Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Lutera for 6 months before being switched to Aviane due to insurance covering it. I was told that it is the same exact pill and not to worry. Let me tell you, it is NOT the same pill. I had a great experience on Lutera, of course, starting was a little hard, but I had light periods, high sex drive, etc. On Aviane, I was extremely depressed and had NO sexual drive at all, couldn’t finish, and felt foggy and gained like 10 pounds. I also had a pregnancy scare and missed a period cycle on it. It’s so bad. I switched back to Lutera and have been off Aviane for about 2 weeks. I already feel so much better and am so much happier. Sex drive is back to normal, etc. Please stay away from this. I also found out insurance covers Lutera, so I did all of that for nothing."

• bro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2020

For Birth Control "This pill, Aviane, works as a birth control, and it made my periods super short and super light, and cramps disappeared. That being said, there were a lot of cons associated with this: headaches, nausea, weight gain, acne, acne, acne (my skin was clear before this), and crazy anxiety, depression, and mood swings. I would not recommend. Going to switch back to Ortho Cyclen."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2019

For Birth Control "DO NOT USE! Not only does this birth control NOT WORK, it has horrible side effects, not just on me, but on my roommates who were also prescribed it. We went together and got prescribed Aviane for birth control. Since being prescribed Aviane, I've been extremely irritable, hormonal, angry, depressed, and I am easier to lash out at people for no reason. I've gained a lot of weight and worst of all, I'm covered in cystic acne all over my face, neck, back, and thighs - sometimes on my bum too - I've never gotten acne before taking Aviane!!! And on top of that, I'm 1 month pregnant, even though I took the pill every day, on time, exactly how I was supposed to. My roommates have experienced all the same things. One of them got pregnant 2 months after they started taking it, another gained almost 50 pounds in only a few months, and don't even get me going about all of our acne problems. Ladies: do not use. Aviane birth control doesn't work, you could end up pregnant!!!!"

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2017

For Birth Control "Moodiness increased, sex drive lowered to the point where I didn't want anything to do with my partner, extremely emotional, painful periods, and depressed. I've been off for about a month and feel so much better."

• Ban...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control, Alesse-28, for about 4 years now. At first, it was great. I did notice weight gain, every three months, I found my period would go from heavy to light, and then my boobs would become extremely sore on the third month. Extreme mood swings, depressed. Since May of this year, my periods have been almost nonexistent, sometimes I’ll have some spotting. I’m not pregnant. My stress has increased. I am a university student, but I had major life changes, so I’m not sure if the increased stress is what is causing the missed periods. Last month, my period did last for about three days. I’ve had to go onto an antidepressant recently as well. I’m currently trying to switch pills, as I cannot stand the missed periods and worrying every single month if I’m pregnant. As much as I like light periods, I would like to have at least something so I don’t have a heart attack."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched to Portia after Levora was discontinued. TLDR: It was not a cute look. I experienced wild physical side effects that I had not experienced with Levora. 1) My skin broke out into more acne than it has in years, and my cheeks were constantly red. 2) I started Portia the same time I got back into my old cardio routine and clean diet that typically maintains my weight. THIS BIRTH CONTROL MADE ME GAIN 20 POUNDS in a month. And I'm 23, so it's not because my metabolism is slowing down. 3) I'm bloated ALL the time and hate how this medication gives me a perpetual food baby. 4) I'm constantly nauseous. 5) But I'm also constantly hungry. Now for the psychological symptoms: 6) I got depressed so easily and intensely, in a way that I had never been before and ended up being sent to the psychiatric ward for the first time."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

For Endometriosis "Levlen is the worst thing that ever happened to me! I was on Norimin-1, but as a result of COVID, they were unable to import the ingredients for it. My doctor then switched me to Levlen... worst thing ever. After 3 weeks of use, I had severe hormonal acne all along my jawline. The pressure from the acne hurts my face (I’ve never ever had any issues with my skin). I thought this may be just because of a hormonal change from trying a new pill. After 3 months, it became worse and worse. Never have I had severe headaches, but daily I now have severe headaches that come out of nowhere. I have severe depression now from this pill, my mood swings are absolutely insane."

