Drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Wic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched from Gianvi birth control to Nikki (generics of each other, same hormones, same dose) by my prescription plan. I wish I had done research prior to taking it. Nikki was the worst birth control experience I've ever had. Only two weeks in, I experienced severe IBS and stomach pain. My anxiety went through the roof, and I became extremely depressed with no appetite, fatigue, poor focus, and no motivation. My breaking point was when the medication began inducing panic attacks, which I had never experienced before. Ultimately, I made the decision to stop taking this birth control, and after a week, I'm beginning to feel like my old self. I would not recommend this birth control to anyone. Please be cautious when switching to generic medications. Just because it has the same active ingredients does not mean the formula will work the same for everybody."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2021

For Acne "Gosh. Don't get on this tablet. It's the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I almost feel suicidal, been in severe depression, shouting and breaking things, and ruining my relationship with everyone. If this is the cost you have to pay to clear skin, then I'd rather have pimples for the rest of my life. And, to be honest, it hasn't even helped my acne, in fact, it made it worse. Don't, please. If you want to remain sane, don't get on this. Go natural or anything, but not this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

For Birth Control "I am up at 3 AM writing this after having what has now become my nightly routine of crying and questioning the meaning of my life. The depression is so bad that I can’t function on a day-to-day basis. It wasn’t until I looked at my pill pack that I suddenly realized that this severe increase in depression coincided with when I started taking Nikki. I decided to see if other people were experiencing this, and lo and behold, yes."

• Gab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2023

For Birth Control "I wanted to use this for both birth control and acne. And it helped both. But this is a terrible and horrible pill that caused me to become a different person. Depression every day and sadness occurred from August 2022 till the midweek of February 2023. I became an angry person and always hurt my spouse with words that I didn't really mean to say. I didn't even recognize myself anymore. Plus, it caused my hair to shed a lot. I wish I had never taken this pill. I came off not too long ago in February, and my spouse was begging me to stop taking it way before, but I never listened. After a few days, I became myself again. Happy-go-lucky, always positive, and I am so happy I stopped. It really changed my life those past few months taking it, and I regret it so much, and I never want to be that angry or depressed person ever again. So please, take caution with this pill. It will change you mentally and emotionally."

• Gab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2023

For Birth Control "I wanted to use this for both birth control and acne. And it helped both. But this is a terrible and horrible pill that caused me to become a different person. Depression every day and sadness occurred from August 2022 till the midweek of February 2023. I became an angry person and always hurt my spouse with words that I didn't really mean to say. I didn't even recognize myself anymore. Plus, it caused my hair to shed a lot. I wish I had never taken this pill. I came off not too long ago in February, and my spouse was begging me to stop taking it way before, but I never listened. After a few days, I became myself again. Happy-go-lucky, always positive, and I am so happy I stopped. It really changed my life those past few months taking it, and I regret it so much, and I never want to be that angry or depressed person ever again. So please, take caution with this pill. It will change you mentally and emotionally."

• Loa...
• April 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Started Yaz about 6 months ago for endometriosis pain control. Right away, I became emotional, anxious, and depressed with super dark thoughts. My doctor told me that it takes about 3 months to level out your hormones. Two weeks ago, I started having side effects that I didn't even realize were because of the birth control until I started reading other reviews. I'm 29 years old, work out 5 days a week, skinny, etc. I've become constipated, bloated, gaining weight, hungry all the time, extremely exhausted, mood swings, angry at everyone and everything, depressed, anxious, obsessive bad thoughts, hot flashes and sweating, breakthrough bleeding, etc. I have my period every 3 months on this, but my first period after the 3 months is the heaviest period I've ever had in my life. Not to be graphic, but it was flowing out of me like an endless waterfall. Soaked through super tampons in 15-20 minutes. I'm miserable and would rather risk my endometriosis pain coming back than dealing with this. Not taking another day of this pill."

