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

• Ken...
• January 30, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill, Femynor, for approximately a year. It started out okay, but a few months in, my periods started happening in the middle of the pack and lasting until the end. Also, the main reason my doctor recommended this pill to me was to clear up my acne. I have not seen a difference - I still break out a lot every month right around the second week, and my face doesn't tend to clear up until after my period... just for it to happen all over again. I came on here to see if anyone else had similar side effects and was surprised to see how many comments there are on anxiety/depression. I have never been one to be super anxious/depressed, but this past year, it has been so bad. I can't confirm this is the sole reason, but it does seem a little suspicious. I stopped taking it this month to see how I feel - I'm getting sick of trying out different pills though, this must be my fifth try. Just remember, everybody is different!"

• Aly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2021

For Birth Control "My experience being on this pill is by far some of the most traumatic experiences of my life. I started it when I was a senior in high school (about 2 years ago), and I immediately was thrust into an extremely dark depressive episode, which had aftereffects that lasted for about 3 months-just because of how deeply scarring this episode was. I was extremely happy, positive, and stable with some mild anxiety that I was quite good at managing, with no history of depression or ideations of self-harm/suicide. However, starting this pill had me thinking some of the darkest and scariest thoughts of my life, and after I stopped taking it, I almost immediately (a day or two after) felt a tangible difference in my thoughts and feelings. A couple of days ago, I decided to try it again, just in case maybe it would affect me differently-but it did the exact same thing unfortunately, and I was thrust into another very scary depressive episode with extreme anxiety. Please be very careful."

• NTL...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 15, 2013

For Acne "I started taking Tri-Sprintec when I was 17. I am now 24. This was originally recommended to me by my OBGYN for acne and migraines, and it has made my skin great and migraines disappear. Occasional breakouts, but nothing major. In the beginning, I had no major emotional, weight, or period issues. My periods are still very light and last about 5 days. After a few years, my weight spiraled out of control, and I ended up gaining about 45 pounds (from 122 to 160!) and also dealt with depression, anxiety, low energy/lethargy, and increased appetite. Every body is different, which is why it is important to monitor your symptoms over YEARS. Things can change. I am now switching to a lower dose of hormones and seeing if there is a change."

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2025

For Birth Control "Love, love, loved Mili. It was the first birth control I ever took. I was on it for three years, then my body got adjusted to it, and it stopped working, so I had to switch (this is not the medication's fault, it's a genetic thing). If I could go back on Mili, I absolutely would. I started taking it for bad periods and horrible month-long cramps, and it fixed them completely. I can't comment on weight loss/gain or bra size changes because I was still going through puberty when I started this, so any weight difference or change in bra size could've been because I was in peak puberty. I also had clear skin almost my entire time on Mili, even though I was a teenager, and I never struggled with anxiety or depression while on Mili until right before I went off it, but that was for personal reasons, not because of the birth control. Overall, I loved this birth control, and I never would've gone off it if I didn't have to. 100 percent recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for about 6 months. At first, I was fine, but then after a month or so, I started to notice that I was unbearably tired. I would constantly feel the need to sleep. I also felt bloated and gained several pounds. This pill has not only made me feel tired and depressed, I have also no sexual drive, and sex is often very painful now. It's effective because I'm not pregnant, but warning, it makes you feel crazy."

• 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."

• Kat...
• April 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on TriNessa for a year and a half now. It's prevented pregnancy, made my boobs bigger, and made my periods more regular and lighter. However, I have been severely depressed and anxious. I never realized that it was because of TriNessa due to the fact that I've been dealing with anxiety and depression for 7 years now. However, ever since I started, I have been so anxious that, at one point, I was borderline anorexic from being nauseous with no appetite. I've had severe sleep disorders that have stemmed from the anxiety and depression, and I've had serious thoughts of suicide on multiple occasions. DO NOT take TriNessa if you have a history of anxiety or depression!!!"

• lex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this birth control for about 2 years. At first, this pill does the job, relieves cramps and lessens bleeding, but recently these symptoms have come back. I have miserable cramping, heavy bleeding, and extreme backaches (to the point I can’t walk). Along with this, about a week before my period even starts, I not only become depressed, I also experience almost suicidal thoughts. These things have made my period one of the most miserable things that I have to deal with each month."

