Vienva and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Pai...
• January 20, 2018

For Birth Control "I started Vienva several months ago as my first form of birth control. In the past month or so, I have experienced extreme anxiety at random times of the day. It feels like I do not have control of my own thoughts, and I spiral into thoughts of sadness. I'm not sure if this is 100% because of this medication, but nothing else in my life has changed, so it seems to be caused by this. It also hasn't helped make my period lighter at all. The only good thing this medication has done is lessen my cramps. I'm not saying Vienva will be bad for anyone, but I've felt crazy and depressed lately, and I'm finally starting to realize it might be because of Vienva. If anyone else is in this boat, you're not alone."

• Jen...
• January 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I haven’t used BC pills in years. The last form I used was a non-hormonal IUD, but it made my cramps terrible and my bleeding was very heavy. I work in the fitness industry and work out 4-6 days weekly. I’ve been on acne meds for years. After 3 months on Vienva, I noticed a huge decrease in my acne. BUT I also noticed a huge decrease in my sex drive and energy levels. My anxiety isn’t higher, but my depression level is. I’ve gained 10 pounds, regardless of my physically active job, rigorous workouts, and attention to nutrition. Those “PMS cravings” that we experience are far more often for me now than before. I was concerned because I’ve had a lot of spotting in between periods or breakthrough bleeding for days at a time, and I did see other reviews with similar reactions. I will say, we have not used another form of protection, and I’m not pregnant, so there’s that. I plan to switch to Mirena this month because the negative effects are not worth the few positives."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Be careful taking this medication. My pharmacy changed brands when I picked up my refill. I took Vienva for 2 months and started feeling different after the first month but didn’t realize it was from the new pill. Originally felt lethargic and tired and thought I was getting sick, but that soon spread into not wanting to do anything and feeling anxious and moody (not normal for me). My blood pressure got so high in such a quick time, and I gained almost 15 lbs. I switched back to my old one before even starting my 3rd pack and feel 100% better. Be careful if you take this and notice changes, especially with your blood pressure. Don’t be so quick to write them off as I did."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Vienva since December of 2019, and I haven't had any side effects until recently. I switched from Tri Sprintec to this one because I had really bad gas on Tri Sprintec. I feel good on this pill, but I've noticed I've gained about 50 pounds since starting Vienva, along with higher blood pressure (not dangerously high), but I've never had high blood pressure in my life. Also, I don't know if it's from the pandemic or not, but I have increased anxiety lately and a few headaches here and there. I started out amazing on this pill, but I'm not sure if switching to another one will be beneficial because I don't like how my blood pressure has increased, along with my headaches and anxiety."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Worst pill ever! I mean it! Please make sure you consult with your primary care before starting so they can go over your health history as well. I switched to this pill and have been having severe migraines for two weeks now. I’m also more anxious than before and irritable (my poor boyfriend). I stopped taking this pill and have had the best two days in the last two weeks!"

• pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2018

For Birth Control "This was by far the worst decision ever made. I was prescribed Lutera for birth control, but Costco only had the generic brand Orsythia, so I took that for 1 year. Normal side effects, mild moodiness, anxiety, bloating, etc. Just a month ago, Costco changed their generic birth control from Orsythia to Vienva, and wow, after the first 2 days, I got a pimple (I never get pimples, maybe once every 6 months), then the third day, another pimple. Finally, what did it, 2 weeks on the pill, it was my boyfriend's birthday, and I experienced about 7 emotions in one hour. I was sad, happy, excited, angry, depressed, anxiety attack, felt like everyone hated me at his party. It was the weirdest, nastiest thing I have ever felt. Stopped using it that same day, it took my body about 2 weeks to fully rid itself of the drug, and I feel like a shiny new penny. :) Best decision ever."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I have given this birth control 3 months to work. I have lost interest in sex or the gym. I have big, painful zits under my lower lip/chin that I never had. I bled for two weeks straight during my second pack (my period is usually 2-3 days), and the worst is how anxious I am!!! I snap at my boyfriend and worry and feel down. These negative emotions are worst the first week in the pack. I will now try Yaz next."

