Ashlyna and Depression: What Users Say

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m reading the comments, and everybody is different. I highly recommend. I was on Tri-Cyclen before, it made me super depressed. I could never gain any weight. Then my doctor switched me to Lo Seasonique. Everything went fine with that BC. Then my pharmacist/insurance changed it to Ashlyna. I gained the healthy weight I needed. No breakthrough bleeding unless I skip multiple pills. No depression, but slight mood swings, but hey, we’re girls, that happens every once in a while. Don’t let this comment discourage you. Try it for yourself! I LOVE THIS BC!"

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I was taking Lo Seasonique with no issues for 2-3 years until I was switched to Ashlyna for insurance and pharmacy reasons. It is the same hormones, but Ashlyna is stronger. The first 3-6 months were seemingly okay until I started bleeding/spotting randomly at any time in the pack (not on placebo pills), mood swings/depression became an everyday thing, and if I did not take the pill like clockwork and was off by even 4 hours, I would get breakthrough bleeding. Not to mention the weight gain, 20 lbs in 6 months. I would not recommend."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Absolutely did not like Ashlyna. I was on it for 6 months. I spotted constantly, sex drive dropped, acne did not get any better, and my emotions were all over the place. I felt down all the time, and it wasn’t until stopping the pill altogether that I’ve noticed how much happier my body is off of it!"

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2022

For Birth Control "I took this birth control for about 2 years. It was great at first, and I loved the less frequent period, but my family and I began to notice it was making my anxiety and depression much worse and almost drove me to suicide. Couldn't figure out why my mental health had worsened all of a sudden until I had to stop my birth control for a medical procedure. Wouldn't recommend for someone with mental health issues."

• bba...
• January 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m 22, I am on my 4th month, and TBH before I started taking Ashlyna, I was terrified, especially after reading these reviews. I’ve had trouble finding the right birth control, but I can honestly say having your period every 3 months is way better than every month. The first 2 months, my breasts were huge and tender, I was depressed and anxious, and my sex drive almost didn’t exist. (Which was quite depressing, hahah.) But other than that, I have had no other side effects. All side effects are gonna now!! For weight gain, I am an active gym member and eat clean, and my weight hasn’t changed. I have only experienced my period once so far while taking Ashlyna, but it was a little longer than my normal period, around 4-5 days. Cramps were mild. I also experienced very little to no spotting throughout these 4 months. My only complaint is I am experiencing yeast infections a lot more than usual, which sucks, hopefully, my hormones will eventually get used to the birth control and they’ll stop."

• idk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this pill just about three weeks ago. I switched from Estarylla in order to skip my periods. I had some breakthrough bleeding (more like spotting) for the first week, which was annoying, but after reading other reviews seems normal for being new to the pill. I have definitely noticed mood differences (sadness and overall moodiness), but nothing out of the ordinary for getting used to a new pill. Be wary of nausea the first few weeks, I was near vomiting almost every night the first week, but it has since gone away. Aside from these side effects, which honestly haven't impacted my life that much, this pill has been working great! Most of the side effects feel like they're starting to wear off as my body adapts to the new pill."

• All...
• May 4, 2018

For Birth Control "Was on it for about 2 months, and during that time I had mild cramping, weight gain, and bloating. As I continued it, I began to notice terrible mood swings, increased depression, increased anxiety, and migraine headaches. I wanted to try and stick it out for a few more months to see if the side effects would gradually go away, but I honestly don't think it's worth the increased depression and mood swings. I do not recommend this."

• Ang...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2021

For Birth Control "Been on this for around 3 years and am finally realizing it is most likely the cause of my weight gain, hot flashes, depression, and unexplained dizziness. Going to stop taking this as soon as possible and see if I start feeling normal again."

• Anonymous
• February 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this pill back in December 2018 in hopes of having a period every 3 months due to bad cramps. Well, let me just tell you, this pill is awful. I have been spotting for a month, my hair is falling out like crazy, mood swings and depression, and I'm constantly tired. I am currently on month three, and I'm getting off of this mess as soon as possible. I highly recommend looking into other birth control."

