Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Dra...
• June 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on the patch for 3 weeks, and every day I was EXTREMELY nauseous. My breasts were extremely tender and swollen. I already struggle with migraines, and I had a consistent migraine while on this patch. I also was extremely tired and fatigued daily and also had mood swings terribly. Depression and anxiety were also at an all-time high while on this medication. I had no sex drive, and sex was no longer pleasurable. I usually don't write reviews, but honestly, reviews have been helping me navigate the best birth control method. I have literally been off the patch for less than 48 hours and already am feeling better from the side effects. Some might say it was all in my head, but whenever I applied the patch, that area of my body would tingle and itch, so I know the effects can quickly change. Would definitely say it helps with not getting pregnant, but if you are at all sensitive to headaches or medication, I recommend a close watch."

• Chy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I love this patch! I’ve been on the pill for about 8 years. After the first 7 years, I got off it and had my daughter. The doctor put me on the pill after birth and had the worst side effects! (Extreme acne, mood swings, weight gain). With the patch, I have the best skin, no weight gain or mood swings. The only bad thing is nausea. But I would rather have nausea from birth control rather than pregnancy!"

• Eha...
• January 30, 2020

For Birth Control "So I’ve been using the Xulane patch for about 3 or 4 months now. It’s been pretty effective. I do have type 1 diabetes, it never messed with my numbers. Since recently, I have had more mood swings than normal. Also, big vaginal change, as in like I smell different in this past month. I went to the doctor, and they told me that everything was fine. I discharge more too. I’m hoping that this is just a phase in the medicine and hopefully will go away. Only pro.... I get super wet during sex. Very amazing."

• 123...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I started the patch about a month ago. I have a little uncomfortableness and major mood swings for the first day, but that was about it. When I moved the patch to my back, I noticed that my breast started to become more tender, but again nothing severe. I was liking the patch until about 2 days ago. I had to check myself into the ER and found out I have a blood clot in each of my lungs caused by the Ortho Evra. I'm only 22. So I am officially off it, but I wanted to share this because I have no family or personal history with blood clots, so anyone can form blood clots. I'm not saying everybody, because it was working fine until about a week ago. But I feel the need to bring awareness to this."

• MS9...
• September 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I am rating this a 10 because I believe it's extremely effective. I have been on the patch for almost 4 years, and I never once had a pregnancy scare. For me, I get regular periods, but I also get most of the side effects. After the first few months, periods are regular, mine last between 3-5 days. I get more emotional, I get mood swings, cramps, headaches, I bloat, I basically get all the side effects, but they are not severe. Every once in a while, they are pretty bad, but that will only happen once every 6 months to a year. On the patch, I never gained weight from it. The only thing I truly dislike about it is I will get really nauseous and throw up if I don't eat anything the night before I put a new one on, and recently I'll have bloody discharge."

• Aon...
• April 19, 2011

For Birth Control "I absolutely adore Ortho Evra. Less pimples. I practically glow! My breasts got bigger by a full cup. I'm always happy my sex drive went up. This is the second time I've been on it, and I'm never going back! I used NuvaRing and Yaz and a couple of others that gave me yeast infections, acne, low sex drive, and angry mood swings. This is perfect for a forgetful artist like me. Once a week and it works well with my body chemically. I don't know why I stopped it the first time."

• liv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 30, 2013

For Birth Control "No mood swings, no acne, no weight gain, controlled period, protects me from being pregnant, only changed once a week, same sex drive, and increased a cup size! I love it. The sticky part washes away and I rotate between shoulder blades, it doesn't fall off me, works great for me, and I recommend it to anyone who has had other forms of birth control issues, this just might work for you."

• oli...
• May 24, 2021

For Birth Control "So I've decided to give Xulane a chance after my friend suggested it. My insurance covered it, and I was able to get 3 packs, which equals 3 months. I actually was able to do everything on the app Nurx. Anyway, back to Xulane. Two weeks today. But my first week was interesting, trying to get used to the patch and all. I was a little paranoid it would come off because I wasn't used to it. But after an intense workout and long shower, it didn't move or lift, I got excited. So far... no symptoms, no mood swings, no bloating, no spotting, no weight gain, no changes in sex drive, acne has cleared up. I've tried the patch and implant, and this is by far the best! If you're reading this and you're unsure, I totally recommend the Xulane patch! I keep mine on my lower abdomen, and I put a clear Nexcare Tegaderm on top of my patch (lasts up to 7 days, no issue) to secure it and give me peace of mind. It doesn't move, lift, wrinkle, and I took a bath, and it still didn't budge. So far, so good!"

