Apri and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Hop...
• August 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I do not take any other meds, just Apri. I don’t take vitamins, nothing. Let me tell you what has changed. I have been on Apri for 2 months. I gained 11 pounds the first month. Mainly my fault because I had cravings. I have broken out so bad on my forehead and sometimes on my chin. I thought it was due to stress because lately I have had EXTREME anxiety and depression. Never been so stressed in my life, and I couldn’t figure out why I was stressed. I have no reason to be. I am terrified to go to work, I have missed so much work the past month and a half due to anxiety. I’m up all night stressing, so I call in. Then I’m stressed about calling in, so I shut down and sleep all day. I can’t get out of bed, I’m so depressed, and I have no reason to be. I started doing research on why I would be depressed and saw that BC can cause it. So I will definitely be stopping this pill so I can go back to normal."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Apri about two months ago for acne. I am halfway done with the 2nd month. So far, I am having some similar side effects as others have described. I’ve been feeling extremely depressed lately and having anxiety. There are times when I feel withdrawn from activities and just want to be left alone. Also, I notice a lack of appetite due to my recent anxiety, which has resulted in weight loss. I’ve lost about 8 pounds since starting the birth control. As for my acne, it seems to be getting worse. However, I don’t know if the birth control is to blame for my acne since I also recently started using tretinoin and clindamycin. I do plan to continue the pills for at least another month since I know sometimes it can take up to 3 months for these symptoms to go away. I’m really hoping my mood changes because I have never felt this much anxiety and moodiness in my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2013

For Birth Control "When I first started on Apri, it made me nauseous in the mornings. That went away, but around the third month of use, I got really depressed moods for no particular reason and had random bouts of crying. That went away when I stopped taking it. It worked for its intended purposes, but it wasn't right for me."

• You...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri/Desogen for over 10 years. The only side effects I experienced were tender breasts around my period, a decreased sex drive, and right before my period, usually a week, I would get very sad and upset about stupid little things. I never had that problem before until I hit the 5-year mark on taking this pill. Besides that, no weight gain (but I exercise regularly and played sports through high school and college). Good things were my periods were lighter and shorter, cramps were minimal (which is why my doctor put me on this pill, I had awful cramps when I was younger). I didn't really change my skin. I still have the constant little breakout before my period but nothing drastic like I hear some women have."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This was an awful experience for me. I fell into deep depression, couldn't leave my bed for 14 hours at a time and had really dark thoughts. I became a ball of anxiety everywhere I went, my mood swings were insane. I had a headache that literally lasted for 2 weeks straight and painkillers wouldn't do much, and the nausea I felt like I was going to vomit at the most random times, and every little thing irritated me, so I was being annoying to my boyfriend, my friends, and my family, and I truly felt like I was going crazy. I forced myself to toughen up and at least finish the month (there were like 4 red pills left when I realized I didn't want to do this long term). Now I've reached the placebos, so I'm waiting to get my period and then never touch this medication again. I reacted very badly to Plan B as well, so I'm thinking birth control pills just aren't for my body at all. In conclusion, unless you're lucky enough to not experience symptoms, this can and will mess you up!!!!! :("

• Col...
• January 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I started Apri a year and 4 months ago. When I first started, I was 175. I'm currently 210. My appetite has increased tremendously. It doesn't make me very moody, although I was depressed for a couple of months (maybe that could have been due to school). I've missed as many as 3 days and was still fine. My sex drive has decreased just a little, but nothing too major. My cycle is very regular and only lasts 3-4 days. I cramp, but not every cycle. Overall, it's decent."

• har...
• April 4, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control made me miserable. I could not even take it for one whole week. Immediately after taking it, I started to feel sick. I had a headache every day after starting to take this pill. It made me feel tired, lazy, and depressed. It seriously made me feel like I was pregnant all over again! I also felt really bloated right after taking it. My pharmacist recommended it because my new insurance wouldn't cover my old BC, Pimtrea. They said it would be basically the same, and it definitely was not. I know everyone's body responds differently, but this one has been the worst for me. I have been taking birth control for 15 years, and this is the only one that has ever made me feel sick."

