Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

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

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel 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."

• Fal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "Do not take this! It has literally been the worst 2 months ever. The first month I was EXTREMELY nauseous the whole time. In these two months I’ve had lots of heartburn, been extremely emotional, I used to only need 7-8 hours of sleep and now I need like 10, I randomly get super anxious and really sad. I have a great life, so idk why I’m becoming so sad. It has mainly made me feel like a chicken with my head cut off who is drowning. WORST PART: All these issues have been causing me to be ungrateful and selfish, and it’s tearing apart my relationship with my best friend, aka my fiancé! I know it’s got to be partly me, but dang this stuff just switched me 180 degrees. My fiancé says I’m a stranger to him."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2014

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "Up until this past fall, I hadn't experienced any negative side effects while taking the pill. Then I started having anxiety attacks, feeling depressed about everything, rapid weight gain (25 lbs in 2 months despite living at the gym), extreme irritability, heavy bleeding (3-4 super tampons every 2 hours) halfway through a pack, intense cramping, new and powerful migraines, and horrible skin. I've been off of it for 2 months now, and I feel worlds better. I still have bad skin, and although my anxiety is manageable, it's still there, but at least I can get out of bed, and the headaches have slackened. I'm looking at other options now because abstinence is difficult."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 14, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "Let's start off by saying this has prevented pregnancy. BUT, my anxiety, depression, acne, and weight gain have skyrocketed. Every time I think my acne is gone, it comes right back, and I'm 21 years old. I get anxiety just by eating in front of someone because I overthink how I'm eating. I've gained almost 15 pounds just from being on this (NONE of it being in my blogs). I have also noticed a plummeted sex drive and less 'lubrication' than before. My motivation to do things I used to love doing all the time now only comes in waves. I've also experienced random breakthrough bleeding, which freaked me out. UUGGHHH I have to take 5 more months of this rubbish before I switch to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I'm very upset."

• zdy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2015

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "I started taking Lutera because I have horrible pain and insane cramps, hot flashes, etc., on my period. I could've taken a pain killer, but I chose I could just go on birth control again. I used to be on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. This was a low dose of Lutera they told me, so I said ok. It worked as far as birth control and took my cramps and pain away right away, which was a plus. On my 4th pack, I started noticing I had very bad anxiety, I was sweating in my sleep, feeling zoned out after a full night's sleep. I hated how it made me feel. So, I stopped taking it. After 3 days of stopping, I started having light brown discharge and horrible cramps. The longer I've been off it now for a week, the worse it is: heavier discharge, headaches, body hurts, and I have bleeding."

• Lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "I took Levlen ED for 1 year and gained 5 kg, was very anxious and moody, but eventually it settled down. I then stopped the pill, and a few months later I am back on it... After 10 days on Levlen ED, my anxiety and moodiness have increased, and I have gotten TERRIBLE acne all over my face. As someone who barely ever gets pimples, I am mortified. I have also completely lost my appetite (although it might be because of stress?). Anyway, I will be stopping the pill tomorrow and asking my doctor for an alternative. Not worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2012

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "Started this thinking it would be a great fit for me. I am 23 years old, just had a baby 6 weeks before. I had stopped the bleeding after having a baby, so I started taking the birth control. After a few days, I noticed right away that my anxiety got really bad. I had ZERO patience for anything, which was taking a toll on my family (this is not due to the new baby). I didn't want to be around anyone, everything annoyed me. I am normally a very laid-back, easygoing person, so this was abnormal. The panic attacks would get so horrible I would curl up in a ball and cry. My sex drive was normal, but wasn't there because all I would do was bleed heavily. I have been bleeding heavily for 3 weeks now. Stopped the pack after 2 weeks."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "I started Vienva because my boyfriend and I had decided we wanted to try having unprotected sex. The Vienva was the worst experience of my life. I'm the happiest girl in the world-always laughing and smiling. But Vienva just completely flipped a switch in me. I'm miserable, I can't concentrate, and my anxiety is through the roof. I feel terrible and I'm always crying-and I'm not a crier. Do not take this birth control, PLEASE. I didn't think it would affect me like this, but it has. Save yourself."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "Would not recommend this birth control at all. Regret ever taking it. I was on Lessina for about 6 weeks when I realized I needed to stop. I was constantly tired and wanted to sleep. My weight stayed the same, but I wasn’t on it long enough. I felt like my acne actually got worse - I had painful pimples that didn’t go away for weeks. On top of this, I started to lose my self-confidence and motivation. I did already have anxiety but was always able to control it, but on this birth control, my anxiety was terrible and I couldn’t control it - I had to hold myself from having anxiety attacks in school. I would easily get ticked off or upset over the smallest things. I started to experience depression and didn’t feel like myself at all on this pill. Forgot what it was like to feel normal and really happy like I used to be. DON'T TAKE THIS PILL."

