Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ama...
• December 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking this (Sprintec) for over a year now & have highly considered getting off of it. I've noticed weight loss (15-25 lbs because my weight has always fluctuated), but my rage has been out of control. My boyfriend says I am not myself. It has almost jeopardized us several times. I get uncontrollable mood swings, high anxiety/anxiety attacks, & sometimes I just want to break down and cry for no reason. When I first started taking it, I could not focus at all for my job, & I even struggled completing my sentences. I want to have time off of it just to see it if it makes me feel better. Everyone around me always talks about how positive of a person I am, but this stuff has turned me into someone so negative I can't even recognize myself. I was wondering what could be going wrong, but have been researching everyone else's experience I am pretty certain this is the common denominator. I usually don't do reviews, but want anyone experiencing the same side effects to know they're not alone"

• Ama...
• December 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking this (Sprintec) for over a year now & have highly considered getting off of it. I've noticed weight loss (15-25 lbs because my weight has always fluctuated), but my rage has been out of control. My boyfriend says I am not myself. It has almost jeopardized us several times. I get uncontrollable mood swings, high anxiety/anxiety attacks, & sometimes I just want to break down and cry for no reason. When I first started taking it, I could not focus at all for my job, & I even struggled completing my sentences. I want to have time off of it just to see it if it makes me feel better. Everyone around me always talks about how positive of a person I am, but this stuff has turned me into someone so negative I can't even recognize myself. I was wondering what could be going wrong, but have been researching everyone else's experience I am pretty certain this is the common denominator. I usually don't do reviews, but want anyone experiencing the same side effects to know they're not alone"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 15, 2020

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE THIS! I have been trying to figure out what was wrong with me for over a year. Never once did it occur that it was the birth control I am taking, but I finally came to the realization. I never had these issues prior to taking this pill. I have developed anxiety, depression, my joy for life is gone, I have absolutely no sex drive, it's like there is a dark cloud over me, I am unmotivated and tired, the list goes on. I'll take acne and painful periods any day over what I have experienced over these last few years because of this pill. I wish I had known this before I started. I was young and had no clue. Was very uninformed. I hope this helps someone else. Do not do it. It is not worth it at all!"

• Gir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Sprintec for 9 months before I was randomly switched to Estarylla. I had zero issues with Sprintec. After renewing my prescription, my pharmacist gave me Estarylla instead of Sprintec and assured me that this is the same thing just with a different name. It took me two months of taking Estarylla to realize that my body was not adjusting to these pills. They might be similar to Sprintec, but something is different enough for my body to experience all kinds of side effects I didn’t experience before. My anxiety increased significantly, and I have been experiencing a lot of anger and agitation. My skin and hair are extremely oily each day, I am painfully bloated after eating, my stomach is almost always upset, and I have gained weight despite a loss of appetite. So far, it has done its job in preventing pregnancy, but it has also caused my sex drive to decrease. Estarylla is great for some people, and everyone is different, but it’s definitely not 'the same' as Sprintec."

• AF2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I started this birth control, Sprintec, just under two months ago. This is my first one. I have two days left this month, and I’m quitting. I have a history of stomach issues, and my periods definitely aren’t fun either. I threw up the first night I started Sprintec. I have not been myself since I started it. My stomach hurts, and I’m nauseous every day. I have really bad headaches almost every day, if not every day. I can’t sleep. My emotions are awful. I feel so depressed and anxious. I struggle to find the motivation to do anything or even live. I wanted my periods to be less painful. Now I look forward to them every month because I feel better when I’m on it than when I take the pill for the other 21 days. I desperately just want to be myself again. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I’m sure this is different for everyone, but I just can’t handle it anymore."

