Altavera and Headaches: What Users Say

• Rox...
• December 21, 2013

For Birth Control "I just switched to Altavera after trying other pills for the past year and suffering from weird side effects from each. I will say that for me, this has by far been the best one, and I wanted to write a review because I've seen so many bad reviews about this pill. I previously tried Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo, Yaz, and Lo Loestrin FE. I believe I have symptoms of PMDD, so I wanted a pill that will help with that. This is the end of my first month, but so far I have had no breakthrough bleeding at all, my face is slowly clearing up, and my hormones are much more even (no more sobbing over little things). My period was on time and normal for what I was experiencing prior to birth control. I did notice headaches, but so far so good! Hopefully, this helps."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2018

For Birth Control "Over the past few years, I tried Camrese and Viorele for painful, heavy periods due to fibroids. Both made me extremely irritable, with no sex drive. I also gained a few pounds. I recently tried taking the pill again and was prescribed Altavera. Somehow my mood is fine on this medication, and my sex drive is through the roof. I have lost a couple of pounds because I may have less appetite. I sometimes have very mild but tolerable headaches on Altavera, but overall, the experience has been great. Periods are lighter and shorter, with less cramping, too. Worth a try if other pills have failed - I had pretty much given up but got lucky with this one."

• Kdr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on Levora for about a year. Due to it being unavailable, my pharmacy switched me to Altavera about 4 months ago. I've had more frequent acne on Altavera, but nothing horrible. I've been trying to lose weight, and it's impossible on this pill. The worst of it is that I've been crying randomly, the tiniest things set it off. Awful headaches that don't respond to OTC or prescription medications. I've been sweating profusely for the last two months - something as simple as washing dishes has me drenched from head to mid-thigh. Also, I'm exhausted all the time. Honestly, I felt so exhausted and burnt out, I thought I was pregnant! That was about the moment that I realized all of this coincides with the medication change. I'm switching back to Levora. I have 3 packs of Altavera left, they will go right in the trash."

• 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."