Levlen for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 2)

• Elle
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2018

"I started the pill 4 and a half months ago as my first hormonal contraception, and I was prescribed with levlen. I was a little nervous but I only ever experienced slight side effects and by the end of that pill packet my body had gotten used to it and I felt fine. However when I went to get my repeats they didn't have levlen in stock so I was given lenest 30, a generic version, which I was assured would be no different. Since I started that one 2 weeks ago, I've been emotionally unstable and basically a mess. I can't wait to go back to levlen when I'm done with these."

• Lulu
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2019

"I took Levlen ED for 1 year and gained 5kg, was very anxious and moody but eventually it settled down. I then stopped the pill and a few months later I am back on it... After 10 days on Levlen ED, my anxiety and moodiness has increased, and I have gotten TERRIBLE acne all over my face. As someone who barely ever gets pimples, I am mortified. I have also completely lost my appetite (although it might be because of stress?). Anyway I will be stopping the pill tomorrow and asking my doctor for an alternative. Not worth it."

• Karmi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

"I used to be on Levlen, had no problems at all. I changed to Depo which is an injection contraceptive, so I didn't have to remember to take a pill. On Depo I gained a lot of weight and was unable to control my emotions. I intend on returning to Levlen now. The only drawback is remembering to take the pill. Make sure you find a contraceptive that suits YOUR body. Levlen seemed to be fine for me, but it may be different for you and others."

• Jayne
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2020

"Fantastic for birth control and missing periods for a few months in my 20s. Had children and a 10 yr break... as I approached 40s it doesn’t seem strong enough for my body now and I get breakthrough bleeding after a few weeks. Can’t seem to miss a period now and don’t want to go on higher hormone dose. Found out from a colposcopy it’s also causing tissues to grow outside of cervix which causes bleeding easily. More reason for me to stop taking the pill now."

• Jano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

"I’m about half way through my first packet and it honestly hasn’t done me any good so far. I’ve had an increase in appetite and I’m just constantly hungry and wanting to eat and I never used to eat as much and it’s quite concerning because I don’t want to put on weight. I’ve also found that I’ve just been so moody like usually I’m quite a happy person and I’m patient and understanding but recently I’ve just been so angry and just don’t want to deal with anyone and have 0 patience. I’m going to try just finish the pack but if it still continues I’m definitely switching to another pill."

• Anony...
• February 14, 2020

"I'm a 29 yr old in New Zealand. Not been on any contraceptive before. I tried Levlen for 6 weeks before I quit. My period normally lasts for 10 days so my Dr. and I were hoping that by taking the pill I wouldn't get periods anymore full stop. And that my mood would be more stable as my periods often made me sad. I took the pills correctly skipped the sugar pills and just kept taking a hormone pill every morning. BUT still got my period. The worst thing was that it lasted almost 30days! And I was very anxious and felt like more of an angry and impatient person. I wasn't sure whether to keep taking it and see if it stabilised after 3-4months. I had friends say good things about taking the pill so was half hopeful half scared/worried. But at this point after a month of bleeding I was over it. I went back to my dr and she said I had a very unusual response to it and we decided to stop taking it. It literally did the opposite of what we were aiming for."

• Mano
• February 22, 2021

"I was prescribed Levlen for PMDD. This changed my whole world - gone are the extended fits of crying and bouts of inexplicable rage. Within days of starting my first cycle I felt the bloat come in instantly, really sore nipples and I felt really tired. Essentially, I felt like I was pregnant (according to google searches) but for me it's a small price to pay for the benefits I get. I am in my second month and the water weight seems to be going down, I have gotten back into my usual exercise routine and my skin is markedly improved too. I allowed a withdrawal bleed and experienced PMS-like symptoms but not the terrifying rage and profound sadness that I usually do. I am over 35 and have cardiac issues so I will have to be monitored closely and will be bummed if my specialists decide that this medication isn't for me. It's restored my sanity!"

• Sandy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2019

"I used this Levlen for 4 months. It made me bleed mid cycle and a few other random times. It just wasn't reliable. I used to wake up soaking wet with sweat every night. I had to buy water proof covers for my bed and change it every day. This has never happened to me before on any pill or medication. I came off it and came back to normal 3 months later. I will never try it again."

