Aurovela Fe 1/20 and Anxiety: What Users Say

• LDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2021

For Birth Control "After being on Junel FE 1/20 for forever, I had to switch pharmacies. The new pharmacy gave me Aurovela (which is supposed to be an appropriate substitute) without even consulting me. DO NOT let them make this switch on you if you already have issues with anxiety and depression!!!"

• BCh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the 3rd time I have attempted to take birth control. I have severe ovulation issues, and my doctor thought trying a “low dose pill” would help. Aurovela Fe is absolutely awful. I’m on my 2nd month, week 2 of the pack, and I’ve never experienced anxiety and mood swings this severely in my life! Sobbing, crying, even having emotional breakdowns. I have GI issues already, and this pill has made them even worse. And the breast tenderness?! I thought they just hurt, but my significant other even mentioned how much larger they looked. Oh, and the bloating is also severe, like really bad. I’m 31, and I’ve never felt like my life was spiraling out of control until I started taking this. I’m not even giving it a chance to “level out.” I will be stopping cold turkey. If I could give this zero stars...I would give it a negative 5."

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I see a lot of these reviews sharing depression and anxiety symptoms. I have never been a person to say I struggle with those, and for the most part throughout the 5 months being on it, I didn't notice anything. But looking back on it, I definitely see the correlations. It would come to me in spurts, though, the sadness wasn't throughout my whole experience. But I noticed I was sad about things that I had already gotten over/accepted previously, which was odd. Anyway, my BIGGEST concern is the ACNE it causes. IF YOU HAVE FOR THE MOST PART CLEAR SKIN, DO NOT TAKE THIS. It will ruin your skin so badly. I stopped the pill because of this. Never in my life had I had acne so badly, and within just 5 months. Also, my breasts are huge and so sore, had to get new bras. Got fitted, went from an A to a borderline C, they said. Never in my life... that was so crazy. Either way, the acne was so bad I couldn't stand it. Not even for bigger boobs..."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2021

For Birth Control "My doctor decided to put me on Aurovela Fe 1/20 to help with awful menstrual cycles related to endometriosis. I’ve only been on it for 3 days, and I’m experiencing the worst anxiety, depression, nausea of my life. I honestly feel terrified because of this anxiety. I can only compare it to the depo injection I had about 18 years ago that made me incredibly anxious, but this feels 1,000 times worse. Please do NOT take this medication. Nothing is worth feeling like this. I pray I feel like myself again in a couple of days once the hormones are out of my system. If I could give this negative stars, I would. They really should take this off the market."

• War...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Junel Fe 1/20 and was prescribed this as a substitute when it wasn’t available. This drug made me feel more anxious, depressed, and disgusting than anything else that I have ever taken. I have gained 20 lbs on this pill and can’t seem to stop eating when I take it. I can’t seem to get off it either since every time I call Walgreens, they tell me that they can’t get my original medication. If your pharmacy tries to give you this prescription as a replacement for your prescription, please ask for something else."

• Nop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I had been taking Microgestin or Junel with no problems for over 5 years when my pharmacy switched to Aurovela. By week 3, I was fighting severe and life-altering depression, anxiety, self-loathing, and feeling overwhelmed. When I called my pharmacy to switch back, I was told they have received many such complaints about Aurovela."

• Nop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2020

For Birth Control "I had been taking Microgestin or Junel with no problems for over 5 years when my pharmacy switched to Aurovela. By week 3, I was fighting severe and life-altering depression, anxiety, self-loathing, and feeling overwhelmed. When I called my pharmacy to switch back, I was told they have received many such complaints about Aurovela."

• kra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I took only one month of Aurovela Fe 1/20 birth control pill. Within that one month, I had the worst depression and anxiety of my entire life. I couldn’t sleep or eat. I was nauseous almost 24 hours of the day. I even threw up after the first time I took it. I was given this pill when my pharmacy didn’t have my regular pill, and went back almost once a week to see if I could get the original pill I was on. On top of all that, I take the birth control to get rid of my acne, and it didn’t even help with that."

