Mononessa and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• elk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Mononessa for the past 2 years and have only stuck with it this long because it was the best I had yet to try (was extremely sick on Aviane and had heavy, long, unbearable periods with Ortho Tri-Cyclen), and it was free on my insurance. After 2 years, my periods are still irregular, I experience recurring headaches, and I'm constantly bloated and have gained 10 pounds. Not to mention moodiness, feeling foggy, and decreased libido."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this pill for about 2 and a half years. It worked great, only had a few pregnancy scares from forgetting to take the pills on time. I usually always remembered, but it was sometimes a hassle to remember every day. I had good and bad side effects. It got rid of all of my acne and made my periods regular. I did gain about 25 pounds and had a much lower sex drive, though. I did spot occasionally, but not too often. If I decided to take the pill through my period rather than stopping, sex would start to hurt deep in my uterus eventually. That happened many times. I decided to get off that birth control a few months ago, and I could tell that I had a complete change in my body. I lost weight and felt happier. My sex drive went up incredibly."

• Yee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2016

For Birth Control "While I haven't been on it long, I can say I have been worlds different. I originally was on Sprintec for a good 10 years. Got a new job where I just got my RXs filled there (insurance requirement) and was given Estrace as a substitute. Can we say all hell broke loose on it? Moody (which I'm not at all), gained 15 lbs, always bloated, foods I should want and love made me sick, no sex drive, horrible periods, lethargic, etc., etc. Well, then the pharmacy got Mononessa in. No joke, within a week the bloating subsided, I dropped 5 lbs, my mood was way better, and my drive is back. Honestly, I feel better on it than even Sprintec. Watch your inactive ingredients, those are what cause the side effects more than the hormones."

• Awi...
• March 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I had no problems the first 3 months I was on this pill. Now, the last 5 months, I have been eating like crazy more than ever, losing eyesight after getting a brand new prescription from my eye doctor. Migraines like crazy. Loss of interest in sex, vaginal irritation, swelling, and bleeding from it being so dried out. I cannot pee without crying anymore, it is so painful. Today, I started bleeding brown blood after taking myself off the pill a week ago. Would NOT recommend to anyone."

• 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."

• Mma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I started this birth control about two months ago. My periods are light and quick. I also haven't gained any weight. I don't experience any side effects other than vaginal dryness and uncomfortable sex. I am married, and sex is kind of important, so I am thinking about switching."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 26 and have been on this birth control for 4 months. One of the main reasons I am on birth control is for acne, this pill has cleared up my face. My periods are lighter, and overall my mood is stable, a little more needy, and I cry a little more (con). I have noticed I am a darker skin tone since I've been on this pill (tan without tanning, this is a plus, and this is a listed side effect) no weight gain. The cons: my hair on my head has thinned out a lot, and I have noticed more facial hair (some neck hairs and a noticeable mustache that weren't there before this pill), I even bought Nioxin for my hair. My sex drive isn't horrible, but it has decreased for sure. Switching pills."

• 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."

• Kcr...
• May 22, 2015

For Birth Control "So I have been taking it for almost a year now, I am thinking of switching. I have gained 20 pounds over the time I have taken it. Can't lose the weight either! My cravings are really bad, which also does not help the weight loss. I get super moody at times, and I'm always tired. The first few months of taking it, my sex drive plummeted. I didn't want my man to touch me, look at me, I was so moody. My acne before and after my period is horrendous. The only good thing about this medication is my period is lighter. I received this medication from a Planned Parenthood clinic, I will definitely be going to a GYN next month to change this."

• 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."

• Bea...
• January 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for 3 months now, and so far, it's not horrible. Only a few bad things are.. I am extremely tired and not in the mood for sex! I have 2 young kids, so being tired/lazy is not really an option. I was never like this, and I was never not in the mood for sex. I also get a little dryness. On a good note, I do have short periods. The first month, it was really light, the second month was kind of heavy but short, so I'm waiting to see how this third month goes. If nothing changes as far as tiredness and not wanting sex, I'll switch. I currently do not pay for this BC because my insurance covers it 100%, but I'd rather pay $5-$10 so I'm not always tired and wanting to have sex with my husband more."

