Ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• moc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2021

For Birth Control "Pt.1 I've been on Vienva for almost three weeks and I can say it's not as bad as I thought it'd be. I was skeptical about it because of all the bad reviews, and I was scared I was going to get acne because of it. But I would say it just gets my appetite going in the morning, which I love because I deal with a lot of anxiety and I lose my appetite so much. My boobs are fuller, which I'm not complaining about, and they're a little sore here and there. I do experience a little cramping, but it lasts for like 10 minutes. Today I was super emotional, but I can never tell if it's the birth control or just the people in my household, LMAO. But before today, I was actually kinda happy, which makes me happier because I haven't really been happy in so long. For any ladies trying this, I would say not to be scared! But I will update you guys with Pt.2 once I finish the first 3 months!"

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2019

For Birth Control "This Lutera is the first birth control pill I've ever been on, so I can't compare my experience at all, but personally I love this pill. I gained no weight, maybe at the beginning I was a little bloated for a week or two, but it subsided naturally. The first month I had some very mild mood swings, such as getting overly upset about trivial things, however, I didn’t experience any serious depression or anxiety like how some others have expressed. I'm on my fourth pack now, and the spotting is finally going away gradually. At the beginning, it was really heavy, but now it's little to none. I experienced a little acne on my forehead and chin, but I started taking magnesium, and that went away almost entirely. This pill has not affected my sex drive at all either. (Also TMI possibly, but my partner and I have gotten a little reckless in the bedroom, and I can happily report my womb is still vacant, so it works very well in my opinion)"

• Ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I've taken Aviane for the past 5 years (I recently switched to using Pill Club and they don't offer that brand), and Vienva is the equivalent, so I gave it a try. I love it. No side effects at all. No mood swings, weight gain, or breakouts. I 100% recommend it."

• Rac...
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Vienva for 3 weeks, almost 4, and it got to the point where I was supposed to start my period. They were already irregular, and I got prescribed this from the pill club because I was tired of having 2 periods a month, but this is not worth it. By the time I got to the peach pills, my emotions have been through the roof. I cry over the smallest things and have the worst mood swings on it. If you’re going through the pill club like I did, I recommend you go to a doctor that will prescribe you the right pill. It might be good for some people, but the emotional effect on this is not worth it. I would rather be pregnant at this point. It made my cramps so much worse, and they were already horrible to begin with. The pill club can eat my panini."

• Rac...
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Vienva for 3 weeks, almost 4, and it got to the point where I was supposed to start my period. They were already irregular, and I got prescribed this from the pill club because I was tired of having 2 periods a month, but this is not worth it. By the time I got to the peach pills, my emotions have been through the roof. I cry over the smallest things and have the worst mood swings on it. If you’re going through the pill club like I did, I recommend you go to a doctor that will prescribe you the right pill. It might be good for some people, but the emotional effect on this is not worth it. I would rather be pregnant at this point. It made my cramps so much worse, and they were already horrible to begin with. The pill club can eat my panini."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking Lutera 3 months ago. I have to say, I was tremendously reluctant to try this birth control after reading some of the horrifying reviews. My main concern, if I'm being honest, was weight gain. I lost 60 pounds by eating healthy and exercising, but I am someone who gains weight rather quickly, so it was definitely a concern for me. Here's a little backstory: I've been on a few birth controls from ages 14-25. I initially began taking birth control to help with my cramps. I decided to take a break after being on it for 10 years. In the past year, I have been experiencing excruciating cramps to the point where I was vomiting and calling out of work. I'm a pain-tolerant person, but my cramps were unbearable on days 1 and 2. I went to my gyno, and she suggested I start birth control. Enter Lutera. The first week, I was feeling slightly nauseous when I would first take Lutera. I decided to eat a large snack or small meal with it, and that helped the nausea. I also noticed that I had awful mood swings for about 2 weeks. I would be laughing one minute and crying the next. I even called my gyno within the first week to see if I could switch birth controls, especially given the reviews I had read. She insisted that I stay on for at least one month, and if I still felt the same, we could switch it. I'm glad I listened. The nausea and mood swings went away. I have not experienced any weight gain. I've actually lost weight. As I mentioned before, I gain weight easily and fast, so I am always mindful of what I'm putting into my body. I haven't experienced weight gain, but I also try to eat well and exercise regularly (this is something we should all be doing anyway). I haven't experienced acne or depression or anxiety while on Lutera. My periods are shorter and much lighter (about 3-4 days vs. 6-7), and my cramps are not nearly as bad as they were. The only thing I've noticed on Lutera is that my breasts are pretty sensitive and my sex drive is slightly decreased, but no more than what I had experienced on other birth controls. I'm writing this review because I was one of the people who read these reviews and was scared and stressed to try Lutera. I'm glad that I listened to the medical professional who prescribed the birth control (I voiced my concerns ahead of time) instead of listening to reviews online. I will also add that every body is different, but I wanted to share my experience in hopes that it puts you at ease. I haven't experienced the symptoms that many people discuss in the negative reviews. Again, we are all different, so I can't speak for everyone. I would imagine that medical history and your daily habits would have an effect on any medication you take. I would give it a try for at least a month and make an informed decision then."