• Pai...
• March 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Trigger warning: suicide ideation. I've had painful periods all my life and decided to go on the pill after meeting my partner for birth control reasons. The pain did reduce, but I gained a lot of weight, and it affected my mood and gave me depression. After experiencing ongoing suicide ideation, I quit my job at a pharmacy I worked at due to fear of stealing medication and overdosing on it. After stopping the pill, my mental health returned to better levels almost immediately (3 days)."

• Rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2012

"I've been on Seasonique for a little over 6 weeks. I was previously on Depo-Provera on and off for the last 8 years (used NuvaRing on the breaks from Depo), and I was on Depo for the last year non-stop. Seasonique is a lifesaver. On Depo, I had crazy mood swings, uncontrollable crying fits, and severe depression. Within 2 weeks of starting Seasonique, I was a normal person! I didn't realize that Depo had created those side effects. I just thought I was crazy, but Seasonique changed everything for me. My acne even subsided dramatically, and I'm finally losing ALL of the weight I gained on Depo. I really believe Seasonique saved me. I have recommended it to every female I know."

• Ray...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2020

For Birth Control "This was the worst birth control I have ever been on. I am honestly stopping birth control because this stuff gave me the worst mental breakdown of my life. I stopped taking it and immediately started bleeding after. I have gotten acne where I have never had it before, and I have had the worst flare-up of BV in my life... not even antibiotics helped. Now I suffer from severe cramps and stuff, and this made things worse... I have never been laid out in bed because of cramps before this medication... 100% do not recommend!!!!"

• k19...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2018

For Birth Control "Started taking Portia about 2 months ago. Had to stop because I was not myself at all! Felt like a cloud was over my mind at all times. Caused extreme anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Lost friends and broke relationships. After 2 days of accidentally not taking it, I noticed I felt like myself again and refuse to go back on. Please watch your body and your mental response-don’t want anyone to have to go through this because of a silly pill!"

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I have used Levora for a long period of time and never had any issues to speak of. My appetite stayed low, and my sex drive was better than without the pill. My weight was easier to maintain, and it never shot up like with other pills I have used. My periods were also not only always on time but became lighter and shorter the longer I was on it. When I came off of it over this last year, I gained about 50 pounds, but in that time frame, I also had knee surgery, so my activity dropped drastically from normal. I don't think I can complain about anything regarding this form of contraception. Didn't have migraines, depression, or anything of the other symptoms/side effects."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I had been on this birth control for a little over a week, and I felt like I was a completely different person. Extreme anxiety to the point of almost having multiple panic attacks a day, feelings of depression, and thoughts I never had before that actually scared me! And the worst part was having absolutely no appetite, I was forcing myself to eat every single day. I stopped taking it two days ago, and it’s insane how quickly I feel myself again. I know every woman experiences medication differently, but this birth control may not even be worth a try!"

• aya...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking Alesse 28 for 4 months. Except for the fact that it prevents pregnancy at a high rate, I don't like it at all. I have horrible mood swings since I've been taking it. This conclusion is not even biased because I didn't read any reviews before having these symptoms. I got it as a recommendation from the doctor. Once on it, I feel constantly nervous, anxious, sad, and mad for no reason, and when I'm happy, I'm really happy. I don't take any other medication, so I can only blame it on this pill. I think I will stop it ASAP. Just need to find an alternative."

• Aly...
• May 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I have only been on it for a little over a month. It's the first birth control I've been on, so I was new to side effects. I finally realized my mood swings are huge. I find myself very emotional and depressed, and minutes later I'm beyond happy. I do get headaches quite a bit, but it can be from something totally different. I feel like I've gained a little bit of weight, but I can't blame anything but myself. I don't think it's a horrible pill, it just affects me badly."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

For Birth Control "I recently switched to this as another option to Lo Loestrin, which I heard worked in a similar fashion. The mental side effects have been absolutely horrible. Five days in, and I am moody, agitated, and picking fights, which is definitely not my personality, and I have been so incredibly depressed it’s insane. While this might work well for some people, if you are doing well on the Lo Loestrin, or have had any issues in the past with other birth controls with higher estrogen that affect your mood, I would definitely not recommend this birth control. This has been a nightmare, and I’m immediately going off of it."

• Yaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. Experienced terrible mood swings and increased depression and anxiety, plus cystic acne that I never experienced before this pill. I’ve also been constantly bleeding for the past 4 weeks because of it, wouldn’t recommend at all."

• 097...
• February 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm currently taking Camrese. I had no complaints. My periods are shorter and bearable, and my face is clear. I thought I was perfectly content until I realized a few things. I have night sweats, my boobs hurt, I've gained like 20 pounds, and I think I am depressed."

• sta...
• August 29, 2011

For Birth Control "I started on Yaz and had to switch because of blood clots. My doctor then put me on Loestrin Fe, and I got super depressed and emotional, so I was switched to Lutera. I have been on Lutera for the past year, and I feel moody, but it is more controllable. Ever since I have changed to this birth control, I have had a lot of infections, from urinary tract infections to yeast infections to bacterial vaginosis. I have never had any of the above before this birth control. I have not changed my lifestyle at all and really believe it's the birth control. I have had two friends who completely agreed with me when they were taking the birth control, and I am really surprised I did not read any reviews about this."

• ATa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control, Lutera, for 4 months now. I don't have any complaints about it! My skin is actually clearer than when I started, though my skin care routine is the same. I haven't gained any weight, had any nausea, mood swings, or depression. I'm a type 1 diabetic as well, and it hasn't affected my blood sugars at all."

• Ros...
• January 7, 2019

For Birth Control "This product should be banned! Everything that can go wrong will go wrong! Painful abdominal cramping all day, every day, breast tenderness and heavy pain in breasts, dramatic mood swings, intense depression, cramping during sex, yeast infections, dry skin and scalp itch, numbness in arms and legs, heart palpitations. It is taking STOP IMMEDIATELY and talk to your doctor. I was put on this without my consent!"

• ean...
• March 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve never left a review before, so hopefully this is a sign for anyone considering taking this: DON'T TAKE IT. I only took it for a couple of days, but that was enough. I had horrible mood swings and felt like I had PMS only 100 times worse. I had uncontrollable sobbing fits to the point where I couldn’t breathe because I was sobbing so much. I got angry at everything and everyone. I felt foggy, unmotivated, depressed, and I would constantly stare off into space. I didn’t feel like myself. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone unless you really want to sob all the time for no reason at all and feel like a crazy person. Before I took this, I thought there was no way it was as bad as the reviews say, but oh, it really is. I would rate this a negative number if I could, find a better option for birth control because there are so many, and this one sucks."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 23, taking for 3 months. I take my pill every day at the same time, no missed doses. I don't consume the pills during the placebo week. Pros: Not pregnant. Acne has improved. Still get a few blind pimples on the placebo week, though. No longer experience ovulation pain related to cysts. No weight gain. The only thing I've noticed is that my breasts went up about 1/2 cup size, but I had minimal soreness, if any. My period is very light, no cramping. No hair loss, oiliness, normal sex drive, no yeast infections (my doctor recommends taking a probiotic), no migraines, no breakthrough bleeding. No signs of any of the more serious side effects like blood clots, etc. Cons: On the first few days of the placebo week, I experience some depression and anxiety. I do have a history of these issues, though, so that may be a factor. Some moodiness. I don't get as 'wet' during sex. Some fatigue in the first month. In weighing the pros and cons, I'm moderately satisfied taking the pill."

• A M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I use birth control for period regulation, not to prevent pregnancy. Switched from Junel Fe to Larissia after one year of Junel Fe. Junel Fe was fine for me physically (no crazy weight gain or other side effects), but it was giving me dark thoughts and making me depressed. After the switch to Larissia, I noticed my mood immediately lightening. Very satisfied with the switch."

• Ran...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this Aviane birth control for 8 months now, and it’s made my PMS symptoms and depression so bad. Like a week before my period, I feel like I’m going insane. I feel like every month it makes it worse and worse. Honestly, I don’t think I can take this pill anymore, it’s wrecking my mind. It always made me gain weight, and my boobs are sore 24/7."