Sprintec and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)
Reviews for Sprintec
- Anonymous
- September 28, 2015
For Birth Control "I've been on this medication for 3 months, and I thought my side effects would get better as time went on, when in reality it's only gotten worse. I feel nauseous every day, I don't ever want to eat. My doctor told me to take it with protein, but every time I eat, I feel even worse. I've been losing sleep every night from feeling so sick in my stomach. I feel really depressed, and my anxiety is through the roof! My follow-up appointment is in a few days, I cannot wait to get off of this!"
- Lau...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- October 17, 2015
For Birth Control "I am a 21-year-old female. I have been on Sprintec since I was 19. I started it to control my heavy periods. I have not been sexually active while using this pill. It has dramatically reduced my cystic acne (about 90%), and my weight has been stable while on this pill (I am 5 feet 9 and 160 lbs, my weight has fluctuated a few pounds up and down during the past two years, but that's my normal weight, and I am at a healthy BMI, though I could stand to lose 10 or 15 lbs). I have not experienced any mood swings. My mood has been extremely stable. I used to get very depressed after ovulating, and it would go away while on my period. I believe I have PMDD, but this pill has kept it under control."
Frequently asked questions
- Opill OTC vs other birth control pills: What's the difference?
- Is this normal - spotting and stomach cramps from starting birth control pills?
- Rya...
- July 26, 2017
For Birth Control "So I started this birth control as my first when I was 18. Only started to take it to regulate my period for college. It regulated it, I had less cramps, less bleeding, no pimples, no weight gain. I was very happy with it. I've come to realize recently that this birth control has caused my depression, anxiety, and my inability to sleep well. I've been on this pill for over two years, and I'm just now realizing what it is doing to my body and my mind, and it is very unhealthy. Look for the side effects of depression, anxiety, and lack of sleep within the first three to four months because that's when it starts, and that's when you should get off of it."
- Ali...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- October 21, 2019
For Birth Control "I started Sprintec when I was 17 (now 18). It did its job, and I was ecstatic. Around a year, I gained 15 pounds and noticed that my anxiety and depression were getting worse than previously. I expressed concern to my OBGYN and was repeatedly told that Sprintec does NOT affect those things. Fast forward to the week I stopped, there wasn’t a moment of my life for the past several months that wasn’t in crippling fear. Car rides, my loved ones out to kill me, losing my boyfriend... I was at the point of insanity and extremely close to the edge. I made an appointment with a DIFFERENT doctor to get on meds, but since I really didn’t want to, we decided to try a different type of contraceptive. It’s been 2 weeks since I stopped, and I’ve slowly been able to do the things that caused me immense amounts of fear. My panic attacks are still here, but they’re less often and intense. It honestly feels weird not consistently being anxious and depressed. If you are suffering, please don’t be afraid to stop/switch."
- Hum...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 8, 2015
For Birth Control "When I first started Sprintec, I bled for three weeks straight. My periods got ridiculously heavier (every day was a heavy day, and they lasted a week). I also got sick on the first day of my period like clockwork, essentially being confined to the bathroom on that day. Additionally, I started to have anxiety attacks about three times a week and had extreme depression with suicidal thoughts. I started losing it over nothing. I pushed my fiancé away because I found him repelling and called off our wedding. Within about a week of throwing away these pills, I was finally back to 'normal' and had to pick up the pieces left in my wake. This drug ruined my life!"
- Jus...
- March 6, 2017
For Birth Control "I used to have intense menstrual pains. I started taking Sprintec in 2012, so I've been on it for almost five years. I did not have an adverse reaction to it. The menstrual pains are almost completely gone. I notice when I do not get much exercise that month, I have minor cramps. My periods (usually spotting or light periods) start on Wednesday and usually are gone by Saturday. I've downgraded to panty liners. I always try to take my pills at 10:30 every night. Occasionally, I would be an hour or two late, and after I got into the habit of taking the pill every day, I stopped taking the white sugar pills. Acne actually cleared up, no weight gain, or depression."
- Bob...
- January 17, 2016
For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on this pill for almost 7 months now, and when I first started, I would have horrible mood swings. I've been depressed ever since the first pill, and now I have been bleeding for the last month, so I've decided to stop taking it and look for something better. Nor did it help the cramps. Just made them worse and last longer."
