Levlen and Moody: What Users Say

• Mox...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2019

For Birth Control "Terrible! I went on Levlen for exactly 1 month, and it was terrible. On day one, I weighed 75.5 kg, by week 4 of being on this pill, I weighed in at 82.2 kg! Sounds impossible, I know! My breasts doubled in size, I experienced terrible migraines, was extremely bloated, had no libido, was constipated, and generally felt very low and unwell! I went straight off it after my period and haven’t returned to it! I have stayed off the pill entirely and feel back to myself and well! I’ve been off it for exactly 3 weeks now, and my weight has returned back to 76 kg by doing absolutely nothing! Ladies, listen to your body."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2017

For Birth Control "Moodiness increased, sex drive lowered to the point where I didn't want anything to do with my partner, extremely emotional, painful periods, and depressed. I've been off for about a month and feel so much better."

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2009

For Birth Control "I was on Levora (brand) for several months before switching to Levlen (generic) due to my pharmacy being unable to stock the brand-name drug. Over the last several months on Levlen, I've noticed my moodiness increasing and my sex drive drastically decreasing. This happened once before when switching from brand to generic."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m about halfway through my first packet, and it honestly hasn’t done me any good so far. I’ve had an increase in appetite, and I’m just constantly hungry and wanting to eat, and I never used to eat as much, and it’s quite concerning because I don’t want to put on weight. I’ve also found that I’ve just been so moody. Like, usually I’m quite a happy person, and I’m patient and understanding, but recently I’ve just been so angry and just don’t want to deal with anyone and have zero patience. I’m going to try to just finish the pack, but if it still continues, I’m definitely switching to another pill."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I took Levlen ED for 1 year and gained 5 kg, was very anxious and moody, but eventually it settled down. I then stopped the pill, and a few months later I am back on it... After 10 days on Levlen ED, my anxiety and moodiness have increased, and I have gotten TERRIBLE acne all over my face. As someone who barely ever gets pimples, I am mortified. I have also completely lost my appetite (although it might be because of stress?). Anyway, I will be stopping the pill tomorrow and asking my doctor for an alternative. Not worth it."

• ant...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 14, 2020

For Endometriosis "I started this pill as I was told I had endometriosis, and this would help with the pain. For the first few months, it was great and helped with my pain. About 4 months in, I was told I have dermatitis on my face. This has lasted nearly 2 years now. It's horrible, and I rely on steroid creams to control the flare-ups. I've also realized I'm angry and moody for no reason at all. I've just started to break out around my mouth and chin area, which I never had before. I gained 10 kg in the first year, and now I fluctuate, but all up I've gained 14 kg. Will definitely be changing."

• Hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2023

For Endometriosis "Started taking Levlen about 6 weeks ago, horrendous experience with it, immediate weight gain, depressed, and where I would have a heavy period for 1 week a month, I've had a constant period for the past 6 weeks with sore boobs. I spoke to the doctor who changed around the dose, and the bleeding seemed to get lighter, but I still have it. I've zero sex drive with it and moody all of the time. I will be stopping this pill, especially after reading all the other experiences with it also."

• Mis...
• January 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Levlen for about 2 years. When I started Levlen, it took me roughly 3 months to 'settle' into. 3 months of spotting/bleeding through the active pill, moodiness, and eating anything and everything to do with food, as well as the odd food craving.... So you guessed it, weight gain. I'm a bit of a pushover, so this is why I stuck it out for so long. After the 3 months, I went back to normal, and me exercising got rid of the extra weight. My eating habits went back to normal, and I was back to my normal placid self. My partner and I are VERY sexually active, and no pregnancies and no scares. Long story short, besides 3 months of me being the worst kind of person with a passion for food, it did its job very well, and I was easily able to skip my period when I wanted, with no spotting/bleeding in between. P.S. If I skipped my period, I was bloated for almost a week."

• dai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2022

For Birth Control "Levlen made me a psycho! Felt like years of emotional rollercoasters and anxieties. I am literally so much more chill now that I’ve been off it for over 5 months. If you’re having relationship issues because you’re a moody person with mental health issues, then I recommend trying a different contraceptive option. It works well as a pregnancy deterrent, but so not worth it."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2021

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "Trigger warning: I started this medication about a month and a bit ago, and I already have mental health issues, and it made me really moody and gave me suicidal ideation. Anyway, a week and a half ago, I stopped it due to this issue, and Thursday I got my monthlys back after 4 years of not having it."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I had been using the Yasmin birth control until a few months ago. My doctor said, why not try a cheaper brand and suggested Levlen. I had been taking Yasmin with no problems, it had reduced my stomach pain during my periods, and my acne had practically disappeared. But unfortunately, this has all come back, and it's even worse now that I'm taking Levlen. The acne has increased, I get stomach pain, and I'm so moody! The worst of all, for the past 4 months, I get my period 4 days early when I'm still taking the pill. When I first started taking it, I assumed it was because it was the change of brand and that the next month it would get better, but it has not, and every month I am getting my period days before I have even finished my pills. I am unbelievably stressed as to why this is even occurring, and it's not doing its job properly! This has never happened before in all of my years of taking birth control, and now I'm going back to Yasmin. It's clearly not doing its one job as a birth control pill!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2018

For Endometriosis "I took Levlen for 6 weeks to help my endometriosis. Immediate weight gain and fluid retention. Nausea for 3 weeks. Became out of control anxious and super moody. Have now stopped, and after 1 week, starting to feel more like myself again."