Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ali...
• March 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this birth control to anyone. I just finished my second pack and ended up in the emergency room after bleeding for 8 days straight with the heaviest period of my life. I am used to heavy periods because I have endometriosis, but this was the worst, along with very painful cramps. I ended up with a huge cyst on my left ovary. Other side effects I have had are terrible anxiety and depression. The first month, I was so sick to my stomach and could hardly eat. My breasts have been swollen and so sore the last two months, worse than both my pregnancies. The worst symptom is I have been so irritable and hateful, which is not me at all. I just want to feel like myself again!"

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 2, 2016

For Birth Control "I had a negative experience with this pill. I took it for a year, and while it effectively served the purpose of preventing pregnancy, that's the only positive thing I have to say about it. I experienced side effects of depression and suicidal thoughts, anxiety and a panic attack, frequent breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, and weight gain of 10 pounds. I am not prone to weight gain and haven't had this issue or emotional issues with the other 2 birth control pills I've taken. I would advise extreme caution in proceeding with taking this pill. I should have read the reviews before I took it."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Estarylla, and it was my first experience with birth control! The first two months were fine. I had a short and lighter period the first month, BUT experienced insane emotional distress. I was yelling at my boyfriend, crying over just about anything (I even cried giving a class presentation and I’m not emotional like that AT ALL). I assumed it was just my body adjusting as those extreme mood swings subsided. At the end of the second month, I got my period early and decided to finish the pack. I’ve now been bleeding for almost 2 weeks, and it is giving me extreme anxiety. I’m constantly paranoid I’m going to get blood clots and that this bleeding is irregular. It goes between what I believe to be spotting to full on needing a tampon. After reading these reviews, I have now decided to stop taking this birth control. I gave it two points because I do believe it contributed to clearing up my skin. Please beware!"

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Estarylla, and it was my first experience with birth control! The first two months were fine. I had a short and lighter period the first month, BUT experienced insane emotional distress. I was yelling at my boyfriend, crying over just about anything (I even cried giving a class presentation and I’m not emotional like that AT ALL). I assumed it was just my body adjusting as those extreme mood swings subsided. At the end of the second month, I got my period early and decided to finish the pack. I’ve now been bleeding for almost 2 weeks, and it is giving me extreme anxiety. I’m constantly paranoid I’m going to get blood clots and that this bleeding is irregular. It goes between what I believe to be spotting to full on needing a tampon. After reading these reviews, I have now decided to stop taking this birth control. I gave it two points because I do believe it contributed to clearing up my skin. Please beware!"

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2015

For Birth Control "This drug should NOT be allowed on the market. Severe anxiety, horrible depression, and loss of appetite. 1st month was okay, however, the second month was horrible. It has made me question the happiest I have ever been. My doctor had to prescribe anxiety medicine to help me get through the work week. Thank God it takes the depression away as well. Awful, awful drug!"

• Sun...
• October 23, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill, in my opinion, is the worst form of birth control to take. I took it for 2 months. The first month was fine; the second was horrible. Been on my period for 3 weeks with very heavy bleeding and HUGE blood clots. Waking up in the middle of the night 2 or 3 times to change, along with the worst cramps ever. Felt depressed, mood swings, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and felt out of breath. I have also been feeling as if I have vertigo; thought it was just me, but saw others had this problem as well. I do not recommend this birth control."

• Bir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 20, 2018

For Birth Control "3-4 months ago, the packaging changed on my Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Instead of the dial pack, I was given a Veridate dispenser pack. I was told by my pharmacist that it was only the package that changed, so I continued to take the pill. A month into it, I experienced skin that was oilier than usual. I developed anxiety. I developed severe acne. I called my pharmacy to ask if the Janssen had changed formula. I had every single side effect with brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (in the new packaging) that I had with generic. I was called back by the pharmacist to be told that it was on back order and weren't sure when I could get it again. I called Janssen Pharmaceuticals myself to report my experience. I am currently a week into taking a new birth control. The anxiety is starting to subside, but the acne is not going away. I went from clear skin to acne within a month of receiving the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo in the new packaging. Something was clearly different."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I had taken Xulane (patch) for a year and wanted to try something different, so my doctor prescribed me this pill. Everything was fine for the first 2 weeks, but at the start of the third week, I ended up passing out for the first time in my life. My anxiety before this pill was manageable, and I didn't need medication to function. At the third-week point, I started having anxiety every day that felt out of control, I couldn't get ahold of myself and had severe chills, tinnitus, headaches, numbness in my hands, and depressive thoughts. If you have any mental health issues, no matter how small, I would choose another pill. Please don't suffer the way I have."

• Ala...
• September 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I have never felt more insecure and anxious. I’m usually a very confident, happy-go-lucky person, but ever since I’ve started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, I am paranoid and insecure. I am finishing the pack and then switching."

