Loestrin 24 Fe and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 18, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been taking Loestrin for about 5 months now. And let me tell you... I gained no weight, but it certainly reshaped my body. It made my breasts transform from a C 34 to DD 34. And my rear end also had more junk added to the trunk. The boyfriend isn't complaining, but also the first month I was a raging lunatic with mood swings from hell. I also spotted like a moron for a couple of months until my body got used to it. Honestly, if you are terrified about gaining weight, then Loestrin 24 Fe won't do it. I haven't gained a blessed pound. And if I did, it went straight to my butt and my boobs. It will not make you gain. Just make your breasts bigger than the sun... Ha.. ha."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2009

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I just wanted to say that I love this birth control. Besides helping me with my cysts, it has given zero side effects. I tried Yaz before this one, and I felt like a monster! It gave me horrible mood swings, migraines, and I gained weight! Will never get off this Loestrin Fe 24. Remember that everyone's body reacts differently to the hormones in these contraceptives! Try it out before you decide on one, if you get a side effect, move on to a new one! Oh, and one thing, with this pill, I had breakthrough bleeding the first month only, and you MUST be very specific with the timing with this pill, and I get my period for 2 days only (which is also a plus)."

• cra...
• September 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for five months. I wanted a contraceptive pill that would control my acne and that would have a lower dosage of hormones as well (I was taking Yaz before). I happen to be very sensitive to hormones. With this pill, though, I got cystic acne on my forehead, on my temples, on my cheeks, on my chin, and on my neck. I have acne-prone skin, but I have never had such bad acne since I started this pill! Also, my mood swings are a rollercoaster, and I can feel sad and cry for no reason in the middle of the day and feel happy again right after that. I am done with this pill and am going to find another birth control solution."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m on my third month of Loestrin, and so far I can’t complain much. It’s definitely improved my acne. I still get a few breakouts right before my period starts, but this is still a dramatic improvement from the pizza face I was dealing with before starting this pill. I’m also still spotting the week before my period, but it seems to be going away slowly. Other than that, no mood swings, my weight is still the same, and periods are lighter and shorter with minimal cramping. If things keep going the way they are, I’ll probably stick to this birth control."

• 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."

• I...
• August 31, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "So I started this pill and was excited but had to stop right in the middle of the pack. I mean, out of nowhere, there is a burst of bleeding. I went to the bathroom and it's like my period snuck up on me and it was almost 2 weeks before my period is due. There were lots of clots and brown, yucky stuff. On top of all that, my moods were really crazy. I would be lying in my bed and would feel like crying and then be okay the next moment. I have only been off now for two days 'cause I just couldn't take the crazy mood swings and the bleeding anymore. I also noticed a great deal of fatigue, and even that has changed after just 2 days off of Loestrin. It's not worth it, and I cannot wait for it to be out of my system."

• Rev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I like this pill, Loestrin 24 Fe. I do not have mood swings, weight gain, or acne. So far, it has pretty much stopped my periods each month. I just get very, very light spotting for 2-3 days instead of a full-blown period. I've been on other pills, and I like this one better."

• Kir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 10, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill for about 4 years. I can honestly say I haven’t noticed any major problems like I’m reading from other women. I have been on birth control since I was 16, so it’s hard to say what’s normal and what’s abnormal for me. I don’t have acne problems. Occasionally annoying pimples. My periods are nonexistent at this point. I don’t bleed at all, which kind of bothers me because it’s not to get the “you’re not pregnant” notification from your period bleeding. I don’t get bloated. Mood swings? Eh, nothing out of the ordinary. I have my moments just like anyone else. I’m about to switch to the copper IUD because I feel like I’ve been on hormones for too long and fear the long-term consequences. Very nervous to switch considering I’ve had zero problems."

• Mim...
• June 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for a month. I specifically asked my doctor for a low-dose pill because I have had really bad experiences with birth control in the past, from weight gain to ridiculous mood swings, PMS, my sex drive gone, to constant spotting. I am a healthy, slim, active 37-year-old. This pill is the BEST! It's like I am not on anything at all. I have not gained any weight. No acne, no mood swings, and my sex drive has increased, actually. The only reason why I can't give it a 10 is because it is a little pricey, and one thing I was not expecting was the boob growth! I was already a 32DD, and I am popping out of those bras already. My man is not complaining though...lol."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Loestrin 24 Fe for about 2 months. I'm active and have a very busy lifestyle, but this pill just made me feel like a lunatic. I felt like I was on the verge of crying all the time, really depressed, really anxious, and really tired. Serious mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, acne - it also made me starving - like permanent PMS. I didn't want to work out and I didn't want to socialize. I gained maybe 5 lbs, but that's probably from not working out and eating way more. It did make my heavy, crampy periods light and short, and my breasts noticeably bigger. Birth control is different for everyone, I'm very in tune with my cycle, when I'm ovulating, and very sensitive to a shift in my hormones. This one was just not right for me."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I had nothing but wonderful experiences with Loestrin. No breaking out, weight gain, loss of sex drive, or mood swings. I did get pregnant on this birth control after about 7 or 8 months.... however, I did miss two days of it due to running out and my pharmacy being closed over the weekend. So be very careful to not miss a single day, and you should be perfectly fine. It definitely helped with my endometriosis pains. I stopped taking it for a few months and had to miss work each month because the pains were so awful. I got back on to it ASAP and do not experience those anymore. 10/10 recommend this birth control."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2013

