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

• Jen...
• May 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Lo Loestrin for a year now. I literally thought I was pregnant until reading these reviews (still going to the doctor today, of course). I am dizzy, hungry, nauseous, breasts are very sore (mostly at day's end). I've been a tiny girl my whole life and gained 15 lbs in the last 2 months! I work out nearly every day and eat super healthy. I've also had depression and suicidal/irrational thoughts. Dryness has also been a problem along with severe chest pain from time to time. I'm 31 and do not recommend this pill."

• NHa...
• January 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this pill over two years ago because every other pill causes my blood pressure to skyrocket. My blood pressure medicine was quadrupled but has (mostly) managed my bp while on this medicine. I am extremely depressed and at times borderline suicidal on this pill. I have PMDD, and it has gotten much, much worse on this pill. Anxiety is through the roof, I have gained weight (5-7 lbs I just can't get off, and I go to the gym and run half marathons regularly). I don't sleep. I feel myself being a crazy, moody human but can't stop myself. I wonder what on earth is wrong with me and then realized it's this pill. In two weeks I am getting an IUD, and I can't wait to not have to deal with awful side effects. As far as preventing pregnancy, it is a 10. I have never had a pregnancy scare. My periods are erratic, my cramps are at times off the charts, and nothing makes them better. I've never had a problem with either. Dear Western medicine: women deserve better than this to prevent pregnancy."

• Jje...
• June 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 28 years old, and I took them for 5 months. In that time, I never got my period. I gave it some time to see if my period would come down, and nothing. I even took a pregnancy test to make sure I wasn't pregnant. About 4 months into the pill, I started getting anxiety and very depressed. That's when my husband realized that it might be the pills that have my hormones all out of whack and had me feeling like this, so I stopped them. I had never experienced depression before, and everything I had done in the past started to bother me. I have lost a significant amount of weight, and even though I stopped the pills a month ago, they triggered my depression, and now I'm even seeking a psychologist's help. I would rather be pregnant than so severally depressed."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I read a ton of these reviews, and none of them quite described my experience - truly, everyone reacts differently on this pill. For the first month, I dealt with terrible headaches. But I stuck it through, and they subsided within a few weeks. I also felt like at first my sex drive decreased, but everything was back to normal after the first month. Ever since I started taking it, I haven’t had periods at all, which has been great. I also love that I no longer get cyclical breast pain and tenderness - my breasts were slightly more tender during the first few months, but they never really hurt anymore. Overall, I really like this pill. I haven’t gained any weight, had an increase in acne, or experienced increased anxiety or depression - all things I was scared of when I started taking it."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I used Lo Loestrin Fe in an attempt to manage painful periods. My periods weren't as painful on them, but I spotted heavily for most of the 3 months I took it and had two periods per month the last two months I took it. It also caused some pretty bad depression. I've had depression before, but nothing this severe. It built up slowly and definitely peaked in severity at the 3rd month. Otherwise, I had minimal side effects after the first month. My face stayed clear, not nauseous or sore or very crampy."

• nic...
• May 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for about a year and a half now. This is my first BC pill. After taking it for the first time, I basically had what felt like severe PMS for a week or so, accompanied by cramps, general moodiness, and spotting. After that, it seemed to even out and things got better. My main complaint is that I seem to be much moodier than I've ever been in the past during my period - becoming depressed and I have almost no sex drive. I have had major breast tenderness in the first few months of taking it (feels like my boobs were getting bigger and just achy). I've gained a little weight (4 lb) but nothing unusual. But I also can't seem to lose it, either. (I bike every day for at least an hour and am generally a healthy eater.)"

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2020

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Lo Lo for heavy bleeding and bad period cramps. I wanted to give the pill a chance. I started the pill about 3 1/2 months prior. For the first two months, my period came, but the bleeding was light, and I had minimal cramps. For the past three weeks, I've had non-stop spotting. I don't know why. Aside from that, I am depressed, and I feel out of it all the time. I was never depressed in my life. I have extreme mood swings. It's like one second I'm elated, and the next second I'm crying. I have nausea, bloating, and constipation every day. Lo Lo doesn't fit me. I really wanted to give it a try, but I'm cutting it off."

• Pup...
• May 6, 2017

For Birth Control "Do not use this if you suffer from anxiety. This made mine way worse. I've been suffering anxiety, depression, and bad mood swings since taking this. I have had two periods each month with bad cramping."

