Viorele and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 1, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been using this birth control for almost 4 years now because of my heavy periods and painful cramping. It has done its job as far as pregnancy prevention, and I no longer have heavy or painful periods. However, my mood is always off, and my sex drive has really plummeted, this is not like me at all. I’ve also noticed I often get yeast infections and am always extremely tired. I will be discontinuing this birth control and all others permanently."

• 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."

• RTN...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 8, 2018

For Birth Control "A lot of these comments on here are negative and complaining about the pill when only using it for a few weeks or so. It takes ages to get your body regulated with the pill and normal. I have been on this pill for 6 1/2 years, nonstop. I get some mood swings around my period time, but that’s normal. The only thing I’d complain about is my sex drive is at an all-time low, but my acne and period are so much better."

• ids...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I did not believe the reviews when they said their sex drive was next to nothing on this pill because I was a very active person, but lo and behold. My boyfriend thinks I don’t want him anymore, and the mood swings and blind rage I experience on this pill do not help. The only reason he stayed is because he knew what I was like before this pill. I just switched birth control, so I’m hoping for the best."

• Mni...
• July 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm going into my fourth month taking Viorele, and I'm surprised at how well my body has reacted to this BC. I was on Lo Loestrin Fe (for about 6 months) and Gildess Fe (about two years) prior to switching to Viorele. I haven't had any migraines, mood swings, or breakouts since starting the pill. I usually have all those symptoms when starting something new. Also, my period cramping, bloating, and pain have significantly decreased with the help of this pill. It also helped clear up my cystic acne, and my weight has remained stable. The only negative about Viorele for me was the extreme tenderness and soreness in my breasts. My breasts are the most painful upon waking up in the morning, but then the feeling somewhat subsides. I'm pretty happy."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Kel...
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill made me nauseous the first 2 months I took it. I gave it a while to kick in; after that, it works wonderfully. My acne has gone away, I do not have any weight gain, decreasing weight actually. My breasts have enlarged somewhat. Overall, it's a great pill and very effective. The only downside is I can get emotional, but that's every girl, right? ;)"

• 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."

• I...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 15, 2020

For Birth Control "Haven’t had many issues with Viorele. Sometimes I accidentally skip a pill, which will cause my period to come at an earlier time, but that’s definitely my fault! My periods are much lighter, but longer than before, lasting 7-8 days. I used to have horrible back cramps on my period, but this stuff has helped tremendously! I definitely think I’m more emotional, but I feel as though that’s probably natural and not very alarming! I’ve had no issues with sex drive."

• Jme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I just started using Viorele about a week ago. I have tried many birth controls in the past, and by far this is the best one. I haven't had any side effects like I have with others: no mood swings, headaches, irritability, and nausea. Hopefully, it is able to control my irregular and painful period. I'll find out in 3 weeks."

• Pam...
• October 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst birth control ever, made me sick. I have headaches since day one, mood swings, anxious, was feeling terrible. So I found out that a lot of people taking this birth control are having the same conditions, so I stopped. The next day my headache was gone."

• Moo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I absolutely LOVE this pill! I kept having to try different types of combination pills, and they were all making me extremely hormonal/emotional and break out the worst I ever have. Finally, I’ve found the pill that works well with my body! I highly recommend it."

• 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."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Started taking Viorele about a week ago because the birth control that I was on before (Kariva) wasn’t in stock at Walgreens. So they just switched me to Viorele. I have been feeling super sick all week. Very bad mood swings, bad neck and head pains, and also was very bloated. Once I figured out that it was the birth control that made me feel this way, I immediately switched back to Kariva."

• Not...
• May 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I was put on Viorele pill, and overall experience wasn't too bad. I did experience bad mood swings, and that just isn't me. Frequent headaches and no sex drive. The worst part of all... losing my hair! After a year, I started to notice my hair thinning and wondering what the heck was going on. I look back at the side effects, and lo and behold, I see loss of scalp hair. Stopped taking it for a few months now, but will have my gyno switch me to something else."

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2017

For Birth Control "This is the only BC that I have been able to tolerate since I had my first child over 10 years ago. I had no problems prior to pregnancy. I had a hard time after my 2nd child. No period, thyroiditis, mood swings, depression... yuck! I have evened out now. I did have headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood swings in the beginning. Currently on the 5th month. I do suffer from insomnia but often wonder if Viorele is making it worse. I had many other symptoms that were way worse than starting on Viorele. It's calmed me and fatigue is trying to leave. My bowels are affected during the yellow pills and first few days of a new pack. Meds affect everyone differently. I was about out of options, glad the side effects are diminishing."

• soy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2021

For Birth Control "I don't need birth control for reproductive reasons, but had noticeable and severe changes in mood without birth control. I have been taking Viorele for eight months, and the depressive mood swings are practically gone. I even lost a little weight too, even though it wasn't something I was particularly worried about or looking to do. I'm thankful I have had a good experience with this birth control, as I read the reviews on here before starting, and it really worried me. Everyone is different, but this stuff has worked wonders on me."