Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 3)

• imm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Xulane for 3 years. Xulane has high estrogen levels, so when I first started, I lightly bled for about a month, and after that, my period has always been regular. It helped so much with my acne. I have realized one period will be a light flow with bad cramps, and the next will be heavy with no cramps. I am more emotional and moody. I get depressed once in a while, but I have good support people around me, so it’s nothing but a lay-in-bed day. Just recently, after a few days of wearing a new week's patch, where the patch is will get itchy and red randomly, like an allergic reaction, and I’m not sure why. I saw someone else saying the same thing. But other than that, 10/10 on preventing pregnancy."

• Kay...
• March 22, 2019

For Birth Control "5 years ago, I started on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and it worked out well until I got to college. Went through all the stress, emotions, and long story short, it made me crazy. Then, I tried the birth control shot for 9 months. Went great the first round, then started losing a bunch of weight, having my periods for a full 2 months at a time, and it made me anemic, and you guessed it-CRAZY. So I quit birth control altogether about 7 months ago. In those 7 months, I’ve had my period every day, along with heavy bleeding. Talked to my gyno, and since I’m busy with school and 2 jobs, I needed something I wouldn’t forget to take. She recommended this, so I gave it a shot. Had this on for a week. PROS: - immediately stopped my period, - don’t have to worry about missing it. CONS: - emotional - mental breakdowns (at least 1 a day, for no reason), my boobs hurt SO BAD - my legs cramped up really bad almost immediately after I put the patch on - nauseous. & I'm not talking about normal nausea."

• Sna...
• August 1, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for almost 2 months, and I'm loving it! First of all, no baby, which is great! The first month was horrible, I had the worst mood swings, and I cried so much. I was so mean and kept on snapping at everyone. However, I got over it. I prefer to place the patch on either cheek of my buttocks because it hides it and also doesn't wrinkle and peel. However, it does itch at the site and when I remove it. My breasts have grown an entire cup size, which is not so great because I was a 36DD before the patch. I have noticed a slight weight gain, but I think that is from me consuming too much food when I have cravings. The patch works wonders, and my sex drive is great! Always in the mood."

• Hay...
• December 21, 2016

For Birth Control "My first time starting any kind of birth control (just to regulate my period, not really as a contraceptive), and I could only last halfway through my third week. The increase in anxiety, depression, along with the pregnancy-like symptoms, were debilitating. I just took my patch off today because I couldn't take it anymore. I have terrible gastrointestinal problems, feel sore and tender, dizzy, have headaches, and the worst part is the nausea. It's been gradually increasing since I started and has finally gotten to the point where I can't leave my bed. My first patch fell off after three days, so I put a new one on my thigh instead of my side, and that made it not come off anymore, but the mix of mood swings and painful symptoms are too much."

• Mis...
• March 29, 2017

For Birth Control "Last year, I had surgery for benign endometrial hyperplasia and a baseball-sized ovarian cyst. I was officially diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome when I was 19, and this is a common side effect. To prevent further problems, my doctor recommended hormone therapy, but I haven't done well with any of the pills or the shot - too many bad side effects (sciatica, mood swings, etc.). I was on Ortho-Evra in my early 20s and never noticed any problems, so I decided to try it again. Unfortunately, though, it was discontinued in the USA and Xulane was its generic. I've been on it for 3 months, and I've been miserable the whole time. I stopped today, and now I feel like I have the flu."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2019

For Birth Control "First of all, the Xulane patch doesn’t stick well at all. And heaven forbid you exercise. I have been on this patch for about a month and a half. I’m pretty sure it’s keeping me bloated. I definitely feel more emotional. I don’t know if it’s kept me from getting pregnant because I have been so scared that I’m not using it right because it keeps coming off that I am still using a backup method. Lastly, it has left a rash everywhere I put it."

• Sun...
• June 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for a month now. I absolutely love it! I have tried the pill and was having the worst headaches of my life, and I was already on the lowest dosage. I gave up on the pill after 3 months. I have finished my first month and have experienced no weight gain, mood swings, depression, or headaches. The only side effects I have experienced are that my breasts have grown slightly and become slightly tender before I get my period, and I have a little bit more cramping when on my period. Besides these side effects, I honestly feel like I'm on no birth control. The only negative I would say is that the patch can begin to peel, which is easily fixable with cushion tape. I have PCOS and the patch has been the best option for me!"

