Zarah and Depression: What Users Say

• JO3...
• December 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control when I was a teenager and felt great. I had since been diagnosed with endometriosis and had to stop birth control for treatment. When I finished the 6-month treatment, I had to start birth control again. I tried a bunch of different birth control pills to try to minimize bleeding and pain. I had issues with acne, depression and anxiety, weight loss, breakthrough bleeding, severe cramping, painful sex, and a million other things. I asked to be put back on Zarah and should have done it years ago. My skin is completely clear, I have no depression and anxiety, it did not change my weight, there is no breakthrough bleeding, severe cramping, or painful sex. I feel 10 times better than being on no birth control. The best!!!"

• ann...
• October 23, 2016

For Birth Control "The only good things about Zarah 28 were that it helped me not get pregnant, my acne cleared up slightly, and my boobs grew. But ever since I started the birth control, my emotions have been out of control, and I haven't felt like my true self. I gained 20 pounds, my sex drive decreased significantly, and I've felt depressed ever since. The only way to express any of my emotions anymore is to cry, and it drives me insane! I do not recommend this drug, and I have recently decided to quit the drug and not switch to a new birth control to see if I become the happy person I used to be. I will post a new review after a few months of stopping the drug and talk about results."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Zarah for about eighteen months, and I didn't get pregnant, so I'd say it's effective. Unfortunately, I've finally decided it's not the right solution for me. I felt AMAZING for the first month on it, but since then I've been on a steady decline, and I just couldn't even think about taking it anymore after last month. Side effects have included muscle twitches, extreme fatigue (I've ALWAYS been a 4-6 hours/night kind of person, but on the pill I need 12 hours-it's crazy), massive spontaneous hematomas, depressive episodes, shortness of breath, difficulty maintaining/developing muscle (I'm very athletic ordinarily, so this was not cool), and generally depressed mood. Not worth it for me."

• Mad...
• December 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm not one to typically give reviews, but after my experience on Zarah, I decided I'd like to. The only nice thing about Zarah was yes, it may have helped prevent pregnancy. Yes, it may have made my breasts grow, BUT some of the negatives outweigh the positives. While on Zarah, I had uncontrollable mood swings and depression. I reached a point where I was the lowest of low. That's when I realized that the Zarah pill is what made me go 'psycho'. Just personally, I'd never recommend it to anyone."

• Ros...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I switched to Zarah last year around April/May because my periods had become irregular. I didn't notice any changes in the first few months (I had taken Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about 3 years prior). But, two months ago, I went off Zarah due to terrible depression and anxiety. I've never had many PMS symptoms, but for about the last 5 months of taking Zarah, I noticed that my depression and anxiety got worse and worse every month when I was PMSing. It was getting so bad that I switched my pill to Microgestin Fe 1.5/30, but I just completely went off the pill because my anxiety and depression have never been worse, and I truly believe it was Zarah that messed it up."

• Ade...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst experience of an entire 4 weeks! This was the first time I took an oral contraceptive, and I regret it. I've had terrible mood swings. One minute I'm fine, then the next I'm arguing and angry with everyone and everything. I've also gained weight. Sex life hasn't been disrupted, however, being deeply depressed ruins it anyways. I'm usually happy and alert, however, on Zarah, I've been tired and sleepy. Can't wait to finally stop this and try another brand."

• Fat...
• September 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I usually use Ocella (been using for 4 years) and switched to Zarah for my vacation because the pharmacy was out, but wow, it triggered huge mood swings and a deep depression the 2nd week in. By the 3rd week, I was crying every morning and feeling in a slump for hours on end. It was sporadic, like on and off, sometimes I'd feel fine, and then I'd feel horrible again in a few hours. Yikes."

• Kat...
• July 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for 6 months now and love it. It cleared up my acne, and my boobs have gotten so much bigger. I haven't had any weight gain. The only downside is I feel like it makes me somewhat depressed, but I am on depression meds and have been for years, so I don't see that as being a problem. My boyfriend and I have regular sex, and he doesn't pull out, and I'm not pregnant. So the effectiveness of this is 10/10. Would highly recommend :) I don't have insurance yet, and I pay $60 out of pocket for it each month. It would be a lot less if you had insurance, probably around $10 a month."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Zarah was my first form of birth control. I've been on it for about 4 months, and it's been pretty only a bad experience. I've become very depressed and anxious. I am naturally fairly moody, but this has been terrible. It made me think my boyfriend was a monster. I would yell at him, and in my head, I would blame all my depression on him and 'how he treated me,' which was fine. The pill made me think otherwise. It did clear up my skin, and I've actually lost weight, but not worth it because my mental health is so poor. I'm very, very sad and emotional all the time. It's not only sometimes. I need to make a switch soon to a different one. Don't recommend because of how I feel about myself and others. Makes you very depressed, can't stress it."

• BAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I experienced depression, zero sex drive (almost ruined my marriage), and massive weight gain. The only thing it did was prevent birth."