Viorele and Depression: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• Sea...
• May 3, 2016

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."

• Sup...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Haven’t gotten pregnant on this, and my period is pretty light. It lasts about 5 days. My face is also pretty clear, except for random chin breakouts. However, I am SO moody/ sporadically depressed, have gained 15 lbs, and have a severely decreased sex drive. I kept thinking something was wrong with me because I’ve always been very easy-going/positive, but I’m beginning to think it’s this pill. Beware!"

• hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I've ever taken. I have been on it for a few months now, and it's making me miserable. Depression, constant aches and pains, bloating, decrease in sex drive, and yeast infections are most of my symptoms. Do not take this. I am going to quit taking birth control altogether if I cannot replace this one because I would rather have awful periods than deal with all of these side effects."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m beginning to think the cause of my low sex drive, depression and anxiety, and skin rash is due to this birth control. I always thought it was just me, but after reading similar reviews, I don’t think it’s just me."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2016

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrible. Been on Viorelle for 4 months now. I get severe headaches for a week, very lightheaded and dizzy. I haven't been able to get out of bed for the past 2 days, my body feels very weak, I can't get my exercise in, I feel very down. I feel this way every 3 weeks. I want to tell the entire world not to take these pills. I'm fine all month until the 3rd and 4th week, and then I experience all this. Awful. I can't wait to let my doctor know on Monday and can't wait to try something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2019

For Birth Control "Was switched to this Viorele from Azurette, and it’s the worst. Horrible mood swings, fatigue, depression, and low sex drive. The only good thing is no acne, but I’m only 20 and shouldn’t be tired all the time. I noticed this about a month after taking these and would rather stay off of them rather than put myself through that again."

• run...
• November 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Viorele for a little over two years. I started out with a prescription for Kariva, but CVS gave me the generic version, which is Viorele. I was really impressed at first because my face was very clear and my horrible cramps and backaches from my period went away. After a few months, I gained 20 pounds and 2 cup sizes and became very depressed and anxious. I did not know that Viorele was the cause of this until I went to my doctor. I just switched to a different birth control, and I am waiting to see if there is a difference. Overall, this was great for acne and cramping, but the depression and weight gain were not worth it."

• Ame...
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "My doc prescribed this for endometriosis. I've tried other BC pills, and right away they either made me depressed, nauseated, made my period last for weeks, gained weight, breasts ballooned up and were painful, cramps every day, acne, pretty much every awful side effect you can think of. But thankfully NOT on this pill. There have been zero side effects. Maybe for the first week I experienced mood swings at the same time at night when I took the pill, but it didn't last if that was related to it. I only gave it 9 out of 10 because I've just started the second month, and I'm keeping an open mind in case things were to change. But I'm so thrilled with it so far, and I hope it holds up!"

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2020

For Birth Control "On Viorele, I had horrible anxiety and depression after only taking it for a couple of days. It’s been a little over a week now, and it’s already caused me anxiety attacks and problems in my relationships and abdominal cramps. It made me dizzy and feel out of it too. After 9 days, I’m already done, I can’t continue to take it."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I have attempted this pill once before and have it another go, and I am unhappy with the side effects. I've experienced sore breasts, they have increased in size, severe dry eye, fatigue, depression, increased craving appetite for sugars and carbs than before, like I feel pregnant. I have no drive or desire to exercise or do anything. I feel like a different person :("

• 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."

• 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."

• 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. :/"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had a terrible time with birth controls, and this one was no different, except maybe the side effects were more extreme. Not only have I gained 10-20 pounds, but I have been extremely depressed and have had horrible nightmares. It took me a while to figure out that it was my BC, and I stopped immediately. My period was pretty regular, and I did not get pregnant, but the mood swings, depression, nightmares, and anxiety are unbearable. Absolutely do not recommend."

• 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."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Viorele for approximately 2 years. It worked great for clearing up my cystic acne, and it did its job in preventing pregnancy; however, I’ve noticed the following for the past 2 years: -NO desire to be intimate/NO sex drive. This has hurt my relationship, as I now have sex with my fiancé only once a month, if that! -UNRULY CRAVINGS, which led to 25 lb. weight gain. Currently medically diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder -moody, irritable, and short-tempered demeanor -increase in anxiety and depression. The only reason I continued to take Viorele was because it was completely free with my insurance, but it’s clearly not worth it. In my opinion, you should definitely consider another BC pill/method!"

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For Birth Control "I wouldn’t recommend this birth control to my worst enemy. Haven’t even been on it 2 months and have noticed severe depression and intrusive thoughts along with heightened anxiety. Also, it has made me have so much discharge that I can’t even exercise without a noise being made. The depression caused me to start getting behind in all of my college classes and has made me want to sleep 24/7. Just no. I personally am cold turkeying being off birth control for the first time in my life after this. Enough was enough."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on Viorele for the past 4 months, and within that time, I have gained between 15-20 lbs. I have severe bouts of depression and anxiety, I have chronic migraines that have intensified in pain and occurrence, and the lowest libido I've ever experienced in my sexual history. Thank goodness my boyfriend is the amazing man he is, because I would have left me due to the irritability alone! The only plus about this pill for me is the regulation of my cycle, the clear skin, and the fact that I'm not pregnant. I have set an appointment to get back on the IUD."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking this BC for 3 months now and just had my gyno switch brands today. I have been incredibly irritable, anxious, and depressed. I feel like I'm PMS'ing 24/7. I've also experienced some pretty painful menstrual cramping. I do not recommend this brand at all."

• Ell...
• December 3, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill served its function, it helped my acne, periods, and, of course, prevented pregnancy. I was on this pill for over a year, and my sex drive was nonexistent. It got to a point where it took a toll on my relationships, my depression, and self-esteem. Now that I've been off the pill for about six months, my libido is slowly coming back, but it's not like it used to be."

• Pro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 27, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Viorele for 4 years now (I’m 33 yrs old). Overall, I really like this pill. Before this pill, I used to take Lolo, and I went crazy with that pill (depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.). I’ve always been a very happy person, so I knew it was the pill making me crazy. Pros: When I switched to Viorele, depression went away almost right away, I started to lose weight at first, no mood swings, my periods regulated, and my skin is 10/10. Cons: zero sex drive, 1 year after starting to take it I yo-yoed and started gaining weight at a fast pace (30 lbs heavier), no kids, never been pregnant, even though I’ve been eating the same and I’m as active as I used to be. I am constantly bloated and sluggish. I’ve tried working out a little more, but it’s extra hard losing any weight at all. I decided to take a break from birth control to see my body’s natural full potential and to see if it’s the birth control or just age. I’ll keep you posted 3-4 months from now."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Viorele for a single month. I have experienced the worst acne I've had in years, my depression has gotten significantly worse, my blood pressure (which is usually spot-on perfect) is frequently high, and my mood swings are horrible."

• Ryl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Viorele for 4 months. At first, all was great. But then I started having severe side effects. First was painful, cystic hormonal acne, and I’ve never struggled with acne. Then, slow sex drive, like zero, which has impacted my relationship with my partner. I noticed I was having severe PMS, depression, anxiety a week before my period. Now it’s turned into full-blown panic attacks, which I’ve never experienced before, and it’s scary. I feel fatigued, depressed, anxious, dizzy, and weak all the time. I do not feel like myself, and it’s really impacted my life. I also gained 15 pounds, even though I eat pretty healthy and work out. I would NOT recommend this BC. It’s horrible. I can’t believe it’s even on the market. Beware!"