Levlen and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Geo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Levlen for around 7 years, and I’ve found this to work really well for me. No real weight gain (I was hungrier to begin with, but that subsided!). Slight decrease in libido, but my skin and moods have been very stable for years! I use it purely for contraceptive and only once tried another pill (I came back from a month vacation, gained weight, and naturally wanted to blame it on the pill, not my eating)... after one round on another type of pill, I decided I needed to back to what worked for my body - I was back on Levlen. I came into this pill with low expectations - I wasn’t expecting it to perform miracles. It serves its purpose, and with little to no side effects. I’ll come off it when I plan to start a family. I’m sorry to hear that it hasn’t been effective for everyone, but it’s also good to hear positive experiences on this pill as well."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2020

For Endometriosis "Started taking this pill, Levlen, continuously (no sugar pills) 3 months ago. I gained 15 pounds, I have no sex drive, leg cramping, higher blood pressure, anxiety, cramps, back pain, and spotting. This pill sucks! Just stopped taking it and hope to feel like myself again soon."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I came to the web to see if anyone else was experiencing what I was after taking this pill, and wow!! Ok, I'm not going crazy. Firstly, I've only been taking the pill for two weeks, and I've noticed constant bleeding, but after research, I have found that that is quite normal. So I'm OK with that. But I'm sitting here, 26 years old, with cystic acne, mood swings of a 13-year-old, constant drowsiness, weight gain, and headaches. This pill, according to my GP, was supposed to minimize pimples and stabilize my cycle. I won't be putting another pill into my body. The worst ever!"

• exc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Levlen as a form of birth control, and I hate it. Never in my life have I ever had really bad acne, only a few occasional pimples, but Levlen caused me to have cystic acne, specifically around my mouth area but also on my forehead. This was notable after finishing the second packet, how much worse my skin was getting. I can also note how I gained visible weight after taking this. I would not recommend."

• Pai...
• March 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Trigger warning: suicide ideation. I've had painful periods all my life and decided to go on the pill after meeting my partner for birth control reasons. The pain did reduce, but I gained a lot of weight, and it affected my mood and gave me depression. After experiencing ongoing suicide ideation, I quit my job at a pharmacy I worked at due to fear of stealing medication and overdosing on it. After stopping the pill, my mental health returned to better levels almost immediately (3 days)."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

"I started the Levlen pill as a last resort because I was fed up with my skin. I was really hopeful that my skin would get somewhat better, however, it kept getting worse and worse in places I never got pimples, like my jawline, my cheeks, eyebrows, my chest, and back. Along with this, I put on a lot of weight and went up two cup sizes. The pill impacted my appetite, so I was just constantly hungry all day, which I never was before. I was getting really dry lips, but no changes in my skin, only for the worse. I’ll be switching pills to hopefully something that can help my skin. I’m off the pill now."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I used to be on Levlen, had no problems at all. I changed to Depo, which is an injection contraceptive, so I didn't have to remember to take a pill. On Depo, I gained a lot of weight and was unable to control my emotions. I intend on returning to Levlen now. The only drawback is remembering to take the pill. Make sure you find a contraceptive that suits your body. Levlen seemed to be fine for me, but it may be different for you and others."

• 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."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2020

For Birth Control "Like others, I was on Norimin for about 10 years, but unable to get it due to COVID or other supply reasons. I was prescribed Levlen. I persisted for 3 months. They were the most awful 3 months. My moods were out of control, I had massive pimple breakouts. After not even having my period on Norimin, I experienced heavy bleeding and cramping on Levlen. I have put on 5 kg, I had glands popping up everywhere. Worst pill ever! I am now on Valette. I hope it is a better experience. It is not subsidized, and I am paying about $85 for 3 months, but I was at a point where I didn't care, I just needed to change pills."

• Dub...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Originally was put on Levlen as a last resort to treat my menorrhagia. After 6 months, it eventually made my cycle normal-ish, which was great after dealing with that for 2 years. Experienced enormous weight gain. Since going on it 3 years ago, I have doubled my weight. Exercise and diet haven't stopped the weight gain, heaviest I've been in my life. It has happened to other members of my family with taking Levlen, so it might not happen to everyone. Had a lot of fainting, passing out 6 months in, my GP didn't really look into it. My mental health got worse on it too. Huge difference in my mood, developed clinical depression and anxiety. When I stopped taking the pill, there was a huge difference in my overall mood."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Portia when I started birth control and was on it for years and never had any problems until I switched to Levlen due to insurance changes. Ever since I started this brand, I have gained 27 pounds, had drastic mood swings right before/while I am on my period, and night sweats. The periods are getting more painful as time goes by. I didn't realize all these things I've been experiencing could be related to the birth control until I looked up reviews and saw similar complaints. I made a doctor's appointment for later this week, and I really hope to switch off of Levlen. All the side effects are too unbearable to not notice after 6 months of putting up with them!"