• Ell...
• February 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Reading these other reviews makes me question my experience with this birth control because I have anxiety and depression. However, I have struggled with this all my life, and I can't say for sure that Estarylla has impacted these things for me. I've taken this birth control for over two years, and I have a very high sex drive along with clear skin! My experience has been overwhelmingly positive, but I wish there was more education about the possible physical and mental side effects of these medications."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2009

For Birth Control "Within the 1st week I went from a happy, optimistic girl, to a very unhappy, unstable individual. My experience: crying for no reason, complete misery, severe weight gain, antisocial, exhausted, nauseous, dry eyes, high anxiety, NO sex drive, painful sex, cramping, bloating, irrational behavior."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2020

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Estarylla was so, so awful. I really wanted this to work. I knew that there would be side effects, but I never expected them to be this bad. I can never predict when I am going to be bleeding. Due to the inconsistency of my bleeding, I believed I was pregnant at one point while taking this medication. However, the physical side effects were not even the worst part. I have never experienced constant anxiety or depression until taking these pills. I have experienced panic attacks while taking this pill that I have never had before. This medication has, quite frankly, ruined my mental health. I get stuck in cycles of anxiety and depression. I panic over the smallest things and generally feel as if I do not have any emotional stability in my life. If you are experiencing these mental health symptoms, please know that you are not alone. Contact your doctor and see if you can stop taking these pills. I hope that either another pill or another form of contraception will work for me."

• rpv...
• October 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been taking this birth control for 3 months after fighting with my insurance about not wanting the generic because they are different, as we all know. I was approved OTCL, so I was stoked. Even though OTCL reviews are scary, I'm prone to anxiety and depression, and I had not ONE side effect from OTCL. Today, I am very upset because, according to pharmacists, the manufacturer has discontinued Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO? Why would the company do this? My insurance and I were paying for this, and this is the ONLY birth control that has zero side effects for me. I don't know what to do now. After doing extensive research on Tri Lo Sprintec, ALMOST ALL PEOPLE SWITCH BACK TO ORTHO TRI CYCLEN LO BECAUSE OF SIDE EFFECTS FROM TRI LO SPRINTEC OR ANOTHER OTCL GENERIC. I was told that generics have different binders in them (fillers such as sugar amount or other chemicals) that make the body absorb medication differently. PLEASE BRING BACK OTCL, I hope this is a false alarm and my BC will be back."

• Lil...
• June 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I have had absolutely no problems with Tri-Sprintec. I don't have any side effects at all. No weight gain, no mood swings, no depression, no anxiety, no nausea, same sex drive. (No increase in breast size either - I WISH I had that side effect!) I feel exactly the same taking this as I did not taking any birth control. The only difference is my periods are lighter and shorter, and my cramps are no longer severe. By the way, I was really scared to take this because of the negative reviews I read! But before you decide this is a bad pill, give it a try. Every woman's body is different, and your experience will just depend on your body!"

• Cal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill, Estarylla, for 3 years. It was the generic form, Ortho Tri-Cyclen. This pill has caused me severe depression, brain fog, a feeling like a heavy darkness over my life with suicidal thoughts, anger and aggression, and migraine headaches. I’ve had severe anxiety, constipation, and stomach pain. When I’m off for the 7-day placebo tablets, I feel the best, but then I start the new pack Sunday, and the cycle starts again until the end of the pack. This product should be discontinued. I did clear up my skin and prevent pregnancy, but it hasn’t been worth it."

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2019

For Birth Control "It was my first time on birth control. I thought, okay, cool. I was trying to get my hormones in check more than anything else. WRONG. Since starting, I’ve had severe anxiety, racing heart, racing thoughts, disorientation, insomnia, thoughts of suicide, and pretty harsh depressive episodes. It’s been miserable. I haven’t seen anyone else really talking about this, but it’s been so extreme. It’s been miserable, I’ve had the constant “I’m going absolutely crazy” thought. But as soon as I stopped, it’s like I was back to normal. I know everyone is different, and maybe it’s just me, but I really can’t handle this pill."

