Nortrel 7/7/7 and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2025

For Birth Control "I have been on Nortrel for about 5 years. I am considering getting off the pill to let my body breathe and balance my hormones. Since starting the pill, I have noticed my hair has thinned a bit, mood swings/irritability, low libido, and I usually need a nap throughout the day (I know this is common with many BC pills). Also, over the past 5 years, my blood work has changed quite a bit negatively, and I can’t help but think the pill is contributing to it, as I eat a healthy diet and work out. This past year, I developed a benign tumor in my breast (a fibroadenoma), which my doctor said can be linked to hormonal birth control. I had to have surgery to get this removed and am using this as my sign to get off birth control in general. The pros of this pill are it cleared my acne, and I haven’t gotten pregnant. I am considering getting an Oura ring and seeing how it goes tracking ovulation naturally."

• Anonymous
• May 20, 2010

For Birth Control "Causes severe migraines in my case, weight gaining (I used to weigh 117 lbs after using it for a couple of months, I'm 130 lbs). I haven't changed my diet, I am always careful about what I eat, and I cook at home. I go to the gym regularly, I see nothing else I can blame for this situation. I am having mood swings, and I get irritated a lot. I never had these symptoms when I was using Minulet, Femoden, or Harmonet. I have been taking birth control for 9 years now. I will ask my doctor to change it."

• Sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control for less than a month. At first, everything was fine and I was only bloated. After a week, my appetite increased and I gained 10 lbs from eating more. I've been getting horrible headaches since starting it. I've been having terrible mood swings and have snapped at people for no reason or for petty things. It's almost cost me my relationship with my fiancé. I can't sleep right anymore despite taking my medication for insomnia (currently running on 4 hours of sleep, actually). I break out randomly on my forehead, chin, and chest. But hey, I'm not pregnant. It's not worth the side effects, in my opinion. Make sure to let your doctor know if you suffer from depression, anxiety, BPD, etc., because this pill will mess with you bad. I will be switching back to my previous pill since I was better off on that one."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2018

For Birth Control "The first day and last day I started. I had multiple crying spells at work (Starbucks) for no reason but this medicine. I would not recommend it for individuals suffering with depression. Mood swings like crazy, I was super happy at first, then crying hysterically the next. I went off of it. I know it takes 3 months for the side effects to settle. However, I was terrified to eat at all, fearing I would gain 20 pounds or get a full face of cystic acne. I think this sadness happened right away, it didn't take 3 months to kick in, it took a few hours."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2018

For Birth Control "This was an awful experience for me. I started, and immediately I had cramps and was bloated and uncomfortable. By less than 2 weeks in, I had a humongous cystic pimple on my leg, which I have never had before, as well as small bumps on my thighs. My face became oily, and I broke out there as well, as well as my chest, collarbone, and shoulders. I had trouble sleeping and became so depressed every night before sleeping. I had mood swings like crazy and felt bloated all the time. No weight gain so far, however. I’m stopping this pill mid-pack because of the severity of the depression. I have never had any serious issues with depression, only slight acne that was very under control, and a very healthy sleep schedule."

• far...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2020

For Birth Control "After 5 years of taking Tri-Estarylla, I was put on this Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control because of new insurance and a new doctor. I got pregnant on Nortrel 7/7/7 on my third pack of taking it correctly. During the months of taking it: I was emotional and easily agitated. (I suffer from depression and bipolar 2, but my symptoms were out of the norm for myself). I also had severe headaches/migraines. Every person is different, and we all react differently to every med, but I know how to take birth control, and to get pregnant on it was an emotional rollercoaster. My husband and I have a beautiful baby, but I can't in good faith recommend giving this pill a chance if it can't even prevent pregnancy."