Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Depression: What Users Say

• R_D...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2015

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I hope people aren't deterred by other reviews on this site. Typically, people go online to leave bad reviews. I, on the other hand, have had a GREAT experience with this birth control thus far. I have been on it for about a month and have had no side effects! Before Mircette, I tried EVERYTHING-Sprintec, tri-sprintec, the patch, the ring, Yaz, etc. A lot of pills made me very moody, anxious, depressed, or excessively fatigued. Some pills made me very sick to my stomach. Mircette has been awesome. My hormonal acne has already cleared up, I don't get upset to my stomach at all, and I haven't experienced mood swings. I am thrilled that I finally found a birth control that works for me. I HIGHLY recommend trying it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I took Apri for 5 years. The first 2 years were great - light periods, skin cleared up, etc. However, everything slowly started to change. In 2018, I found myself constantly worried, feeling like walls were caving in on me. My anxiety climbed every day. I fell into a deep depression where I contemplated suicide. I started having violent thoughts - wanting to hurt those around me. Physical changes - gained 30 pounds in 2 years, skin started to get greasy. I would sleep 12+ hours and still not have energy. Mood swings. Crying daily - not able to control my emotions. I decided enough was enough. I stopped taking Apri immediately. It has now been 2 months since then - I no longer cry daily, my mood is significantly improved, and my skin is less greasy. My sleep schedule is learning to regulate itself, and I have more energy. Apri for the first 2 years was great. However, somewhere along the way, that changed. It's possible that in the time I was getting older, my inner body started to change and Apri just no longer worked for me."

• Bik...
• March 6, 2021

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Should be illegal! Constant bleeding, extreme bloating (look 6 months pregnant), severe mood swings from angry to hysterical, uncontrollably sobbing for days, severe depression, breakthrough bleeding almost the entire cycle, insomnia for days, anxiety and panic attacks, swelling, massive weight gain (8 lbs) despite eating 1,200 calories and biking every day, horrible fatigue! Tried multiple times and gave up after the fourth month."

• Kat...
• November 12, 2017

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This drug is the absolute worst. Severe mood swings, depression, anxiety, constant gastrointestinal issues, zero sex drive, and the list goes on. Initially, I thought there was something wrong with me, but then realized that my timeline of severe symptoms matched the timeframe of being on this awful pill. I stopped taking it about two months ago and haven’t turned back. Knowing how extreme the depression is, I encourage everyone to talk openly about these side effects and encourage anyone who is on this pill and is feeling a little off to make the switch to something else immediately."

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

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol 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."

• mhm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been on many types of birth control before, and I have never left a review, no matter how good or bad. But this pill literally was destroying me mentally. I was on this pill, Kariva, a little less than 2 months and had to stop mid-month because I could not handle the anxiety and depression anymore. I'm a sensitive person, but wow, this pill made me not able to function. I cried ALL the time. I didn't want to go anywhere. My anxiety was a level I never experienced before. At first, I was like, cool, this pill doesn't make me hungry. Later, I realized, yeah, I'm not hungry because I'm so anxious all the time I couldn't focus on eating if I tried. It did its job at preventing pregnancy, but the emotional state it put me in was so not worth it! Please be careful taking this pill. I know it affects everyone differently."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Took one month of Apri in preparation for IVF frozen embryo transfer, and it has been horrible for my mood. Every night I took the pill at 9 pm, and within 1.5 to 2 hours, my mood plummeted and stayed that way throughout the following day. I haven't been sleeping well, lots of laying in bed thinking. I just took my last pill last night, and today I am in such a horrible mood. It has been over a week, I have not wanted to do anything during the day and have been in nearly nonstop bad mood. I feel depressed, I also had breast tenderness the past week or two and wanted lots of junk food. Honestly, the depression/mood side effects were worse on my body than any of the hormones I was on during my 3 IVF cycles. Really do not recommend this drug, and it is disheartening to see many others talking about similar mood changes."

• mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2022

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "HORRIBLE. My pharmacy changed the brand of my birth control three weeks ago, and I have been having severe mood swings, panic attacks, depression, and anxiety. Not to mention the lowest sex drive I have ever had, and I'm only 26. The last three weeks have been a nightmare. I have a toddler and a 4-month-old, and quarantining with two kids under two for 10 days while being on these pills caused some VERY bad moments. I threw these out immediately once I figured out what was causing these depressive episodes. Just sharing my experience so that others don't go through what I go through. You are NOT going crazy. These pills are making you crazy. Trust me."

