Levora and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dev...
• December 7, 2011

For Birth Control "The first week I got Levora from Planned Parenthood was hell. I was a crazy and moody beast, and I ate everything in sight. Right now I'm finishing up my second month, and it's going way better. The weird food cravings have gone down significantly, although I have gained about 4.5 pounds. The clinician said it would help my acne, but it hasn't really changed yet. Although I am really stressed with finals at college, so that may be why. It hasn't really dramatically increased though. But what HAS dramatically increased is my sex drive. I've never been a very sex-driven lady, but now I definitely am, and my boyfriend is loving it, hahaha. Unfortunately, it hasn't made my breasts grow though. All in all, I really like it."

• Jas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2014

For Endometriosis "I've been on Levora for three years to help with my endometriosis. I've gained weight, but most women do while taking any type of birth control. I used to have really bad acne, now I only really break out during my period. Also, my period is lighter and shorter. Every woman is different, and our bodies aren't going to be the same as another woman taking the same birth control."

• Jam...
• December 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for two months. The first couple of days, I couldn't stop crying... I am NOT the crying type of person, and I had constant mood swings. The following two months, I gained a significant amount of weight (10 pounds) even with running and dieting. My breasts were beyond sore, and I couldn't handle my husband even lightly touching them. I felt bloated the entire time, and my periods were back in full force! With my previous birth control (Natazia - my insurance stopped covering), I had no period and no ovarian cysts bursting. My gynecologist recommended I get off of this pill immediately. Hopefully, I will have better luck with the next!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 5, 2012

"I have been on Levora for about 2 years now, and I'm about to switch. What I like about the pill is that it works great. I'm forgetful and haven't gotten pregnant. When I miss, I can't double up because I will get highly nauseous. I also have to take three months straight before I can take the placebo week. If not, I will wake up in the middle of the night on the first night back and throw up. Other issues I've had: nausea, headaches, weight gain, anxiety, excessive crying over nothing, I'm easily irritated and angered, increased hunger. The worst side effect, however, has been my sex drive. It has completely gone. I have to talk myself into having sex with my husband. Not cool."

• Viv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on it for about a year, and well, I did gain about 10-15 pounds, and what's worse is that it makes me lazy and exhausted all the time. It does have some benefits, like not getting pregnant, it made my face clear up and glow, also regular short and light periods, and I did in fact notice my boobs get bigger, which I did not mind. Once I noticed my weight gain, I had to make healthier choices and definitely work out. I just don't like that it makes me tired. I read on here that it affects your sex drive. I've never had a problem with mine. I do believe everybody reacts to it differently."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2013

"I was put on Levora because I didn't want my period anymore. Didn't have any problems to begin with, my period has always been light and on time. It would just happen on days where I really needed it not to. I've been taking it for exactly 3 weeks (started the day my period ended), and it's been great! I have no mood swings whatsoever, no weight gain, no headaches, and no nausea! My libido was already pretty high, but now it's even higher! My breasts are a tiny bit sore, but they've increased from an A to a B. The only negative thing I've noticed so far is that I have more breakouts than I used to, but it's not horrible. I was supposed to start my period today but didn't, so it could be working for that. As long as I have fewer periods. First birth control for me."

• Ais...
• December 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this mainly for easing the pain of periods and then got into a relationship later on. It has definitely kept me from getting pregnant and shortened my periods by days, but I've gained at least fifteen pounds and I have gotten insanely emotional. It's really miserable."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched from having the implant (Implanon) and have been taking Levora for a little over 3 weeks now. While I had the implant, I had constant dark discharge, had depression, very low sex drive, not being able to get wet, and weight gain (and I am an extremely active person). Since I've been on Levora, I have gotten more sensitive and get irritated easily, but other than that, nearly everything was fixed! I feel my sex drive is coming back and my discharge is completely back to normal. I also am able to get wet during sex. Still no change in weight, though, but I think this pill has definitely helped me overall. Plus, it's working by not getting me pregnant."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2012

"I have tried almost every type of birth control out there, and this is definitely my least favorite! I initially gained weight when switching from the ring to the pills and then switched to Levora from Sprintec, and it's been a disaster. I gained more weight and can't get rid of it despite dropping to a 1200 cal/day diet and running/walking at least a mile 4 x week. I also have lost my libido almost completely (bad for a soon-to-be newlywed!) and have acne I haven't had in at least 6 years."

