Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Han...
• February 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched from Microgestin due to insurance (I was on that brand for a year and NEVER had any side effects). The second I started Junel, I turned into a different person. I'm just going to break down my symptoms by month: Month 1: nausea, two weeks of breakthrough bleeding, migraines, sore and swollen breasts. Month 2: bloating, spotting, headaches, bowel problems, increased appetite. Month 3: EXTREME anxiety and paranoia, worse bloating, mood swings, leg cramps, abdominal cramping. Month 4: lower back pain, uterine and stomach cramps, intense bloating, mood swings, even worse anxiety. Literally thought I was pregnant this month because I didn't have any bleeding whatsoever and because my stomach hurt constantly. Do not take this pill if you have anxiety or depression. It has made me stress about pregnancy more than when I was relying on the pullout method. The ONLY plus side is that my withdrawal bleeds are super light and my acne (sorta) cleared up. I hate this medication."

• McK...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2023

For Birth Control "I tried this medication for 2 years, and the negative effects didn't start until about 6 months into taking it. I experienced irregular periods, with only one occurring every 3-5 months. Additionally, I suffered from terrible anxiety, irrational fears, chest pains, mood swings, and prolonged periods of agitation for no apparent reason. I completely lost interest in sex, had night terrors, and felt paranoid, especially regarding personal safety. I ended up making several visits to the emergency room, believing I was having a heart attack, only to be told it was just anxiety. My stomach was upset every day for over a year, starting from the time I woke up (6 AM) until around 2 PM. (I took my pill at night before bed.) These side effects affected all my personal relationships because I constantly avoided being around people. After being off the pill for over 3 weeks, I have finally started to feel more like myself. Week by week, I noticed significant improvements. My sex drive has returned, my mind feels clear, and I am genuinely happy again. I am no longer overwhelmed, and I have regained my patience while losing the constant irritation I used to feel. It's important to share your story and experiences."

• Anonymous
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "Excellent! Do not be afraid of the reviews. Everyone is different. I'm 47, tried others, but this is by far the best! No weight gain, less mood swings, overall fantastic. Biggest challenge is taking the pill at the same time every day."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill, Taytulla, for 1 1/2 months. After 2 weeks, acne was becoming present. The acne started to get so bad that I didn’t want to leave the house. I started noticing I was tired all the time, my mood swings were frequent, I wasn’t myself. I missed my period entirely, which I was told by my doctor may happen. Two days ago, I was feeling light-headed, I got hot flashes, I didn’t have an appetite, and I felt extreme anxiety for no reason. I was terrified because I didn’t know what was happening to me. I had been on another birth control for 14 years (no issues) up until I had a baby two years ago, then I got on this. Worst decision. I stopped taking this halfway through the pill pack. The side effects are horrible. Based on my experience and these reviews, I would never recommend."

• MJ2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2017

For Birth Control "So happy I read these reviews! I was switched onto Blisovi after my beloved Gildess went out of production. Within the first few months, I noticed a massive weight gain (15-20 pounds) that has been impossible to get off with diet and exercise. My anxiety has been through the roof, I bloat the second I so much as look at salt, sleep is on and off, my breasts can get extremely tender, and I no longer get my period at all but experience god-awful cramping and random spotting. I also have a thyroid condition (borderline Hashimoto's), and this has mucked up my head and my mood/depression like crazy. Some days, it's impossible to get out of bed, and my energy is gone by 2 pm. I'm in my first year of marriage, and I've been a miserable fat wench thanks to Blisovi."

• Moa...
• April 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Junel Fe 1/20 back in March. I had taken one other type of birth control about 4 years ago (the patch), which made me a complete lunatic! I almost jumped off a bridge! For years, I have always had extreme mood swings just before my period. I described my symptoms as each time I felt blue, suicidal, and enraged right before my period. I also told the doctors each time this happened I was ALWAYS on my cycle. The doctor suggested I may have PMDD. I was referred to see an OBGYN who suggested I'd take Junel Fe 1/20. I was horrified to start any sort of birth control because of my experience I had on the patch several years ago. I was given instructions to take it every day, skip the placebo pills (which start your period), and start the next pack. So ultimately, there are no breaks between the packs, I consistently take the pill every day! Pretty much, my OBGYN wants me to have no cycle so I can stop having the extreme mood swings right before I would have my cycle. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!"