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2017

For Birth Control "Before I got on the patch, I was on the birth control shot. The shot was horrible, and it made me gain 20 lbs, and I had horrible mood swings that almost cost me my relationship with my boyfriend, as well as the extreme depression issues it gave me. Changing to the patch was the best decision I could have ever made. I'm much more calm and back to my normal self. This product is the real deal."

• spr...
• July 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm just about to start my 5th month on the patch, and now that my body's gotten used to it, I can honestly say that I love it! I felt completely normal the first month. The second month, however, I experienced mild itching around the patch, extreme mood swings during the 'off period,' and heavy spotting for 4 weeks while wearing the patch. After the second month, I was back to normal. No itching, no baby, no huge detrimental side effects except that I increased a cup size, acne is mild/did not change on the patch, no more spotting in between periods, and no mood swings. Overall, I would recommend the patch. Easy to use, put it on my butt and forget about it for a week. LOVE it."

• Lis...
• July 31, 2015

For Birth Control "My insurance switched me over to Xulane from Ortho Evra, and at first, it was going really well. I am now 4 months in, and it's terrible. I have the worst mood swings, low libido, I've gained 10 pounds, and I get a rash around the application area. I have an outline of the patch on my hip that has been there for 3 months... I would not recommend this to anyone. While it does its job, keeping me not pregnant, the side effects aren't worth it. Back to the pill, I guess..."

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Xulane for about 4-5 years, and it was good at first because I didn’t know any better. Helped combat my endometriosis and ovarian cysts, which were horrible. However, this BC is the pits. I literally have every side effect this BC offers minus the stroke and heart attack stuff. The mood swings and anxiety are the absolute worst. High blood pressure, hot flashes, migraines and headaches, breast tenderness and swelling, and major cramping in between and on my period are all bad too. I would advise against this form of BC. I’m in talks now with my doctor about changing this because the side effects are more harmful than helpful for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2016

For Birth Control "After being on the depo shot for a year, I absolutely hated it! Gained 30 pounds in a year, bled for 6 months straight, mood swings, pain during sex, and no sex drive. So far I love the Xulane patch. I've only been on it for about 3 weeks, but the only side effect I've gotten was breast sensitivity. The only thing I dislike is sometimes I feel as if the patch will fall off."

• 849...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for about 3 months now. I used to have severe headaches every day before starting Xulane. Now I rarely get them-only on my period. I also have not had any issues with the patch coming off, if anything, it is hard to take off at the end of each week and actually quite painful! Also, the week before my period and during my period, I have intense mood swings and become extremely irritable and emotional. So, 2 weeks out of 4 in every month, I feel pretty terrible. I am considering stopping the patch completely, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage."

• 849...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for about 3 months now. I used to have severe headaches every day before starting Xulane. Now I rarely get them-only on my period. I also have not had any issues with the patch coming off, if anything, it is hard to take off at the end of each week and actually quite painful! Also, the week before my period and during my period, I have intense mood swings and become extremely irritable and emotional. So, 2 weeks out of 4 in every month, I feel pretty terrible. I am considering stopping the patch completely, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Xulane for over a year now, and so far, so good. I have found it easier to cry, and during my period, I'm in pain with backaches (basically my whole body hurting). I had the Nexplanon for 7 months before Xulane, and it was horrible. I didn't have pain or cramps before trying birth control. With Nexplanon, I had horrible, never-ending spotting/bleeding for 6 months and mood swings, mostly anger, I wasn't in control of myself, so this was a great change."

• Sir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2016

For Birth Control "Switched to this after Ortho Evra was discontinued; had just about every bad side effect there is. LOVED my Ortho Evra patch, expected this to be the same, but this Xulane mess is awful. First off, it won't stay stuck. Tried shaving the skin, swabbed with alcohol, let it dry, stuck and held in place 10 sec, etc. It just never stayed more than 3 days at best. My pharmacist even had to give me some weird tape to try to keep it on longer. So of course, with the patch not consistently in contact, there's breakthrough bleeding, irregular LONG periods, terrible mood swings. I thought my body might just need a period of adjustment; I stuck with it 3 months. I gained 14 pounds and looked so bloated and puffy. At age 30, I started having cystic acne for the first time in my life. Oh yeah, and NO sex drive. Yeah, my husband just loves that. I will never recommend this to anyone. Ever. Finding something else has been an ongoing nightmare."

