Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Nausea: What Users Say

• Fox...
• February 20, 2019

For Birth Control "So I’ve been on Vienva for 4 months now. When I barely started this birth control, I was scared and I searched it up on here, and I saw the horrible reviews. So I talked to my friends about it, and they told me that people are most likely to review when they have a bad experience with something. And it’s true because if you’re having a good time with a medication, you don’t ever consider going and reviewing it. So I decided to give it a try, at least for a couple of months. The first month, I experienced moodiness, headaches, and nausea. I wasn’t surprised because I was taking hormones, and that’s what hormones can do. My withdrawal bleeds are shorter (3-4 days instead of 5-7). My experience has been mostly positive! You never know until you try :) I hope I helped someone who’s about to start on birth control!"

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking Lutera 3 months ago. I have to say, I was tremendously reluctant to try this birth control after reading some of the horrifying reviews. My main concern, if I'm being honest, was weight gain. I lost 60 pounds by eating healthy and exercising, but I am someone who gains weight rather quickly, so it was definitely a concern for me. Here's a little backstory: I've been on a few birth controls from ages 14-25. I initially began taking birth control to help with my cramps. I decided to take a break after being on it for 10 years. In the past year, I have been experiencing excruciating cramps to the point where I was vomiting and calling out of work. I'm a pain-tolerant person, but my cramps were unbearable on days 1 and 2. I went to my gyno, and she suggested I start birth control. Enter Lutera. The first week, I was feeling slightly nauseous when I would first take Lutera. I decided to eat a large snack or small meal with it, and that helped the nausea. I also noticed that I had awful mood swings for about 2 weeks. I would be laughing one minute and crying the next. I even called my gyno within the first week to see if I could switch birth controls, especially given the reviews I had read. She insisted that I stay on for at least one month, and if I still felt the same, we could switch it. I'm glad I listened. The nausea and mood swings went away. I have not experienced any weight gain. I've actually lost weight. As I mentioned before, I gain weight easily and fast, so I am always mindful of what I'm putting into my body. I haven't experienced weight gain, but I also try to eat well and exercise regularly (this is something we should all be doing anyway). I haven't experienced acne or depression or anxiety while on Lutera. My periods are shorter and much lighter (about 3-4 days vs. 6-7), and my cramps are not nearly as bad as they were. The only thing I've noticed on Lutera is that my breasts are pretty sensitive and my sex drive is slightly decreased, but no more than what I had experienced on other birth controls. I'm writing this review because I was one of the people who read these reviews and was scared and stressed to try Lutera. I'm glad that I listened to the medical professional who prescribed the birth control (I voiced my concerns ahead of time) instead of listening to reviews online. I will also add that every body is different, but I wanted to share my experience in hopes that it puts you at ease. I haven't experienced the symptoms that many people discuss in the negative reviews. Again, we are all different, so I can't speak for everyone. I would imagine that medical history and your daily habits would have an effect on any medication you take. I would give it a try for at least a month and make an informed decision then."

• KT1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I just recently started this medication as my first ever use of birth control, and I've had no issues so far! No nausea, no cramping, no spotting yet. No mood swings or bloating either. I will update once I get further along, but so far I feel like I haven't even taken anything! Don't get too scared by the negative reviews because I think statistically speaking, more people are likely to share their experience if it's bad than people who are happy with it."

• Lal...
• January 6, 2021

For Birth Control "Let me remind you that everyone's body is different, and every time you begin a new birth control, it can take about 3 months before you fully adjust to it. So don't get anxious about the bad reviews. I began this pill because I would get hives a week before my period, insane acne breakouts on my back, and cramps all the time. I've been on this pill for a month, and I can feel the difference this pill has made already. I have experienced simple symptoms like nausea, but the nausea doesn't bother me. I noticed that it has reduced my appetite, but not dangerously. I just find myself snacking less! Also, my sex drive has not gone (which is a first with birth control). I have a history of anxiety (GAD and OCD with panic attacks), and this pill hasn't made me more anxious. If anything, I feel that it improved my mood and balances my hormones perfectly. I'm confident that the symptoms I have experienced will minimize within that 3 month period. So give your body and the pill some time!"