• Kathe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2015

"I jumped onto Levlen just under a week ago and since then I have been CONSTANTLY nauseous, to the point that I can't even concentrate at work. I have not actually vomited but the nausea is debilitating! I thought maybe I should have a good meal before taking it, so did so but no success came of it. Calling my dr today to switch meds!"

• San
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2020

"I'm onto my second month and I'm experiencing constant sleep breaks, waking every few hours and nightmares, heavy head and two migraines so far. I usually sleep with no issues at all. My mood is very short tempered and I seem to get anger snaps which is so unlike me. Also acne all around my chin area has worsened. I started this pill because of the lower dose, previously I was taking Brenda ED to control acne but that made me sooo depressed to a point where I was crying at the smallest things and thinking the worst. Was hoping Levlen would help because of the lower dose but sadly not. So disappointed"

• Sam
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2022

"I started Levlen purely to prevent pregnancy and in that regard, it has worked well. I never had acne before taking this pill but I’ve been taking it for a year now and my skin is the worst it has ever been. While adjusting to it, I experienced severe nausea and bloating, but after six months these symptoms have disappeared. There was no effect to my libido as far as I’ve noticed but I did notice that my mental health has taken a turn for the worse. Really bad anxiety for a while after taking the pill, and some symptoms such as hot flashes, hyperventilating, that I’ve never experienced before. Yes, in my experience it works to prevent pregnancy but it has had some considerable negative impacts on my life too."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2015

"I was on Portia when I started birth control, and was on it for years and never had any problems until I switched to Levlen due to insurance changes. Ever since I started this brand, I have gained 27 pounds, had drastic mood swings right before/ while I am on my period and night sweats. The periods are getting more painful as time goes by. I didn't realize all these things I've been experience could be related to the birth control until I looked up reviews and saw similar complaints. I made a doctors appointment for later this week, and I really hope to switch off of Levlen. All the side effects are too unbearable to not notice after 6 months of putting up with them!"

• anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2020

"Like others I was on Norimin for about 10 years, but unable to get it due to COVID or other supply reasons. I was prescribed Levlen. I persisted for 3 months. They were the most awful 3 months. My moods were out of control I had massive pimple break outs, after not even having my period on Norimin I experience heavy bleeding and cramping on Levlen, I have put on 5kg, I had glands popping up everywhere. Worst pill ever! I am now on Valette. I hope it is a better experience. It is not subsidised and I am paying about $85 for 3 months, but I was at a point where I didn't care I just needed to change pills."

• Nori
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2020

"Hi, i am 23 years old. I was on Levlen for 4 months. I don't want to say anything bad about this pill but I will share my experience. The first month was constant headaches, no breakthrough bleeding, and on off heartburn. Second month I begun breaking out on my chin as long as heart burn and headaches. Third month the breakouts got really bad and extremely painful and I begun getting ‘dermatitis’ around both my eyes and lips. By my forth month, I had constant headaches, heartburn every few days and the dermatitis got worse as well as the acne. Might I add, I never had acne prior to this. But I must say, birth control and period pain wise, it was incredible. I did gain weight on this pill but i didn't mind because period pain wise prior pill, was extreme."

• Missy
• January 11, 2020

"I was on levlen for about 2yrs. When I started levlen it took me roughly 3 months to "settle" into. 3months of spotting/bleeding through the active pill, moodiness and eating anything and everything to do with food as well as the odd food craving.... So you guessed it weight gain. I'm a bit of a push over so this is why I stuck it out for so long. After the 3 months I went back to normal, and me exercising got rid of the extra weight. My eating habits went back to normal and I was back to my normal placid self. My partner and I are VERY sexually active and no pregnancies and no scares. Long story short, besides 3months of me being the worst kind of person with a passion for food, it did it's job very well and I was easily able to skip my period when I wanted with no spotting/bleeding in between. P.S if I skipped my period I was bloated for almost a week."

• Anom
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2022

"Hey all! I would just like to say I am day 5 into taking this pill and it sucks so far! I have been throwing up and feeling nauseas all day. This all started today( 3am) the pills before completely fine but now I feel like crap. I'm laying in bed trying to figure out what is going on with me.. and it turns out so far 1 other lady has had the same issue. When I showered and I dried myself I noticed a thick. White clumpy smelly discharge type. I have done research and all is saying a yeast infection... as what another lady has said. So far the experience is rubbish I will be looking into getting a implanon and see how I go there. I don't like the inconvenience of taking a pill every day. I will give this pill a go but I won't be sticking around for feeling like rubbish everyday... NO THANK YOUUU"

• Whippet
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2016

"I have been prescribed this birth control after having several problems with the implannon. I had side effects including breast tenderness and sweats for the first month of taking this pill. After a month on this pill, the side effects disappeared! It's the best thing I have taken as I have no outbreak of irregular periods and have more control of my cycle. I would recommend this product!"

