Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 4)

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2015

"I've been on Chateal for 3 months now, and I did not gain weight, nor did I get crazy mood swings. The only thing that happened was my period came at the same time every month, and I didn't get pregnant. It works great!"

• Car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2021

"Only pill I’ve ever been on. I have been taking it since November 2017. 4+ years on it, and I can say I love it! My skin type went from combination to normal, and it helped to clear it up significantly. In terms of my period, it kept my already regular period regular and even shortened it by a day or two. In terms of mood/anxiety… the pill stabilized my mood tenfold. I definitely have had depressive episodes the past 4 years, but I wouldn’t blame this pill for it. With my sex drive, it’s been great. For me, that’s really dependent on my mental state, so that’s that. For weight gain/loss — I have maintained the same weight since, and I never saw big physical changes except maybe in my chest size. Find a pill that works for you! You’re doing the right thing looking up reviews and trying things out. My friends have changed multiple types, and I’ve stayed on the one. Every body’s different! I liked this because my body does, and it’s low estrogen levels. Good luck! XO"

• mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2022

"Okay, so let me say I was TERRIFIED of starting my birth control after reading these reviews. HOWEVER, I’ve been on Vienva for about a month now, and I have had very few side effects. I know it is still early in the adjustment process, but I haven’t noticed any weight gain, my skin has actually started to clear slightly, and it hasn’t made me nauseous. I will say that I’ve been a bit bloated, and my boobs are a little tender (and slightly bigger, which is a win in my book), but nothing too bad. I promise you people are more likely to leave reviews when things are bad, so I wanted to make sure and say how happy I’ve been thus far with this BC."

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

"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!"

• ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2021

"So I’ve been on this drug, Vienva, for a couple of years. My pharmacy automatically switched me to this from Lutera. Pros: no weight gain, periods are regular, and I’m not pregnant. Cons: cystic acne, depression, horrible anxiety, and constipation. I’m going on a new birth control soon and crossing my fingers it won’t be worse than this one. I feel like this birth control will benefit you physically but definitely not mentally. I find it very sad how doctors do not discuss the mental impact these medications could have before prescribing them :("

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2010

"I have been on Alesse for 4 years and am very pleased. Before I was on Alesse, I was naturally very moody, and my periods were heavy, long, and painful. When I started this pill, my mood swings evened out, and my period not only got less painful but shortened to only 3 days. I was a little concerned about how quickly I would get pregnant when my husband and I decided it was time, but no worries there. I came off the pill New Year's 2009 and was pregnant by Valentine's. It is now January 2010, and I'm holding a beautiful baby girl. I plan on going back on Alesse as soon as possible."

• sad...
• June 2, 2020

"This pill hasn’t given me any bad side effects besides weight gain and a lot of bloating. It made me gain 6+ pounds (probably from water retention) after the first month of taking it. I’ve generally never had a problem with losing weight, but this is the least confident in my body that I’ve ever felt. I never had issues with weight gain when I had the IUD. Will be asking my doctor to change my prescription. However, different birth control works individually and affects every body differently, so take this review with a grain of salt! Just sharing my personal experience with it."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 16, 2018

"I have been on Levlen since I was 18 (I am now 24) and have realized how depressed and anxious this tablet has made me in the last 2-3 years, especially the last 6 months. It has gotten so much worse. I literally have no sex drive and feel really lazy and have no energy. I have constant migraines and dizziness, and I honestly think all of these things are related to this pill. I have decided to try and change my pill to a different one and see how I go, and already 3 days after not being on Levlen (period week), I feel amazing!"

• In ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2021

"First and last time using this drug. I just started my 3rd pack and have been bleeding nonstop since week 2. It has made me emotional, sluggish, bloated, abdominal cramps, acne, and bad gas with multiple poops a day. I’ve never felt this bad before, ever. Stopping the pill today and hoping to get my life back. DO NOT take unless you like to be miserable and in constant pain."