• Kai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control for me has only really done me a few favors, and that’s being free and not getting me pregnant. However, that being said, the side effects I can’t justify. I recently turned 18 and started taking the pill. My first month was fine, but the more I take it, the worse I’m getting. I’m having constant anxiety and panic attacks. I always feel extremely worried, stressed, and overwhelmed. I’m very irritable and impatient, not to mention it gives me horrendous headaches and recently extreme nausea and vomiting. Not to get into too much detail, but just absolutely projectile vomiting everywhere. Feeling very feverish, hot, and cold sweats, not to mention for period cramps, it does nothing. My cramps feel just as bad as they were before, and my period is just as heavy and maybe even a little longer. My sex drive has definitely decreased, and sex is painful, I nearly bleed a little each time. It’s causing me to go crazy, and I have trouble even sleeping with some of the symptoms."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m on the 2nd month of taking Femynor. I had nausea and headaches the first 4 days of taking it. I’d take it at 11 pm, but I’d wake up nauseous in the middle of the night. But it wasn’t bad to the point of throwing up. I will say I felt more affected emotionally. During the 3rd week, my emotions felt all over the place. I have a history of anxiety, and it did aggravate it. I cried for no reason, felt more anxious than usual, and some paranoia. This lasted about a week. During the last week of taking the sugar pills, I did not get a period. I only had very light spotting for 2 days. This is a big pro for me. No PMS or cramping at all. Yes, it was rough the first few weeks, but the side effects have worn off after the 1st month. This birth control is also inexpensive for me, I pay $8 monthly. Don’t let the reviews scare you, give it a try. It takes some time for your body to adjust. I hope it works for you, I will update at the end of month 2."

• Hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I've never written a review, but I feel so strongly about this pill I need to share. I've been taking Sprintec for four years, I got switched to this one because of a shortage. I've been taking this pill for three days, and I already want to stop. I've had a headache for three days, been so nauseous every time I eat that I have to lay down and close my eyes. My anxiety has been so much worse, and I don't feel like doing anything-going to the store, doing my schoolwork, or even going on drives with my friends because I’m scared I’ll be so nauseous I’ll throw up. I never want to take this pill again and will be stopping immediately. If I could rate it -100, I would."

• Kay...
• August 12, 2010

For Birth Control "It hasn't made me sick or caused acne. I went to the doctor's twice from a urinary tract infection since I've been on it. I've been taking it for a month now, and my mood has changed severely. I have no interest in sex at all, I get dry, and I have no intention of wanting to do it. I feel stressed and depressed, and I've never been like that. I feel bad for my boyfriend, and it's been ruining our love life. I'm calling my doctor to switch as soon as she is available. When they say birth control doesn't affect your mood, they are wrong! Read the other reviews."

• Aly...
• November 17, 2020

For Birth Control "If I could give this medication a lower rating than 1/10, I would. I was told 'Mono-Linyah' is a generic form of Sprintec. This can't be any more different in the effect it is having on me. I have been on Mono-Linyah for approximately 9 months. I don't know how I stayed on it for this long. I trusted my doctor when she told me it was a generic form of Sprintec. I gained about 15 pounds in the 9 months I've been on this pill. My acne has been awful while on this pill. The biggest and most drastic change in myself, other than the weight gain, was my mood changes. My anxiety was already pretty bad, but while on Mono-Linyah, it made me feel I couldn't manage it. I started to have mood swings, dark thoughts, anxiety attacks, and would cry all the time. I regret not realizing this medication was the reason for all of my symptoms earlier on."

• Aly...
• November 17, 2020

For Birth Control "If I could give this medication a lower rating than 1/10, I would. I was told 'Mono-Linyah' is a generic form of Sprintec. This can't be any more different in the effect it is having on me. I have been on Mono-Linyah for approximately 9 months. I don't know how I stayed on it for this long. I trusted my doctor when she told me it was a generic form of Sprintec. I gained about 15 pounds in the 9 months I've been on this pill. My acne has been awful while on this pill. The biggest and most drastic change in myself, other than the weight gain, was my mood changes. My anxiety was already pretty bad, but while on Mono-Linyah, it made me feel I couldn't manage it. I started to have mood swings, dark thoughts, anxiety attacks, and would cry all the time. I regret not realizing this medication was the reason for all of my symptoms earlier on."