• Who...
• April 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 22 and have been taking this medication for 4 months. I have horrible acne now that I didn't have before, on my face and my chest. I had a 2-week long period in the first month and haven't had one since, but I still cramp at times. I've been extremely moody and depressed, which isn't going away or decreasing. Also, I can't lose weight because I'm hungry all the time and always feel too miserable to exercise."

• Lib...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Lo Loestrin Fe for about 2-3 years. I was having severe mood swings whenever I was on the white or brown pills, anger followed by depression. When I told my doctor, she said I could take the blue pills continuously, and now I have no periods, no cramps, and no mood swings. Last week I missed a pill and took it 12 hours late (in the morning), a few days later, I was severely depressed and had breast tenderness that lasted 2-3 days. Usually, it's perfect, but a few hours without it can cause days of depression, so I recommend others use it with caution, and I would not recommend it for anyone who cannot take the pill at exactly the same time daily. Also, you can run into insurance coverage issues by skipping 4 pills a pack."

• Cal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on this for a year before having to switch due to switching insurance and the out-of-pocket cost. When I first started this medication, I did have pretty serious nausea that cleared up within two weeks after my body was able to adjust from the switch. After that, I never noticed any other side effects. I did take this in combination with Topamax, so weight gain was not an issue for me like others mentioned. I also took this in a continuous method in order to prevent mood swings, and this worked extremely well for me. So that being said, I cannot attest to how it affected my periods other than I did not have any spotting, etc. It worked extremely well for me, and I did not experience any depression or any other negative side effects."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill about 1 1/2 years ago due to my doctor trying to keep my blood pressure under control. After a couple of months, I called my doctor telling her my breasts hurt, I was experiencing weight gain, and also major cramps midway through the month and towards the time I would have a period. She informed me that it should be doing the opposite of everything I was saying. So I kept taking it. I recently stopped after making the connection that I was sinking into depression, with mood swings all over the place. Crying and angry. I will not be taking it ever again. I will also be having a conversation with my doctor about listening to her patient."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Lo Lo for 4 miserable months! During those 4 months, I spotted and or bled heavily for 3 weeks out of the month, stopped bleeding only while on the first week of the pack. I was also severely depressed and had 3 horrible panic attacks, one was so bad I was taken to the ER. My anxiety while on Lo Lo got to a point where simple everyday tasks, like going to the grocery or taking my kids out, were impossible for me. I felt lightheaded/dizzy and fatigued on a daily basis. After numerous visits and phone calls to my OBGYN, she finally took me off this pill, and my mood has changed dramatically. I now feel I’m back to my normal self. Lo Lo was a nightmare for me!"

• Mar...
• January 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis, so my doctor recommended this BC to reduce the possibility of getting more ovarian cysts, to stop spotting between periods, and to get rid of painful periods. After three months, the periods stopped, and so did the pain. My energy level has gone up, and my concentration has gotten better. I have gained some weight, but I have noticed that I can manage that with exercise and a better diet. Also, I am not experiencing any mood swings or depression."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "The first time I went on birth control, the doctor gave me a one-month trial pack of this along with a prescription. I didn't have any problems or side effects. The only thing worth noting is that I basically never got my period on this, which can be worrisome for obvious reasons. But it never failed me, so I stopped worrying after awhile. I gained a true appreciation for this pill after a switch in job/insurance caused the price to go up and I had to switch to a generic. There's no generic for this, so my doctor gave me what was supposed to be the most similar thing - Microgestin FE. So many side effects with that - moody, depressed, tired, acne, headaches, bloating, etc. So I went back to Lo Loestrin FE, it's worth the cost."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. My skin was clear, and my cramps weren't bad before taking this birth control. After about 3 weeks of taking it, I started breaking out and getting the worst cramps of my life. I kept on getting nonstop, painful breakouts that wouldn't go away. This pill has also caused me to have terrible mood swings, I've gained 5 lbs in 2 months, and I have been depressed and have had heightened anxiety. Wish I never took this pill!!"

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "First month on Lo Lo was great, but bad side effects started hitting month 2. Depression, not wanting to leave bed in the morning, tiredness, no motivation in the mornings, blood clots in my veins, zero appetite. It really helped with other things, but overall the side effects were more. Had to stop it, and I went back to feeling normal the next day of quitting."

