Portia and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I don’t remember when Kaiser changed from Levora brand of birth control pills to Portia. But I know that since I started these pills, my life has sucked. Awful weight gain, I don’t eat bad at all and exercise 3-4 times a week. I have never had bad acne, now I get it on my forehead and chin all the time?? I feel depressed, not motivated to do anything, just want to sleep. I have really bad headaches, which is another thing I never really had prior to these pills. I am changing ASAP, and please, girl, for your sake, you should too!"

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2009

For Birth Control "Amazing... I was on YAZ, and it caused spotting and weight gain. After a year, they switched me to Portia, and I lost all the weight and haven't spotted since; also, my PMS is completely nonexistent now, and the killer mood swings I experienced on YAZ are gone too. I can't stop raving about how great Portia is; it made me feel like myself again."

• 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."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched to Portia after Levora was discontinued. TLDR: It was not a cute look. I experienced wild physical side effects that I had not experienced with Levora. 1) My skin broke out into more acne than it has in years, and my cheeks were constantly red. 2) I started Portia the same time I got back into my old cardio routine and clean diet that typically maintains my weight. THIS BIRTH CONTROL MADE ME GAIN 20 POUNDS in a month. And I'm 23, so it's not because my metabolism is slowing down. 3) I'm bloated ALL the time and hate how this medication gives me a perpetual food baby. 4) I'm constantly nauseous. 5) But I'm also constantly hungry. Now for the psychological symptoms: 6) I got depressed so easily and intensely, in a way that I had never been before and ended up being sent to the psychiatric ward for the first time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on a couple of birth control pills since I was 17. I'm 24 now, and I just started Portia. I've noticed bad bloating and weight gain. I work out a lot, and I've felt HUGE for over a week now. I've also had mood swings and BAD acne."

• ILM...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 31, 2013

For Birth Control "Portia is good for preventing pregnancy. It also made my periods lighter and with hardly any cramps. The downside of this is the side effects I faced for 8 years. They included: Pain with intercourse, major migraines, neuropathy pain on the right side of my body, severe pain on my right side that made it extremely difficult to walk, episodes of expressive aphasia, which was extremely embarrassing when speaking to the doctors I worked with. Luckily, they blew it off with a joke. Dizziness, off balance, and blurred vision. Weight gain. I went to many doctors and had a lot of tests, and nobody could figure out what was wrong with me. When I stopped this pill last year so we could try to get pregnant, all my issues went away."

• DBa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Within a year after my doctor switched me to this medication, I gained 15 pounds and developed an aggressive form of breast cancer (triple positive, invasive ductal carcinoma) at the age of 39. Fortunately, the cancer was only stage 1B at the time when I noticed the lump, but it has been an absolute nightmare and I am still going through chemo. I don’t know for sure that the pills caused my cancer, but I have absolutely zero family history of breast cancer, had none of the other risk factors, and I was unusually young to be diagnosed with cancer."

• Dis...
• October 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I, like many others, was previously on Levora and was switched to Portia (without my consent) by Kaiser. Levora was my first experience with BC, and I took it for a little over a year. My only issue was prolonged spotting if I missed a dose. Once I was given Portia, I gained a little over 30 pounds in less than 4 months, I had frequent headaches, extreme fatigue (had to use my lunch break to nap daily), woke up nauseous every morning, and experienced the only 2 yeast infections I have ever had. Unfortunately, it took me about a year to realize Portia was the culprit. Since they told me it was the same when I switched, I never even suspected. I felt like a failure for gaining weight and not being able to get it off, I was frequently depressed, and my work suffered because I was often too tired to focus. Because of this thread, and my other research, I stopped taking Portia about a week ago and just opted to purchase Levora through an online BC provider NuRx."

• 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."

• My...
• May 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Portia for about a month now, my period is extremely heavy, although that's normal for me. I noticed that it makes me very tired, which I really dislike because I'm a very active person. I'm constantly nauseous, and I mean constantly. I'm into fitness, and I gained 6 freaking pounds. I get headaches more than usual as well. I know these are normal side effects, but I am really not liking this birth control so far. I used Lavora until they discontinued it and put me on Portia, I never had problems with it like Portia."

• Aai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2020

For Birth Control "If you are considering Portia, please don't do it. I was switched from my previous BC by insurance and was given Portia. About 3 months in, I started gaining weight, my face started to break out and was constantly oily (which sucks for me because I've gone through 2 rounds of Accutane to get my skin clear), and I was a mean, moody grump all the time. After taking it for about 6 months, it finally dawned on me that maybe my issues were connected to the new BC pill. I immediately switched to Sprintec, which I love. I've only been on it a month, but I have already lost 8 lbs (no diet or exercise), my skin is clearing up and is less greasy, and my mood has greatly improved. I wish I had never ever tried Portia. It has by far been the worst pill I've ever taken."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2012

For Birth Control "This pill by far cleared up my acne! I've been trying different face washes for years, and the thing that worked the most was THIS PILL, which isn't even a face wash! I experienced no weight gain at all, I was actually hoping for weight gain. Also, everyone was talking about how birth control pills helped your breasts grow, and with Portia, it just didn't happen for me. Maybe because it was a low dose. It prevented pregnancy, and I had NO CRAMPS! Wooohoo! My periods were a lot lighter. I actually felt healthy on it!"

