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

• Liz...
• December 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Lutera for a few years now. I could not be happier with the results! I noticed after the first few packs my period was diminishing. After about 4 months, I had no period at all: no spotting, no bleeding, no PMS, no cramps, no mood swings. I took several pregnancy tests over the next few months because I was scared that I didn't get a period. But I was never pregnant! So after all this time, I'm still having no period and no PMS symptoms. I have to explain every time I go to the doctor why I can't put an answer on the question, 'When was the last date of your menstrual cycle?'"

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I am highly surprised at all the negative reviews of this pill. It's unfortunate that so many women have had a negative experience with this. As for me, this is by far one of the best birth control pills I have ever taken. I started taking this three months ago as a form of cycle control. I skipped the placebo pills for the last three months. Honestly, I haven't had any issues with mood swings, in fact, I felt happier, which is an interesting side effect. Normally, when I start a pill pack, the first three days are extremely nauseating. With this pill pack, I did not have any nausea. I also had an extremely high sex drive. Based on my experience, I would recommend them to a friend. Glad I didn't read the reviews first, or else I would've turned them down. Keep an open mind, everybody's body will react differently."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Ano...
• January 7, 2014

For Birth Control "Started taking this birth control at 16 and have taken it for a year now. The first three months were horrible, I had mood swings where I would start crying randomly, most of the time because I would take it at 7 pm and around 9 pm would begin feeling sharp cramps in my stomach that were unbearable. It was so hard to continue taking them at work knowing I would be in pain from them. However, after three months, I stopped having pain. Before the pill, I had terrible cramps on my period, but since Alesse, my cramps are much milder. My mood swings have calmed down, and I am not affected at all! A good thing to keep in mind is Alesse is a mild birth control (less hormones than others), so you can still take other medications. I love it, good choice!"

• San...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2017

For Birth Control "BEST THING EVER! If you are going on birth control, you might as well do extended cycle! You basically never get your period (so bye-bye cramps, bleeding, buying tampons, ruining underwear). Perhaps the best part is that there is no placebo pill! The week off still has estrogen, so you can say goodbye to mood swing side effects caused by the placebo that is a sugar pill. On this extended cycle, you don't get the same crazy side effects as you would when 1 week every month you don't take the hormone. It is a little expensive upfront because it is 3 months' worth of meds. So if you do the math, it should be 3 times as expensive as one script that you pick up 3 times in 3 months. But you basically never need tampons, so put it toward this!"

• QWi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I love it!!! I hated taking birth control pills due to all the horrible side effects! When I was first given Aubra, I read the reviews, and it really made me not want to take them!! So I figured, why not? I have to see if I will be a victim too. I suffer from PMS sooooo bad and mood swings. With this pill, it was totally opposite for me!!! I don't have PMS. It's like I'm the calmest person ever, I can think with a clear head, and I'm so much more happier!! No weight gain, nothing different with acne, I feel normal and great!! I'm almost done with my second month, and I pray everything stays this way!"

• BMa...
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "So Larissia is my first birth control, and I read all of the side effects before use. I have been having a terrible time, I am two weeks in so far. My head always hurts, I feel sick for at least 3 hours after I take it, and I get crazy mood swings. I’m trying to stick it out until 1-3 months to see if it gets better, but so far I do not recommend. Anybody have any ideas for a new one? Though I know it tells you all the side effects, this is the worst I've ever felt, but hopefully it doesn't last."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2020

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I love Lutera!! So I switched to Lutera 3 months ago from Junel Fe 1.5/30, and Lutera was so much better! It was a change from a higher dose to a lower dose, so maybe my body reacts better to a lower dose, not sure, but Junel Fe gave me so many mood swings, cramps, and anxiety, which is not normal for me. I don’t usually experience mental health issues, so it was totally out of the normal for me, and it was horrible. Before Junel, I was on Tarina Fe 1/20, and that one gave me spotting all the time! The spotting was always brown. Very annoying. It defeated the purpose of me being on birth control because my main reason to be on it was to regulate my period. But after going from Tarina to Junel to Lutera, I’m happy to say I found a BC that reacts well with my body. I’m sticking with Lutera! The only side effect I have is tender breasts and some slight PMS. My period is regular, on point, and I’m not pregnant, so I recommend!"

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2011

For Birth Control "This is my first experience with birth control, and so far it has been a very positive one. I have been on it for about 2 months. Before, I had breakouts all of the time, and only a few days after starting this, I noticed that my acne had almost disappeared. Also, I used to have some problems with facial hair. That also has disappeared. I have had no mood swings, weight gain, or decrease in sexual drive or wetness. My weight has actually been easier to maintain, and I have lost about 10 pounds. All in all, this has been a great pill for me."

• Jem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Aviane for 13 years. I don't experience a single negative symptom, and the few times over the many years I've missed a month (due to vacationing and forgetting my birth control pack at home), my cramps are significant. On the pill, I don't experience cramps, weight gain, mood swings, or anything. Off the pill, I get cramps during my cycle. This BC works very well with my system."