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been taking Seasonique for almost 2 months. I’d heard that it would allow me to skip periods, which I desperately needed because my periods were so severe. Completely unbearable cramps, nausea, fatigue, heavy flow, etc. About 3 weeks ago, I started having horrible cramps and bleeding, and it has not stopped for one day since. I have literally been on my period for 3 weeks! I would have been better off not taking it at all. At least this pain would only last a week or so. I’ve also had some weight gain without changing my diet, so I feel like it’s another side effect of this birth control. I had such high hopes for it, but sadly, it kind of sucks."

• dha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I started using this pill about 2 months ago. I’ve only used birth control this time and another time about 2 years ago. The first time was fine, I didn’t have any side effects whatsoever (but then again it was a different pill), so I decided to go back on the pill again. I got prescribed Vienva from the pill club. The first 2 weeks of taking it, I would wake up every morning with extreme nausea, my mood swings started getting really bad and started affecting my relationship. I felt like I was starting to get depressed. Last night I got an overwhelming feeling of sadness out of nowhere and started crying uncontrollably, sobbing in the shower. I’ve NEVER done that before, and that for me was the last straw. I’m not pregnant, no, it works, I guess."

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2021

For Birth Control "First time ever taking birth control, Vienva, 29-year-old. No breakouts, no weight gain, or mood swings. In the beginning, I did experience a minor headache, but as the months went on, no more headaches. No problems with nausea as well. The only thing I believe my body was still adjusting to the meds because of some brown spotting when skipping placebos, going straight to my next pack, which only happened twice in the first 2 months of using. Other than that, everything seems to be working well for me, yay. Ladies, listen to your body, otherwise, switch to other brands :)"

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 29, 2019

For Birth Control "This was the first birth control I ever went on, and it worked great. No side effects! No child! After a year (March '19), Planned Parenthood gave me Aubra EQ. If this happened to anyone else, I would like to know. I was unaware it was different and took it. Immediately, I had symptoms such as mood swings, cramping, and nausea. I got the worst cramping I’ve ever had. At the end of the month, my period did not come. I have taken many tests, and they say I’m not pregnant, but yet I have not gotten my period. PP says they do not carry Aubra anymore, just Aubra EQ, and according to them, it’s the same. But obviously not."

• mel...
• February 3, 2014

For Birth Control "Very good birth control. I've been with 4 different birth control brands before this one, different progesterone and levels of it as well. I did my research, and this is the birth control I picked, and it's been wonderful. I've been on this birth control for 9 months. No mood swings, hardly nauseous, light period, no weight gain or loss, it's been perfect."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 24, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill once, for about a year, then switched and went back on it for insurance purposes. I have no idea why it has taken me so long to look into the birth control being an issue, I won’t be taking it anymore. I'm usually a happy person, but for the last year I’ve been miserable, nothing makes me happy, even if it’s something I would usually be happy about. I'm moody, so, so moody and angry. My sex drive is nonexistent, and I usually enjoy it. I have to hype myself up for sex and really set myself in a mood that goes and quick as it comes. My period pain has increased. I’m constantly bloated. I’ve also been nauseous and chalked it up to a weak stomach, but seeing here that might not be the case. I would not recommend this birth control, and the reviews have validated me. Thanks."

• nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Larissia is the best experience ever with this birth control. Ever since I started taking it, I felt happier, less anxious, and depressed, except for when I’m on the non-hormone pills. My face has cleared up a lot and I get only 2 or 3 pimples right before my period. I have no cramps during my periods or feel nauseous any time while on the pill. I was most scared of gaining weight while on the pill, but so far have not gained any, which is the best part!"

