Lo Loestrin Fe and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Jul...
• December 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Lo for almost 3 months when I had to stop because my acne had slightly increased (already had acne to begin with). The second month was rough with an increase in anxiety and depression, but once I got to the third pack, I felt better as it usually takes three months for your body to adjust. I would advise anyone considering this pill to trust their doctor. It’s the lowest hormones available on the market, I believe, and everyone may react differently to it, and it’s really about how you handle it. Not to discount anyone’s negative experience, I just know I got scared after reading some of these reviews. I enjoyed having a shorter and lighter period, and it seemed like I had fewer cramps. If you are worried about weight gain, it could cause an increase in appetite, but for me, it suppressed my appetite. I already had acne to begin with, so the only reason I stopped is there are other pills approved to treat hormonal acne, like Yaz."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I started Lo Loestrin in July and found myself becoming very stressed out and depressed all the time. I also felt easily angered, so I decided to stop taking it. My period pains came back, and I decided to retry it in December. Since then, I've gained 5 pounds and bloat super easy, even when I only eat small meals. I also have been getting strong, persistent cramps every night. I'm looking to switch to a different birth control."

• mir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2018

For Birth Control "Lo Loestrin Fe does horrible things to your body. Within the first week, my hormones were all over the place; I got so depressed, I felt like I fell down a very dark hole. I’ve never been this way in my life, I felt out of control and moody. The smallest things set me off, and my anxiety is through the roof. I’m a female bodybuilder and haven’t been able to lose any weight for my summer shred like I’m normally able to. This is ridiculous. I want my money back, as I’m stopping the pills immediately."

• ADD...
• December 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis, so my gyno recommended this birth control to me. It wasn’t bad at first, but since my body was adjusting, the first month’s period lasted for 3 weeks, but spotting and mild cramps. I am now on my fourth month, and I spot for a day or two and no cramps whatsoever. I love this part about this BC, but I finally realized how much it affected my mental health. My anxiety and depression have skyrocketed to the point where I am getting actual chest pains from my anxiety. I already have bipolar disorder type 2, and this did not work well with it at all. I don’t recommend it if you have preexisting mental health issues, but if you don’t, it’s a great pill - no bleeding, no cramps, no weight gain/loss, no acne. I’ll give it a 2 because of how everything else worked so well besides the mental health issues - they are so awful."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2018

For Birth Control "In the first 2 months, I had random spotting and lost 10 pounds almost immediately, however, by month 3, my periods were lasting 9-12 days and were extremely irregular! (They used to be regular and never lasted more than 4 days.) Also, by this time, I noticed that I had become extremely depressed. It was affecting my relationship because I was always crying and never wanted to do anything but sleep. I became extremely insecure and truly just felt like I didn’t like myself. I also developed extreme anxiety to the point where I couldn’t even go to the store without crying or panicking. That is so unlike me, so after 8 months, I finally got off it and I feel 100% myself again! I do not recommend this to anyone who already has mood swings or anxiety. Other than the drastic effect it had on my mood, there were no other symptoms other than irregular/longer periods."

• Mia...
• May 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for just three weeks and noticed a major increase in anxiety and depression. I was miserable until I realized it was from this pill. I stopped it immediately and shortly began feeling so much better. If you have a history of anxiety, do not take this pill."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2018

For Birth Control "It took a solid 3 months for my body to adjust to this pill. I had heavy periods, lots of spotting, and mood swings, but once I adjusted, I loved it! I was on Yaz for a long time, and it gave me severe anxiety and flushed skin. Switching to Lo Loestrin Fe cleared the anxiety and skin problems up immediately! The only reason I am going off this medication is the cost."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2018

For Birth Control "When I first started this birth control, I thought it was great. Sure, I gained 10 pounds and cried easier, but I could deal with that in return for relief from cramps. Fast forward to 8 months of taking this pill, and my gallbladder had to be removed. I was an anxious mess, had horrible acne, and an unexplainable neck rash. I can’t say the gallbladder was from the pill for sure, all I know is I did not have stomach issues before I got on it, but the acne, rash, and anxiety all went away within a month of stopping this medication. It works great for some, but not for me apparently."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. I originally switched to Lo Lo after I noticed that the generic for Notrel 1/35 (Dasetta) was giving me slight mood swings. I've been on this pill for 3 months, and I am switching back to Dasetta after this week since they do not make Notrel anymore. This pill has caused anxiety, major mood swings, and even mild depression; I don't feel like myself at all and have never suffered from depression or major mood swings before this pill. My husband has even said I've been acting differently and not like myself. I think the biggest issue is that my body goes through the PMS symptoms the last week of the package, but my period never arrives and messes up my hormones. Hopefully, going back to the Dasetta will be better."