• Tar...
• January 26, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "If new to this birth control, do not continue to take it. I am a healthy 20-year-old girl, and this birth control has made me feel terrible. To start, I have been on Lutera (0.1 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol) for 3 years now, and one day the pharmacist decided to change me to the generic Sronyx (0.1 mg levonorgestrel and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol) in September because they were out of Lutera. They are supposed to be the same thing, but I can't believe that. I will never go back on this birth control because of the terrible cystic acne and the terrible side effects of depression and anxiety. When I started to take it, oh my goodness, I had anxiety to the point that I would break down in tears and cry every time I woke up, and I didn't sleep well while being on this medicine. Not to mention I have never had depression in my life, and now I am still struggling to get myself out of the depression stage because of this medicine. I am hoping to feel like myself again sometime soon because I cannot tell you how upset this makes me feel. If you struggle with depression or bad anxiety, stay away from this medicine because it will make everything so much worse."

• Aly...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2015

For Premenstrual Syndrome "I was on Alysena for PMDD, and one month the pharmacy gave me Alesse instead. I don't know why, but I felt worse, and it was immediate. Technically they are the same, but I can say that for me, I felt very paranoid and anxious. No thanks. But please know that Alysena cured my PMDD. I was almost at the end of my rope when I started it, and then the emotional symptoms I’d had for years disappeared. My particular hormonal imbalance was completely righted by this medication. I really hope other women out there who are suffering will consider it and get some relief."

• Aly...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2015

For Premenstrual Syndrome "I was on Alysena for PMDD, and one month the pharmacy gave me Alesse instead. I don't know why, but I felt worse, and it was immediate. Technically they are the same, but I can say that for me, I felt very paranoid and anxious. No thanks. But please know that Alysena cured my PMDD. I was almost at the end of my rope when I started it, and then the emotional symptoms I’d had for years disappeared. My particular hormonal imbalance was completely righted by this medication. I really hope other women out there who are suffering will consider it and get some relief."

• Mar...
• February 26, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "I've been on this for about a year and a half, never had the bad side effects when I started it. My skin is a lot clearer than before with regular skin care. My sex drive is a little lower, but I can deal with that, and I have small amounts of anxiety, but also something I can manage. Never gained weight, never have mood swings, and no other real problems. Everyone has different reactions to all birth control, so you really won't know until you try it."

• cec...
• January 20, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "Though I haven't been on Aubra very long, I’ve been on it long enough to experience the (very negative) side effects. At first, I didn't notice how this pill was affecting me, but now, I am definitely realizing how bad it has been! This little pill has graced me with hugely increased anxiety, flat/depressed mood, insomnia, weight gain, more acne, heavier and more painful periods, and headaches. I am switching to a non-hormonal IUD because Aubra has messed my body up so much! Do not recommend!"

• Tor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. I recently switched to this pill after my period got off track from my last pill. Three weeks into taking it, I started getting EXTREME anxiety, something I’d never experienced before. It caused issues in my relationship because I was trying to hide them. I thought I was going crazy and couldn’t hide them anymore. I was crying all the time for no reason, feeling scared and nervous. It wasn’t until my friends told me to research the new pill that I realized I wasn’t just randomly going crazy. Lots of people experience the same feelings. I don’t wish this level of anxiety on anyone. I’m stopping the pill and hoping it doesn’t take long to return to normal."

• Noa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "Literally no. Stay away from this birth control. I didn’t want to listen to the reviews and decided to give Vienva a try. The first day that I began taking it, I began feeling anxious. And then it got worse, and things didn’t feel real, and I felt like I was not myself at all. The night that I took my third pill, I was in bed not being able to sleep the entire night because I had such bad anxiety, so many scary thoughts, and my mind and body would not stop going, going, going. I felt myself going insane. I am not taking the fourth pill... this is crazy. And I’ve been on a different birth control before that made me a little more sad and emotional, but this was a whole other level."

