Lo Loestrin Fe and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• lal...
• January 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking Lo Loestrin Fe when I was 12 due to acne and a cyst I had, and I had the worst experience: longer periods, bloating, and increased acne, and nasty brown discharge with cramps more painful than any cramps I've ever felt. So, I quit taking it. Then, a few years later, I started having sex and decided to get back on, and my gyno gave me the same birth control even though I told her how it affected my body, but she insisted. I am currently having the same side effects and 2 periods a month, and so much pain, anxiety, and mood swings, and dryness during sex. I do not recommend this birth control. I would give it a 0/10."

• AMR...
• February 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I have had my fair share with different brands and types of BC in the course of 12 years. I chose this after completing the Implanon of 3 years. I requested a BC with the lowest hormone possible. The first few months were just fine. Took a couple of months to adjust to a period pattern, but that was about it. (Periods were regular and light with this pill.) Then about month 5 into it, things went south. I started developing issues I never had before: extreme anxiety, low sex drive (felt like I could live forever without sex), vaginal dryness, excessive hunger, headaches 2-3 times a week, and depression. I will be discounting this pill, but just because it did not work out for me does not mean it may not work out for you!"

• Ano...
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 4 months. I am 20 years old, and this is the first hormonal birth control that I have ever taken. The first month of this pill was great, it seemingly cleared up my very aggressive breakouts, my period regulated (and eventually stopped completely), I lost weight, and my boobs were getting bigger. Fast forward to January, and my face started breaking out again. I started to feel anxious, nervous, depressed, and lethargic all the time, which was unusual for me. I have zero sex drive, I am constantly bloated, and I gained nearly 20 pounds in the span of 2 months. At first, I thought this was perhaps from overeating during the holidays, but the weight has only come down about 5 pounds since December. I really wish this would have worked for me since it is a very low hormone pill, but I am quitting after I finish this pack. I know when I was first put on it, the first thing I did was Google the reviews, so I hope this helps anyone who is curious about it."

• Ano...
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 4 months. I am 20 years old, and this is the first hormonal birth control that I have ever taken. The first month of this pill was great, it seemingly cleared up my very aggressive breakouts, my period regulated (and eventually stopped completely), I lost weight, and my boobs were getting bigger. Fast forward to January, and my face started breaking out again. I started to feel anxious, nervous, depressed, and lethargic all the time, which was unusual for me. I have zero sex drive, I am constantly bloated, and I gained nearly 20 pounds in the span of 2 months. At first, I thought this was perhaps from overeating during the holidays, but the weight has only come down about 5 pounds since December. I really wish this would have worked for me since it is a very low hormone pill, but I am quitting after I finish this pack. I know when I was first put on it, the first thing I did was Google the reviews, so I hope this helps anyone who is curious about it."

• Kwa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2021

For Birth Control "So I started this pill because my doctor said it’s worked the best for the majority of her patients, and it’s such a low dose. While I’m sure it works for many, it was AWFUL for me. I have anxiety to begin with, and I’m a pretty emotional person as well. Well, let me tell you, I couldn’t get through a day without crying about nothing and wanting to rip someone’s head off over nothing. My irritability, anxiety, and every negative feeling you could think of surfaced. I had dizziness (I even fell), terrible paralyzing headaches, which I’ve never experienced, along with a straight 26 days of spotting. I think birth control just isn’t for everyone, and my body is extremely routined and reacts very strongly to change. I personally would not recommend this to anyone. The emotional rollercoaster is not worth it."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2018

For Birth Control "I started this pill 2 weeks ago. I had previously been on Marvelon, but my doctor took me off because of blood pressure issues. That is under control now, so he started me on Lo Lo. I have to say these past 2 weeks have been awful! My moods are all over the place with depression, anger, and anxiety. I have awful headaches and nausea too. I feel bad for my family and my boyfriend for having to put up with me. I decided this is not worth it and to quit altogether. I've never had such a bad experience on a pill in my life! I'm relieved and looking forward to feeling good again!"

• Kty...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2018

For Birth Control "The first year I was on this was fine. I had no period, no weight gain. My acne didn't clear up, but didn't get worse either. However, the second year, my mood swings and depression and anxiety went off the charts. I've cried like I've never cried before, there have been days I was ready to just crawl into a hole and never come out. I would get really irritated with my significant other and friends-over nothing. Upon some research and talking to friends, this isn't out of the ordinary. I'm switching off of it this cycle and hoping that something else works better for me."

• Jac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for the past five years and recently decided to get off it for good. On the pill, I noticed a drastic increase in my acne and oily skin (never used to get acne). I had mood swings, and I never had anxiety until I started taking this pill. My anxiety has gotten worse and worse over the years as well. I wouldn’t say my anxiety stems entirely from taking this pill, but I think it contributed greatly. Needless to say, I do NOT recommend this birth control."

