Kariva (desogestrel; ethinyl estradiol) Side Effects, Uses Dosages
Side Effects for Kariva (desogestrel; ethinyl estradiol)
Kariva has been amazing on my period. I used to have really painful periods and this pill shortened my period and I now barely have any pain at all. However I did experience bad migraines and weight gain
Contraceptive, hormone regulation
The most noticable side effect is definetly the non-existent sex drive (relationship suffering from it). I have also noticed increased discharge and odor after restarting it, but I have not determined if it is certainly the Kariva. I have noticed increase (intensity) mood swings now that I have restarted kariva (I had stopped taking for a year or so, but I have been on it again for over a year now). I am probably going to stop taking it again.
I have gained 20 pounds since I've started taking it and I haven't been able to lose the weight. It's so frustrating and it has made me so self conscious. I also have a very low sex drive. My skin looks okay except from a few breakouts here and there.
Extremely low sex drive. It cleared my acne, and has kept it clear with the exception of a few breakouts in episodes of extreme stress, or my period results in a select few hardly noticeable pimples.
Spotting every month in between periods despite never missing a dose and taking it at the same time every day. My doctor put me on birth control to regulate my hormones as my hormones trigger my heart arrythmia. Throughout the month, I get heart palpitations (due to wacky hormones) and then without fail...spotting and mild cramps the following day. Not a good BC for me. Zero sex drive is also taking a toll on my relationship.
Birth Control/Hormone Regulation
I've been on Kariva for nearly two years and never experenced any noticeable side effects on this medication. My hormones were out of whack beforehand, and I have since been tested, and they are all within normal levels now. Even in the beginning, I didn't have any period of emotional side effects, weight gain, those kind of symptoms that typically accompany a new birth control pill.
Constant migraines, dizziness, weight gain, pain/swelling in legs/feet, eye pain, depression, extremely low sex drive, still have the same amount of breakouts, every month my period is 5-10 days later than the last start date
I really don't see anything good about this birth control. It's supposed to be another way to prevent pregnancy but you really don't need that when you have no drive whatsoever to have sex. Does the good out weigh the bad for me? No, in fact, I'm going to talk to my doctor about getting on a different birth control. I've had nothing but medical problems since I started taking it.
Regulated period and worry free sex
This is the only bc I have ever taken and over the years has made my period so light and regular I always know when I'm getting it and it now is reduced to 3 1/2 days (a lot of which is light- and very minimal cramping- no acne or other side effects mentioned)-- which makes me never want to come off of it. HOWEVER- it has completely killed my sex drive! I want to WANT to have sex but I am never turned on what so ever- not by my boyfriend or any other male I see for that matter. Its my only complaint but it sucks when the main reason you are on it is so you can have sex freely but now you don't even want to anymore
Kariva cleared up my face better than any other birth control I have ever tried. Never before have I consistently had zero zits!
Weight gain(20 pounds), loss of sex drive
I started taking Kariva to regulate my horomones. Im not on Kariva now, but I was. It did exactly what I needed it to, without making me very moody. I did gain a decent amount of weight, but I could deal with that. The only sucky thing about this birth control is I had no interest in sex, and when I had sex I didnt feel much of anything. Its okay though, they make pills for that.
Kariva did help lighten my periods and I rarely experienced cramps or breast tenderness, but my ance became horrible. The sides of my face have broken out with terrible cystic acne and it has also shown up on my chest and back. This is not worth it to me and I started Ortho Tri-cyclen this morning. Hoping it works a lot better to clear up this acne.
The only side effect that i have really noticed, like others have said is absolutely no interest in sex at all.
Lowered sex drive.... But my period comes regularly for about 5 days. Less cramping, and this brand doesn't cost much.
Moodiness, tearfullness, yeast infections, decreased sex drive
Extremely low libido ..which is continuing to get worse, headaches, mild cramps and bad cystic-like acne in the beginning.
Excellent for my menstrual cycle; it lowered my periods down to approx. 3 days, very little cramping, no heavy bleeding. I also didn't experience any weight gain or loss. No moodiness that I'm aware of. Plan to get off this pill ASAP because I have absolutely no interest in sex and it's making my relationship suffer.
KARIVA (DESOGESTREL; ETHINYL ESTRADIOL): This combination hormone medication is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains 2 hormones: a progestin (desogestrel) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It works mainly by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during your menstrual cycle. It also makes vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus, it passes out of the body. Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills may make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, decrease your risk of ovarian cysts, and also treat acne. Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia). (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)
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