Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2018

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "The initial first couple of months weren't pleasant - it worsened my anxiety, I completely lost my sex drive, and I was breaking out like crazy. Being at college out of state, I didn't have time to switch, so I stayed on it. I've been on it for a full 3 months now and all my symptoms disappeared. I guess it just took that long for my body to get used to it because now my anxiety is back to normal, my sex drive is back, and my skin is clear. This medication must just take time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I cannot believe the side effects I’ve had on Isibloom. I’ve taken this for about 1 month now. I have never had this bad of depression and anxiety in my entire life. My boyfriend tells me I act different, I feel like I act different. I am an emotional wreck! Listen to your body. I’m quitting tonight, not worth it."

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2010

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "So I was put on the birth control Kariva, and I never got pregnant, and it was the only form of birth control I used, so in that effect, it worked. However, I experienced severe migraines that were bad enough. They checked me for a tumor, decreased sex drive, tiredness, nervousness, dizziness, weight change, appetite change, and numbness in the left arm and hand. I have been off this birth control for just a few weeks, and I am already feeling back to normal."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I recently changed from Kariva to Viorele. In just three weeks, I have been constantly urinating. I got tested twice for UTI, and both came out negative. I am nauseous from this medicine and the lack of sex drive and anxiety I already feel. For the people saying that Kariva and Viorele have the same effect, as the active ingredients may be the same, the inactive ingredients are not, and it is affecting me quite differently. You can easily research the difference for more information."

• apr...
• January 24, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I like this Apri birth control pill a lot! I was quite surprised running across all these negative reviews. I understand everyone has a different experience with Apri and is affected everyone differently. Personally, I’ve had no problems, although it’s only been a few weeks of being on it. If anything, my mood swings (from when I was BC free) have gone down DRASTICALLY. I feel much more chilled out and content. No cramping, headaches, etc., but slight anxiety. I have noticed a little weight gain, but this is something that isn’t that big of a problem for me or detrimental. I was initially taking Depo, which caused me to bleed every day straight for 3 months (the same amount I normally would at the start of a period, except EVERYDAY) and suffered from cramps from time to time and nausea. My doctor switched me over to Apri, and so far I have little to no complaints. My skin has been consistently clear and I don’t feel fatigued."

• Fed...
• September 21, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I’ve been on Enskyce for almost 2 years now. I have experienced increasingly worse PMS/periods, random spotting or early periods, mood swings, unstable angry/anxious/depressive episodes, and the nausea seems to be every day now to where I just don’t eat until I’m sick for calories. It’s the worst. Eating has no enjoyment anymore. It took me so long to figure out that Enskyce was the cause of my unpredictable moods and horrible stomach pain/PMS. I’ve experienced anxiety/depression beforehand, but I assumed I was just getting worse and worse. I only came across this page while searching for a therapist when I realized my stomach was hurting again 2-5 hours after taking the BC. I then searched the side effects and kept reading the symptoms other women were having. 1/10, and the 1 is because I haven’t gained weight."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2015

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I was on this for almost 2 months. It did its job of preventing pregnancy, and it also cleared up my skin, but it wasn't worth the side effects. I started getting anxiety attacks and debilitating depression. It got so bad that there were days I didn't want to get out of bed. Also, my sex drive was nonexistent. I didn't want to be touched at all sometimes. All of the emotional issues and the low libido really took a toll on my relationship. When I thought this could be related to the pill, I went off. It hasn't even been a week, and I feel so much better."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2017

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I've been on Apri for almost a year now. It works great protecting against pregnancy and keeping my periods regular, which don't happen exactly on the sugar pill day, but every time on Wednesday. But the downside to these pills is how big of a mental and emotional toll it takes on me. It gives me crazy amounts of anxiety. I've had anxiety a couple of times in my life, but it's an everyday thing now. It makes me feel like I've changed as a person and makes me very depressed and have deep, dark thoughts on life. I've always been an outgoing, go-getter type of person, but all I want to do now is sleep and ignore my anxiety. I don't know if I should change it or stay on it and see if it goes away, but it's been happening for almost a year now."