• FFF...
• October 26, 2013

For Birth Control "Took Lo Loestrin Fe for 2 weeks, and immediately had to discontinue. Started with spotting during the second week, developed anxiety attacks and unnecessary fears, back pain, low libido. After I stopped, it took a week for me to return to being functional. It's been about 6 weeks since I have stopped the pill and haven't gotten a period, and every few weeks, symptoms of anxiety and unnecessary fears come back."

• Lea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I am not one to write reviews about anything online, but I thought I'd share what happened to me while on this birth control. I experienced very light to absolutely no periods (which I was completely fine with). I wanted to switch from Beyaz to something with a lower dose of hormones, thinking that was a healthy choice for my body, but boy was I wrong! I always had extremely clear skin, but within the first 2 months on this pill, I started to experience severe cystic breakouts that were so painful and red I didn't want to leave my house, and made me so self-conscious. I also experienced dizziness and anxiety that came out of the blue. I cannot take the breakouts anymore, so I'm switching back to Beyaz tomorrow, which I never had a problem with."

• Chi...
• February 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I began taking this pill after I finished breastfeeding and switched from Micronor. I began having cramps to the point I wanted to curl up in a ball and not move during my period, and I had 2 periods plus spotting in one month. Add that to the emotions I was experiencing (anxiety, depression, very quick temper), and I stopped taking this after 2 1/2 months. My husband noticed a big change in my moods and anxiety levels on this pill. I recommend to anyone trying this pill to pay attention to your mental health as well as physical."

• kam...
• October 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I hate this pill! I hate all birth control, but especially this one. I've experienced pretty much every bad side effect: depression, anxiety, mood swings, headaches, acne, weight gain (like 30 lbs in 5 months), cramping, bloating, forgetfulness... and way more. The only pro is that I don't get cold sores nearly as much, and I also only have 2-day periods. Other than that, awful."

• Dar...
• June 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Lo Loestrin for 3 months, with horrible side effects the entire time! My doctor wanted me to stick it out for 3 months before switching to give my body time to get used to it. It was the worst 3 months of my life. I was nauseous constantly, especially with physical exercise. I would have to sit down from walking because I would get too dizzy/nauseous from it. I started the pills on Day 1 of my period and then bled the entire 3 months! Not just spotting either. The only time it was spotting was for the 7 days when I was supposed to get my period each month, the rest of the time was horrible heavy bleeding. The worst part, though, was the anxiety and depression. I cried every single day. Couldn't get out of bed and had anxiety attacks. Ended up switching pills."

• V1C...
• August 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 19 years old and on my third pack (possibly fourth, I can't remember for sure) of this birth control. The first two months were great! I didn't notice any side effects, and my period was normal. This past month, though, I've started to notice a lot of nausea and some headaches. Most recently, my depression and anxiety have increased tenfold and gone through the roof. I can't stop crying over everything, and I'm a mess all the time. It's time to stop this BC because it's just making my life a living hell."

• Dep...
• September 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Horrible experience! I'm only on my 2nd month (as I have promised my Dr. I'd keep trying it). I have had major depression/anxiety since I've started this pill. My sensitivity has shot way up, as has my weight. Still have cramping (which is why I started this pill in the first place). I have barely touched my boyfriend since taking this pill. I went from having sex almost every day to having 0 sex drive, to the point where my boyfriend questioned my fidelity. I stop taking it today. I'd rather put up with the bad periods/cramps than go through this."

• Ale...
• July 19, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the absolute worst medication I have ever been on. I had severe anxiety, hot flashes, stomach pain, no appetite, sudden loss of positive body image, it caused me to have horrible cystic acne. I have so far cried every day that I have been on this medication (2 months). Before this drug, I had a very positive body image, I had not needed my anxiety medication in 4 months, and had nearly perfect skin. This medication was horrible. I would not recommend this medication to anyone."

