Desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I never give reviews, but this is the worst birth control pill I’ve been on besides TriNessa. This one is absolutely worse, though. This specific one gave me horrible headaches for the first two packs and made me extremely emotional. I’m a very sweet person, and it takes a lot to get me angry. Now I get so annoyed and angry extremely easily. I shouldn’t have the angry feelings I have and did not have them before I started this prescription. Do not recommend at all!"

• Ash...
• April 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Highly recommend, no weight gain or mood swings compared to other birth control pills I have taken. Everyone is different, but I give this birth control an excellent review because of the experiences I have had with others."

• zic...
• September 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've used this birth control for 8 years. I was a late bloomer and didn't have my first period until well into age 16. I'm told it's because I'm small and athletically inclined. I never had cramps or mood swings, but my periods were extremely irregular and would arrive unexpectedly to ruin my favorite pairs of underwear. My doctor selected this initially due to cost, as I was not sexually active and just wanted regulation. Now, at age 24, I'm happy to report its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy, as well as a complete lack of any side effects. No acne, no weight gain, no mood swings, no spotting, no cup size enhancements (unfortunately), and a nice 4-5 day window that I know exactly when and how much I'm going to bleed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I used this birth control for almost a year, but I decided to stop using it because it was causing me to have really bad mood swings, made me feel like a zombie (emotionless). From the first day I started using this birth control to the last, I spotted every single day. The only good thing that came from it was I was able to eat again, gained 20 pounds in about 3 months, it cleared my acne, and I grew 1 bra size. It also made my feet grow too. This birth control caused me to become hypoglycemic and gave me an inverted nipple that I have to forever live with. This birth control does its job and prevents pregnancy, but the side effects are not worth it. I recommend trying other birth controls before this one."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I am now on my second pack of Isibloom. The first week, I did have quite a bit of mood swings, but the main side effect I had was with my stomach. I’ve been having strange bowel movements, where I'm bloated quite a lot with no bowel movement, being constipated for a few days, then going back to normal, then back to no movement. I’ve been on a loop for a month now, but it’s slowly not being as bad as it was before. If it does continue, I will be switching my birth control brand. Besides that, it does do the job, I’m not pregnant!"

• apr...
• January 24, 2021

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."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2019

For Birth Control "My age is 18, and the only side effects I’ve had are mood swings, and I’m very emotional, getting frustrated and annoyed very easily. I still have a cycle, but I don't cramp anymore. I've only been taking it for 2 months, and it's perfect."

• Rub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I have crazy PMS. I mean crazy. I cry a lot, I'm nauseous (I even vomit some months), get heat flashes, acne, horrible cramps, mood swings, etc. This is why I was not afraid of any birth control side effects because I live with these bad problems regardless. I took birth control (through the pill club and was prescribed this) because of my symptoms and because I've been sexually active for a few months now. I took it a week before my period, and those symptoms seem to have been minimized so far. I have a very high sex drive, however, the pill makes it a little harder to get turned on. I've had okay sex so far and also very great sex (my advice is to use a good amount of lube. It fixes the problem). I've only been on it a week, but so far so good. I will, however, be back to post a review in a few months to see if my symptoms have changed. So far so good, though. (: All bodies are different, but if you're anything like me, I would consider trying this pill."

• Sum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2019

For Birth Control "So a lot of these reviews really scared me, but this pill works great for me. It’s easy to take because it’s small, and I haven’t had any crazy mood swings. It’s been a little strange sometimes, and I might have gained a little weight, but that’s all. If you’ve been prescribed this, I would say just go with it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this for about 3 years and experience very little cramping and other period side effects, which is great. Also, I haven't gotten pregnant, so I guess it does the job. But I experience drastic mood swings, no sex drive whatsoever, and my hooha is like a desert. I stayed on it because I'm too lazy to make a new appointment with my gyno, but it's starting to drive a wedge in my relationship as the side effects are getting increasingly worse, so I plan to change soon."

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Since the time I have been taking Apri, I have been facing various problems like intense chest pain, problems in concentration, nausea, headaches, extreme mood swings, acne, dizziness, fluctuations in the quality of vision."

• Rsa...
• March 10, 2014

For Birth Control "After my first month on this pill, I have had nonstop acne on my chin like I have never had before. Also, I had my period (5 days) and then continued to spot for another 7 days. I don't weigh myself, but it is obvious I've gained weight as well. Don't even get me started about my over-the-top mood swings. I never had these problems when I was on Orthocept. Even though it has been only one month and it may balance out after a few months, I do not think I will wait to find out."

• amy...
• May 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to Isibloom (ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg, desogestrel 0.15 mg) when I ran out of the birth control I got abroad that was called Marvelon. Marvelon was amazing, but they don't sell it here. My gynecologist said Isibloom is the generic of Marvelon, though she was hesitant to prescribe it because it came with an unusually high risk of blood clots. I've had a very negative experience with most types of birth control (NuvaRing, Yaz, IUD). While the Isibloom one isn't the worst, I still have severe mood swings, lots of gross cystic acne (which I never had), and am exhausted all of the time. My breasts also fluctuate about one cup size each month. Symptoms seem to get particularly bad during the last week of taking it. I heard it's supposed to ease up after three cycles, but I'm close to the end of my third cycle, and if anything, it's just more intense. Now, I'm always angry and covered in zits. I'm 29. I definitely wouldn't recommend it, but I also don't think they make an alternative in the US that isn't a nightmare. I'm giving it one more month."