• Kit...
• February 8, 2014

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "The first thing to remember is that everyone's body will react completely differently to different types of birth control. It all depends on your body. I was on Reclipsen for one year. I'm a pretty upbeat and happy person, but literally, as soon as I started taking Reclipsen, I fell into depression. I hated it. I wasn't myself, I was moody, irritable, I lost confidence, and I was really, really sad, which is not like me at all. I also gained a ton of weight, which didn't help with the whole self-confidence thing. The only good thing I have to say about it is that I didn't get pregnant, and my periods were shorter."

• Kit...
• February 8, 2014

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "The first thing to remember is that everyone's body will react completely differently to different types of birth control. It all depends on your body. I was on Reclipsen for one year. I'm a pretty upbeat and happy person, but literally, as soon as I started taking Reclipsen, I fell into depression. I hated it. I wasn't myself, I was moody, irritable, I lost confidence, and I was really, really sad, which is not like me at all. I also gained a ton of weight, which didn't help with the whole self-confidence thing. The only good thing I have to say about it is that I didn't get pregnant, and my periods were shorter."

• Gig...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2016

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "So, I took this birth control for 3 years. Did its job in terms of preventing pregnancy, but at a horrible cost. I gained over 30 lbs, had terrible nausea, mood swings, anxiety, depression, headaches, almost no libido, you name it. It wasn't until I got off the pill completely to give myself a break from the constant stream of hormones that is birth control that I realized all of the issues I was experiencing were all the pill, not me. After 2 months off of the pill, all of the aforementioned issues have disappeared. Consumer beware. Not worth it. When I do decide to go back on birth control, it will not be Viorele."

• syd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Literally, the worst pill I have ever taken. I switched from the last pill I was taking because of extreme depression, but I would honestly rather have extreme depression and cry at all hours of the day than take this. The first three months I thought it was great. Then, slowly but surely, I began to get so irritated. Now I cannot stop lashing out at everyone and everything, when I have never been this type of person. I literally feel nothing at times if I'm not feeling angry, and that is downright scary. I feel like a zombie sometimes. I have no care in the world and am an angry, sad person. I gave it the benefit of the doubt and continued with the pill for three more months, but it literally has just gotten worse, and now I feel like I'm losing my mind. Please don't take this. You will have no motivation or joy."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2012

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been on this medication for about 5 to 6 months. And it works great for birth control. Even if you miss a pill or two by a little bit, you're still protected, and it doesn't affect your period. But ever since I got on the pill, I'm not myself. I'm constantly depressed and get bad mood swings. And I have literally no sex drive whatsoever."

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I’m 35. I was prescribed Isibloom before beginning IVF. This is the first birth control that I ever had. My experience is just bad! On pill 3, I started having mood swings and what’s worse, I felt like having pressure in my throat (after 6 hours of taking the pill) - all that continued for like 10-12 hours. On day 4 of the pill, I went crazy - uncontrolled aggression, and started having difficulties breathing. Day 5 - I could not sleep, choked. On day 6 of the pill, I had a sleepless night with heart pain and pain in the back (in the area of the heart or lungs). Today, day 7 - I stopped the pill, I cried the whole morning and decided to stop taking the pill. Other side effects were weight loss (4 pounds in 6 days), no appetite, aggression, crying, insomnia, depression, being scared of everything around. It’s horrible for the first experience. But I thought I would let others know. Of course, we are all unique, and maybe what did not fit me will be good for others."

• SHa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I just started my third month of Kariva. I switched from Junel Fe 1/20. Before, I would get insane mood swings and depression. On Kariva, my mood is balanced as long as I take it at exactly the same time every day. I haven’t noticed any weight gain or change in my sex drive. I had a horrible migraine the first day I took it; after that, it’s only happened one other time. My periods last 3-4 days and are light. The only side effect I can’t stand is that I can’t sleep. I have trouble falling asleep and, once I do, I wake up throughout the night. I’ve been dealing with that for two months, and I’m trying to hold out and see if it gets better because it is a great pill otherwise."