• jes...
• January 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I had been taking Levora for almost two years but decided to stop because I realized many negative aspects could be contributed to it. Yes, it was a successful birth control because I never got pregnant, but I developed acne for the first time in my life (I'm 21). The acne could not be contributed to anything else - I'm a healthy and active vegetarian with an esthetician for a mother. I also had no sex drive, which was my first major red flag that something serious was out of whack. I also went from a D to an F cup - cool for my boyfriend but not for my wardrobe. It was almost impossible to lose weight. However, periods were short, with no cramps or spotting, and I never got pregnant. I switched to the lower-dose Lutera this week."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been taking Levora for about 6 months. It does its job - prevents pregnancy. But I have gained weight, become depressed, and I have a LOT of acne when I used to have a clear face. On the plus side, though, my periods are light and on time every month. I also don't experience cramps, when I used to throughout my entire period."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2012

"I had every side effect listed... gained weight, pimples, mood swings... EVERYTHING. My period was never-ending, cramps made me cry. I was in bed for a week, no joke. My breasts... a simple hug hurt so bad. I got depressed taking this pill."

• 7 1...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 3, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This birth control works great. I've been taking it near 8 years now, and no problems. It may be of contributed to a few lbs, but not much else. Lessened my periods from 7-11 days of heavy flow to 4-5 days and relatively light. My skin hasn't really changed, and it does not contribute to any emotional changes."

• WNJ...
• January 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I took the Depo-Provera shot starting from 16-20. I absolutely loved the shot other than not ever really knowing when my period was going to be. I actually lost weight on the shot, and my breasts grew larger than before. I had a great sex drive as well. I switched to the Levora pill simply for the fact that I knew I wanted to become pregnant one day and knew if I took the shot for too long that it might affect that. I chose Levora because I only have four periods a year (which is great!). However, I have been taking this pill for three and a half years, and I have noticed some negative side effects. I have been slowly, over time, gaining weight. I also never used to have acne, and I have some acne problems now. I also have a low sex drive and difficulty staying wet."

• Miy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2019

For Birth Control "Being on Levora for 3 months. I’ve experienced a lot of acne, lots of weight gain, which is not good because I’m a diabetic. My period came late. I’ve suffered from depression, but these past 3 months, my mood swings have been off the chain. So unfortunately, I’m stopping Levora. Maybe try something different, because this is not it!!!"

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2016

For Endometriosis "I was prescribed Quasense about 2 years ago for endometriosis and was very happy with it, but after changing medical insurance, it was no longer an option, so I switched to Levora about 3 months ago. My endometriosis symptoms are still at bay, but I have gained weight, and not pounds, but I've just gotten flabby with an increased appetite. I feel lethargic, and I'm not sure if it's the pill or the 'weight gain', but my sex drive is at an all-time low. So, I guess here I go again into the sea of birth control meds. I refuse to gain weight and feel bad about myself. Of course, all pills affect everyone differently, so you might as well try it. Just wanted to share my own personal experience with someone who may have had a good reaction to Quasense."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I got Levora at Planned Parenthood for free, and it's definitely the best thing I've ever gotten for free! I experience no significant side effects. Cramps are less intense than before, much more bearable and almost nonexistent, lasting only a few hours before the period-- and that's all. The first two months were a bit erratic with mood swings, but have since balanced significantly. Acne is unchanged and normal for me as a 17 y/o (which is why I also believe that this pill works tremendously better for me than other women); weight gain was minimal, only about 5 pounds, but my weight fluctuates usually between 120 and 130 now, whereas before the pill, fluctuation was between 116 and 120. I eat more than I used to, but this is intentional."

