Alesse and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for 4 years and am very pleased. Before I was on Alesse, I was naturally very moody, and my periods were heavy, long, and painful. When I started this pill, my mood swings evened out, and my period not only got less painful but shortened to only 3 days. I was a little concerned about how quickly I would get pregnant when my husband and I decided it was time, but no worries there. I came off the pill New Year's 2009 and was pregnant by Valentine's. It is now January 2010, and I'm holding a beautiful baby girl. I plan on going back on Alesse as soon as possible."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I am in love with this birth control Alesse! It is the first one I have ever taken, and I went on it because I would get such bad acne all over my cheeks, especially around my period. There was never a time when my skin was clear, and when it was better, it would still have a bunch of scars until it would get horrible again. In the first week, my skin got a little better, there was a little bit of cramping and mood swings, but not too bad. In the second week, it was breaking out (but not nearly as bad as the worst it's been), and then in the 3rd week, almost perfect, just scars to heal up. I'm on just over a month, and my skin is literally perfect, just a couple of scars left to heal, and now they can actually heal because my face isn't going to have another huge breakout the next day anymore!"

• Cic...
• February 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Alesse for 6 years. It's the only birth control I have ever used, and I love it. I've never had problems with it before. My periods are predictable, very light and regular. I don't experience mood swings or any major cramping on the pill either. It controlled my acne as well. I would suggest Alesse to every girl."

• da9...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 20, have been using Alesse for about 2 years now. Good: no pregnancies, lighter, predictable periods with no cramping whatsoever (HUGE plus), no weight gain. Bad: I am completely insane on this pill, extreme mood swings, never happy, always in a lulled state of lazy depression, brought to tears by every and anything, constantly tired, no motivation, really low sex drive. Horrible: my skin is at a point where I don't even want to step outdoors and be seen by people! Worst breakouts I have ever had, and perpetual yeast infections. The yeast infections, laziness, and diminished sex drive basically erase the need for a birth control pill anyway. Very unhappy."

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse 21 for seven and a half years (about my entire sexual relationship with my now husband). It is the only birth control I have ever been on, and while it's done its job in preventing pregnancy (hardly ever missed a pill), I am coming off because of what it has done to my period. Over the last three to four years, it has become so light that sometimes my period consists of spotting for twelve hours! And last month, I didn't even get a period at all. Using tampons and sometimes even sex was becoming unbearably uncomfortable from the dryness, as well my sex drive diminished significantly. I haven't been off for even a full cycle yet, but I have yet to experience any adverse effects except for some bloating and mild mood swings. Has anyone else's period disappeared on Alesse or another form of BC? It was basically the straw that broke the camel's back for me."

• Ivy...
• March 31, 2015

For Birth Control "This has been my first form of birth control, and so far, so good! I researched reviews on this one, which freaked me out. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. I haven't had any nausea, headaches, or mood changes. I have been on it for about 2 weeks, so things could change, but I like it a lot so far. Also, the type of hormones in this pill does provide the lowest chance of more serious side effects like blood clots. This was something that was nice to know since I was so worried about those chances (even though I had no reason to be). Everyone is different, but just give it a chance! It's not as bad as you think it might be, and if it is, you can always change pills! Hope this helps those who are worried about starting BC :)"

• azn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for 6 months without problems. I gained a cup size and maintained my weight. No mood swings. No spotting. Take note of the brand at your pharmacy, though! Oftentimes they prescribe you a generic brand even if your doctor wrote Alesse. I had noticed this and spoke to my pharmacist, and got the name brand."

• Jun...
• April 5, 2013

For Birth Control "The only positive thing about Alesse is that it does its job at preventing pregnancy. I've been on Alesse since January, and it has noticeably affected my mood. Before Alesse, I was always calm, cool, collected, and just easygoing, but now I get upset over things that never bothered me before. I'm sensitive to almost everything now. I thought it was me, but after reading the reviews and talking to my doctor, it's definitely Alesse that's causing me to be this way. It's causing me to overreact and do rash things, which is not in my nature. It's ruining my relationship with my boyfriend. And it's also causing me to be mean at work towards my coworkers. After I finish my last pack, I'm going to switch to a different pill."

