Ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I took this pill for about 2 and a half years. It worked great, only had a few pregnancy scares from forgetting to take the pills on time. I usually always remembered, but it was sometimes a hassle to remember every day. I had good and bad side effects. It got rid of all of my acne and made my periods regular. I did gain about 25 pounds and had a much lower sex drive, though. I did spot occasionally, but not too often. If I decided to take the pill through my period rather than stopping, sex would start to hurt deep in my uterus eventually. That happened many times. I decided to get off that birth control a few months ago, and I could tell that I had a complete change in my body. I lost weight and felt happier. My sex drive went up incredibly."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I can’t believe it took me 6 months to figure out this pill was making me lose my mind. I have been on Trinessa Lo for about 3 years, and when they discontinued it a few months ago during the winter, they put me on Tri-Lo-Sprintec. The pharmacist said that it was the same. HA. I have had insane mood swings, depression for the first time in my life, irritability, fatigue, and no libido. My good friend's mom is an OB and is getting me on a new pill. This should not be a substitute for ortho-tricyclen Lo or Trinessa Lo, it freaking sucks!"

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I give it 3 out of 10, for 3 reasons: 1. No babies 2. It did regulate my cycle 3. When I wanted to skip my cycle, it worked right away. Negative: 1. My sex drive went to almost 0 2. My depressive episodes made more frequent appearances 3. Mood swings 4. I'm working with doctors to see if this has been the cause of other health issues I've started to have around the same time this medicine was started 5. I've gained about 15 pounds 6. I get periods of time that I'm just exhausted more than my normal would be around my cycle."

• New...
• March 7, 2014

For Birth Control "Was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo 4 years ago for 2 years, kept a healthy diet, and exercised. Gained a little weight, but just on my girly parts! Very mild PMS, regular and moderate periods. Had a baby last year and used the mini pill for 9 months. Only been on Tri-Sprintec for 6 weeks, and right away I noticed side effects. It wasn't until I read some reviews that I realized I was getting hives from it. I have pretty bad allergies, so I thought that was why. I am a very optimistic person, and anytime I feel in a bad mood, I do anything/everything to come out of it. It seemed like I was constantly TRYING to pull myself out of a funk. Also, I noticed a decrease in appetite and libido. The positive is clearer skin, except for one recent breakout, it's FREE, and I'm not pregnant."

• MRK...
• September 19, 2017

For Birth Control "THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS ORTHO TRI CYCLEN LO!! I do not care what pharmacists or doctors say. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 15 years and loved it and had NO side effects. The 'generic' was given to me because my insurance stopped covering birth control, and obviously, the generic is cheaper. Within 2 weeks, my moods were INSANE - I can't stop crying, and I am just an emotional mess. My boobs are huge and hurt so bad, and I have horribly painful cystic acne all over my face, chin, and neck. It also made my sex drive literally nonexistent. This is the worst thing that I have put in my body. I do not recommend that anyone take this. What's more upsetting is that it is acceptable to tell people that it is comparable to the real medication."

• Sue...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Tri-Sprintec for about 7-8 months now. I started after my second pregnancy (obviously to avoid a third) and kept putting off what I was feeling because I felt my emotions were related to postpartum, they most certainly were/are not. This pill causes hormonal disaster. I am cranky, quick to argue with my husband, have zero sex drive whatsoever, and cry over a messed-up order of huevos rancheros. I talked to my doctor about it, and she recommended switching pills because Tri-Sprintec is known for its side effects. I just want my body/mind back. This drug should not be marketed."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I am quitting this birth control immediately. I took Tri-Lo-Marzia for a month before I was switched to this for insurance. Both pills diminished my sex drive to where I almost never want it. Which is insane because before the pill I would want sex 4-5 times a week. Strangely enough, it has also made it incredibly difficult for me to get wet or orgasm... which I can't believe is even a thing. I've probably orgasmed once since taking it. After taking this pill, my face broke out so bad. I'm getting pimples in places I never thought I could. I just woke up with a pimple by my ear. This pill has made me very emotional. I have probably cried 10 times this month for the most stupid reasons. This pill has me fed up with birth control. It's not worth taking birth control if it's going to absolutely kill my sex drive and screw with my head and relationship. My review honestly sounds exaggerated, but this pill literally did all of those things to me."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I am quitting this birth control immediately. I took Tri-Lo-Marzia for a month before I was switched to this for insurance. Both pills diminished my sex drive to where I almost never want it. Which is insane because before the pill I would want sex 4-5 times a week. Strangely enough, it has also made it incredibly difficult for me to get wet or orgasm... which I can't believe is even a thing. I've probably orgasmed once since taking it. After taking this pill, my face broke out so bad. I'm getting pimples in places I never thought I could. I just woke up with a pimple by my ear. This pill has made me very emotional. I have probably cried 10 times this month for the most stupid reasons. This pill has me fed up with birth control. It's not worth taking birth control if it's going to absolutely kill my sex drive and screw with my head and relationship. My review honestly sounds exaggerated, but this pill literally did all of those things to me."

