Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Jolessa in April 2019, and I’ve had an overall good experience with it. The last 3 weeks, I had to wear a liner (most times no spotting would actually make it on there. The first 2 weeks, I would notice the spotting when wiping while using the bathroom). When my cycle would actually come, it wasn’t super heavy; only needing to change my pad maybe twice a day (if that). Cramps during my cycle were very manageable with ibuprofen, and I had a lot of bloating during the second month. The only thing I didn’t like about Jolessa is I think it contributed to my weight gain, about 15 lbs, during this year. I’m considering stopping the pill to try to get my weight back under control, though. Other than that, I haven’t had any bad side effects, and my experience has been good with it!"

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I used to get extremely heavy periods and very severe cramps, and I was looking for a birth control pill that would help with it. My OB/GYN prescribed me Orsythia, and I was a little worried about side effects from what I've read online from others. But, I had none! No weight gain, mood swings, acne, or nausea! Nothing at all! My problems with cramps and heavy periods went away within three months, and there was a definite improvement right when I started taking it. No more cramps or acne, and my periods are now super light! I can't speak for everyone, since hormone pills will affect everyone differently, but this pill was a perfect match for me! I'd highly recommend it for birth control and managing difficult periods."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2013

For Birth Control "First time ever starting birth control, and the reviews on here scared me! So glad I decided to tough it out! I've been taking it for 4 months, and the only symptoms I have had are a little more emotional outburst two days before my period (not that big of a deal, I was always prone to PMS emotional outbursts anyways) and breakthrough bleeding the first month. No weight gain, no acne (actually, less acne). I realize all women are different, but just thought I'd share my mostly pleasant experience with this pill! Oh, and of course...it works! Not pregnant!"

• Pai...
• March 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Trigger warning: suicide ideation. I've had painful periods all my life and decided to go on the pill after meeting my partner for birth control reasons. The pain did reduce, but I gained a lot of weight, and it affected my mood and gave me depression. After experiencing ongoing suicide ideation, I quit my job at a pharmacy I worked at due to fear of stealing medication and overdosing on it. After stopping the pill, my mental health returned to better levels almost immediately (3 days)."

• nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Lutera for 6 months before being switched to Aviane due to insurance covering it. I was told that it is the same exact pill and not to worry. Let me tell you, it is NOT the same pill. I had a great experience on Lutera, of course, starting was a little hard, but I had light periods, high sex drive, etc. On Aviane, I was extremely depressed and had NO sexual drive at all, couldn’t finish, and felt foggy and gained like 10 pounds. I also had a pregnancy scare and missed a period cycle on it. It’s so bad. I switched back to Lutera and have been off Aviane for about 2 weeks. I already feel so much better and am so much happier. Sex drive is back to normal, etc. Please stay away from this. I also found out insurance covers Lutera, so I did all of that for nothing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2022

For Birth Control "Honestly, I was in tears once I was prescribed this and then looked at the reviews. I haven’t had any weight gain, I have clearer skin, and I don’t have any issues with mood. Perhaps maybe in the first month I was a little moody and sensitive, but after having my first period, everything was fine. I honestly feel normal and am writing this for anyone who was like me and freaking out when reading these. You’ll never know until you try, but I was previously taking Lutera with Nurx and switched to this as it was cheaper with The Pill Club."

• Ani...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Seasonale for almost a year. I didn't experience any negative side effects, such as weight gain, headaches, or decreased sex drive, however, I have had a fair amount of breakthrough bleeding. In one cycle, the breakthrough bleeding lasted for over two weeks until it was finally time to take the placebo pills. Every other 3-month cycle, I get breakthrough bleeding for about a week, and it's heavy enough to be a period. It's typically successful in preventing a period for a month and a half to two months, but at that point, it doesn't seem like it's strong enough to override my natural hormones."

