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

• sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was on Trinessa Lo since 2016 and loved it! However, in December 2018, I was switched to Tri-Lo-Sprintec since Trinessa is sadly being discontinued. I HATE THIS PILL. It is now Feb 2019, and I started randomly spotting and abnormally bleeding 2 weeks before my period, and now I’m still spotting the week after. I have a significantly decreased sex drive as well. I would not recommend this pill! I'm going to get it changed ASAP."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2021

For Birth Control "DO NOT recommend. I went from a happy, silly, chill, laid-back girl to absolutely crazy. My mood swings are completely uncontrollable, I have the worst anxiety I've ever had, I became depressed. This pill had me waking up in the middle of the night throwing up, constant panic attacks, and absolutely zero sex drive. I went to my OB, and she suggested I stop. I stopped it last night, hoping to get back to my old self."

• 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."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 29, 2013

For Birth Control "There are more positives for me than negatives. I have little to no PMS (used to have lots of cramps, bloating, moodiness, fatigue, breakouts, breast tenderness). Almost none of that now. Periods much lighter and shorter. Skin cleared up a lot (although I get a zit once in a while now I think because my body has adjusted to the hormone levels). The only drawbacks are decreased sex drive and annoying vaginal dryness."

• SUZ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Sprintec is an effective birth control, but awful side effects. Just like many reviewers, I have been on Ortho Tricyclen Lo and subsequently Trinessa Lo for years... and loved it. Both are manufactured by Janssen, and both have been discontinued. So I was defaulted to Tri-Lo-Sprintec. I hate this drug. It should not be considered an equivalent to the Janssen brands. I have been dealing with acne, weight gain, and zero libido. I gave it 3 months and do not see improvement. I'm hoping there is a better alternative to the Janssen brand after speaking with my doctor. Good luck, gals!"

• TEL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Tried to make a longer post but had to cut it short. I have been on birth control since around age 21, originally for acne. I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. My doctor advised me to go back on BC for at least 3 months after returning from a Zika zone. I was sent Tri-Lo-Sprintec from my mail order pharm. NEVER AGAIN! In no particular order, I have extreme irritability, extremely sore boobs, INSOMNIA, experienced my first panic attack, ZERO SEX DRIVE, vaginal dryness, and the worst acne I have had since age 13. This med is NOT the same as Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, so make sure you insist to your doctor that you do not want it. In all my years of taking BC with little side effects, this has been the worst 3 months ever."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for a little while now. I’d say maybe 2 years? It’s my second birth control I’ve been on because my body got too used to the first one. It was good in the beginning, but I don't like it now! My depression is so bad, and my sex drive is completely gone! My feelings are all out of whack, and I just know it’s because of this."

• 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."

• Cut...
• July 13, 2017

For Birth Control "This medication does prevent pregnancy for me. It cleared my acne and made my periods lighter. However, it gave me mood swings, extremely sore nipples, high irritability, loss of sex drive, and decreased my appetite. I've been miserable. I don't get cramps during my period, but now during ovulation, I get slight cramps. Every month I swear I'm pregnant because of the side effects, but I get my period. I'm almost done with month 4, and I'm thinking of stopping."

• EJF...
• December 21, 2019

For Acne "Worst experience. Never had bad hormonal acne (initially took bc because of bumps on my chin and the side of my mouth), but this made my cheeks break out for months. I break out with hives when I have anxiety attacks - this made it worse. Became extremely angry, violently aggressive, irritable, zombie-like. Cried every day for the past year and a half. I'm young and married, but my libido was DEAD. No sexual desire for my husband. Actually made me feel VERY indifferent towards him. Suffered from severe depression before, and this year it hit me like a truck. No motivation, no energy, no drive. The past month has been the best month in just over a year - my skin somehow is the best it's ever been, and I can slightly control my emotions better. Still get angry and feel my body heat up. Still cry a lot. And still no sexual drive. Just started Microgestin yesterday, so hopefully, it's better than this."

