Alyacen 1/35 and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• kan...
• February 4, 2019

For Birth Control "So I had to switch to Alyacen (ethinylestradiol 0.035 mg and Norethindrone 1.0 mg) because of an insurance change, and I was originally on Minastrin (ethinylestradiol 0.02 mg and Norethindrone 1 mg). I started that at 17 and noticed a 15 lb weight gain. I was an athlete in high school, so I can't exclusively state that it was birth control. In October 2016, I switched to Junel. I had no period on either pill. I have had a 35 lb+ weight gain. I am currently on a 1300 calorie diet and work out 3 days a week with an active job with hardly any weight loss. I have also noticed I am an emotional train wreck. I can't handle confrontation/constructive criticism. I turn into a defensive ball of anger and tears, even over very minimal things. I have no sex drive. I have had migraines and palpitations. I have felt completely out of it at times, wanting to sit and be alone, and I used to be a huge outgoing person. I even got engaged, and my fiancé has noticed a change in my sensitivity to things and, of course, my sex drive. It didn't get bad until almost 2 years on this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for over a year in total but stopped taking it for a while. When I first got on Alyacen, I gained 15+ pounds. I just recently started taking the pill again, and the change I feel is drastic, and it's only been a week back on it. I noticed undeniable tiredness that wasn't there before, I'm way more irritable with others, and my sex drive has plummeted. I think birth control affects everyone differently, this is just my experience."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2017

For Birth Control "The first couple weeks were a struggle for me. I was very nauseous and gained a couple pounds, but after a couple weeks, it started to regulate and went back to normal. It made my periods super light and short, which was great considering I had very heavy and painful periods before. It also cleared my acne and I never had any pregnancy scares. I had to switch because it decreased my libido a significant amount and caused a lot of issues with sex. I would say it's a decent birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 15, 2021

For Birth Control "This is causing me to have hair loss so bad. I also am very emotional and have no sex drive and am in a bad mood. I stopped taking it for about 3 months and got back on it for a while and now I'm thinking of stopping it again. It is awful."

• 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."