- Lea...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 22, 2019
For Birth Control "I just started this pill, and I am already having so many issues. I came online to see if anyone else was experiencing the same things, and thank goodness I found these comments so I knew I wasn’t alone. Since being on Sprintec, I have had horrible headaches and painful acne. And that’s just the beginning, I have also started gaining weight even though I just started the pill. I have had major car sickness, and the worst part is that I have had some spotting and some serious mood swings. I go from crying my eyes out one minute to so mad I could scream the next. It’s making me feel anxious, depressed, irritable, and just overall not like my usual self."
- Jan...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 2, 2019
For Birth Control "I’m 19, and I’ve been on Sprintec for 5 months now, and this will most definitely be my last. It got rid of my acne, but that was not worth the extreme PMS symptoms I developed. Shorter, lighter periods were not worth the anxiety and depressive episodes it threw me into. Super paranoid I was pregnant all the time. Has scared me away from hormonal birth control altogether. Never again. Would not wish on my worst enemy."
- Mor...
- July 2, 2016
For Birth Control "Getting on this pill was the worst mistake I have ever made. I had Implanon, and it was literally the best thing in the world, and when my three years came, I thought I'd give the pill a try. It's been 5 days since, and I have never been more depressed in my life. Worst anxiety attacks... I even had to leave work yesterday. I cry all the time. I'm numb. It's pure hell. Stopping the pill today and calling to get the Implanon back in."
- ckp...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 19, 2015
For Birth Control "Please stay away from this birth control!!! It is absolutely horrible! It caused me severe depression, anxiety, bloating, and mood swings. I was previously on Yasmin with NO problems, my doctor just isn't prescribing it anymore because of the rare side effects. I gave Sprintec a try for 2 weeks and just threw it in the trash. After 24 hours of not taking it, I finally am starting to feel back to my calm, rational self again. Can't believe this is on the market!"
- MDL...
- September 1, 2015
For Birth Control "I took this pill for almost a year. I thought the symptoms I had would go away, but they only got worse! Severe crying spells and extreme sensitivity to anything someone said to me, and also mood swings with depression and anxiety. I am hoping a different pill will not give me the same horrible experience this gave me. If you are experiencing these side effects, I encourage you to switch as soon as you notice them. They will not get better, and it will affect your social life. As far as physical side effects, I only had spotting the first few months, which is normal."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 6, 2017
For Birth Control "I've been on Sprintec for about 7 or 8 months. I noticed I began getting very depressed after about 2 or 3 months, and now it has only gotten worse. I'm on antidepressants, which aren't helping. I have horrible migraines almost every day, which seem to get worse. My period happens about every 2-3 weeks. I'm tired all the time, and I have ridiculous mood swings. I'm so touchy and sensitive. After reading this, I'm going to stop taking this birth control."
- Yog...
- October 16, 2015
For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 3 years now. I have the most regular periods, clear skin, don't get anxious that I might be pregnant, and haven't ever had any anxiety or depression (except for the first two months I was on it). I would say that since I started taking this birth control, I do have a weak stomach, and almost anything can make me throw up. I even have all the symptoms of morning sickness at times, but it is very rare. I think this is a good birth control for someone looking for good protection and a simple, easy pill."
- Ano...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 16, 2019
For Birth Control "This is the best birth control I have been on. It’s been two months, and I have only occasional cramps and, every blue moon, a little depression kicks in, but overall it has been great, and the best part... not preggers!"
- Bir...
- October 21, 2018
For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Sprintec for about 10 months. For the first few months, I was very nauseous all day long; the nauseousness was getting so bad I switched to taking it at night. After doing that, the next couple of months were fine; granted my periods were a day or two longer than usual, but I didn’t have any weight gain or enlarged breasts or anything. The last four months, I’ve been super depressed (even having suicidal thoughts), super emotional, throwing up in the morning at least once during the week, difficulty sleeping, all while being exhausted, my face is swollen, random period-like cramping when I’m not on my period, and I’ve even experienced leg cramps that feel like I have something blocked in my legs (it usually happens at night and becomes so annoying/painful that I can’t sleep). I’m not myself. I’ve contacted my doctor, and hopefully they’ll switch me. The pill works for preventing pregnancy, but it has definitely altered my life, mostly in a negative light."
- Ms ...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 13, 2016
For Birth Control "Just started, so what I'm experiencing may change after some time (I hope), but I began bleeding the next day of taking Sprintec, and I'm still bleeding now. Ok, fine, maybe because it's new, but I'm also nauseous EVERY DAY right after I eat or drink ANYTHING (it's helping me lose weight because I can't keep much down). Also, now I have acne like I've never had acne. I'm easily depressed, then I'm super happy, like it's confusing. This is not cool, but like I said, it is still new for me, so I'm going to give it time. My GYN says after 3 months it should be better."
