User Reviews for Kariva (28) oral

Absolutely love Kariva. Never gained weight, no headaches, my periods are light and short and I get no cramps at all anymore. I feel protected using Kariva and I couldn't be happier. I have to switch because it is going up in price, which is really upsetting because I love this birth control very much. I've been on it for almost a year

Taking Kariva for the past year and a half has been interesting. For the first 4 or 5 months I had a headache every single night after I took the pill. After they eventually went away I still had more frequent headaches than i did before I started taking the pill. I have gained about 15 lbs in the past year even though my eating habits have not changed a bit. I also lost interest in sex almost completely and forget orgasms-those are a lost cause. My clear skin is probably the one and only true difference I have seen. I stopped taking the pill about a month ago and since then my skin has started to break out more just like it was before I was on Kariva. I want to treat it naturally with supplements and diet changes this time because I would rather do what is better for my body long term. For me Kariva really has not been the best-it really made me depressed and moody! Ask my boyfriend, he can attest to that! Read More Read Less

I started taking karivia a month before my wedding and when I went to get it I weighed 108 lbs which is where I have always been around. But a year later after I have been working out hard for about 2 months now and eating right I have gained 14 lbs! Which made me highly upset and shot down my self esteem real quick after thinking I have lost weight now gained. But I have had no problems with pregnancy or sickness and my periods r much lighter and shorter and no cramping. But I'm getting off of it cause I can't seem too loose weight on it. Read More Read Less

I was put on this (back when it was mircette) over 10 years ago to prevent cysts. Now married I also appreciate its function as birth control. I have never once had a single problem while on it. In fact over the years my periods have gotten lighter and cramps have completely disappeared. The reduced number of sugar pills each cycle really helps if you are prone to problems from hormone fluctuations and after this many years it obviously works to prevent pregnancy. I highly recommend it.

I went on this pill to help with my acne, cramps, and heavy flow. I haven't even made it to week four and I'm stopping because my face is worse than it has ever been. I now have over fifty zits (usually I have about five) and I have zero self confidence anymore. I hate leaving my house and no matter how much I wash my face or put on acne medication every morning I wake up with more acne. Also I am crying constantly over things like someone leaving the tv which is frustrating and I have had extremely sore breast. For me this birth control was the worst experience ever and I am going off of it now and hoping my side effects will go away soon because I am miserable.Read More Read Less

I have been on this pill for 5 years. At first it was fine. A couple of years ago I began having extreme mood swings and getting depressed. Last year I started getting extremely nauseous and cold-like symptoms (congested and headaches) every month, same time. Recently I started getting migraines. If this pill is the cause (my doctor thinks it is) it is not worth it.

I have not had any problems with this BC up until a few months ago. I was previously on Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO & it gave me tremendous migraines during the non-active pill week so I switched to Kariva. I had not had any problems until a few months ago when I started having headaches like the first BC. I am going to the MD's tomorrow because my life is basically on hold when I have these headaches, I cannot function & I work in a pharmacy. As a side note 3 or 4 of us in the pharmacy were on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo at the same time and ALL experienced the headaches & switched to different BC. As I am older if we cannot find a solution to the headaches whilst on BC I may have to get tubes tied or other method (not for all of course) the headaches are not worth losing a week of my life every month. As far as weight gain, I have gained weight since on BC, which I also do not like since most of the adult life I've been hovering around 110lbs at 61 inches tall (LOL) I now hover around 123-125lbs depending on which holiday it is & how many cookies I devour!Read More Read Less

I've tried the ring, left me irritable and fell out during sex. I've tried YAZ, left me extremely emotional and the anti d's are not in the blanks so the difference shows drastically. I've tried loestrin FE and was extremly irritable after 3 months use. Every pill is different just like every woman is. This one works for me, no mood swings, I feel in control of my emotions. I have not gained weight and no break outs. I'm pretty satisfied

I do well on Kariva. Everyone's different. You have to try and see how your particular body responds. Junel didn't work for me (too much break thru bleeding), but Kariva does. Who knows why.

