Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone 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."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Before I started on Hailey 24 Fe and I was reading the reviews on this site, I was really nervous for bad side effects. I am happy to say my fears weren't all justified. I just started my second month on Hailey 24 Fe. So far, my symptoms have been as follows: - Loss of appetite - more emotional but it has steadied out - Larger swollen breasts - Can't stand the smell of fish or cooked bacon - Super mild periods - Barely any cramping or bleeding - No weight gain - No acne. Overall, starting Hailey 24 Fe has been almost stress-free and everything is manageable."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2020

For Birth Control "Don’t let the reviews scare you too much! I read through these before starting Junel, and I was TERRIFIED. However, I’ve been taking it for a few months, and so far it’s been pretty good! I am a little bit more emotional, but other than that, everything is basically normal. I was also super nervous that my stomach would hurt all the time, and I’d gain weight, but I actually lost weight, and I feel fine!"

• Kat...
• May 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel because I was on Lo LoEstrin and had horrible anxiety, mood swings, and was miserable. I took it for 5 years because it was the only birth control that didn’t make me super sick! I got on here to read the reviews and was horrified and almost didn’t take it. I'm SO GLAD I DECIDED TO TAKE IT ANYWAYS. I’m 22 years old, 5’5” tall, and about 110-115 pounds when I’m not on birth control. Now I’ve been on it for almost 2 months and have not gained any weight, my boobs may have gotten like half a size better. I’m 113lb in the morning and 115lb at night. On Lo Loestrin, I was a constant 120lb. My crazy moods are better. I don’t have acne like everyone says in their reviews (I take biotin every night and have been for months because my acne is pretty bad). I’m not a heavy bleeder, and this pill has worked great for me. I am literally the most sensitive person to anything hormonal, so if it can work for me, don’t be afraid to try it because of bad reviews!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• Roa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

For Birth Control "*PLEASE READ* I never put reviews for medication I have been on, but I wanted to WARN all the girls who have to be put on this generic pill for some reason. I used to take Lo Loestrin, and it was amazing, however, my insurance stopped covering it, so I was given Larin Fe. WORST MISTAKE OF MY DAMN LIFE... At first, I didn't have any symptoms, but within a month, I've hit the darkest of spots in my life: insomnia, shakiness, HORRIBLE anxiety, breakouts (not severe), acid reflux, lack of appetite. Sadly, there was not a single day in that month where I felt normal, I was going crazy with mood swings, depression. I barely could leave my bed, I even had several panic attacks. I wish I could say a positive side to this drug, but THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING POSITIVE ABOUT THIS DRUG. Believe these negative reviews, please, and if you don't feel any side effects right now, the second you feel it, please switch to a different birth control. It won't get any better waiting."

• Ste...
• June 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I was extremely skeptical to start taking birth control. I have struggled with pretty severe anxiety, depression, mood swings, and suicidal tendencies for a long time. After reading many negative reviews of a variety of brands, I was very reluctant to try it. I've been taking Blisovi 24 Fe for a month now, and I am shocked by the results. I am the happiest and most even-tempered I have been in a very long time! I no longer have mood swings, I have not had any suicidal thoughts, and my depression and anxiety have slowly faded away. I have been prescribed actual anti-depression/anxiety meds in the past, which only made me worse, so I am so shocked that this pill actually helped me! I don't think there's any telling how you will react to the pill or a certain brand of it until you try it. But if you are scared to, don't be! I'm so happy I decided to push past my fears and give it a try! Worst comes to worst, you can just stop taking it."

• ECB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2022

For Birth Control "This was prescribed for endometriosis/PMDD. Obviously, everyone's experience is different, but taking this pill actually improved my quality of life. My 'periods' are very, very light and last maybe 2 days at most, so it may be more alarming for someone who is sexually active, but for me, this is way better than horrible cramps and bleeding through my pajamas the first two nights of my periods before going on the pill (and I spend like no money on sanitary supplies anymore). Any bleeding is predictable (I'm not spotting before my placebo pills). My PMDD gave me brain fog, fatigue, attention issues, mega cravings, and really bad emotional symptoms (all the symptoms people say the pill will give you). After only one month on Hailey 24 Fe, these symptoms were way reduced, if not gone. My acne may have gone down slightly, especially on my back. No weight gain. This pill seems to get average to bad ratings, but if you're suffering from endo/PMDD, I would recommend at least giving it a shot. It's made me super happy."

• 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."

• ALa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. Do not recommend. At all. Save yourself. Just started month 3, and it has been AWFUL. So glad I found this. I've had about every side effect but abnormal bleeding. Haven't been able to have sex for over a month because of vaginal dryness/inability to get wet/loss of interest (just ended month 2 yesterday). Sex was great until this pill! My side effects: major vaginal dryness (going on 3 months), no sex drive/interest/pleasure, breast tenderness/PAIN/enlargement, nausea, headache, bloating, fetal-position cramps, mental changes/mood swings, trouble concentrating, tired/weak ALL of the time, irritable, anxious, discouraged. I could go on. I was starting to question myself, my body, my mind, my relationship, felt like I just could NOT get better. I'm disappointed it took me so long to realize this was the only change. Good thing is I'm not pregnant, but hard to get pregnant when you can't have sex."

• 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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2021

For Birth Control "My pharmacy quit carrying Blisovi 24 FE (I was on it for three years). I switched to Hailey for a month and am stopping birth control altogether because of it. My breasts are very sore, my face broke out like crazy, no libido, skin is itchy, and I'm very emotional."

