Apri and Moody: What Users Say

• Ahm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I was put on Apri because I had horrible cramps and long, heavy periods. I took it for about six months, and around the five-month mark, my longtime boyfriend and I broke up. He told me it was because I was 'too emotional' and stressed him out. He was right, before Apri, I was always happy and relaxed, but on it, I would lie in bed at night and cry sometimes for no reason at all. I had constant fatigue, frequent headaches, mood swings, moodiness, and felt depressed a lot of the time. After a conversation with my boyfriend, I realized that we began to argue about the time I got on Apri. I went to my doctor and told her this, and she told me that this was because of its high levels of progesterone. I switched and am much better now without Apri."

• Ras...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I have to say the best birth control I've ever been on. I have high free testosterone and was diagnosed with PCOS. Still have sex drive and think Apri even increased it more. I haven't gotten any acne on it so far either. I'm not moody or anything that I noticed. Yet I've been on it for 5 days so far. If I notice anything different, I will repost."

• Lin...
• March 17, 2010

For Birth Control "I was previously on Yaz, both for birth control and to reduce my mild acne. I am normally a very happy, optimistic person, yet this pill made me depressed and very moody. I switched to Apri, it's been 4 months, and I love it. I am not moody at all, and haven't gained any weight."

• Ham...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 11, 2016

For Birth Control "I had previously been on Microgestin, which didn't work well for me. I was cranky, tired, moody, and found myself having bleeding between periods. My doctor put me on Apri, and it doesn't affect my mood whatsoever. I feel fine, my periods are light and (bonus!) only last 2-3 days. Also, I'm not pregnant, so it definitely works."

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2010

For Birth Control "Been taking Apri for about 2 1/2 months, and I've gained about 10 lbs. My sex drive is extremely low, and I'm really moody for no apparent reason. It's really interfering with my relationship. I also have been having chest pains, and I feel a heaviness in my chest when I wake up. When my period came on after the first month, I had really bad cramps. The only reason I gave it a 3 is because I have an irregular period, and it came on time while taking Apri."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I have recently switched to Apri28 from having tried a handful before it. I have been on Yasmin for the past 3 and a half years. Nothing really affected me except that I felt I was getting really moody and would snap for no reason, and I was always a happy person before. So naturally, I wanted a change. I waited a month after coming off of it, and my back and forehead started to break out, which I NEVER had, even before Yasmin, so I started taking Apri right away. Honestly, it took a couple weeks for my body to adjust, but I am clear once again, I feel like myself FINALLY! And I haven't had any problems. My left leg was a little tingly at times after a week or two, but that is gone. Even after only 2 months, I know it was a good choice for me."

• Anonymous
• February 5, 2010

For Endometriosis "I have been taking Apri since April 09. I have endometriosis and was told to either do hormone therapy or go on a different birth control, so I chose the birth control. My periods used to be unbearable, but since starting this pill, my cramps are actually bearable and much lighter! The only downfall is the first 2 weeks of the active pills. I have noticed I am terribly moody, and will cry over anything, which isn't the way I've ever been!"

• TCH...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Wow, oh wow, this medicine, Apri, has messed my body up. To begin, when I began taking it, I thought I was going crazy. My body did not adjust well at all. I was so depressed and moody. I was on Apri from May 2017 to August 2018, and when I stopped taking it, I felt instantly better and happy. My only thing is my periods still have not returned. Again, this was the worst experience ever."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

For Birth Control "I, my boobs got huge on this pill, but as well as them, I also gained extra weight on my hips. I completely lost my sex drive as well, so it is hurting my relationship. As well, it has been making me so moody. I give this drug a 5 because I never got pregnant. However, the side effects were bad."

• 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."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm on my second month of Apri, and honestly haven't experienced any side effects. My biggest concern was the whole blood clot issue, but my doctor says I'm low risk and healthy, so I need not worry. Only downfall is you will be moody. Since I read reviews beforehand, I'm in total control of my mood swings since I know it's the birth control making me agitated. Weight gain? None. Boobs? Sometimes they're really tender and heavy feeling. Once I get in the sugar pill week, those feelings subside. Overall, Apri has been good to me."