• Anonymous
• May 20, 2008

For Birth Control "I was on the Ortho Evra patch for a couple of years, and after the first 3 months of your body adjusting to it (which you are forewarned about), just regular side effects, mood swings, regular cramps (when your time is almost near), and I believe it gave me a high sex drive. I've been off of it for about 5 months, and my sex drive plummeted dramatically. It's extremely convenient due to my forgetting to take the pill every day. I usually put it on my pelvis and rotate sides each week."

• Dij...
• January 5, 2016

For Birth Control "Absolutely swear by and love the patch. I place mine on my lower left-hand side of my stomach and rotate between two spots to give my skin a week's breathing afterwards. Yes, it collects dust around the outside, but it's really not a big deal, and if it is, use talc, it stops this. I've been on it for nearly two years and only ever had three fall off. I have such a high sex drive, it doesn't give me mood swings or make me gain weight. I become slightly emotional on my last day of my gap week, but nothing over the top or noticeable! Would 100% recommend it. I've tried various pills, and they weren't for me. But hey, everyone's different."

• Moo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I have only tried the pill and this patch as contraceptive. The pill was difficult to remember, and being off by just a minute would cause spotting. Frustrating. I am very petite, 5 ft tall, I rarely can get to 108 pounds, so most things are strong to me. This Xulane patch isn't bad. I don't know if I have mood swings. I am moody in general with an anxiety disorder. Nothing has changed in that area. No pregnancy, which is great. Easy to remember to change the patch. I've been on this patch over a year, and for some reason lately I am spotting when I have my patch on. I get long (7 days or more), heavy periods. It's very annoying, and every time I try to get answers, they say it shouldn't happen that way. I can't even skip my period if I want to. Why can't this birth control stop my period? I enjoyed Xulane until this whole struggle with my period on it."

• Shy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 19, I've been on the patch for almost a year and a half, I've recommended it to quite a few of my friends. It's the best. The first three months are a bit crazy. Constant nausea, tender breasts, emotional, but all these things are bearable and seem to fade away after your body gets used to the patch. Easier to remember to change it. It's so convenient."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I hadn't been on birth control before the patch, but my experience on it has been pretty pleasant. My period is a lot shorter, and it comes exactly 3 days after I take my patch off for my week off. The only negative I have found is that I am way more emotional than I have ever been in my life. I cry way more often (when I'm wearing the patch and on my period), which I find very strange since I had gone from not crying ever to crying about once a week."

• Elb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 5 years now and love it. I never had many problems with it. I didn't gain weight, but I typically will get a pimple or two the week before my period is supposed to start. I do get a slight skin irritation where I put it on. Only a little itchy and no big deal. I wear mine on my stomach and switch sides to help irritation. I don't think it hurts that bad to take off, it's like pulling off a bandaid. I have only had one fall off, and I was swimming every day for a week when it happened. I do notice I am more emotional (and slightly bitchy) while I'm on my period, but I put the new one on and I'm fine. Definitely would recommend!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2014

For Birth Control "Been on the patch for almost four months now, and I love it! It is much more convenient than taking birth control pills every day, most of the time, I forget I even have it on. The first month, I experienced really emotional mood swings and a really heavy, long period. Those side effects have really tapered off since then, I'm still slightly more emotional during my period, and it still can be a little heavy the first day or two. Nothing too bad at all, and I think the longer I'm on the patch, the better it'll get. It is also completely free with my current insurance plan. And the best part, it is effective! All in all, I'd totally recommend it."

• Meg...
• July 26, 2013

For Birth Control "Been on it for 2 months now, increased 2 cup sizes and lost weight! Went from 140 to 128-130 lbs, only thing is, I'm SO emotional. It's driving my boyfriend and me crazy, I cry about everything. No babies, bigger breasts, weight loss. Sounds good to me! Only problem is emotions, but I'm sure they'll subside."

• mca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo shot for 2 years, at first, it was fine, but in the last 6 months, I became very depressed, my anxiety levels were through the roof. I gained a few extra pounds, and I had mood swings like crazy! I decided to try the patch since it has different hormones, and even though I just finished my first week, I can already see a difference. I'm not moody at all, I'm a lot happier and more myself. And I've even lost a few pounds. Other than the breast tenderness, everything else is completely fine. I'll still have hormones from the shot in me for a while longer, and I never had my period with the shot. I'll just have to wait and see!"

