Loestrin 24 Fe and Depression: What Users Say

• Mad...
• May 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I recently started taking this birth control, and 2 weeks on it, my chin blew up with acne. I didn’t have acne until I started birth control last year. My depression is so much worse, and it’s rare to have a good day. My doctor is having me stay on it for 3 months to see if it levels out. Hoping for the best."

• Anonymous
• February 28, 2010

For Acne "This is the worst birth control pill I've ever taken. It gave me the worst acne ever. I was super moody. Mood swings, depression, frustration, headaches, and everything. Maybe the only good thing about it was that it made my cramping go away, and my periods were very light and short. Other than that, I hate it! It was the worst experience ever. I tried to give it some time so my body could get used to it, but after 7 months there were no changes, so I decided to switch to another brand. Now I am taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and I love it. My acne went away right away and my face is so clear. I have no more mood swings and I just love it. I recommend this brand to everyone."

• g0o...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2014

For Birth Control "It's crazy to me that there are so many good reviews because this pill was bad for me! Every body is different, and we all react differently... but I definitely did not have a good experience with this one. I've been on and off many other birth controls but never reacted to any like I did to this one. Within a week, I was a deranged, emotional roller coaster of a mess... cried over nothing for no reason, randomly, and couldn't control it, almost ended my then three-year relationship... depression to the max. Immediately asked my Dr. to take me off it, and within a couple of days, I was back to normal. So crazy how much hormones can mess with you! You just have to find the right combination that works for your body."

• bet...
• October 20, 2010

For Acne "I am 17, and have tried a plethora of birth control pills all to try to help my acne. First was Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I tried it for a month and became depressed, so I stopped. Next was Yaz. It was amazing. My skin was crystal clear in 3 months, and even cystic acne on my back completely disappeared. The only problem: 10 pounds of weight gain after 6 months. I stopped Yaz and tried Alesse. It made me depressed. Next was Loestrin. I have been on Loestrin for 5 months now. For the first three months, my skin was perfect. I had no weight gain, and my boobs went up a cup size. After the third month, though, my acne came back. I just finished my last pack today, and I am going to try Kariva next. If that doesn't work, I am taking the risk and going to take Accutane."

• Val...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I used to take Microgestin with no problems. I was switched to the generic Loestrin and took it for close to two years before I realized that it was the cause of my anxiety, depression, anger, mood swings, hypertension, the list goes on. I never struggled with any of these issues before when I took the Microgestin, but I just thought it was stress-related. Since I had been on birth control for years with no problems, I never suspected the pill. I stopped taking the pill in March, and I can finally say I'm feeling like myself again. I wish I would've put the pieces together sooner and stopped taking this pill when I first noticed symptoms."

• Bec...
• May 23, 2017

For Acne "Looking over these reviews, it's such a relief to know that I am not alone in dealing with the horrible, embarrassing, and painful cystic acne this has caused me. Until starting, my (then) clear, flawless skin was the thing I liked best about myself. However, within a month, this had truly ruined my skin forever. Excessive and deep cystic acne that did not respond to any dermatologist treatments sent me into a spiral of low self-esteem. Gyno insisted I stick with it for 6 months to see if it evened out. It did not! Instead, what I've been left with is unresponsive acne for the past two years (yes...1.5 years after I stopped taking this) because of this horrible pill. Also, did not work properly and gave me 2 periods/month :) Stay away!"

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This is my first month on Loestrin. I was prescribed this medication for uterine fibroids and cysts. Before, my bleeding was nonstop for months. The first day I started this pill, my bleeding stopped. I have had no spotting at all so far. I have, however, had terrible mood swings, anxiety, and I feel like I may be depressed."

• Pea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 26, 2018

For Birth Control "This was the very first birth control pill I went on. I took it for about a year, and it was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I was so depressed I would lie in the dark all day and cry for no reason. I didn’t know why I was feeling this way, and as a 19-year-old college student at the time, I knew something was wrong but just felt so disconnected with the world. The pill didn’t make me gain any weight, but it made me feel puffy, if that makes any sense. My boobs hurt soooo badly taking this pill, I had to hold them just walking around. The day after I decided to stop taking this pill, I already felt different. I would NEVER recommend this pill to anyone. I’m crying just typing this, remembering how terrible it made me feel. I’ve had no history of anxiety or depression before taking this pill. While the pill gave me amazingly clear skin, it is not nearly enough of a benefit to continue taking the pill."