• Eri...
• July 26, 2020

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Mili is the worst thing you will ever take. I miss my old self. This pill has made me lash out at loved ones, depressed, emotional, anxious, the list goes on. It made me completely dry down there, and it made me break out into a rash. I have been itching all over my body for a month now. I’ve been on the pill for two months, and I tried to stick it out and see if the symptoms would go away, but no. I will be getting off this immediately. First time on birth control and the last time."

• Mae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Mili 2 weeks ago after my previous pill was discontinued, and my emotions have been all over the place. Anxious, depressed, just super emotional. It just clicked today to do my research after crying again for something minor! Needless to say, today will be the last day I take this medication."

• Dix...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "When I was reading these other reviews, they made me so scared I almost didn't take this pill. Don't let them scare you. I have had a great experience so far. I was originally on Tri-Lo-Marzia, but I started spotting out of nowhere for a few months, so my doctor switched me to a pill with a higher dose (Estarylla). My spotting went away within the first 4 days of the new pill, and it hasn't come back. I've had no weight gain, some moodiness when I was adjusting, and my skin has majorly cleared up. Also, my other pill made me super anxious around the time I started spotting, and Estarylla has really helped me feel calmer. So, just remember that everyone's body is different, so if you don't try the medication, you won't know how it affects you. Don't be scared of Estarylla!"

• wiu...
• February 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I used to take Tri-Sprintec, but my pharmacy switched me to Tri-Previfem. I have been on it for about a year, and at first, it was alright, but after a few months, I noticed things were starting to change. I started feeling depressed, developing anxiety, and I noticed my libido was declining. I didn't really think much of it, but now it is getting worse and worse. I have been having anxiety attacks, which I never had before taking this. I have been more depressed than ever before. And don't even get me started on my libido. I am only 21, and I never want to have sex anymore. I have been with my boyfriend for 5 years, and I used to always want to do it. Now, it seems like I have to force myself to do anything, and I shouldn't have to do that."

• wiu...
• February 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I used to take Tri-Sprintec, but my pharmacy switched me to Tri-Previfem. I have been on it for about a year, and at first, it was alright, but after a few months, I noticed things were starting to change. I started feeling depressed, developing anxiety, and I noticed my libido was declining. I didn't really think much of it, but now it is getting worse and worse. I have been having anxiety attacks, which I never had before taking this. I have been more depressed than ever before. And don't even get me started on my libido. I am only 21, and I never want to have sex anymore. I have been with my boyfriend for 5 years, and I used to always want to do it. Now, it seems like I have to force myself to do anything, and I shouldn't have to do that."

• tli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My doc prescribed Sprintec and said to use with the 'skip method,' where I skip inactive pills for a few months and only get 4 periods a year. Sprintec gave me horrible mood swings and anxiety attacks during the first few months. I was a nervous wreck, and my husband hated me. I hated myself. After that, it was good for a while. But now I've been spotting on and off for 3 weeks, with cramping and times of heavier bleeding. My sex life also is non-existent."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2020

For Ovarian Cysts "I just started this pill, Tri-Sprintec, 2 days ago for ovarian cysts, and I have high hopes for it. I went through so many doctors who told me everything was fine with me, but I knew something was wrong. Finally, I found a doctor that actually ran the blood tests for me and diagnosed me with PCOS. I’m 27, I can’t believe it took this long for someone to listen! Anyways! I was dealing with extreme anxiety and constant agitation for years, and starting this pill, I finally feel normal. Thank God! No mood swings and mini rages. I’m excited to finally have something that works for me!"