Lo Loestrin Fe and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Liv...
• January 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Lo Lo for about 7 months. Initially, I was put off by all the bad reviews, but because of my failed experience with the higher dosed birth control pills, I still gave it a go. Yes, I did break out a lot in the first month. Yes, my mood swings were out of control. No, I did not gain any weight, if anything, I'm finding that this medicine is helping me keep my weight more stable. After 7 months passed, I still have no weight gain, my skin cleared up so much after the first 2 months (other than the occasional pimple when my EXTREMELY light period comes), my overall mood has been elevated. Before Lo Lo, I had terrible mood swings and bouts of depression and sadness. Lo Lo has helped me regulate my hormones altogether. Ladies remember, people will often times leave a bad review over a good one. I wanted to give up on my birth control because of how bad it made me feel at first, but I’m so happy I stuck it through and found a pill I absolutely LOVE."

• Mic...
• April 11, 2014

For Birth Control "First off, you're probably reading reviews because you're looking to go on this pill or you've just recently been prescribed this pill. I was just like you a few months ago and the paranoid person that I am didn't like the reviews I was seeing, but I decided to go ahead and try it. I love this pill. I have no side effects and if anything, it made my period better. It's shorter, comes right on time when the pill changes color, minor cramps, no mood swings. I have nothing negative to say about the pill at all, just take it every single day at the same time. I think it's really important to know that a lot of the people who write on here write because they have had a bad experience with a pill and wanted to warn others about it."

• Que...
• June 28, 2011

For Birth Control "I have a very sensitive body. I ended up in the hospital after 2 weeks of using Ortho Tri Cyclen and was very scared of going back on any birth control pill. However, I'm on my second month of using Lo Loestrin Fe and so far it's been great! The only side effects I've experienced thus far are breast tenderness, bloating of my breasts, and very little mood swings. Other than that, I haven't had any other problems. Furthermore, I haven't gained any weight nor experienced any nausea. My sex drive has shot up the roof rather than decreasing. Must say, overall this pill has been great compared to other pills I've used!"

• Khz...
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I wanted to get on birth control to regulate my period, but please, please, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS. I gained 30 pounds in a 3-month timespan because it caused my appetite to skyrocket. My appetite went back to normal after stopping it, thank goodness. I had my period for 20 days straight, broke my eczema out on my face really bad, acne everywhere, constant headaches, my mood was horrid, and I felt so exhausted 24/7. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. But again, everyone’s body is different, so it might work for you! But still, be wary."

• nic...
• January 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I feel compelled to write this review given all of the terrifyingly bad reviews I read when I was prescribed Lo Loestrin. I was actually put on it for heavy bleeding, and I was worried that I would become depressed, gain weight, and gain acne, but none of that is the case. Before taking Lo Loestrin, I had irregular, week-long periods with extremely heavy bleeding (to the point where I used 4/5 super tampons a day) and horrible cramps. I have been on the pill for 2.5 months now and absolutely love it. I spotted on and off for the first 2 months, which is normal and tolerable. Other than that, my period has been really light and has not lasted more than 3/4 days. I did experience some nausea at the beginning and have perhaps been more emotional than normal. Overall, while there may be mild side effects, they are completely outweighed by how much less miserable my periods have become. Remember that most people with positive results don't review a product, so don’t let the horrific reviews sway you away from trying it."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2015

For Birth Control "The very first day I started on this pill, I went looking for reviews. To be completely honest, I have no idea why I did this because it just scared the crap out of me and made me believe I was going to have some crazy side effects or symptoms. I believe most of us go out of our way to write a review when a product is negative, therefore we see all the bad. From my personal experience, this pill was AH-MAZING. Firstly, I was terrified of weight gain. I already struggle to keep my weight low and suffer from a slow metabolism. I have to work out and eat healthily regularly. I have gained no weight. I've had a regular period. No breakouts and no long-lasting spotting. No sex drive issues. No mood swings. I have been completely unaffected :)"

• She...
• February 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I started this pill to alleviate migraines and prevent pregnancy. Overall, my experience with this pill has been wonderful from day one. I don't have any breakouts, no migraines, no weight gain, and I haven't gotten my period once in the seven months I've been on it. The downside: I'm overly emotional. I will cry over a commercial now. And I'm paranoid all the time of being pregnant."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2011

For Birth Control "I've tried several types of birth control/contraceptives, and this is by far the best. In the past, I have had insane mood swings, random periods that last for months, serious weight gain, headaches/nausea, extremely low sex drive, etc. Since I started taking this, I feel like a normal person again. I'm not randomly mean to my boyfriend, I want to sleep with him too. I have noticed that since I've started taking this pill (I'm on my 3rd month), I've been able to lose weight a little bit easier, unlike the last pill I took. I will continue taking this."

