Portia and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ris...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Levora. I struggled with weight gain, anxiety, and depression regularly, but I didn’t think to connect it to my birth control. Then I was switched to Portia due to Kaiser discontinuing Levora, and the first month seemed okay. I thought my body just needed time to adjust. Then at the second month, I started getting migraines, then it was the serious weight gain, and my anxiety and depression went through the roof. I was extremely suicidal and dangerous not only to myself but anyone close to me as well. I was unable to function as a person anymore, and I decided to stop taking it. Within the first week, I felt like a new person, and my weight dropped dramatically as every week passed. It honestly scared me, and I will never use hormonal birth control again. Never again."

• k19...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2018

For Birth Control "Started taking Portia about 2 months ago. Had to stop because I was not myself at all! Felt like a cloud was over my mind at all times. Caused extreme anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Lost friends and broke relationships. After 2 days of accidentally not taking it, I noticed I felt like myself again and refuse to go back on. Please watch your body and your mental response-don’t want anyone to have to go through this because of a silly pill!"

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I was switched from Levora to Portia, and I hated it so much! I gained 7 lbs in 3 weeks even with my healthy diet and exercise. I am switching back immediately, and I don't even know why I was randomly switched in the first place. Also, my anxiety was super bad too right when starting this. Never again."

• DoU...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2019

For Birth Control "One of the worst BC pills I have ever been on. Took it for 8 months. The only pro - I didn't get pregnant. Everything else was a con, here is the following: severe - migraines, PMS (PMS would be almost a month long), mood swings (to a point of psychosis & paranoia), depression & anxiety, cystic body acne (vile). Complete loss of libido, made my current partner seem repulsive. Weight gain (I gained 15 pounds!) greasy skin & hair, constant dermatitis and dry patches of skin. Would make me bloat before and during my periods immensely. Did not matter if the periods were 'lighter' considering the PMS, and bloating was so bad to a point of needing to take time off work. I started getting horrible gingivitis on this pill, bad breath & garnered over 6 tooth cavities after 6 months of being on this pill. I never get cavities. Once I went off this pill, all of these disgusting and unfortunate side effects went away. If a GP prescribes you this pill, say no."

• Aan...
• February 19, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill is awful! I was switched from Levora. I have been dealing with a ton of depression and anxiety, increased blood sugar, and 10 lb weight gain within the first 2 months. Will be switching ASAP!"

• Nek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I feel absolutely terrible. I have painful breast pains/tenderness, pelvic pain. I've been super anxious and depressed, the nausea is my worst effect. I could eat normally and still feel nauseous. I wake up and feel nauseous. I recently spotted for the first time, and it sucked. I've never had such a terrible period. For my first month, it caused heavy bleeding and painful cramps. It also hasn't affected my sex drive, but the discharge is horrible, I'm always wet. Also, recently, as of these past two weeks, I've been diagnosed with a yeast infection and vaginitis, and yesterday I went to urgent care, and they did x-rays to find out the pills' hormones have been causing me to be constipated - making my stomach growl after literally anything I eat. I get gas/bloating, so everything has been building up inside me causing the pelvic pain on my left side. Now, the only good effects are I've been losing weight, and my acne got somewhat better. I hope to switch brands soon. I hope this information helps someone."

• Que...
• September 8, 2022

For Birth Control "I was given Portia as a birth control option because I didn't want to have any more children at the moment. I started to suffer from severe depression to the point of a suicide attempt, I had severe anxiety and mood swings. Seven months into using the birth control, I stopped bleeding excessively, and it turns out I developed a serious amount of fibroids on my uterus to the point that I had to have a total hysterectomy at the age of 34."

• por...
• December 14, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control pill I've been on (I've also used Yaz, Sronyx, Lutera, Alesse, Levora). I've never really experienced any side effects before. I was on Levora last and loved it, but was switched to Portia when Levora was discontinued. I've been on Portia for 3.5 months and have gained 5 pounds and have been depressed and anxious the whole time - I wake up in the middle of the night crying or am unable to sleep because of the anxiety."

• xxs...
• January 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I got pretty bad mood swings/anxiety with this, but worst of all, I got cramps. I had cramps all month long for about 3 months before I switched. It would feel like someone punched me in the uterus, and I'd bend over in pain at random times in the day. However, I did experience this with other Barr/Teva pharmaceutical birth controls. I didn't get pregnant, so I suppose it was effective in that sense."

• CJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using Portia birth control for less than 1 year. I had the IUD for 2 years but had to come off of it due to getting numerous cysts. Prior to the IUD, I was on Levora, which worked well until it didn't. Anyway, I was already diagnosed bipolar 5 years ago, but have had unreal mood swings, weight fluctuation, depression, anxiety, and low sex drive ever since being on Portia. I found this blog today, and I am low-key annoyed that I didn't look into these side effects sooner. I am coming off of this medication and consulting with my OBGYN, demanding alternate birth control. I do not recommend this form of contraceptive to anyone."

• Kjt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Literally been on it for 7 days, and I want to check myself into a psych ward. I cry uncontrollably for NO REASON. And if there is anything I’d normally be slightly emotional about, it’s like the worst day of my life. SE start bleeding, diarrhea, anxiety like no other, I didn’t even want to be near my partner. Awful, awful, awful."

• Sss...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2021

For Birth Control "I have taken a few different generic birth control pill options since I was 18, now almost 27. I switched to Portia in April of 2020 because I wanted to try a birth control option that I could skip my periods with. Worst decision I’ve ever made. Although I remained active throughout the pandemic (I am a horse trainer) and didn’t make any dietary changes, I gained nearly 20 pounds in the first 6 months on it. When I went to talk to my doctor, they convinced me that the pill wasn’t to blame, so I continued to take it for another few months. I am up to 165 now, from consistently weighing 130-135 before taking this medication. I also experienced extreme fatigue and lack of motivation, and debilitating anxiety and depression on this medication. To add to that, it made my occasional light acne turn into regular breakouts with cystic acne. AND I had breakthrough bleeding constantly, sometimes 2 full periods a month. Listen to your body, your doctor is wrong."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2018

For Birth Control "When I went to my pharmacy, they told me Portia had taken the place of Levora. Well, I took this for one day and hated the reaction of it immediately. It gave me jitters and anxiety. I am going to ask my OBGYN to get me back on Levora immediately."

• Js1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking Portia after my first pill was giving me too much breakthrough bleeding. I never had any breakthrough bleeding on Portia, but I developed moderate depression and anxiety issues while on it. I was moody, less interested in sex, and bloated most of the time. I switched back to the original pill I started on, so hopefully that goes better!"

• Kve...
• March 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I had a bad experience with this birth control. I was taking another birth control before this one. I switched to this one because of my mood. And around the 3rd month, I went crazy. I started to think weirdly, I started to think I didn't love my boyfriend anymore. And I know it's not true, but it is the WORST. I went off it about a month ago, and I still have the worst depression and anxiety. I can't even look at my boyfriend the same anymore, and it breaks my heart. But I heard it gets better and these thoughts will go away. Remember, ladies, never act when you're on birth control, it's not you! But this made my relationship the worst. So I needed a break from birth control after this one, a break is well needed! Good luck, ladies!"

• iha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2017

For Birth Control "When I first started it, I didn't notice it was giving me side effects until I look back now. The first month, I felt dizzy, anxious, depressed, and disoriented. I thought it was because I was trying to get used to the change in hormones. But then, those side effects continued until now, which is 3 months on it. I have gained 7 lbs that I had worked off before I started it. It makes me feel horrible. I've gotten lazier and have no motivation to do my schoolwork and study. I have also had the side effect of my legs feeling numb. I have also had the side effect of low blood sugar and my hands shaking like crazy. Don't use this product. It's the worst birth control I've experienced."

• mae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2022

For Birth Control "This birth control was very difficult for me. Made me extremely moody, sensitive, made my depression and anxiety worse. This medication caused suicidal ideation within the first week and a half. If you are trying this birth control, please monitor mood and symptoms closely."

• EMB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2021

For Birth Control "Like many others, I was originally on Levora and was switched to Portia by Kaiser sometime in 2018. I began taking BC to help with acne and to stop my heavier periods—this worked great for stopping periods but caused other issues that I didn't even connect to the BC until years later. For the last three years, I struggled with moderate acne, oily skin, increased facial and body hair, some weight gain (or water retention), and extreme bouts of anxiety and stress. I was much grumpier, had feelings of hopelessness, and my mind would often think of the worst-case scenario. I never connected these symptoms to the pill until I needed a pap to get a refill on my pills, and I was curious about switching (and began researching current vs. new). I've since stopped all BC and have been off of them for 10 days now, and I'm feeling 100% better. My skin is slowly healing, less facial hair, and my stress levels have significantly decreased. Check your symptoms and be sure to read reviews."

