Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Rit...
• June 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m 21 years old. I gained 15 pounds in 3 months while on Sprintec. My sex drive went way down to the point where I just wouldn’t enjoy sex anymore. I couldn’t naturally get wet anymore, so it was painful when we would have sex, so we had to start using lube. The worst thing was that it messed with me mentally. I would have the worst mood swings, and I was very depressed, irrational, and frustrated. My boyfriend is the one who talked to me and asked what was going on with me, and I just completely broke down crying trying to explain that I had no idea what was wrong with me and that I just didn’t feel like myself. He told me it could be my birth control, and just then it clicked in my head, like duh, of course it is. So, I immediately stopped taking it. This is 2 months later that I’m writing this, and I feel 100% better! I’ve lost 10 pounds, and I finally feel like myself again!"

• Izz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Marzia was the first birth control I had ever been on. I took it pretty irresponsibly the first few months I was on it, but the last three months of taking it, I was very serious about it. I did notice some changes with my mood, nothing too serious, but definitely random fits of crying. The pill had no effect on my weight or skin, but my period was definitely regulated, cramps were still very bad, but my period ended within 5 days. I was forced to change to Tri-Lo Sprintec, but for a first birth control, I really didn't mind Tri-Lo-Marzia. It was completely effective in eliminating pregnancy when used properly. Don't stress yourself out reading these reviews, which was a mistake I made. Everyone's body is different, and the only real way to know what side effects you'll experience is if you take it."

• Liv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I was so scared to start taking this pill because I came on here and read all the negative reviews. But what you have to remember is that everyone's body is different and will react differently on this medication. For me, I have not had any changes whatsoever. I am still completely the same person I was before I started taking Mono-Linyah. No mood swings, cravings, bleeding, depression, or anything negative like that. If you are about to start this medication and are worried after seeing all the terrible reviews, just remember I was scared to take it too and I couldn't be happier with it. I have nothing bad to say about it! Just remember everyone is different and if you have a negative reaction to it there are plenty of other options to try!"

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible. My pharmacist told me it's exactly the same as Sprintec. I've been bleeding for almost two weeks and have felt so insecure and emotional with hormone swings. I just straight up stopped taking it. I have an appointment with my OBGYN on the 15th, and I'm demanding I get Sprintec back or to send me to another doctor who can give it to me. It's not identical, it's worse. I wish I never took Mili."

• Owo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Mili for four months now, yes, the first three months were awful because of awful mood swings, but the side effects faded, and it really isn’t as bad as everyone says. I’m actually losing weight, and my acne clears quickly, it’s not that bad."

• Use...
• August 8, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Tri-Lo-Mili for over a year, it’s my first birth control. I’m switching to a more permanent form of birth control for convenience reasons. But this birth control has been nothing but great. I am highly sexually active with one partner and do not use other forms of contraceptive. I’ve gotten my period every month on time for the past year. I’m the same as I was before taking it, and I would 100% recommend it to others. I was extremely emotional at first, just sensitive to yelling and conflict, the idea of an animal in harm had me sobbing, but that faded away after about six months. But in my experience, it’s definitely done its job at preventing pregnancy considering I use it on its own. And with minimal to no side effects. Everyone is different, but I would recommend :)"

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2019

For Acne "I am never one to post reviews anywhere, but I just had to for this drug for anyone out there who is still battling with acne. I’m in my mid-20s and suffered from acne for almost 3 years. I’ve tried everything and spent $$$ just to get rid of it. Birth control pills were prescribed by my derma, but the first brand that he gave me (Alesse) made me depressed and way too emotional, so I had to ditch that one. Tried to switch to another one, but I’ve suffered way too many side effects and tried two more before I landed on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I’m on my 3rd month of using it, and I have zero acne, not a whitehead on my face right now. I’ve had a breakout in my first month of using it, mostly around my chin and jaw area, but after that batch cleared up, I haven’t worried about acne anymore. Best one I’ve tried and will be on this pill for as long as I can!"