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "First month on Lo Lo was great, but bad side effects started hitting month 2. Depression, not wanting to leave bed in the morning, tiredness, no motivation in the mornings, blood clots in my veins, zero appetite. It really helped with other things, but overall the side effects were more. Had to stop it, and I went back to feeling normal the next day of quitting."

• Cle...
• June 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I love this pill. It’s crazy to me how different women’s experiences are with the same birth control. I think low dose is the way to go (for me)!! When I was previously on a higher dosage pill, Junel Fe, I had pretty bad anxiety, depression, anger, and panic attacks daily that were beyond my control. It wasn’t me, and it was awful. Ever since I switched to Lo Loestrin, I’m back to my normal self AND I straight up don’t get a period anymore... I used to have heavy, painful periods, so that is a major win for me. I also have much clearer skin now! And no weight gain. The ONLY thing I don’t like about this pill is that I get very dry down there - it’s not fun. But with all the benefits, I’ll take it, and I’m too worried to experiment and switch off altogether or onto a different one after my first experience and knowing my natural acne and periods. Don’t be scared off by the bad reviews - it was a blessing for me, and it could be for you too!"

• OMK...
• November 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this pill after I had my daughter. The only thing it was good for was preventing pregnancy and little to no cycle. I had no sex drive, I was moody, always crying, gained weight, depressed, etc. Literally, a week after I got off, I felt like a new normal person again, and I've dropped the weight. I won't be taking it again. Almost ruined my relationship."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control, Lo Loestrin Fe, was fine for a month, but by month three, I was having horrible depression and mood swings. Other than that, I didn’t experience any other side effects. My period was very light (almost nonexistent). Weight stayed pretty consistent, and it did help with my PMS cravings! However, mood and feeling like I’d rather not live was NOT worth staying on this pill! Will try another. Everyone is different!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Switched my birth control, hoping to help my acne. I know it takes at least 3 months for the birth control to kick in, but I couldn’t handle the side effects. I was on the Lo Loestrin Fe birth control for 4 weeks. I got a lot of breakouts around my chin. I popped a pimple on my cheek, and it bruised. I didn’t even squeeze it that hard. I got really hungry when it was time to eat. I was in a bad mood every day. I’m a very sensitive person, but the medicine made it worse. I cried about everything. I tried to stay on it longer, but I had to switch. I was so depressed. I got swapped to Aviane and have been taking it for 2 weeks now. My acne has cleared up. I don’t get hungry, and my mood swings have stopped!"

• ewi...
• September 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I gave this a try for about 2 months and was waiting for the side effects to wear off, but they did not. The Lo Loestrin Fe pill made me extremely exhausted, to the point where I could sleep for 10 hours and need to sleep again hours after waking up. I did not have the energy to get out of bed and would have to force myself to do simple daily tasks, and it made me feel depressed. My skin broke out very badly about 2 weeks into the medication and continues to be worse than it was before starting this medication. I have also gained weight, even though I feel I have been eating less, I will get extremely hungry at weird times during the night. I think I will just stop taking birth control altogether at this point because I can’t continue to feel this bad. I would definitely recommend going with a different birth control, such as YAZ."

• Kim...
• June 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for no more than a week before I all of a sudden got this sensation of tightness in my chest along with hotness on my chest, neck, and face. This sensation continued for another week before I ended up in the hospital because I had a panic attack that had messed with my veins - and to this day they continue to do so and worsen. All of a sudden my veins began to become visible right before my eyes. Even one of the veins in my right hand below my thumb was pulsating and so large that it was visible all the way up between my thumb and index finger. The cramping was excruciating. It continues 8 months later. I can see my veins dilate - shrink and enlarge. When they shrink they cause my arms and hands to swell and lose color because of poor circulation. I was perfectly healthy before I took BC and now I have anxiety - which I’ve never, ever had before - that incites extreme anxiety and panic. Depression can be controlled, anxiety/panic cannot. My body is destroyed."

• Meg...
• October 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I am always bleeding between periods. I’ve also gained 15 pounds, and on a skinny girl, it’s very noticeable! My acne hasn’t gotten worse or better. And now I’m not getting my period when I should be. I am experiencing depression where I don’t want to be around anyone. I don’t want to eat because I’m gaining so much weight. I’m stuck in my head and lashing out at people. I’m not my normal self. I wish I found a pill that rids my acne and doesn’t affect my weight or sex drive."