For Endometriosis "I've been on Loestrin 24 Fe for two years now. I have a moderate case of endometriosis, and this has been fantastic. The first two, maybe three months on it were a little iffy, I experienced nausea and emotional problems, but significantly less pain. Everything's been peachy ever since. I only need to take one or two Midols to get through each period."

• 1st...
• May 28, 2013

For Acne "No mood swings, which was excellent! But I have been breaking out in places I didn't know I could actually get pimples. I mean, I have a pimple on my thigh. Been on it for three weeks, and after the first week, started breaking out, and it just never stopped."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2010

For Birth Control "I am almost done with my second pack of this birth control. Overall, I have NOTHING to complain about. I put on a couple of pounds, but I honestly would not blame that on the pill, besides the fact that it's my first year in college. Didn't worsen or better my skin and did not cause me ANY mood swings, and my sex drive is still intact, haha. The only thing I could probably say about it is that I will almost be a month late on my period, but as I've read other reviews, I hear that is normal, but I am not sure how comfortable I am with that. I would rather not have to have a mini panic attack every time I miss a period and wonder if I'm pregnant. But like I said, overall, pretty great pill!"

• 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
• December 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Loestrin for about 5 years until I decided to take a break and get off the pill. Although my skin was clear and it was effective at basically eliminating my period and most cramping, do not take this pill. It gave me horrible mood swings, anxiety, and made me irrational, unreasonable, and angry (basically insane), which I didn't realize until I stopped taking it. I honestly thought I was just me until I got off and felt much more like myself. I've been happy and upbeat ever since."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I hated being on this birth control. I switched from the patch that was throwing my liver out of control. My doctor suggested this low-dose birth control. I thought this would be awesome. I was horribly wrong. I went from having a period once a month to bleeding heavily every 2 weeks. After about a month, I started losing a lot of hair, I called my doctor, and he said it could take a few months to normalize. I finally started having a period once a month, but I would start when I still had 8 days of active pills left. Then it went to nothing for 3 months, great, right? Then bam, 2-week heavy period, cramps for days. I noticed my skin was having more breakouts that wouldn't go away. My under-control depression went crazy. Biggest mood swings: one minute I'm happy-go-lucky, the next I'm a rage case, the next moment I'm uncontrollably sad. I finally couldn't handle it and got put on a different birth control. I know every woman is different. But this one definitely wasn't for me."

• 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 5 to 10 years
• December 3, 2012

For Birth Control "Only thing I can say about the Loestrin 24 Fe is AWESOME. I have been on these pills for 6 years now, and in the beginning, my period lasted 2 to 3 days, and as time went on, it decreased even more and went to 24 hours, and my period was over. Later on, it changed again, and I came on and was off in 12 hours. Today, I haven't had a period at all I know in years. I love these pills, but the only downfall is even though I don't come on, I still have the mood swings, irritating moments, feeling strange, headaches, etc., but at the time when my period would have been ending, that's when everything goes away. I did used to worry in the beginning when I completely stopped having a period, but now I know it’s just the way these pills are with my body."

• Yaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Birth Control "It has been about a month since I've begun taking this medication. I knew from the start my body would begin to feel different, but I did not know the actual severity until now. I was diagnosed with endometriosis and possibly PCOS, so my doctor put me on birth control as the first step. However, I have gotten a horrible acne spill all over my forehead (I rarely got acne prior to this medication). On top of the acne, I have the weirdest mood swings. Some days, I will be super happy, while other days I just want to bury myself in my blanket and cry all day. I am hoping my doctor prescribes another type of BC that could help in all!"

• Nic...
• October 13, 2010

For Birth Control "I am so glad I found this website. I have been having horrible breast pain and was actually pretty scared until I saw the side effects some women have had taking this pill. I personally was going to have my doctor change this medication due to my having no sex drive at all. I have always had a super high sex drive, and I went to not wanting to have sex at all. I have been on Loestrin for a little over six months. The symptoms are not getting better for me, just worse. I have gained about 8 lbs, and I do have some up-and-down mood swings. I never thought about the little things this pill could be responsible for. Thank you to everyone that posted."