Levlen and Nausea: What Users Say

• eee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 18, and this is my first hormonal contraceptive I've tried. I was pretty scared at first about all the negative side effects. I did experience some intense mood swings and feeling nauseous at night in the first two weeks, but I trusted it would go away, and it did. I'm on my fourth month of taking it now, and I'm pretty sure I'm fully used to it. My periods are super regular, libido is fine, no dryness, no migraines or weight gain. However, I haven't seen a difference in acne, lighter or shorter periods, or period pain, but those aren't problems I needed fixed anyway. Pretty happy! Don't be scared by the side effects, if you go into it with a positive mindset, you'll be right... and it's super worth it once your body gets used to it :)"

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I used Levlen for about 12 months. After 4 months, I had to see the gastroenterologist for the following symptoms: bloating, vomiting, insomnia, nausea, weight loss, I couldn’t eat anymore during the evening, everything felt stuck. Low FODMAP diet didn’t resolve the issue. I am now on a gluten- and dairy-free diet without any added sugars. In my blood, they found: low ferritin, low folate, low white cell count, low neutrophils (up till 1). I saw the hematologist for the mild neutropenia I had, and after I stopped Levlen, after 2 weeks, my blood results came back to normal again without changing anything else. Levlen had definitely had a very bad impact on my health, and I would recommend anyone with digestion issues/bloating get off Levlen immediately!!!!! Can cause severe immunology problems like mild neutropenia."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I feel very passionate about this pill, so I thought I’d leave this comment. I can’t help but cry because of this pill. I’ve been on it for around 4 months now, my body seemed to be getting used to it, but I still find myself throwing up and feeling nauseous when I least expect it. On top of that, I’ve had around 3-4 yeast infections since taking this pill, and it’s a literal nightmare. I’m so frustrated with my doctor and this stupid pill."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2022

For Birth Control "I started Levlen purely to prevent pregnancy, and in that regard, it has worked well. I never had acne before taking this pill, but I’ve been taking it for a year now, and my skin is the worst it has ever been. While adjusting to it, I experienced severe nausea and bloating, but after six months, these symptoms have disappeared. There was no effect on my libido as far as I’ve noticed, but I did notice that my mental health has taken a turn for the worse. Really bad anxiety for a while after taking the pill, and some symptoms such as hot flashes and hyperventilating, that I’ve never experienced before. Yes, in my experience, it works to prevent pregnancy, but it has had some considerable negative impacts on my life too."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2022

For Birth Control "I would just like to say I am day 5 into taking this pill, and it sucks so far! I have been throwing up and feeling nauseous all day. This all started today (3 a.m.). The pills before were completely fine, but now I feel like crap. I'm laying in bed trying to figure out what is going on with me, and it turns out so far one other lady has had the same issue. When I showered and dried myself, I noticed a thick, white, clumpy, smelly discharge type. I have done research, and all is saying a yeast infection, as what another lady has said. So far, the experience is rubbish. I will be looking into getting an Implanon and see how I go there. I don't like the inconvenience of taking a pill every day. I will give this pill a go, but I won't be sticking around for feeling like rubbish every day... NO THANK YOU."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I jumped onto Levlen just under a week ago, and since then I have been constantly nauseous, to the point that I can't even concentrate at work. I have not actually vomited, but the nausea is debilitating! I thought maybe I should have a good meal before taking it, so I did so, but no success came of it. Calling my doctor today to switch meds!"

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I received a prescription for Levlen ED about two weeks ago. My doctor warned me that some brands of birth control can trigger people that suffer from migraines, which I used to suffer from but haven’t in a long time. I made the switch to the pill after a bad experience with the Implanon, but I’ve only been using Levlen for one week, and I’ve come to realize it’s worse than the Implanon. Every day I’ve experienced migraines and nausea, and have had an outbreak of cystic acne (I’m 19 and have never had acne in my life), as well as developing a yeast infection. Switching brands ASAP or going off birth control completely, this pill isn’t worth the money or side effects based on my personal experience."

