Vienva and Anxiety: What Users Say

• wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2019

For Birth Control "Being in nursing school, I decided to try BC. I read the reviews but thought I would be fine. I took it in January and had no symptoms, but then noticed I was having severe anxiety. I had already been in nursing school for a semester before taking it and never experienced this amount of anxiety. I have always been an anxious person but never to the point of needing meds for it. I had to drop out of nursing school and get on anti-anxiety meds (still on them). I stopped taking the BC after 2 months. It got so bad that I developed OCD anxiety, and I have the worst intrusive thoughts that make me feel like I’m capable of doing horrible things, which causes more anxiety and depression. The depression isn’t as bad anymore since stopping, but it was so bad that I felt no emotion. I wasn’t excited anymore. It has been 4 months, and I still don’t feel 100%, but I’m a lot better. I have never written a review before but felt like I needed to speak out. Please do not even try it!"

• ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2021

For Birth Control "So I’ve been on this drug, Vienva, for a couple of years. My pharmacy automatically switched me to this from Lutera. Pros: no weight gain, periods are regular, and I’m not pregnant. Cons: cystic acne, depression, horrible anxiety, and constipation. I’m going on a new birth control soon and crossing my fingers it won’t be worse than this one. I feel like this birth control will benefit you physically but definitely not mentally. I find it very sad how doctors do not discuss the mental impact these medications could have before prescribing them :("

• bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2020

For Birth Control "So I have really bad anxiety and depression, and I told my doctor this and told her I didn’t want a birth control that would make it worse, and she put me on this birth control. I looked up all the reviews, and everyone is saying it made them depressed, but I decided to try it anyway because I know medicine works differently on everyone. So I started the medicine, and it made my depression and anxiety so bad I started getting suicidal and self-harm thoughts, which I haven’t had in a while. I also have completely no sex drive, and when I orgasm, it was only small. I only took the medicine for 2 weeks, and then I stopped it. I’ve been bleeding and spotting, and I’m not on my period, and I’ve been off of it for over a week. I don’t recommend you take this if you have mental health problems."

• Jp3...
• May 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m 44 years old, very active, no health issues, was put on Vienva to regulate my periods. It’s about 3 a.m. Central Time, and this is the second consecutive day of my frightening side effects. I believe it’s anxiety, but I’m not sure. To best describe it, it is a very worrisome feeling which comes on out of nowhere and interferes with my sleep because every time I close my eyes, I feel like I can’t breathe, and I wake up with a dry cough and am afraid to go back to sleep. This first happened a few days ago, which caused me to go to the ER because I was afraid I was having a heart attack or had a blood clot in my lungs (all the results came back negative), but now, a few days later, I’m experiencing the same thing. I’m tired but can’t fall asleep, I feel like I’m going to stop breathing altogether. I also have constant spotting and no sex drive. This is my 3rd pack, and I quit as of yesterday because I just want my life back. Please don’t try it, please stay away from it, it’s not worth it."

• Gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2021

For Birth Control "First of all, I don’t recommend this if you have anxiety. This birth control caused my anxiety to spike, and it’s only been three weeks. I started getting depressive episodes, lower abdominal pain, nausea, big pimples that I have NEVER gotten before, and now I’m having breakthrough bleeding. Listen, take this pill at your own risk. Starting today, I’m done with it."

• Ker...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I was switched to Vienva from Orsythia by my pharmacy last month. I called my doc to make sure it was okay, and she said yes, they have the same active ingredients and may just have some different fillers and additives, but it should not affect me. I was upset because I had been on Orsythia for 6+ months with no problems at all. I just finished my first week of Vienva and have had some side effects. I feel nauseous a lot of the time, cramps periodically, increased anxiety, no appetite, fatigue, and get dizzy at times. I wasn't able to find any reviews of Vienva on other sites, so I'm leaving my review here to hopefully help others in the same situation. I'm going to try to stick it out and see if the side effects go away after a couple of months."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This is the second pill I’ve been put on due to switching clinics, and it’s awful. Worsened my depression and anxiety and makes me so irritable. I’m not sure if it’s coincidental or not, but I’ve never weighed more in my life than I do right now, and I’m a fairly small person that has a hard time putting on weight. Also, my period has been irregular the entire six months of taking it, and I’m almost always spotting. What’s the point of having contraceptive if I can’t even have/enjoy sex because I’m bleeding a majority of the time??? I never had this problem with my old prescription. This pill is literally the stem of all my problems, and I cannot wait to switch."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2017

For Birth Control "Do NOT take this birth control. I have been on Orsythia for about two years. My insurance company switched me to Vienva without notifying me. I figured I'd just try it out to see how it worked out, so I wouldn't have to keep reminding my pharmacy to give me Orsythia rather than Vienva. Anyway, I've only been on this medication for 4 days and have already contacted the pharmacy about paying out of pocket to get my Orsythia pack back. In only 4 days, I am a completely different person. I've gone through a roller coaster of emotions, from anxiety to anger to just sobbing for no reason. Also, I've come very close to vomiting because anything other than carbs has made my stomach terribly upset. I will never take this medication ever again."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2022

