Apri and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• For...
• January 10, 2018

For Birth Control "In the way of regulating periods - it did well. I started the sugar pills on a Monday and would start my period by Friday. With other prior birth control pills, I was used to starting within a day or two of my first sugar pill, so that was odd, but at least Apri was consistent. The worst part, and I mean THE WORST PART, was the sadness that came with it. It got to a point where something would trigger me crying literally every day more than once a day. I'm a very happy and bubbly person, so this was an obvious side effect. Finally, I put two and two together. When I stopped taking it, I returned to my normal self within a few days. You think you can control your emotions - but this just completely overrides it!"

• Anonymous
• July 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Apri for 5 months. I would get migraines periodically with aura before taking birth control, so I was curious to see how it would help those. This birth control made me horrible. I was very moody, depressed, lacked energy and motivation to the point where I rarely felt like going to work, and I felt bloated a lot. I gained weight, got more cellulite, and overall poor digestion. A few cycles I also would get abdominal cramps around the time I’d be ovulating, and I had low and mid-back pain a lot. My periods were very heavy— leaking through a super plus tampon in 2-3 hours, and they still lasted 4-5 days. I took 4-6 pregnancy tests throughout these months because I thought I was pregnant even after a withdrawal bleed— all negative. It prevented pregnancy, and my skin looked good, but I had so many negative side effects. The final kicker for me was 4 migraines in the first week of the pack my last month on this pill. Too much for me, so I’m switching to a different pill."

• Mag...
• August 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Apri was awful. My periods before I started taking the pill were 4 to 5 days, then when I started, my periods became 16 days long. I was depressed. I gained a lot of acne when previously my skin was clear. I was on it for 5 months, but the negative side effects were so clear. It absolutely wasn't worth it. With that said, it is an effective birth control option, just not for me."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2018

For Birth Control "This was my first time ever on birth control, and it was an awful experience. I started out feeling nauseous and depressed within the first few weeks, and it only got worse. I started feeling extremely paranoid and anxious, uncontrollably crying, irrational thinking, and feeling emotionally detached almost, if not, every day. People very close in my life started to notice and mentioned I started acting this way when I started the pill, so I talked to my doctor and switched brands, and I’ve felt more like myself ever since. The only upside was that I was not pregnant, my period was always on time, even though I still had unbearable cramps and heavy bleeding."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2018

For Birth Control "This was my first time ever on birth control, and it was an awful experience. I started out feeling nauseous and depressed within the first few weeks, and it only got worse. I started feeling extremely paranoid and anxious, uncontrollably crying, irrational thinking, and feeling emotionally detached almost, if not, every day. People very close in my life started to notice and mentioned I started acting this way when I started the pill, so I talked to my doctor and switched brands, and I’ve felt more like myself ever since. The only upside was that I was not pregnant, my period was always on time, even though I still had unbearable cramps and heavy bleeding."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I am on my 2nd pack. I switched from Triquilar because I was having breakthrough bleeding and feeling depressed. I’ve been going for tests for stomach troubles, and I have found since being on these I’m nauseous daily, so I started taking them before bed, and it has helped somewhat, but I usually go to bed queasy. I have had awful diarrhea, which I think may be from my nausea and stomach issues, that has subsided some since I started taking it at night. I have never had much sex drive, but I blame that on birth control in general. I have noticed my boobs look bigger, but I have a bit of weight on. I just can’t control my appetite and just want junk, but again not sure if it’s the pills or not. My depression seems to have subsided somewhat, but it’s Christmas, so time will tell. The worst has been my stomach issues and diarrhea. I have a referral to get my tubes tied because I just want to feel normal again."

• Isu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2016

For Birth Control "My main reason for using this type of birth control was solely for pregnancy prevention. I've never had any problems with my periods or acne. I've experienced the worst side effects possible. I'm constantly moody and sad, I have heavy long-term periods, a face covered in acne, low sex drive, hair loss, spots on my skin, and sensitivity to most soaps and lotions. I'm overall disappointed with this pill and can't wait to start a new type of contraceptive. Granted, I haven't gotten pregnant, but we use condoms, so it's hard to judge anyway."