• She...
• December 2, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill is overall good. It made me have perfect skin, lighter and shorter periods, etc. It also made my breasts grow two sizes, and they would be very tender a lot of the time. But the bad outweighed the good. I was very moody, when I was PMSing, people couldn't be around me. It made me cry over everything. Also, I couldn't drink! Even after one shot or a glass of wine, I would feel very nauseous and immediately throw up. I didn't think it was the pill at first, I was on it for over a year, but then when I got off of the pill, I was able to drink again normally and wouldn't throw up at all...so I had an alcohol intolerance because of the pill."

• E8a...
• January 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I gave it a rating of 5 for its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. I only do the withdrawal method with this. But the side effects are so awful. Possibly the worst I've had with any brand. It is quite potent, I'd tell you that. I get a lot of headaches, nausea, and stomach discomfort for a week into starting a new pack, decreased libido, and in the beginning, I'm quite dry, which is, uhm, I've never been an issue for me. I get so moody, stress is harder to deal with, I get anxiety attacks, I get so easily fatigued, and the combination of these two I just get so unmotivated to do daily activities. It's pretty bad. I'm changing brands on my next cycle. Maybe a milder combination OCP."

• 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."

• 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."

• Too...
• December 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I was placed on this BCP prior to having IVF, this has been the worst 2 weeks ever. I feel so bad for my husband. I have been moody, had crying spells, decreased sex drive, and constant spotting. I cannot wait to stop taking this pill."

• K80...
• December 23, 2015

For Birth Control "This has been a terrible experience for me. I've been on Apri for about a year, and at first, had no major complaints. My periods were still 2 weeks long, but they had always been. Over the past 6 months, my periods have been miserable. Emotionally, I'm a wreck, I cry all the time about everything. I feel like a crazy person, but at the same time, have no control over the crying. I'm constantly moody and irritable. I sweat like crazy when I have my period and often feel like I'm going to pass out. My periods still last 2 weeks, one light week followed by a heavy week. I never had clear skin, but this pill has only made it worse. I would not recommend and will be changing within the week so I do not have to experience another month like this."

• 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"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2018

For Birth Control "My doctor believed I might have endometriosis, so first I was put on the Depo shot. I gained 10 lbs in a month and a half! I bled for three months straight. So I went back to my doctor and she put me on Apri. I was excited to hopefully stop bleeding and potentially lose the weight I gained. I stopped bleeding for a week and I’ve been going on bleeding for week five now. Not spotting. Bleeding. I am super nauseated, extremely moody and emotional, unbelievably hot and sweaty, crazy tired, and have zero sex drive. Oh, and how could I forget my cramps?! Which are crippling and leave me literally crying on the floor. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, and I can’t wait to change to hopefully something better."

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on many different birth controls. All of them have caused me to become nauseous, moody, etc. Apri is the first one I've used that I have not experienced any of that with. It has helped regulate my periods and made the cramping less severe. My boobs grew a little, and I didn't gain any weight. The only downside is if you miss a pill, you will bleed a lot and cramp, etc., but I'm pretty sure it's like that with any birth control. Definitely worth trying."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 27, 2011

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I've taken. I got really nauseous from it the first day. My breasts have gotten larger, and I took it the day of my period, and it only lasted for 2 days. I have been pretty moody as well, but I think it's all just my adjusting to the pill."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2021

For Birth Control "This has been an awful experience for me. I’m having a polyp removed from my uterus and have to go on birth control for the surgery. I’ve been on it for 2 weeks, and since the start, I’ve had extreme nausea, bad headaches, tired all the time, moody, and trouble sleeping. I just feel awful! I do NOT recommend this particular pill!!!"

• Ses...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2015

For Birth Control "Absolute worst birth control I've ever been on. Made me moody and have random crying spells, and made me break out SO bad. I've never had a problem with acne, but as soon as I was put on this, it was just pimple after pimple after pimple. I changed it as soon as I could. I would NOT recommend."