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

• Not...
• October 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I was having extremely heavy, painful periods about 2-3 weeks apart, so my doctor decided we should try a pill. I had stopped bleeding, and on day 3 of Viorele, I started bleeding again, and I’ve bled through the entire pack! I have had cramps, migraines, low sex drive, and I’m extremely irritable. This is not normal for me! I do not recommend this one!"

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2011

For Birth Control "I started this in September 2010 and continued to use it until July 2011. Everything about it was great except for one thing, no sex drive whatsoever. My periods were short and light, no weight gain or bloating, no cramping or mood swings, however, the no sex drive didn't work for me. After being off of it for a month or so, my libido returned."

• Cle...
• June 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Reclipsen for 3 weeks. I have been experiencing severe depression, anxiety, and mood swings. My sex drive is very low, and I cry uncontrollably and for no reason. I was on Apri prior to this, and it worked well and made me very even-keel. I will be switching back at my next doctor's visit."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This will be my 4th month using Kariva. The only thing it helped with (besides preventing pregnancy) was making my period shorter. I went from 8 long, heavy, and painful days to only 2 very light, no pain days! Other than that, I've been miserable. It hasn't helped with acne at all; it actually started to cause body acne, which I've never had. Also, a huge issue that I have: I'm VERY dry down there; causing it to hurt during my period when I want to insert a tampon AND painful sex. I can't even begin to describe how painful it is; it's like my insides are being torn apart, and the pain doesn't go away for hours after trying to have sex. It's taking a huge toll on my relationship. I would not recommend this pill. I will have to talk to my doctor soon."

• 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."

• Oce...
• February 1, 2018

For Birth Control "Moody, depression, lethargic, weight gain, and overall more emotional. Lost my sex drive completely, and my depression has taken over my life. It’s awful, and I wouldn’t recommend this to my worst enemy. Take anything else. I have been on 7 different types of birth control, and this has been the second to worst, the worst being the Depo-Provera shot. I am getting off of it as quick as I can right now. The only good things about this medication are that it decreased my cramping and cleared up my face in the beginning. Please don’t take this. I felt awful for so long because I was recommended to “wait it out” for 3 months to “get used to it.” I was on it for a year and a half, and nothing has changed. Don’t do it!"

• Kyl...
• February 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about a year, personally, it helped stabilize my emotions. The pill I was on previously made it so that I was constantly emotional. Sobbing constantly, snappy, and always frustrated, plus extremely tired. The only problems I have with Azurette are that I now have extreme cramps, and I also have issues with my sex drive. My sex drive is super high, but sex is extremely painful if I'm taking my pill."

• KJ1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about six months now, and it's by far the best one I've ever taken. It definitely does the job: no babies and lighter periods. The first month was hard, depressed, and low sex drive, but those symptoms have gone now. I started the pack on the first day after my period, it has completely cleared up any acne, my boobs have gone up a size, and I feel I've lost some weight due to a lack of appetite. I think if you can get through the first month without any serious problems, this medication should work out fine for you. My only issue I would say is some months my period is a few days off."

• Ale...
• May 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I've jumped around to many birth control pills through the years - some landed me in the hospital with severe, blinding abdominal pain, some made me suicidal, and some made me nauseous. This is the first one that did not do that, so I was thrilled. It also bettered my severe, cystic hormonal acne to only about a blemish or two a month. However, it absolutely killed every ounce of my sex drive, which used to be high and healthy. That's been very frustrating. Otherwise, okay pill."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2012

For Birth Control "I have only been on Apri for about a month now, and I love it. I have not gained any weight, my sex drive is the same as it was before I started taking the pill, and my insurance covers it. I get it for no cost at all. I don't know why everyone thinks that one pill is going to give everyone that takes it the same side effects. Every person is going to have different side effects, and some will have the same, but the pill is going to react differently to every woman who takes it. This pill overall is my favorite. I absolutely love this pill. It's effective and affordable."

• LK2...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I take the pill at the same time every day, and it has been effective in preventing pregnancies, however, my sex drive is now non-existent, whereas before I had an extremely high sex drive. I also have vaginal dryness now, which is very annoying. Haven't had any other issues besides that, but it is frustrating to deal with at times."

• fay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for four months now. The first was the worst, I was irritable, frequently sad, lethargic, and just overall moody. It cleared up my face and didn't change much in the way of flow on my period but did make them shorter. My sex drive has also decreased, as well as my eating habits. I find myself less hungry, but my breasts have grown in size. Now, four months later, I've been spotting non-stop for the past two weeks, and my face is breaking out in acne that rests under the skin. Going to change my prescription soon, but for a while, it was definitely tolerable."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

For Birth Control "I, my boobs got huge on this pill, but as well as them, I also gained extra weight on my hips. I completely lost my sex drive as well, so it is hurting my relationship. As well, it has been making me so moody. I give this drug a 5 because I never got pregnant. However, the side effects were bad."

