Ortho Cyclen and Depression: What Users Say

• Chr...
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "First off, let me say that this birth control was effective in preventing pregnancy for me, despite many negative side effects I experienced taking this pill. I was prescribed Ortho Cyclen to lessen period cramps, abnormal bleeding, and to prevent pregnancy. I can say the mood swings involved with this pill were miserable to deal with. I felt depressed or angry 99% of the time on this pill, but I wanted to give it a long enough time to see if my hormones would regulate. Not only was I sad, irritable, and experienced low libido, but I felt restless and nauseated from the hormones. I would not recommend this pill to anyone, and that is my humble and honest opinion."

• Chr...
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "First off, let me say that this birth control was effective in preventing pregnancy for me, despite many negative side effects I experienced taking this pill. I was prescribed Ortho Cyclen to lessen period cramps, abnormal bleeding, and to prevent pregnancy. I can say the mood swings involved with this pill were miserable to deal with. I felt depressed or angry 99% of the time on this pill, but I wanted to give it a long enough time to see if my hormones would regulate. Not only was I sad, irritable, and experienced low libido, but I felt restless and nauseated from the hormones. I would not recommend this pill to anyone, and that is my humble and honest opinion."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I have very bad hormonal acne and have been on Spironolactone for that issue. When I started this birth control, everything seemed fine, but when I started the 2nd pack, everything went downhill. I broke out very badly every single day and night. I bled every time my boyfriend and I became intimate. I got very, very depressed. Luckily, my boyfriend is understanding. He couldn't believe how different I was. I couldn't take it anymore and quit halfway through the 3rd pack. It was good at preventing pregnancy."

• Liz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on this for about 4 years. I decided to finally get off because my mood swings were getting worse. This pill caused me to become severely depressed and developed extreme social anxiety. It was effective as a birth control, but the side effects aren't worth it. I've been off it for a few months and feel so much better! Not depressed anymore, and anxiety is finally getting better. Be mindful of your moods if you do decide to try this."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I LOVED this birth control! I was on it for 5 months before my doctor switched me to a cheaper alternative. My acne was nonexistent after about 3 weeks! My boobs grew from a 32A to a 34B in just a month, without weight gain in other regions of my body! I didn't experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, migraines, or anything of the sort. My period went from slightly heavy and lasting 7-8 days to being super light for 4-5. My normal cramping on the first day still happened, but that happened prior to my use of this medication. I can't say enough good things about this product, and I wish I could go back on it again!"

• Wut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Ortho Cyclen made me so depressed I wanted to end it. I started it when I was young, and it was my first pill. Nobody told me how extreme the side effects can be, and I was on it for years, just thinking I was a horribly depressed person and that life wasn't worth living. If I wasn't so close with my family, I really think I would have put an end to myself. Turns out they gave me the wrong prescription and had originally intended to give me Tri-Cyclen. When they switched me over (after YEARS), the depression lifted. I don't know how much it prevented pregnancy (I would imagine well) because it turns out I'm sterile anyway. *sigh* But it ruined my quality of life so badly I wish I could do it all over again. They don't warn us enough."

• msc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control for six years due to irregular periods and acne, and I had to switch because my body got too used to the pill I was originally taking, and I started spotting every day, so my gynecologist recommended Ortho-Cyclen. I have been on this pill for a year now, and I am so blessed to say I am finally switching off of it. This pill made me severely depressed, which I never dealt with, and I had suicidal thoughts. My anxiety has never been worse, my period cramps were absolutely terrible, which I never even had cramps on my last pill, and my overall demeanor changed, and I hated it. I was so sad, angry, and overly sensitive to the point where everyone in my life noticed a change. For a while, I could not understand why, until I realized everything started once I got on this pill. Yeah, it did a great job at preventing pregnancy and helping with my acne, but those two pros are not worth my mental health declining incredibly."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2015

For Endometriosis "This drug is horrible. My side effects are: 1. Anxiety 2. Depression 3. Acne 4. Weight gain 5. Back pain 6. Nausea 7. Easily angered and upset. It serves its purpose, but the side effects are unbearable."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2018

For Birth Control "First birth control I was on was the mini pill due to intense migraines. This pill was okay, gained a few pounds, and started having mood swings along with a somewhat irregular period, quit because of the low success rate of the pill. Was then put on Orsythia. That was hell on earth. Had a period every 7-10 days that lasted 7-10 days. Constantly cramped. When pretty much insane. Then was put on Ortho Cyclen. I’m very happy. No weight gain, skin looks amazing, regular period. My only issues with the pill are my cramps during my period seem to have intensified, and I fall into a depression during my period. Overall, best BC I’ve tried."

• Mer...
• November 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I can say this really wasn't the right pill for me. I'm 20 years old, and I have a one-year-old daughter, so I decided that I wasn't really for any more babies, and I wanted birth control. Well, my insurance got cut, so I went to the county because a friend said I could get free birth control. They gave me three months' worth of this one first, and after I finish the last month, they want me to come back for a check-up. I have had severe anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember, and I was just starting to be able to manage it on my own. I'm almost done with the first week on my second pack, and I have absolutely no desire to do anything anymore. It's almost too hard to get out of bed. If you have anxiety/depression, be careful!"

• mxr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "Great pill... I was on Apri before, but that made me really depressed. Ortho Cyclen didn't cause me to feel sick or to be sleepy. It didn't have any effect on my mental health either. I didn't gain much weight, and I did have an increase in breast size. It makes my periods more regular, and I'm not pregnant! Highly recommend giving this pill a try."

• aaa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2022

For Birth Control "Pros: helped with acne, boobs grew. Cons: inconvenient to take, harder to lose weight, much worse depression and anxiety (this is the reason I switched, my oldest childhood friend had the same thing too). I switched to Kyleena IUD and love it. Never going back."

• kad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Cyclen for almost 2 years. It was good during the first year, since I’ve used it as a continuous pill, and it has been great to prevent pregnancy. Sadly, since last year, I’ve started having a lot of acne because of this pill. As soon as I’m not taking my pill, my skin becomes flawless in less than a week. On this, I am a lot more anxious and depressed - it seems to really disturb your emotions. I have an appointment to get a copper IUD inserted next week, and I can’t wait to be off hormones. Soon or later, it seems like every pill shows off their worst sides. Before this one, I tried Seasonale, which gave me the WORST headaches ever! I could not manage it, so I stayed on it for 5 months... You don’t have to go through all of this, please be careful of the side effects."

• Hel...
• January 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo shot for about 8 months, and I was fed up with it and decided not to get any more shots or any other birth control method due to horrible depression and 25 lbs of weight gain. However, I am feeling pretty well after being 5 months off the shot, and I am debating whether I should try the Pill or not."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2018

For Birth Control "This pill made me lose weight just for the fact it made me so depressed. I think I'm going to stay on it just for the fact I don't want to get pregnant."