• dak...
• January 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control for over a decade and Levora for over five years with no issues. The past three months, the pharmacist has substituted Portia for my normal medication, insisting it was the same. In the first month, I noticed severe pain and bloating with my period; the following two months brought bouts of depression, rage, and hysteria. If you are prone to depression, avoid this medication. Additionally, I lost my appetite almost completely and probably ate less than 1,500 calories a day, and gained weight! Four days ago, I switched to Syeda (a Yasmin generic) and already I feel better - and my libido has improved."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I wish I researched this birth control before taking it because it has sucked the entire life out of me. I have been taking Portia for 5 months, and after the first month, I noticed I gained 15 pounds, but I exercised 4 to 5 times a week and ate a calorie deficit as I was just trying to lose a few pounds from Thanksgiving/Holiday eating. Before this BC, my skin was dry/normal, and I luckily never battled with acne. After a month on Portia, my skin became so oily, I got cystic acne on my chin, and my skin started peeling around my mouth. I will be changing BC next month. NEVER LET YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBE THIS BC TO YOU."

• Ren...
• January 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for around 8 months now, and it has turned my world upside down. I now have random, crazy migraines. I am extremely irritable and depressed all the time. I am gradually gaining weight despite lowering my calorie intake. My acne has gone from mild to severe. Don’t think these comments are a joke, I wish I listened to them 8 months ago. I’m quitting this pill tonight."

• 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."

• NoP...
• May 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Last year, I was switched to Portia. I had changed my BC because of my insurance. I felt like my insides wanted to fall out. My hair started thinning. I was always tired. I was so depressed. I could not hold back my tears. I did not think my BC was the problem. I also had an abnormal PAP for years. Now all of a sudden, I am abnormal? I continued to take Portia for a year. After a year of major depression, I then started spotting ALL the time. I spotted after sex. I had such heavy periods I would have to leave work after only wearing a tampon for an hour. Since I have stopped, my periods are short. I don't have weird brown spotting. I don't get emotional as much! Portia sucks! I dislike what you have done to my life in just a year. I gained 40 pounds in less than 4 months. I cried myself to sleep for nights. Now I might have cervical cancer? Every year I get checked? And after less than a year with Portia? I might have cervical cancer?"

• Iha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2018

For Birth Control "Please beware, do not take this like everyone here has said. Levora was discontinued and was given Portia. I’ve been taking it and it has recently affected my daily life. They should really take this off the market permanently! It has made me depressed and bipolar. I don’t want to do anything for myself or my family. I get massive headaches, and I’ve gained so much weight, it sucks. I'm going to get off of it permanently. I hate it so much... please stay away from this birth control!"

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Portia now for 7 weeks after previously being on Depo-Provera for 3-4 years. Portia just isn’t for me. The worst symptom I’ve had is EXTREME breast tenderness/enlargement. My boobs feel like someone used them as a punching bag every day for 7 weeks. It’s been horrible. I’ve been in so much pain every day. The second worst symptom is weight gain. I’ve gained about 10 pounds on this in just a month and a half! I’m so self-conscious about my body now. I was 125 lb, now I’m 135 lb. My 3rd side effect of Portia is occasional nausea. My 4th side effect is a yeast infection I got in the first couple weeks I started Portia. Going off of this ASAP! Not worth the misery..."

• 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!"

• Blu...
• November 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was originally on Levora as my first birth control, and it was great! My periods were getting lighter, and painful cramps were gone... until I got pretty much forcefully switched to Portia last year. As someone who rarely ever gets one pimple, I should’ve noticed something was off when I broke out on the side of my face, calling it not only pimples but acne. I thought it was just the summer heat, but nope, I was wrong. The breakouts never cleared, and I saw a dermatologist in December. At that time, I had been on the pill for 5 months. With every check-up, I noticed my weight increasing significantly, and when I say that, I was 130 for 4 years and suddenly rose up to 175 in just ONE year. No change in diet, no sugars, no fast foods, nothing. Just a pill. As of November 2019, my jawline has broken out badly to where it’s drawing the line. This pill may have lightened my period to 3 days, but it is NOT worth me hating my increased weight gain AND sudden acne."

• Ane...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I wish I had read the reviews before starting to take this medication. This was the first time I have ever taken birth control, so I didn't have any basis for comparison. If I had, I doubt I would have stayed on it as long as I did. 1. Extreme weight gain. I gained 33 lbs in a year. I'm no stranger to weight loss. I lost over 100 lbs getting to my ideal weight. I know what to eat to lose weight, and I know what not to eat. No matter what I ate or how little I ate, I could not lose anything on this drug. When I went to the doctor's with my concern, they brushed me off. Well, guess what? I stopped taking Portia about three weeks ago, and I have already lost 15 lbs! 2. Moodiness. I could not stop crying on this medication. Every little thing set me off. Since stopping Portia, I've noticed that my mood is a lot more even. 3. Acne. This medication made me break out all over my chin. I now have scarring from the chronic zits that I kept getting."

• 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."

• 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."

• cll...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I do not recommend this pill due to my personal experiences. I was gaining weight, and it was combating against all the work I was devoting to losing weight. I would get extremely bad chest pains, and I thought I needed to see a cardiologist, it was so bad. I was on Levora prior to this, and I absolutely loved it and had no issues, but my pharmacy had it discontinued from their warehouse. I just got off the Portia this prior weekend, and I started Altavera today and will post a review on that drug as well."