• Ala...
• September 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I have never felt more insecure and anxious. I’m usually a very confident, happy-go-lucky person, but ever since I’ve started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, I am paranoid and insecure. I am finishing the pack and then switching."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 10 years and loved it -- totally normal periods, no weight gain, all good. This month I had to switch to the Ortho Tri-Cyclen generic called TriNessa because of the discontinuation of Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and I feel like a crazy person. It's only been a week, but I've cried most days, and I feel like it's made my preexisting anxiety worse. I also have gained three pounds in the last week or so on it. Did this happen to anyone else on making the switch? Is this normal? They're supposed to be the same drug, so I'm surprised my body is reacting so much."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and this is my first birth control pill, and it has worked great! I've been on it for a little more than 4 months. Pros: • no pregnancies • didn't change my (mostly) clear skin • no missed periods • cramps are less painful • no side effects after the first month • no change in sex drive (if anything, it increased, lmao) Cons: • on the first month, I had nausea, decreased appetite, random cramps, increased anxiety (and I already have anxiety disorders) • period flow is still the same • period still lasts 4-5 days • random bloating (I don't mind it, tbh) • my belly is a bit bigger?"

• Kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "WORST BIRTH CONTROL! I had been on it for 4 years and finally quit, after multiple trips to the doctor for acid reflux and my hyperthyroidism. If you have any autoimmune disease or are susceptible to side effects... expect it to make it 100x worse. Sinus infections regularly, then came the VOMITING of BLOOD. My anxiety has never been worse, especially being so young, coming out of high school and continuing the pill for another 2 years. With mood swings around every corner, along with anxiety attacks. Oh yeah, can't forget the INSOMNIA and a damn near panic attack when I missed a pill and had to double up. I wouldn't recommend this pill to anyone. Look up side effects on a few different websites, the list is endless and the studies are pathetic. Have a wonderful day, ladies, I hope this could help someone. If I could rate this pill 0/10, I would."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2019

For Birth Control "OTCL messed me up. Before starting it, I was breaking out a lot. I was suggested OTCL, not only as BC, but also good for acne. I took this pill for a month and had to stop. I see reviews saying the first few months are brutal, but once you’re past it, it’s fine. But honestly, I couldn’t even handle all the side effects anymore. My acne seemed to get worse. I started a full-on period after week one - heaviest flow I have ever had in my life, 9 days long, horrible cramps (I normally don’t get cramps). The mood swings - they were terrible. I would randomly just burst into tears over literally nothing. I felt anxious all the time, and whenever I was alone, I felt very depressed. This is totally out of character for me! So I tried to tough it out, and it only got worse. I finally decided to stop taking it, and wow. The difference is insane. Since the day I stopped, I haven’t had any of those symptoms. I truly do not recommend this birth control. It was insanely brutal on my body."

• Ccm...
• September 28, 2015

For Birth Control "As a birth control, this is very effective. However, after being on it for 11 months, the side effects did a complete 180 on me for the worse. One day, I woke up and felt so extremely depressed, and from that point on, my whole summer spiraled downwards. I experienced hellish anxiety, fatigue, confusion, headaches and migraines, major depression, and suicidal thoughts, and the list could go on forever. I have always been mentally and physically healthy, so experiencing such a terrible summer was a life-changing experience. I have been 3 months clean from that poison, and I do not recommend anyone to take it. It was like feeding the devil into my soul. Please, please, please do not take this."

• tea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Sprintec for close to two years now. As of late, I have experienced horrible side effects. I have had major constipation that has caused severe anal fissures. I have had heightened anxiety and depression in the last 8 months. Abdominal pain, bloating, etc. I seriously thought something was wrong with my health. I had abdominal and vaginal ultrasounds, urine and blood tests, STD tests, and everything came back fine. Yet, the symptoms still continued. I was scared and hopeless, as these were things I had never experienced in my life. It wasn't until recently, after doing research and talking with my friends, that I realized Sprintec was causing these exact symptoms I was experiencing. I decided after my last pack to stop the pill."

• bad...
• January 9, 2020

For Ovarian Cysts "This stuff Mono-Linyah messed me up. I've been taking it for at least 5 months. I have PCOS. My periods were fine; light, regular, no cramping. It seemed to be helping my mood; then, out of nowhere, I started having panic attacks. I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety in the past and have had anxiety attacks, but never pure panic that lasted an entire day, much less an entire month. I also have had some personal things that could warrant anxiety, but not to this extreme. The entire month of December was a nightmare. I couldn't take deep breaths, I couldn't eat, I was nauseated all the time, and felt like I was on a constant roller coaster. I thought it was just the holidays, and once they were over, I'd feel better, and I did start feeling better, but then one night, I had a huge panic attack again. What changed? I thought I was getting better. Then it hit me; I had just started the new month over. I quit the next day. It's taken 6 days to feel even sort of better."