• Col...
• December 5, 2009

For Birth Control "I have taken Desogen for a month now. I feel like there are slight emotional changes: I cry a lot lately, and I get mad easily. However, the good side effect is that my boobs seem bigger, and my acne cleared up completely."

• ale...
• October 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for a month and a half. I experienced terrible bloating. I've been thin my whole life, always very active and able to eat whatever I wanted. With this pill, I constantly felt tired and had to monitor what I ate so I didn't gain weight (I gained about 5 pounds, still working out, although not as intense as before due to being tired, BUT I was eating less!) Also, this pill affected my mood a lot - it was a subtle change, but then a month and a half later I realized I never had the energy to do anything. I was sad quite often. My acne didn't improve at all, if anything, it made it worse. Breasts were tender. But, no decrease in sex drive and did prevent pregnancy."

• Fed...
• September 21, 2020

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."

• miu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I am taking the second cycle now. In general, I'm happy with my experience so far, and I'll keep taking it. Negative sides. During the first week, I felt sick to my stomach all the time, and I was super tired, but it went away. During the third week, I had mood swings and felt depressed, but I always feel this way a week before my period, so it was normal to me. Also, my boobs became larger, and it's a little painful to touch them, but that's okay. Positive sides. It feels really good not to worry about becoming pregnant. My sex drive is the same or even increased, weight is the same, appetite doesn't seem to increase. Period is less heavy, skin is better, acne is disappearing."

• unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have only been on this birth control for two weeks, and within the first day, I began experiencing cramps. I switched from my previous BC (Junel Fe) because I get very painful menstrual cramps, and Junel Fe was not getting rid of them. My OBGYN recommended Viorele to fix my cramps. I cannot even wait to find out if my period will be better because of the awful side effects I have been experiencing. I have the worst acne to the point where I couldn't look at myself in the mirror without crying, random cramping, back pains, and awful mood swings. I have already emailed my OBGYN to switch back to my previous BC, where I had no side effects. I will just suck up my cramps and take Midol and some Aleve. Do not recommend."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm a 30-year-old woman. I've had 3 kids, and my tubes are tied. I never thought I would be on birth control since I'm done having children, but this little pill has been a lifesaver. I started taking this birth control due to acne, super painful periods, and a hormonal imbalance. I started out on a different pill, which really didn't help me in the 4 months I took it. Then my doctor put me on this after I had a 2-inch cyst burst (birth control is supposed to help with those as well). I just finished my 1st pack, and I can tell a HUGE difference. My cyst pain was so bad it put me in bed for days, and now the pain is tolerable and much less frequent (getting better each day). My mood swings are less frequent, and my skin hasn't been this clear since before I hit puberty."

• Wou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2014

For Birth Control "Although Apri was very effective in doing its main job, preventing pregnancy, the side effects were very bad. I had perfectly clear skin prior to going on Apri, and about a month after starting, I started having very severe breakouts. I had noticeable mood swings that were not present before going on Apri. After being on Apri for 5 months, I have now switched to Sprintec, which is a pill with a higher dose of estrogen. After being on Sprintec for a month, I have noticed my skin clearing slightly and no crying spells before my period. Works better for me and would recommend it over Apri!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on Viorele for 3-4 years now and have had a somewhat okay experience with it. It has helped with my intense periods by a lot, and I don't get the infamous period pimples as often. But I have recently realized one thing that has been hurting in a more personal sense. I have been getting bad mood swings about 1-4 times a month, not just before my period either. It has been incredibly confusing, and I feel it has been hurting my relationship. I am generally more irritable and get random times ranging from a day to a few weeks of depression. I have also noticed that in the past year, once I stop taking the white pills and start on the sugar pills, my period can take almost a week to come, whereas in earlier years, if I missed for just a few hours or one day, I would start immediately. I don't know what that could mean, but I just thought it was weird. Can't get off the pill or intense periods immediately start again. Scared to try other pills that may have different or worse side effects. :/"

• Jjs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m 23 years old. I’ve switched from Viorele to Kariva because my pharmacy decided to switch it, and I just ended up taking it. I definitely do feel a bit more emotional than usual, but I don’t know if it’s casually linked to the Kariva. I realized a small rash of white pimples next to my mouth- which I’m hoping is not a side effect and is nothing serious. I’ve only been on this new pack for a week now, but I don’t really have any complaints. I liked my previous BC, Viorele, and they have the same exact active ingredients... so far I’m okay with the switch."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2015

For Birth Control "This pill put me in pretty deep depression. I was extremely emotional and cried about everything all the time. I didn't gain weight, but it didn't really help with acne, and it caused me to get my period about 2 times a month. I had to stop taking it because I was so sad all the time and couldn't stand it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Let me preface this by saying I have taken many different kinds of birth control pills throughout my teen and adult years. This is by far the BEST BCP for my cystic, hormonal acne. I've also taken Cyclessa, which is in the same family (desogestrel & triphasic) with the same results. Any time I went off of Caziant to 'switch it up' was when I started breaking out horribly in cystic bumps. If you suffer from hormonal acne, definitely give Caziant a try. Other benefits are light & short periods, very mild mood swings, normal sex drive, no weight gain."