• Tor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 2, 2018

For Birth Control "For the last year or so, my personality has totally changed. I am reluctant to go out and be around people as I'm fearful that I will have an episode of paranoia, anger, or just anxiety in general. I have been having aggressive outbursts and full-blown panic attacks. It's gotten to the point that I dislike myself, and I know others don't really care for my company. I was never like this before. I've racked my brain for months trying to figure out what event (graduating, moving in with my boyfriend, starting a new job) could have triggered this emotional change. ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOOD THINGS. I finally asked my pharmacist for a list of side effects for my medications (Vienva and my allergy Rx) today, finally thinking they might be to blame. Vienva's side effects concerned me... turns out I started taking Vienva in February of 2017. I'm not taking it starting tomorrow morning."

• pvt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I got switched from Aviane to Vienva. My pharmacist said it was the same thing, so I took it. I’m switching pharmacies to go back on Aviane after taking Vienva for just one month. I already have bad anxiety, and this pill just made me even more anxious than ever. I cry for literally the smallest things, can’t control my emotions, and have been so, so grumpy and lashing out towards everyone. This is not me at all, I feel very depressed, moody, and angry all the time. I will be taking Aviane again because Aviane truly made me feel normal. I do NOT recommend Vienva at all. It’s not worth it. Ladies, do not take this pill if you want to stay sane. I would rate 0 if I could."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this Vienva BC (first time ever taking BC) for about 5 months now. I started because I’ve heard it helps you gain weight, which I need, and obviously because it’s birth control. Keep in mind I have depression and anxiety, but I had it under control. After starting this, I gained my 10 pounds (with keeping up on eating more), which I can’t complain about. But I have noticed my anxiety has sprung through the roof! My depression is no longer something I can handle, and I have become extremely irritable. The smallest things put me in such a bad state. I will be okay in the morning, then I take my BC at 11 a.m. About an hour after taking it, I feel a cloud come over me. It’s something I’ve learned to take with a grain of salt. But I’m now realizing, after reading others' experiences, that the BC is a huge contribution to this. Thankfully, I switched my BC. To anyone who struggles with anxiety/depression, be wary of Vienva."

• KYa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2018

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me from Aviane to Vienva. I’ve been taking Aviane for a year with no problems. About a week and a half into the new script for Vienva, I noticed terrible side effects. I was extremely nauseous, my whole face was breaking out, and I became an emotional wreck. I’m not someone who usually has mental health issues, but this pill made me extremely depressed and anxious. I was able to go to a different pharmacy and get another pack of Aviane. It took a little over a week to feel normal again. Once that pack ran out, my new pharmacy gave me Vienva again. After not being able to find the Aviane, I had to take the Vienva as I had no choice. After a few days, all of those same symptoms came back again (so it’s definitely the pill). I would not recommend this pill to my worst enemy. The most annoying part is that every pharmacy thinks “they have the same active ingredients so they’re the same exact pill.”"

• AGa...
• February 23, 2021

For Birth Control "Worst experience of my life. I’ve been on birth control since I was 15, with the exception of my 2 planned pregnancies. I’m 36 now. I’ve never had issues with BC before. I’ve been on Vienva for 1 year. It never occurred to me that the nightmare I’ve been living through was BC related. I’ve gained 25 pounds this year-despite my massive efforts to lose it. I saw a doctor twice and an endocrinologist-thinking it was my thyroid. My hair fell out. I used to have beautiful, long, thick, healthy hair-now it’s thin and broken. My skin is dry, I’ve had less than zero sex drive for months, and for the first time in my life, I’ve been battling overwhelming depression and anxiety. I’ve seen doctor after doctor-and not once did someone mention it could be this birth control. After searching for reviews, I read all these women going through the same thing.... I immediately stopped taking them and am already seeing a huge turnaround in every area."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Vienva for 5 months. I recently started feeling more serious side effects like palpitations, headaches, and anxiety. I had my most recent anxiety attack. Never have I experienced this, and the only thing I can relate this to is the birth control. My blood pressure has gone up, but doctors always say it has nothing to do with it because of the low-dose hormones. But I know myself, and I know the pill does something to you..."