• gds...
• December 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on it for 2 years, and it's cleared my skin and kept my periods insanely regular (I could tell you down to a 6-hour time frame when my period was coming). However, it left me fatigued and unmotivated. My schoolwork suffered due to that. I may even say I had very mild depression while taking this. Not the pill for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2018

For Birth Control "When I first started taking Apri, which was a year ago, I found that it changed my mood a lot, making me depressed, anxious, and angry all the time for no reason. Also, I have been having lots of cravings. But on the good side, I feel like I can trust this brand of birth control a lot to keep me from being pregnant. Also, not many side effects, no headaches or nausea. I’ve now been taking it for almost a year now, and my body has been getting used to it a lot."

• Mar...
• December 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I was put on this birth control after I was on Tri-Previfem for a couple of years. After taking a lower dose BC, my periods started to be irregular, so they put me on a higher dose (Apri/Desogen) to regulate my periods. So, now about Apri... It did, in fact, make my periods regular. As far as everything else... awful. I have anxiety, definitely get depressed for no reason. Mood swings every week for no reason, like crazy. Zero sex drive. Doesn’t do anything for acne, it makes it worse, in my opinion. I always break out when I’m taking it. It made me gain a lot of weight in the beginning and messed with my moods. During my cycle, I have a terrible crampy ovulation-like symptoms, I have awful period cramps and terrible mood swings, pimples, it’s just terrible. Periods are long. I’ve never been worried about pregnancy because this stuff is so strong I missed multiple days and never got pregnant when I probably should have. But other than that, this birth control is terrible."

• Syl...
• November 5, 2017

For Birth Control "Rated a 5 due to its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy, but I stopped taking it after many years of this brand or the same ingredients in different brands because I've finally realized it is the cause of my frequent migraines, terrible moodiness, and anger issues. I stopped taking it to try to conceive and had been off it for about two years. All of those side effects disappeared, at least a great deal. Now I've been back on for 6 months, and all side effects have reappeared. Please, if you are experiencing depression, anger issues, anxiety, or similar issues, don't write it off, it will begin to have a huge effect on your daily life."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for a couple of months. I have completely lost my sex drive, which is hurting my relationship, and I feel depressed all the time. I'm not pregnant, so I give it a four, but I'm going to switch to a different medication."

• kel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this pill more than 2 years ago, and I have only had mild psychological symptoms. No physical changes, such as weight or acne. I would sometimes get mood swings and seep into depression and anxiety from time to time (for only a week or so). However, I’ve never gotten pregnant from consistently taking the pill. I love this pill, and I would switch back to this if I end up not liking the implant (I’m switching over soon). Everyone’s body is different. Fortunately, I reacted pretty well."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Been taking Apri for 3 months; first 2 periods were fine, no cramps, pretty normal. My last period I had was the worst period I ever had. Was extremely heavy, no cramps, but the heaviest period I've ever had. My boyfriend says he's noticed changes in my mood; I'm very irritable and sad all the time. I feel bloated all the time; I've gained weight in my face and stomach. My acne seems to be the same, a few breakouts here and there. Some days I have a very low sex drive; some days very high. Overall, it works, just makes you feel super insecure. Was doing fine for years without birth control; I think I'll be fine for another few years without it."

• Jil...
• September 1, 2015

For Birth Control "All I have to say is UGH. I haven't taken birth control in about 4 years, and I decided it was smart for me to go back on it. I've been on Apri for about 2 weeks now, and I am totally not myself. I feel so sad and depressed. I have also had random crying spells. Appetite hasn't increased at all, but my skin has broken out. My skin has been super itchy all over since I've been on it, and I've been getting stomach pains and headaches. Birth control does work differently for everyone, but I definitely plan on switching to a new birth control when this pack finishes."