• 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."

• Oli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2021

For Birth Control "In the past 5 years, I have been on two different birth control pills. I decided to switch to Junel Fe because the other pill wasn’t helping with my period. This pill, however, was a huge mistake. I have been on it for a short time, but it has made me extremely depressed. I have never had mental health issues in the past, and as soon as I started taking this pill, I noticed huge mood swings. I cry all the time, and I am extremely emotional. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Blisovi after my pharmacy switched me from Taytulla. I was only on it for a month and a half. Aside from the fact my skin was completely clear, the side effects were horrible for me. I gained some weight, and my mood swings were horrible. I've never in my life experienced severe anxiety until taking this pill. I genuinely thought I was going crazy. I never struggled with panic attacks until this pill. Every morning I woke up anxious. I also experienced really bad cramping and pelvic pain, and mild breast tenderness. I ended up convincing myself I was pregnant. I’ve been off of it for a week now, and I feel like my normal self. I’d be cautious on this one."

• Ple...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I started this birth control 4 years ago, and my side effects got worse and worse every year I was on it. I’ve never suffered from anxiety, and it made me literally so miserable. Stressed every day to the point where I’d start to shake and get nervous over nothing. I never knew what was causing this. My cramps were also so bad: pelvic pain and mood swings. I’d cry for an entire day and then be fine the next. Muscle aches as well due to my anxiety getting so bad. I also would become incredibly nauseous a few days before my cycle, sometimes, I would even throw up. There were nights where I would constantly just sit in my bathroom from a panic attack. I also got aggravated incredibly easily. I got off of this pill. Please do not take this. Believe every side effect. It got worse and worse every day I took it, and I never thought it could be my pill making me this miserable. The only thing it did for me was prevent me from getting pregnant."

• Fee...
• June 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Taking Blisovi Fe 1/20 as my first time birth control. 1. No weight gain, if anything, I've lost weight while on this, not saying it's due to the pill, but that's the only thing I've noticed about my weight. 2. No hair loss, my hair has been fine. 3. My face cleared up of little pimples I used to get throughout the month. 4. My periods are 3 days at the most and are light. 5. I've noticed an increase in my sex drive. 6. I've always been on the smaller side when it came to my boobs, they've gotten bigger since I started taking this pill. Nothing crazy, but enough to notice a difference. Downsides. 1. I'm bipolar, so this pill did mess with my anxiety/mood pretty bad the first two months, but once I got past the adjustment period, it's been good, occasionally, it can get to be a bit much, but nothing I can't deal with. 2. My cramps haven't changed, they're still just as painful. 3. During my period, my breasts get super tender to the point of being uncomfortable in my bra. Hope this helps. ✌"

• ste...
• September 20, 2019

For Birth Control "PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE CONFLICTED. I’ve taken birth control before, and I remember my first pill was pretty high in dosage and made me crazy. I vowed I’d NEVER go back on birth control. However, I decided to give it another go 2 years later. My doctor prescribed me Junel, and honestly, I love it. I remember looking up this brand and becoming instantly terrified. I won’t lie, the first 30 days of this pill were bad. I was so nauseous, had breast pain, bloated, any symptom you can get, I got intensely. But after the 1st month, all my symptoms were gone. My period has never been skipped due to the pill. It comes the 3rd Friday of every month like clockwork (which was amazing since I’ve always had an irregular period). My periods are light to medium and last 2-3 days. This pill is amazing. I haven’t gained weight from the pill, haven’t missed a period, or had crazy mood swings. I was so scared to go on this pill, but I’m truly glad I did. If you just wait up the 30-60 days of awfulness, you won’t regret."

• BCh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the 3rd time I have attempted to take birth control. I have severe ovulation issues, and my doctor thought trying a “low dose pill” would help. Aurovela Fe is absolutely awful. I’m on my 2nd month, week 2 of the pack, and I’ve never experienced anxiety and mood swings this severely in my life! Sobbing, crying, even having emotional breakdowns. I have GI issues already, and this pill has made them even worse. And the breast tenderness?! I thought they just hurt, but my significant other even mentioned how much larger they looked. Oh, and the bloating is also severe, like really bad. I’m 31, and I’ve never felt like my life was spiraling out of control until I started taking this. I’m not even giving it a chance to “level out.” I will be stopping cold turkey. If I could give this zero stars...I would give it a negative 5."

• BCh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the 3rd time I have attempted to take birth control. I have severe ovulation issues, and my doctor thought trying a “low dose pill” would help. Aurovela Fe is absolutely awful. I’m on my 2nd month, week 2 of the pack, and I’ve never experienced anxiety and mood swings this severely in my life! Sobbing, crying, even having emotional breakdowns. I have GI issues already, and this pill has made them even worse. And the breast tenderness?! I thought they just hurt, but my significant other even mentioned how much larger they looked. Oh, and the bloating is also severe, like really bad. I’m 31, and I’ve never felt like my life was spiraling out of control until I started taking this. I’m not even giving it a chance to “level out.” I will be stopping cold turkey. If I could give this zero stars...I would give it a negative 5."

• 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."

• bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I absolutely hate this medication. They gave it to me because my Junel Fe was on backorder. Horrible mood swings, zero sex drive whatsoever, symptoms of depression, breakthrough bleeding, and lack of interest in things I previously loved. I didn't use this for the purpose of preventing pregnancy, but it didn't even work for the things I needed it for. Everyone is different, but I have never experienced such dark emotions in my life, and this was a horrible experience."