Ortho Evra and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Lau...
• February 14, 2016

For Birth Control "Coming on to the third month of wearing the patch, and I loved it, but now I am so depressed. I have never had depression before. But I can't stop crying, like four times a day, and I am experiencing such bad mood swings. Really not great."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm on my third patch, I started it the first day of my period! I've been on my period since I started it, also been extremely anxious and getting pain in my chest (I'm already on antidepressants). I'm tired constantly and very emotional! The only plus side for me at the moment is the actual patch isn't a problem. I'm gonna persist with it for a little longer and see how things go because it's gonna be a bit of a shock to the system like a pregnancy would be, so gonna see if things settle down."

• Oks...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2018

For Birth Control "It's horrible!!! I've been on vacation and spent lots of time swimming, and the patch peeled off on the second day..... My period was extremely heavy after this. The patch affected my mood in a bad way. I was angry and irritated."

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2011

For Birth Control "I thought I was having anxiety until I spoke to my doctor and found out my birth control was the problem. For the last year, every month around my period, I would get very emotional. If I would drink around that time, it would make it worse, like really bad. Out of control. It was starting to affect my relationship with my boyfriend. I thought I had anxiety, but not all the symptoms match. I spoke to my doctor, and she immediately had me take the patch off. I will go on the pill once I have my period again."

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I've used the Ortho Evra patch for the past 2 years, and I absolutely love it. I tried out different birth controls, such as the pill and the NuvaRing, and it was always horrible. They caused me heavy mood swings and a very low sex drive. With the NuvaRing, I had the feeling my vagina would burst. This has completely changed since I've started using the patch. No mood swings, normal sex drive, no additional weight gain, no more acne, almost no period pain, and a very short period (only 3 days instead of 7+ days before). The only thing is that the patch gets itchy from time to time, but I change the position every week (on the butt cheek). It always depends on how your body reacts to it, but I would definitely recommend giving it a go. Makes your life much easier."

• Anonymous
• February 15, 2012

For Birth Control "Although the convenience of only once a week is fabulous, the patch made me a complete emotional mess, there is no other way to say it. I was on the pill for 20 years with no side effects at all, so it has to be the extra estrogen. I could not even wait out the first month before I simply had to take it off. I suppose it may have gotten better, but I was irritable, oversensitive, depressed, anxious, and generally felt like I was going to come out of my skin. It also increased my appetite noticeably. Within hours of taking it off, I felt more calm and more myself."

• Anonymous
• March 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I am currently on day 5 of the patch and have had very, very light spotting, but have been an emotional wreck all day. I think this is due to work-related stress too, though. I thought it would be just another form of contraception that is useless to me, but after reading everyone's reviews, I feel so much better! I have PCOS, so I am using it to regulate my periods. I also feel better that some people got pregnant as soon as they stopped using it."

• jes...
• February 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Evra for 3 years. I love it. I have recently noticed some mood swings and random breakdowns. I have snapped at customers and my husband. I never know where they come from or why until one co-worker pointed out that it could be my birth control. I have a normal period. Every month I start on Wednesday, stop on Sunday. I love that I know when it's coming every month! Thinking of switching to Seasonique for the lower periods due to endometriosis. I know it's not good to be on one certain kind for a long period of time."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2010

For Birth Control "I started Ortho Evra in Nov. 2005, and am still on it. I put it on my pelvis an inch away from my hip, and have had no trouble with it sticking there. It did not stay in place on my upper arm or butt - probably due to friction. I have side effects: reduced sex drive, breast tenderness in week 3 and patch off week, mood swings, and an increase in acne in week 3, and mild skin irritation at the application site. I have a history of migraines with aura. When I was on migraine medication that worked well, Ortho Evra did not cause a problem. Since my migraine medication has stopped working effectively, it seems that Ortho Evra increases my likelihood of a migraine during week 3. I will sadly be switching to a non-estrogen form of birth control."