• Kit...
• June 16, 2018

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I started taking it in December 2017. I felt fine, minor headache here and there. Early February it all went downhill. I always had the lingering headache but dismissed it. I developed hypertension 150/110, high heart rate (130s), palpitations, clammy hands and feet, and extreme migraines in late February. The walk-in clinic dismissed it as migraine. My PCP disregarded it as 'anxiety'-related hypertension. I also developed mood disorders from taking this pill (my doc wanted me on Zoloft). It caused my vitamin D to drop horribly, causing depression-like symptoms coupled with anxiety. My cortisol levels were also high. I saw an endocrinologist who told me to STOP taking it as I had adverse effects that were causing me these horrible symptoms. It's been 1 month since I have stopped, and my anxiety is still lingering. I regret ever starting this medication. It did give me amazing short, painless periods, but my hormones went wonky. I also gained 15 lbs. Take at your own risk."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2018

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been on it for over a month, and the only side effects I have had are that my breasts were sore for a week or two, but it went away. I got very anxious more than usual, lost my sex drive, and won't have sex unless he is basically begging for it. I was very irritable. But it also helped a lot with my acne, and I'm not pregnant, so it does the job, I guess."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I got switched to this Apri birth control pill after breakthrough bleeding with Sprintec. I was on this pill for about 3 months, and I stopped mid-pack because I couldn’t wait another week. First month, I was SO hungry that hunger pains would wake me up in the middle of the night, and I’d have to go eat. I also would have terrible night sweats. I had anxiety before the pill, but I’ve been on an anxiety rollercoaster the last week, which started off with an hours-long panic attack. My blood pressure has been very high lately too. Not sure if that’s tied in with the pill, but I’ve been eating better and exercising, so you’d think it’d go down? Everyone is different, but I would recommend keeping an eye out for issues!"

• Cle...
• June 21, 2016

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been on Reclipsen for 3 weeks. I have been experiencing severe depression, anxiety, and mood swings. My sex drive is very low, and I cry uncontrollably and for no reason. I was on Apri prior to this, and it worked well and made me very even-keel. I will be switching back at my next doctor's visit."

• BEW...
• January 15, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I started this BC 3 months ago after losing insurance, it was cheaper than the NuvaRing. After finishing my 3rd pack of hormonal pills, I started having withdrawal symptoms (jaw pain, shaking, hot flashes, heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, extreme mood swings). These symptoms lasted for 1 week straight, 24 hr/day. I wasn't feeling like myself, and I took myself to the ER 2x in 24 hours due to side effects. You know it was bad when I went to the ER 2x with NO INSURANCE! After my placebo week, I started back on the NuvaRing and feel 100x better and like myself again. I was prescribed anxiety medication to help me through this awful week. I've never had anxiety or depression before, or heart palpitations. I'm having a heart monitor put on for a month when I get health insurance to ensure that I'm no longer experiencing heart rates of 90-175 EVERY DAY. Figured out this medicine is double the dosage of hormones compared to the NuvaRing. This explains withdrawal symptoms. Beware."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2018

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have had a terrible time with birth controls, and this one was no different, except maybe the side effects were more extreme. Not only have I gained 10-20 pounds, but I have been extremely depressed and have had horrible nightmares. It took me a while to figure out that it was my BC, and I stopped immediately. My period was pretty regular, and I did not get pregnant, but the mood swings, depression, nightmares, and anxiety are unbearable. Absolutely do not recommend."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This is the worst birth control pill. I really recommend not even trying it. The first week was okay, no side effects, but after the second week, I got the worst anxiety, and I’ve never had anxiety in my life. I was worried I was gonna die with any little thing. I kept going to the doctor, thinking I had a blood clot and chest pain, when I later realized that it was the pill giving me so much anxiety. I stopped taking it, and after 3 months, I’m barely getting back to normal. I really don’t recommend it to anyone, I would rather be pregnant than ever take this birth control again."

• Gin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 28, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I was on Azurette for 5 years, and I loved it for a really long time. I had super regular periods that weren't too painful. I pretty much had no symptoms for about 4 years. Unfortunately, my pharmacy stopped carrying Azurette, and I was switched to a generic version. After a year of being on the generic version, I had to get off as it was having serious negative effects on my mental health. I developed a very serious anxiety and panic disorder. Since getting off of the pill, my mental health is entirely different. I realized even before it got bad that I was having anxiety. I thought that's just who I was, but it turns out it was the birth control all along. Just because Azurette and its generic versions didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you. Everyone's body is different, and it's worth a go."