• Moo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "Well, almost a year on this BC, and at first I thought it was great. Needless to say, I really didn't pay attention. Four to six months in, now rethinking back, I started having anxiety?! Never before experienced this. My acne took a toll, and I’m almost a year on this, and I’m not happy at all. I have no reason to feel unhappy. Anxiety through the roof, chest pains, constant acne, oilier skin. Now reading the reviews after trying absolutely everything I could. Didn’t think birth control could even make you feel this depressed... sounds like I’m not the only one."

• Tyn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2013

For Birth Control "Love this pill. I was on it for 2 years and decided to try other ones that were cheaper. Bad mistake! I never had any side effects from Loestrin, it was just pretty expensive. But after trying other ones, this one is the best out there. No bad acne. Short periods. No depression. No weight gain, which was great because as soon as I left Loestrin, I gained 15 lbs on my new pill. Horrible! I love, love this pill and am willing to pay 45 bucks because it makes me feel good!"

• mvc...
• December 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 22 years old and recently got married. I am so glad that I waited until after the wedding to start Loestrin. The side effects have been horrible. I knew there were some possible negative effects, but I seem to be experiencing them all! I have gained weight, am extremely tired all the time, and cannot ever seem to get enough rest. Also, I have absolutely NO motivation. I have lost interest in everything, including my husband! I have ZERO sex drive. I am constantly depressed and have severe and uncontrollable mood swings."

• mvc...
• December 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 22 years old and recently got married. I am so glad that I waited until after the wedding to start Loestrin. The side effects have been horrible. I knew there were some possible negative effects, but I seem to be experiencing them all! I have gained weight, am extremely tired all the time, and cannot ever seem to get enough rest. Also, I have absolutely NO motivation. I have lost interest in everything, including my husband! I have ZERO sex drive. I am constantly depressed and have severe and uncontrollable mood swings."

• mvc...
• December 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I am 22 years old and recently got married. I am so glad that I waited until after the wedding to start Loestrin. The side effects have been horrible. I knew there were some possible negative effects, but I seem to be experiencing them all! I have gained weight, am extremely tired all the time, and cannot ever seem to get enough rest. Also, I have absolutely NO motivation. I have lost interest in everything, including my husband! I have ZERO sex drive. I am constantly depressed and have severe and uncontrollable mood swings."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2009

For Birth Control "After only taking this medicine for 9 days, I've already decided to discontinue use. My side effects are as follows: 1. Mood swings/depression/anxiety: none of these were present before I began taking the pill. I cry for no reason and have a constant feeling of deep, deep worry. I have begun questioning everyone's motives and feel hopeless. 2. Constant sleeping: before the pill, I would have to force myself to go to bed by 10 to be able to fall asleep by 11. I am exhausted by 8 pm now and generally crash by 9. 3. Cramps: stabbing pains, like with a period. 4. Breast tenderness. 5. Pain during intercourse. 6. Acne. 7. Severe nausea. I am stopping this now and getting my life back."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Loestrin 24 for over three years, and it worked wonderfully with my period; after about two years, my period was so light that I rarely even got one, which was awesome. I also didn't experience any change in my sex drive. However, I accidentally went off of it about five months ago (due to a change in insurance, and I couldn't afford it), and after about three weeks of being off of it, I dropped ten pounds (which, while I was on the pill, I was never able to accomplish, no matter how hard I dieted) and found myself in a much more stable and elevated mood. I realized after the fact that, although the pill was great for doing what it was supposed to, it made me gain a ton of weight, and I was consistently mildly depressed."

• Anonymous
• November 26, 2012

For Birth Control "It was convenient having the diminished periods. However, when I was on this pill, it put me into a horrible major depression. I had never before experienced any mental trauma or illness, and as soon as I realized that it might have been this birth control and took myself off of it, I was basically back to normal in about two weeks. It affects everyone differently, but I also had found out that a friend of mine was on this pill and she, too, was uncharacteristically depressed."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2013