• sam...
• October 23, 2018

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "I ordered this from a mail-order birth control site. I wasn't given an option as to what I was taking, they just sent it to me. The first month, I was fine. The second month, I started spotting (which I have never done in the 12 years I've had a period). By the time my period rolled around, I was passing blood clots the size of golf balls. I was in the worst pain I've ever been in. My depression and anxiety were amplified 1000 times, and I cried over everything. My face stayed broken out (I looked like I was on drugs from the scabbing), and I developed seborrheic dermatitis that is just now getting better (2 months after stopping the pills). I'm still seeing abnormal side effects (abnormal for me, anyway) like how emotional I get a few days before my period, the heaviness of my period, and how bad my acne gets right before. I've been to the ER and made several emergency doctor's appointments because my period is so bad since I had started and stopped Aubra."

• nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "This pill started out fine, with some minor side effects that I was told I would adjust to. Everything got worse with time. I wake up trembling with anxiety most mornings, I always look/feel pregnant, I cry over EVERYTHING, so much so that it’s ruining my professional life at work, as I cannot control the waterworks. My sex drive is gone, and I am honestly terrified to give any other pill a try, just because of the experiences I have had on this one."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2020

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "This was my first birth control experience. I’m 40 and just wanted a low dose BC that would help with ovulation and PMS symptoms. I lasted 10 days. Although it did keep me from experiencing another ovarian cyst during ovulation, I had horrible migraines from day 3, numbness in the left side of my face, immediate weight gain (5 lbs in a week), and a bit of nighttime anxiety. My doctor switched me today, and I’ll start the mini pill tonight. If you struggle with anxiety, headaches, or are sensitive to estrogen, this pill may not be a good fit."

• Sam...
• August 26, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel 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."

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2021

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "At first, everything was fine, but then I realized I was even more anxious than usual (I have an anxiety disorder already), and then I was bloated. I can't fit into any of my jeans. Then, my period, when it did come, was super heavy. Blood clot heavy. I have aches and pains. I never have periods like this. I feel like utter crap. I'm stopping this med even though it's been a month or two. Back to my old birth control."

• Cic...
• October 8, 2019

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "I’ve been on Aubra EQ for 11 months. The first 7/8 months I felt fine and did not give me any problems. After that, I began PMSing really bad, I now feel depressed and have migraines almost every day. My anxiety has increased a lot, and my brain feels foggy most of the time. I have a breakdown almost every day. I notice when I’m on my placebo pills I’m even more emotional because of PMS, but I don’t feel foggy. Nothing in my life has changed, so the only explanation for feeling this way is my birth control. I do not feel like myself on it and plan on switching methods. Doesn’t hurt to try it out, it might be fine for some people, but at the end of the day, it isn’t working for me."

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

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "One of the worst BC pills I have ever been on. Took it for 8 months. The only pro - I didn't get pregnant. Everything else was a con, here is the following: severe - migraines, PMS (PMS would be almost a month long), mood swings (to a point of psychosis & paranoia), depression & anxiety, cystic body acne (vile). Complete loss of libido, made my current partner seem repulsive. Weight gain (I gained 15 pounds!) greasy skin & hair, constant dermatitis and dry patches of skin. Would make me bloat before and during my periods immensely. Did not matter if the periods were 'lighter' considering the PMS, and bloating was so bad to a point of needing to take time off work. I started getting horrible gingivitis on this pill, bad breath & garnered over 6 tooth cavities after 6 months of being on this pill. I never get cavities. Once I went off this pill, all of these disgusting and unfortunate side effects went away. If a GP prescribes you this pill, say no."

• Ext...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel for Birth Control "As a disclaimer, I have not taken birth control for over ten years. That said, I decided it would be the right choice with a new partner in tow. The first week I started Lutera, I experienced dryness around my lips. As I entered week two, I began experiencing dryness around the labia. The change in hormones affected me adversely as I became irritable and anxious for no reason apparent. It became very clear the pill was thinning the walls of my vagina and natural lubrication disappeared when I had normal intercourse with my partner, and I was torn inside. I experienced quite a bit of tearing and consequent bleeding from those rips. I remained on the pill for a full month. My lips progressively became more dry and cracked."