• 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."

• 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."

• Car...
• September 21, 2015

For Birth Control "After being off BC for 8 years, I finally had to get back on. I've been on this BC for 2 months, no problems so far. I used to get severe cramps, but since taking Lutera, it's been all better. No weight gain, no mood swings, or no loss of sleep either. My skin has cleared up a bit as well. I used to break out before my time off the month, and now I don't. So far, so good, everybody is different. What might not work for me won't work for others."

• MsI...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2020

For Premenstrual Syndrome "I’m starting my 3rd month on this pill and am using it to treat PMDD. I take the pills continuously, only the active ones. The first two weeks I had a few mood swings (nothing like PMDD, so manageable), chills, and nausea rarely. I used to get menstrual migraines every month and still do, but am hoping those go away as my body adjusts. I’ve been spotting for 2-3 weeks and hope that will go away too. Most importantly, I haven’t had PMDD in two months!! This is life-changing, and the side effects of spotting and one pimple here and there are 100% worth it to me."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2020

For Birth Control "My mood swings have never been so bad. I used to only get bad PMS about a week before my period. Now it’s all the time. Also, between the last couple of periods, I’ve been getting blood clots and constant dried blood, so I was pretty much on my period for 3 months. This is the worst birth control I’ve ever been on."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I was super nervous about getting on birth control because of the horror stories and my previous experience from other pills. I spent a few months researching pills and asking friends what pill worked for them because I was going to start nursing school and did not want a surprise during that time. After nine years of not being on the pill and a lot of research, I took a chance with Lessina. I’ve been on it for five months, and I love it! The first two months, I was very emotional, but I’m sure it was from the pill trying to regulate. Month 3 period was the heaviest, but once again, I think it was from the pill regulating. I have gained weight, but since I’ve started nursing school, I haven’t been active and I eat crap every day, so I can’t blame the pill. I’m emotional at random times throughout the month, but that’s it. I don’t have severe mood swings, I’m not angry, I don’t get headaches, I’m not depressed…. I really think this pill is a great option."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I was super nervous about getting on birth control because of the horror stories and my previous experience from other pills. I spent a few months researching pills and asking friends what pill worked for them because I was going to start nursing school and did not want a surprise during that time. After nine years of not being on the pill and a lot of research, I took a chance with Lessina. I’ve been on it for five months, and I love it! The first two months, I was very emotional, but I’m sure it was from the pill trying to regulate. Month 3 period was the heaviest, but once again, I think it was from the pill regulating. I have gained weight, but since I’ve started nursing school, I haven’t been active and I eat crap every day, so I can’t blame the pill. I’m emotional at random times throughout the month, but that’s it. I don’t have severe mood swings, I’m not angry, I don’t get headaches, I’m not depressed…. I really think this pill is a great option."

• Ice...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 6, 2019

For Birth Control "Levora was my first birth control I have ever taken. I started birth control at 13 with my mother’s wishes, and I haven’t had a single problem. I am now 19, going on 20 in 5 months, and I know you’re supposed to switch birth control out after 5 years, but when my doctor switched me, my body completely rejected it with TERRIBLE side effects. I asked to be back on Levora because the worst it has done to me is mood swings, I’m already moody, so blah, and it has helped cramps. I know everyone is different, but I was lucky on the first try."

• 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."

• Use...
• December 2, 2013

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I have tried, and so far I love it. I'm heading into my third week being on this pill, and so far I have experienced very minimal side effects, something I did not expect after reading such horror stories about this pill and others similar to it. I have had no spotting yet (fingers crossed this continues). The most noticeable side effect thus far has been breast tenderness. It's not unbearable-and usually an Advil helps-but they're definitely more sore than usual. This tends to vary by day as well. I haven't noticed any severe change in my mood, maybe a little more sensitive than normal, and definitely no change in my sex drive. I am loving this pill so far! Hopefully, these side effects continue to be minimal."

• 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."

• BBi...
• May 2, 2010

For Birth Control "I had been on Ortho-Cyclen for 5 years and had no problems with mood swings. I switched to Lutera after I had my daughter because, for some reason, my periods were becoming irregular. Since I have been taking Lutera, I have been an emotional wreck. I can't deal with normal life situations. I can't make a simple decision like what I'm going to have for dinner because I break down crying from the pressure. My poor fiancé has been having to deal with it all. I am switching to another pill."

• BBi...
• May 2, 2010

For Birth Control "I had been on Ortho-Cyclen for 5 years and had no problems with mood swings. I switched to Lutera after I had my daughter because, for some reason, my periods were becoming irregular. Since I have been taking Lutera, I have been an emotional wreck. I can't deal with normal life situations. I can't make a simple decision like what I'm going to have for dinner because I break down crying from the pressure. My poor fiancé has been having to deal with it all. I am switching to another pill."