• Nea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been taking Sprintec for years. When I lost my health insurance, it was cheap, and it was a mono-phase pill that I could take continuously, and it's been the best pill I've tried for cramps and lighter, shorter periods. I use it to control my polycystic ovarian syndrome (it's a low-androgen pill that helps control my PCOS-raised testosterone levels). If it impacts T levels too far, it can lower the sex drive too much for some people. For me, it removed the worst aspects of having naturally high T levels and put me into the 'normal' range, though, including 'balancing' my sex drive and clearing up my acne. I also use this pill continuously (4 periods/year) to minimize pre-menstrual and menstrual migraines - 'yay,' I get both types. No period = no hormonal migraines."

• Hun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2019

For Birth Control "Absolutely the worst BC I’ve been on in my 13+ years. I will refuse to accept this when I go in for a refill. This has given me horrible cramps, headache, breast pain and tenderness, mood swings, nausea, and has killed my sex drive. Definitely no way to get pregnant on this if you never want to do anything, so I guess it works in that aspect. STAY AWAY. I wish I would have known before leaving the pharmacy. I can’t wait for this to be over!"

• Gtu...
• July 9, 2018

For Birth Control "If I would have stayed on this medication for a few years, I would have developed Crohn's disease. Being on this birth control killed my sex drive, gave me acne that I never had before, and completely ruined my upper GI while on it. If I were to go drink a beer, I would immediately throw it up. I had intense stomach pains every day while on this and constantly felt nauseated. My quality of life went down so much, and my depression and anxiety increased to the point where panic attacks were somewhat frequent. Quitting this birth control was the best thing I did for myself. It ruined me for so long. Hate this stuff so much."

• Anonymous
• June 19, 2018

For Acne "I began taking this pill for my acne. I switched to this one because I was getting horrible cramps. I am 3 months in and have noticed a few side effects. 1: My period is ridiculous. I thought BC was supposed to help regulate, and I have no idea when my period is coming or how long it will last. I've had a period for 2 weeks on, one week off, and then back to when my period should be again. Awful. 2: It has not helped my acne and may have actually made it worse. It is still early, and it might just be getting used to my system still, so I am unsure. 3: My sex drive is dead. Absolutely, positively, birth control causes the idea of having sex (or even kissing) to make me sick and uncomfortable. On the bright side, I don't have cramps anymore, but I have no clue when my period or spotting will happen or for how long. I do plan to switch ASAP."

• Sta...
• October 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I have currently been on Ortho Cyclen for a few months now and am going back to my doctor soon to see if I can be prescribed something else. The good for me: very effective when taken correctly, and light periods with bearable cramping. The bad for me: terrible mood swings, bloating, very low libido, and nausea. If I didn't take this pill before bed and after a meal, I'd be sick to my stomach. I have experienced bloating, but haven't gained any weight. The low sex drive I have experienced on this has been very bad. Overall, it's free through my insurance and didn't get me pregnant, but the negative side effects are not worth it anymore!!"

• Ort...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2019

For Acne "I'm on my first pack of Tri-Lo-Marzia. I just finished the 3 active weeks. I was switching from Ortho-Tri-Cyclen-Lo, and my concerns were: * weight gain * acne * loss of sex drive * shift in mood. My skin was probably my biggest worry, but it's possible my skin looks better than it did with Ortho-Tri-Cyclen-Lo. I have not gained any weight. Really not feeling any different re: appetite/ water retention/ cravings. Sex drive - I did not need to worry about a decrease here. This may be the biggest issue - I always thought I already had a high sex drive, but omg, this pill is making me a little too feisty. Wondering if my hormones are adjusting. Mood... the first few days I was a little road ragey, but it's possible I may have been anyway, but I felt a little different/ more unstable. That seems to have passed. Overall, still feeling like my happy, sometimes anxiety-filled self, but just a hyper-sexual version of myself."