• 1234Lon
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2021

"I’ve been on Levlen ED for 3 years, first pill my friend ever prescribed me. Ever since I started my mood swings have been horrid, I gained weight and have not been able to get it off regardless of the calorie deficit or training I do, and I was able to eat so much beforehand and I’m consuming less now... I developed symptoms of anxiety and depression and I recently went back to my doctor after multiple breakdowns in the past year and decided: no it has to be the pill and I was told that Levlen ED is the worst for mood swings and negative mental health effects... glad I was informed now. Would not recommend, yes it helped my skin, periods (used to get horrendous 10 day heavy bleeds with cramps that left me lifeless), contraceptive use and that’s about it."

• Ali
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2022

"I've had a wonderful experience on Levlen 20/100. I moved to this pill about 5 years ago from a higher dose because I didn't want to be taking more hormones than necessary. I will eventually want to wean off birth control. I originally went on a higher dose pill for acne as a teenager. My skin is perfect on Levlen during times where I'm also cutting back on sugar, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep. I'll get a couple of pimples mainly on my chin if I'm not watching my diet/sleep/water intake. My period is maybe 2 days - I actually stopped using menstrual products because I found my period was so light it barely needed anything. I occasionally get slight cramps for a couple hours on the day but otherwise I don't even think about my period. No mood swings as far as I can tell (although I've been on birth control for 10 years so I don't know what it would be like without any BC). My experience is likely influenced by the fact that I am quite fit and do a lot of exercise."

• Ana
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2019

"I received a prescription for levlen ED about two weeks ago. My doctor warned me that some brands of birth control can trigger people that suffer from migraines, which I used to suffer from but haven’t in a long time. I made the switch to the pill after a bad experience with the implanon, but I’ve only been using levlen for one week and I’ve come to realise it’s worse than the implanon. Every day I’ve experienced migraines and nausea, and have had an outbreak of cystic acne ( I’m 19 and have never had acne in my life), as well as developing a yeast infection. Switching brands ASAP or going off birth control completely, this pill isn’t worth the money or side effects based off of my personal experience."

• uhm
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2022

"The only thing good that came out of Levlen was not getting pregnant. Other than that, my anxiety and depression got worse (now I have to go on medication), my periods got heavier and more painful, and I continued to get acne but also I got severe chronic migraines after being on it. I also completely lost all sex drive and this caused issues between me and my partner. Now I have a copper IUD and likely cannot ever have any other hormonal birth control when this wouldn't have been an issue before. It also increased issues with my other chronic illnesses and I became more fatigued and struggled to do anything in the afternoon"

• MeMe
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2019

"Levlen works as a birth control. Was given it as a generic. Sadly it completely disrupted my hormones. First month had breakthrough bleeding. After that I lost my period. I stopped taking it after finishing the one box and my period has never properly returned since and it’s been over a year. Had ultrasound scans and my uterine lining is close to non-existent. I would rather pay more money than receive this ever again."

• Neutr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 30, 2022

"5 years ago I took Levlen for 12 months and it has given me mild neutropenia to the point I had to go see a blood doctor. After stopping with Levlen immediately my white blood cells were going up again. Had serious health issues in the past (also gut polyps), bloating and constipation and would recommend to stay far away from this product!!!"

• Holza
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2020

"Just started Levlen around 2 months ago. Now I know that there is no proof that the pill causes weight gain, however as soon as I started on this pill I noticed a huge difference in my hunger levels. I’m usually one to lose weight quite quickly and “shake it off” but I just can’t seem to get rid of it. Also have started to get bad acne/pimples mostly around the chin area. Libido has completely disappeared and I just don’t feel like myself. Will give it another month but keen to try another pill."

• Haylee
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2022

"I have been on Levlen for around 2 years and this pill is NO GOOD!! It’s taken me till now to figure it out but I had side effects from the start. - Weight gain and inability to lose any weight even with diet and exercise. - Mood swings were relentless, I felt angry all the time. - Low sex drive - Anxiety - Fatigue - Brain fog - Head aches - Bloating"