• Cc1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2018

For Birth Control "Last week I finished my first pack of Ashlyna and am now on my second. Don’t let these reviews scare you, I let them get to me and it made me so nervous to start this pill three months ago. Keep in mind most people write reviews when they have a bad experience. Yes, there were side effects at first. I had bad mood swings, nausea, dizziness, light spotting, and breakouts during the first couple of weeks, but that’s just the body adjusting to the new medication. I talked to my doctor and she said to try to finish out the pack. I’m so glad I did because when I started the second month, all those side effects pretty much disappeared and I didn’t see a period until I got to the sugar pills. If you just started this pill or are about to start, try giving it a few weeks for your body to adjust, don’t give up on it right away!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control is the only birth control (thus far) that doesn't give me side effects. I am so happy I came across this medication because I can still enjoy intimacy in my long-term relationship. I did have nausea the first 3 days of taking it, but it subsided. However, I notice if I skip the sugar pills and go to the new pack, I get migraines. That's a simple fix by taking the whole pack rather than skipping to the next one. I was originally on Aviane, but my insurance switched the brands. According to pharmacists, they are essentially the same thing. I'm very sensitive to hormones and I had no problems switching."

• eee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 18, and this is my first hormonal contraceptive I've tried. I was pretty scared at first about all the negative side effects. I did experience some intense mood swings and feeling nauseous at night in the first two weeks, but I trusted it would go away, and it did. I'm on my fourth month of taking it now, and I'm pretty sure I'm fully used to it. My periods are super regular, libido is fine, no dryness, no migraines or weight gain. However, I haven't seen a difference in acne, lighter or shorter periods, or period pain, but those aren't problems I needed fixed anyway. Pretty happy! Don't be scared by the side effects, if you go into it with a positive mindset, you'll be right... and it's super worth it once your body gets used to it :)"

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I am a 27-year-old first-time oral birth control user, and I started on Levora 11 days ago. I know side effects are supposed to last for a few months, then even out, but I don't know if I can handle a few months of this! It has hit me in phases! The first phase was headaches (which I never get normally!), breasts sore beyond belief, and exhaustion. That has now shifted to hot flashes with lightheadedness, followed by anxiety and LOTS of crying! I have also been constantly nauseous. Thinking of food makes me nauseous, but I'm also starving and feel like I can't eat enough! All I can hope is that this is also a phase and it will even out, and I'll just have to tough it out. But if it doesn't ease up, I think I'll have to try a different pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I hate Aviane. I can't even bear taking it any longer than I have been because it’s just making me feel incredibly depressed. I am in such a dark, dark place. My period has been going on strong for 11 days, coupled with nausea and tiredness. My body has changed in ways I did not want it to. If you are somebody who already struggles with mental health issues and body confidence, then I don’t recommend this unless you want to feel like a completely different, 100% worse version of yourself."

• Hot...
• March 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Since Alesse was my first birth control I was put on, I was super nervous and anxious about how it would affect me. Now being on it for 3 months, I can happily say I’ve not been negatively impacted. The first week was rough, with nausea and increased anxiety. But after the first week, any symptoms went away! I feel like myself, and I’m super happy I’m not pregnant!"

• dab...
• November 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve only been taking Vienva for 4 days. I’ve been puking every single day and having an extremely bad migraine. It hasn’t gone away since starting these pills. I was going to try to wait it out the 2 weeks for the side effects to dissipate, but I don’t think I’ll be able to do that. I wake up nauseous every day the whole day, and with a migraine that pounds and will not stop. I DO NOT recommend these."