• Not...
• April 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I haven't taken any birth control at all for almost two years since having my baby, and I was prescribed TriNessa 3 months ago by my midwife. Periods are short, and it has cleared up my skin so much, which is awesome, however, the bloating is terrible. I have always been a thin person and have never had any weight issues, but my stomach is so fat and bloated it looks like I'm 2-3 months pregnant. Decreased libido is the other negative side effect that I am experiencing as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2014

For Birth Control "I am on Tri-Previfem, and it's been about 7 weeks, and I've already consulted with my doctor to change birth control. Overall, my experience on Tri-Previfem was awful. I bled the entire first month, and now, on my second month, it's causing me to have painful intercourse."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2018

For Birth Control "The worst! New gyno suggested after I specifically requested Ortho Tri-Cyclen L. On this, I gained 29 lbs in 3 months. I work out 5 days a week and can’t lose 5 lbs. I’ve been depressed, moody, bloated, severe headaches, having anxiety, and either eating everything in sight or not eating at all. And absolutely no sex drive. I do not recommend this product to anyone. It also caused my lymph nodes to swell up. Please be extra careful when trying these pills. I just threw out my pills in the trash..."

• Mrs...
• September 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 10 years and loved it and had no side effects. I had to switch to Tri-Lo-Sprintec 2 years ago after my insurance wouldn't cover Ortho anymore. Since switching, I have gotten horrible acne, and I never had acne before, even as a teenager. I've also become very moody and have no sex drive. I've also gained between 5-10 pounds that I just can't get rid of. After reading other reviews on this pill, I was finally able to put the pieces together and realized the pill seems to be the culprit for my issues. Once I finish this pack, I'm getting off of it. Stay away from this birth control!"

• New...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Overall, I’m satisfied with this pill. I remember looking at these reviews before I started the pill, and I was nervous. Sprintec works really well with my body. I get occasional headaches (when I’m starting a new pack) and moodiness, but nothing too crazy. The only reason why I didn’t give this pill a 10 is because my sex drive is much lower on this pill. I went from being in the mood most of the time to not wanting sex without being prompted. It made me super dry, so now I have to use lube, but I’ll count my blessings... I’m sure the side effects could be worse."

• KG4...
• September 9, 2013

For Birth Control "As a birth control, I was on this for over 6 years with no problems. Now I'm back on to control my moods after 2 births. Trying to get my hormones back in check. And I'm not too happy. I feel like I have no energy and no libido, both of which could be due to the kids. However, my mood swings are back in check. I have gained a significant amount of weight in the year I've been back on it (6 lbs) despite no changes in diet or exercise. So overall, it's doing what it should. But I wish I was me again. Hopefully that will come. My husband is really sick of the no libido thing though."

• pla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo since February, with a 3-month break in the summer. I actually experienced very low appetite, when I'm at the end of my sugar pills, I'm starving, but the rest of the month I never feel hungry, so I think the pill has helped me lose weight. As for acne, no real difference, I'm still struggling with acne, but over the last year, being on or off the pill hasn't made a difference. I haven't ever been nauseous or sick at all, but I do take it at 7 pm. The biggest side effect I've noticed is low, low sex drive. Absolutely no interest in it at all. And very low energy. I plan on going off the pill to see if it's causing this side effect."

• Kme...
• April 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I personally do not like this pill. This is my second month of being on it. The first month was good, like normal. I noticed that my period was a day later than usual and that my period cramps were worse than before (I struggle with severe cramps at least 2 times a year). The moment I started my second month on this pill, all hell broke loose. Day 2, Monday, I felt so sick and had a massive headache that no matter what I took would not leave. Day 3, I still felt so sick to my stomach and still had a headache. I had to get Excedrin just to ease the headache. Since I started my second month, I have noticed: weight gain/bloating, sore breasts, more sensitivity to touch, headaches, no appetite, nausea, depression, no motivation, and lack of sex drive. After this month, I'm going back to my original pills, Falmina, I don't care if I have to pay for them. I would rather pay $14 than feel like rubbish every day. Take this pill at your own risk."

• LH1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2019

For Birth Control "As far as birth control, Estarylla works. My periods are regular, and there is no spotting between them. As far as everything else, this pill is horrible. For the longest time, I have not been able to figure out what was causing my anxiety and depressive episodes. I have always battled with anxiety, but this pill has made it so much worse. As soon as I stopped taking it, I was anxiety-free (outside of the normal), and my sex drive increased by miles. I wouldn’t recommend this pill to anyone, especially those who struggle with anxiety. Never again."