• SSa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for 7 months. I started to breakthrough bleed after month 3, every 2 weeks. I thought this would go away, but it got worse, so I am switching to a different pill. No huge side effects with this pill, but it underperformed and made me stressed about its effectiveness the whole time."

• Isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Not for me. They say give it 3 months, but I have a heart condition, so I decided to stop taking this pill and try another. I got chest pain/pressure and occasional breathlessness. I don't know if it's because it was affecting my heart or if these were side effects from the anxiety I got on this pill. I have occasional anxiety, but being on this pill made me very anxious almost every day. I had a lot of spotting, but they say that's expected for the first 3 months. I also went from only being moody right before my period to being moody almost all the time. I felt angry and emotional very often. The only pro for me was that it made my usually very heavy periods become extremely light, which was awesome but not worth all the other side effects I experienced. Don't be scared if you were prescribed this pill, give it a shot, but pay close attention to your body while taking it. Finding the right birth control can be very hit or miss, and everyone is different."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Lo Loestrin FE was the worst pill I've ever been on. It literally was making me crazy. I became angry, depressed, and began having anxiety. I would get so angry all I saw was red. My husband kept telling me I had changed, and I knew I had. I just became so depressed so quickly I couldn't help myself. Now being off it for nearly 5 months, I feel like myself again. My doctor put me on Taytulla, which is working out so much better for me."

• BNi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC pill for 4 months going on 5 months now. I have mixed feelings about it. It's my first birth control pill, and I didn't know what to expect, but I read up on the side effects; so far, I have experienced mood swings, anxiety (which I was already having issues with). The pill made it worse when I do have episodes of it, weight gain (because I seem to crave sweets more often), and lack of sex drive. I also bleed a lot my first two months into the pill, like every two weeks, and it lasted 5-7 days and was very heavy, but these last two months, no period at all, plus I haven't been that sexually active. I take the pill every day at the same time. I work out daily. No serious breakouts from it, but my breasts have gotten bigger!! Which I love!"

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2019

For Birth Control "Tried birth control for the first time, and Lo Lo was not for me! Started off okay with minor cramps and nausea, nothing too crazy. I was on it about a month and a week. Decided to stop due to my anxiety being the worst it’s been! Some days it was bearable, other days I almost felt like I was about to have an anxiety attack! If you suffer from anxiety, you know how bad this feels. Definitely would not recommend this type of birth control to anybody who suffers from anxiety. The only thing I loved was my acne clearing up with this, but not worth the anxiety attacks!"

• exa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2017

"I have never written a review online for anything in my entire life, but because of my extremely negative experience with Loestrin Fe, I feel inclined to. I was prescribed this BC to help regulate my hormone levels, my period, and the physical side effects of PCOS. I tried to remain hopeful while on this pill and stick it out for a full 3 months, but after just two full months, I was advised by my gyno and family members/friends to stop using it. This BC exacerbated my previously mild depression and anxiety to a level where I could not get out of bed or go outside. I would spend hours lying in bed and crying; I was so miserable. If you're someone who has even very mild depression or anxiety, I would recommend being HIGHLY cautious before starting."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Horrible. I started it about 3 weeks ago, and since then, my anxiety has been horrible. I cannot enjoy my days. I'm constantly nauseous, have severe cramps, and I've started bleeding again two days ago. My pains are horrible, when my bleeding started again, I also had pretty bad diarrhea. My stomach has always been a strong one, and it seems to be so far off and upset all the time. Now I've got weird headaches, dizziness, and lower back pain. This pill sucks. I will stop taking this pill after today when I finally realized what it really was."

• Box...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I knew before I started that this probably wouldn't agree with my body. I have been on it for nearly 3 weeks and it's been absolutely bad. I'm angry constantly, I'm crying and having panic attack after panic attack. My anxiety over nothing is showing up in my dreams and it's been a new low. I was really praying this would help with my awful periods, but in the end, it just makes things worse. The best way I can explain it is it's like going through puberty again. I stopped taking it last night and woke up with my period and a slightly calmer mindset. Even though my period is the problem, I've never been happier to get it."