Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Kyk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2021

For Birth Control "The Pill Club prescribed me Vienva, and I have been on it for a month now. When I read these reviews last month, I was honestly terrified and scared to try it because so many people had awful side effects. But let me tell you, you should give this a chance. You might react completely differently than other people on this. I have had minimal side effects, just a slight increase in acne, and I’ve gained maybe a couple of pounds. Other than that, I feel completely normal on this! Don’t be terrified by these reviews, you’ll be okay. I’ll come back and update in a few months if I’ve started experiencing any side effects."

• Ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I've taken Aviane for the past 5 years (I recently switched to using Pill Club and they don't offer that brand), and Vienva is the equivalent, so I gave it a try. I love it. No side effects at all. No mood swings, weight gain, or breakouts. I 100% recommend it."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Started Balcoltra about 4 months ago. I was so scared with all the bad reviews, but my gyno put me on it, so I went with it. Other than a little breakthrough bleeding, I haven't had any major side effects. I noticed the cramps during my period lasted a little longer the first couple of months, but now on month 4, I can say that my period is shorter and lighter than what it used to be. No acne, no bloating or weight gain. I'm happy with it!"

• sic...
• August 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lessina for like 3 or 4 months now, and it's been totally great, and I have had no problems really. The only negative I could think of is the slightest weight gain, but I don't mind it at all because it's literally so minor. Other than that, nothing has changed, and I haven't had any side effects. It didn't make my period any lighter. Best of luck to you!"

• Geo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Levlen for around 7 years, and I’ve found this to work really well for me. No real weight gain (I was hungrier to begin with, but that subsided!). Slight decrease in libido, but my skin and moods have been very stable for years! I use it purely for contraceptive and only once tried another pill (I came back from a month vacation, gained weight, and naturally wanted to blame it on the pill, not my eating)... after one round on another type of pill, I decided I needed to back to what worked for my body - I was back on Levlen. I came into this pill with low expectations - I wasn’t expecting it to perform miracles. It serves its purpose, and with little to no side effects. I’ll come off it when I plan to start a family. I’m sorry to hear that it hasn’t been effective for everyone, but it’s also good to hear positive experiences on this pill as well."

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Lutera for about 4 years now, and it's been pretty good! No huge complaints at all here! My breasts definitely got bigger, but besides that, not much weight gain as others have mentioned. I do have mood swings ever since I started Lutera, but I mostly just cry easier when I'm PMSing, and that's it. As for effectiveness, it works great, and I pretty much have my period down to the hour at which I know it will start. If you take the pill as instructed, it works great!"

• Mot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on several pill birth controls and recently after my third child, I had the IUD inserted. I hated it and got it removed and was switched to Vienva. I was horrified to see all the bad comments, but pleasantly surprised I am on my fourth week and feel better than ever! No more mood swings, cystic acne, painful sex, weight gain I had with the IUD. Sticking with Vienva."

• I...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 27, 2013

For Birth Control "When I first started taking birth control, I was started on Aviane, and I really loved it. I lost weight, and I went from an A cup bra to a C cup bra in just 2 months. After a year or 2, I got switched to Lessina, and I didn't like it! Got horrible headaches, gained weight, and cramps were horrible. After 2 years of Lessina, I begged to be switched back to Aviane, and now only after 2 months of taking it, I have lost 11 lbs, and the cramps and headaches are gone. I do get tender breasts while on my period, but I’d rather have tender breasts and moodiness and cramps! Oh, and my sex drive is through the roof!"

• 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."

• len...
• September 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I was so afraid of taking birth control again after having so many bad experiences with other ones, but I am so happy I gave this one a chance. Previous pills I was on, Kariva, Sprintec, Orthotricyclen-ALL made me gain weight; super moody and always depressed. This pill works for me, honestly. I have zero side effects, no weight gain, my skin is so clear it freaks me out. The only side effect is my breasts grew from an A to a full B. They're still growing; I'm a little concerned, but hey, free boob job essentially! So girls, if you had a bad reaction to the pills I mentioned above, maybe give this one a try!"

• PIL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2023

For Birth Control "When I started taking this pill, my life went downhill. I was on it for 2 months and bled for 2 months straight. Within the first week of taking it, I was so bloated and gained so much weight to the point where I couldn’t fit into any of my pants. It caused numerous mental health issues, and I thought I was going crazy. I couldn’t control my emotions, and I was extremely irritable. All of these problems went away as soon as I stopped taking this pill. Do not take it or have your children on it."

• Sni...
• May 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 3 months. In this time, I've gained some weight. I go to the gym 5-6 times a week and am a pretty health-conscious person, so there is no reason for this to happen. I've never had a problem with my skin, but over the last 3 months, I haven't gone a day without a pimple on my face, and my back and chest are not okay. I feel so gross. I do so much to take care of myself, and after looking at my daily life, the only thing I can attribute these things to is my pill. It is also the only medication I take."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I initially loved this birth control, Vienva. My skin has been clear, no mood swings, and my sex drive was finally back up after getting off my last pill. Unfortunately, my bloating and weight gain have been so excessive that I’ve taken several pregnancy tests just to make sure. I have been dieting and exercising 5 times a week for 3 months with ZERO weight loss! It is just so annoying, considering every other aspect of this pill has been beneficial."