• MTB...
• July 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control, Vienva, for exactly one week, and I will be calling my doctor immediately tomorrow to have it changed. I’ve had maybe 1 or 2 panic/anxiety attacks in my life (I am 28), but since I’ve started this birth control, I have had at least 1 anxiety attack a day, completely out of the blue. I have been so dizzy and lightheaded to the point where I actually fainted yesterday while simply walking down the street. I can’t even trust myself to drive while I feel these symptoms coming on because they’ve been so extreme and sudden. After having an anxiety attack, I’m left feeling so lethargic and tired for the rest of the day. I hope no one else experiences these side effects, it’s a terrible feeling."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2019

For Birth Control "On Vienva, I had paralyzing and incapacitating, out-of-the-blue anxiety and panic attacks, unable to catch my breath, unable to be in one's own skin. Uncontrollable moodiness with prolonged, unrelenting crying spells out of the blue for no reason whatsoever. Increased acne on my face and developed painful bottom acne, which I’ve never had any place prior but my face."

• Lis...
• March 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I was only on this pill for 1 week, and it was terrible for me. I was put on it after having my baby. I didn’t have many issues with postpartum, it came and went quick. I was only on day 6 when I had a severe anxiety attack with suicidal thoughts. I also had issues with anger, I was angry at my fiancée and blew up at him for no reason at all. I bawled like a baby several times a day for no apparent reason. I asked for a low-dose birth control pill because I have had issues with the higher-dosed birth control. I am having all the same symptoms or worse than if I were on Ortho Tri-Cyclen or the Depo shot. I have always had hormonal issues since I was 16 when I had grape cluster cysts cover my uterus, so being on birth control is nothing new to me. I have used them to control the cysts for close to 20 years now. This pill, by far, is one of the worst. I stopped taking this pill right after my first sign of issues."

• KBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I was switched from Aviane to Vienva after Walgreens took over for Rite Aid, and it has been the worst. About a week after starting the first pill, I started spotting, and then when the placebo week began, I had the worst cramps and heaviest bleeding since I began birth control 12 years ago. I suffer from depression and anxiety, and the last month, it had been intensified beyond belief. I legitimately feel as if I am losing my mind. My pharmacy is ordering my previous medication. Always advocate for yourself!"

• jma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

For Birth Control "BEWARE OF INCREASING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!! Like many others here, Walgreens switched me to Vienva from another BC with the same active ingredients. I was reluctant, but my PA and the pharmacist both insisted that it would not make a difference. Now looking back, I can attribute my slight depressive episode and anxiety attack to Vienva within the first month of starting. At the time, I didn't even think of it as a contributing factor as I was told there would be no difference. This side effect was nothing in comparison to the high blood pressure I experienced. At my annual visit (4/17/2018), my BP was 106/64. Thankfully, I had a visit with my OBGYN for other reasons, and my BP was found to be 146/94. This is a terrifyingly high increase within the 3 months. As someone who works out 5 days a week, this made me really unsettled, and my OBGYN made me switch that same day to a new brand as she was scared of me stroking out. So many other brands of BC out there. Please stay away from Vienva."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Vienva about a year ago, and it was great until around 3 months ago. Out of nowhere, I went from being asymptomatic to having the worst mood swings, depression, and anxiety attacks. For the last 3 months, the week before my period has been unbearable. One, I’m extremely tired, to the point where I’m falling asleep on my lunch break and calling in to work. I’m foggy. And what’s worse is the anxiety attacks. I have literally hidden away from my husband and two young children in our closet and cried uncontrollably. My husband found me in the middle of a full-blown panic attack and began urging me to go to the hospital. I have never had suicidal thoughts before (and don’t outside of week 3 on this pill), but this pill throws me into a horrible, dark place. I’ve consulted with my doctor to have this changed immediately. I refuse to keep putting this into my body. I’m giving it a 3, only because it serves its intended purpose."