• Tia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2016

For Birth Control "Since taking Mononessa, the only problem I have had was an increase in appetite and not having a sex drive. PERIOD. Husband is very upset because I'm NEVER in the mood and I NEVER want to be touched sexually (month)..."

• 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."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Everybody's body absorbs differently. My body did not like Mononessa at all. I only lasted 3 days of this pill. I had an insane reaction, my doctor even told me she's never heard anything like it. My body had an insane panic attack as I was puking. My fingers and toes started to tighten, and I could not move them. I had partial paralysis in my fingers and toes! I was crying and rocking back and forth. I never want to experience anything like it again. My body would wake me up every morning at 4:00 AM to do this every time I took the pill. I was switched to the Yaz pill, which was amazing! After the 4th year of taking it, my body got used to Yaz, and now I am experiencing a lot of mood swings and my sex drive decreasing! Microgestin, here I come!"

• Pai...
• December 8, 2015

For Birth Control "It was my first BC, and at first, my skin began to clear up. I honestly have pretty good skin, I almost never have bad skin. But after a couple weeks of use, I lost sex drive and was getting really bad UTIs almost every day. Didn't enjoy."

• Hor...
• February 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Mononessa for 2 months, and I realize that everyone is different, but I think I have suffered almost every side effect in the book while being on this pill. First, it started with bloating; I have been extremely tired, to the point where it's hard for me to get off the couch midday. I've had a lot less energy and an outbreak of acne on my back, which is strange because hormonal BC is supposed to help with that. Dropped my sex drive significantly, but the hardest thing to manage is obsession with food; the amount I'm eating, binge eating, and craving high fats, carbs, and sugars. I'm feeling depressed; I don't know if it's because of all the symptoms or if it's a chemical imbalance. Needless to say, I'm going to the doctor's and switching."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking it for a good while now, the first three months, I was dizzy, nauseous, and moody. But after those initial months, that has stopped. [Pros] I had bad acne, and it has helped clear it up. Periods are less painful. [Cons] I have gained a few pounds and am constantly craving food, my sex drive is substantially lower. May be trying another brand soon because of this. **I recommend setting an alarm on my phone to remember to take it, mine's for 10, that way if there's a chance I'll be out late, it's with me, and taking it won't interfere with my day-to-day activities.**"

• Bai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 4 or 5 years. I was put on it for irregular, severe periods. My periods came twice a month and sometimes not at all for 3 to 6 months, and they always lasted 8-10 days with severe cramps, large blood clots, severe mood swings, rendering me bedridden. The first month or so, I remember having some nausea, but I noticed for the first year a significant drop in my sex drive and depression issues, which I'm also prone to whether I'm on this pill or not. Doesn't really help my acne either. But as far as positive goes, my periods are way more bearable. 4-5 days, hardly any cramps, better moods, I haven't gotten pregnant, and I don't use condoms, I'm in a monogamous relationship. Overall, has it been good to me."

• Ehe...
• September 13, 2016

For Birth Control "Thank you girls for sharing your experiences about this drug. I feel so much better now knowing I'm not the only one with 'the side effects.' I was on this pill for 3 months. I used to get the Depo shot and I gained almost 30 lbs from that (I know). While I was on the pill: PROS: no breakouts, mild cramps, no heavy periods, just spotting, bloating disappeared. CONS: my boobs hurt, no sex drive, emotionally wrecked, very moody, I thought I was going crazy. It's been a month since I got off this pill: PROS: sex drive gone wild lol and slowly getting my energy back. CONS: bloating is back, painful cramps every now and then, moody AF (still), paranoia (still), I'm one of those people who still feel 'empty' inside, breakouts."

• atx...
• June 7, 2016

For Birth Control "Mononessa. I was nauseated for the first two weeks of being on it. I've had on-and-off headaches since I've started and have been bloated for the past two months. My boyfriend says that I've been extra sensitive and my sex drive is gone. The only time I felt normal is when I was on my period and not taking the active pills. It did make my period shorter (3 days). Unfortunately, Mononessa is not for me. I gained 8 lbs since I've been on it and am an emotional wreck. I can't wait to see my gyno next week and switch it up."