Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• ell...
• July 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Levlen for around 8 months. I started it a month before my wedding day, and because I'm still quite young, I was really adamant about contraception. After researching about pills, I figured as long as I didn't get acne breakouts, gain weight, or get hairy, it was perfect. Boy, was I wrong! I was completely depressed, anxious, and stressed the entire time, my libido was almost non-existent, and I started to get cystic acne on my face... you can imagine how all of this would affect newlyweds!! It wasn't until I had a major breakdown a month ago that I knew I had to get off Levlen ASAP! I'm now on Femme Tab, and it's working fine, just waiting to see how my hormones will react!"

• ell...
• July 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Levlen for around 8 months. I started it a month before my wedding day, and because I'm still quite young, I was really adamant about contraception. After researching about pills, I figured as long as I didn't get acne breakouts, gain weight, or get hairy, it was perfect. Boy, was I wrong! I was completely depressed, anxious, and stressed the entire time, my libido was almost non-existent, and I started to get cystic acne on my face... you can imagine how all of this would affect newlyweds!! It wasn't until I had a major breakdown a month ago that I knew I had to get off Levlen ASAP! I'm now on Femme Tab, and it's working fine, just waiting to see how my hormones will react!"

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Just started 2nd month on this pill, Lutera. I have never taken any kind of hormonal birth control before this. So far, the side effects have been few and have been all positive. I've found that my mood is actually more regular in general (less feelings of anxiety and depression/PMDD), period is much lighter with no pain, and my breasts have grown (not tender). My libido has always been high and now seems to be the same, if not slightly higher. The security of knowing that it is extremely unlikely I'll get pregnant is the biggest bonus of all; that in itself has relieved so much stress for me and my partner and may be what is helping with my mood more so than the hormones. So far, so good. And so worth it for me."

• Bek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I have taken 4 other birth controls. I am now in college and recently had to get the IUD taken out, so my doctor prescribed me Lutera. It is the worst birth control ever. Wish I did my research. I’m going on month 5, and I feel like a psycho girl. I get so angry at the smallest things, cry all of the time, have anxiety over everything, and feel depression on the regular. You would be so surprised at how this pill can affect your moods for the absolute worse. I didn’t even realize. I am no longer taking it, I want my self back."

• Rac...
• January 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I went back on the pill in the fall of 2016. I didn't experience any nausea like I did with previous pills, which was great. Then, 3 months later, my pill was switched to Lutera, and my pharmacist told me it was the same thing I was taking, just different packaging. I then started getting UTIs (which I never had before), severe anxiety, and hair loss (clumps were coming out in the shower!), and spotted a week before my period. I had no idea what was happening, and the doctors I went to were of no help. Finally, after a few months, I went off Lutera to see if it was the culprit. All those symptoms went away after a couple of weeks."

• Cys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2019

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "This medicine is terrible. 3 weeks in, I started having severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and hideous dark thoughts. I had zero history of mental illness prior and have never experienced any of this prior to taking this medication. If your doctor suggests it, ask for something else!"

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I was switched from Levora to Portia, and I hated it so much! I gained 7 lbs in 3 weeks even with my healthy diet and exercise. I am switching back immediately, and I don't even know why I was randomly switched in the first place. Also, my anxiety was super bad too right when starting this. Never again."

• nce...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I have only been on this birth control for one week. DO NOT TAKE THIS. I have been angry, anxious, and having really dark thoughts. I am never like this. I noticed my behavior changed drastically over the weekend. I also now have a yeast infection. I'm very red, and the skin is sore. I wanted this to work, but it has been scary as hell. I hope I go back to normal ASAP. Please monitor your mood if you are new to taking this."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2022

For Birth Control "So I started taking Vienva some months back and experienced some of the side effects mentioned in the reviews, like an irregular cycle, but the side effect that stuck out the most was anxiety. Severe anxiety and night sweats. I’m already an overthinker, so this destroyed me. I got off of it and started taking another BC, felt fine, and started thinking more clearly. Because I received Vienva through the pill club, I had extra packs. Long story short, I ran out of my other BC and couldn’t get my new prescription due to the pharmacy being closed on the weekend, and a holiday fell on the Monday after the weekend, so I started taking Vienva again. Worst mistake ever. My anxiety is back through the roof, very emotional, can’t stay off of Google trying to self-diagnose my sore throat for everything under the sun except allergies. I can’t sleep due to the constant anxiety, and I honestly would not recommend this to my worst enemy."