• liz...
• June 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I took it only four days. Every day after taking the pill, I would start breaking down crying for four hours at a time and feeling so anxious. My stomach would knot up. I felt so sick, like how I did when I was pregnant. I felt so depressed and sad to where I felt kind of like homesick in a way because I felt so uneasy and anxious. Even though I was at home, where I feel so comfortable. I couldn’t even sneeze without feeling like I was going to vomit. I’ve felt severe depression to where I didn’t feel happy with anything at all. I felt so tired all the time, even after having plenty of sleep. Full-on breakdowns for hours upon hours. Suicidal thoughts, which I have never had before. I do have anxiety, but it is super mild. Thought I was going crazy until I saw these reviews. I decided to leave a review on my experience. It was so bad to the point where I refuse to go on any birth control ever again. I would rather be pregnant again, to be honest, and this was only after four days! Imagine taking this for months... don’t do it, please."

• Cai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control ever. I’ve been on Junel and Lo Estrin for 10 years and never experienced any side effects. Walgreens gave me this birth control instead of Junel in Jan, and I finally called my Dr. to switch me back to Junel. Horrible, horrible acne, breast tenderness, weight gain (I’ve been the same exact weight for 7 years), terrible anxiety and sleeping issues, as well as low energy. Within three days of switching back to Junel, my entire face cleared up, and I’ve been able to sleep again. Hopefully, breast tenderness will go away with time, as well as back to my normal weight. Do not take this birth control as an alternative to Junel. If you use Walgreens, find a new pharmacy that will give you Junel."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2020

For Birth Control "After many years on Lo Loestrin, I started to experience break-through bleeding, so my doctor switched me to Junel, and then my pharmacy switched me to Aurovela. This was several months ago, and they have been some of the worst months of my life. I've always had anxiety, but I've never experienced this level of anxiety and depression before. My mood has been all over the place, and I've generally just felt horrible (low energy, frequent nausea, etc.). A couple of days ago, I ended up in the ER with dangerously high blood pressure (I've never had problems with blood pressure and have always run low). The switch to Aurovela occurred right when the symptoms started, but I had experienced some major life changes around the same time, so it was only recently that I realized everything I've been experiencing is due to this medication. After seeing these reviews and doing some research, I am certain this pill is responsible for everything I've been going through, and I will be stopping this birth control immediately."

• Anonymous
• December 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on this for a month and a half. First month I was so nauseous and had horrible headaches. Also had been super anxious and emotional. Start of my second pill pack I got borderline cystic acne out of nowhere. I just switched back to my old birth control. I googled the reviews tonight and saw that 80% had negative effects, no wonder I feel and look like this. I can’t believe anyone thought to prescribe this to me, I’m actually livid. Four days before Christmas and I have over 25 pimples on my face. When I say last Friday my skin was clean, I’m not kidding. Livid."

• sot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2021

For Birth Control "The week before Thanksgiving, I started Aurovela. I experienced 24-hour nausea, oversleeping (one day, slept 15 hours!). I could not keep my eyes open for anything. I was vomiting 2-3 times a day, usually only stomach acid or water because I couldn't keep food down. I had cold sweats, and my entire body was achy. Worst out of all of this was my anxiety and depression. I don't remember the last time my anxiety was as bad as it was. It was terrifying. I had initially thought I may have had food poisoning. During my second week, I was examining everything that could be contributing to my being sick, the only one thing was the birth control. My doctor stopped me immediately, told me to wait until my next menstrual cycle, and then she gave me a lower dose. I was very skeptical, and for good reason. I started it 3 days ago and am already experiencing the same symptoms. I will contact her and discontinue use. The increase in anxiety and depression was surely the worst part of it all. Be aware."

