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

• Cho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2015

For Birth Control "Pros: I never became pregnant, I had less frequent and severe cramps, and it may have helped with acne, although I started a new regimen around the same time. Cons: within the first month of starting, I had a yeast infection, and over the next 2 years, I would have some kind of vaginal or bladder infection every other month. My libido decreased dramatically, and in addition to that, I was constantly dry down there. I experienced some dizziness and nausea, which is to be expected. Lastly, I became a huge crybaby when I used to be able to count how many times I cried in a year on one hand."

• azn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "My skin has cleared up immensely, my periods are lighter with way fewer intense cramps, and I haven't been paranoid about pregnancy scares in forever! The placebo pills week has made my period quite regular too. The only downside is perhaps a lowered or nonexistent libido. Like, it's just completely gone. But that's okay! I'll take all the benefits over the one disadvantage! Been taking it for over six months now -- I never want to go off this birth control."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2020

For Birth Control "Viorele was the first birth control I tried. I started it in Feb 2020, and I just switched over to Sprintec to give that one a whirl. Every single body is different, so it is so hard for you to base an opinion on what has happened to me. I hate birth control for this exact reason. It is so, so hard to find one that works for your body. Trial and error. But my sex drive is low. I work out hard 5 days a week, the bare minimum of calories I burn a day is 800, and I cannot lose a single pound on this stuff, it is so frustrating! And I have also noticed that I am very tired, and my temper is very short with my husband. I hate that birth control works differently literally on everyone, so don't let this one post stop you from trying what might be the best BC for you! You have to try for yourself. The whole reason I started with this BC was because of how good the reviews were. I need to stay off of the reviews and trust what the doctor says."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this pill for a year and a half before I decided enough was enough. It cleared my face up, and I did not experience tremendous weight gain, but I lost my sex drive and became extremely moody and depressed. I was crying over everything, I was always irritated and angry at my boyfriend, and on top of that, I never wanted him to touch me. I stopped taking the pill about three weeks ago, and I cannot begin to explain the difference that I already feel. I finally feel like my bubbly, lovable self again, and it feels great."

• man...
• October 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for a year and was recently put on another, then forced back due to a recall. I was so sad to be put back on Apri. While off for 2 months, my weight had gone down, and my sex drive went back to normal, and I had energy again. Now back on for not even a month, and everything is getting messed up again. It's not the pill's fault, but you may notice weight gain, feel sluggish, and a lower sex drive if your body reacts to this the same way I do. :( It's time to figure out something else... My body and relationship can't go through this again."

• gia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I am 20 and have been on this birth control for years. I mean at least 3-4. I can say I have absolutely zero sex drive whatsoever. I didn’t even understand how girls were even interested in sex at my age, or even in the slightest. It made no sense to me. It’s really sucked. I am still on it to this day because I am prescribed Accutane and you have to be on a contraceptive to be on it. I haven’t noticed my skin get any better on this, but I didn’t even know people switched birth controls and have been living in sadness for years. I don’t know if the sadness is from the birth control or not, but it’s also been there for years. I hate these pills with a passion. Don’t be me, who feels like an 80-year-old woman with no sex drive and just feels like general garbage."

• Gui...
• June 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on Isibloom since around October of 2019 (a year and 8 months). I got prescribed the pill through the Pill Clubs online service. My first year was phenomenal! However, around November of 2020, I started having terrible constant nausea. I took several pregnancy tests that all came out negative. Around the same time, my depression became a lot worse, my anxiety was through the roof, everything made me cry, I had a never-ending yeast infection, and I lost all my libido (+ intercourse became painful and uncomfortable). Last week, I stopped my birth control to let my period come (it’s been a few months) and all of a sudden I feel like myself. My libido is back, I no longer feel bloated or nauseous, and my mood swings evened out. My period ended 6 days ago, and I’ve been back on the pill, I’m back to feeling completely terrible! Tonight I’m extremely nauseous and can’t even sleep. I’m going to stop taking it!"

• Gui...
• June 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on Isibloom since around October of 2019 (a year and 8 months). I got prescribed the pill through the Pill Clubs online service. My first year was phenomenal! However, around November of 2020, I started having terrible constant nausea. I took several pregnancy tests that all came out negative. Around the same time, my depression became a lot worse, my anxiety was through the roof, everything made me cry, I had a never-ending yeast infection, and I lost all my libido (+ intercourse became painful and uncomfortable). Last week, I stopped my birth control to let my period come (it’s been a few months) and all of a sudden I feel like myself. My libido is back, I no longer feel bloated or nauseous, and my mood swings evened out. My period ended 6 days ago, and I’ve been back on the pill, I’m back to feeling completely terrible! Tonight I’m extremely nauseous and can’t even sleep. I’m going to stop taking it!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2018

For Birth Control "I was switched from Junel to Apri because of breakthrough bleeding. While that has been fixed, Apri has some pretty serious negative side effects for me. My mood is completely unstable and swings terribly, and my anxiety is uncontrollable. Sex drive is basically nonexistent. Other than that, no weight gain, acne, lighter periods, and less painful cramping (my cramps were unbearable before)."