• Wes...
• November 22, 2019

For Birth Control "Sprintec did its job of preventing pregnancy and had the added benefit of clearing my skin. For the 3 months I was on it, however, I experienced a 10 lb weight gain (I’ve had no issues keeping weight off in the past, but even with intense exercise every other day and calorie counting on the pill, my weight gradually rose without drastic lifestyle changes). I also experienced the worst mood swings of my life (anger, irritation) and had really dark thoughts almost every time I restarted the pills for the month and came off of them for my period week. My breasts were excruciatingly tender (even laying on my back hurt them) for the first 2 months, though this stopped during my 3rd month. My libido was non-existent within the first month of starting the pill. Since going off of the pills for good, I’ve lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks, which makes me think that most of the weight was water retention. My mood is back to normal, and my libido has come back, though so has my acne."

• Unh...
• March 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I was using this medication because of extreme bleeding reasons, and my doctor felt it may help. While it did help the bleeding, it had horrible side effects. I was constantly hot and could never get comfortable, hungry all the time, very low sex drive, suicidal thoughts, horrible nightmares, depression, and emotionally unstable... To name a few! I took the medication for 4 months and finally convinced my doctor that I needed something else. Within one week off of that medication, I felt 50% better, and by two weeks, I was 100% better. I have no idea who has had success with this medication because two other women that I spoke with felt the same as me. If you are taking this to 'fix' another problem, please consider the side effects!"

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and started taking this pill because my boyfriend and I are pretty active and we use protection, but aren't necessarily fans of it. My doctor had advised me to continue using protection for at least the first month that I started the pill, and we did. I've been on the pill for almost 4 months now; no condom, no baby! The first month, I was an emotional wreck and completely lost my appetite. Now, I'm perfectly normal, haven't gained/lost any weight, my cramps are worse than ever the first 2 days of my period each month, my period still lasts a week but it's lighter, my libido has lowered, and I randomly get slight acne (I haven't had acne since I was 13 and I know it's the pill). Other than that, this pill fulfills its purpose and I'm very satisfied :)."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2020

For Birth Control "Mono-Linyah was an okay birth control. I have been on it for a little over a year and have finally realized that it’s the reason I absolutely have no sex drive and the reason I’ve been losing hair. Other than that, it’s been a good birth control."

• Han...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this pill when I was 16 for my acne. It was the first pill I ever took. It wasn’t until about a year or two later that I started to realize all the side effects I hadn’t noticed. I was tired ALL the time... like sleep 10 hours at night, wake up and take a five-hour nap after doing light activity kind of tired because I was drained. I lost all sex drive and arousal. This really took a toll on me emotionally because I was 18 years old and dry as a desert. I was a moody, miserable mess and couldn’t stop crying over literally anything. My acne slightly improved, but it’s hard to tell if it’s from the pill or my dermatologist visits. This pill did the bare minimum, it kept me from getting pregnant. Stay away from Tri-Sprintec, especially if you’re young."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2013

For Birth Control "After over a year of taking, my skin stays clear, and weight had dropped a little (nothing major though, and I'm 20). However, my husband noticed decreased sex drive and dryness, and I have to add premenstrual migraines, resistant to over-the-counter painkillers, which has never happened before. It's probably because of the amount of estrogen in it."

• Kay...
• March 16, 2017

For Birth Control "Been taking Sprintec for 7 months. It does its job, prevents pregnancy and shortens heavy periods. That's it. Switching to IUD. I don't recommend this at all. My anxiety is so bad it's tearing apart my relationship. I cry over small things. Anxiety attacks constantly. I can't sleep, low libido sometimes. Frequent night terrors, feeling hungry constantly sometimes or no appetite at all. Your hormones feel so out of whack on this. The only time I feel normal, honestly, is during my period when I don't even take the pills."