• Ano...
• February 20, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been using Levora for almost 7 months now, and in the sense of no pregnancy, I'm happy. However, my appetite has increased dramatically. Before the pill, I used to be 125 pounds, now, seven months in, I've gained about 20 pounds that I can't for the life of me get rid of. My sex drive is normal, my periods are so much lighter and shorter, but my mood swings are terrible. I cry over the stupidest things, like not being able to find my remote. Other than those side effects, it's a good pill."

• kit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking it on and off (mostly on) for 4 years. It's worked like a charm. Even without the pill, I've always had a fairly regular cycle, and my cramps have been manageable with Aleve. With Levora, my period is the same length, but it's lighter, and the cramps are lighter. I almost always start the same evening, and the period lasts 3 days, with 1-2 more days of spotting. My only complaint: each time I've gone on and off the pill, I've gained a couple of pounds. I haven't had issues with mood swings or anything. But I know it isn't 100% effective, especially if you vomit or have bad diarrhea within some time of taking the pill, which worried me when I lived in the developing world and got food poisoning a lot."

• vir...
• January 10, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 4 years. The pill does serve its purpose, I haven't gotten pregnant, but the side effects are outrageous. When I started the pill, I was 18 and 145 lbs, almost a year later, I was at 160 lbs. Now I have plateaued at 190 lbs for about a year and a half at 5'8. My sex drive is gone almost, and my poor boyfriend has been there through all of it. I have vaginal dryness, so during the beginning of sex, it is very painful. I didn't have acne before and didn't have any after. My period went from 8 to 4 days, which was good, and my cramps did lessen. Even though it took me this long to read reviews, I'm glad I did, I'm going to look into switching."

• Rac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2019

For Endometriosis "I've been on Levora for over 4 years, let me tell you, it works as a great birth control, but the side effects are insane. I was 130 lbs when I started, I now weigh 180. Yes, some of it is due to being out of my teen years, however, 10 of those lbs hang off my chest. I've always been bustier (C/D cup), I'm now on my way to G cup. I'm only 5'4, so this is very uncomfortable. I look very heavy, my legs are big now, yet I am actually eating better than when I started taking it. My face and stomach are always puffy and bloated, the only time it's flat is right off of my period and not taking the pills for 7 days. I have had to get a script for Xanax because of my severe anxiety that has started. I didn't think a pill could cause all of this, but it's getting worse. I have no sex drive ever, and my cramps are still painful. I will be going off of it starting tomorrow, and I will be tracking how my body changes for the next 6 months."

• TLC...
• January 20, 2012

For Endometriosis "I have been on Levora for approximately 5 years. After I started having severe abdominal pains, I decided to stop taking birth control altogether. I thought that maybe my body was just upset that I had been pumping synthetic hormones into it, so I stopped taking it for 6-8 months... it didn't help. While I was on it for the 5 years, it was great. I didn't have any problems with it... my weight was fine, acne no worse or better, no mood swings, and no drop in libido. I ended up back on it due to endometriosis, only this time I had all the problems I didn't have initially. I had spotting that lasted at least 2 weeks, got severe headaches, gained 10 lbs, my breasts were very tender, and the WORST PART... NO SEX DRIVE AT ALL!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Levora for about a year and a half now. I've come to the conclusion that this pill's side effects are awful. I get nausea, mood swings, stomach pain in the mornings, gained weight, increased acne. Not for me. However, I'm not pregnant!"

• Oli...
• March 21, 2013

"I am 16 years old and started the pill 4-5 months ago. Wasn't sexually active on the pill. Took some time, but it cleared my skin up wonderfully. Although I've gained a significant amount of weight. Grew out of mostly all my jeans. I gained about 10 pounds, so I'm switching to another birth control. Not positive if this is all caused by the pill, but weight has never been a problem for me. Didn't notice any mood changes. My periods were really light. Just not happy about the weight gain..."

• Rev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2018

For Birth Control "It has worked perfectly for me without any side effects at all (no weight gain, increases in acne, nausea, mood changes, or headaches). I take it continuously, so I haven’t bled at all for a few months, not even any spotting. Before this, I took Sprintec 28, and I bled almost every day for 5 months!"