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2021

For Birth Control "First, I’m not writing this to scare people who haven’t taken Sprintec yet, because clearly it does work for some people. I do want to warn those who start taking it and notice emotional changes to stop taking this pill. I felt like I was going crazy on this birth control. I experienced intense sadness, I felt like I didn’t know who I was, and was on the verge of tears all the time. It was awful. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize my birth control was causing this at first. I got a therapist and was mildly depressed for months. One month, I was feeling so unmotivated I just stopped taking my birth control for 3 weeks. Eventually, I started a new pack and within a few days I noticed that I felt just as horrible as I did when I first started Sprintec. The reviews here helped me realize I wasn’t alone. I contacted my provider immediately and switched to Yaz with side effects so far :) Please, if you relate to this, don’t make the mistake I did and switch to another birth control!!!"

• 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!"

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

For Birth Control "I will say, I was very hesitant to try this after reading all of the negative reviews, especially since this was the first time I've ever been on birth control, but keep in mind that not everyone reacts the same to medication and contraceptives. I am currently on my 4th pack, and my period starts at the same time every month and is a lot lighter, and I also don’t cramp as bad as I used to. As far as the birth control aspect of it, it definitely works if used correctly. On my first pack, I did experience a little bit of nausea and mood swings, but now that I’m used to it being in my system, I don’t experience any side effects. I recommend it."

• Bug...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2020

For Birth Control "So I've been on this pill for 9 months. It's given me really bad mood swings, depression, etc. I almost feel manic depressive on it. The hormone levels change drastically throughout the pill pack, which is why you get mood swings. Look for a monophasic birth control instead - going off this drug now. It worked on the whole no-pregnancy bit, and my periods were very short and light. No acne either. But I'd rather not feel crazy."

• Emi...
• December 5, 2010

For Ovarian Cysts "So I've been reading other reviews for this, and I really think that people should wait until after the first month to decide if this is a horrible birth control because OF COURSE we're going to have the bad side effects the first few weeks! Our bodies are adapting to a new drug so just be patient! The first three weeks I had nausea, mild mood swings, loss of appetite, and EXTREMELY sore and swollen breasts. Since then I've been side effect-free. I've been on it for three months now, and I have to say it's amazing! I take it for PCOS, and because of my PCOS, I would be having periods every 6 months, and they would be KILLER! I would literally be in bed for days, but with this birth control, I have mild, short periods. It's fantastic. I definitely recommend it."

• nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2021

For Birth Control "HORRIBLE! I was on Sprintec, which I loved, no side effects at all. Unfortunately, my pharmacy ran out of Sprintec and gave me this awful little pill. My mood swings are horrible, I am extra emotional, my stomach is severely bloated as if I am pregnant, bad gas, night sweats, and the worst of it all, I CAN NOT STOP EATING. Since taking this, I am hungry all the time, and I'm reaching for carbs mainly. This is terrible, and I spoke with my gyno, and she sent another prescription to the pharmacy to give me only Sprintec that they cannot give me any other."

• Lyn...
• August 14, 2014

For Birth Control "The pill started great until every time I take it I want to vomit all the time. Practically, had the experience of a pregnant woman. I gained weight, was expected, and had terrible headaches that don't go away for hours. Impossible to sleep without wanting to vomit. I've been having emotional problems, feeling depressed and crying without reason."

• 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."

• Cri...
• March 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I used Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, the brand, for 2 years. It’s all I’ve ever used. I am 29 years old now, and I am so devastated that Jansen has discontinued this because it was too expensive to manufacture, which means they weren’t making as much money as they wanted. But for me, it is the best birth control pill out there! No weight gain, no breakthrough bleeding or mood swings, no pregnancy, and I’ve never used any backup birth control or condoms - just the pill. I don’t even know where to go now or what to use instead. Please bring back this birth control pill!! It’s been so amazing. I was even willing to pay the $150 per month to get it out of pocket because I don’t want to risk crazy side effects of any other birth controls."

• 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."

• Con...
• December 1, 2014

For Birth Control "The positive I had on this medication was having great, clear skin. But the negatives very heavily outweigh the positives. I've been on this for a month and a half and already have to stop taking it. I get constant headaches, my mood swings are off the wall (affecting my boyfriend and I's relationship), nausea, difficulty concentrating, irrational thoughts, and depression. Switching off of this immediately. If you are prone to depression, DO NOT take this pill!"

