Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill for three years now. I started because I was having heavy periods, and my doctor recommended this to help slow down. After a few months, it did. This pill comes with a lot of consequences. I’ve gained about 40 pounds on this pill. I’ve had anxiety, pains in joints, bloating, night sweats. I thought I was really sick with something else, but every time I would go to the doctor for a symptom, everything would check out okay. This pill is okay when you first start, but the longer you take it, your body starts to show effects. I have stopped and am currently looking into other options."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Viorele for approximately 2 years. It worked great for clearing up my cystic acne, and it did its job in preventing pregnancy; however, I’ve noticed the following for the past 2 years: -NO desire to be intimate/NO sex drive. This has hurt my relationship, as I now have sex with my fiancé only once a month, if that! -UNRULY CRAVINGS, which led to 25 lb. weight gain. Currently medically diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder -moody, irritable, and short-tempered demeanor -increase in anxiety and depression. The only reason I continued to take Viorele was because it was completely free with my insurance, but it’s clearly not worth it. In my opinion, you should definitely consider another BC pill/method!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking this in August of this year, and the first period I had after starting this BC was excruciating. I had severe cramping, swollen and painful breasts, and bloating like crazy. I stuck it out because I know with BC you have to give it a few months to let your body adjust. My periods leveled out, but I only made it 4 months before I had to go back and request something else. My anxiety was exacerbated, depression came back, was extremely emotional, constantly hungry (gained weight because of that), went up 2 cup sizes due to swelling and weight gain, and was bloated all the time. It was a nightmare. It did prevent pregnancy, though, so there's that. I've felt totally normal since switching to the mini pill. This just wasn't for me."

• Pam...
• October 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst birth control ever, made me sick. I have headaches since day one, mood swings, anxious, was feeling terrible. So I found out that a lot of people taking this birth control are having the same conditions, so I stopped. The next day my headache was gone."

• amy...
• April 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Isibloom contraceptive pill did what it was mainly supposed to do: prevent pregnancy. I was on it for 6 months and used it as my only method of contraception. My bleeding was on a completely regulated cycle, the first month I had breakthrough bleeding, but never dealt with it again. The issue I had was that there was no relief to my PMS-like symptoms. On week 3 (the week before placebo) was always when I had the worst symptoms. My doctor suggested that I was sensitive to the pill because of small hormone fluctuations throughout the day in a 24-hour period. I always took my pill on time, but still I didn't feel relief from those symptoms. I also felt heavy and overwhelmed a lot, it just didn't feel like it was enough to help me feel better. I switched to Nexplanon recently, best decision I've made for my body. I don't have those PMS-like symptoms anymore, when I bleed, it doesn't hurt like it used to. I don't feel heavy or overwhelmed anymore."

• Jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2019

For Birth Control "This Kariva birth control has completely ruined my mental state! I have not gotten pregnant or had any scares, but that is not worth what it has done to me emotionally. I am always on the verge of crying, I wake up mornings feeling depressed, and I have even developed anxiety and have anxiety attacks once a month when I have NEVER had anxiety in the past. It has put a strain on my relationship with my boyfriend because he is constantly having to tend to me emotionally as I am always susceptible to mood swings and upset. My period has not even improved other than the fact it is consistent, it is still five days and not even much lighter. Also, my cramps have not improved at all, they may have even gotten worse."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This was an awful experience for me. I fell into deep depression, couldn't leave my bed for 14 hours at a time and had really dark thoughts. I became a ball of anxiety everywhere I went, my mood swings were insane. I had a headache that literally lasted for 2 weeks straight and painkillers wouldn't do much, and the nausea I felt like I was going to vomit at the most random times, and every little thing irritated me, so I was being annoying to my boyfriend, my friends, and my family, and I truly felt like I was going crazy. I forced myself to toughen up and at least finish the month (there were like 4 red pills left when I realized I didn't want to do this long term). Now I've reached the placebos, so I'm waiting to get my period and then never touch this medication again. I reacted very badly to Plan B as well, so I'm thinking birth control pills just aren't for my body at all. In conclusion, unless you're lucky enough to not experience symptoms, this can and will mess you up!!!!! :("

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Switched from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to Mircette for the lower estrogen dosage, but Mircette made me have ZERO libido. Even the thought of anything sexual made me go UGH. Whereas other BCPs gave me anxiety and depression, this made me feel absolutely nothing. It's like I was on antidepressants. Made me feel robotic with no emotions whatsoever, so I just decided to get off hormones altogether and got ParaGard, the copper hormone-free IUD. It's good for 10 years. I've had the IUD for 5 years now and love not having to take a pill or keep switching after your body acclimates to the drug and then you have to switch. Beware of the hormonal mood swings if you get off hormones though! It's a double-edged sword!"