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this for probably 8 months from NuRx, and I’m finally making the much-needed switch. I had my daughter about 2 years ago and thought my increasingly crippling depression and no sex drive were just because of stress. Then I talked to my doctor, who said that’s very common with this birth control, and she doesn’t even like to prescribe it because of this! I will say my periods have never been so regular, but it is really frustrating. If I don’t take it at the same exact time every day, I’ll end up having another week-long period. But based on other reviews, I’m glad I finally decided to do some research. Everybody is different, so maybe this will work great for someone else, but definitely not me!"

• she...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this birth control right when I started becoming sexually active at 16. Now, I'm almost 20 and just got off of it a couple of months ago. I didn't know how much this negatively affected my body until now. I had intense migraines 3-4 days out of the month that the pill caused. I developed depression and anxiety, and had got prescribed 2 different meds, but they didn't work because they gave me anxiety attacks. I had dry vaginal issues. All of this changed when I stopped this pill. It had super high estrogen, way too much for me. Some positives are how amazing it made my skin look, and it cutting my hunger in half (didn't gain weight on this one). I didn't have much cramping, but I did have back pain. It took me almost 4 years to realize, but I’d rather just use condoms than alter my body like this again."

• Lan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I live in Korea, and had to switch from my Ortho Tri-Cyclen in the US to Yaz here in Korea. I went to a doctor to talk about it, and she suggested Yaz as it was fairly close to what I had been taking in the States. I got it for 6 months, and now that I'm nearing the end, I am thinking more seriously about finding something else. The biggest side effect for me is the decrease in my libido. I went from desiring intimacy with my fiancé almost every day to never, within a month of starting Yaz. It was an extreme loss of sexual desire that I am 100% sure was due to Yaz. I also gained a few pounds and have not been able to lose it. I did start to notice more extreme mood shifts towards the end of each cycle as well. Feeling depressed, fatigue, and anxiety every 4 weeks is tough on me. I am nervous about switching to something else because I have only ever taken Ortho Tri-Cyclen pills, but Yaz is just not for me in the long run."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "1st time using birth control, and I’m taking it for PMDD & heavy/painful periods. About to finish my 1st pack. I was scared when I first started the pill - lack of emotions, no focus, irritability, a bit of stomach upset. Mood was the worst - I was swinging high and low & felt like I was on a roller coaster. I already struggle with depression/anxiety, so the birth control was worsening my mental health. HOWEVER - I think my body has adjusted to it now & I’m feeling a lot better. My mood is stable & I feel like my focus is back. Been spotting brown & it’s beginning to turn into blood now, but pretty light. I’ve had minor cramping, but it’s nothing compared to before. It’s crazy to have my period so light & not painful. Giving the 3-month trial period a chance to make sure this is a good med for me. All I can recommend for other people is to give it a chance. You can always get off it if you need to...don’t judge the pill based on negative symptoms you have in the first few weeks."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2020

For Acne "Was on Nikki, which was great, but getting my prescription through Nurx, which seems to send any extra inventory of whatever birth control they happen to have on hand. Have been on Loryna (the generic Nikki) for 3 weeks and have had cystic, horrible acne all over my chin for the last 2 weeks, and it is also on my chest to the point where I can't wear any shirt that shows an ounce of chest skin. Luckily, it's winter. I've had breakthrough bleeding but started my full-blown super tampon period yesterday. Mid pill pack? Have also been depressed, moody, and angry. I've had bad skin the majority of my life and been through the whole rigmarole, including over-the-counter meds, every prescription topical, all the antibiotics, being on antibiotics for years at a time, birth control, spironolactone, Accutane, laser treatments, red and blue light therapy, no dairy, no sugar, no food at all, etc., etc., etc. Accutane is the only thing that calmed my skin some. But now on Loryna, I feel like my skin has reverted back to being like before I did all my acne treatments."