• Ban...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control, Alesse-28, for about 4 years now. At first, it was great. I did notice weight gain, every three months, I found my period would go from heavy to light, and then my boobs would become extremely sore on the third month. Extreme mood swings, depressed. Since May of this year, my periods have been almost nonexistent, sometimes I’ll have some spotting. I’m not pregnant. My stress has increased. I am a university student, but I had major life changes, so I’m not sure if the increased stress is what is causing the missed periods. Last month, my period did last for about three days. I’ve had to go onto an antidepressant recently as well. I’m currently trying to switch pills, as I cannot stand the missed periods and worrying every single month if I’m pregnant. As much as I like light periods, I would like to have at least something so I don’t have a heart attack."

• ale...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been taking Aviane for a little more than a year, and I’ve had no anxiety or depression that I keep hearing about. Honestly, it did make me a bit more emotional, but nothing too severe. Periods are very light and come on time. No mood swings, and I gained no weight. Pro: my boobs grew a lot. I do recommend this pill, but I think it’s different for everyone."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2019

For Birth Control "DO NOT USE! Not only does this birth control NOT WORK, it has horrible side effects, not just on me, but on my roommates who were also prescribed it. We went together and got prescribed Aviane for birth control. Since being prescribed Aviane, I've been extremely irritable, hormonal, angry, depressed, and I am easier to lash out at people for no reason. I've gained a lot of weight and worst of all, I'm covered in cystic acne all over my face, neck, back, and thighs - sometimes on my bum too - I've never gotten acne before taking Aviane!!! And on top of that, I'm 1 month pregnant, even though I took the pill every day, on time, exactly how I was supposed to. My roommates have experienced all the same things. One of them got pregnant 2 months after they started taking it, another gained almost 50 pounds in only a few months, and don't even get me going about all of our acne problems. Ladies: do not use. Aviane birth control doesn't work, you could end up pregnant!!!!"

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2011

For Birth Control "This is my first experience with birth control, and so far it has been a very positive one. I have been on it for about 2 months. Before, I had breakouts all of the time, and only a few days after starting this, I noticed that my acne had almost disappeared. Also, I used to have some problems with facial hair. That also has disappeared. I have had no mood swings, weight gain, or decrease in sexual drive or wetness. My weight has actually been easier to maintain, and I have lost about 10 pounds. All in all, this has been a great pill for me."

• Aly...
• May 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I have only been on it for a little over a month. It's the first birth control I've been on, so I was new to side effects. I finally realized my mood swings are huge. I find myself very emotional and depressed, and minutes later I'm beyond happy. I do get headaches quite a bit, but it can be from something totally different. I feel like I've gained a little bit of weight, but I can't blame anything but myself. I don't think it's a horrible pill, it just affects me badly."

• Car...
• September 21, 2015

For Birth Control "After being off BC for 8 years, I finally had to get back on. I've been on this BC for 2 months, no problems so far. I used to get severe cramps, but since taking Lutera, it's been all better. No weight gain, no mood swings, or no loss of sleep either. My skin has cleared up a bit as well. I used to break out before my time off the month, and now I don't. So far, so good, everybody is different. What might not work for me won't work for others."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2011

For Birth Control "I had been on Lutera for several years and never had trouble with it. My pharmacy switched my medication to Orsythia. I have only been on it for 2 weeks, and I am unbelievably bloated, my clothes hardly fit, I have gained weight (probably due to the bloating), and my skin has broken out. My husband thought I was going through puberty again! I hate to see what the third week is going to bring. I had an appointment with my doctor and told her about my symptoms and told her about the pharmacy switching my medicine. She wrote another prescription for Lutera and told them not to substitute. I want my Lutera back!"

• Jem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Aviane for 13 years. I don't experience a single negative symptom, and the few times over the many years I've missed a month (due to vacationing and forgetting my birth control pack at home), my cramps are significant. On the pill, I don't experience cramps, weight gain, mood swings, or anything. Off the pill, I get cramps during my cycle. This BC works very well with my system."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was really hesitant to take this birth control after reading the reviews on here. I have been on a variety of BC, including Aviane and a bunch of others, but none have stabilized my moods as much as Falmina. In the first month, I definitely had an increase in breast size and a little bit of weight gain. Acne hasn't been that extreme except for one zit on my chin (spironolactone helps with that), but that's minimal in comparison to PCOS symptoms in general. I've had a really good response to the medication, and I have had the most emotionally stable month I've had in a long time. Please try it for yourself before freaking out about the comments. I know how anxiety-provoking it can be to be switching hormones up."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I was very excited to start this and get a hold of my endometriosis, but as soon as I started this, I started breaking out, gaining weight, couldn’t sleep anymore, my anxiety became so much worse than it had been, bleeding every day, cramping off and on, and headaches. It has made me feel crazy, and I just stopped taking it. I’m praying this goes away fast. I am highly disappointed."