• Mro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2025

For Birth Control "I started taking Aurovela after not taking any birth control for a few years. I read these reviews before starting because I am a naturally anxious person about medication side effects, etc., and now I'm on the 2nd week of my fourth pack. It seems like if you transition to it from another pill it can be rough, but starting it fresh (not transitioning) isn't too bad. I had some nausea and was in a very anxious, bad mood for the first couple of weeks, then it evened out. I take it at night right before bed. My symptoms have mostly been PMS at weird times of the month (tender boobs, cravings, irritable) and breakthrough bleeding, but my goal was to alleviate bad cramps, and it has done that. My periods have been so light I have thought maybe I was pregnant, but I saw from other reviews that others have a similar experience. I also have tachycardia, as another reviewer mentioned, and that has gotten more frequent. No weight change or breaking out here in month 4. Hope this helps others!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2021

For Birth Control "If I could give this a 0, I would. DO NOT take this medication. I read all the bad reviews and figured I would have a different experience because I have never had a problem with birth control in the past. I was WRONG. This stuff has literally ruined me. I already had anxiety, but it has now turned absolutely crippling. I can’t sleep, eat, or do any of the things I used to enjoy. My boobs are in intense pain at all times. I cry over literally everything. I have genuinely never been so unhappy with myself in my entire life. I hope I can go back to normal after quitting cold turkey this week."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2021

For Birth Control "My pelvic health doctor suggested this birth control as a way to help with ovarian cysts and cycle-related pains. I was on it for 4 months. I started having a lot of sleeping problems, anxiety (especially at night), breast tenderness, severe bloating, gas pains, digestion complications. I also experienced some depression, feelings of despair, and dread. I thought it was all from my stressful job (RN), but I didn't have these issues before taking this bc. I gave it 4 months for my body to adjust to it, but this is not a good fit for me. I've been off the birth control for 5 days now and noticed a HUGE difference in my digestion, my fluid retention has improved, and I have been sleeping better at night and no longer dread what the next day will bring. Hopefully, this review will help others as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2021

For Birth Control "My pelvic health doctor suggested this birth control as a way to help with ovarian cysts and cycle-related pains. I was on it for 4 months. I started having a lot of sleeping problems, anxiety (especially at night), breast tenderness, severe bloating, gas pains, digestion complications. I also experienced some depression, feelings of despair, and dread. I thought it was all from my stressful job (RN), but I didn't have these issues before taking this bc. I gave it 4 months for my body to adjust to it, but this is not a good fit for me. I've been off the birth control for 5 days now and noticed a HUGE difference in my digestion, my fluid retention has improved, and I have been sleeping better at night and no longer dread what the next day will bring. Hopefully, this review will help others as well."

• Bry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been using this birth control for 6 months and recently switched from the IUD due to getting BV continuously. My anxiety has been worse than it has been in a long time. I sleep so much more now and noticed I was slowly falling into a depression. I lost interest in many things and had less patience than I did before. My boobs are so sore and hurt all the time. I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one, after reading the reviews, I thought it was just me. I would not recommend this birth control to anyone, especially if you have a history of anxiety and depression. I’m stopping the pill now that I know the causes of a lot of the side effects I have gotten."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Aurovela Fe 1/20 for almost 2 months now. Please, please, please, if you have a history of anxiety or depression, ask your doctor to try a different birth control method. My anxiety has increased severely, and I'm beginning to feel very depressed again. I've been thinking of self-harm as well as suicide again, and I'm having trouble with oversleeping, not eating enough. I'm crying constantly, and I'm losing my motivation for everything. Please be careful if you decide to try this birth control, and contact your doctor immediately if you begin feeling these symptoms. DO NOT WAIT!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2021

For Birth Control "This pill almost cost me my relationship with my boyfriend! Horrible mood swings as soon as I started this and was on it for about 2 months. I also started experiencing severe hair loss to the point where I’m almost balding. The moods made me feel super anxious, self-conscious, very irritable, and felt like crying over everything! I was on Junel for the longest, and it worked great. But apparently, the pharmacist said they weren’t making it anymore, so they switched me to Aurovela. I can't keep on taking this pill and am discontinuing it immediately! And had I seen all of these horrible reviews, I never would have started taking it to begin with."

• wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2020

For Birth Control "If you have a history of depression and/or anxiety, this birth control pill Aurovela Fe 1/20 may make it worse. I have depression and anxiety that I have been treated for for 5 years now and been stable on medication. I have been taking Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about 3 years now, and my pharmacy ran out of everything, and this was their only option. Within 3 weeks, I am experiencing depression and anxiety similar to when I was first diagnosed with depression and wasn’t in treatment for it. It’s awful. I feel terrible. Aurovela Fe 1/20 has given me side effects of me being extremely bloated, my breasts are insanely huge and so sore, I have acne breakouts in 6 places on my face and all over my chest and collarbone area. This pill is absolutely awful, and I hate how it makes me feel. The pharmacist assured me it was all the same active ingredients, and I shouldn't notice a change. Well, when I’m 3 weeks into it and having suicidal thoughts return for the first time in 5 years, and this has been the only change, I beg to differ."

• her...
• July 31, 2021

For Birth Control "I first started a different brand of birth control, but a change of insurance led me to switch pharmacies to Walgreens. They gave me Aurovela Fe 1/20, and shortly after, I was having a hard time believing life was worth living. Not an exaggeration. I couldn’t pinpoint why I felt this way other than saying I just felt “icky.” When I finally got over one anxiety, my mind was searching for another. Absolutely miserable. When I finally decided I had to try SOMETHING to feel better, I looked up the pill and found these reviews. Even just the simple validation of knowing it was the medication causing my downward spiral has made me feel light years better. My pharmacist says it may be a whole cycle until I return to my normal self, and I am beyond excited. This drug made me feel like I was going to feel awful until the day I died, then convinced me I was going to die SOON. I am upset at Walgreens for peddling this generic drug to so many women, despite the side effects."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 5, 2022

For Birth Control "The absolute worst thing I’ve ever put into my body. I’ve always been a happy, upbeat person. On this pill, I struggled with extreme anxiety, depression, weight gain, acne, uncontrollable anger, insomnia, and mood swings since being on this pill. I was great on Junel. Never once had a suicidal ideation until a few months being on Aurovela. It took me a while to connect the dots. I thought my anxiety and depression were outside factors until I took a few months off from taking the pill and felt like my normal happy self again. Then going back onto it, I felt the anxiety, depression, and anger kick in and take over my life. I’m an actual lunatic on the pill. I highly recommend staying as far away from Aurovela as possible."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I was switched to Aurovela when I moved and changed pharmacies about 4 months ago. I've dealt with anxiety and depression for my entire life, but I was always able to cope until I started Aurovela. I lost all motivation, could barely force myself out of bed most days, and it amplified my anxiety nearly to the point of having panic attacks. I've always been a stoic person, but while taking this medication, I was constantly on the verge of tears. I started to suspect a few weeks back that the medication was causing my extreme mood swings, anxiety, and depression, so I made an appointment with my doctor and just got switched to a new medication. I've only been off Aurovela for a few days, but I'm already feeling a million times better. I can't believe I toughed it out for so long. I've tried several brands of birth control pills over the last decade, but this is by far the worst. Save yourself the trouble, don't take this medication."

• nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on Aurovela Fe 1/20 for about 5 months now, and never have I felt the worst in my life. I have severe insomnia, 24/7 anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts, and constant UTIs. I just spoke to my doctor to prescribe me back to Junel. I'm not myself, and it's time I do something about it. Life is short, and I'll do whatever it takes to make the most of it, including stopping any medication that can alter my body. I didn't realize until I read reviews on Aurovela that I also am experiencing weight gain and enlarged breasts (similar to when I was pregnant). It's time to stop taking this medication cold turkey."