Gianvi and Depression: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I hate writing bad reviews, but please do not use this birth control! I have been on it over a month and bleeding nonstop, having anxiety attacks all day long while at work, intrusive awful thoughts, vision feels different and blurry, feeling depressed and moody one minute, the next I'm fine. Will not be taking any more pills on this brand. I was on Loryna (which they say is comparable), and it is not. I felt perfectly fine on Loryna and figured it would be the same on Gianvi. It’s not, I don’t want this to happen to anyone else, so please girls watch out."

• Sop...
• April 23, 2019

For Birth Control "This was one of the worst experiences of my life. Women who have a history of anxiety and depression should be warned not to take the Gianvi contraceptive pill. It made me have horrifying panic attacks and an episode of depression. I felt very drowsy, constantly nauseous, and fatigued. I am not on any other type of medication and have a very active, healthy lifestyle. This pill was like poison for the whole body. I am so angry I wasn’t warned about all these very serious side effects."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2010

For Birth Control "In my third month of taking Gianvi, I have had major mood swings, depression, anxiety, and changes in appetite varying from nausea to overeating. I have not felt like this before with any other birth control. A little with Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, but I don't think it is as bad as this. I feel like I'm at constant war with myself to keep my emotions and my feelings in line. I'm not usually an emotional person, so all these feelings are very overwhelming and frustrating. I have an appointment in a week to go to Planned Parenthood and ask for a different kind of birth control. I've decided to stop taking it today. It does work, however, I have not gotten pregnant."

• Mis...
• October 15, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have been on Gianvi around 7 months now for PMDD. Prior to Gianvi, I had the copper IUD, which I didn't like. Every month, I would get suicidal depression before my period. I did the research and found out about PMDD. I started taking Gianvi, and my 1st month on it was the happiest I'd been in a while. I felt a lot more balanced and less stressed. Maybe it was a placebo effect because the following months weren't necessarily as great, but my PMDD was still WAY better. Last month, switched me to Loryna, which was making me feel so depressed and crazy, I stopped taking it after 2 weeks. After a lot of desperate searching, I found another pharmacy that carries Gianvi and am back on it. It has only been a few days, and I feel back to normal. I haven't had any negative effects, no weight gain, and if anything, my skin has improved. I know birth control isn't necessarily the most natural or healthy thing, but it is better than feeling suicidal every month. I have tried lots of different birth controls, and this is the only one I have liked."

• Anonymous
• July 3, 2011

For Birth Control "Okay, I'll do pros and cons here because there is plenty to say for both: Pros: Cleared up my acne tremendously! I only broke out slightly around my period, but other than that, I was the clearest I had been since puberty! Also, my breasts went up about half a cup size, which is always fun. In terms of weight, I didn't notice much of a difference, neither loss nor gain. CON: It made me horribly depressed. It was a gradual slump, but after about 5 months on it, I went from being bubbly, social, and a dedicated student-athlete to someone who didn't want to do much but sit in bed and sleep all day. I was still sociable, but it took effort. I finally stopped Gianvi and was back to normal in a month. Everyone's different, but be careful on this medicine."

• sad...
• February 24, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "This pill was great for the first couple of months. My acne cleared, which was a problem due to my PCOS, and my periods were finally regular. I could feel these mood swings coming on, but I felt like a demon. This all hit me full force after I passed the third month. I was irritated at the smallest things, zero libido, it was an out-of-body experience. My self-esteem plummeted to where I never wanted to even look at myself, severely depressed and anxious, which I have not struggled with in the past, and gained 15 pounds out of nowhere. I couldn’t go an hour without crying. One day I almost had to pull over while driving because I couldn’t breathe. The way these hormones hit me was a nightmare, I am never ever going back to the pill. I’ve done too much trial and error for this, it’s not worth my mental health/state of mind. One week off of it and I feel like myself again, thank goodness. Avoid Gianvi if you want to keep your brain the same!!!!"