For Birth Control "I just started taking the pill almost two months now, and aside from certain downsides, I like it. My periods are so little it's basically only spotting, and I no longer have any cramps, which I am thankful for because prior I could barely move in peace with them. Only things that are deeply disturbing are the weight gain that I gained in such a small period of time, also, my breasts have become increasingly sore at all times of the day. I have mood swings every now and again, and in the beginning, I would get depressed very quickly, but that didn't last long. Hope it works for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 23, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on Loestrin for a year, and I loved how light my periods were and how much less my cramps were. Within a month of not taking it, I could tell what a difference it made. My acne didn't really change much. I will say though that it did mess with my mental status. At random, I would get depressed for little to no reason. Then at my most recent doctor appointment, I was shocked to realize I had gained around 20 lbs. I had become well aware of my constant bloated stomach, but I had no idea I had gained so much. I loved how light Loestrin made my cycles, but I won't take it due to all this weight retention. I've even been working out more than before I started the pill!"

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m on the generic version of this pill, and it’s the worst thing ever and have been for four months now. I am constantly anxious, depressed, nauseous, and moody. Not to mention, I had two yeast infections in this time period from the pill. I’ve never had a yeast infection before. I am constantly dry down there, and my boobs are always sore. I didn’t gain weight, but I did lose a lot of hair. This pill is supposed to let me have sex and prevent pregnancy, when since being on this pill it’s made sex miserable and painful to where I don’t even have sex anymore. Lube doesn’t even make it better."

• Anonymous
• November 16, 2012

For Birth Control "I have tried many birth control pills, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE this pill. So many others have caused extreme moodiness, anger, and depression. This pill works great at keeping my hormones level, my skin is clear, and I have had no weight gain. My period is barely anything, and usually I don't even have one. I highly recommend this pill. I know everyone is different, but if you have tried others and they caused you to lose your mind, try this one. The only downfall is that it can be pricey if your insurance does not fully cover it."

• A N...
• May 8, 2015

For Acne "This birth control pill has negatively impacted my life. I am currently suffering from cystic acne, constant bloating, depression, and mood swings. My appetite has increased, but the most notable thing is just how badly I feel. I've been on this pill for 4 months. My hope was that everything would balance out, but it still has not, and it literally feels like this pill is killing me."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 22 years old, and this is the first time I've been on a BC. After reading all the bad reviews, I wanted to make sure that there is at least a good one. Everyone's body is different and reacts differently. So don't let scary reviews scare you away. Try it for yourself, and if you don't like it, you can always find something that you do like. I have been on this BC for 3 weeks going on 4, and I love it so far! No spotting, mood swings, headaches, depression, and my skin is clearer than before. I have also noticed my boobs are getting bigger, they're a little sore but not bad. So far, I'd say it's a good experience."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2018

For Birth Control "Alright, so I've been taking this for a month, and I was stoked about it at first because I love taking birth control, until going on 3 weeks later and I am still on my period. I've had really bad constant mood swings, high anxiety, and extremely high depression. I thought that it was normal me being me, and I thought that the period was just all me. I was trying to keep all negative thoughts out of my head because before I started taking this, I was fine. No anxiety, no depression, 6-day-long periods, and my anger was controlled. I read the reviews, and now I know what all of this is from, so I thank everyone for the reviews! I am quitting this immediately and switching to a different one."

• ant...
• October 28, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Loestrin 24 for about 7 months now, and everything was fine until the 5th month. I've had dark spotting, bad cramps, and cystic acne on my back. Has made me feel anxious and hungry almost all the time, have gained weight, bad cramps, and the worst part is I have my period every 2 weeks for about 5 days, and it is heavy. I feel depressed, have mood swings, and some hair loss. Doctor has switched me to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and I will see how that goes."

• Ari...
• October 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this for about 3 months now, and I’m miserable. I was on a different Loestrin before (a 21-day), and that caused me to gain a ton of weight and couldn’t control my eating habits because cravings were so bad. Period was much better. But this one? Awful. I start off okay mental-wise the first two weeks, but like others said, I break out horribly on my chin, and it won’t clear up. Then, my last 2 weeks, my anxiety and depression get so bad I can barely function. It’s gotten so bad. On top of that, I’ve had a period every 2 weeks. My last 2 weeks of the pill packet as well, I’ve had consistent cramps. Not enough to have me doubling over before I started birth control, but enough that it’s quite uncomfortable. I’ve also started to notice it makes my boobs extremely sore. I am very sensitive to medications and noticed that I’ve consistently had yeast infections that I can’t get rid of because I keep taking the pill."