Lutera and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Gir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control (still am), and I don't think it's doing good for my mental health. I've been taking it for 4-5 months, and I don't feel the same. I used to be so happy, and now I'm constantly crying and feeling down for no reason. Will be changing birth control because I feel like rubbish."

• Gir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control (still am), and I don't think it's doing good for my mental health. I've been taking it for 4-5 months, and I don't feel the same. I used to be so happy, and now I'm constantly crying and feeling down for no reason. Will be changing birth control because I feel like rubbish."

• em2...
• August 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for over a year, and I love it. I'm shocked to see so many bad reviews, but I guess everyone's body reacts differently, so I'd just keep an open mind! I have very light, short periods, I'm no more moody than I would normally be, and haven't gained any weight. I have used other pills in the past that made me very moody and depressed and worsened my PMS symptoms, but this really evened me out. The only thing I'm wondering is if this is why I have persistent acne. It never occurred to me until recently because all doctors I've asked just say, 'Oh good, you're on BC, that should be helping.' Even if it is the cause of my acne, I'm not sure I would switch because it works that good for me."

• gab...
• June 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been using Lutera for 5 months now, and it's horrible. It's the first time a birth control affects me like that. I totally lost my libido, like I'd rather watch the rain fall than have sex. I am the crankiest thing, and I'm 1000 times more sensitive than I used to be. And I feel depressed about half the time, and I always was a happy person. I am going to my doctor today, and there's no way I stay on that pill. I'd rather go back to using condoms, even if I'm not a fan. Oh, and my breasts hurt like they're gonna explode at any moment. Just the feeling of my bra touching them hurts. Don't take it."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lutera for about 3-4 years now, and overall it is great. I originally started with Yaz, which gave me awful side effects such as acne, depression, and weight gain. Lutera is a very low dose and works well for me. I have experienced a few minor side effects such as stomach pain and decreased sex drive, but all in all, I like it and don't want to change to another pill."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for 5 months, and I have noticed HUGE mood swings, feel depressed, but I have lost weight. I have just started unprotected sex, and it scares me, but my doctor told me it is what birth control is for, so you are fine! I feel nauseous constantly, though. I just got put on a higher dose as well, but other than that, I like this birth control!"

• mc2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2015

For Birth Control "This was the first pill I've ever taken. I had depression before starting and was scared to take a hormonal birth control, but I have to say it actually made my depression a lot better. But of course, I'm not a doctor, that's just what happened with me. I had 6-7 day periods with bad cramps before, and they became 3 day periods with absolutely no cramps. I did experience some breast tenderness my first week, which wasn't too bad. Cons: I would wake up starving every morning. I also started to get crazy mood swings and would snap at everything/everyone. I took Lutera for 3 and a half months, and I've stopped because of the mood swings. But other than that, I'd say it was a really good pill."

• tro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been taking them for two months now. They’ve caused pretty bad acne, breast soreness, cramps, depression, and anxiety. I feel sad all the time and really unmotivated. I’m taking them to regulate my period, and it does the job. I know I’m supposed to wait 3 months to get used to them, but I don’t know if it’s worth it, honestly."

• Ano...
• June 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Well... 50 pounds gained later, I'm not very happy with this pill. I've talked to my doctor numerous times about this side effect, and she says you will feel hungry all the time, but you just need to tell yourself not to eat. The weight gain has made me depressed and self-conscious, beginning to think this pill is not worth taking. Other than that, it has helped my periods, and I haven't gotten pregnant, so that's a plus."

• Lor...
• April 24, 2012

For Birth Control "It's only been a month, and it's been horrible for me. I've tried another birth control that was also very low dosage and never had any problems or side effects. With Lutera, it's been so different. I started spotting in the second week of starting the pill, and it lasted till it was time to get my period. I've had mood swings and really bad depression and emotions. It's not normal for me because I haven't felt like this before. I also get really hungry at 2, 3, 4 a.m. Those are my major issues with this pill. I'm going to give it one more month, and if things don't change, I'm going back to the birth control I was taking."

• lad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Lutera 28 for a year now. I've noticed how if I'm late taking my pill each day, even by two hours, I'll spot or even start my period early. MAJOR mood swings and depression. Some days I think I'm losing my mind. It's effective in preventing pregnancy, however, I've completely LOST my libido. If you're considering taking this pill, I would look into other BC options besides this one."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I started with Ortho Tri-Cyclen and only switched because of breakthrough bleeding. I am currently on day 40. The first two weeks, I noticed nausea, listlessness, and mild depression, but thought nothing of it because I was starting a new dose of hormones. No breakouts, weight gain, or bleeding. Week one in the second pack, the nausea was back and accompanied by headaches. I noticed myself starting to get depressed again, and my anxiety was constant all day. I went through a spell and cried for two and a half days in a row. I then knew it was definitely hormone-related because nothing was even wrong. This almost cost me my relationship."

• Nat...
• August 23, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on this Lutera birth control pill for over a month, and I am super happy with it so far! Haven't experienced any nasty side effects. Previously, I had taken Ortho Cyclen, and within 2 weeks of being on it, I had constant anxiety and had more frequent bouts of depression."

• Lux...
• September 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I went off birth control for 1 year, and when I went to get on it again, I was prescribed Alesse. Lutera, the generic, was given to me by the pharmacy. I have never had such adverse reactions to taking a pill in my life, and I've been on birth control pills for 12 years. I only managed to be on it for a week. My period NEVER stopped. It wasn't spotting. Full-blown uterine cramping and bleeding. It gave me a yeast infection after 5 days of being on it. I had mood swings like crazy. Usually, I'll stick it out until my body adjusts (a month or 2), but I had to quit taking this. Between the excessive bleeding, infection, anxiety, and depression, I just couldn't do it. I was hoping the lower doses of hormones would be better, but it's just not a good fit for me. I've only stopped taking it for 24 hours, and already, my bleeding has almost completely disappeared, and I haven't had anxiety or depression in the last 12 hours. I feel better in general. I'm looking for a better option."