• new...
• November 9, 2009

For Birth Control "I started birth control for the 1st time a little over a month ago, and my doctor prescribed Lutera. So far, it's been a great pill for a 1st-time user. I was a little moody for the 1st week or 2 that I started taking the pill, but I'm also being treated for depression so I don't know that I can attribute my mood swings to anything in particular. My mood is definitely back to normal now, either way. The only lasting symptom I've noticed is a little tenderness/swelling in my breasts, which really doesn't bother me very much. All-in-all, I recommend Lutera for 1st-time users because I think low dose birth control is a great way to start. Also, I set my cell phone alarm to remind me to take it each day, and that really helps me remember!"

• 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!"

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I am going to leave an unbiased review that will be factual without any bias because it's unfair to base it off of only personal feelings, which will look very scary. I was on this for two months, this may or may not cause your feelings of negativity to skyrocket. It did escalate my depression. It did make me more cranky and moody. It will make you cramp a bit. A bit of spotting, which is normal. These are the side effects I have experienced. If it sounds scary, then try a different brand, but other than that, you can just try to make yourself stronger mentally. I personally don't think it's the end of the world taking it. As for the effectiveness, it has not gotten me pregnant. It is doing an amazing job at doing what you want it to do, which is protect you from pregnancy. A lot of people overlook and fail to acknowledge its effectiveness."

• and...
• July 29, 2011

For Birth Control "This pill is amazing. It is what I always wanted. I have been on it for only about a month, and I have already noticed rapid weight loss. My breasts have gotten bigger (B cup to C cup), my acne cleared up, and I actually seem much happier. I haven't had any spotting, tenderness, or mood swings, but I hear some people get those. I will most definitely stick with this pill, and I recommend it to anyone. It's truly AMAZING."

• KT1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I just recently started this medication as my first ever use of birth control, and I've had no issues so far! No nausea, no cramping, no spotting yet. No mood swings or bloating either. I will update once I get further along, but so far I feel like I haven't even taken anything! Don't get too scared by the negative reviews because I think statistically speaking, more people are likely to share their experience if it's bad than people who are happy with it."

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Lutera for about 4 years now, and it's been pretty good! No huge complaints at all here! My breasts definitely got bigger, but besides that, not much weight gain as others have mentioned. I do have mood swings ever since I started Lutera, but I mostly just cry easier when I'm PMSing, and that's it. As for effectiveness, it works great, and I pretty much have my period down to the hour at which I know it will start. If you take the pill as instructed, it works great!"

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

For Birth Control "I have been on several pill birth controls and recently after my third child, I had the IUD inserted. I hated it and got it removed and was switched to Vienva. I was horrified to see all the bad comments, but pleasantly surprised I am on my fourth week and feel better than ever! No more mood swings, cystic acne, painful sex, weight gain I had with the IUD. Sticking with Vienva."

• 21...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Going on month six of the Larissia birth control, and it is the best birth control I have taken. Before I started it, I came here to read reviews and got very nervous based on the negative effects people were experiencing. All I can say is you have to try it for yourself because everyone’s body is different. I have experienced no crazy mood swings, no depressing thoughts, and no high anxiety. Unlike the other birth controls I have tried in the past that make me lose my sex drive and become dry, this one increased it!!! It feels like I’m not even on birth control. I’ve had no pregnancy scares (I do take it daily and don’t miss a day) and have had no problems with it. The only negative I can give this pill is that it didn’t take away my acne but definitely didn’t make my acne worse. Don’t let reviews scare you away from trying a birth control because it could work the best for your body!"

• Add...
• April 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Been on Levora contraceptive pill for 3 years! Beginning, it was rough—spotted for a while and was very emotional and a bit depressed. However, once that period passed and my body was used to the hormones, my skin cleared completely. I lost probably 10 lbs. Period went from 4 to 5 days long to 3 days exactly! Changed my life :)"

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on Alesse for 4 years and am very pleased. Before I was on Alesse, I was naturally very moody, and my periods were heavy, long, and painful. When I started this pill, my mood swings evened out, and my period not only got less painful but shortened to only 3 days. I was a little concerned about how quickly I would get pregnant when my husband and I decided it was time, but no worries there. I came off the pill New Year's 2009 and was pregnant by Valentine's. It is now January 2010, and I'm holding a beautiful baby girl. I plan on going back on Alesse as soon as possible."

• In ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2021

For Birth Control "First and last time using this drug. I just started my 3rd pack and have been bleeding nonstop since week 2. It has made me emotional, sluggish, bloated, abdominal cramps, acne, and bad gas with multiple poops a day. I’ve never felt this bad before, ever. Stopping the pill today and hoping to get my life back. DO NOT take unless you like to be miserable and in constant pain."

