Desogen and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2013

For Birth Control "Since I started taking Desogen, it's cleared up my acne. The one thing I don't like about it is the mood swings. One moment I'm mad, and another I'm crying. I have also noticed I have been losing weight since I started taking it. I have also noticed that my boyfriend and I have been fighting a lot because of the mood swings."

• Col...
• December 5, 2009

For Birth Control "I have taken Desogen for a month now. I feel like there are slight emotional changes: I cry a lot lately, and I get mad easily. However, the good side effect is that my boobs seem bigger, and my acne cleared up completely."

• Bri...
• September 19, 2011

For Birth Control "Positive: -You won't get pregnant. -You may see some acne clear up. Negative: -Severe mood swings. I can't even control myself. My emotions do whatever they want, whenever they want. It's ruining my relationship with my boyfriend. I cry multiple times a day. I never used to be like this. I am switching to a non-hormonal birth control option."

• Orl...
• April 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen but stopped due to stomach pain. I switched over to this and noticed I cry for any little thing. This pill has made me feel so emotional, and I'm usually stronger than that. I had to discontinue."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been getting Desogen from Planned Parenthood for about a year now. The pill seemed to clear up any acne, the only breakouts I have now are around my period (to be expected). The only downside was around my period, I would have crazy intensified mood swings, angry one second and crying the next. Other than that, pretty good pill."

• Pha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I switched to this from Ortho Tri-Cyclen six months ago to help with unwanted facial hair. It hasn't helped, and it's made my hair and skin very oily. My skin hasn't looked this bad since I was sixteen. I'm using acne toner, spot treatment, oil-free moisturizer, and a foundation for acne-prone skin, and none of it has made any difference. I have constant mood swings and cry easily. I'm switching back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen next week."

• TLF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on this Desogen about 3 months, and the cramps are unreal. I'm bleeding 5x heavier than normal. I've gained almost 15 lbs while on this pill, and my poor boyfriend has to deal with my severe mood swings. I have constant headaches, and I'm breaking out worse than I ever have all over my body. I'm using facial cleansers, toners, special foundation, but every day there is a new breakout. I'm getting off this pill ASAP."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2010

"When I first started taking Desogen, it seemed fine. As a few months went by, I noticed that it made me cry a lot, and I mean a lot. There were a lot of emotional ups and downs for me and a bit of weight gain. I also had very severe migraines, as well as blurry vision, but I guess it's different for everyone. I stopped taking Desogen, and all these side effects stopped, thankfully."

• Loa...
• March 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for about a year because I didn't know any better. I had a steady period for the first three months, straight through. I also lactated during that time. Once those symptoms went away, my mood became terrible and remained so for the next 9 months (I'm normally very happy and easygoing). The following year, I got a new doctor and switched to OrthoCyclen. Been great ever since. That year was a nightmare."

• Mia...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on the Desogen from age 21 to age 36. I highly recommend it. I had no mood swings at all, and it did the job. It lessened my cramps tremendously. I have no complaints. Very predictable, so I liked it."

• Ray...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control, Desogen, about 5 months ago and ended up switching from pill club to Hey Doctor to order my birth control. I thought that the pills were the same, but I have had side effects that are unreal. My first period was extremely rough, as I don't normally have bad cramps, but this time was intense. The cramps lasted about three days and everything seemed fine. I was getting acne here and there, but nothing too serious, but then the mood swings started. I have never experienced mood swings like this before, every emotion that I would feel would be heightened x10. I would burst into tears at even the thought of something unpleasant. It hurt my relationship tremendously because my bf didn't understand the change. I just hope it works better for anyone else that takes it!"

• cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2013

For Birth Control "I have only been taking this pill for two weeks, and I feel very emotional. My boyfriend and I have been fighting ever since. I cry and get really angry fast."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been taking Desogen for a month now, and my breasts have gotten a bit bigger, and my skin has never been more clear, but I am a tad bit more emotional, and it does occasionally make me vomit."