Altavera and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Kom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2022

For Birth Control "Was really scared of weight gain and acne from reading the reviews, but did not experience any of that. My breasts were super sore, but they also did go from B to DD in a span of a few months. Only a bit of bloat, but nothing that some herbal teas and working out didn't fix. Also, sex drive was CRAZY high on this! Ladies, whatever BC you might be taking, remember to take your supplements (B2, B6, B12, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc, iron), etc., since BC lowers all that and it might explain symptoms. As always, you never know how your body will react unless you try it! Stay vigilant for symptoms, but try not to be too paranoid or stressed. It is your own body!"

• 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!"

• AY0...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2015

For Birth Control "#1 It gave me acne. #2 I gained so much weight in such a short period of time. #3 It made me beyond emotional, I hated everyone/everything. I wouldn't smile, and I was on the verge of thinking I am bipolar at times. If your doctor ever prescribes this to you... run! Long story short, I had a terrible experience."

• Sch...
• July 23, 2013

For Birth Control "I've taken birth control since I was 15, I am now 24. I used to get horrible migraine headaches around my menstrual cycle, so I was put on continuous birth control. This has really made a huge difference for me! Instead of having a monthly period, I have a period 4 times a year, every 3 months. I do believe birth control has been a contributing factor to my weight gain, however. I don't have any crazy cramps or horrific mood swings. Currently, I am taking Altavera."

• Joh...
• July 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I started on Portia and then was switched to Altavera (they said it was the same exact thing but a different name, basically), and on both, I gained like 20ish pounds! I was also more irritable and could not skip like one period or else I’d bleed from skipping. IDK if it was Portia or Altavera that was so bad, but I’m just going to say both weren’t the greatest :/"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2022

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. I was taking Junel for a year, and I gained 30 pounds and was so depressed I hardly even have memories from that time period. I stopped taking it for about 5 months, and then due to hormonal problems affecting my ovaries, I had to take birth control again, and my gyno switched me to Altavera. It’s been a year now, and I was able to lose 30 pounds and get out of my depression. The hormones in Junel statistically are better for no weight gain, and Altavera supposedly has a side effect of weight gain, but it was different for me. You can’t always make a decision based off of what other people say since we’re all so different inside."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 2 weeks, and it has made me break out in horrible cystic acne all over my face, neck, and back. Has also made me so nauseous and feel like my food isn’t digesting and just sitting in my stomach. Feel myself gaining weight every day! Switching back to Orsythia, where I had no side effects!!"

• nik...
• June 7, 2017

For Birth Control "My doctor switched me to this after having depression, anxiety, and terrible cramps while taking Kariva. I've been taking birth control for about 7 years now due to PCOS, and I've tried pretty much everything, nothing seems to be the right fit as of yet. I've been on Altavera for 2 months, and I've gained 12 lbs already. Aside from increased hunger, I've noticed I've had less cramping, and my periods were lighter and for fewer days. I've also had fewer mood swings. Aside from gaining weight, overall not bad."

• lel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Ok, so Altavera is the first birth control I got on and it's been working fine. I initially lost my appetite completely, and in the first week, I lost 4 lbs. Now I've been regaining my appetite, and I've gained all that weight back that I've lost. I've been on it for over 2 weeks now, and I have no complaints other than I've gotten 2 pimples on my forehead, and I never break out there. I've gained a little weight since I started it, but I'm not any heavier than when I started it, so that's good. I haven't had headaches or anything, so I'm happy about that. I haven't had any issues, so I recommend for the time being."

• Zig...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 29, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been on Altavera for a year or so and have gained 40 lbs. Don’t use this medication!"

• ajs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2022

For Birth Control "Altavera made me gain weight and gave me the worst breakouts of my life and heightened my anxiety. I don’t like this one."