• coc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2020

"I'm on Aviane for birth control. I don't have any kids, my skin is mostly clear, I haven't had any weight gain. It doesn't seem to help much with cramping, but I only have my period every few months now anyway (by choice). Personally, I haven't had a single negative side effect from this in the 3 years I've been taking it."

• Ara...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 8, 2021

"I've been on this birth control for a year. I got prescribed Lutera, and Vienva is the generic brand I got. I love it, it helped with my acne, and I didn't get any side effects. It's time for my yearly renewal, and I'm 100% going to get the same one. I highly recommend it."

• dha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2020

"I started using this pill about 2 months ago. I’ve only used birth control this time and another time about 2 years ago. The first time was fine, I didn’t have any side effects whatsoever (but then again it was a different pill), so I decided to go back on the pill again. I got prescribed Vienva from the pill club. The first 2 weeks of taking it, I would wake up every morning with extreme nausea, my mood swings started getting really bad and started affecting my relationship. I felt like I was starting to get depressed. Last night I got an overwhelming feeling of sadness out of nowhere and started crying uncontrollably, sobbing in the shower. I’ve NEVER done that before, and that for me was the last straw. I’m not pregnant, no, it works, I guess."

• Goi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

"I’ve been on birth control for over 6 years. I started with the depo (did that for 2 years) and stopped because I was bleeding constantly. Then I had Skyla (IUD) (I had it for 3 1/2 years) and had no problems but had to get it removed because it wasn’t going to be effective anymore. I decided to give the pill a shot, and I started taking Vienva in April of this year. I did notice that I was more emotional, and my libido declined a bit. The company that provides me with birth control switched my pills to Lutera. I’ve been taking it for a little over two months and a half, and I feel like I’m going insane. I started having irrational dark thoughts, and I break down crying all the time. Also, my sex drive has had a huge decline. I’m a mess, I don’t feel like myself, and I can’t take it anymore. With all that said, I decided to stop taking the pill, yesterday was my last day, and I hope I feel back to normal soon. My mental health is more important."

• Tor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 8, 2021

"I am 19 years old, and this is my first time using birth control. I was nervous because some friends of mine have had horror stories about birth control, but I guess I got extremely lucky because this has worked perfectly for me. No terrible mood swings, my periods have been regular, my skin is clear, normal blood pressure, no crazy weight gain, and I have not gotten pregnant, yes! (I have been taking this pill for around 9 months now.)"

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2009

"I've been on this for a little over a year (it just came on the market in the summer of 2007), and I have had no problems with it whatsoever. No breakthrough bleeding, no spotting, no periods (unless I missed more than a pill, then I had some light spotting). I've had so many problems with other birth controls, ranging from Depo to the patch, to the ring, to 13 different types of pills, and I finally found one that worked for me!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 18, 2020

"I've been on Ashlyna for 2 years. You have to give it 6 months for the breakthrough bleeding to stop and for your hormones to level out, that's with any birth control. I still am currently on it and enjoy it very much. I skip the placebo pills, so I don't have a period."

• Hap...
• August 27, 2020

"39 YO with two kids 6 and under. Not planning to have any more kids. Heavy periods with clotting and anemia. Doctor recommended birth control to lighten periods. I also wanted to stop having monthly periods. First week on Jolessa, I had headaches. Three weeks in, headaches stopped. My skin is clearer. No mood swings. I feel happy but was not prone to depression before. I did feel bloated the first two weeks, but that has gotten better by week three, drinking lots of water, exercising, and watching calories. No spotting at all. Not having a period for three months is improving my quality of life! I had lost nearly 20 lbs before the birth control. I’m not gaining-working out vigorously and counting calories, BUT I do feel like I’m hungrier, craving sweets when I normally don’t, and weight loss is slower than before. Overall, I’m loving this birth control, Jolessa. As far as fitness, it will just motivate me to work harder at working out and monitoring what I eat. I recommend giving it a try. Don’t let negative reviews deter you. I let that stop me for years and suffered."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2014

"I have been taking this pill for two weeks now, and I have noticed I've been feeling super fatigued. I am usually energetic and outgoing, but the past two weeks all I have wanted to do was sleep, even while I'm out with friends, I'm still tired."