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

For Birth Control "This Previfem was the first birth control I tried. I was hoping to prevent pregnancy and reduce my severe period cramps. I’m not pregnant, but I have terrible nausea, constant gas and bloating, zero sex drive, itching down there that I saw someone else mention as a side effect of this. Depression really got worse, and hating my bloated body all the time definitely didn’t help. Doesn’t matter when or what I eat, I feel constantly sick. Stuck with it for three months, and nothing has changed. Would never recommend this pill."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I was taking Sprintec for years, but 4 months ago I got switched to Mili. Boy oh boy. The first few months were bad, but this last month... oh my gosh. I’ve been bleeding for 15 days (regular periods usually last for 3-4 days). I’ve had 6 anxiety attacks within the past week, hot flashes, cold sweats, no appetite, lack of motivation. Literally, I feel awful. I’m stopping it this month. I’m not even being dramatic when I tell you this pill is a nightmare. It may work for some, but this pill is literally so bad for me."

• Sop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2019

For Acne "I was forced to switch over to Tri-Sprintec because they discontinued Tri-Nessa Lo. I have never had worse acne in my entire life. If I had read these reviews previously, I would not have taken it. The pharmacy said it was 'pretty much the same.' It is not, I should have been put on the Tri-LO-Sprintec. There are two different strengths of the Tri-pills, the low and the higher one. They changed me to the higher one. This medication has caused my depression and anxiety to spike in extremes. I have never experienced cystic acne until now. Full coverage makeup cannot hide the embarrassment I've been feeling in public for months. I've taken it for 3 months, and it's been 3 days since I officially stopped."

• kok...
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Okay, I read so many reviews before starting this pill that made me skeptical, but I decided to try it out anyway. Overall, I would give this pill a solid 4. The first few months, I was pretty moody and crampy, but overall the pill had me feeling great! (I mean I would've rated this pill a 10 starting off!) Here we are at least 9 months into the pill, and I feel absolutely revolting! I've gained so much weight, and I don't even know how because I'm always nauseous and vomiting, so how am I even gaining anything? Don't get me started on the depression... I have to fight to get out of bed and even care about college... I also have no sex drive! This is so hard, especially when you're in a committed relationship and want to engage, but mentally and physically I just can't because I feel so disconnected. I've stopped the pills, and now I'm trying to find something else! Just please beware! This doesn't mean the pill will affect you like this, but just be cautious!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I am 34 years old. I have 2 children, one is 8 and one is 6. I switched to this birth control from Ortho. I got pregnant on this pill. I had to have an abortion because I am not able to have another baby. I was 6 weeks pregnant. I took this pill every day, I never skipped one pill. This has put me in a depression, and now I can’t get out of it."

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I was a huge fan of Trinessa. I was on it for a year and a half with no issues and no side effects. I stopped taking it for about 6 months because I was no longer in a relationship and just wanted to see if anything changed (weight, skin, mood) if I got off the pill. I decided to start taking it again just to keep my periods more regular and because I forgot how terrible my cramps are without birth control. I went to my pharmacy and got a refill and noticed they discontinued Trinessa and was given this Tri-Sprintec stuff instead. I’m almost at the end of my second week taking it, and it is terrible, nothing like Trinessa. I’ve had weird stabbing pains in my left breast, I’m tired 24/7, my anxiety has been awful, I’ve had no appetite, and my stomach has constantly been upset, and I’m so depressed that I barely want to get out of bed. If you were previously on Trinessa and liked it, do not get this. I’m going to have to try and find a better Trinessa equivalent now."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I really don't like this pill. I feel sick all the time. Headaches, blurred vision, motion sickness, hot flashes, and depression. My vagina is always dry and itchy. I am so sick to the point of leaving work and lying in bed all day. The weight gain is horrible. I was on it for period control."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I had been on Tri-Sprintec for about a year and a half to prevent pregnancy. A few months after starting to take it, I began to gain weight and became severely depressed. I would cry at every little thing, and my period cramps were worse than they were before. I couldn't sleep and had no sex drive. It didn't even occur to me that these changes were due to my birth control until I finally went to the doctor, who told me that sounds like symptoms of Tri-Sprintec. I just got an IUD placed, and I have never felt better, I have my personality back."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "Definitely a horrible birth control. Started it 2 months ago, and I have put on weight, irregular spotting in between periods. Most of all, my mood swings have been so bad. Makes me feel bipolar. I cry over everything and get so mad. Even feel depressed. Was on Tri-Previfem for years and didn’t have any side effects. Switching back next week. Pharmacists claim they’re all the same ingredients included, but I disagree."

• for...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I have loved this birth control for some time, but it has made me gain weight and enlarged my boobs, which I hate. The last couple of weeks, it has made me super depressed and have major mood changes, which is why I am coming off this BC."

