Lutera and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the Aviane equivalent for a year, and it was fine. My insurance switched me to this. Now, for the past four months, I’ve become depressed, angry, and irrational. My periods have become altogether 10x worse on all accounts, including migraines, weight gain, emotional breakdowns, horrible cramps and backaches, and heavy bleeding. Stopped taking it for two weeks and feel so much better already. Beware this pill! Made me crazy :("

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for 3 months now, and I'm gaining so much weight! The weight gain makes me sad. This pill makes me feel so lazy and emotional. My skin is better than normal, though. Plus I'm not pregnant!"

• cap...
• November 4, 2011

For Birth Control "I'm 17, so this applies more to teens. I was on the DEPO shot. I had horrible effects, would tell anyone and everyone to stay away. So after my 9 months on it, I had a 2-month-long period, incredible pains and mood swings, and it was all too much. I came off and went on Lutera. It's been 3 weeks. I put on about 5 pounds, but so far I've been working out and dropping it! The weight gain is fast, and I'm finding it easy to get rid of! My moods are much more stable, which is amazing because it really makes a difference if you are in a relationship. So far I would recommend it."

• Sir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Lutera non-stop for about 5 years. Pros: Never had any noticeable weight gains, acne, mood swings, cramping, or any other side effects that would be linked to the pills. Also, no pregnancies, which is kind of the whole point! Cons: Within the past year or two, I've noticed a big decrease in sex drive. Also, stopped taking it for a week or two recently (was on antibiotics), and my next period was medium flow for almost two weeks. Noticed my PMS kicked in big time when I took that time off."

• Cha...
• January 23, 2016

For Birth Control "Before I was on Lutera, I was on Lo Loestrin FE (which was awful! I would bleed literally two weeks out of the month, had no sex drive, and gained 10 lbs). After switching to Lutera, which I have been on for a month now, my mood swings have been consistent (even though I cried when a dog commercial came on). I have actually lost weight, there is no breakthrough bleeding, and my sex drive is back to normal, and this is covered 100% by my insurance. Also, no bad side effects such as acne, stomach pain, or severe discomfort in any form. The only thing is my boobs swell up a little bit, but no complaints there. This is such a great pill! I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to start a new BC or wanting to switch."

• Mim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve taken Lutera throughout high school and still to this day, and it works fine for me. When I tried a different birth control (APRI), it made me gain so much weight. I went back on Lutera. I don’t break out, I didn’t gain weight, and I’m not sure about the mood swings because I think that’s just how I am, lol."

• han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2013

For Birth Control "For 8 years, I was on Aviane. Had horrible cramps, breast soreness, awful mood swings, weight gain (at least 5-7 lbs), and very odd periods (some would be heavy, heavy, then the next month barely anything). Not too long ago, the pharmacy gave me Lutera instead for no reason. Questioning how good this was, I was very nervous. My first week on Lutera, I lost those lbs, felt happy (like a weight has been lifted), no cramps! My period was light, short, and cramp-free! I had NO MOOD SWINGS. Then, the next month, back on Aviane...worst breast tenderness I have ever felt within the first few days back on it! Cramps returned. The next month: Lutera. After that...Aviane. Now, I've finally been on Lutera...for good! This is the best."

• una...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Lutera for about 4 years. The positive effect was that it was very effective and no period. The side effects were horrible, and I didn't even think it was from the pill. I would have the worst mood swings and get so mad that I would just blow up. Moody all the time. It made me very sensitive. I didn't want to do anything, didn't want to socialize often. Made me so tired, no energy. It made me bloated, I went up a cup size, not to mention I gained 40 lbs, yes, 40 lbs. Over time, it raised my blood pressure to 155 over 110 with shortness of breath, pain in the center of my chest brought me to the hospital. This pill now gave me anxiety and I had to get on a depressant. I am now on a mini pill which has no estrogen in it! What a difference!"

• Ans...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I started this birth control because after taking my other for 2 years, it started making me nauseous during my period. Ever since I've started taking this medicine, I've had the worst mood swings. I'll go from laughing to pure anger, then crying. Not to mention it's made me incredibly depressed, and now I have cramps 24/7 and not just during my period. Also, my nausea has gotten way worse. And don't even think about having sex... I have no sex drive at all. Nada. And when I do have sex, it hurts and is not enjoyable in any way. I would not recommend this medicine to anyone. The effects it takes on your body are horrible."

• bgl...
• April 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for 8 months. It has made my period super consistent; it always comes on the same day or the day after. My period lasts about 5 days; not much different from when I was not on the pill. I have not had any spotting. I get cramps occasionally the first day or two on my period, but the cramps are not as bad as they used to be and not as frequent. I have not had any bad side effects except for occasional bloating, acne flare-up around when I'm getting my period, and some mood swings. Overall, I am pleased, so do not be afraid to try this kind; however, birth control affects everyone differently, so you may have a completely different experience than me!"

• Rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2012

For Birth Control "I got mood swings that most of the time are controllable, but still, I shouldn't randomly start crying. I have no sex drive. I'm so irritable. With my period, it's heavy, long, and it hurts so bad! I am going to my doctor to get a new pill after the next 2 months that I've already purchased. Overall, the only good thing is that my breasts got slightly bigger."

• Bri...
• March 1, 2013

For Birth Control "This pill worked great for protecting against pregnancy, but there were many side effects. I would feel extreme lows, more emotional, and cried over the silliest things, vaginal dryness, small occasional breakouts, and a week before the placebos would begin, I would start my period, making it last two weeks instead of one! Happy to be getting off this pill in two more weeks!"