• Hai...
• July 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this birth control about a week ago and 2 days. Today, I will not ever be taking this pill again and calling my doctor come Monday morning. I took this pill after doing some research and seeing if maybe the cause of my severe depression and anxiety was hormonally related. My gynecologist didn't ask me any questions about my past hospitalizations due to suicidal thoughts/attempts. I read front and back this medication and only saw suicidal thoughts as side effects to the higher dose. Let me tell you, this pill made everything 100% heightened. My anxiety has never been so bad. I took Lexapro and Trazodone together for 6 months and stopped because I couldn't function as a regular person. Talk with your psychiatrist and gyno before taking."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2023

For Birth Control "Currently on Lo Loestrin Fe to prevent pregnancy and have been for a little over a month now. I have been experiencing severe depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts. I have been trying to make it to the 3 months because that's when my doctor said my body will fully adjust, but I think I am going to stop taking it today. I don't think I can handle these types of emotions for 2 more months. It's intense and scary."

• Lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 25, 2020

For Birth Control "This was the first birth control I ever took at 17. Initially, I had some mood changes, but nothing significant. At one point, the pharmacy started providing me with a different generic version and then a completely different brand, which caused issues. I tried to increase my estrogen to help with hormonal acne (taking Sprintec, then Estarylla). I have returned to taking this brand name birth control, and everything is better. I get minimal breakouts, and my anxiety has decreased as well. I have not noticed any changes in my libido, however, no birth control has affected it. I really like this low estrogen option."

• Ann...
• March 29, 2016

For Birth Control "My doctor prescribed this because a higher dosage birth control made me feel sick. Well, this pill has made me irritable and cry a lot. I have also had nothing but issues with my left breast. Under my left arm hurts and breast tenderness. Also, my nipples are itchy and dry. I went to the doctor about it, and he just said it was my body getting used to the hormones after examining me. But it's made my anxiety worse. I'm going to stop faking it and see if the pain will go away. I honestly can't function."

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the very first birth control I ever used. The first few days I was overcome with anxiety, but that subsided. The first month I did have nausea and heartburn, but that also subsided. Two weeks after I began the pill, I started my period, which lasted off and on for about 3 weeks (which is normal, just annoying). I switched birth controls with my Dr. because this was not stopping my period at all (I wouldn't take the break pills either). I continued to get my period at random times, which is not my goal with birth control. It was not a horrible experience, however, everyone's body responds differently."

• emh...
• August 19, 2019

For Birth Control "My OBGYN prescribed me Lo Loestrin Fe 5 months ago. I am 19 years old, and I went on the pill mainly for contraceptive purposes, but I was also hoping for it to help clear my skin of hormonal acne/breakouts. Boy, was this not the pill for me. My acne is worse than ever, all over my cheeks, chin, and jawline. In addition to this, I have been experiencing a lot of hair loss. No balding by any means, but the hair fall has been heavy, and my hair is not as thick as it once was. The only thing I can say is that it stopped my period, and I experienced no water retention, anxiety, or depression. However, the acne and hair loss is a major deal breaker for me and has been messing with my self-esteem."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2016

For Birth Control "My doctor prescribed me to try this pill as my first time in birth control. Initially, I spotted for a good two weeks, and when I did get my period, it lasted a few days and was into the next month of pills already. Side effects I've noticed, though, is I have not felt good, and as I already suffer from anxiety and depression, this made it a million times worse. I don't necessarily recommend this pill, but that's just from my results of taking it the last two months."

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2012

"Been on Lo Loestrin for about 4 months now. Spotted the week before my period for the first month and had really bad mood swings for the week before my period for the first two months. I've tried a few other birth control options in the past and always had really terrible mood swings. For the third and fourth month, would get really sensitive and irritable the first week before my period and feel anxious, but it's definitely gotten better. Not perfect yet, but I'm going to stick with it and hopefully things will even out. Definitely better than other birth control options I've tried."

• che...
• June 6, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control is terrible! I am 28 years old and was given this since I was diagnosed with PCOS. I took it for 3 weeks and stopped. The 2nd week I was bleeding, bad cramping, and clotting as well... I just assumed it was my body getting used to it after that I got bad bloating to the point that my bladder had pressure on it and I felt the full urgency feeling but did not have a UTI! I had horrible depression and anxiety as well (I am not an anxious or depressed person). It drove me NUTS!! I stopped taking it and it took 4 days to get out of my system and have me feel back to normal! I have some zits now from it as well but that's better than all that other crazy stuff..."