• emi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Ashlyna birth control pill along with spironolactone (aldosterone blocker) by my dermatologist for cystic acne and to level out my hormone imbalance. The biggest pro of this birth control is my skin- it is literally porcelain, I’ve never seen it so clear. HOWEVER, the hormones are wild. I am definitely more depressed, anxious, fat, and just generally more emotional on this stuff than ever before. I stopped for 2 months this summer just to see the difference after about 2 years of being on it consistently, and yes, I was much happier and more active and even more social, but my skin turned really bad again, so I’m back in my black hole with perfect skin. It’s a love-hate thing. Enter at your own risk."

• Rhi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control, Ashlyna, for close to 3 years. I discontinued use 2 months ago. A couple months after starting this birth control, I started having severe panic attacks where I would blackout daily. My mood swings were insane. My depression was at an all-time low. I was miserable, but I didn’t think a birth control could be causing all this. My periods were painful and made me nauseous, which isn’t normal for me. I didn’t experience spotting, but when I tried to skip over my placebo pills to avoid a period, I still bled. Since I’ve been off, my mood has improved tenfold and my periods aren’t painful or heavy."

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2018

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control pill ever. I bled for months and lost so much blood. I've had mood swings, depression, and have been miserable! These pills should not be on the market! They will make your life a living hell."

• Que...
• August 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I know birth control affects everyone differently. And I'm happy for the people who enjoyed this birth control. But I did not. I was placed on this to manage my endometriosis. When I started taking it, the first two weeks were constant crying and shaking from my anxiety skyrocketing. It slowly adjusted but still had panic attacks, and my depression got worse. All of my physical problems went away. But it made my emotional and mental issues MUCH worse. By the 3rd month, I was mostly adjusted and starting to feel like myself again... until I took the pills for my period... Then it started all over again!!! I decided to stop taking them. And my body is still adjusting after almost two months. I would MUCH rather deal with the physical pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I just started taking this medication over 2 weeks ago, and I cannot even explain how much it has already set me back. I began this specific birth control to lessen the amount of periods I was having, but I am so excited to have my body back. My depression and anxiety tanked just within two weeks of taking Ashlyna. If I feel this way now, I just can't even imagine what it would do with further use. I really tried to push through the first few months, but I can no longer take the way this medication has made me feel. Not to mention, I can literally feel the energy drain from my body every day. Forget being able to go to class and study for school. I have had to take a nap after just being awake for an hour or so. So not normal for me."

• Lin...
• December 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this birth control in February, and I experienced spotting for about 2 weeks. Then I started to bleed 1.5 months into it and didn’t stop until I started the next pack. This still happens every pack, and I’ve gotten used to it, but I plan on switching not only because of this. Also, after 4 months on it, I started to realize I became very emotional (which I used to never get upset or rarely cry), and I would go through depressive episodes that lasted about a week where I wouldn’t want to leave the house and would just cry for no reason. I also gained 10 lbs since starting this, but this was over quarantine, so not for sure if I can directly say it was the birth control. I get headaches 2-4 times a week, which I used to never get. My boobs grew two sizes. My acne got a little better, but not really. It did lighten my period, which was nice because I used to have the heaviest period where I could only make it 45 mins in an ultra tampon. Overall, I do not recommend this birth control."

• Syd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2018

For Birth Control "This medication made me incredibly depressed and down, uninterested in life, depressed, and very anxious. I had no sex drive. My vagina was completely dry. It was an awful experience for me. I had to stop taking it and switch to another generic due to these side effects because I was at the lowest I had ever been."

• Mel...
• January 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control for about 8 years for heavy bleeding. I also have depression, which is under control with other meds, and I also have multiple sclerosis. I have been on this for a month. I have breakthrough bleeding, increased depression, and significant increased incontinence. As a 26-year-old, peeing your pants fully is more than an embarrassment."