• Wom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2021

For Birth Control "After 3 days, I have decided to stop taking Levlen. I felt light-headed, and the thought of food made me nauseous... thought, okay, this can happen with any new medication, woke up feeling very dizzy and was having lots of absent seizures (I usually have 2 in the morning, but they wouldn't stop), so I went back to bed for a few hours. Woke up with a migraine and more seizures :( I have also been taking Prozac for 5 months, so not sure if it's a bad combination. Just a warning to anyone with epilepsy or anyone taking Prozac."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2021

For Endometriosis "My GP prescribed Levlen to control my abdominal pain. I have nearly finished the first month, and rather than stopping my period, it seems to have had the opposite effect - never-ending period. I had some nausea initially, but this has substantially reduced. In addition to my normal period pain, I have experienced unusual mood changes (anger, anxiety, flat affect). Further, it seems to have caused a flare in my lupus symptoms (joint and muscle pain). Overall, it feels like my batteries have been drained. I know this works for some people, but I personally regret taking it."

• Imm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Levlen for 27 days. It made me depressed, caused severe anxiety, horrible acne, and nausea. Absolute worst I have ever felt. Started crying at work for no reason, was sent home by my manager and switched to a different pill that night. After a week, I was back to normal. - Levlen is the worst."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Have been a month on Levlen, and it is the worst pill I have ever taken. I started off my journey with some pretty common pills like Yaz. Other than slight nausea and headache, they weren’t bad at all. Levlen instead gave me the worst water retention and weight gain, worst mood swings, and worst migraines ever! I couldn’t recognize myself... Please don’t take this if you’re a young woman, it is too strong!"

• ano...
• September 20, 2018

For Birth Control "As most women, I had an adjustment period of getting used to the hormones that lasted about 2 weeks to 1 month, and that just entailed some nausea, cramping, headaches, mood swings. Sort of 'PMS' type symptoms in a way, but I found it tolerable. It was the perfect pill, aside from the fact it gave me horrible acne! I had to stop after just over 6 months of use because my self-esteem from my skin was taking a real beating. My skin was never perfection before going on this pill, but it definitely was not acne level, and as soon as I started on Levlen, my skin erupted. Not just a few pimples here and there either... All over my cheeks and chin. Absolutely no doubt if you go back and look at photos, you can see my skin progressively worsening over the time of me taking this BC. Everyone's body is different though, and I have some friends that take Levlen and are perfectly fine! Best of luck to anyone starting it, just listen to your body and go in with an open mind :)"

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I took this when I was about 20 years old. For not quite 3 weeks. I got the worst nausea and had to take Maxolon to help with that. I remember when the anti-nausea medication wore off and I rushed to the bathroom, so sure I was going to puke. I didn't, but whoa! I looked at myself in the mirror and said, 'No pill ever again,' and I've stuck with that! Shocking what this pill does. And I took this years ago when the hormone dosage levels were far higher than they are now! It's not surprising how horrible so many women's experiences are on here. Being on the OCP is basically pretending to your body that you're pregnant, among other things. Nausea, sleep problems, weight gain, acne, lack of libido; you name it. The list of side effects of Levlen ED is disastrous. AVOID THIS PILL. Honestly, if you want all those symptoms from this pill, just get pregnant! At least you get a cute little baby at the end of it!"

• pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2021

For Birth Control "First of all, this pill is the worst!!! I’ve been on Yasmin for over a year and decided to change to Levlen as a cheaper option. I was told by my doctor it was a similar pill to Yasmin. I’ve been on Levlen for over a month now and have had the worst experience. Coming from someone who suffers from severe depression and anxiety, this pill definitely made it worse. I experienced increased anxiety attacks and genuinely felt very low and in a dark place. I felt like a zombie consistently and had no motivation to do anything, low libido, severe migraines almost every night, trouble eating, bloating, and gaining weight, hair loss, stomach cramps, and nausea. I thought I was going crazy, but after reading what other women have gone through, I realized this pill is very harmful. I would not recommend this pill to ANYONE. Worst pill ever, I will definitely jump back on Yasmin!"

• 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."