Mircette and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I switched to this by accident from Valette — on Valette I had a very stable mood, clear skin, no weight gain, etc. This pill, on the other hand, is horrible. I had nausea for the first week and a half, cramps for two weeks, and I’ve just come to the realization that my insane mood swings are from this pill. It’s making me very depressed, and I cry often."

• hom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I hated this birth control. It worked, as in it prevented pregnancy and it regulated my periods, but the side effects were so horrible that I had to stop taking it. While I was on this birth control, I gained an extra 15-20 pounds that I could not lose despite the hours in the gym and the healthy eating. I felt like I was going insane... hot flashes, extreme mood swings. The mood swings happened all of the time, not just during my period. It didn't help alleviate cramps or anything. I will never, ever, ever take this again."

• Anonymous
• December 26, 2011

For Birth Control "Pros: breasts got bigger (they're AA normally, so this was a big plus!), it worked (I didn't get pregnant), light periods, can skip periods by taking continuously. Cons: much more acne, dramatic mood swings (crying uncontrollably for no reason), nausea, weight gain. I only stayed on Mircette for three months due to the dramatic increase in side effects compared to Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which I'd been on for three years at that point)-especially crying easily and acne. I get mood changes with any birth control pill, but it was by far the worst on Mircette. Every other pill I've tried improves my acne, but Mircette made it worse. I did like the breast enlargement, but that wasn't worth being totally crazy with an acne-covered face!"

• Elm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Switched from Ortho-Cyclen (Sprintec) because of decrease in libido. Have trialed twice, and both times have had weight gain (10-15 lbs), increased acne (I don't normally break out), and uncontrollable emotions. I literally would cry all month long, not just the week before my period. I have been super irritable and have unpredictable mood swings. After this month (the 3rd month of taking), I will be discontinuing and attempting a non-hormonal contraceptive, as I am prone to depression and this medication is junk."

• Fin...
• September 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I changed to this birth control at the advice of my gyn to try to treat my menstrual migraine headaches after being on Tri-Sprintec for almost 10 years. It did what birth control is supposed to do; prevented pregnancy and regulated my period, but the side effects were awful! I gained over 20 pounds in less than 6 months, had really, really bad mood swings, and the medicine caused me to have bad headaches and migraines at least once a week. Even with dieting and exercise, the weight isn't coming off, and it's so frustrating. I never had these problems in my 10 years prior on birth control. It has gotten to the point now that I have discontinued the medication because of the side effects. I hope others have better luck than I did!"

• BCM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this birth control. I have gained excess weight, which never happened to me on any other b.c., and my PMDD is worse. My doc gave it to me because I get severe headaches the week before, of, and after my period. So basically, 3 of 4 weeks in a month. And I was having horrible mood swings. Extreme PMS...as I said, PMDD. This was supposed to help because of lower levels and regulating hormones. Other than less severe headaches, nothing has been lessened, and I have gained 20 lbs that won't go away. I am quitting this pill today."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2023

For Birth Control "This BC was really good but didn’t work for me because I am prone to migraines and got a migraine every time during my period. It cleared up my face and increased my bust size. I didn’t experience any mood swings or irritability. I also never had any problems with nausea."