• Bia...
• December 28, 2016

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was prescribed this pill to treat PMS, however, taking this medication was the worst experience of my life. It alleviated anxiety, but it made me severely depressed and paranoid. I am a fairly active person, and I would go running every day. As soon as I began to take the pill, I lost motivation to do the things I enjoyed, and it got to the point where I did not even want to leave the house. I also almost lost my job over it. I tried to quit three times in one week, and luckily my employer would not let me end my career and encouraged me to stay. Taking this medication also damaged my relationships with my friends and my partner and almost cost me my relationship. Please do not take this medication."

• Meg...
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Yaz about 7 months ago because I had found out that I had developed ovarian cysts. I had been on Yaz for two years as a teenager and had side effects, but I didn’t notice them as much as this time. Over the time I had taken Yaz, I had developed low mood, temperament, and a bad attitude towards everything. The change was so slow that it wasn’t obvious that it wasn’t me and not the pill. On my last month, I took this pill, I had just started a new job and had to quit after one day because of extreme nausea and anxiety I was experiencing. Other side effects I experienced on Yaz were depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawn, violent (kicking in a wall), angry, argumentative, irritable, extreme nausea, dizziness, hypoglycemia (if I don’t eat every 3 hours I would get nauseous), and no motivation to do anything, random pain in the legs, jealous of others, tired all the time, foggy head, crying all the time, and distrust of people. Please be aware."

• Meg...
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Yaz about 7 months ago because I had found out that I had developed ovarian cysts. I had been on Yaz for two years as a teenager and had side effects, but I didn’t notice them as much as this time. Over the time I had taken Yaz, I had developed low mood, temperament, and a bad attitude towards everything. The change was so slow that it wasn’t obvious that it wasn’t me and not the pill. On my last month, I took this pill, I had just started a new job and had to quit after one day because of extreme nausea and anxiety I was experiencing. Other side effects I experienced on Yaz were depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawn, violent (kicking in a wall), angry, argumentative, irritable, extreme nausea, dizziness, hypoglycemia (if I don’t eat every 3 hours I would get nauseous), and no motivation to do anything, random pain in the legs, jealous of others, tired all the time, foggy head, crying all the time, and distrust of people. Please be aware."

• Meg...
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Yaz about 7 months ago because I had found out that I had developed ovarian cysts. I had been on Yaz for two years as a teenager and had side effects, but I didn’t notice them as much as this time. Over the time I had taken Yaz, I had developed low mood, temperament, and a bad attitude towards everything. The change was so slow that it wasn’t obvious that it wasn’t me and not the pill. On my last month, I took this pill, I had just started a new job and had to quit after one day because of extreme nausea and anxiety I was experiencing. Other side effects I experienced on Yaz were depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawn, violent (kicking in a wall), angry, argumentative, irritable, extreme nausea, dizziness, hypoglycemia (if I don’t eat every 3 hours I would get nauseous), and no motivation to do anything, random pain in the legs, jealous of others, tired all the time, foggy head, crying all the time, and distrust of people. Please be aware."

• JMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2018

For Birth Control "HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Took it two times and was overcome by horrible irritability, depression, and ridiculous thoughts. I am a positive person, and this was AWFUL. As soon as I stopped taking it, my mood went back to normal. I felt as if Dementors (from the Harry Potter series) were sucking my soul. AVOID!"

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I have my tubes tied, and I suffer from PPMD and PTLS. I went back on birth control after not taking any for 4 years because I wanted not only extra protection from pregnancy but to get my period symptoms under control. I told my doctor that I used to take Yazmin, so she recommended Nikki this time around. About 3 days in, I started breaking out in pimples in places I normally don’t get them, like on my forehead and around my nose... (I only get acne on my jawline right before starting my period). I am now 3 weeks in and am suffering from HORRIBLE depression, so much that I am suicidal at this point. My sex drive has been nonexistent, and for the life of me, I can’t get wet. This BC has caused a huge strain on my mental health and relationship. I’m only 3 weeks into taking Nikki, but I am going to stop taking it right now, not another pill down the hatch. Terrible and wouldn’t recommend."