• pan...
• July 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on these birth control pills for about a month now. My experience with it is not that bad, the only effects I've been having are spotting after my period, some changes in mood, more bleeding on my period, my breasts have been getting bigger (though I like this effect), and the cramps are a little stronger. No headaches, no depression, no weight gain (but if I gain some weight in the future, it will be fantastic), and it has been helping me with my yeast infection. And the most important, still not pregnant. I hope that my body will adjust to these hormones and some of these effects will reduce or disappear."

• Ann...
• March 12, 2013

"I have been on Lutera for about 5 months. Lutera has helped with cramping but has made my appetite increase significantly. Due to this, I have gained about 5-7 pounds. Also, I can cry at just about anything. I have never been this emotional before, so I know it has to be because of the pill. I am planning to get off of Lutera and switch to another pill."

• Cou...
• June 13, 2013

For Birth Control "I was put on Lutera because of my unpredictable periods. I was bleeding non-stop for three months straight, and after starting to take this pill, the bleeding has stopped and almost two weeks later has not started again. Although I'm happy it's regulating my periods, I have found it to make me extremely sick. It makes me nauseous to the point where everything is spinning. In addition, it has caused significant mood swings. I find myself getting upset quicker and have more of an appetite. The most significant problem I have had is problems with vision. Upon taking the pill, I've had trouble focusing and getting dizzy. I'm going to continue for two more months to try to regulate my period, then coming off Lutera due to the way I'm feeling."

• amb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for over a year now, and it has worked great. There have been no mood swings, no weight gain, and I have seen a decrease in my period cramps and the length of my period. In the first few months, I did have breakthrough bleeding, but that went away by the third month. I take my pill at 8 pm every night, a few times later (but still within a 3-hour window), and have not gotten pregnant, though I have had unprotected sex on more than one occasion. I would recommend it to anyone."

• Kel...
• February 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Lutera for 7 months now. The first 3 months, I had horrible, painful bloating every time I ate anything. That has subsided, but I have gained a lot of weight, my hair and fingernails are growing rapidly, but are very brittle, my acne has gotten worse, my breasts are larger and more tender, and I get frequent headaches. I have been on several other birth control pills, and they all gave me insane mood swings. I don't seem to have that problem with this pill."

• mar...
• April 18, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control is terrible! It increased my mood swings, made me feel as if I was on my cycle for about a week and a half (which only lasts normally 5 days), decreased my sex drive, caused me to discharge a lot, and caused a drastic weight gain (at least 15 lbs)... Only gave it 2/10 because I didn't get pregnant."

• MFP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking this for almost 2 years. This pill actually stopped spotting that was occurring from my previous pill. No side effects, no weight gain, no mood swings, none of those. Not only that, my period is even shorter and lighter (or that's just with my aging). I am very healthy, active late 40s, exercise regularly. Even being on this pill, I was able to lose over 50 pounds. I will continue to take this until I don't have to anymore."

• Rol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this pill for a year, and it worked really well, although I sometimes missed 1-3 pills a month. The first half of the year didn't affect my mood that dramatically until later on. My boyfriend noticed that I was really irritated over little things, and my depression almost made me hurt myself. I also realized that I felt very, very angry at him for picking me up an hour late, and I couldn't calm down. In my mind, I knew it's okay, and I wanted to forgive him, but the anger inside me didn't budge. It's a very effective pill, but I have to change my dosage since it's putting me and my relationship in danger."

• Anonymous
• August 30, 2011

For Birth Control "I first started using Lutera about a year and a half ago for my first form of birth control. It was generally pretty easy to adjust to, and I had no major side effects. A couple minor downsides were that it did not help my skin one bit. I was a little bit more emotional than usual, and one major thing that affected me was that my sex drive was virtually non-existent. Overall, I liked Lutera, and it was pretty easy to take and was very effective in helping moderate my period symptoms."

• NOT...
• September 14, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on this for about a year now. It has been great for me. The first few months, I was a bit moody, crying, and still I get slightly emotional, but that's a woman for you. All in all, it has been good, only it's hard to remember to take the pills at the same time every day. I recommend it if you have good memory."

• jl8...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I just started my 3rd pack today and am happy to share that the first 2 packs have been a great experience so far. This is my first time on birth control (I am 22), and the only negative side effect of Lutera seems to be mood swings during weeks 1 or 2. My boyfriend got extremely irritated with my random moods, but we were able to get through it. Other than that, my skin has gotten much clearer (I used to have spots here and there, and now I don't), my periods are shorter and predictable, there was no weight gain (I actually lost weight), and breasts stayed the same. It took me so many years to finally start on BC because reading through all the forums scared me away. I'm sure there is a suitable BC out there for everyone!"

• mad...
• February 21, 2012

For Birth Control "Like all of you, I went on a massive hunt looking at reviews before starting BC. I am 24 years old, and I weigh 98 lbs. I'm 5'1". I started using Lutera 20 micrograms = 0.02. I have been using it for over a month now, and I have not gained any weight. I stay active during the week, and I eat healthy most of the time. I do not get mood swings or anything like that. This pill is a very low dosage. I have no complaints. I give it a 10!"

• Ian...
• September 28, 2019

For Birth Control "It was my first time on birth control. I’m starting my second packet of Lutera. No weight gain. A little acne and spotting. However, this birth control affects my emotions a lot. I feel very depressed for no reason sometimes. I think that’s the hardest side effect that happened to me. I’m satisfied with the pill, but the mood changes have been hard to control."