• Ric...
• January 2, 2019

"The first three weeks were terrible, dizzy, moody, brain fog...you name the side effect; I had it. After three weeks, I was ready to give up. I would ask my husband every day what his thoughts were. He knew the yo-yo of emotions my monthly cycle brought, how it affected work, relationships, sleep, and parenting. This has CHANGED MY LIFE! The first twelve weeks (yup, three full months) I spot bled every day. I probably gained a few pounds due to water retention, but that's gone. Sex drive was eliminated; it has since resurfaced. All the side effects are now gone, I'm clear-minded, level-headed, and NO emotional rollercoaster each month. No monthly bloating, mood swings, or feeling like my blood was boiling. I would do it all again. If you are questioning this or any pill, you will want to give it twelve weeks...stinks at times, but your body takes time. I've tried every other pill, IUD, antidepressants, no sugar, no caffeine...etc. I don't get a period anymore."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2020

"Wow! Just when I thought I was completely alone! I have been using Norimin for 8 years, and due to Covid, got supplied with Levlen. I have cried and cried due to my severe bloating, which didn't occur previously! Thank God I’m not alone! Hopefully, I can find something else soon because this is driving me insane!"

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2013

"I never write reviews, but I decided to share my experience with everyone on this birth control. I was so freaked out when I got this birth control because I saw all of these horrible reviews: depression, weight gain, etc. I have had nothing but an amazing experience on this. I have been happier, my weight is finally staying in one range and not fluctuating, I even lost a few pounds (nothing serious, but it did not make me gain). It has really been amazing, and I think that if the reviews scare you, just try it. You can always switch. I was terrified, but everyone has a different body and reacts differently. You never know, this might be the best thing for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2021

"I signed up for Pill Club and was prescribed Vienva. It is my first birth control, so I immediately went online to look up side effects and reviews. After reading, I was scared to death to get my prescription, knowing I can't change it for at least 2-3 months. Reluctantly, I did start taking it, as I did read some good reviews. I'm about to start my second month in about a week. I have yet to notice any major side effects. Maybe a tad bit more emotional and faint cramps here and there, but nothing too crazy. The only weight I gained was before I even started the pack and was my own doing. I know it's still early, but I think it's working well for me. Although I do understand everyone is different and will react differently."

• Bre...
• May 19, 2014

"Aviane is the second birth control I have taken, but the first that I have actually stuck to for a somewhat long period of time. I first started out with progestin-only Nora-Be, and I did not like it at all. Upon receiving Aviane, I was fairly excited to start. I heard mixed reviews but decided to start it anyway, and let me tell you, I'm glad I did. Aviane has cleared up my acne almost completely. I used to suffer from mild acne, and my skin is almost flawless. Also, my breasts seem to have enlarged. I feel like I may have gained weight due to an increased appetite, but probably no more than 4-5 pounds, which is worth not getting pregnant and having clear skin, plus I'm fairly petite. I definitely plan to stay on Aviane for a long time! Love it!"

• Can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2021

"I started this birth control because they were out of the Seasonique that I was on. It was only supposed to be temporary until they got that birth control back in stock, but I ended up staying on this one because I’ve had no side effects. The only side effects that I had on Seasonique were large blood clots while bleeding. On Portia, I have not experienced this. I’m surprised by all the negative reviews, but I guess everybody’s body reacts differently to different drugs. Portia is definitely a win for me, though."

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2021

"This pill is a miracle. I am 32 and have been on BC pills since age 16 and have tried countless brands, types, and various phasic pills. This is the only pill that doesn't make me insanely anxious, I have not had one pregnancy scare, and it is so mild I hardly know I am on anything at all. This cleared my cystic acne (caused by Falmina, the generic of this brand--- do NOT switch to this, it is NOT the same, no matter what the pharmacy tells you--- filler ingredients make all the difference, ladies!) and my period only lasts 3 days if not less. Low hormones, low effects, awesome pill. 10/10!"