For Birth Control "So I started taking Vienva some months back and experienced some of the side effects mentioned in the reviews, like an irregular cycle, but the side effect that stuck out the most was anxiety. Severe anxiety and night sweats. I’m already an overthinker, so this destroyed me. I got off of it and started taking another BC, felt fine, and started thinking more clearly. Because I received Vienva through the pill club, I had extra packs. Long story short, I ran out of my other BC and couldn’t get my new prescription due to the pharmacy being closed on the weekend, and a holiday fell on the Monday after the weekend, so I started taking Vienva again. Worst mistake ever. My anxiety is back through the roof, very emotional, can’t stay off of Google trying to self-diagnose my sore throat for everything under the sun except allergies. I can’t sleep due to the constant anxiety, and I honestly would not recommend this to my worst enemy."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm only going on 2 months on Vienva, and I'm done after this. It does its job of preventing pregnancy, sure, but the side effects are a killer! It increased my anxiety substantially, which is a problem as I already have GAD and panic disorder. My appetite swung from constantly starving to not wanting to eat a crumb. The abdominal cramping I get is severe, even worse than the cramps I got PMS-ing every month before I took this medication. And isn't birth control supposed to help relieve PMS symptoms? It certainly does not do that for me. It makes them 10 times worse. This is just my final straw here, and I will be stopping this medication."

• thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2018

For Birth Control "This is my first time on birth control, and it has been the worst experience of my life. Month one was fine, I had nausea and threw up some, but nothing overbearing. Now I'm at the end of month two, and I'm completely over this pill! I have nausea every day, I feel like I have to throw up all the time, I got my first ever yeast infection, I have had extreme bloating for days at a time, and also I am experiencing pain while having sex. After sex, I’m in so much pain I just want to cry, and it could’ve only been 5 minutes. Do not take this pill. I thought it was all in my head, but I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has experienced these things. Also, my mental health has been messed up. My fiancé even said I’ve been moody and filled with anxiety, avoid this method and try something else. Only gave this a 1 because I’m not pregnant."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m so glad I came across these reviews because I don’t feel so alone now. First of all, I’m only giving this pill a 1 because it didn’t get me pregnant. Other than that, I’ve never had such a bad experience. Luckily, I didn’t get acne or gain weight. But my mood completely shifted. I became depressed and filled with anxiety, which isn’t normal for me. I cry all the time for no reason. This pill hasn’t changed my friendships, but it has taken a toll on my relationship with my boyfriend. I am constantly mad at him for no reason. I don’t feel like myself anymore. I was going to the gym 5 times a week and lost interest in fitness. I originally thought I was mildly depressed, but after all of these reviews, I realize now it’s all due to this pill. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone!!!"

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

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."

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

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."

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

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

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."

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

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

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."

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

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."

• mar...
• May 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking the Vienva pill for a week and can't stand it. I'm switching tomorrow. I have cried so much and felt so depressed and anxious that it has exhausted me. I have never felt this sad all the time. It's seriously unbearable. DO NOT take this pill, the side effects are awful. I can't believe that they still write prescriptions for it."

• ral...
• February 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I do not recommend this drug. My original birth control drug stopped being produced, so I got switched to Vienva. I was on this drug for a short period of time, and I was feeling depressed, anxious, felt sick to my stomach, cried at the smallest things, and overall, my whole body ached."

• Tus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2019

For Birth Control "When I first started taking Vienva (generic of Aviane, Orsythia, Lutera), I could instantly feel my mood change. I've become very moody/irritable, and it's made my anxiety much worse. Now, three months in, I've been bleeding for 12 days straight and haven't gotten a good night's sleep in weeks."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I took it for about 2 1/2 months. I became depressed and anxious. I was anxious before, and Vienva made it worse. My body ached from it, too. The pain increasingly got worse until I finally stopped taking it. My chest also hurt. It seemed to have a negative effect on my breathing and circulation. I got a heavy period the day after I stopped taking it. It was very heavy, and both my back and stomach ached. While taking it, I hardly had any cramps or PMS symptoms before periods. That was one plus side. Overall, I would not recommend it. It is a poor-quality birth control. If your body can take it, then great, but if you want to feel good and normal, do not take it."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2023

"I was advised to get on birth control to help prevent the growth of ovarian cysts after a trip to the emergency room for a rupture. This pill is a nightmare! My anxiety has increased so drastically that I’m struggling worse than normal to accomplish tasks. This is worse than normal anxiety-I have chest pain and legitimate fears over things I usually cherish. My primary concern is awareness of my anxiety. The doctor pushed me to use this pill even though I asked for other choices. I don’t know what partnership Vienva has with my doctors, but it seems toxic."

• mmm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2024

For Birth Control "Just my personal experience, so take it with a grain of salt: This is the second generic of Aviane I had been switched to. Aviane worked great for me for years before I got an IUD (which was not as great for me), so I tried getting back on that after the IUD removal. I don't recall much about the first generic, but the pharmacy switched it to Vienva within a few months of being back on the pill, and I was on it for 1.5 years. In that time, I got a yeast infection like clockwork on the second week of my pill pack every single month. Then that would shift into the worst depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and paranoia I have ever felt in the third week of pills. The only time I felt I was somewhat 'normal' was during the sugar pills and maybe the first three pills of the pack, then the symptoms would come right back. My doctor switched the pill to something with higher estrogen, and while that pill also has its issues, the yeast infections are completely gone and the dark thoughts before my period aren't quite as bad."