• 180...
• August 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m 18, and I started to take this at 17. I had very bad cramps, bloating, acne, cravings, diarrhea, body aches, headaches. My periods would be 3-5 days long with heavy flow every month. This September will mark a year of me taking this. In the first 2 months, I had no period at all. November - 5 days. December - 4 days. End of the month spotted for 1 week then got my period the next week. So I bled for 2 weeks. February - Nothing. March - spotting 2 days. End of April - May - 2 weeks. June - nothing. July - 5 days. And now currently, I am 9 days late, with extremely heavy bloating and nausea. Before starting this birth control, I was already an anxious/stressed person. Over the course of taking this, I have become so much more anxious/stressed to the point where I start shaking, crying, and get extremely cold. If you’re an anxious/stressed person, I don’t suggest you take this, it will increase those feelings, and if you’re sexually active, you won’t always get your period, causing you to worry."

• 180...
• August 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m 18, and I started to take this at 17. I had very bad cramps, bloating, acne, cravings, diarrhea, body aches, headaches. My periods would be 3-5 days long with heavy flow every month. This September will mark a year of me taking this. In the first 2 months, I had no period at all. November - 5 days. December - 4 days. End of the month spotted for 1 week then got my period the next week. So I bled for 2 weeks. February - Nothing. March - spotting 2 days. End of April - May - 2 weeks. June - nothing. July - 5 days. And now currently, I am 9 days late, with extremely heavy bloating and nausea. Before starting this birth control, I was already an anxious/stressed person. Over the course of taking this, I have become so much more anxious/stressed to the point where I start shaking, crying, and get extremely cold. If you’re an anxious/stressed person, I don’t suggest you take this, it will increase those feelings, and if you’re sexually active, you won’t always get your period, causing you to worry."

• tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2017

For Birth Control "Awful - I started this for my extreme periods that came out of nowhere. After 2 months, these weakened. That's all that this did for me. I got depression, extreme anxiety, lost 40-50% of my hair within 2-3 months, bad dry mouth, mood swings, bruising, and weight gain."

• Tee...
• July 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I am 35 y.o. Began taking after informing doc that I have irregular cycles (about 2.5 months apart) and was concerned I might have a hormone imbalance. Haven't taken birth control in over a decade up until now. I'm now on day 5 of taking Lo Loestrin. Started noticing on day 4 that I am edgy, irritable, and becoming depressed. Have difficulty sleeping all night now also. Today I'm very anxious, moody at the drop of a hat, and oversensitive. I usually am bubbly and positive. Feeling like a crybaby more and more. Today is also vacation day 2 with my kiddos, and I am forcing myself to join in on family fun. I've become the character in the depression commercials who watches everyone having fun out the window and can't seem to get the desire to join in. This is awful. To top it all off, my sex drive has vanished. It was very lively...nope, not now. As soon as we return home from vacay, I will be contacting my doc to resolve this before symptoms get worse. I already miss the old me."

• Ali...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on Lo Loestrin Fe for about 3 years now, and I'm going off of it for good once I finish this pack. I've definitely experienced some mood swings, like being more irritable, more emotional (can cry easily), and slight anxiety, which is so not like me. Before starting this birth control, I never experienced any of this. I don't get my period on it, which I don't really like. I want to get my period so I know I'm not pregnant. I constantly feel bloated. In all, I feel like it's doing no good to my body and emotions, so going off of it seems like the right choice."

• JHa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2018

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control that has never affected my mental state. I tried probably five before Lo Lo, and they gave me such horrible anxiety and mood swings. This pill stops my period altogether, I haven’t had one in over a year, nor any spotting or period symptoms. It’s made my boobs bigger, which I will never complain about. No other side effects that I’ve noticed. So lucky to have finally found a pill that works great for me."

• Tan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 13, 2018

For Birth Control "Started this for endometriosis after taking Yaz for 13 years (which caused insane anxiety). The second I stopped the Yaz, my anxiety of 13 years suddenly disappeared after about a week or two and has not returned, so I give this a few stars for that for sure. However, my endometriosis pain has become significantly worse, from occasional pain to horrible pain every day and significant pain with intercourse, and my breasts are so tender I can barely wear a bra. This is not for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "This pill worked against preventing pregnancy, but I suffered from very bad side effects from this drug. Immediately after starting it, felt achy and fatigued, as if I was on the verge of being sick. These symptoms went on for almost 7 months. Two weeks, I would feel like this and then one week I’d be okay, only to go back to feeling like crap unexpectedly. My mood swings were also very bad, and I would cry almost every day. It made my anxiety and depression worse. I also never got my period during the six months I was on the pill... there were only two times when I spotted randomly (not during the placebo pills)."