Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I understand that medication affects everyone differently, but this has been heaven-sent for me. I joined an online contraceptive company and they prescribed me this. After reading the reviews, I was mortified to take it. I even asked them for a different brand, but they told me there’s nothing else my insurance covered. I know the miserable person I am, I am so sad and emotional all the time. My mood swings are off the rails. ANYWAY, so I have no choice, I start taking this and holy moly, I have never felt more normal. I mean I wake up, feel refreshed, and feel overall way more calm. This is my first experience with pill birth control, and I’m 25. I’ve done the shot once before and I hated it, I was legit throwing plates from my dishwasher against the wall like frisbees because I was so angry...But I just love this. I mean I don’t know if it’s like a hormonal thing for me and if it balanced it out or something, but this has worked great in my experience."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 3, 2021

For Birth Control "So I was on this Kariva pill for years. Like 6 or 7 years. I never realized what this pill did to my mental health until I got off of it. I was always tired, always had brain fog, and was always crying. I had ridiculous mood swings. I just hated how I was. I always felt awful. My sex drive was way low too. Coming off of this pill was the best decision I’ve ever made. Believe the negative reviews."

• Bik...
• March 6, 2021

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."

• BRa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking this birth control in the fall of 2016 and was fine the first few months. By early 2017, I started to develop anxiety for the first time in my life at age 23. Throughout 2017, my sex drive noticeably decreased to the point of nonexistence, and my anxiety worsened to the point where I was having panic attacks multiple times a week. I decided to stop taking my BC in December 2017, but now, two months later, I’m still dealing with health-related anxiety, which I’m hoping lessens soon (panic attacks usually when I’m alone for no reason, heart palpitations, mood swings). This may not be the effect on everyone, but I wanted to post this to ensure others that if you’re feeling similar symptoms, you’re not alone."

• kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m 18, and after signing up for online contraception and looking into it, I was prescribed Isibloom. I started taking Isibloom on the first day of my cycle and not just a regular day. I noticed that my cycle was the same length, but it was lighter, and I experienced minimal cramps. I haven’t noticed any major side effects except my chest size going up a little bit and my emotions change like clockwork. Also, a tip: a lot of the women giving reviews are older. So if you are in a younger age group, like under 18 or 18-25, you may not experience the same side effects. The one thing I do recommend, though, is having a balanced diet because that can also cause some negative effects."

• Kat...
• November 12, 2017

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."

• Sar...
• August 23, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for about five months. It is my first experience with the birth control pill as I am getting married in September and wanted to be regulated by the wedding. The first couple of months, I experienced mood swings, headaches, and weird appetite. However, my side effects have leveled out. I no longer have any side effects. In fact, it has cleared my acne up some. My periods have never been bad, but they are now only about 1-2 days long. I would say my cramps may be a little worse, but since the period is shorter, it evens out. I have not gained weight from this pill. In fact, along with diet and exercise, I have been able to lose weight while taking this pill. I would recommend Kariva."

• iFr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2014

"I switched to Enskyce from Reclipsen for cost-effectiveness and felt different almost immediately. After a few weeks, I noticed that my emotions were considerably more inconsistent. Small things that wouldn't normally bother me started to make me extremely upset, and although I realized that I shouldn't have been upset at the time, I felt like I couldn't pull myself out of being emotional. I didn't pay any mind to it because I thought some outside things could've been stressing me out, but it got to the point where I'd be having emotional breakdowns almost weekly and about normally insignificant things. Periods were thicker and more painful. Effective as a contraceptive, but the side effects were a deal-breaker for me."

• All...
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I was switched from Loestrin 21 to Apri a few months back because my periods were irregular and my doc thought Apri would be better for me. I like that there's placebo pills in Apri because I was awful at taking 21-day packs. The first couple of months were a little tough adjusting to the higher dose of hormones. I was super emotional! But that's normal. I'm on month 5 now, and things are fine. I'm still a little emotional, but only 'cry at something dumb' emotional. Nothing I can't handle. My periods are light, and I barely have any pain. Close to no acne. My boobs seemed to have grown a bit, so that's cool. My sex drive seems to be a tiny bit lower, but I never had a crazy-high sex drive in the first place. My husband and I still have a healthy sex life. I might have gained like 5 pounds or less, but that might be because of my lazy ass and not the birth control. :) Best of all, I haven't gotten pregnant! I recommend Apri. Give it a chance and let yourself adjust to the hormones."

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

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."

• emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2022

For Birth Control "For the last 3 weeks, I have been an emotional mess, with my moods swinging from furious to extremely sad to overwhelmingly depressed. I thought maybe it was just me, but after reading these reviews, I am so relieved to know that it is a side effect."

• Bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I went on this birth control about 2 years ago, and I feel like a different person. I don't know why I didn't switch off of it sooner. Made me an emotional wreck, affected my relationship, and worsened my acne. Steer clear from this."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2020

For Birth Control "My experience with Isibloom seems to be the opposite of everyone else. I was fine the first 3-4 months, but around month five, my mood swings began. I would be laughing one second, and the next, my boyfriend would say he wants to go get food, and I would cry because I didn’t want to get out of bed, or I was so happy he was thinking the same thing. Now we’re in about month 8, and I have diarrhea most days of the week. Three days of my week, I’m crying for nothing, or because I’m happy, but I can never tell my boyfriend why I’m upset because I simply don’t know. I’ve never felt this way, and it’s concerning to me why it happened to most women within the first month and stopped, but it’s happening to me in months 5-9, and it just keeps getting worse. I still am sexually active, and my sex drive is the same as it always has been. But I wonder what could help the mood swings stop...?"