• 097...
• February 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm currently taking Camrese. I had no complaints. My periods are shorter and bearable, and my face is clear. I thought I was perfectly content until I realized a few things. I have night sweats, my boobs hurt, I've gained like 20 pounds, and I think I am depressed."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Aviane for about 4 years now. I was first put on it to regulate my period because I would go without having a period for as long as 3-5 months. I went to my doctor and was told it sounded like I had polycystic ovarian syndrome. Aviane made my periods regular but very light. They are only three days long. I don't know if that would be considered a side effect, but it is what I'm used to. I gained a little bit of weight after starting Aviane, but not very much. I get emotional the week of my period, but nothing too extreme. Overall, I am happy with it and don't see a reason to change brands."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I was super nervous about getting on birth control because of the horror stories and my previous experience from other pills. I spent a few months researching pills and asking friends what pill worked for them because I was going to start nursing school and did not want a surprise during that time. After nine years of not being on the pill and a lot of research, I took a chance with Lessina. I’ve been on it for five months, and I love it! The first two months, I was very emotional, but I’m sure it was from the pill trying to regulate. Month 3 period was the heaviest, but once again, I think it was from the pill regulating. I have gained weight, but since I’ve started nursing school, I haven’t been active and I eat crap every day, so I can’t blame the pill. I’m emotional at random times throughout the month, but that’s it. I don’t have severe mood swings, I’m not angry, I don’t get headaches, I’m not depressed…. I really think this pill is a great option."

• klh...
• July 16, 2014

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control pill I've been on, and I started taking it the same time as Lexapro (anti-anxiety). I conquered all of my anxiety problems and stopped taking it, however, I have gained 10 lbs since April, and my acne has been horrible. I've read a lot of reviews about Lutera and have noticed the same things. I don't have cramps or bleed near as bad, however, the day before I start my period and the day after the last sugar pill, I'm an absolute nightmare. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm looking for a different pill. I'm asking my doctor about it as soon as I get home."

• Kat...
• February 24, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking these pills January 12, 2017, because I didn't want to deal with having a period anymore... the worst mistake, do not take! My hormones are jacked up. I'm very moody, my appetite is crazy, I have gained 10 pounds, and also I have been bleeding for 3 weeks straight. My doctor told me to continue to take it, but I will not take this medication - he even tried to change the dosage and give me some menopause meds. I said I'm not taking any of those meds, it had me so messed up bad. I'm bleeding so much from my uterus. They are recommending that I have NovaSure surgery done. I will keep you posted, but beware, this birth control is not good at all, these reviews are the truth."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I would absolutely recommend Seasonique! I have been on this pill for close to 5 years, if not longer, and I have had no bad experiences other than a little weight gain (about 10 lbs), but that is to be expected. I take my pill at the same time every day and have never had any spotting at all. My periods are less than 5 days and sometimes last only 2-3 days, and I have little to no cramps!"

• Wan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I love this medication. I was on name-brand Seasonique for a bit, but transferred to generic to save money. I've been on Daysee for 5+ years now, and I absolutely love it. I was put on birth control 10+ years ago for intense migraine headaches, this helped a lot. I didn't gain weight or anything, and I think it makes my periods (when they happen) way more tolerable. Less cramping than before, less crazy breakouts, and almost no emotional mood swings. It has worked great!"

• Mar...
• October 29, 2009

For Birth Control "By far the best birth control I've ever had. I tried two before, and they didn't work for me. They made me gain weight and didn't even help with my period, which is one of the major reasons why I got on birth control. When I first started this, it gave me major mood swings, but after about two weeks, it stopped. That was the only bad part. While on it for only two months, I lost about 15 pounds, and it helped so much with my periods. They are light, short, and I have barely any cramping. It's also cheap."