• Kam...
• September 2, 2016

For Acne "DO NOT TAKE THIS. I BROKE OUT 3 months straight and threw up on my period. I was in terrible pain! I never had bad cramps in my life until taking this! LOST ALL MY CONFIDENCE BECAUSE OF THE ACNE IT GAVE ME. I'M CURRENTLY SHAKING AND CRYING IN PAIN ON THE DAY OF MY BIRTHDAY BECAUSE I'M ON MY PERIOD. I'M DONE TAKING THIS. I GAVE IT THREE MONTHS LIKE THE DOCTOR SAID AND IT'S RUBBISH! I don't know what to do now. Thinking about getting help for depression and anxiety. Birth control is absolute rubbish!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2020

For Birth Control "Y'all, this Mono-Linyah BC was terrible for me. I had run out of my regular Sprintec prescription and had to take this as a backup. This was one of the worst months of my life. I'm talking mood swings that made me actually feel like I was a crazy person. Extreme highs and lows. I've suffered from depression since age 15 (I'm 22 now) and anxiety for the past 3 years, and this made it so much worse for me. It got to the point where I was self-harming, which I've never done in the past. Also, I had acne from age 14-21, and when I got on Sprintec last year, it cleared it up completely! As soon as I started this BC, however, it started coming back :( I would avoid this BC at all costs! It is not worth the emotional damage to you and your loved ones as a result of the mood swings."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2020

For Birth Control "I have tried different brands for birth control and seriously suffered from so much anxiety and depression because they just didn’t react well with my body. I was on the verge of suicide with a pill and eventually went to my doctor to switch again before I let it get too far. I asked for the lowest dose possible with a different pill and was prescribed Tri-Lo Marzia. I haven’t had ANY issues whatsoever. Everyone is different, and I know that other women haven’t reacted well with this pill, but it works for me. I’ve never been happier. I recommended trying pills until you find the one. I was extremely discouraged for a while because of how severe my depression had gotten, but I finally found the pill that works."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Sprintec when I was 17 (now 18). It did its job, and I was ecstatic. Around a year, I gained 15 pounds and noticed that my anxiety and depression were getting worse than previously. I expressed concern to my OBGYN and was repeatedly told that Sprintec does NOT affect those things. Fast forward to the week I stopped, there wasn’t a moment of my life for the past several months that wasn’t in crippling fear. Car rides, my loved ones out to kill me, losing my boyfriend... I was at the point of insanity and extremely close to the edge. I made an appointment with a DIFFERENT doctor to get on meds, but since I really didn’t want to, we decided to try a different type of contraceptive. It’s been 2 weeks since I stopped, and I’ve slowly been able to do the things that caused me immense amounts of fear. My panic attacks are still here, but they’re less often and intense. It honestly feels weird not consistently being anxious and depressed. If you are suffering, please don’t be afraid to stop/switch."

• hat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm usually not one to write reviews like this, but this pill caused me so much grief I feel I need to. Anyone who has any form of mental illness, BEWARE of this pill. I had such terrible depression and anxiety while on this pill that I couldn't get out of bed for days on end. It also affected my thyroid so severely I lost almost 50 pounds in two months without doing anything to change my diet or activity level. I have never had this much acne on my face in my entire life, to the point I don't like to leave my house anymore. One thing I will say, it didn't affect the flow of my period very much, it stayed relatively consistent as if I wasn't on the pill. I don't recommend this pill to anyone, really. It caused a lot of hardship these past few weeks that I wouldn't wish on anybody."

• NYB...
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "My insurance switched me from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo to Tri-Lo-Sprintec. I wasn't a happy camper that they did this, I was told it's basically the same thing. Little did I know those additives were not the same thing. I took Tri-Lo-Sprintec for 2 years, I developed anxiety and was depressed pretty much the entire time I was on this pill. I was having really depressed thoughts and felt like I was going crazy. I've never had a panic/anxiety attack until I started taking Tri-Lo-Sprintec. I've been off it since Jan 2018, and I don't have those depressed thoughts, my anxiety has immensely decreased, and I haven't had a panic attack since. Do NOT let your doctor give you this stuff. I told my Gyno I ONLY want Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and no substitutes. Usually, insurance companies will cover this product if your doctor asked for strictly that item. Don't let your mental health decrease so insurance companies can save money. You're more important than that."

• Tan...
• November 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Started the Tri-Sprintec pill about 3 months ago, and it’s one of my biggest regrets. I should’ve listened to the reviews. I experienced horrible anxiety, my depression has been at an extreme low, crazy nervous sweats, nausea, loss of appetite, and last but not least, the mood swings. I’m usually a pretty chill person, aka not usually moody. So this was different for me. These pills really messed me up. That’s my honest review."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2019

For Acne "I originally started taking this birth control pill to help with my hormonal acne. Three weeks in, and I feel insane. I am incredibly depressed, having feelings of worthlessness and in such a dark place in my mind. I feel like I don’t know who I am, and I can’t control my thoughts. I cannot go a day without crying. I feel insane. Please, if you are feeling this way, know that you are not alone. I have stopped taking it, and I am hoping to get it out of my system soon. Can't the pharmaceutical industry make a pill that doesn't make so many women feel like rubbish and make them feel so depressed and anxious."