• Thi...
• May 31, 2016

For Ovarian Cysts "So I've been taking Sprintec for a month now due to different insurance. And I've had two periods within one month, I am very emotionally unstable. My ankles are swelling, I have headaches, and my sex drive is decreasing. I'm always sleepy, I never want to get up for work. My cervix was really hard and low on my period. And this has never happened before, this pill is horrible for me! I can't speak for everyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2016

For Birth Control "At 16, I went on the pill. I was on the Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 3 years with no problem aside from small weight gain. Suddenly, I had gotten my period for 2 months straight! So, my doctor changed me to Sprintec, and immediately I was getting headaches and yeast infections continuously! So now I'm on Tri-Linyah, and it's horrible! My mood swings are out of the world! I lost my sex drive completely! I went from wanting sex with my man of a year all the time to never! The amount of discharge has completely increased, it's horrible."

• kmo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2015

For Birth Control "Took it for a month and experienced horrible side effects. Constant cramping out of nowhere, painful sex, zero sex drive, swollen, extremely tender breasts, mood swings, anger and aggression particularly, some depression, constant fatigue, bloating, and an irregular period after years of it being regular. Had to stop taking it to get my sanity back."

• kmo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2015

For Birth Control "Took it for a month and experienced horrible side effects. Constant cramping out of nowhere, painful sex, zero sex drive, swollen, extremely tender breasts, mood swings, anger and aggression particularly, some depression, constant fatigue, bloating, and an irregular period after years of it being regular. Had to stop taking it to get my sanity back."

• Sad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this birth control. I am 21 and have been on many birth controls in the past. Ever since I started it, I have been having extreme anxiety, depression, OCD, and loss of appetite. I feel sick 24/7. I can't even go out to eat anymore because food is unappetizing and scents bother me. This birth control has made me want to be constantly isolated and alone. I have no desire to do schoolwork, which is unusual for me, and I will lay in bed all day and stare at my ceiling. I feel like my life is fake, and I'm watching myself from the outside. I have no sex drive, and if I do, I immediately dry up, which makes it difficult. It is not worth the emotional burden it will cause you. It gives me a very light 3-day period, which is the only plus."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2015

For Birth Control "Finishing up my second pack in the next couple of days... I take it at 9 a.m. every day. I was pleasantly surprised to not have any major side effects after reading these reviews. I have experienced absolutely zero change in complexion, weight, mood, appetite, no irregular bleeding, etc. My period did not get any lighter or heavier - I was kind of hoping it would become lighter. The pill works perfectly - my period comes on the 5th day of the sugar pills, which is nice because they used to be very irregular and spaced out. My only complaint is there has been a definite decrease in my sex drive - so I'm unsure if I want to continue taking it. Everyone's body reacts differently to medications so don't let the reviews scare you."

• SJF...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2014

For Birth Control "I took it for a while, mainly for acne, and I wanted the IUD, but my OB suggested I try this as a birth control method as well as help with my acne after I had my first child. I must admit it did wonders on my periods and acne. I had lighter and shorter periods, but my sex drive went down. I also missed a week's worth of the pill due to not picking it up from the pharmacy, so I waited till my next period to restart it, and now I'm nauseated and cramping super bad. This is the second day back on it, and my period ended just last week. I started my period again right after taking the pill the Sunday after my period ended, and now I feel like poo. I know it will pass. As I take it, as I said above, I had a great first experience besides having no sex drive."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking birth control for the first time back in October. Since I was 23 and had never been on the pill, I was expecting the worst: weight gain, acne, mood swings, no sex drive... and for the first 2 months of Sprintec, I can say all of that was true. But I just finished month 3 on Sprintec and WOW. My face is a smooth porcelain complexion, I've lost several pounds, my sex drive has been gradually growing week by week, and my mood swings are dissipating. I still get PMS-like symptoms the week before my placebos, but I had those before the pill, so really no complaint there. My depression hasn't improved, but it hasn't gotten worse either. I was depressed before the pill, so I can't say if Sprintec has affected that any."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about one year, and my one complaint is I have no sex drive at all, mild cramping, and my periods are shorter, although heavy bleeding. After reading all these reviews, I guess I'm lucky, never had depression or any breakouts. I was tired a lot, and after changing to taking my pill at bedtime versus the morning, it really made a difference."

• Bbs...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2019

For Birth Control "While it did what it was supposed to, which was to prevent pregnancy, it killed my sex drive. I’ve been off of it for 4-5 weeks and have had more sex with my husband in that time than I’ve had with him in the last 6 months!"