• Jil...
• September 1, 2015

For Birth Control "All I have to say is UGH. I haven't taken birth control in about 4 years, and I decided it was smart for me to go back on it. I've been on Apri for about 2 weeks now, and I am totally not myself. I feel so sad and depressed. I have also had random crying spells. Appetite hasn't increased at all, but my skin has broken out. My skin has been super itchy all over since I've been on it, and I've been getting stomach pains and headaches. Birth control does work differently for everyone, but I definitely plan on switching to a new birth control when this pack finishes."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on the pill (continuous pill) from the age of 22 until 37 for very bad endometriosis. The pill was a miracle for me, but then at 37, because I was scared of having phlebitis/thrombosis because of someone telling me horror stories, I stopped taking it. It was the worst decision of my life. A few weeks after stopping the pill, I started having a nervous breakdown, was having panic attacks like never before, my anxiety was crippling, I started to get depressed, I started to have real bad acne, my skin was greasy, my periods were back in full force, heavy and painful as anything. I was a mess, but thank God no phlebitis. Doctors tell you about the risk of taking the pill, but they do not tell you the risk to stop taking it after a long time. I went back on it after I had a talk with my doctor who told me that some girls/women can experience very bad depression, anxiety, and bad mood swings when they STOP taking it. I wish I knew about that. Anyone else experienced that? (Like if yes)"

• Dey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I do not recommend this birth control to anybody. I experienced anxiety, depression. I couldn’t control my eagerness, had bad mood swings ever since I started taking these pills. I had abdominal pain, weight gain, increased appetite, hungry all the time, crave weird things, etc. Do not take it!"

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for 2 1/2 weeks, and it has instantly made my hair fall out. I never had my hair literally come out of my scalp ever, and I know it's from the birth control. My baby is almost 4 months old, and prior to taking Apri, I was on Camilia, which made me have a non-stop period and no sex drive. With Apri, I've noticed I'm moodier, no sex drive, depressed, suicidal thoughts, all of which I have NEVER had any of these problems. I know it's this birth control because I'm not on any other medications. Monday, I am calling my doctor so she can put me on something else. I know this pill can work wonders for others, but everyone's body is different."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 4, 2023

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for about 2 years, and I didn’t have the greatest experience. Every time I would start a new pack, I would get nauseous in the morning to the point of throwing up, but it only lasted maybe 1-2 days. I was getting super anxious and depressed to the point where I just didn’t want to do anything and would rather stay inside all day. I do have to say that my skin was always pretty clear with the occasional hormonal zit near my period. I had no weight gain or the need to eat more or less. Overall, the negative side effects were a little too much for me, but everyone is different!"

• Bub...
• March 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for about six months now, and it's been a rollercoaster. This is the first birth control that I have experience with, so I decided to give it 5 stars because it's done some good for me and some not so good. I have had bad acne for the past 10+ years, so when I first started taking Apri and the acne subsided, I was thrilled. I like having regular, trackable periods, but I suppose you'd have that with any birth control. The downside is the absolutely awful mood swings, and I mean awful. I'm typically a very happy, jokey person, but while on this medication I've noticed that I can get into funks of terrible irritability and sadness for no reason. I will be discussing different options with my doctor next time I see her."

• cla...
• December 10, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill has worked pretty well for me. I’m 18, and I’ve had problems with my periods being very painful until I got on this pill. My period has shortened to 3-4 days and comes every 28 days. The one downside about this pill is it made me very moody and depressed for a while when I first started it."

• Cha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Been on Apri birth control for about 10 years. Originally went on it when I was 15 years old for my cystic acne. 10 years later, my sex drive is completely gone. I enjoy having sex like maybe once a month now. My fiancé has noticed a difference. We’ve been together for 6 years and wonders why I no longer have a sex drive. I’m hoping when I one day get off it that I can have a normal sex life. It also gives you depression. Subtle, but you know when you feel off."

• Van...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Was effective with treating acne and not allowing me to get pregnant, but was not worth the insane amount of depression it induced. It got nearly unbearable. Still recovering."

• Mik...
• February 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Apri for a week and a half and have had very bad crying spells out of nowhere and depression. I have to use the bathroom every like 30 minutes. And my acne has gotten worse."