• Jez...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for three and a half years now, and it's been amazing. I was on two other types of birth control before: NuvaRing and another oral pill that drove me crazy-nausea, crazy mood swings, cramps, heavy periods, the works. It made me never want to go on BC again, but I'm so glad I gave it a second chance. With Lo Loestrin Fe, I haven't had any period, cramps, backache, mood swings, decrease in sex drive, weight gain, or acne. The only problem I've had is that it seems to lessen my appetite, so I try to make sure I eat before taking it, otherwise, I forget. At first, I was concerned that I wasn't getting my period, but I talked to my doctor, and he said it was fine as long as I was comfortable with not having one."

• Coc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Ladies, do not take this medication. The month I began this Lo Loestrin Fe pill, my life became a bit of a nightmare. The first month, I had spotting every other day, then a horrible yeast infection (my 1st one EVER) during my actual period in the fourth week. During the 2nd month, I had breakthrough bleeding every other day, a period the 2nd week, and another during the inactive week. My mood has been so high and low. I have no desire to have sex whatsoever. I honestly feel really crazy!!! No sleep, no eating, and an overall feeling of dread/failure/sadness. Almost finished with the 4th pack, and I lost count of how many blood-free days I've had because I've been bleeding ALL MONTH and not little droplets. I'm talking enough to wear a regular tampon. Officially done with this and going to just try the fertility awareness method because no BC seems compatible with my body :("

• CKN...
• March 28, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking this for a year. I switched from another birth control pill, which I was on for 10 years. Since the switch, my period has been non-existent. I have always been regular, but not with this pill. At first, I was very nervous each month, even taking pregnancy tests. Other than the irregularity, this pill has very little side effects. It has helped with mood swings I was having on my old pill. I have not gained weight, and my skin seems clearer. I saw my gyno today, and she said the Lo Loestrin Fe has the smallest amount of estrogen, so it makes the uterus so thin it just doesn't bleed. She says it is perfectly healthy and normal, so I am okay with that. I just know the week I go on vacation, I will get a period!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I feel like because there aren't many positive posts on here, I should share one. I got on this pill because of recurring ovarian cysts and also to relieve some menstrual pain during periods. I'm on the third month, and I have had no negative side effects. The only thing was I had black, disgusting discharge for about a week at the beginning, but it stopped. However, I noticed that if I don't take the pill at the same time every day or relatively close to the same time, I begin having that discharge again. However, I have not experienced any mood swings, weight gain, or any other negative side effects. Every pill affects every woman differently, so please don't get freaked out by negative reviews like I did, actually, don't even read them."

• all...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I never had a bad experience with this pill. I freaked out when I first started taking it because I didn't have a period. But I fell in love with it. I don't have periods. I don't get any weight gain or mood swings. I have been on this pill for about 4 years now. It does take a bit for you both to get used to a pill. So don't hate it. It will take a month to a few. I haven't had any problems with it."

• Ken...
• May 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I have currently been on the pill for over a year. After my daughter, I tried the Depo shot, it made my periods stop and worked for a few months. But I became emotional and gained weight. For the last year or more, I have been using the Lo Loestrin pill, which is amazing. The positive thing about the pill is I have lost weight, my face has barely any to no breakouts, and best of all, NO period. The negative thing about the pill is I do feel more tired than usual (I am also going to school for nursing, work 36 hours, take care of the lawn/house, and have a 2-year-old), it could be my activity. Only $10 is covered by my insurance, which leaves me paying $82. My sex drive is balanced, I have not seen much change. Highly recommend this birth control."

• Rac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Lo Loestrin Fe for about 2.5 years now. The first few months were pretty rough, i.e., mood swings, weight gain, low sex drive. I was even nauseous and sometimes had two periods in one month. YES, I agree it can be tough to give this one a chance, but I'm glad I did. At this point, I have not had a period in months, and all side effects have mellowed. I do get normal PMS symptoms, light cramping, and body aches, just no bleeding. No more weight gain or mood swings. I'm glad I stuck it out because it has been the best birth control I've used."

