Alyacen 1/35 and Depression: What Users Say

• PCO...
• November 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Everybody’s body is different, so what might be my side effects might not be yours. I started this pill 08/2018, by 10/2018, I gained 20 lbs. The depression and lack of motivation the pill caused helped the weight gain. I stopped going to the gym and eating right. Because of my PCOS, I have to be on birth control EVERY DAY. My out-of-balance hormones with these extra hormones really threw me out of whack. I scored high on the depression screen during my physical, met with a nutritionist, and started therapy, nothing changed. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen, I KID YOU NOT, 3 days after, I was feeling my normal self. I got my motivation back, depression has lessened, back at the gym, and working on my eating. Please don’t take this med if you are experiencing any negative symptoms. It is YOUR BODY! Only YOU know when something isn’t right. You have every right as a woman to request a new med. Be sure to ask your Dr. to write on your script, 'no substitute.'"

• PCO...
• November 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Everybody’s body is different, so what might be my side effects might not be yours. I started this pill 08/2018, by 10/2018, I gained 20 lbs. The depression and lack of motivation the pill caused helped the weight gain. I stopped going to the gym and eating right. Because of my PCOS, I have to be on birth control EVERY DAY. My out-of-balance hormones with these extra hormones really threw me out of whack. I scored high on the depression screen during my physical, met with a nutritionist, and started therapy, nothing changed. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen, I KID YOU NOT, 3 days after, I was feeling my normal self. I got my motivation back, depression has lessened, back at the gym, and working on my eating. Please don’t take this med if you are experiencing any negative symptoms. It is YOUR BODY! Only YOU know when something isn’t right. You have every right as a woman to request a new med. Be sure to ask your Dr. to write on your script, 'no substitute.'"

• ano...
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I always had horrible periods that were very heavy and came with seriously bad cramps. Sometimes I’d be in so much pain I'd have to skip school and work. This pill helped a lot for my period. After only a month, it’s way lighter, and my cramps are still there but basically nonexistent after what they used to be. But a major downside is my change in mood. I have no motivation to do anything and am always grumpy. I can never pinpoint why. I'm almost 100% sure it’s because of this pill because the mood I’m in every month is almost exact. The first week I’m fine. The second I’m crying all the time and in such a dark place. The next, my temper is so short. The biggest downside is making me consider another option."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this birth control, Alyacen, for months now and, like many commenters, have had issues with weight gain and mood. I already suffer from depression/anxiety, but my depression has been so severe after starting this birth control that I hardly move most days. Also, it did not occur to me until reading through these comments that my sex drive is almost nonexistent lately."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Took this Alyacen 1/35 for 3 months. I really liked it! I hardly had any side effects. I did have breast tenderness and a little bit of acne around my period, but nothing that wasn’t manageable. Sadly, my pharmacy doesn’t carry it anymore, so I got switched to a generic brand called Cyclafem, and I have had horrible depression and the nastiest chin acne! (Cyclafem comes in Cyclafem 1/35 strength and Cyclafem 0.5/35 strength, and also Cyclafem 7/7/7, which is a different formula - so need to check which mine was)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Did this make my period completely bearable and short? Yes. Did it also make me loathe myself, everyone around me, cause anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, and paranoia? Also yes. It’s been 5 months, and I’m going off of it tomorrow."

• Per...
• April 4, 2022

For Birth Control "Horrible. Took it for 1 month and bled the whole month. Horrible cramping and headaches. Made me depressed and sent my anxiety into overload. Stopped taking after 1 month. Would not recommend this brand to anyone. I would rather go back to dealing with painful periods than ever take this again."

• Bry...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2023

For Birth Control "Been on birth control for 4 years and been on 5 different types trying to find one that works. I’ve been on Alyacen for 9 months, this one completely destroyed my sex drive, made me have extreme mood swings and depression phases, and overall I lost myself and had no motivation to do anything. The only good thing is it helps with acne. Most high estrogen pills I’ve been on have all caused these same side effects."