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I was really worried about starting on Gianvi after reading all of these negative reviews. It started out fine, with no major mood shifts. But then I started on my second pack and was in the depths of despair. I have a history of depression and anxiety, so I was not sure whether it was the birth control, but it got to the point where I was in such a dark place. I decided to stop Gianvi and instantly felt better. It was like a cloud lifted off my head. People react differently to this, so I’m not dissuading someone from trying it. But just be vigilant for the side effects."

• pol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

For Birth Control "If you have or had anxiety, DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL. From someone who suffers from anxiety day to day, this pill made me experience anxiety attacks like I've never felt before. Terrible depression followed, I never had a history of depression, and this pill gave it to me."

• geo...
• January 7, 2013

For Acne "I just started on this birth control. I switched from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Unfortunately, I have horrible acne on my back and some on my face, especially during that time of the month. Since I started taking this birth control, I have noticed the acne on my back is starting to clear up. My face is getting better also. I noticed I'm not as hungry either. I haven't experienced crazy mood swings or depression, even if I did, I'd probably stick it out because I've had back acne since I was 16 years old, and I'm 21 now. I'm ready for my back to look normal again. I recommend this pill."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Gianvi for a month. I found myself in a spiraling depression to the point that I was crying daily. I had terrible anxiety and trouble concentrating. I couldn't focus and had trouble sleeping. I couldn't figure out why I was in such a funk until I got my period and suddenly felt better. I then googled Gianvi and discovered that this level of depression and anxiety isn't uncommon on this pill."

• Tay...
• January 23, 2011

For Birth Control "I had never been on birth control before Gianvi. My boyfriend and I both wanted me to take it, and if there's anything positive I have to say about it, it is it does its job with preventing pregnancy. Other than that, I have incredible mood swings from happy to incredibly depressed. Ever since I started taking it about 5 or 6 months ago, I haven't in the slightest bit been as happy as I used to be. My personality has completely changed, I've lost weight honestly. I get mad over little things, etc. etc. I don't know. It's tearing me apart. I don't recommend it to anyone."

• Tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Have been taking this a full month now. I started because I developed hormonal acne during my period, but now I’m actually regretting starting the Gianvi!!! My skin is so bad. Actually terrible. Little tiny bumps all over my face and pus-filled pimples, cysts. You name it. Eating away at my face. It’s only been a month, so I’ll wait 2 more because I heard that can happen. If no changes, I’m off this ASAP. Otherwise, I haven’t experienced any of the mentally altering side effects, my mood is the same. No depression or panic attacks. Oh, also unsure if I’m spotting or if I got my period and it’s very light?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I took this birth control for about 4 months at first. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and I don’t remember having it be exacerbated when I first started, but after a couple of months on this pill, I started having extreme mood swings, irritability, crying spells, and a lower libido. I went off of it for almost 2 months and felt stable and not depressed. I recently tried to go on it again because I totally had amnesia about how horrible I felt on it towards the end, but I have felt horrible, irritable, anxious, and depressed since I started 3 weeks ago. I stopped taking it a week ago, and I feel like my body and hormones are going haywire, so I am hoping that I feel better soon. I have tried multiple oral contraception pills, and I will probably not be trying another one."

• Anonymous
• October 12, 2011

For Birth Control "The only reason I would rate this a 5 is because it has prevented pregnancy, but since I started Gianvi 6 months ago, I have been depressed, irritable, angry, unmotivated, and absolutely NO SEX DRIVE. This may be why this pill works so well."

• Ind...
• August 18, 2017

For Acne "I am not one to write reviews, but I'm compelled to warn others about the serious side effects I've experienced. I took Gianvi after I took Yaz, and because both pills contain the same amount of hormones, I thought that I would have the same fine experience with Gianvi as I did with Yaz. Upon my first week into the pill, I became depressed and dealt with some serious anxiety. These mental symptoms only worsened as the days progressed, and as I approached the end of the pack, I suffered constant suicidal thoughts. Once I realized that this pill was the cause of my madness, I immediately stopped. It's been 2 days since I last took the pill, and I feel better already. Also, the pill did nothing for my moderately to severe acne."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2013

For Birth Control "My gynecologist put me on Gianvi for my skin. I was so excited to have a pill that would focus mainly on my skin problem that I have been having for years. I didn't see any difference in the change of my skin. And the worst part was my mood swings. It caused major problems with my boyfriend and me fighting all the time and him seeing the change in me. It also made me feel super depressed all the time, with headaches almost every other day. After two months on this pill, I couldn't wait to switch. Now I'm on Generess Fe and couldn't be happier. Stay away!"