• Meg...
• May 4, 2015

For Birth Control "Lolo is the first birth control that's been right for me. I tried Seasonale and Marvelon and spotted nonstop, gained 10 lbs in a year, and experienced acne, which I'm lucky to rarely have. Lolo cleared my skin, I never spotted after taking it. I am very good at taking it at exactly the same time every day. My periods are 2-3 days and very light. This month, I didn't even have a period, this is normal with Lolo. I've taken the 10 lbs off, haven't had any breakouts or mood swings either. Lolo was recommended by my doctor as my periods were heavy, long, and painful. Not anymore. Highly recommended to anyone else with those issues."

• Mis...
• July 15, 2013

For Birth Control "This is my first time taking birth control pills. I am on my second pack, and I have not had my period since I started. I have bad cramping and bloating to the point where it feels like my period wants to come on but won't. I have very bad mood swings, which is affecting my relationship, breast tenderness. I take a pregnancy test every month because I have pregnancy symptoms. My sex drive is really low, but the pill works very well preventing pregnancy. I never really had an acne problem until I started taking these pills. I have not gained any weight, but I have not lost any either, and I work out a lot. I will be going to my doctor to talk about changing to something else."

• BNC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I was hesitant to start this pill, Lo Loestrin Fe, because I had never taken any before and read many negative reviews online. However, I have been on the pill for a month and have had a pretty good experience so far. The only side effects I’ve had have been some spotting and occasional mood swings (but rare! And nothing unmanageable). Best of luck to everyone thinking about trying it and a reminder that everyone’s experience is unique!"

• Rya...
• July 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for around 11 months, and for the most part, I find it good. I started off using it just to regulate my period, not knowing that it would just go away after the first few months. I'm sexually active, and I find that it does decrease my sex drive. It was very frightening when I stopped having my period, and I did gain weight, but I take pregnancy tests periodically (just as a precaution). I still have period symptoms at the end of the pack, but I haven't had one in 7 months. The worst thing I find about this pack is that it makes me more emotional and increases my headaches."

• 4kc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this birth control 5 months ago after Demulen was discontinued, which I was on for about 4 years and loved. I have not had a period since I started taking Lolo. I would prefer to have a period for 3 days just for the reassurance, but I'm not complaining too much. I have experienced no weight gain, no mood swings, but maybe a slightly lower libido. Overall, I think it is pretty good!"

• Ald...
• November 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Most of the negative reviews on this pill didn't give it enough time to get used to. You have to remember that you're causing a disruption in your body's hormonal cycle, and that's going to cause slight discomfort on any pill. Also, birth control pills are different for everyone. Bad reviews don't mean that this pill won't be a perfect match for you. The first three months of this birth control were a little rough: mood swings and heavy periods. But by the fourth month, I stopped having periods altogether. I now haven't had a period for almost a year and experience no complications. My sex drive is normal, and I have gained no weight."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Lo Lo a month after a partial hysterectomy and cystectomy only to prevent more tumors. The first three months I had several side effects such as loss of appetite, acne, mood swings, and irregular bleeding. By my sixth month, my body adjusted well except I would get my period around the time I should be ovulating or the 2nd week of the pack for around 5 days. I stopped taking Lo Lo because of the irregular bleeding and because it did not help me prevent tumors. I have an 8 cm mass in my ovary. So, I will give Taytulla a chance. Praying all goes well. As with any medication, you have to allow time for your body to adjust. Be strong!"

• Esh...
• January 14, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control. I had no side effects. Only switching due to high out-of-pocket cost. Experienced no weight gain, acne, mood swings, etc. If you can afford the out-of-pocket cost for this TIER 3 medication, then I definitely recommend it."

• Jos...
• September 8, 2015

For Birth Control "Negative side effects: 1. Weight gain: I'm very petite, and I work out at least 4 times a week. I track my activity using a Fitbit, and while taking this BC, my activity was actually higher than the previous month. That being said, I still gained about 7 pounds. My appetite increased, but not enough to justify this weight gain. By my calculations, I should have been losing weight due to higher activity levels. Additionally, the weight gain only occurred around my midsection, and I felt bloated and uncomfortable. 2. Mood swings: I rarely cry, and when I do, it's for good reason. With this BC, I wanted to cry over everything. 3. Acne: My skin was clear before taking this, and now I have cystic acne all over my forehead and cheeks."

• Nei...
• September 2, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my first month of using this birth control. I haven't had a period yet. I'm broke out in bad acne, having mood swings and depression, which I don't like. I stay angry at everybody. I'm on my last week of the pill. I'll never take this pill again."