Jolessa and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• bnc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I am shocked at how many bad reviews this BC has! I was on this pill for around 5 years and recently got off due to getting migraines with aura, and now am switching to an IUD because it has no estrogen. However, my time on this pill was great. Everyone’s body is different, but when I got put on this, I had little to no spotting-it was so nice only getting a period 4 times a year as someone who suffers from heavy bleeding and cramps. For people who are worried or experiencing spotting, give your body a chance to get used to it! You aren't bleeding for 3 months straight, so it’s normal to get a little bit of spotting as you are approaching the placebo week. The only cons I would give this BC are the fact that I did get migraines on it, it definitely made me a little more emotional (but any BC will), and I did notice a little thinning of my hair. However, I never got pregnant, my boobs grew a size, I didn’t gain any weight, and it improved my period significantly. Don’t believe the hype on this site!"

• Unh...
• March 19, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Pluses: clear skin, no mood swings or headaches. BUT, at first, I spotted every day for months. Light enough for a pantyliner. My period stopped for a while, went fine. Then, with no warning, I would have gigantic clots and blood gushing when I stood up. Then later on in the day and the next day... nothing. Happened a few times. Last straw: family goes to Disney World for the first time. Second day I’m walking around the park then stand up, start gushing blood. I spend the whole time afraid to stand because I’m going through a tampon and pad every hour. Next day nothing. Fourth day at Disney, same heavy gushing and clotting. Airport gushing. Arrive home, bleeding lightens. Then I stand up, heaviest bleeding ever! Soaked through a super tampon, pad, my underwear, pants were soaked with blood and it stained my bed. I am 39 years old and this didn’t happen before Jolessa. I had heavy periods but not random hemorrhaging in between cycles. I have stopped this birth control and my provider is trying me on something different!"

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2018

For Birth Control "My experience with Jolessa hasn’t been bad. I started the pill about a year ago. Just like with most birth control pills, they all come with a few side effects. I noticed while on this pill during the last month of taking it I would have a lot of spotting but not an actual full-blown period, I found it annoying because I’d constantly have to wear a pad/liner over the course of the month because of the spotting. Birth control pills definitely affect your mood change as well, especially for me. I tend to feel more grumpy and short-tempered. I also feel like you gain more weight while on birth control. My recommendation before starting this pill is to know that you’re basically shutting down hormones in your body, which causes these side effects, so don’t think the entire experience with birth control will be terrific. All the while, it does help prevent pregnancy and menstrual cramps, which are the reasons why I’m on Jolessa. But give it a try and see how your body adjusts to it."

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2012

For Birth Control "It took 2 months for my body to adjust to the pill. I spotted frequently during those 2 months. I experienced some mood changes, which is a side effect. It got bad enough that I had to switch to a different birth control. I couldn't handle the constant 'sad' feeling. If it hadn't been for that experience, I would've stayed on Jolessa."

• Unh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 9, 2018

For Birth Control "Reason for medication also includes irregular menstrual cycle, bilateral breast pain (ongoing), menstrual migraines. Years ago; I was on the brand name Seasonelle and had minimal issues. When my insurance changed at 23, I tried Jolessa due to the brand name being $235 (circa 2012). I remember having terrible mood swings, weight gain, acne, so I stopped taking it. Fast forward to 2018, I asked my doctor to try BC again due to irregularity and breast pain. Since the name brand drug now costs $435, I was forced to try Jolessa again. I have bled for 26 days straight and have stopped taking the pill. There has been no “trade-off” as far as my symptoms being reduced. I have had cramping, breast pain, headaches, and excessive bleeding. I do not recommend this generic medication."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2023

For Birth Control "This medication is horrible. I've had really bad anxiety and panic attacks constantly. I've never had this bad anxiety before, and I am definitely not going to take it anymore. I've also had headaches and a lack of appetite. I was restless and couldn't fall asleep. I wish I never would have taken this at all. I also was bleeding constantly. I have read that your body has to get used to the medicine, but with all the other side effects, I just couldn't take it anymore. I also have had a very low sex drive because of it and have mood swings. Hopefully, I can get back to normal soon because I am miserable. Please don't take this medicine, I hate it."

• TJ9...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 12, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Since being put on Jolessa by my gyno about a year ago, I have experienced mood swings, increased appetite, excessive weight gain, and most of all, extreme fatigue. No matter how much sleep or rest I get, I am ALWAYS tired. I actually only feel well-rested and energized when I'm on my period (which makes no sense!). Needless to say, I won't be using this birth control much longer. The only good thing that has come out of my experience with Jolessa is lighter periods. My horrible cramping is still the same though. Heavy periods and horrible cramping are the reason my gyno put me on this birth control! VERY disappointed."

• ver...
• May 31, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control for over 16 years now. I started with pills at 18, then Depo shot for 5 years, and now back to pills. I was on Seasonique and was okay. I switched gyno, and to help with copay, she recommended Jolessa. I tried it and have been on it for almost 6 months now. I have been PMS'ing since I started. Breasts are constantly sore, severe mood swings, headaches, and not to mention 10 pounds weight gain. I have always exercised and eat right. I am definitely switching!"

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been on Jolessa for about 45 days now. My insurance wouldn't approve the original brand, which my RN mother-in-law says is better, but I've read about other women spotting on Seasonique too, so it's probably more personal experience. Light spotting at least every few days, and I still got a period even after my first month, which lasted about 10 days as opposed to my short, but very painful ones. On the plus side, I didn't even know the period was coming like I usually do: no severe cramps, mood swings, PMS, etc. On the downside, I have zero sex drive. But overall, I feel very 'calm' with less anxiety. Not sure about weight gain, perhaps a few pounds, but I'm making an extra effort to eat better and exercise."

• aun...
• July 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because I hate my period. I was on it for about a month and a half, and I felt horrible. I had serious mood swings, making me so mean and a totally different person. I also had terrible cramping and a loss of libido. I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for acne and thought that this would keep my acne at bay. Um, no, I was wrong, I broke out everywhere! So I decided to go back to my old birth control, and I am back to normal again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I am on my 3rd month, close to the sugar pills, and I have been spotting for the past week and a half. I've gained 10 lbs, experienced pimples here and there, mood swings, and a decrease in sex drive! I'm not sure if I like the pill yet or not because my body hasn't had time to completely adjust. I hate the spotting and cramps, but my breasts did grow, and the first few months on it were great. I think I'll try another pack to see if my body adjusts."

• Hyp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2015

For Birth Control "Just finishing up my first pack. NEVER have I had this heavy of a period. Changing super plus tampons every 3-4 hours. Plus, I've had almost a constant period for the entire first and last months. That, on top of the (what seems irreversible) weight gain and mood swings, has made this experience HORRIBLE. I'm not giving up hope that it may get better, but so far it's been absolutely awful. Will write another (hopefully better) review when finished with the second pack. So far though, WOULD NOT RECOMMEND."

• Kay...
• January 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking Jolessa Lo on October 16, 2014. At first I hated it because I was nauseous the first week with bad migraines, then it went away. My appetite has increased, and I have a little acne here and there. After the first month, I was spotting until I ended the entire pack. When my period started in the last 7 days, I got my new pack (91 pills), then there was no more spotting. So the first three months is a breakthrough, after that, you should be good! It's my 4th month now (1/22/15). Also, my sex drive did not decrease, but I have several mood swings."