• Naa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I am so glad there are other reviews here. I thought I was losing my mental health. This pill has made me an absolute crazy person. I can't tell you the effects this has had on my life and my relationships (friends, work, boyfriend). I've been extremely depressed and have had bursts of rage and/or tears. I started to realize (in the midst of an emotional breakdown) that the way I was reacting to things was not normal. I finally connected the dots and realized it was because my pill changed to Gianvi 3 weeks ago. I've been on BC for 10 years, so I don't think it was just an adjustment. Also had really bad acne, but that was the least of my worries."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Started taking this birth control the second week in August. After a week on the pill, I suffered an intense panic attack. Something that I had never experienced before, especially since nothing in my life had changed besides the birth control. Since then, symptoms of anxiety, crying, and depression have been on and off. My period still isn’t regular. After almost two months off this medication, I am just now feeling like myself again. Everyone is different and responds to medication differently. However, I would just be aware of these symptoms just in case."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2010

For Birth Control "I got switched to Gianvi from Yaz a little over a month ago. For the past few weeks, I've been extremely emotional. I find myself almost in tears over the slightest things that normally I wouldn't even have noticed they were said. I'm suddenly very down, and it takes a lot of motivation to get myself moving. I've already got another brand for when this pack runs out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Be careful with this birth control if you have a history of anxiety or mood disorder. I had a history of major depression (episodic) and read warnings with this medication, was skeptical of it but decided to try. I kept a journal of my moods for the 9 days that I took Gianvi. I believe it started to make me depressed. Not sure if this was the effect of switching to new birth control (I was on Trinessa for 9 years before it was discontinued) but I believe it was the medication itself. I was very obsessive over minute things at work and in my relationship, irritable and impatient to the point that I was cruel to my BF, and started to have feelings of hopelessness when I was by myself. Two days after I stopped taking it, it was like a cloud was lifted from over me. Be cautious, it was not good for my mental health."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Be careful with this birth control if you have a history of anxiety or mood disorder. I had a history of major depression (episodic) and read warnings with this medication, was skeptical of it but decided to try. I kept a journal of my moods for the 9 days that I took Gianvi. I believe it started to make me depressed. Not sure if this was the effect of switching to new birth control (I was on Trinessa for 9 years before it was discontinued) but I believe it was the medication itself. I was very obsessive over minute things at work and in my relationship, irritable and impatient to the point that I was cruel to my BF, and started to have feelings of hopelessness when I was by myself. Two days after I stopped taking it, it was like a cloud was lifted from over me. Be cautious, it was not good for my mental health."

• AMb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I used Yaz for years with no problems, but Gianvi made me moody, depressed, and seriously suicidal. Once I made the connection that my depression and suicidal thoughts were from the pill, I stopped immediately. Sure enough, two days later, I felt cheerful and fine. I also noticed this pill gave me zero sex drive-so maybe it is really effective birth control."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2018

"I was on Loryna for a year and a half, but then switched to Gianvi because the pharmacy was out of Loryna. A month on it was fine, but towards the end, I got severe anxiety and felt depressed constantly. I’m having crazy thoughts, doubting relationships I have, and my career path and future for absolutely no reason. This is totally unlike me, too. I had to go buy a pack of Loryna from the pharmacy, and amazingly, I’m getting better after taking 4 days of Loryna."

• Arc...
• January 13, 2012

For Birth Control "Only upside was that I did not get pregnant. This medication made me moody, depressed, and I broke out in painful cystic acne, which I had never experienced before. I also experienced bloating and dramatic PMS, which had never happened before either."

• CNC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2018

For Birth Control "Wow, worst generic oral contraceptive ever!!! I have been on this for three months (was on YAZ for 1.5 years prior without issues), and my PMDD is horrific for 7-10 days before/around my period. Severe depression, anxiety, panic, crying... just awful. Please request YAZ and not the generic."