Portia and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "In terms of doing its job of not getting pregnant, Portia does very well, and I did not experience heavy periods or extreme cramping while I was on it for 4 months. Just like many others, I was not notified when my pharmacy changed me from Levora to Portia. I feel so dumb for not connecting the dots that this BC could be the cause of my emotional distress (started happening around the time I started Portia), which was bouts of depression, MAJOR mood swings, very short temperament, and breast tenderness. My breasts were so sensitive I took out my nipple piercings I had for over a year. After consulting my doctor, I was able to switch back to Levora, and everything has been much more normal since! Ask your doctor to go back to Levora if it works for you ladies!"

• Kse...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2020

For Birth Control "Portia is the worst form of contraceptive I've ever been on in my life. Less than one month of these pills, and I have started to develop cystic acne on one side of my face (before this medication, I had clear skin). Also, my breasts have become tender, and the left one has become painfully swollen. I've felt a general sense of fatigue every day, despite getting sufficient sleep. I've felt far more anxious and irritable. Honestly, not worth it. In the past, Kaiser prescribed Levora brand, and I loved it. I had no problems with that medication. I really wish Kaiser hadn't forced their clients to switch to Portia. Reading the reviews, I'm glad I stopped taking it before the inevitable weight gain. This contraceptive is an absolute nightmare, and I'm throwing it in the trash tonight."

• Cri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I tried this birth control for the first time 2 weeks ago, and it has been the worst I’ve experienced. Terrible side effects. I am a bubbly, happy woman, and this made me so sad and depressed. I was on vacation with my family, and I felt a sadness and anxiety I have never felt before. I couldn’t understand why I was so sad under the happiest, most ideal circumstances life has to offer! It also made me nauseous, and worst of all, one week after my period, I got my PERIOD AGAIN!!! My period is normally 4 days long, and today is now day 6 of this Portia-provoked period... even though I stopped taking the pill 3 days ago. Lastly, I have very clear skin, and this made me break out. I just don’t see the upside to this birth control. Never again."

• Mow...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for about a year and a half. I didn’t have any physical side effects with it, but the psychological effects were incredibly heavy. I had constant severe anxiety, thought negatively all the time, was heavily depressed, and took all of it out on my partner. Not realizing it was the pill, I just thought there was something wrong with me. When I had finally gotten off of it, all the mental health issues went away immediately. It has made me never want to go on birth control again because it made me go to a really dark place. I don’t recommend this at all."

• Law...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Don't ever try Portia! I was on Levora for years, no issues. Then I got switched to Portia. I have had issues psychologically, anxiety, some depression, feelings of adrenaline, issues with my eyesight, mood swings... Terrible drug. I stopped taking it today. I was being told I had issues from stress and anxiety, met with my doctor multiple times, and no one ever informed me of these adverse effects of Portia. Had I been told these effects, I never would have taken it."

• Pam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2022

For Birth Control "This pill was prescribed to my 16-year-old daughter, who, after being on it for a couple of weeks, started having side effects of nausea, anxiety, huge mood swings, and constant headaches. All of these things are very unlike her. We didn't even realize it was the pill at first. We couldn't figure out what was wrong, even tried cutting out certain foods, all to no avail. When we finally realized it might be the pill, she discontinued it, and all of the side effects stopped within a week. Wish I'd read the reviews first, and after seeing other negative experiences, I wonder why her doctor chose this pill to begin with. Looking for an alternative now."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2019

For Birth Control "They switched me to Portia because of apparent manufacturing problems with my usual birth control, Levora. It does the job for protecting against pregnancy, however, this has given me bad mood swings. I feel slightly overweight, and my anxiety just gets bad. It’s said that Levora is the same, but my body says the opposite. I’m going to consult with my doctor for a different brand."

• mca...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I switched to Portia after having severe morning anxiety on other types of birth control. I love this pill - definitely would recommend."