Altavera and Depression: What Users Say

• kan...
• May 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I was initially put on Chateal (which I loved), the next month, they gave me Levora. I went from 130 to 135 lbs on Levora in less than a week. It kept climbing despite me barely eating since I was working, going to school full-time, and taking care of my ill family member. Also, more depressed. The next month, it was Altavera, and everything got significantly worse than I could have imagined. I was explosively angry, depressed, having complete mental/emotional breakdowns, no sex drive at all, and in a constant state of existential crisis. By the end of it, I was 142 lbs despite my coffee and yogurt diet (not a diet of choice, but just convenience with limited time). By the time I was off the pill, I dropped to 125 lbs in less than a month with no change in my hectic lifestyle or diet. It was the worst month of my life. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who already suffers from depressive states and anxiety. I haven't been on BC since because I'm scared of going through that again."

• Amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I had my IUD removed and was put on this immediately after. It has been 3 months. I have gained 15 lb, have acne on my face and chest, and horrible mood swings, as well as periods of sadness. I do not recommend this at all. My doctor said it was a great pill for women in their 40s...men should take these things first!"

• Lyl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill made my periods light, and I didn’t get pregnant, but holy shit, did it turn me into a monster. I am still on depression medicine because of it. I constantly fought with my boyfriend and friends, I was absolutely horrible to everyone around me. I felt so out of control of my emotions and cried every single day. I wouldn’t recommend this pill to any human being."

• lul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 29, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been taking this for about a year. It worked like any other birth control pill, I am in my 40s. I started getting horrible headaches during the off week, but I am not a stranger to headaches. I also was experiencing an increase in ovary pain or pain near ovaries each month. Again, I wasn't sure if these were from the pill because it did not always happen. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for ten years and have taken Lexapro daily, which made my symptoms pretty much non-existent. However, I noticed the last two months my anxiety and depression have heightened during the last two weeks of the four-week pack, getting much, much worse during the last/off week. I first thought it was my Lexapro no longer working, but I felt great during the first two weeks of taking Altavera. I wonder if it is this pill. I want to get off of it and see if that helps."

• Bci...
• March 9, 2022

For Birth Control "I just started this, and within the first 2 days, my acne got bad, cystic acne on the sides of my face and forehead. Day 6 it went away, and now my skin is pretty clear, but starting it, I was 131 lb, now I’m 138 lb within 7 days. I’ve been feeling extremely ill and horribly emotional. I got on this because my mom thought it was a good idea, and the doctor said it was good for my acne and preventing pregnancy. But to be honest, I’m ditching the pills today. I’d rather have never taken these since I deal with body dysmorphia and bad depression. I’m already bipolar enough, why add Altavera on top? Hearing that when you stop a birth control like this, you get post-pill acne, which I wish the doctor had informed me about since I’ve suffered with severe hormonal acne almost my whole life really puts me down the damn rabbit hole. I don’t recommend this pill to anyone with severe mental health issues and body dysmorphia unless it works for you. And if it doesn’t… ditch it."

• alt...
• March 12, 2023

For Birth Control "I was on Orriann for a year or two, which is birth control but not really. It is supposed to be given a year's worth to stop my period from being so heavy, which was great, it did work. Unfortunately, they gave me a month's supply, then they stopped. I recently started having irregular periods, which were heavy in one month, and I got my period twice. The doctor recommended this Altavera. It's only been 3 weeks, but I feel a little down and depressed, and my boobs ache. I think I am going to give it until this month, and if I feel off, then I am going to tell the doctor to give me something else. I don't like to feel down and am not a depressed person, I am always in a good mood."

• alt...
• March 12, 2023

For Birth Control "I was on Orriann for a year or two, which is birth control but not really. It is supposed to be given a year's worth to stop my period from being so heavy, which was great, it did work. Unfortunately, they gave me a month's supply, then they stopped. I recently started having irregular periods, which were heavy in one month, and I got my period twice. The doctor recommended this Altavera. It's only been 3 weeks, but I feel a little down and depressed, and my boobs ache. I think I am going to give it until this month, and if I feel off, then I am going to tell the doctor to give me something else. I don't like to feel down and am not a depressed person, I am always in a good mood."