• EMB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2021

For Birth Control "Like many others, I was originally on Levora and was switched to Portia by Kaiser sometime in 2018. I began taking BC to help with acne and to stop my heavier periods—this worked great for stopping periods but caused other issues that I didn't even connect to the BC until years later. For the last three years, I struggled with moderate acne, oily skin, increased facial and body hair, some weight gain (or water retention), and extreme bouts of anxiety and stress. I was much grumpier, had feelings of hopelessness, and my mind would often think of the worst-case scenario. I never connected these symptoms to the pill until I needed a pap to get a refill on my pills, and I was curious about switching (and began researching current vs. new). I've since stopped all BC and have been off of them for 10 days now, and I'm feeling 100% better. My skin is slowly healing, less facial hair, and my stress levels have significantly decreased. Check your symptoms and be sure to read reviews."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2021

For Birth Control "Awful experience with Portia. I’ve been in a horrible mood lately. I have never felt so anxious and stressed in my life. I cry for absolutely no reason, and I have constant headaches. This is the worst birth control pill experience that I have ever had. It’s been only two weeks, and I already have to switch it because this is unbearable. I feel so bad for my boyfriend because he had to be with me all this time, seeing how crazy this pill made me become. I have become a crazy monster."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2021

For Birth Control "Awful experience with Portia. I’ve been in a horrible mood lately. I have never felt so anxious and stressed in my life. I cry for absolutely no reason, and I have constant headaches. This is the worst birth control pill experience that I have ever had. It’s been only two weeks, and I already have to switch it because this is unbearable. I feel so bad for my boyfriend because he had to be with me all this time, seeing how crazy this pill made me become. I have become a crazy monster."

• Lis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 15, 2021

For Birth Control "STAY FAR FAR AWAY FROM PORTIA!!! I was like many other ladies on here taking Levora and had no side effects and no weight gain. Kaiser switched me to Portia and told me it was the exact same thing. So I trusted them. I have menorrhagia and was given birth control to stop my periods completely. It did its job for a while, that is keeping my periods away. But as months went by, weight came on so fast. No matter how much I did and how healthy I ate. I was a fitness instructor and had never had weight issues. From the start till now of taking Portia, I have gained 60 pounds that are stubborn and will only budge a pound or two. As the years went by, I became different. I wasn't me. I became severely anxious and was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, then the depression set in. I became foggy-minded, and often dizzy. I am constantly bloated, have severe mood swings, feel drained, have acne, and experience chest pains. After 5 years, I'm getting off it with a hysterectomy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "If you are taking Portia 28 and think it may be the cause of your acne that you can't explain, throw it away. It gave me cystic acne when my skin was previously clear. I'm talking about clusters of painful, deep cystic acne that left scars and wouldn't go away for months. I became way more irritable and had intense mood swings, always feeling so 'done' and tired. The first few weeks, I couldn't even keep the pill down and woke up to throw up every night. I never got a good night's sleep due to this, and my body was in a constant state of stress and exhaust. I only decided to search up reviews to see if I was the only one, 7 months in. Now I see that the majority are facing the exact same problems as me. I'm so frustrated that I didn't take just a second to research this brand because it would have saved me so much emotional distress and confusion."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I was prescribed this to help lessen my cramps since they were debilitating, but it stopped them completely, and as someone who someday wants to be a mother, this was distressing, but obviously reversible. I began the birth control at the end of my period as prescribed, and three weeks came, and I began to expect my period. I got severe mood swings, irritation, anxiety, and beyond severe depression. I usually get moody around my period, so I didn’t think anything of it. But I ended up skipping two periods with no let-up of the emotions I was feeling, not to mention tender and painful breasts and random punches of cramps. My depression and overall emotional state have been bad before, but never this bad. Never to the point of such incredibly dark thoughts. If you are being prescribed Portia, go ahead, but it may muck you up mentally and physically, and you’ll prefer your periods to it any day."

• Ani...
• August 18, 2019

For Endometriosis "I would never recommend Portia. I was switched from Levora to Portia after Kaiser said they didn’t have Levora anymore. The first week I started taking Portia, I started to notice I was very depressed and anxious. As week two came around, it only got worse. To the point where I wasn’t able to eat because of my anxiety and ended up in the hospital. I have since stopped Portia and have felt a little more normal. I would not recommend Portia to anyone because it seems like a lot of people have the same side effect: depression and anxiety."