• Kfi...
• November 4, 2013

For Birth Control "Although I love that I only need to change my patch once a week instead of taking a pill every day, I HATE the patch. I've been on it for 3 months and took my last patch off for good today. I've gained more than 25 pounds! I'm constantly hungry no matter what or how often I eat (I normally have great self-control). Also, I have had ongoing cramping through my entire cycle. My periods are not any shorter, lighter, or less painful. My acne has gotten worse. I have sudden and fierce mood swings and am more emotional than I was when I was pregnant. The only good thing I can say about it is I haven't gotten pregnant, and even then, I haven't had sex since starting it, so that doesn't even count in my book. Hate it."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2023

For Birth Control "I was on Xulane for a solid three months, and I loved it. Little nausea, and periods were regular and lighter with mild cramping. Small mood swings on new patch day, but as soon as my pharmacy switched my script, it's been horrible. I've been on Zafemy for three months and had to stop since my mood swings got really bad (anger almost constantly at the beginning of the week). My periods worsened and cramps got worse. I was consistently inconsistent, and what I mean is it would be horrible at the beginning of the week, and I would feel normal towards the end, and it would start all over again with the new patch. Also, this doesn't have as strong of adhesive as Xulane did."

• Bek...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m 21 years old, and I started Ortho Evra pill 2 months ago. It works really well. I have no side effects, I mean, being a bit moody or emotional is normal for me. I do get it naturally around period time. I’m on a 3-week batch, 5-day break cycle, and it works really great. I do recommend it for young girls who don’t want any surgery, etc., contraception, and get upset stomach (if taking pills and such)."

• Luc...
• November 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on the Evra patch for a year now, no specific mood swings, no spotting, normal periods of 7 days, period only starts on the 3rd day after removing the patch and overlaps by 3 days! Breasts have grown, I might say a cup size. Some of the periods I had very bad back pain, some I don't even feel (so I don't think it's anything to do with the patch). I have not gained much weight, and I think it's nothing to do with the patch. If I eat like a pig, I get fat, and if I cut down on carbs, I slim down."

• Fin...
• June 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and this is my first time using birth control. I chose the Ortho Evra patch. I started the patch just over a month ago on the first day of my period. My period was extended and lasted 2 weeks straight, then I had a lot of spotting. On the 4th week (off patch), I got my period, cramps and all, and by this point, I thought the bleeding would never end! I was extremely emotional and cried almost every day and would constantly ask myself, 'What is wrong with me?' Now that over a month has passed, everything seems back to normal. Larger breasts is a definite pro! I don't feel the need to cry now, and everything is good. Enjoying the patch now!"

• 199...
• November 2, 2013

For Birth Control "This was my first time being on birth control. The first few days were fine, I started it on a Monday, but on Friday morning I was throwing up. After that day, I was always nauseous and had insane mood swings. I'd crave something, then once I got it, the smell of it made me wanna puke. The only thing I was really able to eat was crackers and soup. The second Monday after I changed my patch... that night I had weird dreams, and I kept waking up feeling sick. I couldn't take it anymore, in the middle of that night, I took that patch right off. I don't know if it's due to the fact that I'm tiny, 104 pounds, and at the time I wasn't eating a lot. But I'm not even gonna try it again, nausea is not fun at all. Anyway, I'm on the pill now, could be happier."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking Xulane when my insurance stopped covering Ortho Evra. The first month was fine, no side effects, irritation, or pregnancy scares or anything, but then the second month I started experiencing nausea, cramps, my period was late, and then I had the absolute worst depression and even started losing touch with reality. I thought I was going crazy, but since I stopped it, I've felt completely fine. Did prevent me from getting pregnant, but the mood swings were not worth it anymore, will have to move on to the pill."

• Bou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2016

For Birth Control "My first time taking birth control, and I chose the patch. I was prescribed Xulane. I hate it. I already had a slight acne problem, it didn't improve it. It made my breasts tender all the time. I was spotting for a whole week, which was expected. The main issue from being on this patch was my mood swings. I felt depressed, sad, I was crying for no reason, and then I would be happy again. My boyfriend hates it because of my mood swings. I've been on it for 3 months, but not anymore."

• hap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I LOVE the patch!! I was on the pill for a long time (about 3-4 years) and tried 4 different ones. They mainly made me sick to my stomach or have crazy mood swings/aggression. In college, I found it harder to take the pill on time and wanted to try different, more permanent birth controls. I tried NuvaRing with no success (unfortunately, it would move around too much and be quite uncomfortable), and the shot for 6 months (which made me horribly depressed and was the first birth control to cause weight gain for me). Then, I came across the patch!! It is amazing. I lost some weight, my breasts grew a bit (a side effect I didn't want), and no mood swings! No nausea and no appetite fluctuations. If anything, I'd say it curbed my appetite."