is as if I'm not taking anything."

• pho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I had my IUD removed due to weight gain (lost 10 pounds of water weight in 2 weeks after removal), and a month later started Errin in hopes that it would be a better fit... but I have gained weight again and feel pregnant all the time, it's a serious bummer. Errin really helped with my anxiety, though, and my skin is quite clear compared to how it was before. I would recommend trying it and just being aware of your symptoms if there are any. Unfortunately, I'm coming off of it starting today to lose this water weight again, uggghhhhh."

• Lyn...
• May 9, 2011

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I was switched to this from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and it was a horrible experience. My skin is so oily now, and I have breakouts constantly. I have gained about 10 pounds on this pill, and I had bad abdominal pain. The timing was an issue also, with other pills, it's not that big a deal if you are half an hour late, but with this pill, even as little as 30 minutes caused heavy spotting. I am switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo this week."

• Anonymous
• July 4, 2015

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "The first year was fine, but now I'm constantly bleeding, have constant spots on my face, which I've never had. I have also gained a lot of weight inexplicably, which just makes me constantly think it's baby weight, which is not good at all! Better than the IUD by a long shot, though."

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2015

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I'm 38 years old and have been taking Nora-Be for 10 months. I have never been pregnant and do not plan to have children. I chose this pill because I was looking for a progestin-only option with low hormones. My doctor also suggested it as a safer option because I am a smoker. Overall, my experience has been pretty positive on this pill. Way less mood swings than other pills I have been on. I get a period about every 28 days for about 5-6 days that is heavy for about 3 days and lighter the last 3 days. No spotting between periods. My sex drive increased after the first month and has remained strong. Some breast tenderness and back pain about a week before my period. Worst part: weight gain of 15 lbs and some facial hair and acne."

• Ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I started using Errin about a month ago, and it’s been the worst! I’ve gained so much weight, spotting, and my discharge started having a weird smell while taking Errin. Literally, after I take my medicine, I get so hungry. Don't really recommend."

• Sta...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2018

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on Camila for 2 years. I switched from the combination pills since they were giving me morning sickness every week after the placebo. On Camila, my periods are lighter and take the same amount of time (7 days). I usually get my period every 45 or so days on the pill. If I miss a pill, I can guarantee I'll have my period again within 2 weeks (sometimes I skip a pill on purpose if I'm planning a trip). As far as remembering when to take them, I just set an alarm on my phone and take it when it yells at me. I don't think I've had any weight gain as a result of Camila, just simply me getting lazy and not exercising. The reason I've decided to stop taking the pills is I have little to no sex drive. It's driving my husband bonkers. Otherwise, I think all of these women with these horror stories should go see the doctor."

• Myl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about five months now, and it has been a nightmare. I constantly have headaches now. I can’t remember what it felt like not to have a headache. It had messed me up mentally and physically. I have gained 30 pounds in five months. That’s insane. I always stayed around 115 in weight, but not anymore. My sex drive is gone. I don’t even like to hug people now because physical touch makes me want to get sick. I was told this was a better birth control than the last one I was taking, but it turns out they are both rubbish. I really hope someone will read this so they don’t have to go through what a lot of other women and I went through. I don’t feel like myself. I look in the mirror and don’t even recognize myself now. If you have even had that feeling, you know that it sucks. I am so moody, and I can’t even help it now. I don’t want to be, I just feel like it has completely changed my life for the worse. Do not take this medicine."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2019

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "I started this med only a couple of months ago for cysts and possible endometriosis. Not only have I had extreme weight gain in a very small amount of time, but I ended up with another cyst anyway. I’m also tired all the time and feel foggy. Never again."

• Chr...
• December 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. It's made me moody, I've gained 20 pounds, I constantly feel like I'm furious with everyone, it's given me consistent headaches, and my doctor told me to at least give it a try for 3 months. It's been 4 months, and I have found nothing but problems with this pill. I feel like one minute I'm horribly depressed, and the next I want to choke someone. I won't be going back to that doctor. At this point, I wish they'd just rip out my ovaries before I do it myself because this birth control is the absolute worst I've ever been on in the last ten years."