Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• 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!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Jan...
• February 26, 2020

For Ovarian Cysts "I am finding through more and more reading of reviews is that a lot of these higher estrogen, progestogen pills ruin lives. This pill absolutely destroyed my mental health. I had dark thoughts, I was aggressive and severely depressed. I gained back 10 pounds that I spent the last few months losing within the first month of this pill. I bled for three weeks straight and had super dry, itchy skin. Plus, it made sex unbearably painful, which I have never experienced before. I was practically manic depressive and extremely anxious with migraines and didn't have the energy. I do not recommend this at all, and I am really considering stopping birth control altogether as I am about to start Apri, and they say the same side effects happen. If you are trying this and have any symptoms, especially emotional and the weight, and pain down there from dryness and sex being unbearable, STOP ASAP and try something new. Please take care and don't ignore side effects."

• 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."

• Jen...
• January 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on the pill for about a year now since I switched from the Depo shot. At first, it was giving me headaches, so I started to take it right before bed. My face has cleared up a lot with the occasional zit around my period. Periods have become lighter with less cramps, and my breasts have gotten fuller. The only thing that I have noticed is my sex drive isn't what it used to be, but it could just be me."

• 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."

• kyg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2019

For Birth Control "My experience with Tri-Sprintec has been wonderful! I've been on it for over a year now and have never had any major complications. I switched to Tri-Sprintec from Trinessa due to my insurance, but needless to say, they both worked well for me. I lost nearly 30 pounds, and it decreased my appetite, my skin is finally clear, with occasional breakouts when my period is about to start. As far as sex goes, with me being on the pill, my boyfriend and I don't use protection, and it's kept me baby-free! The only thing negative I have to say is when my body was adjusting to it after I just got it, I was so moody and depressed, and my libido (sex drive) was low for the first month or so. Overall rating for me is 10/10! But keep in mind, everyone's body is different, so your experience may be different!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Jel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2014

For Birth Control "I haven't gotten pregnant on this pill, hence, I gave it a 10 for effectiveness. I have been on it for 6 months. I have gained 27 lbs on my 5-foot frame. Month one, I started noticing a decline in my sex drive. My flawless face became a pepperoni pizza. Still didn't get off the pill. The last couple of weeks, I started having this feeling of not wanting to do anything anymore. Did not want to work, nor go to school, and started doubting my feelings for my boyfriend. I started crying like a crazy person. It was just hard for me to get up. I was sleepy all the time. I am getting off this."

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I took Mononessa for years and never had a problem. One month, my pharmacy gave me Estarylla, and I immediately noticed a difference. When I called my doctor to let her know I didn't want the Estarylla and wanted the Mononessa back, like I've always had, they just acted like I didn't know what I was talking about, since it is 'basically the same drug.' Once Mononessa was taken off the market, my doctor started prescribing me Estarylla on the regular. It does what it needs to when it comes to birth control, but the side effects are absolutely awful. I have major nausea, headaches, and depression when taking this birth control. I also found it had heavily decreased my sex drive and has given me severe mood swings. I quit taking the drug for a month or two, and all symptoms went away. I don't think I'll ever take it again after I finish this month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I'd never been on birth control up until a few months ago, and I was given Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo as a starter because I did not want it to have much hormones. I went through two whole packs and decided to switch because of extremely low sex drive, extreme mood swings, and increased appetite (I would eat a full meal, and two hours later my stomach would be growling again). My relationship began to suffer due to these side effects, so I stopped taking it and am back to normal. However, this pill DID have pros: I didn't get pregnant, it regulated my period, and caused no breakouts or acne. But be wary of weight gain, decreased libido, and mood swings."

• txg...
• July 30, 2019

For Birth Control "60 days of awfulness. I was on Orth Tri-Cyclen Lo for 14 years before switching to Tri-Lo Sprintec. I don't believe it was an equivalent generic. I’m a strong, independent, hard-working, successful, and happy woman who is very driven — motivation was the first to go. I gained 12 lbs in 1 week. I was irritable, emotional, anxious about everything. I was depressed and had dark thoughts (which I knew was crazy) but couldn’t think straight enough to know I needed help. I had zero sex drive, felt bloated and horrible. Nothing mattered (relationship, career). I realized I wasn’t alone. After stopping Tri-Lo Sprintec, I started thinking clearly, the hazy brain fog was gone. I switched to Aviane - I'm 3 weeks in with zero side effects. I’m feeling myself again. Not everyone has extreme reactions to Tri-Lo Sprintec, but if you’re on here looking for answers - talk to your doctor. I have submitted this to the FDA and Teva as a formal complaint."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2010

For Birth Control "I took this for 5 months and loved it. It actually cleared up the acne I had before I started it, and it kept me from getting pregnant. I started forgetting to take it, so I switched to the Depo Provera shot. It has made me depressed, crazy, gain weight, no period, lactate, acne breakouts, and no sex drive at all. Now my doctor even thinks I might have a tumor on my pituitary gland and will have to get an MRI to find out soon. So, I have definitely switched back to Sprintec, today actually, and I hope all these side effects from Depo Provera go away."