• dha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I started using this pill about 2 months ago. I’ve only used birth control this time and another time about 2 years ago. The first time was fine, I didn’t have any side effects whatsoever (but then again it was a different pill), so I decided to go back on the pill again. I got prescribed Vienva from the pill club. The first 2 weeks of taking it, I would wake up every morning with extreme nausea, my mood swings started getting really bad and started affecting my relationship. I felt like I was starting to get depressed. Last night I got an overwhelming feeling of sadness out of nowhere and started crying uncontrollably, sobbing in the shower. I’ve NEVER done that before, and that for me was the last straw. I’m not pregnant, no, it works, I guess."

• Goi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on birth control for over 6 years. I started with the depo (did that for 2 years) and stopped because I was bleeding constantly. Then I had Skyla (IUD) (I had it for 3 1/2 years) and had no problems but had to get it removed because it wasn’t going to be effective anymore. I decided to give the pill a shot, and I started taking Vienva in April of this year. I did notice that I was more emotional, and my libido declined a bit. The company that provides me with birth control switched my pills to Lutera. I’ve been taking it for a little over two months and a half, and I feel like I’m going insane. I started having irrational dark thoughts, and I break down crying all the time. Also, my sex drive has had a huge decline. I’m a mess, I don’t feel like myself, and I can’t take it anymore. With all that said, I decided to stop taking the pill, yesterday was my last day, and I hope I feel back to normal soon. My mental health is more important."

• Tor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 8, 2021

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old, and this is my first time using birth control. I was nervous because some friends of mine have had horror stories about birth control, but I guess I got extremely lucky because this has worked perfectly for me. No terrible mood swings, my periods have been regular, my skin is clear, normal blood pressure, no crazy weight gain, and I have not gotten pregnant, yes! (I have been taking this pill for around 9 months now.)"

• aej...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2021

"IDK who needs to hear this, but this BC is the reason you’re not feeling like yourself. I have been taking Larissia for 8 months. At first, I was only experiencing painful, constant headaches and increased appetite, but as time went on, the side effects worsened, and TBH, I was in denial and didn’t want to switch because my periods are so light and only last 3 days. But it’s not worth how fatigued, angry, uncontrollable, depressed, anxious, and emotional I feel. I have been falling out with the people closest to me for no reason. My sex drive decreased, the headaches are so painful my vision gets blurry, and with all this, I have a child to care for. So, I’m here to warn you: pay close attention to your body. If you feel even slightly different, immediately stop taking it because it will get worse. Avoid this BC at all costs!!"

• Geh...
• May 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lutera for about five months now. I've noticed that my mood swings have gotten terrible. I am prone to headaches, and I've gained quite a bit of weight that is nearly impossible to lose."

• Ric...
• January 2, 2019

For Birth Control "The first three weeks were terrible, dizzy, moody, brain fog...you name the side effect; I had it. After three weeks, I was ready to give up. I would ask my husband every day what his thoughts were. He knew the yo-yo of emotions my monthly cycle brought, how it affected work, relationships, sleep, and parenting. This has CHANGED MY LIFE! The first twelve weeks (yup, three full months) I spot bled every day. I probably gained a few pounds due to water retention, but that's gone. Sex drive was eliminated; it has since resurfaced. All the side effects are now gone, I'm clear-minded, level-headed, and NO emotional rollercoaster each month. No monthly bloating, mood swings, or feeling like my blood was boiling. I would do it all again. If you are questioning this or any pill, you will want to give it twelve weeks...stinks at times, but your body takes time. I've tried every other pill, IUD, antidepressants, no sugar, no caffeine...etc. I don't get a period anymore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I signed up for Pill Club and was prescribed Vienva. It is my first birth control, so I immediately went online to look up side effects and reviews. After reading, I was scared to death to get my prescription, knowing I can't change it for at least 2-3 months. Reluctantly, I did start taking it, as I did read some good reviews. I'm about to start my second month in about a week. I have yet to notice any major side effects. Maybe a tad bit more emotional and faint cramps here and there, but nothing too crazy. The only weight I gained was before I even started the pack and was my own doing. I know it's still early, but I think it's working well for me. Although I do understand everyone is different and will react differently."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I am in love with this birth control Alesse! It is the first one I have ever taken, and I went on it because I would get such bad acne all over my cheeks, especially around my period. There was never a time when my skin was clear, and when it was better, it would still have a bunch of scars until it would get horrible again. In the first week, my skin got a little better, there was a little bit of cramping and mood swings, but not too bad. In the second week, it was breaking out (but not nearly as bad as the worst it's been), and then in the 3rd week, almost perfect, just scars to heal up. I'm on just over a month, and my skin is literally perfect, just a couple of scars left to heal, and now they can actually heal because my face isn't going to have another huge breakout the next day anymore!"