• BCR...
• August 19, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my first time using BC, and I knew the patch was the only thing for me (cannot remember to take pills).... This is my second month, and I've noticed my boobs are staying sore, I'm like crazy emotional, and I'm so sleepy.... But no weight gain, no acne breakouts, no red bumps, no nausea..... I was told it could take 3 months to get in your system, and I'm hoping that all this will go away next month.... The only thing that worries me is that I have no energy.... Is this a side effect????"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control for almost 10 years. I have tried at least 8 kinds of oral contraceptives and went from feeling severe anxiety, spotting, nauseous, etc. The only pill that had seemed to work for me was Seasonale (which, if you want to go the oral route, I definitely recommend), however, a couple of years ago, it stopped working for me, and I had to come off it, switched to another oral, and actually became pregnant (used precautions, was aware that it can take 3-6 months to work, had been on it for 8). After that, I decided to try the patch, and I absolutely love it. My sex drive is back with flying colors, no mood swings, no spotting. In the beginning, I did feel a little nauseous, but that went away in no time. I definitely recommend it."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I started the patch a month ago. I am still bleeding non-stop, really bad cramps, started having bad mood swings, and it makes me want to eat all day. I was on the Depo shot before the patch, I loved the shot way better. I've been off Depo for a year and a half before I got on anything else. My period just finally became normal, but they suggested the patch as a birth control because I wasn't on anything. But so far, I absolutely hate it."

• Han...
• January 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been using the patch for about 6 months now because it's more convenient. My periods are regulated, which is good, but the bad part is I have terrible mood swings with the patch, especially the first couple of days of a new one. I took a month break from it just to see if it still happened, but I was fine, and as soon as I started using the patch again, back to my grumpy, moody self. I also experience swollen, tender breasts, which is absolutely not fun."

• Pat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 5, 2022

For Birth Control "Well, I've been on it for a while, started to develop skin pigmentation problems on my face, and bad mood swings, very emotional, and I feel so down, to be honest. When I come off the patch, I get migraines that bad I cry and can't get settled at all."

• Pho...
• October 11, 2011

For Birth Control "I was on the shot for 5 years. Yes, I know too long. Now I am 40 lbs overweight because of it. It's driving me crazy because I've always been an athletic, fit person, but after I gave birth to a special needs son, I needed something that I didn't have to think about for a while. I exercised, I dieted, nothing worked. I got a new doctor. I am now in my second week of the patch. I have to say I have never been more emotional in my life, and the breast tenderness is crazy. Today is the day I was supposed to have returned to get another shot, so I'm hoping these side effects are due to doubling up on birth control for 2 weeks and things will even out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Was living in a constant state of severe PMS on the pill, and after 24 hours of starting the patch, those awful PMS symptoms had completely disappeared. I felt slightly nauseated when starting the first week, but really nothing like what PMS causes me! I feel so much more in control and relieved with these patches. Previous contraceptives always caused headaches, mood swings, and weight gain. Not this one."

• LWi...
• February 29, 2012

For Birth Control "I just started the patch a few days ago, and I've been selling myself on the idea that it WILL work for me. I then sat back and looked at what was happening: Day 1: got my period (full blast) for 10 hours. Day 2: emotional wreck. Day 3: even more of an emotional wreck. Even a little depressed. Day 4: got my period again. Day 5: over it. I don't think it's for me."

• Kid...
• June 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I've been using this product for almost 3 months. I'm still having the side effects of starting this new method. But I have lost 5 pounds since I started using Ortho Evra. My only problem is I can't tan. My doctor did not tell me I wasn't supposed to get a tan. Well, when I got out, I had the worst mood swings ever. Also, I wake up every hour of the night throwing up from 3 to 9 in the morning. It's absolutely horrible because vomiting is one of my main fears. Other than that, I do love this product, and I am disappointed that I have to switch to Ortho Tri-Cyclen because tanning is more important to me right now."

• Anonymous
• December 22, 2009

For Birth Control "Breakthrough bleeding and very severe mood swings after one year."