• Kan...
• July 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Viorele for maybe two years now. Everything seemed to be fine up until the last year. My sex drive has been incredibly low, and I’ve been getting re-occurring problems down there, whether it’s BV or yeast infections, I never know. I’ve been with the same partner for almost two years, and I properly take care of my lady parts, however, I keep getting extremely irritated down there. I don’t know if this has any correlation with the pill, but despite taking antibiotics for BV, I remain having issues. I noticed this past year my sex drive plummeted. I mean, I never have the desire anymore. I am very much attracted to my partner, but no matter what, unless I’m intoxicated, I am not in the mood. Besides these two negative potential effects, I have had no other issues that I know of."

• KAa...
• May 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have always used the pill, and so far this birth control has not affected my mood, appetite, or libido negatively. My breasts have gotten larger, which is okay with me. I have been on it a month and plan on sticking to it. Very pleased so far, I had tried several other pills like Tri-Cyclen Lo and the regular Tri-Cyclen and feel Ortho-Cept is much better."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2019

For Birth Control "This medicine has been in my life for 4 months, and in those 4 months, I’ve had the worst decrease in libido. Sex has become undesirable, and it’s impossible to get turned on. Not only that, I’ve been nauseous and moody. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone."

• JCa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill got changed on me without notice. I started taking it with no questions asked, but it's making me not interested in sex with or kissing my husband, and both of us are upset about it. I'm gonna be changing to a different pill because this one is not for me."

• iFr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I first started using Reclipsen about a year ago. The first thing that I noticed was that my libido was noticeably reduced (which was a bit annoying), and my overall emotions were dulled a bit, so that I was more indifferent to things than before. Although I don't particularly mind this, that might be a breaking point for someone else. I tried Enskyce for a bit and ended up switching back due to side effects. Reclipsen works better for me and keeps my periods light and regular. I've never had an issue with weight gain or acne, so that's something to be considered as well. All in all, I'm happy with it."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Apri for 6 months now. My acne has come back, I have horrible and frequent mood swings. I've gained at least 8 pounds around my hips. I completely lost my sex drive, which is ruining my relationship with my boyfriend. I have horrible cramps the whole week before and during my period, and I get it for at least 5 days. The kicker is, it was the perfect pill for the first couple of months, so watch out. I'm going to the doctor this week to switch."

• jwa...
• May 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Kariva for probably 3 years or less now, and it is my favorite BC. I have tried others with crazy emotional side effects and heavy bleeding. Kariva gets rid of my period about 99% of the time, and with that, it decreases sex drive. It got rid of my acne and constant hot flashes. I didn't gain any weight on it. In fact, I just came off of Kariva a few weeks ago due to a severe yeast infection, which I had no idea what was causing, and since then my hormones are insane from being off of it. I keep binge eating, have cramps, my vagina is almost tingling a lot, my face gets very flush and red, and my skin is super dry. I gained 6 lbs in that time and hadn't changed my eating patterns. I am going back on Kariva due to this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Kariva for about 3 years now. I originally went on the pill for my severe cramps and heavy bleeding. After one month, my acne cleared up, my period got much shorter, and my cramps were less intense. However, I have gained 20 pounds and a full cup size since being on the pill. In addition, I have absolutely no sex drive and a lot of dryness. Though I have experienced anxiety before taking the pill, it has gotten much worse since being on it. My PMS is much more severe as well."

• Sua...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for 2 years, but my stupid insurance forced me to switch pharmacies, and now the pharmacy only has Kariva. I really like Azurette, and while, yeah, it completely killed my sex drive, I honestly don't really care, lol. The biggest thing it did was cure my debilitating periods. I used to have to take a day off work during my period, but thanks to this, I could actually go to work during my period again. The periods also got shorter and lighter. Hope the new pill keeps up the momentum. Once in a while, though, I'd have really bad mood swings, but it wasn't common, and I didn't gain weight or anything."

• 24...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2015

For Birth Control "Reduced my libido to absolutely nothing, daily migraines, cystic acne, cramps became worse, I had no emotions, hair loss/lifeless hair, and I gained 8 pounds within one month of starting this birth control. I just stopped taking this medication, and hopefully my body will be able to get back to normal. I have taken other birth control medications in the past, and none of them affected me like this one, so just beware of Reclipsen."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I was switched to Viorele from Azurette about 3-4 months ago. Azurette was amazing. Light periods, no cramps, no acne, no mood swings, no weight gain, and did not mess with my libido whatsoever. It worked with my body perfectly. Since I've been put on Viorele, I've had the WORST mood swings and bad depression. My boyfriend has even noticed that I never want to do anything anymore and am on the verge of crying/having anger episodes. I have not been myself since I've been on Viorele. I was on my period for literally the first 2 months of taking it. I also have had NO sex drive, which is also affecting my relationship. I know different medications affect differently to each person, but I wanted to share mine with this medication."

• D32...
• June 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis, and my doctor wants me to continuously use this with 3-4 breaks per year to minimize the endometrial growth. I had terrible nausea and bad acne in the beginning, not to mention I spotted for a month straight and then bled a period flow for another month. Taking this pill before bedtime helped with the nausea. I've been taking this pill for 4 months now and have gained 5-10 lbs, the acne is still bad (I'm 34 and no longer had it before Apri). Oh, and my libido is nonexistent since taking this medication. I figured it wouldn't happen to me since I had a very strong libido, but it is now gone. I'm going to ask my doctor to change this medication."