• mpa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2021

For Birth Control "Started this pill at the end of 2020, so it’s been about 4 months. I don’t really notice any side effects of it. Before I started it, I used to have bad depressive episodes, and I still do, but somehow I think it lessens once I took it. Period cramps used to be really painful for me before, but now it’s pretty much nonexistent. The first month or so was me adjusting, so I still felt some cramps, not anymore. My flow is also much lighter and lasts for a less amount of days. It used to last 7 days, now it’s about 3-4 days. I also don’t notice weight gain or more acne breakouts that are abnormal. I’m glad it works out for me. Remember it’s different for everyone."

• Kom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2022

For Birth Control "Was really scared of weight gain and acne from reading the reviews, but did not experience any of that. My breasts were super sore, but they also did go from B to DD in a span of a few months. Only a bit of bloat, but nothing that some herbal teas and working out didn't fix. Also, sex drive was CRAZY high on this! Ladies, whatever BC you might be taking, remember to take your supplements (B2, B6, B12, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc, iron), etc., since BC lowers all that and it might explain symptoms. As always, you never know how your body will react unless you try it! Stay vigilant for symptoms, but try not to be too paranoid or stressed. It is your own body!"

• sad...
• June 2, 2020

For Birth Control "This pill hasn’t given me any bad side effects besides weight gain and a lot of bloating. It made me gain 6+ pounds (probably from water retention) after the first month of taking it. I’ve generally never had a problem with losing weight, but this is the least confident in my body that I’ve ever felt. I never had issues with weight gain when I had the IUD. Will be asking my doctor to change my prescription. However, different birth control works individually and affects every body differently, so take this review with a grain of salt! Just sharing my personal experience with it."

• Tor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 8, 2021

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old, and this is my first time using birth control. I was nervous because some friends of mine have had horror stories about birth control, but I guess I got extremely lucky because this has worked perfectly for me. No terrible mood swings, my periods have been regular, my skin is clear, normal blood pressure, no crazy weight gain, and I have not gotten pregnant, yes! (I have been taking this pill for around 9 months now.)"

• Bre...
• May 19, 2014

For Birth Control "Aviane is the second birth control I have taken, but the first that I have actually stuck to for a somewhat long period of time. I first started out with progestin-only Nora-Be, and I did not like it at all. Upon receiving Aviane, I was fairly excited to start. I heard mixed reviews but decided to start it anyway, and let me tell you, I'm glad I did. Aviane has cleared up my acne almost completely. I used to suffer from mild acne, and my skin is almost flawless. Also, my breasts seem to have enlarged. I feel like I may have gained weight due to an increased appetite, but probably no more than 4-5 pounds, which is worth not getting pregnant and having clear skin, plus I'm fairly petite. I definitely plan to stay on Aviane for a long time! Love it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I received Sronyx from a free clinic, and I have been on it for over 3 years! I have literally tried every single birth control option they had available. Nothing has ever given me such perfect experiences as Sronyx has. While I'm on Sronyx, my periods are very light without cramps or pain. All my acne is gone, and my skin glows! And if I miss a pill, like clockwork, I would break out. Sronyx even regulates my weight and curbs my appetite, no lie. I notice other birth controls make you extremely hungry and gain weight, but Sronyx does not at all. I will never stray away from this pill. I absolutely love it!"

• Geh...
• May 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lutera for about five months now. I've noticed that my mood swings have gotten terrible. I am prone to headaches, and I've gained quite a bit of weight that is nearly impossible to lose."

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I never write reviews, but I decided to share my experience with everyone on this birth control. I was so freaked out when I got this birth control because I saw all of these horrible reviews: depression, weight gain, etc. I have had nothing but an amazing experience on this. I have been happier, my weight is finally staying in one range and not fluctuating, I even lost a few pounds (nothing serious, but it did not make me gain). It has really been amazing, and I think that if the reviews scare you, just try it. You can always switch. I was terrified, but everyone has a different body and reacts differently. You never know, this might be the best thing for you."

• H B...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Sronyx for 3 months. I quickly became very anxious and depressed. For three weeks, I cried every day. I didn't feel like myself. I was very sensitive in general. My drive was pretty much gone. I also gained a slight amount of weight. However, my skin was pretty clear. Immediately after I stopped taking it, I felt a lot better. I'm extremely nervous to take anything new now because of how terrible I felt on this."

• 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."

• Ema...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control Alesse-28 for over 3 years now. I was fine for the first year, but then after that, I was so moody and irritable, always sad and depressed, and very emotional. I have no energy at all, and I’m always tired. Another thing is that for some reason I get really bad leg cramps and am always constipated. Something else that I have experienced is weight gain, ovaries always hurt, and painful intercourse. Another awful side effect is that I have ZERO sex drive and vaginal dryness! One good thing about this birth control is that it cleared up all my acne, but other than that, it’s definitely not worth the side effects."

• 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."