• Lol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2020

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Enskyce gave me full-blown depression. It made me lose my libido, no interest whatsoever in sex, couldn’t even get wet if I tried. Started getting intrusive thoughts and lost interest in a lot of my hobbies. Please do not do this to yourself, ladies ♥️"

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2013

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I am thrilled with Apri! I decided to try birth control again because of terrible pelvic pain, probably due to my polycystic ovarian syndrome. Since starting Apri, the pain is gone completely! I was to the point where I was going to opt for laparoscopy just to find a reason and hopefully a cure for the pain, but my doctor convinced me to give this a try, and I'm glad I did! Another bonus is that it helps with my depression and daily fatigue, which was something I wasn't expecting. Add in the fact that I can take the active pills for multiple months straight means I'm feeling a thousand times more energetic than I did before Apri. But when I do switch to the white placebo pills, I feel awful again for that week. Light periods too! Works for me."

• SEa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I just started this, and right now I am on the period pills. I feel horrible and have felt horrible since the very first pill. Legit nausea all the time to the point where I was waking up once or twice a week around 4 am throwing up (I tried to take it around 12-2 with food every day to maybe avoid this). I also experience uncomfortable bloating really bad when I haven’t even eaten much to be bloated. I haven’t even been eating much period because I’m nauseous all the time. Add mood swings, sadness, anxiety, and headaches to the mix too. I just feel so awful and not myself, so I DO NOT recommend this pill! I hope it gets out of my system ASAP!"

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2012

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for three months now. It has been the first birth control I have tried, and it seems to work in the area of birth control, as I have not become pregnant. However, I have had my period for eight days every two weeks and finally figured out that my depression symptoms may have been caused by it; I've been terribly moody, depressed, and cry way more often than normal once I started taking Kariva. Sleep disruptions, loss of appetite, and lower sex drive have also been symptoms I've experienced."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 11, 2021

For Endometriosis "I have been on the pill (continuous pill) from the age of 22 until 37 for very bad endometriosis. The pill was a miracle for me, but then at 37, because I was scared of having phlebitis/thrombosis because of someone telling me horror stories, I stopped taking it. It was the worst decision of my life. A few weeks after stopping the pill, I started having a nervous breakdown, was having panic attacks like never before, my anxiety was crippling, I started to get depressed, I started to have really bad acne, my skin was greasy, my periods were back in full force, heavy and painful as anything. I was a mess, but thank God no phlebitis. Doctors tell you about the risk of taking the pill, but they do not tell you the risk to stop taking it after a long time. I went back on it after I had a talk with my doctor, who told me that some girls/women can experience very bad depression, anxiety, and bad mood swings when they STOP taking it. I wish I knew about that. Anyone else experienced that? (Like if yes.)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2018

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "Going into my inactive pills of my first pack. Although this is only my first pack, it has been the pits. Very nauseous, but no vomiting. Bloated, more depressed, very irritable, overthink everything more than usual, almost no sex drive, horrible cramps, almost no appetite, lost all motivation for things, got bad chest pains, indigestion, heartburn... you literally name it. I’m trying to give this pill a chance, but so far, it doesn’t seem worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2019

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I have been using Apri for 6 months now. The first 3 months were ideal, it cleared up my acne tremendously, and this is the first birth control pill which hasn't affected my mood. However, after 3 months, I started noticing the negatives. I have felt super depressed, nearly empty/numb every day, which is opposite to the person I am. I, like another user, blamed my stressful job, but I've come to realize it was my birth control. I have no sex drive at all, and I actually have cystic acne on my face now, which I never had before. I would not recommend this pill due to how horrible it has actually made me feel."

• Lin...
• March 17, 2010

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol 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."

• Sea...
• May 3, 2016

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "This pill is effective as a birth control pill, but the side effects are absolutely miserable! Each month before my period, I get horribly depressed and incredibly emotional and irritable. I also get constant headaches on this pill. Would not recommend if you have anxiety or PMDD, as it only seems to exacerbate these conditions."

• ksc...
• April 12, 2014

Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol for Birth Control "I just started taking this pill this week, so far not that bad of side effects except I'll get nauseous at night usually after I eat. (I take it in the afternoon). I just recently switched birth controls from Sorynox to this one. I was getting horrible mood swings and getting extremely depressed out of nowhere. It was driving my boyfriend crazy. My doctor switched me to this one and told me to take a vitamin B pill with it. So if you're getting mood swings and depressed, try taking a vitamin B pill with your birth control."