• chl...
• January 3, 2019

For Birth Control "Please do not take this contraceptive. It made me gain 25 pounds in 3 short months. I did not change my eating habits and had actually been burning more calories than before I started it. I constantly had a migraine and was stressed out and depressed. I knew I immediately needed to do something. At first, I thought that it was just my hormones not adjusting, but I have had more acne with this, headaches, and so much unbelievable weight gain. I do not recommend!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2014

For Birth Control "Almost done with my first pack of Alesse. This is the first birth control that I've been on, and the experience hasn't been too great. I had extreme nausea the first three days, extreme anxiety for three days after that, and painful breasts that followed and have not stopped. My breasts have also grown a bit (but that's more of a good thing). I'm hoping that the side effects will eventually go away, but so far it has been a negative experience. I'm scared to switch to other pills in fear of the symptoms being worse."

• 20...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking Marlissa about 5 months ago, and when I first started taking it, it took about a month for me to adjust. I had mood swings, worsened anxiety and depression, and I was tired all the time. The pros of this pill were decreased acne, and my boobs got bigger! My period is also now 3 days instead of 7, and I have basically no cramps. The reason I started taking the pill was because of my extremely painful cramps, and it did its job of taking them away, which I am grateful for. I have recently realized I have been getting panic attacks a week before my period, and I am not sure if it is because of the birth control or just me."

• AMa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 15, 2018

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I went on this birth control to regulate my period because I have PCOS, so it is what my doctor recommended. I never had any side effects, and it worked well for the first year. Last month, I started noticing very weird feelings and was literally questioning my sanity. I had days where I was my normal self and then others where I was totally not. I felt loopy and out of it, like I was high. I have never had anxiety or any mental health issues, so this was terrifying. I told myself it was NOT worth it and got off them right away after reading similar experiences and reviews on this birth control. Will never go back on them!"

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm only going on 2 months on Vienva, and I'm done after this. It does its job of preventing pregnancy, sure, but the side effects are a killer! It increased my anxiety substantially, which is a problem as I already have GAD and panic disorder. My appetite swung from constantly starving to not wanting to eat a crumb. The abdominal cramping I get is severe, even worse than the cramps I got PMS-ing every month before I took this medication. And isn't birth control supposed to help relieve PMS symptoms? It certainly does not do that for me. It makes them 10 times worse. This is just my final straw here, and I will be stopping this medication."

• thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2018

For Birth Control "This is my first time on birth control, and it has been the worst experience of my life. Month one was fine, I had nausea and threw up some, but nothing overbearing. Now I'm at the end of month two, and I'm completely over this pill! I have nausea every day, I feel like I have to throw up all the time, I got my first ever yeast infection, I have had extreme bloating for days at a time, and also I am experiencing pain while having sex. After sex, I’m in so much pain I just want to cry, and it could’ve only been 5 minutes. Do not take this pill. I thought it was all in my head, but I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has experienced these things. Also, my mental health has been messed up. My fiancé even said I’ve been moody and filled with anxiety, avoid this method and try something else. Only gave this a 1 because I’m not pregnant."

• wit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2022

For Birth Control "I began taking this medication after being on Diane35 for about 9 years, originally being put on it for acne. Diane was a perfect birth control pill for me, however, due to the higher risk of blood clots, my doctor and I decided I should try a new pill. I didn't experience spotting, and my period was light on this medication, which was a plus. However, it wreaked absolute havoc on my body. I haven't had acne for about 2-3 years now, and going on Alesse caused me to break out horrifically all over my face, on my shoulders, and on my chest. The acne would start to go away only when I was on my week of sugar pills and then come back a few days after starting the next pack. It also caused the worst mental health and mood issues I have ever experienced. I have never struggled with depression and only have mild anxiety. After going on this pill, my anxiety has become unmanageable, and any inconvenience makes me want to cry and sink into a hole. I am almost in a state of being nonfunctional now."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m so glad I came across these reviews because I don’t feel so alone now. First of all, I’m only giving this pill a 1 because it didn’t get me pregnant. Other than that, I’ve never had such a bad experience. Luckily, I didn’t get acne or gain weight. But my mood completely shifted. I became depressed and filled with anxiety, which isn’t normal for me. I cry all the time for no reason. This pill hasn’t changed my friendships, but it has taken a toll on my relationship with my boyfriend. I am constantly mad at him for no reason. I don’t feel like myself anymore. I was going to the gym 5 times a week and lost interest in fitness. I originally thought I was mildly depressed, but after all of these reviews, I realize now it’s all due to this pill. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone!!!"

