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

• 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!"

• cas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control since June or July of 2020. This birth control hasn’t really done much to me. I think it may have made me a bit aggressive, but I was already aggressive at first. I didn’t gain weight, I actually lost some. This pill has made me somewhat emotional, but I do believe most pills do that. I have not tried any other types of birth control except this one, and I am happy with the results."

• efa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2020

For Birth Control "It's important to realize everyone has different experiences! I started this Larissia pill before traveling abroad for a few months, so I was extremely nervous about taking it while handling such a drastic life change. But I noticed no mood swings, no change in weight, no acne, and, above all, I actually had increased libido! I went off of it for a month because I considered getting an IUD, but I did notice that after going off of the pill, I had a bit more hair loss, and my libido went back down. I'm contemplating going back on because I realize I might not find another BC that works as well for me."

• 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)."

• 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?'"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• AJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve never been on birth control. I haven’t had a regular period since I was 20. I’m now 30. The first 4 days I would get nauseous for about an hour after taking it, not realizing they recommend you eat something 30 minutes before taking it...a meal or a snack like crackers and cheese...the last 3 days the nausea has faded. I did notice I was a little more emotional, but I am aware that my body is adjusting to this and learning how to act right after so long. As crazy as it sounds, I just want a normal cycle that makes me feel like an actual woman and not like something’s wrong anymore. I’ll update this if things change. Hoping it’s all smooth sailing because I have no problem stopping it cold turkey and just coping with PCOS and irregular periods."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."