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2012

For Birth Control "This was the first pill my doctor prescribed me when I started on birth control, and I only took it for one month because of the side effects. I had spotting the first week, acne worsened, and my moods were absolutely uncontrollable. During the third week of my pack, I cried every day at little things that would normally not faze me. I stopped the pill before I even finished the month because of how out of control I felt. This was not a good first experience for me and made me skeptical to try any other pills."

• Ano...
• January 7, 2014

For Birth Control "Started taking this birth control at 16 and have taken it for a year now. The first three months were horrible, I had mood swings where I would start crying randomly, most of the time because I would take it at 7 pm and around 9 pm would begin feeling sharp cramps in my stomach that were unbearable. It was so hard to continue taking them at work knowing I would be in pain from them. However, after three months, I stopped having pain. Before the pill, I had terrible cramps on my period, but since Alesse, my cramps are much milder. My mood swings have calmed down, and I am not affected at all! A good thing to keep in mind is Alesse is a mild birth control (less hormones than others), so you can still take other medications. I love it, good choice!"

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Just quit Alesse after 4 months. I tried to tough it out, but it just wasn't working. I was always hungry, then I would eat and feel constantly nauseous and bloated. I had no energy and felt tired, always wanting to eat sweet stuff. Didn't really gain much weight, just water weight around my hips and boobs (those were constantly sore as well), such bad mood swings and depressed and anxious often. Got lots of headaches, acne got worse (cystic acne on my chin, back, and chest), and lower sex drive. This is my first day without birth control (period will start in a few days), and I can honestly say that I feel so much better, which is weird because Alesse is 'ultra low dose hormones.'"

• Sun...
• October 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I took this pill for 2 months and a half, never have been so sad and depressed, always nauseous after taking the pill, never had so many fights with my boyfriend because of the crazy mood swings. I don't recommend it at all. Also, had awful sleep patterns, slept awfully for all those months."

• Fre...
• October 10, 2013

For Birth Control "Alesse 21 is the first birth control pill I've ever tried, so this might make the review a little biased, but I'm still going to share my experience and hope it helps other women out there. So during the first month, it was kind of tough, especially since it was the first kind of birth control pill I've ever taken. I did not feel good emotionally. I had a quick-snap temper, and it was taking a toll on my daily interactions (this was about two weeks into first taking it), but now, it honestly doesn't affect me as much anymore. I never experienced any bad breakouts of acne, though I still have my occasional mood swing. In terms of periods, taking the pill definitely regulated my period and made it so much lighter than before."

• Cle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2020

For Birth Control "When I started taking Alesse, the only side effects were feeling a bit nauseous for the first few days. I’ve now been on it for a month and a half, and I’ve noticed increased mood swings, sadness, and irritability that I never experienced before taking Alesse. I’m also starting to experience a bit of depression (not sure if it’s related to birth control). I’ve gained a bit of weight and feel bloated, appetite has increased majorly. At times, I also feel like my sex drive is lower. I’m going to continue until the 3rd pack, if I see no improvement, I consider switching to a non-hormonal birth control."

• 1Ow...
• November 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been using Alesse for a year now, and I have great skin, although I did have clear skin prior to Alesse. I have gained 10 lbs. I haven't been able to pinpoint what is wrong with me, so to speak, and after reading all of the reviews, I feel I have FINALLY targeted the issue. I have always been sensitive, but I have been EXTREMELY EMOTIONAL this past year, crying at the smallest things. I have been so emotional that I am currently suffering from depression. Yes, I did not get pregnant, but I don't believe this pill is worth the side effects!"

• Col...
• February 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this BC about a year ago. The start was okay. Soon after starting it, I experienced no sex drive. Now I experience in-between period bleeding that can last what seems like forever. Like I have been mildly bleeding for 12 days and counting... all because I took it two hours after the scheduled time. Mood swings. Mild depression. Getting off this ASAP!!!"

• Kay...
• April 13, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for about 3 years, including the time I decided to have Mirena put in (then promptly removed a month later) and tried the patch for about a month. Neither Mirena nor the Evra patch, despite how easy they are to use, compared to Alesse. I also tried Tricyclen Lo for about 6 months, but my doctor switched me to Alesse after I complained of stomach cramps and constant bloating, which Alesse seemed to fix. THE PROS: no weight gain, no facial acne, no weird side effects like unwanted hair growth, no pregnancies, and a period that is fairly short, light, and always on time. THE CONS: acne on my back, mood swings and depression, low sex drive, and quite painful menstrual cramps. Overall, I like it and would recommend."

