Mononessa and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• K-l...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2014

For Birth Control "I love Mononessa. I used to have extremely painful cramps, I would have to miss work and school because I was in so much pain, and Mononessa has definitely helped. At first, it didn't seem to help with the cramps, so I went back to my doctor and she upped my dosage. My periods come on the exact same day every month, which is really nice. I definitely don't have as heavy of a period, and it normally lasts 3-4 days. I do seem to be a little more emotional the week before I start, but I never had any weight gain/loss issues with it."

• Sop...
• January 19, 2014

For Birth Control "Honestly, this is the first and only birth control I've been on. I started taking it to prevent pregnancy about 11 months ago and am still currently on it. If you don't eat with the pill, you're going to feel sick, so I've learned to really stay on top of it. Besides that, the only other complaint I have is it makes me 5 times more emotional once my period rolls around, and I'm generally emotional anyways about some things, so this really makes my moods, only when on my period, very in the air! I would recommend this for first-time birth control seekers, as it has been working for me just fine (knock on wood). I would rate it a 9 out of 10 because of the mood swings!"

• Sop...
• January 19, 2014

For Birth Control "Honestly, this is the first and only birth control I've been on. I started taking it to prevent pregnancy about 11 months ago and am still currently on it. If you don't eat with the pill, you're going to feel sick, so I've learned to really stay on top of it. Besides that, the only other complaint I have is it makes me 5 times more emotional once my period rolls around, and I'm generally emotional anyways about some things, so this really makes my moods, only when on my period, very in the air! I would recommend this for first-time birth control seekers, as it has been working for me just fine (knock on wood). I would rate it a 9 out of 10 because of the mood swings!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 3 months now. At first, I didn't really notice anything, but recently I have realized that I have gained a couple of pounds, even though I work out 5 times a week and eat relatively healthy. The worst part is my mood; I'll be happy-go-lucky one second, then become a psycho emotional wreck the next. I flip out about EVERYTHING and get really upset; I used to be very mellow and laid back. However, it has really cleared up my skin, and my period is regular now."

• asm...
• March 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on and off different birth controls for the past 6 years, including the Mirena IUD, NuvaRing, and other pills. The Mirena made me lose weight and have bigger boobs, but it also made me crazy. Like a psychotic to my husband, and my acne was horrible. The NuvaRing cleared up my face amazingly well, but made me gain weight like crazy, which in turn made me depressed. Some other pills I tried (can't remember names because there were probably 3 different kinds) worsened my acne or made me have crazy mood swings. A year after having a baby, my doctor put me on Mononessa, and it's the first time I have been happy with my birth control ever! My face is normally clear, weight is normal, mood swings low, periods normal to light."

• Anonymous
• July 8, 2012

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control, and I was on it for about a year. I took it to help lighten and regulate my ridiculously heavy period, and it did just that. However, it gave me terrible mood swings, spotting, and the final straw was my once thick hair became extremely thin. Though it did its original purpose, the side effects were just too much."

• Anonymous
• December 23, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This was my first time trying birth control, and this one made me feel horrible. Nausea every day and made worse whenever I drive. Cold sweats, and it's around 10 degrees out, so I start shivering, which leads to more sweating. Oh, the mood swings! I feel miserable."

• All...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Mononessa for about 5 years now. I started the pill because of irregular periods and extra protection against pregnancy. The first two to three months, my body was adjusting to the change, which caused nausea and mood swings, but afterwards, I was back to normal. My appetite has gone up, my sex drive has gone down just a bit, but not to the point where I was worried about it. I have clear skin, and my periods are shorter and lighter. By far, the best pill I have been."

• Nik...
• October 6, 2015

For Birth Control "This birth control works and does its job, it's just the mood swings that have been terrible for me. I cry all the time over nothing, and I go from being happy to angry to depressed. I feel it putting a strain on my relationship, and I am considering going off it. On the plus side, however, my period cramps are now nonexistent. I haven't experienced any weight gain or cravings (I've always eaten a lot, though, so it's hard to tell!). My acne actually got better, but only slightly, and that could be due to other factors. I just feel like the mood swings outweigh the benefits, and I just want to feel better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 24, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control has been okay for me. I am switching to an IUD next month after being on Mononessa for 1 1/2 years. Pros: decreased acne, regular period, decreased cramps during the period, lighter/slightly shorter period, no weight gain, no pregnancy. Cons: CRAZY mood swings, decreased sex drive, dryness, other medications lower the effectiveness, bad migraines during my period. The migraines during my period were terrible the first 3-4 months, I assume because my body was reacting to the decrease in hormones. The main reason I am switching is the mood swings because Mirena does not have estrogen. I used to be laid back and happy, but my mood has become crazy and very unpredictable. Overall, a good birth control, just not the right one for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for almost a year. It started out great, and my periods were regular and light. My breasts also got bigger, which was an advantage. Right away, I noticed the biggest change in my lifestyle: my sex drive plummeted, and I became extremely emotional. I went from having sex with my boyfriend every day to maybe once a week, and it's so difficult for me to get turned on. I'll watch a commercial with a dog in it and cry or sob uncontrollably when my boyfriend does something nice for me. It's ridiculous. I also gained a lot of weight since starting Mononessa and always feel tired and foggy. It has been effective in preventing pregnancy, but it's not the right birth control for me."