- Anonymous
- October 23, 2017
For Birth Control "I started taking Sprintec in October 2016, this was my first time on birth control, so I did not know what to expect. The first few months were normal, as if I wasn't on anything. However, I did start gaining weight, and my periods started coming later than they were supposed to. I started feeling down a lot more often, and it totally killed my sex drive, which sucks because that is why I started taking it. BUT it did do its job, so I can't really complain."
- Sho...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 19, 2019
For Birth Control "I’ve tried taking Sprintec twice, and both times it has caused me severe anxiety to the point that I went to the ER because I wasn’t able to calm myself down. It messed with my anxiety and depression horribly, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I will never, ever take it or any hormonal birth control again."
- ano...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 6, 2019
For Birth Control "I'm on my 3rd pack of Sprintec, and it's honestly not as bad as what other reviewers have said. It took me two tries with this birth control, where I took it for a little less than two months and experienced horrible depression and stopped taking it. I read a review saying to give it a go until 3 months, so I tried it again. I experienced the same depression the second attempt at taking this pill. However, I stuck with it, and the depression did subside by the third pack. Other than that, I switched to this birth control after experiencing super low sex drive and vaginal dryness on another pill. I'm happy to say that sex is much more enjoyable now, so as a whole, this pill is pretty alright!"
- KLa...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 1, 2017
For Birth Control "I have been on Sprintec for four months. The first month I started taking it, I all of a sudden got extremely depressed and felt on edge all the time. I experienced nausea, some breast pain, extreme headaches, and I gained 15 pounds in the first 3 months. Some of the symptoms have gone away, and I haven't had any breakout, but I still get down in the dumps. One day I'll be high, and a couple of hours later, I felt like I wanted to crawl under a rock. Before getting on this birth control, my boyfriend and I had sex every day at least once. Now I'm lucky if I feel like doing it twice a week. There's maybe a 3-4 day period where I want to, besides that, I just don't feel like it anymore. I wouldn't recommend this birth control at all."
- M I...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 22, 2017
For Birth Control "I first got put on birth control in 2012 due to ovarian cysts. I tried 5 types in the past that didn't work for me. They either made me depressed, induced anxiety, headaches, acne, etc. I was on Aviane for roughly a year, it had the least amount of side effects, but I stopped in 2014 because of weight gain and anxiety. Now, 3 years later, I'm trying Sprintec to avoid getting pregnant. This is my first week, and so far so good. None of the side effects I had with the others. The first few days I was really nauseous, had a headache the 1st day, and I still don't have a strong appetite. I've actually lost 5 pounds, so I don't mind though. And my boobs look great. :) Will update more when I continue with this pill for longer."
- EAB...
- July 8, 2017
For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for over a year now after getting off the Depo (horrible side effects) and thought this would make me feel better. And it did until the last 3-4 months, I thought I was depressed, but reading these reviews makes me realize it must be the Sprintec. I get depressed and, like other reviewers mentioned, 'emotionally numb.' And my sex drive has been completely nonexistent, making me think something is incredibly wrong with me, but it's just the birth control! I will be off this completely and will stick to condoms. I wish there was a safe birth control for women to take without the godawful side effects. Makes me feel bad for women everywhere wondering what is making them miserable."
- EAB...
- July 8, 2017
For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for over a year now after getting off the Depo (horrible side effects) and thought this would make me feel better. And it did until the last 3-4 months, I thought I was depressed, but reading these reviews makes me realize it must be the Sprintec. I get depressed and, like other reviewers mentioned, 'emotionally numb.' And my sex drive has been completely nonexistent, making me think something is incredibly wrong with me, but it's just the birth control! I will be off this completely and will stick to condoms. I wish there was a safe birth control for women to take without the godawful side effects. Makes me feel bad for women everywhere wondering what is making them miserable."
See also:
More about Sprintec (ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate)
- Sprintec consumer information
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (1,305)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: contraceptives
For Birth Control "Have been on this for just about 2 months now. Definitely helped my skin, which was usually pretty good to begin with, but on my last BC became really bad and cystic - not a problem now! Had already gained around 10 lbs from the last one, and that weight is slowly dropping. Period is only about 3-4 days. I’ve never been someone to deal with depression, but since starting this, it’s become prevalent. I don’t think it’s just from the BC because life factors/stressors have definitely played a role, but I feel like Sprintec may be making that even worse! Overall good in every way except for the depression. Probably going to stick it out and see if it gets better..."