• kik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Alesse for about 4 months now and have been noticing major changes in my body. I didn’t think to associate it with my birth control until recently. After looking at the reviews, I know now that this has been the cause. I have experienced major weight gain recently – between bloat, water retention, and swelling of my ankles. Besides that, my mood has also changed when I just cry for no reason at all. I was taking the generic version of Tricyclene-lo prior to this and will be switching back next month. I did, however, notice that my periods were much lighter – only positive review that I could give."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My wife was always getting abnormal, heavy periods with pain, went to many doctors, everyone had their own views, been through many types of ultrasounds, physical exams, blood tests, but no use, and no one was able to diagnose the problem until she was prescribed to take the birth control pill 'Alesse'. Had a few problems with the side effects in the beginning, and after the first cycle, but it's getting a lot better now, except for a little mood swings. She is not bleeding anymore, and all those unknown cramps and whatnot are gone. I guess every contraceptive pill is not for everyone, if one does not suit you, then try some other type. These reviews help a lot, please keep sharing."

• Ban...
• February 13, 2021

For Birth Control "To be honest, I really liked taking this pill. Only stopping because I get aura migraines and can't take estrogen because of the stroke risk. I was only on the pill for 2 months, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but here's my experience: I was a little emotional for the first 2 weeks, acne around my jaw for the first month, and I feel like my bowels were off a little at first too. Just a bit constipated and bloated, but that also adjusted over time. Acid reflux flared up a bit easier too. My boobs looked GREAT, which I loved, and I was super relieved that it didn't make me super emotional like other ones I have tried. My periods were lighter and less cramps. And I actually got my period on time, and I have always been irregular. Weight stayed the same, sex drive stayed the same (if anything, I think that my bigger boobs put me in the mood more lol). Overall, I had a good time taking this and wish I could stay on it!!"

• Snj...
• May 8, 2017

For Birth Control "Alesse was the first type of birth control I've ever taken, and I experienced many negative side effects. When I first started it, I had severe back pain, headaches, and mood swings. After a week or two, these symptoms subsided, but I began to feel depressed-this feeling went on for about a month and worsened whenever I drank alcohol. In total, I was on this pill for two cycles before I decided to switch. That being said, everyone is different! If Alesse doesn't work for you, there are probably others that will."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse a month now, and it's been absolute hell. I'm not an emotional person by any means, and I eat like a full-grown man usually, but since starting this, I haven't been able to eat at all because of the nausea and have had random uncontrollable mood swings. I've lost 10 lbs, and every time I take one of these pills, I get an instant headache. My period was hell as well, I got bad cramps for a week before and all during. This is not normal for me. My period also went from 4 days to 7, which really ticked me off. It caused my acne to get far worse and scar like I've never had before. Not only this, but my anxiety levels went through the roof, and my depression did the same, causing me suicidal thoughts, and I had ABSOLUTELY no energy."

• San...
• January 22, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been using Alesse 28 for a little over a year now, and it's my first birth control pill! I use it mainly for period regulation since my period wouldn't come for 6 months at a time and for birth control (10/10 effective when used properly). When I first started taking Alesse, my abdominal region felt a bit uncomfortable, but within a matter of about 2 weeks, it went away. Some symptoms I've taken notice of were the mild mood swings I'd have once in a while and a little bit of dizziness. Now, the abdominal pain and dizziness I seemed to have experienced a year ago have subsided, but the mild mood swings are still apparent and prevalent. I have no consistent weight loss or weight gain, acne, hair loss or hair growth, or loss of sex drive."

• lis...
• January 31, 2016

For Birth Control "First time using Alesse. Been gaining weight like crazy, my mood swings are all over the place, my period has been starting a week early, so now my period lasts about 2 weeks. This pill is definitely not for me."

• Gab...
• May 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Alesse for 2 months now. I feel extremely tired all the time, even after drinking coffee, and usually coffee makes me wired. I constantly feel bloated even when I haven't eaten anything. Then when I do eat something, I feel like I'm about to throw up. I've noticed that I've gained a little bit of weight, especially around my tummy/hips. My mood swings are all over the place (I'll cry and get cranky over the dumbest things ALL THE TIME). Definitely would not recommend this birth control and plan to go off it ASAP."