• Moa...
• April 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Junel Fe 1/20 back in March. I had taken one other type of birth control about 4 years ago (the patch), which made me a complete lunatic! I almost jumped off a bridge! For years, I have always had extreme mood swings just before my period. I described my symptoms as each time I felt blue, suicidal, and enraged right before my period. I also told the doctors each time this happened I was ALWAYS on my cycle. The doctor suggested I may have PMDD. I was referred to see an OBGYN who suggested I'd take Junel Fe 1/20. I was horrified to start any sort of birth control because of my experience I had on the patch several years ago. I was given instructions to take it every day, skip the placebo pills (which start your period), and start the next pack. So ultimately, there are no breaks between the packs, I consistently take the pill every day! Pretty much, my OBGYN wants me to have no cycle so I can stop having the extreme mood swings right before I would have my cycle. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!"

• bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

For Birth Control "Works fine. Not pregnant, so that's good. A little more emotional than usual, but nothing major! No overall weight gain, but my boobs got bigger. ;) It's important to remember everyone's experience will be different!"

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

For Birth Control "Would not recommend! This is my first birth control, and I’ve been on it for 3 months. I take the pill every day without skipping any days, and I have non-stop breakthrough bleeding. I started this pill to prevent pregnancy, but honestly, what’s the point if I can’t even have sex because I’m constantly bleeding? I’m also having terrible mood swings. I cry almost every day and have been feeling very depressed."

• Bos...
• October 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on a variety of birth control pills for 15 years now, and Junel is by far the worst medication I have ever experienced. Immediately, I experienced severe mood swings and depression. I stayed on Junel for 2 months, but nothing ever improved. 3 years later, a new doctor accidentally prescribed Junel to me, and I decided to try it again. Again, immediate mood swings, depression, etc."

• 100...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 29, 2019

For Birth Control "Blisovi Fe 1/20 has worked as a birth control method. However, I've experienced mood swings, which are very unusual for me. Before the pill, I had irregular periods, and at first, the periods became more timely. Lately, I have missed my period for the last 4 months, and I am not pregnant (I've checked). I've not noticed any change with my weight, face skin, or sex drive."

• Riy...
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I feel compelled to write a review after my horrible experience with this drug, Junel Fe 1/20. I’ve taken it for a year and have just stopped. The first month, I was plagued with intense nausea and headaches, which subsided. After that, I started having severe anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, crying spells, and chalked it up to several life changes (moving, wedding, etc.). However, my condition worsened, and I was at a therapist weekly who diagnosed me with depression. By this point, I felt like a shell of my former self and decided to stop taking the pill, as it’s the only medication I’m on. I’ve been off for 2 weeks and can see notable differences in my temperament and energy levels. I can’t wait for it to completely flush out so I can be myself again. Please don’t take this drug as long as I did if you face any of the above."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Junel FE 1/20 for three years and didn't have a problem. My insurance company decided to switch my generic up and give me Blisovi FE 1/20. I didn't think anything of it because it's the same drug. I've been on the Blisovi for 1.5 years and have had a terrible time, but just now realizing it's this medication. It's made with talc and aluminum. I'm having neuromuscular aches and pains, a sign of aluminum toxicity, have had zero sex drive, and had more anxiety and mood swings. I finally got my insurance to put me back on Junel FE 1/20 three months ago, and all my problems went away within the first month. Don't waste your time on Blisovi. Tell your doctor and insurance company to get you on a different generic with no talc and aluminum."

• Moo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2015

For Birth Control "This medicine is effective and does the job of 'birth control.' However, I still have cramps, and I have emotional breakdowns the few days before my period comes. I turn into either a sad or extremely angry person, and I cannot take no for an answer. I am considering switching medications if this does not change. It is beginning to ruin relationships."

• mit...
• July 14, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I love this pill. I have been on it for 3 years. It regulates my period, and the loss of appetite has helped with weight loss. In February 2013, I weighed 282, it is July 2014, and I weigh 236. I'm more emotional to movies and everything, but that's fine."

• 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."

• Dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2019

For Birth Control "So I had been taking Junel 24 Fe for a few years now, and at the beginning of the year, I was switched to Blisovi, for I was told Junel was no longer on the market. I loved Junel. I had no weight issues, the medicine worked as intended. Now that I'm on Blisovi, I have gained close to 30 pounds in a matter of 3 months. I was gaining roughly 2 pounds a week at the beginning and now gaining 4 or 5 pounds a week. I never had many issues with my weight: 115ish at 5'1. I'm now at 152 lb at my latest weigh-in. This is the most I have ever weighed in my life, and I'm considered obese. Besides that, my mood swings have been terrible. I used to never fight with my boyfriend, and now constantly do, and I hate it. We used to get along so well. I have also been extremely paranoid about so many things that it makes me physically sick. I would not recommend this medication to anyone unless it's your only option for BC."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I was very nervous to start this pill due to the large amount of negative comments about it. I was originally on Taytulla, but that pill caused me to spot each month, and I had terrible cramps almost constantly. I was prescribed Blisovi, but I put off taking it for three months because I was so nervous. However, I am now on my third month of the pill, and I have had no negative side effects, and I honestly really like it. This pill has made me feel normal again. I was emotional at the beginning of taking it, but my hormones have balanced out since. The only thing besides that that has happened is that I have lost 10 pounds, which is honestly very nice. For me, this pill has definitely decreased my appetite. Don't let the negative reviews scare you away, it reacts differently for everyone!"

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Microgestin for a few years. For the most part, my experience has been very positive: I have not experienced unusual mood swings, weight gain, or changes in sex drive. The pill also regulated my period, which had been very irregular before, and my cramps became much less painful. After long-term use, my period became lighter and finally disappeared, which makes me paranoid about pregnancy, so I use an over-the-counter test every couple of months. At the same time, I also became drier and drier until sex became very difficult. However, I have been able to combat the vaginal dryness pretty effectively by making sure to stay very hydrated all day long and especially where exercise or alcohol are concerned."

• Ali...
• January 10, 2014

For Birth Control "I read a few of the reviews on this page, and many said that in the first month or so, they had terrible acne! This is also true for me, but this is the only birth control I've been on where my skin is 100% clear after about month three! I also always suffered from severe mood swings with other birth control-crying over nothing, bouts of rage, extreme insecurity-but this is so much better. The only downside is that, for some reason, I am very tired, especially in the morning-it's almost impossible to wake up, even with 8 hrs. But the changes in my mood outweigh the tiredness! Great for people who have a lot of bad side effects with other birth controls!"

• Pin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take this birth control! It is a nightmare! The first couple of months on Blisovi 24 Fe were fine, but starting around month 6, I was so depressed, wanted to sleep all day, not motivated. Horrible mood swings, no sex drive at all! The worst acne I have ever experienced! I have never had acne until I started this pill. I have been off this birth control for two days and already feel 100 times better! Find another pill to take because this is not worth it!"

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2011

For Birth Control "I will say that the shorter and lighter periods were great; and with my insurance, it was $45 for a 3-month supply. However, since I started taking it two months ago, I've gained almost 10 lbs, have been nauseous, dizzy, feverish, cranky, and have had breast tenderness and insomnia. Two months of feeling pregnant and sick, and I called my doctor to put me on something else. Glad it worked for others... wish it had worked for me too."

• Sor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Junel Fe for almost 3 months now, and the only problem I’ve had was sore breasts. My period came the first month, but the second month I only bled the first day and spotted throughout the rest of the 7 days. I also had mood swings the first month, but after that, I was fine."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill, Larin Fe 1/20, since March of 2020, and it's the first pill I've ever used as a contraceptive. Initially, I experienced terrible waves of nausea while on it, alongside nightmarish mood swings that would leave me absolutely depressed and near-suicidal over the smallest things. Nearly 7 months later, though, almost none of these symptoms exist. My mood swings are occasional and far easier to handle, and I have no nausea. Furthermore, this birth control made my period much lighter and shorter, which is a huge plus for me. It's been wonderful at keeping me from getting pregnant despite having had unprotected sex a number of times while on it. Ultimately, this pill works differently for everyone, and hopefully, many who use it in the future will have the same overall successes that I have had with it."

• Noe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been taking Larin Fe 1/20 for about 2 weeks now, and I’ve got to say that it is the worst I’ve ever felt on any birth control. Horrible nausea shortly after taking it, and increased anxiety and constant panicky, and on verge of tears feeling. I am a person that never dreams or remembers any dreams, at least, and ever since starting this pill, I have had nightmares almost every night and wake up in a panic in the middle of the night and resume nightmares when going back to sleep till morning. Insane mood swings and frequent hot flashes. Zero sex drive, so in that case, it is effective as birth control because it makes you not want to do anything at all. Not worth it. Only going to go to the end of this pack to not throw off my cycle completely, and I am never taking it again. Should be taken off the market after seeing all of the other negative reviews about it too. Scary stuff."