• Ima...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

For Birth Control "First 2 months I was very sensitive. Not moody, but extremely sensitive. Literally everything made me cry. Now I’m on my 4th month and everything's fine. I love it! I also have endometriosis and I have been struggling with horrible bloating, cramps, and painful sex. All that is now gone. Only thing that it hasn't done is clearing my face from pimples. But that’s alright as long as my endo is under control."

• Hal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on it for about a year. I went from never on birth control before to this one. The first 3 days were full of nausea and migraines, but after that, it's been fine. No weight gain, no tender breasts or acne, no mood swings, it's mostly fine. I've noticed a decrease in my libido, but it was already super high and spontaneous, so it's just average now. If you already have a low libido, I wouldn't recommend it. My periods are a lot better, less painful, but just as heavy. It's okay overall for me."

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking this BC for almost 4 months now, and it's been amazing for me. I see a lot of negativity, but everyone is different. I had been previously on several different BC pills, plus before on the Depo shot, and with all the others, I had so many issues: breakthrough bleeding, acne, depression, anxiety, loss of energy, libido, and focus, foggy type feeling. On the last birth control I took, I had severe bleeding for 3 weeks, which caused me to almost pass out several times. As soon as I finished the first pack of Viorele, my symptoms cleared up. I haven't had any issues with this pill except a little acne and gaining some cup size, but I actually lost weight with this pill, which is amazing because with all the others it was impossible. I started taking BC after I had my son and was having 3-month-long periods. This BC has regulated my periods so much, and I have increased energy, focus, and libido."

• Reb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this medication for a month and a half and had to stop. It completely lowered my libido and made intercourse hurt very badly. On top of all of that, it gave me constant cramping even when not on my period. I truly do not suggest this pill, but it may work for others."

• Reb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this medication for a month and a half and had to stop. It completely lowered my libido and made intercourse hurt very badly. On top of all of that, it gave me constant cramping even when not on my period. I truly do not suggest this pill, but it may work for others."

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

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."

• Rue...
• November 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Azurette, the generic of Mircette, was okay. I had high, high hopes. This was the least offensive emotionally of the combo pills, but it did restart my migraines and completely got rid of my sex drive. Like it annihilated it. Also, a lot of dryness, so I moved on. Sorry Azurette, it’s a no-go. Also, constant spotting for a month and then some."

• 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
• June 12, 2010

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."

• pes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I had been on Reclipsen for a year and use it to regulate and skip periods. From the very start, everything was going well. I had better skin, no weight gain, when I skipped, there was no spotting or anything. But I did notice that when I would stand up too fast, I would have a slight and short cramp. And it wasn't until I just tried out a new birth control (Microgestin for 3 weeks) that I noticed how Reclipsen depleted my sex drive completely. I might end up switching back to Reclipsen and try taking B vitamins."

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

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."

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

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."

• Rec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2013

For Birth Control "Worsens depression, fatigue, increased appetite, weight gain, bloating, constant mild fever, headaches, unstable mood swings, decrease in sex drive overall but spikes in demand for sex at certain times (unstable). It did work as a birth control and did not worsen or help with my slight acne. I was on bupropion 300 mg for a few months before I started Reclipsen. It countered the positive effects of bupropion: increased energy, decreased appetite."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I am not happy with Reclipsen. I have gained a ton of weight in the last 3 months I have been on it. I get super nauseous in the mornings, and I have one extremely bad migraine on the last day of the pills. I changed to Reclipsen because my other BC was giving me headaches. Now I'm fat and have zero sex drive. I am going to stop Reclipsen ASAP."

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

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."

• kel...
• October 6, 2016

For Birth Control "So, this is the only pill I've ever been on, so I don't have much to compare it to. However, after reading all the negative reviews, I felt I should chime in. I'm on my second month of this pill, and I'm almost done with it. So far, it's actually helped regulate my weight, which is awesome. The first month was kind of rough, I was spotty the entire pack. Once I started up the second pack, everything cleared up, and I've been good since! Worst part of this pill: no sex drive. It really does dry you up. I'm hoping this clears up after the third pack because my doctor told me to give it until then."