• gia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for a few years now. I was prescribed this for long heavy periods and bad cramps. I was fine for the first 2 years until my anxiety had spiked, making me unsocial and nervous constantly. It had cleared my skin in the beginning, but I now suffer from breakouts before every period. I am a generally anxious person, but my anxiety and depression have gone through the roof! I gained at least 20 pounds since starting this and have so much trouble losing weight despite exercise and a good diet. I also have been experiencing swelling in my feet and ankles and couldn't figure out the source. I finally found out from research that it was this BC. I am so disappointed in Apri."

• Aan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control, and almost immediately my skin started to break out, and it made my breasts extremely sensitive. After 3 months, my skin went back to normal, and my breasts increased from a size C to a DD. My periods were days shorter and much lighter, with little cramping. Although it completely destroyed my sex drive, and I got extreme depression and anxiety from it. I had never had anxiety before, and now it is so bad I have anxiety attacks regularly. It also caused a severe skin rash, perioral dermatitis all over my entire body."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Ocella in the past for years until they took it off the market. I tried several different birth control pills, and none worked for me. Someone recommended I try Apri, it has worked great for me, cleared my horrible acne up, which I was spending a lot of money on trying to correct, doesn't change my mood or sex drive, weight stayed the same, no headaches, no depression, light predictable periods last three days! Let's just say I love Apri, and it's cheap."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 14, 2012

For Birth Control "I love Apri! I took it for a year, then I got selfish and switched to Jolessa because I wanted to have fewer periods. On Jolessa, I had week-long or longer, super irregular periods. I would get breakthrough bleeding at the most random times and gained about 15 pounds. It almost destroyed my relationship, I was so moody and depressed. I switched back to Apri in January, and already my periods are back to regular, predictable, and short. I have had almost no breakthrough bleeding, no weight gain, and no problem with weight gain. It's an incredibly effective and beneficial pill."

• Cry...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I liked all of the physical side effects for the most part. Skipping the placebos as directed by my doctor allowed me to skip my period completely, and I’ve never had any spotting. I also haven’t gotten pregnant, which is great. I had zero weight gain (my boobs did go from a B cup to a D cup over the course of like, 2 months), and I haven’t gotten a single zit since. With all that being said, I’ve been experiencing some pretty severe emotional side effects that have led me to seek other options. Ever since starting Apri, I’ve felt like a different person, and the severe depression that came along with it is taking a serious toll on my life. I also have had virtually zero sex drive, which is horrible. I am currently looking for alternatives."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2012

For Birth Control "Apri was the first birth control I took (at the age of 24). I started taking it to prevent pregnancy, not for any other reason since my periods were regular and I rarely experienced any kind of cramps or moodiness. This pill changed that entirely. I started experiencing cramps around the time my period began. I noticed a considerable drop in my sex drive, which frustrated both me and my boyfriend. I also became depressed, my moods fluctuated from happy and positive to irritable to extremely depressed in a span of hours. I stayed on this for over six months before changing. I changed to Aviane and have noticed a vast improvement."

• Hyp...
• January 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I switched to this birth control from Gildess Fe 1/20 (it made me depressed, intensified my anxiety, and I was having two periods a month). At first, I was skeptical from initial water retention and moodiness, but after the first month was over, all those initial issues disappeared."

• Aud...
• May 18, 2017

For Birth Control "So I've been on this birth control a little over a month, and now that I've read some of the reviews, I know I'm not crazy. This pill makes you feel depressed. I'm on the second pack and skipped the sugar pill because I did that with the first birth control I was on, and my periods went away. Now I haven't gotten an actual period, but I've been spotting for about 5 days now. Two of those days, I noticed more blood but still not a lot, my regular periods are usually 5 days long, so hopefully this is the last day of this weird bleeding. Also, the blood looks different: first, it was very light, like a pinkish color, then brown, back to that light pink color, then dark red, and looks watery."

• Ano...
• March 18, 2017

For Birth Control "Apri did what it was supposed to do. But during the few months that I had it, I was very depressed and had dark thoughts. I would cry for a week straight for no reason. I also had no sex drive. It affected me and my relationship. Now I switched from it and feel much better. No weight gain or other side effects. Regular periods, lighter than before. Each birth control affects people differently, but this one was not the one for me."

