Kariva is a combination oral contraceptive pill (OCP, birth control medication, birth control pills). It prevents pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation), and thickening the cervical mucus, blocking sperm from getting into the uterus and getting to the egg. Kariva is also prescribed to: treat acne, reduce the risk of ovarian cysts (as in polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS]), treat painful or heavy periods, and more. Read More
Kariva it’s super easy to use.
Just take one pill every day, at the same time each day. Many women find that taking Kariva before bedtime or just after their evening meal helps reduce nausea and other side effects.
After taking 21 days of active pills, then comes 2 inactive pills with no hormones that are there to keep you in the habit of taking a pill every day, then there are 5 pills with 10 mcg of estrogen.
Pandia Health doctors recommend starting the medication on days 3-5 of your menstrual period d because you will most likely have less spotting on your 1st pack.
Kariva uses a blend of two hormones, estrogen (Ethinyl Estradiol 20 mcg) and progestin(Desogestrel 0.15 mg).
The risks are very low, but some women have experienced unwanted side effects when taking Kariva.
Minor ones include breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, swollen feet or ankles, and slightly elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels.
Positive side effects are also a possibility, too — reduced acne, fewer mood swings, and other perks are fairly common. The chances of serious side effects are extremely unlikely, but some cases have been documented. Symptoms include heart disease, blood clotting, shortness of breath, migraines, vision problems, slurred speech, confusion, and fainting. Those who wear contacts or are nearsighted may notice vision problems as well.
These may sound scary, but remember — they’re very rare.
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Some women may experience weight gain when taking Kariva and other birth control pills. While there’s a chance that the hormones can give you the munchies, it’s mostly water retention (and not actual fat).
Every prescription comes with a tiny risk of allergies, including with Kariva. The symptoms are usually mild and include: rashes, itching, dizziness. A severe allergic reaction would be: trouble breathing, and swollen lips, throat, or tongue. If this happens, call 911! Depending on your medical history, hormone-based birth control may not be for you. It’s important to discuss your medical history with your physician or one of our helpful Pandia Health Patient Care Advisors before you get started on Kariva, especially if you’ve health problems such as cancer, heart disease, blood clots, uncontrolled diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Kariva should be available at just about any pharmacy in your area. It does require a prescription from a doctor, though. If you’re hesitant to approach your doctor about Kariva or simply prefer the privacy, convenience, and ease of the internet, give Pandia Health a try. We have licensed, birth control passionate doctors in every state we operate in. We also accept most forms of private insurance at Pandia Health.
As with any new prescription, you should go over anything you’re already taking with your doctor or Pandia Health Care Advisor before starting on Kariva. This includes recreational drugs, over-the-counter meds, and even herbal supplements. Even something that seems relatively harmless such as St. John’s wort can cause Kariva to be less effective at preventing pregnancy. There are certain meds you should absolutely bring up. These are aromatase inhibitors, cancer, HIV, seizure, and chronic hepatitis C medications.
If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, Kariva is pretty expensive, being $91 per pack. You can save money as well by choosing any other Kariva generics, such as Volnea, Bekyree, Viorele, Kimidess, Azurette, Simliya, Pimtrea for as low as $20/pack when ordering 3 packs at a time. Generics have the SAME active ingredients and dosage as the name brand. Watch our video explaining generics vs. brand birth control pills.
No, Kariva birth control does not stop your periods. There are 28 tablets on each packet and you will have a bleed on the last 7 days of each pack (aka placebo week). If you want to skip your period you can use Kariva for it. Learn more about #PeriodsOptional and how to skip your period here.
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