Orsythia and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Aud...
• April 22, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Orsythia for one year and it's been a breeze. Zero side effects - literally zero. You will find a plethora of horrible reviews for this pill, which is actually what spurred me to write this positive one. Remember that people that are content with their pill don't always think to write a review, I didn't! I've had no acne, no weight gain, no mood swings, no pain, short and light periods, no spotting, and NO PREGNANCIES. Give it a try, everyone's bodies are different. Just because other people have had a bad experience with a medication doesn't mean it will happen to you!"

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I like this medication! I was scared to try it because I read all of the bad reviews. I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen-Lo for about 4-5 years prior to trying Orsythia and had no problems, but wanted to switch because of the cost. No acne, no mood swings, no period changes. Well, I thought I'd do people who are considering switching pills a favor and give you hope - you'll probably be fine."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I used to get extremely heavy periods and very severe cramps, and I was looking for a birth control pill that would help with it. My OB/GYN prescribed me Orsythia, and I was a little worried about side effects from what I've read online from others. But, I had none! No weight gain, mood swings, acne, or nausea! Nothing at all! My problems with cramps and heavy periods went away within three months, and there was a definite improvement right when I started taking it. No more cramps or acne, and my periods are now super light! I can't speak for everyone, since hormone pills will affect everyone differently, but this pill was a perfect match for me! I'd highly recommend it for birth control and managing difficult periods."

• Rac...
• December 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I've actually lost weight on this pill. Every other birth control pill made me gain lots of weight. Periods are short. It has no side effects that I've noticed. Compared to other pills I've tried, this is the best. I recommend it! I do not get acne, or crazy mood swings, or anything of that sort on this pill. It works beautifully."

• Ann...
• December 26, 2013

For Birth Control "Love this pill! I tried Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and Loestrin 24. They all made me emotional, have angry outbursts, and a hazy feeling. I didn't want to go back on the pill because of that, but I wanted to give it one last shot. It hasn't affected my mood or weight at all. Everyone's body is different. If you have issues with a pill, look up the hormone combination. I noticed that the three failures had one in common and tried to find a new pill that didn't contain that hormone. Orsythia was one, and I really am happy I gave it a shot. What works for one person might not work for you. Keep an open mind and keep trying until you find what works for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I've just completed my first week on Orsythia. Being that I had to start it during my period, I noticed a change in my cycle immediately. I'm usually a 3/4 day-er. I am now on my 7th day with no sign of let-up. That's a bummer. From what I've gathered from friends/family, it's just my body getting used to the hormones. But when is it going to end? No cramps, no mood swings, no headaches, and FREE! I guess, so far, so good. Just ready to be off my period!"

• Swi...
• January 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I was switched by my pharmacy from Aviane to Orsythia. After three months of trying it, I have requested to go back to Aviane or try something else. It made me have longer periods and mood swings. I would feel like I wanted to cry at everything. I am glad I read the reviews on here, and it was not just me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on the pills for 2 months, and I have been so emotional, as in depressed. I've had a little bit of acne, but it's not that bad. No weight gain, in fact, I've lost 5 pounds. Very, very nauseous but can't throw up. Headaches here and there. I'm not sure if I'll switch just yet... I'll probably try it out a little longer."

• Ktg...
• September 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 2 1/2 months now. It's been downhill since 3 days after I started taking it. I've experienced headaches more often, weight gain (10 lbs), water retention and bloating, my mood has changed radically. I snap all the time for no good reason, irrational agitation, irritability. My anxiety has spiked, I've had multiple anxiety attacks since starting this pill (I am also on an anxiety medication and have been for a year and a half, and it's helped with my anxiety levels wonderfully until I started Orsythia). I'm almost at my breaking point with it. I'm going to finish out this month and switch to something else. The only positive thing I can say about Orsythia is that it has prevented pregnancy. Would not recommend."

• Hat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill 2 months ago, and although I haven't experienced any breakthrough bleeding, I've gotten a lot of other negative side effects. I've broken out with acne like a teenager, my sex drive has decreased, mood swings, increased appetite, and weight gain. Yesterday was my last day taking this pill."

• aim...
• April 4, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Mircette for over 5 years and loved it. No side effects. Due to insurance changes, I was switched to Lutera and eventually given Aviane. Again, no side effects. My mail order recently had a manufacturer change and sent me Orsythia. I gained 10 pounds (mostly water weight), had mood swings and shortness of breath. I could barely fit in my clothes, and my periods were so inconsistent. I DO NOT recommend this pill. I'm going back to Lutera!"

• Dia...
• September 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 1 year, and I've gained 30 pounds. I've been the same size for years until I started taking this pill. My emotions are crazy, but it does make my periods shorter and not as uncomfortable."

• Rac...
• July 28, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control is by far the worst of any other I've taken. I have experienced severe mood swings and temperament, depression, bloating, awful chest, back, and facial acne, and constant food cravings. I would never wish this drug on anybody."

• DH1...
• November 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I started this pill in June 2014 and have had only a positive experience. No weight gain, no acne, and no pregnancies! I used to get bad back pain and cramps, however, after starting the pill, they are gone and my period only lasts 3-4 days. I do get emotional right before my periods do, but nothing too extreme. I would recommend it to a friend, as I know friends who have also had a positive experience."

• No ...
• August 14, 2015

For Birth Control "I started this pill in June 2014 and have had an amazing experience. No pregnancies, no weight gain, and no acne (though I wasn't prone to it before). I do get emotional and tired, but nothing a nap and breathing can't fix. What works for some may not work for others. I definitely would recommend it, me and a few friends have had very positive experiences!"