• kks...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2016

For Birth Control "Been on it for 10 months. Had mood swings and on-and-off bleeding the first month, but after that, it worked great (I did do the quick start method). I usually keep it on my shoulders, and I hardly remember it's there once I've applied it. Only once had it peel, and my pharmacist simply gave me a new box (he explained that he told the manufacturer it had malfunctioned, and they will send a replacement). I switch patches on Friday, and my period always starts Monday. It ends by Friday when I apply the next patch. Period is now light and pretty much cramp-free, I barely notice. As far as birth control, my boyfriend and I very rarely use condoms anymore, and I have had no issues with pregnancy."

• aeb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I love the patch. I'm 17, and I use it to regulate my periods. They used to be very irregular and long, and now they come like clockwork. They're kind of heavy, but they only last 4-5 days, which is so nice. The first week of the patch, I felt pretty nauseated, and I had loss of appetite, but after that, I was fine. No nausea, no headaches, and my breasts got bigger. The only problem is that I'm extremely emotional. I overreact and cry a lot, especially before/during my period. Overall, though, the patch is great, and way easier than the pill. I recommend it."

• aim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2014

For Birth Control "Well, basically when I first used it, it was great, only had tender breasts, felt a little sick, but it went away. Then all of a sudden I had these terrible mood swings. Felt really emotional. And I've been that exhausted, I've had to take naps during the day. So yeah, not that good for me."

• Mar...
• May 3, 2016

For Birth Control "So, I've had the patch for six and a half years now... I remember my first month with it... it was crazy! I had some mood swings and terrible headaches, but I decided to be brave and just give it a try since it was my very first birth control, and after four weeks, all the symptoms went away.... Ever since, I've been super happy with it, and I just love it. I never gained a pound with it, never had mood swings with it, never had a baby, hahahar... I wear it on my back, switching from side to side every week, and never had irritation of the skin. It has never fallen off in six years either... The only issue is now, after six years of it, I'm starting to get some spotting. So... Don't give up so easily on the patch!! Haha, it's not for everyone, but it might be for you."

• Ama...
• March 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I originally took the pill, but the mood swings were too intense for me. I have not experienced any mood swings on the patch. I really like the patch because it cleared up my moderate teenage hormonal acne. I also like that I just have to change it once a week around the same time, and then I can forget about it. In addition, it has been my only form of birth control as long as I've been on it (other than pulling out), and having sex regularly, I have not gotten pregnant. However, it does leave my skin irritated and dry, and it can be very itchy. I prefer to put it on my back, which makes it hard to wear tank tops or other shirts that expose my back without having people ask about it. Overall, I think more people should look into the patch."

• Evr...
• August 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the patch in my teen years for six years, went off for about five, and have just stopped it again after another two years of use. There are many upsides to Evra. During my first experience with Evra, I went off of it because I was trying to deal with fatigue and depression. I will admit that it helped a lot! A few years later, I developed cystic acne on my chin and could not fix it naturally. I gathered my hormones were imbalanced and decided to go back on the patch. The first year was great, no side effects, and periods were healthy and quick. This year, I seem to have a lot of severe mood swings and anxiety episodes-often heart palpitations with chest pressure and shortness of breath. As there is no actual trigger for this and I'm happy in my life, it's come down to me once again wondering if the hormones are just too much again. I decided yesterday to quit the patch again and have high hopes of returning to my usual self!"

• Cai...
• September 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 3 months now, and I love it! My periods are shorter, I haven't gained any weight either. The only thing I'm on the edge about is that my boobs are bigger and perky, which I love, but they're more sensitive and sore. But other than that, it's great. Mood swings aren't that bad either. :) I recommend it, ladies!"

• cup...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for over 4 years. No babies, so it has done its job on that matter. Never had any issues with skin irritation where the patch is applied. When I first started the patch, I had the worst acne of my life on my face for a couple of weeks. Boobs definitely got bigger and more sensitive. I have noticed (and those close to me have noticed) that I have been experiencing bad mood swings lately and have been super emotional for almost the last 6 months. The patch is the only thing I can narrow it down to. Has anyone else had reactions after being on it for so long?"