• Mqa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Apri has been terrible to me. I’ve experienced painful cramping (not on period), bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, and I’ve even fallen into depression. I was all happy and energetic before the pill, but once I got on it, I’ve had no energy, and I’m always sleeping."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I started Apri in November of 2009, and it was the first birth control I ever had. I was a size 4 when I started and am now a size 8. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to lose weight. In the last year and a half, I have had no sex drive. Sex isn't fun anymore. I never really related it to my pill or wanted to. Also, the first month of my pill was miserable. I was so depressed, I broke out everywhere (chest, back, face), and my period was so, so heavy and painful. Luckily, after the first month, my acne completely cleared up, my depression went away, and my periods are always on the same day and super light and short. However, I'm really starting to debate if the no sex drive is worth it. I haven't gotten pregnant, but then again I'd have to want to have sex."

• Van...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I had an abortion August 21st and have been using this birth control since then. I bled for 5 weeks straight afterward, even with the pills, but it could have been due to the procedure. I skip my placebo pills and end up bleeding throughout the next pack. My first few weeks on the pills, I tried to commit suicide due to my depression - that could’ve stemmed from the abortion as well, but I’m not sure. No major weight gain nor acne, so that’s a plus, but overall I would recommend seeking another brand of birth control."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2023

For Birth Control "I started taking Apri birth control about three months ago. At first, it was okay. Now, three months in, and I can’t handle it anymore. I’ve gained 15 pounds, my mood swings are horrendous, I’m severely depressed and literally crying every day, which is unusual because I don’t cry. I got a job promotion and was sad… I just couldn’t be the happy self I knew I was. Cramping is constant. About a month in, I would randomly get sick. My last period lasted two weeks. Massive headaches every single day. I just stopped taking this pill as of today because even my family members were concerned for my mental health. Such a horrible birth control."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Please stay away from this brand. After one week of taking Apri, my relatively clear skin started breaking out like crazy all over my face. It made me so, so depressed and constantly hungry. I stopped taking it after two weeks. Thank goodness I realized what it was doing to me early on, so it didn't get worse."

• dec...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2017

For Birth Control "Apri has been my first and only birth control experience; it has been pretty fine, but I'm considering switching to see if there's anything that works better for me. Pros- ~Little to no acne! (better than before I was on it) ~Light periods of 4 days during the sugar pill week (prior to the pill they used to be 6-7) ~My boobs inflated a little, went up a cup size ~No weight gain! (managed to lose 10 lbs- that was through diet & exercise though) ~Minimal cramping Cons- ~3-4 really heavy days of bleeding during the 2nd week regularly. Maybe it's just a me problem, I don't know. ~Have been super depressed, anxious, and moody, but who knows if the pill is the cause or my life in general ~Sex drive dropped a ton ~Blood pressure rose ~Slight nausea during period"

• gen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this pill to anyone. I have been on Apri for 10 months. I originally went on Apri after having been off birth control for over a year to help regulate my periods and alleviate acne. While it did improve my acne slightly, succeeded in regulating my period, and prevented pregnancy, I had a panic attack within the first 2 days I was on it (not normal for me at all), gained probably 10 lbs in the first 2 weeks-and I watch my diet, has made me gain 30 lbs since then, and the mood swings and depression have been horrible! I know my body and I know how it reacts to birth controls; as I've tried about three other pills, this has been by far the worst. My gyno told me to ignore the reviews online and give it a chance; I shouldn't have listened!"

• mxr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "Apri made me feel really nauseous when I first started taking it. That went away in about a week, but two weeks in, my anxiety and depression went through the roof. It made me gain a little weight as well... Not for me."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "It’s extremely effective in regulating menstrual cycles. However, I had so many negative side effects, some of which I didn’t even realize. The worst was depression. I lost all of my attraction whatsoever. I had the worst cramps I’ve ever experienced, accompanied by the heaviest bleeding! The regulation was about the only positive thing I got from this medicine."