• Ivy...
• March 31, 2015

For Birth Control "This has been my first form of birth control, and so far, so good! I researched reviews on this one, which freaked me out. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I haven't had any nausea, headaches, or mood changes. I have been on it for about 2 weeks, so things could change, but I like it a lot so far. Also, the type of hormones in this pill does provide the lowest chance of more serious side effects like blood clots. This was something that was nice to know since I was so worried about those chances (even though I had no reason to be). Everyone is different, but just give it a chance! It's not as bad as you think it might be, and if it is, you can always change pills! Hope this helps those who are worried about starting BC :)"

• Ash...
• August 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m surprised how varied everyone’s comments are on here about Ashlyna. I truly think that birth control can affect everyone differently. This pill has been life-changing for me. I have an occupation where it is really inconvenient, and I have limited time to change my tampon, and also period cramps, even minor, would affect my job performance and attendance. After taking this BC, my boobs are now enormous. I’ve been taking it for four months. I had light spotting for a few weeks when I missed a pill, but now I don’t bleed at all, and I skip the placebo, so I don’t get a period at all, which is amazing. My first month or so, I felt a little nauseous, my boobs were sore, and I was moodier. All of that has gone away, and my only side effect is that my libido is a lot lower."

• NSa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Vienva about 2 months ago, and the side effects I’m experiencing come and go, but they are acne, nausea, and bloating. Does anyone know if they will go away eventually, or should I be concerned and switch to a different brand? Thanks."

• Daw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I looked for some positive reviews before starting this birth control a doctor recommended and didn’t see many but still gave it a try. I suffer from endometriosis (have had laparoscopy, one successful, last one unsuccessful) and have tried MANY birth controls that did not help my symptoms. (Pills, Nexplanon, Depo) I spotted on Daysee from day 1 until I finished week 12, which made it hard to continue, but I’m glad I stuck with it, now only having a period every three months has helped me so much. I still have symptoms of endo: pain, nausea, bloating randomly even not on my cycle (normal with endo). But overall, I feel a lot better on this pill than not. Not many side effects I’ve noticed. It has completely cleared up my hormonal adult acne, which is a major plus. I feel normal again compared to how bad a condition I was in before with my endometriosis pain. If that is your reason for looking into trying this, I recommend it."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take this birth control. A week into it, I got horrible anxiety and depression. I cried terribly for no reason, and I always felt like I was going to throw up when really it was a burp. I go to the gym almost every day and I eat super healthy, and I noticed weight gain. Nausea, headaches, sweating all the time. Do not, I repeat, do not take this birth control. It will ruin you. I’ve been the most social person my entire life, and this past week has been terrible, and all I want to do is sleep and ignore my friends. Sure, it helps with pregnancy, but it is 0% worth the intense side effects. Don’t even bother getting it, trust me."

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I used Levlen for about 12 months. After 4 months, I had to see the gastroenterologist for the following symptoms: bloating, vomiting, insomnia, nausea, weight loss, I couldn’t eat anymore during the evening, everything felt stuck. Low FODMAP diet didn’t resolve the issue. I am now on a gluten- and dairy-free diet without any added sugars. In my blood, they found: low ferritin, low folate, low white cell count, low neutrophils (up till 1). I saw the hematologist for the mild neutropenia I had, and after I stopped Levlen, after 2 weeks, my blood results came back to normal again without changing anything else. Levlen had definitely had a very bad impact on my health, and I would recommend anyone with digestion issues/bloating get off Levlen immediately!!!!! Can cause severe immunology problems like mild neutropenia."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m on my 4th month of taking this pill, and honestly, it’s working better for me than any pill has yet! I know it’s still pretty early on to tell, but I am currently at a happy state with it. I was getting super freaked out about trying it after reading all the comments on here. For the first two weeks, I had light spotting, minimal cramping, and mentally felt super positive. Since then, I have experienced some light mood swings and nausea, but nothing compared to what I was dealing with before. My skin has cleared up a lot as well, which has really improved my day-to-day emotions. The worst and only downside is that my boobs are so tender and sore 50% of the time, but it’s worth the trade-off. I’m planning to write another review in a couple more months, though, so I’ll keep you all posted!"