• red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I have PMDD. I was told by a nurse that I couldn't continuously take Tri-Lo-Sprintec because it's a triphasal BC. Okay... so I see my doctor and I talk to her about my PMDD, and we decide on Lutera (I never talked to her about the Tri-Lo, only her nurse). I'm so upset I had wasted 2 months on this... and my vacation. This is one of the worst birth controls. It made me extremely irritable and my moods would swing at the drop of a hat. I was physically tense all the time and anxious. My libido dropped significantly, and I was tired, lazy, and unmotivated. I started becoming depressed, and I finally talked to my mom, and she told me to go off. I emailed my doctor, and lo and behold, I can continuously take Tri-Lo-Sprintec, so I'm back on that and I immediately felt calm, happy, and loving. Everyone is different, but I DID NOT LIKE THIS!!!!"

• Sha...
• November 30, 2015

For Birth Control "Worst birth control experience. This pill made me relapse in my depression and caused the most annoying mood swings. I have never had acne until I started this pill, and the painful acne was on my face, back, and shoulders. I am a fit girl, but have certainly lost muscle mass from this pill. I have been on Lutera for 2 months, and I will not be using it again :("

• am2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2013

For Birth Control "PROS - perfect acne-free skin. CONS - breakthrough bleeding every month for 9 months, but whatever - melasma on cheeks and forehead starting to appear (I'm only 24, got some laser facial and hydroquinone cream/serum daily). Not an abnormal amount of depression or any mood swings, and my sex drive was normal. Just switched to Levora to help the breakthrough bleeding, but I've noticed some acne coming back after just 5 pills of the new one. Might be switching back to Lutera just for the clear skin!"

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Depo-Provera before Lutera. It was terrible. My mood swings were terribly out of control, bleeding was always there, and depression occurred. Switching to Lutera was a good idea because it is a low-dose birth control, which has helped my mood swings tremendously!"

• Sil...
• June 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on Lutera for 7 months. The first month was okay. I had really sore and enlarged breasts, but I thought it was normal since my body was adjusting to the birth control. In the 4th month, I had anxiety, and I kept brushing it off because I thought it came from work stress. By the 5th and 6th months, I had anxiety almost every single day! I went to the doc, and they gave me anxiety meds and antidepressants. I didn't take the antidepressants because when I took one pill, it made me so sick! I kept on struggling with anxiety and depression. It's hard to go to work, hang out with family, and my boyfriend when you have depression. I got off Lutera last Friday, and I still feel depressed and anxious. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, I start feeling normal again."

• You...
• November 3, 2010

For Birth Control "I have taken Lutera for about a year now. Maybe more. I do like this pill because my periods are lighter than what would be natural for me. Also, it doesn't seem to affect my moods at all. In fact, I think I am more mentally sound on this pill than any other I have tried or even not taking birth control at all. HOWEVER, I have next to no sex drive. Maybe that's why it has worked so well. I gain a little water weight as well throughout the duration of my pill pack but lose it while on my period. My skin is pretty good too. I have tried Yaz and Microgestin (caused me to have heart palpitations daily and depression), and I HATED them. So I would recommend this pill."

• MzK...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for nearly 2 years (will be 2 years in January). At first, I didn’t notice anything too alarming. I mean, my depression and anxiety were a little worse, but I figured my body was just getting used to the new birth control. Well, fast forward to now, it hasn’t let up. I have gained over 50 lbs, and my periods have moments of being a week late or a week early, or I’ll be bleeding heavily for 7-10 straight days, when I normally just bleed for 5, and I’m only heavy the 2nd and 3rd day. I had one month where I bled for 14 days, which is extremely out of the norm for my body. I was using Emoquette before Lutera, and I never experienced any issues with Emoquette, especially not weight gain. I will be switching back to Emoquette when it comes time to renew my prescription."

• Thi...
• June 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for 3 months after switching from another birth control. Within 3 months, I have gained over 35 lbs-not even in my boobs. I eat healthy, exercise daily-and still gained weight. Not to mention the constant mood swings or depression. My boyfriend and I never really argued until I was put on Lutera. I would be perfectly fine one minute, then yelling at him for nothing the next. I hate how this pill makes me. Stupid hormones. I already called my pharmacy, and they're ordering my old birth control for me, so I'll be back on that when this pack runs out."

• Lil...
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the pill for almost a month since July 2nd, and I scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN today due to this contraceptive causing lots of bleeding. I started on the first day I bled from my last period, and it's July 28th, and I am currently still on my period. My doctor prescribed me Lo Loestrin now, and I hope it helps me out. But with Lutera, it was a horrible experience. Lots of headaches, low sex drive, MANY mood swings/depression. I got into many, many arguments with my boyfriend this month, and I had my relationship in danger!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the worst pill I have ever taken, and I've been on several. I didn't connect the dots until I had been on this pill for almost 4 months. The only pro was that it lessened cramps. CONS: Spotting for an entire month when I first started. My acne flared up uncontrollably. My mood swings were insane, and I thought I was depressed. I didn't realize that it was this awful pill doing this to my body. I wish I had never taken this pill."

• SCE...
• November 10, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for a week and a half. I have always been a happy-go-lucky, bubbly person. This pill has completely changed my personality. I have NO patience, I am incredibly moody, and I feel like a dark cloud is hanging over me. I am getting married in 48 hours, and I can't even be happy, although I have nearly a perfect situation. This pill has made me depressed, snappy, and emotional."