• Joa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2019

For Birth Control "The pros: Larissia cleared up my acne, and I had no breakthrough bleeding or even periods (other than once in a while a very light one-day period). The cons: I gained seven pounds and developed anxiety so severe that I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Since quitting Larissia altogether, I feel totally like myself again. I had never struggled with anxiety or depression previously, and within a week or so of stopping it, I feel totally normal again and no crippling anxiety, so it’s hard not to come to the conclusion it was caused by Larissia. I previously took Orsythia with no problems whatsoever and was switched to Larissia due to pharmacy availability."

• Jos...
• September 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Aubra EQ six months ago. Before this, I was on Aubra, which I started in October of last year and had no problems. I loved it! When I started Aubra EQ, the first month I had some anxiety, and throughout my cramps, mood swings, and anxiety were a lot worse. My boyfriend told me to stop taking it and find something else, but I read that after six months your hormones will level out. Now that it's been six months, I've had the worst anxiety ever and crying so randomly. I keep telling myself, since my cycle is supposed to start, I just need to get through this week and I'll be fine, but no one should have to feel like that. I want to stop, but without having something to switch to, it's giving me anxiety. The pros: I don't have bad acne anymore, no excessive weight gain, and I'm not getting pregnant (unprotected sex)."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take this birth control!!! I had been put on this birth control a couple of years ago, absolutely hated it, went to Planned Parenthood to change back to my other birth control, and Rite Aid lost my prescription for the good birth control and now I’ve been stuck with Lessina again for almost a year. I’ve had my period for about a month straight on Lessina, it does nothing for cramps, causes headaches, mood swings, terrible anxiety, please do not take Lessina, I couldn’t think of a worse birth control."

• RN8...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I developed extreme depression, anxiety, and mood swings, and gained 15 lbs. I eventually became suicidal. I switched to another type of BC, and within 2 months, my suicidal thoughts were completely gone, and within 4 months, my depression and anxiety were gone too. My life was the same, but I felt sane and in control of my emotions again. I also was finally able to lose weight. And my previously clear skin, which Levora ruined with cystic acne, went back to normal. This is a nasty, horrible pill. It should be taken off the market."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 20, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Honestly, I have been on Levora birth control for roughly a year. At first, it was fine, although I did gain a significant amount of weight no matter what I did. However, now I can’t stop bleeding between my period, and I have horrible pain in my ovaries and back. I have been to the ER three times in two weeks because of these symptoms, and they keep telling me that all tests are normal. I’m telling you, I know it’s my birth control. I used it to skip my period, and now I am regretting that decision immensely. Tomorrow is my last day before placebo week, and it will be my LAST day of taking Levora because I am over this depression and anxiety, which are awful, and this pill has increased it tenfold! The bleeding, cramps, depression, weight gain, gas, bloating, mood swings, and migraines are not worth this pill. TBH, at this point, I’m young, but I’d rather have a baby than go through this for any longer. I feel like rubbish almost 24/7."

• Jfo...
• November 1, 2015

For Birth Control "Loved this birth control, had to change because I changed insurance and the new insurance would not pay for it. I began taking this my freshman year of college (did gain the freshman 15-well, 17), but I assumed the weight gain was due to stress and eating Taco Bell and drinking. The first few months, I had some problems, but eventually got on some anxiety medicine and have been fine ever since! I loved having my period only every 3 months. No acne. Great birth control! Would recommend to anyone."

• Sav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old and have been on this birth control, Sronyx, for about two years. In the first 3 months, I gained 15 pounds, which has never happened in my life. I have always been an active athlete, so weight gain had never been a problem until then. Thankfully, it was all water weight, so I lost it all in about 2 weeks after working really hard at the gym. My periods are short (about 3 days) and light. However, this birth control has made me an emotional wreck. Anxiety, depression, paranoia, are all through the roof. I cry like 3 times a day for no reason. I have always been a healthy, happy-go-lucky girl, and this birth control has completely changed me for the worse. I am always in a horrible mood and forget what it's like to be genuinely happy. I am going to get this switched ASAP and hopefully, I will return to my normal self soon. I wish I hadn't taken it for so long. It took me a while to realize that it was my birth control causing these issues. I thought I was becoming actually depressed."