Good things: Clear skin, no cramps, light period, no mood swings (actually very level mood), no weight gain, no breast tenderness, covered by insurance. Bad things: nausea, upset stomach, gas, bloating

This pill was AMAZING. I was on it for three months, no spotting or breakthrough bleeding even if I forgot my pill, I gained a little weight the first month but it was only about 2 lbs and dropped it my next month. I was underweight so it didn't bother me, I didn't break out, my mood overall improved, no or very little cramps, nothing some midol couldn't fix. Which was why I went on the pill in the first place. My period came the same time every month and I went up about 1 cup size. The only reason I switched was because my mood swings on the placebo week were ridiculous but that's how I was before the pill so I don't think Kariva made me like that. Great pill, I highly recommend it! (:Read More Read Less

I started taking Kariva 10/11/2011 and been sick to my stomach since. My breast are so sore lately. Kariva is an effective pill but the side effects to me out-weight the effectiveness of the birth control.

I've been on Kariva for almost 3 months now and have not felt "right" at all. I was so happy to read reviews and see that I'm not alone! Yes, Kariva is effective and easy to use. But the side effects are NOT worth it. I've never been one to have headaches and since the first week on Kariva I started getting horrible headaches, dizziness, and nausea. I've had insomnia, weight gain (especially in my breasts), severe mood swings, and increased appetite. I am tired all of time and feel "out of it" daily. I haven't had acne since my teen years and Kariva made me immediately break out...not just during PMS, my skin has been awful since starting Kariva. One of the worst side effects--I have no sex drive (not so great for a Newlywed!). I have decided to simply get off this pill for my own health. The side effects are terrible and are not worth it. Please do not go on Kariva just because its a contraceptive--look into other methods. Your health and well being comes first!Read More Read Less

This will be my last month on Kariva because it is undoubtably the worst pill i have ever taken. I have been taking it for about 9 months now. The only good things i can say about it are that i did not have any acne problems or wait gain. However, my mood swings are out of control, i have breakthrough bleeding and spotting almost everyday now, terrible headaches, insomnia and very restless sleep, almost non existant sex drive, and some months i will have 2 periods in one month!! The first few months were fine but after about month 6 its all down hill.Read More Read Less

I started Kariva to lessen the heaviness and duration of my period. I'm starting the third week of the first pack and I may have to quit due to the mood swings.

I started Kariva on 7/31/11 almost 3 months ago and I can honestly say so far so good. I am 27 years old and this is my 1st long term experience with an oral contraceptive. About 3 years ago I tried a birth control called Levora and I was so nauseous throughout the day that I could not function and stopped taking the pills after only being on them for a week. Needless to say I was honestly scared to try birth control again I didn’t want to gain weight, feel sick, have my skin break out or loose my sex drive. Since starting Kariva I have not had any of those side affects my weight has stayed the same and with diet and exercise I have continued to loose weight since being on the pill. My skin has even out tremendously and I honestly feel it’s from the pills! I also use Retin A but I didn’t see a real difference in my skin until getting on birth control. My periods are different from before they usually start on the 3 or 4th placebo pill at the end of the pack. And I notice that my periods are longer (they went from 3-5days to 5-7days) however they are very light and less painful. The one con is that when I 1st started taking it I did get migraines but they subsided after a couple days. I also usually take the pill before I go to sleep so if I were to get a migraine or feel nauseous I would be sleep and wouldn’t notice it. Over all I like this pill. Read More Read Less

I have been taking this pill for five months now and I'm worried it is making me loss my hair. Has anyone else experienced this side effect? Also I missed my period last month, took a pregnancy test but was not pregnant.

I had a terrible experience with this pill the last week of the month. I've never experienced such painful gloating in my hands and feet and mood swings for two days. I am 39 and this happened during the first month taking it. I dont know if my body is just rejecting the pill because my body is aging but I'm going to try lo lo estrin. If all else fails I may need to try the ring.

I have taken Kariva for approximately 3 years and have had little trouble with it until now. I am 25 and have experienced Melasma on my face - brown spots on my cheeks and upper lip. It's very noticeable and embarrassing. I've also experienced headaches, nausea, and breast tenderness.