• Sha...
• October 3, 2014

For Birth Control "My overall experience with Reclipsen has been mostly positive. Weight loss, lighter periods, less severe cramps, no acne (although that was never an issue). My only cons would be the rise and fall in my moods. Other than that, I can't complain about the product. Will continue to use it for as long as I need to!"

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

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."

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2019

For Birth Control "A lot of these reviews are bad, but of course, if you have a bad experience with something, you’re going to write about it, and contradicting that, with your good experiences, you will most likely not leave a review. This birth control pill is very tiny and easy to take, and I have been on Isibloom for a month through an online pill subscription, and I have very few side effects. My age is 18, and the only side effect I’ve really only experienced is tender breasts and slight breast size improvement (maybe a cup?). Although I’ve had mood swings and I’m very emotional, getting frustrated and annoyed very easily."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Viorele for about three weeks, and I can tell you that this has definitely caused side effects of a big spike in my anxiety, terrible mood swings, and acne. Did not work for me, hopefully, I can find a brand that works for me."

• Bew...
• June 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Beware this drug! I experienced the most horrendous mood swings and extreme anxiety while on this drug. The side effects took a while to develop, but once they did, it was truly unbearable. I had no idea why my personality was changing so drastically. It was truly terrifying. I wasn't making the connection between this drug and my highly elevated emotions. I told my doctor on a whim about my terrible anxiety/mood swings, and he immediately took me off of Kariva. Within a week, I was feeling back to my normal self. It has now been 4 months off of Kariva, and I have not had one mood swing or case of anxiety. I would never recommend this drug to anyone. As far as I'm concerned, it should be taken off the market permanently."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2021

For Birth Control "I want to share because it seems like most people only ever post reviews if their experience was negative. This Enskyce birth control has been wonderful for me. After having my Paragard taken out, I needed to get back on a pill. I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and Yaz, both of which made me feel like I was gaining weight! Finally, my Dr. put me on this brand, and I have had NO problems. I had minor blemishes (unnoticeable to everyone else) the first month. My period is light, and I've had no emotional issues. While I've only been on this pill for three months, I'm really happy with this brand. With the others, I could feel negative effects very quickly."

• Nor...
• February 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I've used Reclipsen since I was 16 and have never had any problems. Most importantly, I've never gotten pregnant. It helped with my acne as a teenager, and I've never experienced mood swings. Periods are light and very regular. I gained a little weight in high school and college, but this is probably due to many other factors (quitting sports, not exercising, eating poorly, etc.) as opposed to the birth control. Both of my sisters have also switched to Reclipsen after experiencing mood swings and other problems with other birth controls and have seen good results. Highly recommend."

• hdp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Kariva for about 9 months. The positives include that my period was extremely predictable, and it didn't last too long. It didn't affect my weight, and my acne cleared up. But the negatives outweighed the positives by far. I had experienced the worst mood swings I've ever had, I became anxious, and cried multiple times a week (yet before Kariva, I was not an avid crier and was able to keep my emotions in check). I was more sad and emotionally unstable than I had ever been, and I had absolutely no motivation to work or to push myself to be happy. I noticed a small change in my mental state within the first 2 months of taking it, but thought it would level out. I kept taking it because it kept my period more regular than other pills. I switched birth controls 2 weeks ago, and since I've stopped taking Kariva, even after 2 weeks, I have been the happiest and calmest I have been in months, and am only realizing now just how emotionally and mentally unwell I was."

• hdp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Kariva for about 9 months. The positives include that my period was extremely predictable, and it didn't last too long. It didn't affect my weight, and my acne cleared up. But the negatives outweighed the positives by far. I had experienced the worst mood swings I've ever had, I became anxious, and cried multiple times a week (yet before Kariva, I was not an avid crier and was able to keep my emotions in check). I was more sad and emotionally unstable than I had ever been, and I had absolutely no motivation to work or to push myself to be happy. I noticed a small change in my mental state within the first 2 months of taking it, but thought it would level out. I kept taking it because it kept my period more regular than other pills. I switched birth controls 2 weeks ago, and since I've stopped taking Kariva, even after 2 weeks, I have been the happiest and calmest I have been in months, and am only realizing now just how emotionally and mentally unwell I was."

• moo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2022

For Birth Control "The first three months of this pill were not that bad, although I did begin to experience abnormal anxiety (for me) and mood swings. I also began to experience some heart palpitations (which I had chalked up to the anxiety). I am in month 5 now, and I'm beyond done. This BC has made me more moody than I ever have been. I get angry and irritated and snap at things or people, and I am usually a very genial and happy person. This has made me feel like an entirely different person. I have experienced awful anxiety as well, like panic attacks waking me up at night. Also, extremely vivid dreaming that causes me to feel like I'm not sleeping, which I am sure has perpetuated my other symptoms. Everyone's body is different, but my experience has been terrible."

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

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."