• Gan...
• January 25, 2020

For Birth Control "Started my 3rd pack a week ago. It’s not perfect, but I’m fine with it so far. I was worried about the depression/anxiety/mood swings side effect because I’ve had depression before and still have anxiety. Luckily, my mood has not changed at all. I have experienced 3-4 days of spotting, it mostly happened within the 1st month. The worst thing is it made my boobs really sore. I think it lasted for at least half the time I was taking the first pack, and a few less days with the 2nd pack. So far, nothing for this 3rd month. I’m hoping my periods will get shorter, but that hasn't happened yet. My last period (2nd one I’ve had on the pill so far) seemed to be a little lighter, which was nice. I get bad back pain on my period for the first 4 days, and this time I only had back pain for 1 day! I also got the pill to help with my acne, but it's not helping. I’m gonna keep waiting to see if it helps, but I’m starting to lose hope. So there are pros and cons, but worth a try!"

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill for about a year now. I stopped taking it for a while and noticed that my mood had lifted and I was overall a happier person. I do think that all birth control pills can make you feel sad and depressed, but I think that Estarylla really amplified those feelings. I didn’t find it to clear up my acne, and I did gain weight. I would say this pill is average, but I’m hoping to find something better."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 3 years, I was always a Sun starter, but due to the pharm not having my meds in time, my doc had me start my new pack on a Tues. After starting on a Tues, I began to feel like I want to throw up all the time, and it will happen a week or 2 before my period. I was nervous all this time: anxiety, heart palpitations. I felt this feeling in my chest and stomach often that I can only describe as that feeling you get when something bad is about to happen, zero energy, low sex drive. I slept all the time, negative thoughts, depressed, lost weight, and had no appetite whatsoever. I noticed when I got on the white pills, I started to feel normal again. I will never, ever take those pills again. I thought I was going insane, I cried every day. I’d rather have a baby any day than to feel like that due to Sprintec. I was on Ortho Tri-Lo for years before taking that, and I can’t remember ever feeling like that."

• Jaz...
• March 10, 2019

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE Sprintec!!! It was too many hormones for me. I remember days when I wouldn’t even get out of bed because of how much pain my body was in... I would take it at 10 a.m. every day, and by 11:30 a.m. I was angry, my head would spin/I was dizzy, and my vision was so bad some days it was impossible to drive. Sprintec is terrible. I had headaches so bad my eyelids hurt (sharp head pains), impaired vision, the nausea was debilitating, my breasts were swollen for 4 months, and it made me angry and combative for no reason. DON'T TAKE IT! It almost ruined my relationship, and my family members didn’t want to be near me. I would pick fights, and I was depressed for months-crying every day, suicidal thoughts, picking fights with people... and I really thought I needed help. I even went as far as reaching out to a therapist. But all along, it was that birth control... It’s the worst contraceptive pill. Now, I am on Camila, and so far it isn’t bad."

• MMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Mili was the first birth control I had ever tried at age 27. I tried it for 3 months but felt like my anxiety, which I can control without medication, was only getting worse. I was extremely emotional and couldn’t concentrate on daily tasks. I’m in grad school and work as a nurse full time. I felt like this medication was not helping my mental well-being. I felt depressed, anxious, and irritable all the time. I was considering anti-anxiety medications just to help with the side effects. Needless to say, I called my doctor to change my prescription."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2018

For Acne "First off, I can’t believe how relatable these comments are. I took this for my acne, it did half of the job, however, I still get cystic acne and always blamed it on what I ate! Second, the biggest issue is my sex drive. It is completely gone. I thought it was me. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. I lost my sex drive months ago, and my boyfriend thought it was him! But I would try to explain to him it’s not, it’s me! There’s something wrong with me because I lost it out of nowhere, but meanwhile, I lost it about a month or two after being on this medicine, and it progressively got worse. Third is my depression-I’ve become so down and introverted these last few months, it’s like I’m a different person. I never want to speak to anyone, and I always feel like my life is pointless-I was never like that before I started taking these pills. I’m ending my package and never taking them again. I hope it doesn’t affect me long term."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Tri-Lo-Sprintec about 3 weeks ago and almost immediately began noticing depression creeping in, subtle dizzy spells, and extreme brain fog and forgetfulness. I had my suspicions it was related to the pill, but decided to give it a little longer to see if maybe it was just stress. Well, I still feel weird as anything, and now after reading these reviews, it’s clear to me it’s the pill that’s the culprit. I’m so sick of this. When are they going to come up with a birth control pill for men!!!"