• 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."

• 123...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Levlen ED for 3 years, the first pill my friend ever prescribed me. Ever since I started, my mood swings have been horrid, I gained weight and have not been able to get it off regardless of the calorie deficit or training I do. I was able to eat so much beforehand, and I’m consuming less now... I developed symptoms of anxiety and depression, and I recently went back to my doctor after multiple breakdowns in the past year and decided: no, it has to be the pill. I was told that Levlen ED is the worst for mood swings and negative mental health effects... glad I was informed now. Would not recommend, yes, it helped my skin, periods (used to get horrendous 10-day heavy bleeds with cramps that left me lifeless), contraceptive use, and that’s about it."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2020

For Birth Control "Just started Levlen around 2 months ago. Now I know that there is no proof that the pill causes weight gain, however, as soon as I started on this pill, I noticed a huge difference in my hunger levels. I’m usually one to lose weight quite quickly and “shake it off,” but I just can’t seem to get rid of it. I also have started to get bad acne/pimples, mostly around the chin area. Libido has completely disappeared, and I just don’t feel like myself. Will give it another month, but keen to try another pill."

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I am 23 years old. I was on Levlen for 4 months. I don't want to say anything bad about this pill, but I will share my experience. The first month was constant headaches, no breakthrough bleeding, and on-and-off heartburn. Second month, I began breaking out on my chin, as well as heartburn and headaches. Third month, the breakouts got really bad and extremely painful, and I began getting ‘dermatitis’ around both my eyes and lips. By my fourth month, I had constant headaches, heartburn every few days, and the dermatitis got worse, as well as the acne. Might I add, I never had acne prior to this. But I must say, birth control and period pain-wise, it was incredible. I did gain weight on this pill, but I didn't mind because period pain-wise, prior pill, was extreme."

• Hay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been on Levlen for around 2 years, and this pill is NO GOOD!! It’s taken me till now to figure it out, but I had side effects from the start. - Weight gain and inability to lose any weight, even with diet and exercise. - Mood swings were relentless, I felt angry all the time. - Low sex drive - Anxiety - Fatigue - Brain fog - Headaches - Bloating"

• 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."

• Lev...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I had been on Levlen for over 10 years. I started at 67 kg and now weigh 83 kg. I do a lot of weight training and am a PT, so I don’t blame all the weight gain on the pill. The biggest change I noticed was the way I reacted and my emotions with certain things. The past 6 to 9 months, my anxiety has definitely exacerbated to a point where I’ll feel differently every hour, from being super anxious to feeling numb. My mind would be going a hundred miles an hour, and I would be snapping at my mother constantly over the littlest things. The week before my period, I would have intense PMS and would have to constantly tell myself that it’s just PMS week. The week of my period, my moods would lift and the bloat would go away, then, once I’m back on the active tablets, the moods and bloating would come back. I’m trialing a month of the pill. It’s day 6. I’ve had bleeding/withdrawal for 5 days, and I can think properly again without brain fog, nervousness, and all-day tiredness."

• Bri...
• September 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Mood swings, cyst-like acne, weight gain, and on top of this, I bled for 3 weeks straight while taking the active pills. My boobs have doubled in size and are so sore all the time. I would NOT recommend this pill, it has done nothing but make me an emotional mess. I have been off Levlen for 2 days now and hoping I start to feel like myself again soon."

• 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!"

• 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!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2021

For Birth Control "My experience has been nothing less than horrible. My anxiety has gotten 10 times worse, with my overthinking being uncontrollable, crying over nothing, and being overwhelmingly anxious. I’ve been gaining weight but consider the fact that I eat healthy and work out 5 days a week. Not only have the side effects taken their toll on me, but I feel like it has affected my relationship as my anxiety has been so much worse. I would not recommend this pill to anyone."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

For Birth Control "So glad to know I’m not alone when reading all your comments. I’ve been taking Levlen for 4 months now. I began weighing 47 kg and now weigh 52. Gaining that much weight in 4 months is not worth it for me. I also wake up every morning with huge bloating, which never goes away. On top of the weight gain, I have developed acne, something I had rarely had an issue with before. I’m very disappointed with this pill and can’t wait to find a better form of contraception that doesn’t affect me like this has."

• 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!"