• ale...
• October 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Yasmin birth control seriously made me so depressed. I had no motivation to do anything. The few months that I took this were my absolute darkest days, and when I stopped taking it, it was the best decision I’ve ever made."

• bcp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2017

For Birth Control "So I started Yasmin on December 29, 2016, and began taking it regularly at 7:30 PM to avoid unwanted nausea that's often reported by women who take it early in the morning. The first week was fine, the second week made me awfully depressed, but I noticed clearer skin, and the third week brought along frequent urination, which frightened me because that's a symptom of pregnancy. But then with some online research, I found out that Yasmin definitely has a diuretic side effect that causes frequent urination. Instead of retaining the water (which causes bloating), frequent urination assisted in preventing bloating. In the third week, I had withdrawal bleeding 3 days into the inactive pills, which lasts about 5 days."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2021

For Acne "I’m 23 and been on Yaz for 4 months. I went on it for acne, and my face is clearing up, but I am also on other acne medication. Other birth controls have caused me weight gain, depression, and mood swings. I have lost weight on Yaz, and my mood seems stable, which is good. My boobs have grown a ton, even with the weight loss, they’ve grown at least a cup size. (Disclaimer: I dieted and exercised to lose the weight, the medicine didn’t make me lose it.) The only negative side effect is that once I started my period, I have been bleeding/spotting for almost two months now. Hopefully, that will regulate with time. So far, it’s the best BC I’ve ever taken."

• 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."

• Bre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "Before taking Yaz, I did have the tendency to overthink, however, I would never consider myself depressed or anxious. Ever since being on this pill, my mental health has never been this low in my life. I think obsessively about mistakes I've made in the past, in a way where I feel worthless. I began suffering panic attacks and hot flashes. During my period, I became so depressed that I would spend my days crying and not wanting to get out of bed. I'd go to work late because I just stopped caring. I highly suggest staying away from this pill. It is NOT okay for your mental health, and it is NOT a risk worth taking."

• Sav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 9, 2023

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz for about 3 years after discovering I had PCOS and had a horrible experience with it. I’ve recently switched back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which I was on for about 10 years and never had a problem. From the beginning of my time taking Yaz, I had breakthrough bleeding, multiple chemical pregnancies, worsening depression and anxiety, and my migraines got progressively worse. I would bleed for 8 weeks or so, receive little to no help or direction from my gynecologist, and was told my body was just adjusting - even after the initial 3-month time that your body takes to regulate. Recently, I had another issue with bleeding for 8 weeks or so, and I was fed up, so I stopped taking it, and the bleeding immediately stopped. I don’t know why I had such an adverse reaction or why my doctor didn’t suggest something different all this time, but be careful and listen to your body if you plan to take this medication."

• Ano...
• December 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Went on Yaz twice for short term to skip period for travel. However, both times had side effects of headaches and difficulty breathing every day, severe anxiety (social anxiety + became paranoid of blood clots), extreme exhaustion (to the point where I had to sit down every few steps) and low motivation. Consulted doctor while overseas and he mentioned my pulse was very slow. We shook it off as me being inactive on holidays, but after some research I found that Yaz increases blood potassium, decreasing heart rate which increases chances of clots forming. Also had frequent urination and extended bleeding after period. Did not get nauseous per se but did feel that type of indigestion burning feeling in chest few hours after taking pill. The first time before I took Yaz, I was selectively reading the positive reviews but after this second round, I can't deny the side effects of Yaz and the possible dangers. I will be stopping Yaz tomorrow."

• Cha...
• October 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Yasmin for 11 and a half years. At first, I didn't have any problems. But over the last few years, I have noticed terrible things happening each month. First, it was spotting, breast tenderness, mood swings, sadness, headaches, irritability, you know, the small little things. But more severely, I have heart palpitations, dizziness, and now high blood pressure."