• Arm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I began taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo when I was 13. I am now 22. I was not sexually active at the time, but my periods were extremely irregular. This specific oral contraceptive helped to regulate my period, and it has been perfect for the past 9 years. When reading these reviews, ladies must keep in mind that everyone is different. Genetics plays a huge role in whether you get/have bad acne, cramping, low sex drive, etc. It may not be because of the pill, necessarily. In my 9-year experience with this particular product, I have never had a scare when I took the pill as directed. You will have a few of those symptoms, it's just life."

• Jul...
• August 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 2 months ago by my OBGYN. Earlier this year, I began to experience a number of odd symptoms, such as: 1. Severe mood swings 2. Skipped periods 3. Extreme bloating 4. Mild acne 5. Diminished libido. I was put on Sprintec, and the first 2 weeks were HELL. I experienced nausea (lost 5 lbs). I couldn't keep anything down, it was out of control! Mood became worse. I was ready to call my doctor and ask her to put me on something else, but after the nausea subsided (around week 3), I decided to complete the 3-month trial period. Currently on Month 2, and after my first period, I felt better than ever! Mood, energy, and sex drive are at an all-time high. I will definitely stay on Sprintec."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Mono-Linyah for about 6 months now, and it works in the form of preventing pregnancy, but it has created quite a few other issues for me. I didn’t break out, and my periods got lighter, and my cramps did go away, but my mood swings were terrible. I got super depressed a month into taking it. I also was always so irritated and moody that it created a lot of tension in my relationships. I never realized it was from the pill for a few months, and I ended up getting even more frustrated because I couldn’t do anything about the way I was acting and feeling. My stress did go away while taking the pill, but my sex drive also completely disappeared as well."

• Ash...
• November 12, 2020

"I personally would not recommend this birth control pill to any woman. It completely changed my personality while I was on it, and I was depressed and constantly anxious. I was so dramatic about every little thing and cried all the time, I felt like a crazy person, and I honestly probably appeared that way too. I had 0 sex drive and was always dry, which was very uncomfortable. Perhaps the most concerning of them all was that it messed with my ability to retain memories and recall events that occurred when I was on it. The majority of these months are now somewhat of a blur to me. When I finally quit taking it, it was like a cloud had been lifted and my quality of life was back completely. I will soon be switching to an IUD, which I hear is a much less systemic option, and I recommend this to other women too."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I started this pill a little less than a year ago, about six months after becoming sexually active. I have never had any problems with this pill. I was on Accutane for almost a year, and even it didn't clear my face up as much as Tri-Sprintec has. It has also made my periods perfect, they last 5-6 days and are super light. My weight has not changed at all. I have noticed my sex drive has gone down, but it works great for a contraceptive. I stopped using protection (condoms) about 4 months ago and am still baby-free! This pill is wonderful, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap and effective contraceptive or acne fix."

• Ano...
• October 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Tri-Linyah for 4 years. I have never gotten pregnant on this pill. My boobs got a cup size bigger on it, and I was 115 pounds before I took it, and after taking it I am 125 pounds. My periods are on time and lighter on the pill. The nausea subsided about 2 months after first taking it. The only thing I didn't like about it is that it gave me mood swings and lower sex drive."

• 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."

• Ash...
• May 7, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on different pills for the past 7 years due to extreme period cramps and acne as well, but I've been on this Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 2 years, and I just want to say that birth control does NOT affect your weight. It affects your appetite, hence the fact we gain weight. The reason I know is because it's easy for me to gain and lose while on the pill, if I eat a lot, I gain instantly. If I exercise and eat healthy, same thing! I lose a lot faster on this pill. This pill makes it easy for me to maintain my weight due to the lifestyle I live! My acne has cleared up dramatically, and my cramps are gone, and my period lasts between 4-5 days. I always use condoms, but gave it an 8 due to loss in sex drive, but other than that, it's a great pill!"