• Klc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I took Vienva for almost a whole month and have now stopped at the recommendation of my OB. I felt distressing amounts of anxiety every day. Shortly after I took my pill at noon, my anxiety would become severe, then again towards bedtime I would get another wave.. racing heart, sweaty, tingly, numb limbs, shaky, the whole deal. I have had at least 6 panic attacks just this month since starting this pill, one of which was so bad my s.o. had to rush me to the ER, where I stayed to be heart monitored for 6 hours. I stopped taking it 2 days ago, and already I am starting to feel normal. First 24 hours with no anxiety in weeks. Also experienced crazy mood swings, breast tenderness, all-over bloating, increased gas, and unpleasant increases in appetite. I woke up every day in pain, starving no matter how much I eat right before bed. I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy."

• Viv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2021

For Birth Control "If you have pre-existing mental health issues (anxiety, depression, etc.), please consider looking into trying a different birth control. I got Vienva and I’m on my 3rd pack. My gynecologist wants me to finish this one up, then stop taking it. I’m switching to Yaz, hoping it works out for me. Lo Loestrin worked fine for me in the past. My first week on Vienva, I started developing horrible symptoms - body aches, constipation, brain fog, disturbed sleep, horrible anxiety, and consistently the worst depression I’ve ever had in my life for almost 3 months now. I’m not a crier, but I cry daily, and over silly stuff. I’ve been so sleepy and irritable. It’s put a big strain on my relationship, all I do is cry, and it got rid of my once high libido. I will say it made my period lighter and more manageable, and it cleared my acne. Also, I’m not pregnant."

• kyl...
• March 8, 2021

For Birth Control "It's my first time on birth control, and I never had irregular periods, acne, or any problems other than typical PMS I’d get a week before my period (anxiety, depression, and major food cravings). I’m 22, 5’1”, and my weight stays about 115 lbs. I started taking this pill a month and a half ago and noticed zero side effects in the first month. I started spotting earlier, but I heard it is normal. Starting my new pack this month, the main issue was my diet didn’t change, yet my stomach looks bloated all the time. No matter what I eat, I look and feel huge. I definitely feel bigger in all parts of my body. It is causing me to be depressed, and it is not the pills making me feel that way - it is the weight gain causing me to feel insecure. I can't eat the way I used to or drink alcohol anymore because no matter what I do, even if I'm eating healthy, I look bloated. Other than that, the pill does what it’s supposed to. Everyone’s different, but I think it's definitely for a person who's ready to make some lifestyle changes with a lot of self-control."

• bee...
• August 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I was showing two symptoms of PCOS (weight gain and hair shedding), so a gyn prescribed me Vienva. I took it for six months, stopped when the six months was over because I thought I would just be regulated permanently (I was 18 and didn’t know much about the pill). I gained a lot of weight while on it and got nauseous at the start of each pack. The only benefit on it was my really clear skin, even though I already had somewhat good skin. Once I came off, I developed acne for the first time. Three months after stopping, I got bad anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and depression. It’s been one year since those symptoms started, and I’m much better, but I still get very anxious during and after my period, and I never was like this before BC. I’ve read many stories, and most women take months to years to recover. I went on it to “regulate” my period, but now I know that that’s not true. Doctors should be cautious and should explain to women that we don’t have a cycle on the pill."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2018

For Birth Control "If I could give this pill zero stars, I would. Costco unexpectedly switched me to Vienva from Orsythia. I took it for two months before I just couldn't take it anymore. The constant fatigue, weight gain, and acne are all things I could have managed. But the effects these pills have on your mood are awful. I already struggle with depression and anxiety, and these pills just amplified that tenfold. Within four days, I was constantly crying, lost all interest in any activity, and became very hopeless, even suicidal. Nobody should have to feel this way."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I was switched to Vienva because of insurance reasons. (I was told no changes from Orysthia, which I was previously taking.) I am rating this pill a 4, only because it does protect you from pregnancy. However, the side effects are horrible. I have had hair loss, racing heart, and extreme anxiety from Vienva. I'm so glad to read other reviews and realize I'm not the only one!"