• Jil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Orsythia since I was 14. I am now almost 19. I am nauseous a lot and cry for no reason. I am very moody all of the time and have a lot of mood swings. I have an EXTREMELY low sex drive, to the point that I think it will ruin my relationship someday. I am sexually active, but I am always safe using condoms, so I haven't gotten pregnant. For me, Orsythia has stopped the clotting during my periods, but I still will get cramps and my periods will sometimes be very heavy. I never got acne, so that hasn't been a problem for me. If I were you, I would steer clear of Orsythia and make this your last choice for birth control."

• Kou...
• February 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I was previously on Tri-Previfem, and had horrible acne, cramps, and mood swings on it. Switched to Orsythia, and I am currently on the third week. My acne is totally gone, I've gotten one pimple this month (I would get 7-10 while on Tri-Previfem). No more mood swings, and I am totally satisfied with it."

• Bre...
• August 13, 2016

For Birth Control "This was my first time on the pill, and I can say that it has been great. I gained a few pounds the first month, but I also started lifting weights and eating a lot more to help build muscle the same time I started taking it, so I can't say definitively that the pill is what made me gain weight (and by gain weight I mean like 5 to 7 pounds-I haven't gained or lost more than 2 or 3 in the past 4 years as a high schooler, so that was pretty significant for me). It didn't clear up my acne, but it didn't make it any worse. I've had no mood swings, no cramps, no PMS symptoms, no bloating, really no side effects at all. The only real change I've experienced by taking this is that it made my period more regular and lighter. I have no complaints."

• Sam...
• August 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I saw negative reviews on Orsythia, but decided to try it anyway. I wish I hadn't. I was so anxious and had the worst mood swings. I would get so angry over little things I wouldn't give a second thought to normally. I snapped at my boyfriend, friends, and family practically once in every conversation when I used to be so calm and light-hearted. I eventually thought enough is enough and switched to Junal Fe and finally back to my normal self. Orsythia also made me completely repulsed by food, so I lost about 12 pounds, but I'm barely 5 foot 2, so 12 pounds is a huge difference. The only positive is that I didn't get pregnant."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2016

For Birth Control "The only reason I even give this two stars is because I never had an issue with pregnancy on this pill. I started with Aviane (which I had no side effects and generally felt great) and was switched to this by my pharmacy. Since then, things have gone downhill. I had very mild anxiety before going on the pill, Aviane did nothing to it, but Orsythia has amplified it to the point where I've really struggled with my anxiety and mood swings. A few days before my period, the smallest things will set me off into episodes of weeping and panic. I've gained some weight (5 pounds). Experienced nausea every so often (more than Aviane). Worst is the cystic acne on my chin. While my periods have been lighter and shorter, cramps have gotten worse. Terrible."

• Pur...
• September 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Orsythia for a year now, and I have to say that I have never been happier with another birth control, and I've had one other before starting Orsythia. I did NOT gain any weight, lose my sex drive, get acne, have mood swings, PMS symptoms, or, most importantly, get pregnant on this birth control. I am so happy with my RX, and I would highly recommend it. I understand that everyone is different and experiences drugs differently, but you need to wait the 3-4 months before getting used to a daily drug in your body that changes your natural hormones. I love it, and I see that it is very effective for me."

• Jes...
• February 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Orsythia for about a year. It did its job in that I did not get pregnant, but I had to quit taking it because of the awful side effects. Weight gain was minimal but definitely occurred. After about 6 months, my acne became worse than it has ever been, but even that wasn't the worst of it. Orsythia brought my anxiety to an all-time high, and I was experiencing awful mood swings. All of these symptoms practically disappeared within 2 months after quitting it. I did not have anxiety before taking Orsythia, and now, even though it has been almost a year since I quit (haven't taken another birth control since), I still have bouts of anxiety from time to time. I believe my anxiety was triggered by this birth control."

• Hrm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2018

For Birth Control "This is by far the absolute worst birth control. It does its job at preventing pregnancy, but everything else is just awful. A week into it, I was ready to stop taking it! I had awful headaches and strong cramping and stayed nauseous. I gained a good bit of weight immediately, my face broke out and I was like, it's just side effects, it will go away when it gets in my system good. So I continued to take it. I stopped after completing the first pack. I had felt like a crazy person, my anxiety was through the roof, I was having mood swings, I didn't care about life, I went into an awful depression, and I was like, nope, can't do this, I knew it was the meds. So I stopped and little by little my stomach pains went away, the headaches were gone, my face started to clear up and I started my period again a week later and all the swelling went down, my mood swings, everything. But I have currently been bleeding nonstop, extremely heavy for 2 weeks now, no pains or anything."

• Sil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I was put on this BC because it was what my insurance was covering. I was on it for about 9 months. Prior to using Orsythia, I was on Lutera. I am now back on Lutera, thank goodness! They supposedly have the same ingredients, but Orsythia really made me feel awful. Here is what went on. Every month was different, some months I was extremely emotional, other months my breasts would get very tender, all the way through the nipple, ouch! I would also get frequent headaches, like maybe 4 a week. There was more cramping too. I connected the dots and told my Dr. and she switched me back to Lutera and put on the prescription that there should be no substitutions. I have been fine for the past 6 months since I changed back. Orsythia sucks if you ask me."

• Sma...
• November 23, 2015

For Birth Control "Been on this BC for three months now. I switched to this type in hopes that I would be able to regain my sex drive, but I was a bit put off after seeing such terrible reviews. I'll start by saying I do not experience anywhere near the severity of side effects most people are reporting. I have not gained any weight, but my breasts have filled out a bit. I currently don't experience any mood changes, although between the first and second month, I noticed that I was quick to get angry at smaller things much more frequently. This is no longer happening. My only complaint is the acne--I get a few cystic pimples on my chin on the weeks where I am on the active pills. Overall, I am very happy with this birth control."