• Hat...
• November 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I haven't taken any BC in 5 years since the birth of my daughter. Before that, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which was great, and I never had any symptoms. My doc recommended Reclipsen since it's the same amount of hormones each day, and the other one I mentioned has different hormone levels each week. I've been on this pill a total of 2 weeks, and I feel nauseous, no appetite, exhausted, stomach cramps, boobs are sore, and weak. I get a weird chest pain sometimes, and my anxiety is crazy high. I also feel so moody. Everything bothers me, and sometimes I feel like I can't breathe. My face has been breaking out more than when I wasn't taking the pill. I AM NOT TAKING THIS PILL ANYMORE! I barely feel bad side effects like this with medications."

• 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."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I wouldn’t recommend this birth control to my worst enemy. Haven’t even been on it 2 months and have noticed severe depression and intrusive thoughts along with heightened anxiety. Also, it has made me have so much discharge that I can’t even exercise without a noise being made. The depression caused me to start getting behind in all of my college classes and has made me want to sleep 24/7. Just no. I personally am cold turkeying being off birth control for the first time in my life after this. Enough was enough."

• Dis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2021

"I started taking this about 3 years ago. At first, it was great. For about a year, things were wonderful. No headaches, anxiety, or moodiness. I take it continuously due to headaches and fatigue. I am a very active person, walking and weightlifting 7 days a week. I weighed 131 when I started on the pills, now up to 166, and no matter what I do, I seem to just keep gaining. My moods, anxiety, fatigue, and headaches are worse now than before starting the pills. We have bounced around with doses, and nothing helps. I CONSTANTLY spot. Acne is horrible on my face, chest, and back. My skin on my cheeks down to my neck has changed colors, gotten darker. I know a lot of people have great reactions with this med, but it seems when you get side effects from it - you get them ALL."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Been on this birth control for about a year and a half and never really had any notable side effects until about 4 months ago when I started to notice something was different. My acne came back and was worse than it was before I even started the medication, I’m always stressed and have the worst anxiety, constant migraines, mood swings, complete loss of sex drive, depression, bloating and cramping, loss of motivation, you name it, I’ve gotten it as a side effect. More recently (these past couple of weeks), I’ve been constantly nauseous and have been throwing up almost nonstop. It’s been so bad I’ve had to call out of work. I do not recommend this birth control. DON'T TAKE THIS."

• Aan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control, and almost immediately my skin started to break out, and it made my breasts extremely sensitive. After 3 months, my skin went back to normal, and my breasts increased from a size C to a DD. My periods were days shorter and much lighter, with little cramping. Although it completely destroyed my sex drive, and I got extreme depression and anxiety from it. I had never had anxiety before, and now it is so bad I have anxiety attacks regularly. It also caused a severe skin rash, perioral dermatitis all over my entire body."

• Coc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched to this from Sprintec, hoping that it would be better in terms of helping my sex drive because I have absolutely none, but this made it even worse. It made me not even want to be touched, hugged, or kissed by my husband. It is ruining my marriage, and I am going to switch to something else ASAP. I’ve taken it for 3 months, and it’s been awful every single day. I feel like I’m going crazy. It has given me severe nausea and headaches EVERY SINGLE DAY, no joke, no exaggeration. I have not been able to get rid of the headache since I started it. I have been taking ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Excedrin like it’s all M&Ms or something. I am miserable. It has made my anxiety and depression 10x worse than what it was. I was doing really well before starting this, and now I feel like I’ve taken 100 steps back and have to repeat the process all over again. It has given me extreme insomnia. I haven’t slept more than 5 hours each night since taking this. Do not recommend."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on Viorele for the past 4 months, and within that time, I have gained between 15-20 lbs. I have severe bouts of depression and anxiety, I have chronic migraines that have intensified in pain and occurrence, and the lowest libido I've ever experienced in my sexual history. Thank goodness my boyfriend is the amazing man he is, because I would have left me due to the irritability alone! The only plus about this pill for me is the regulation of my cycle, the clear skin, and the fact that I'm not pregnant. I have set an appointment to get back on the IUD."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking this BC for 3 months now and just had my gyno switch brands today. I have been incredibly irritable, anxious, and depressed. I feel like I'm PMS'ing 24/7. I've also experienced some pretty painful menstrual cramping. I do not recommend this brand at all."