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2021

For Birth Control "My pharmacy automatically switched me to Tri-Estarylla after Tri-Prevefim wasn’t partnering with them, and it genuinely was the worst 3 weeks of 2020/2021, and that’s saying a lot. Although allegedly sharing the same ingredients as Tri-Prevefim, Estarylla made me legit crazy. From lack of sex drive and less lubrication to the most dramatic mood swings that only toddlers should have. Within a two-hour period at one point: I was angry, too happy, too depressed, too giggly, too sad, too frustrated, and topped it off with crying the night away. I might as well get an Oscar for my performance. Jokes aside, please do not subject yourself to this misery."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2013

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. I've been on it for almost five months. I've been on two other pills before. They made me have severe mood swings and horrible depression, so my doctor put me on this one. I love it. My breasts have gotten bigger as well, which is a HUGE plus for me. Also, the only thing I use is these pills, no condoms or anything else, and I have a very active sex life, and I haven't gotten pregnant, so it is doing a great job. It has given me a higher sex drive too. I have two problems with it, but the pros outweigh the negatives. Firstly, I get nausea when I start a new pack. It usually lasts 3-4 days. It also gives me heavy periods. Though, they only last 3-4 days."

• Viv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I was scared to try this after reading the comments here, but this is what my gyno prescribed me, and I trusted her recommendation. I took this every day as prescribed, and I didn't have a problem. I haven't gotten pregnant, so it works. I do feel like my sex drive is lower, but it's been on the decline since before I got on the pill, so I’m not sure if I can blame it on that. I didn’t experience mood swings like others have shared. One thing to note is that I have gained a significant amount of weight - I tend to go up and down in weight (I've always struggled with this), so again, not sure if I can blame that on the pill. Overall, I would recommend it because I haven't gotten pregnant, and I didn't experience negative side effects."

• Kan...
• April 1, 2020

For Endometriosis "Tri-Lo-Sprintec was my first birth control, and I was prescribed it by my derm to help with my acne, and I almost had a panic attack after reading these reviews on my first day. I actually had a good experience, and I had been on it for exactly one year. I struggle with mental illness, so I was afraid that I'd feel worse, but that didn't happen; in fact, I felt so much better after a week. I wasn't having mood swings, and my emotions leveled out. It helped my cystic acne. My skin is clear at this point, with two small blemishes a month. I didn't gain any weight, nor experience nausea or loss of appetite. I have an autoimmune thing, so I was surprised that my body didn't react badly. I actually felt so normal that I didn't realize how good it had been doing for me, so when my prescription expired a month ago and I was without, my body went crazy. This last period was the worst; it was so bad I couldn't leave the bed. If you're on the fence, give it a try."

• Leo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on Sprintec for about 3-4 years. Overall, there's definitely pros and cons for me personally. I was young when I started taking it, and it helped so much with cystic acne. It's done what it's supposed to as far as preventing pregnancy. But as I've gotten older and the longer I've taken it, I feel like I'm dealing with PMS or even PMDD (a more severe form of PMS) for more than half the month. It's terrible... The mood swings are terrible, weight change, fluid retention, acne (not cystic, but acne and dryness of skin), prone to yeast infections after periods, terrible fatigue, and I feel depressed and angry. All this with caring well for my health and my skin. Keep in mind this is my personal experience up to date!"

• jen...
• July 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, but I was told that Ortho Tri-Cyclen would be free through my insurance if I switched. So I did. I never had a problem on OTCL, and my doctor said that OTC would be pretty much the same and I wouldn't even be able to tell the difference. WRONG!!! This pill is absolutely awful. I'm always pissed at everyone. I lose my cool over the smallest things. I'm crying about everything, and I'm never happy. My boobs feel like they've gained 20 pounds and are always hurting. My sleep patterns are so crazy, and I'm always tired. My boyfriend thinks this pill has made me into bridezilla. I only have 3 days left. Thank goodness. Not pregnant, but not worth all this grief. I'd much rather pay $30 a month to be happy."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Every birth control pill will react differently to each of our bodies! The best thing to do is to just try it out and stop taking them if we see changes we don’t like. I personally LOVE this brand. My experience is awesome! I was never regular, so it has helped me get my period every month. My mood swings are normal, but I feel more energetic, I lost weight, and I feel better than ever! Sex being involved, we all know that nothing is 100 percent accurate, but I had unprotected sex with my partner over a year, and I’ve had no surprises, thankfully. Continue the routine with a pill and see if you could either love it or hate it! Glad to give another opinion and make the best decision that suits your body(:"