• Vid...
• June 2, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I was really excited to start taking birth control. I was almost 19, in a relationship, and wanted to be safe. Plus, there were other benefits to taking birth control, such as lighter, regular periods and improvement in acne. When I first started taking Isibloom, I felt myself getting nauseous sometimes and cramps in my pelvic area. About a week after I started, I had gotten a cramping feeling in both of my calves, so I had to take ultrasounds to make sure there was no clotting. Nothing there, and I continued to use it. I noticed myself getting more sensitive and very irritable, but I figured it was a side effect. I would get sad for no reason. I would get really anxious sometimes. I disconnected with a lot around me. I didn’t have the energy that I did pre-birth control, and I definitely did not feel like myself. It progressively got worse, and my mental health was bad. Everyone’s experience is different. I stopped the birth control a week ago, and now I feel more like myself!"

• Mil...
• July 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol for 6 months now, it has been the first birth control pill I have experienced since getting into a long-term relationship. The positives are that it has stopped my monthly period, which settled 6 weeks after starting the pill. I haven't had one since. It has been effective in preventing pregnancy, including forgetting to take it on the odd occasion. The downside is that I have gained a small amount of weight despite being active, and my cravings have increased. I feel it has affected my mental health in a bad way. I'm laid back and level in mood, the day before my period, I would be a little hormonal, but otherwise, I'm pretty level-headed. I've noticed an increased sense of worry, anxiousness, and feeling like I'm going to have a panic attack because I work myself up so much over nothing, which is definitely not me. I also feel quite lethargic and low at times. So, after much debating, I'm going to come off this pill and try something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This is the 3rd bc pill I’ve tried, and it’s by far the worst. There’s barely any time during the month where I feel okay. The week before my period, the week during, and the week after, I feel super gross and have low energy. I have gained 15 pounds in the past 2 1/2 months, and it’s been super detrimental to my mental health. My depression and anxiety are the same as on any other pill, but I have depressive episodes where I cry for no reason every so often on this. Do not recommend."

• but...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I think it is important to note that birth control is different for everyone, but I was on Kariva for 5 days, and it was awful! I would wake up between 3-4 times in a night, have night sweats (which is not normal for me), my breasts were so tender, I was insanely bloated, and the worst part... I think a blood clot was forming in my calf. I did not think this was possible since I was only on it a few days, but then I read that clots normally form when first starting birth control. I was also very emotional/anxious/depressed. I will be switching birth controls."

• Noo...
• April 22, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This pill is great for preventing pregnancy, but not so great on your body. I’ve been taking this pill for about 2 months, and I’ve experienced, in my first month, such awful sadness, depression, and anxiety. I would have panic attacks at times I never would before because it all came to much to handle, but after a month, they died down, and that wasn’t a problem anymore. But now I am about to start my 3rd pack, and I’m honestly about to just get condoms and wait to get a new prescription, 'cause I’ve had my period like 3 times this month. And yeah, I know you’re thinking, 'Oh, you could just be pregnant.' Well, I’ve been to doctors and taken tests, and no!!! Just this BC!!! May be the one for y'all, but the worst kind I’ve ever tried for me!"

• Gra...
• September 5, 2016

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I can't give this medication a 10 without being on it for a long time, but what I can say is that this medication was recommended to me by 2 different doctors who also take it themselves. Also, I can say that my side effects from my previous birth control are going away after taking Kariva. I had the worst mood swings and anxiety from Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I was always either angry and upset or hysterically crying for no good reason. From the first time I took Kariva, my mood dramatically improved. I actually feel friendly towards others for the first time in months."

• Hop...
• August 25, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol 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

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol 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 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2016

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for about 3 years now. I originally went on the pill for my severe cramps and heavy bleeding. After one month, my acne cleared up, my period got much shorter, and my cramps were less intense. However, I have gained 20 pounds and a full cup size since being on the pill. In addition, I have absolutely no sex drive and a lot of dryness. Though I have experienced anxiety before taking the pill, it has gotten much worse since being on it. My PMS is much more severe as well."