• 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."

• gia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for a few years now. I was prescribed this for long heavy periods and bad cramps. I was fine for the first 2 years until my anxiety had spiked, making me unsocial and nervous constantly. It had cleared my skin in the beginning, but I now suffer from breakouts before every period. I am a generally anxious person, but my anxiety and depression have gone through the roof! I gained at least 20 pounds since starting this and have so much trouble losing weight despite exercise and a good diet. I also have been experiencing swelling in my feet and ankles and couldn't figure out the source. I finally found out from research that it was this BC. I am so disappointed in Apri."

• cof...
• March 31, 2021

For Birth Control "The last pill I used was triphasic, which triggered panic/anxiety. Doctor suggested Enskyce. I skipped my periods, which didn't alter my mood or depression, but I've started to feel empty. I used to be more excited, but I feel numb to everything. Panic/anxiety hasn't improved from switching to Enskyce. I'm managing it, but I start to panic in situations where it's never bothered me before. I'm not suicidal, but I have negative thoughts, even strange thoughts, which I've never had before. My sex drive is nonexistent. My skin is decent but not very clear (I'm taking Enskyce for acne). These days, I'd rather have acne and be happier with life. I feel bloated after eating salads. Stomach pains are uncomfortable. I began getting chest pains, shortness of breath, my GP noticed heart palpitations/murmur, and my legs feel heavy all the time. I also cycle 30-45 mins every day and take walks. After a year, I'm starting to gain more weight, and my diet hasn't changed. I eat pretty healthily."

• Ang...
• December 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Isibloom in June 2019, the first month or two was horrible for mood swings, etc. Mainly PMS symptoms. It took me about 6 to 9 months of being on it for my periods to not come every month. I don't do the green pills in the pack, I just keep going with the orange pills. I'm now at the point where I just get my period every 2 to 3 months. I have not gained weight from what I can tell. Also, I haven't had any effects with acne, if anything, my skin might be clearer? The bad side effects of this, though, is that I believe it has made me a lot more depressed and anxious. I tend to be more sensitive to things people say and cry more often. Also, beware it might get rid of your sex drive. I used to have a very high sex drive, and then when I went on Isibloom, it's like nothing arouses me and, to put it frankly, I'm never horny anymore. I may switch to an IUD, but I've heard those are even worse. For now, though, I will stick with Isibloom."

• sol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2023

For Birth Control "I never leave reviews, but let me tell you, this birth control affected me severely. I had horrible mood swings, depression, and anxiety. I cried almost every day, experienced diarrhea, and lost more than 20 lbs in 2 months, going from 140 lbs to 120 lbs."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2016

For Birth Control "This is my first month on Apri, and I haven't been on any other forms of the pill since I was 18. I was prescribed Loestrin in 2009 for bad cramping and PMS but got off that due to huge mood swings, bloating, weight gain, and breast tenderness. It is now 7 years since then, and I am using the pill mainly for birth control. I am on my third week and am feeling awful! I have had headaches several times per week, extreme nausea, cramping, and tiredness. I have also felt anxiety and will wake up in the middle of the night. I take the pill in the morning but will be switching to a nighttime routine to see if my symptoms decrease or if I tolerate it better. My mood has been pretty normal, and my sex drive is good. The worst thing has been the nausea."

• Jg9...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control ruined my life. I developed extreme anxiety that went away after stopping it. I would break out in pimples that looked like hives under my eyes, got worse every month. I gained a dramatic amount of weight. Stay far away. It’s a generic brand, and according to a doctor I spoke with, it has inactive ingredients that cause all the side effects. Apri is the only one that works for me."

• She...
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I have never reviewed a medication online, but I would like to warn others about this medication. I have taken several different birth control pills due to the fact that I am so sensitive to synthetic hormones. My doctor prescribed me Cyclessa to see how my body would react to the hormones in this medication. Let me tell you, do not waste your sanity or money on taking this! Out of all of the pills I have taken, this BY FAR has been the most awful experience. I experienced the worst anxiety and depression of my life. I got to the point where I wouldn't even answer the phone if my friends or family called me. I was crying and extremely emotional over everything. Sex drive = RIP, dead. I also became extremely mean to my fiancé for no reason."