• S04...
• July 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I went on this birth control because my period was so irregular, and it was getting out of control. When I first went on this birth control, I threw up for the first 3 days, and then after that, I was fine. Two weeks after I began, my mood swings increased a lot, it was really unpredictable what my mood would be like. I've also been throwing up ever since I went on this birth control. My appetite has decreased, I've gained weight, I always feel bloated, my mood is terrible, and everything makes my stomach feel sick. I hate throwing up, so this pill has been the worst for me. Definitely a waste of my time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control seemed fine at first, but 10 days into it, I started feeling not like myself-bad mood swings, feeling breathless or winded even when sitting, my blood pressure would spike for no reason, and I felt extremely sluggish. One day, I even had mild heart attack symptoms. My body definitely did not react well to this medication."

• myn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2016

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control. I didn't experience any side effects, except I do think that they affected my mood. I became a lot more emotional about a lot of things and people, which I didn't think was possible since I was already pretty emotional. No acne, no bad cramps, no weird periods. Only switched because of an insurance issue."

• myn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2016

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control. I didn't experience any side effects, except I do think that they affected my mood. I became a lot more emotional about a lot of things and people, which I didn't think was possible since I was already pretty emotional. No acne, no bad cramps, no weird periods. Only switched because of an insurance issue."

• Can...
• September 13, 2015

For Birth Control "The very first three days of taking Mononessa, I always feel very nauseated. Mood swings aren't that bad. I crave a lot, breasts are always sore. Periods are pretty normal, cramps are kept to a minimum. I am sexually active, and so far, no pregnancy. I've noticed there's more vaginal discharge, but my sex drive is pretty low. I don't have as much acne. So far, this pill has been going great for me. Side effects depend on the person."

• Kay...
• October 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I was originally on Lo Loestrin Fe, which made me bleed like crazy, and once I started this pill, it stopped it. PROS: No weird bleeding, normal period. CONS: I feel like I am going crazy. I am an emotional wreck, and I am normally a very calm person. I feel like crying every minute, and not to mention that, but my sex drive is completely gone. Birth control just isn't for me, I am going to stick to condoms."

• UTi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2015

For Ovarian Cysts "This medicine has made my periods a lot better. They are no longer irregular, so I can definitely time them accurately, and I am never surprised. However, I do get really bad mood swings, I am very irritable at times. I have definitely gained a lot of weight since I started. My breast size fluctuates, and my nipples are tender the majority of the time. Besides those things, I am very satisfied with this medication."

• kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2015

For Birth Control "The pro of this pill is it did regulate my period, but that's the only pro. I was on it for 6 months and stopped. It made me sick all the time, I gained 15 lbs, if not more, and stayed bloated. My mood swings were out of control, and I'm a pretty chill person. It may have worked great for some, but just not for me."

• Yas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 19, and I've been on Mononessa for about two years now. I originally started it to help with extremely heavy periods, but it has helped with so much more. I don't get any acne anymore, periods are so much lighter, cramps are almost completely gone, and cravings and mood swings are not near as bad. I highly recommend!"

• Aga...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I originally took Mononessa to help regulate my period. Started out great the first 4 months. By the 6th month, I was starting to have terrible mood swings, loss of appetite, and constantly fatigued. Symptoms of side effects intensifying but didn't realize it was the birth control pills at the time. Got pregnant and miscarried twice by my 8th month on it. 10 months on it: I couldn't keep any solid foods down, hypertension, high blood pressure, lost the ability to even feel hunger, it conflicted with antibiotics causing muscle spasms, and I was officially bedridden for 6 months. After a year on it, the only symptoms I didn't have were heart attack, stroke, and death. Every side effect just compounded on itself. Took me 2 whole years to completely recover from the birth control and have my body go back to 'normal.' One lasting side effect is I still struggle to tell when I'm hungry, and it's been 6 years. Only positive, it did actually regulate my period while I was taking it, and my periods have been consistent ever since."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2016

For Birth Control "Mononessa has been the worst birth control I have ever been on. I was on this pill for three days and thought I would die. Severe nausea, nightmares, mood swings, insomnia, headaches, and chest pain. I stopped taking it after the third day. My body really does not like this birth control. I would not recommend this pill at all."

• lol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 24, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got prescribed this birth control for abnormal periods, and I've continued taking it for 4 years. I'm switching because of all the side effects. When I started taking it, I felt very emotional, anxiety-ridden, depressed, terrible moodiness, and felt insecure. It was at the same time I started taking it. I'm constantly nauseous and can barely eat, but will still gain weight. My face is always dry or oily or red, my scalp is always itchy. I also have troubles with sex, like libido and lost my natural lubricant. I also started getting acne and get extremely depressed when I'm on my period and the week before. I've had to go on anxiety meds because of this. But I will say I never got pregnant, only plus side."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2017

For Birth Control "So far, so good! I switched from Lo Loestrin Fe. I was liking the Lo-Fe the first 3 months, 3-day periods was amazing. Then, months 4-6, I had spotting, breakthrough bleeding, and cramps, sometimes crazy discharge, sometimes I was super dry, terrible mood swings, etc. Anyways, I switched to this because it contained more estrogen, and ever since January, I've felt loads better. I don't see any difference in weight, appetite, or sleep. I have seen an improvement in my mood and concentration/focus since switching to this pill, I feel balanced. My period does last 5 days, but my cramps aren't as bad, nor is my period nearly as heavy as when I wasn't on birth control. 9/10 because I still use condoms and haven't really tested it 100%."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 2, 2016

For Birth Control "Mononessa has been my birth control for 2 years now. I have never had a single problem with these particular pills. I have had no mood swings, weight loss/gain, nausea, etc. I feel the same exact way as I did before taking birth control... just protected! I am very strict on myself with taking it at the same time every night. I set an alarm on my phone and take it at the same time every night. I have never had any problems with the pill. I really recommend trying to see if it works the same way as it has for me."