Sprintec and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 3)
Reviews for Sprintec
- Bir...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 21, 2019
For Birth Control "Honestly hated this. I wasn’t on it for long enough to really get an idea of how this pill was because the side effects were so bad that I couldn’t take it anymore. It gave me bad acne (which I never get), I was bloated all day, every day and gained 11 pounds in about two weeks, got awful mood swings, and had a really low sex drive. The only reason I’m giving this pill two points is one for preventing pregnancy and one for not causing spotting, which some pills cause. It took me about two months after going off the pill to lose the weight. I switched to a low dose pill and liked it way more. My boobs also went up a size or two and were painful, but that is expected with the pill. Would recommend this pill to no one though as I had really extreme side effects."
- Lau...
- June 17, 2013
For Birth Control "I have been on it for 4 months now. It was okay at first, then I realized I was having mood swings. I have no sex drive whatsoever. Annoying vaginal dryness when I do, and it hurts. I also have yeast infections right before my period for the past 2 months, which I never had before in my life. Nothing has changed, so I think the pill is to blame. My period is also a little unpredictable but very light. My skin hasn't gotten better but a little worse. Not much weight gain, though. It's okay, but just not the right one for me. But I didn't get pregnant, so that's great!"
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?
- sab...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 3, 2017
For Birth Control "Definitely not a fan. After being on it a full month, I've experienced EXTREMELY low sex drive. This is coming from someone who typically enjoys sex. Now I view it more as a chore. Low energy, low mood. Headaches... the only thing that it did prevent was pregnancy! But I'm pretty sure it does that by making you never want to have sex in the first place."
- Spr...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 26, 2017
For Birth Control "I have been on Sprintec for one month and just started my placebo pills. Since starting this BC, I feel like a completely different person. I have constant low energy, terrible bloating, little to no sex drive, and terrible emotions. I have not previously had issues with depression, so it can only attest to this pill. The entire three weeks I've been on Sprintec, I have had brown/black discharge (something I used to only experience on the very last two days of my period). This discharge seems never-ending, and so does my unhappy mood. Save yourself the trouble and DON'T TAKE THIS PILL."
- Anonymous
- July 25, 2011
For Birth Control "I'm starting my sixth month on Sprintec. The first month, I had a decreased sex drive, and my acne basically disappeared. From then on, my sex drive has increased dramatically, and the only time I might break out is the week of my period, which lasts for about three days. I didn't gain weight, get bigger breasts, nor have yeast infections or urinary tract infections. For me, this pill is amazing, though every woman reacts differently to different birth controls. I love this."
- Del...
- May 20, 2016
For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Sprintec for about 7 months, and from the 2nd month, I got periods 2-3 times a month with a very heavy flow. I also started to not care about anyone or anything. I was very insensitive about things that should have some effect on me. Sex drive dropped drastically. From having sex 4 times a day to no sex for 3-5 weeks at a time. I was always tired. Just to wake up in the morning was a whole job in itself, and I stayed tired all day. My husband and I agreed on not taking it only because of the amount of my flow each time (again 2-3 times a month). I do not recommend this pill to anyone."
- Ttt...
- September 9, 2017
For Birth Control "I started taking Sprintec the second week of August, followed by my period. Ever since I started the pill, I've experienced feeling nauseous, vomiting, morning sickness, my sex drive was low, and depression. I wouldn't want to be around anyone and was just always sad. I also experienced weight gain, which wasn't a problem. But I haven't stopped bleeding since I started the first pack. And I don't think I can handle being depressed for another two months."
- amm...
- June 7, 2017
For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I never wanted to be on birth control, but I was bleeding for over a month, so my doctor put me on it to stop it, it did within 2 days, which was great. When I first started taking this birth control, I felt great and had normal periods, didn't get pregnant, but I am on my fourth month, and I threw it away. Starting in the third month of taking it, I started to feel crazy, I have been having such high anxiety and mood swings, I have absolutely no sex drive. The anxiety gets so bad and then turns into panic attacks. I didn't gain weight, but the hunger at first was so bad, and no matter how much you eat, the hunger doesn't end. I am on day 2 of not taking it, and I hope I start to get back to my normal self soon."
- MRA...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 1, 2019
For Birth Control "I was previously on Larin Fe 1.5/30 and suffered from recurring yeast infections and increased discharge. Decided to change to Sprintec due to these side effects. Didn't help much. I don't think this increased my discharge or made it any worse. However, the mental side effects were the worst. It caused terrible mood swings, lethargy, excessive crying, and no sex drive. It was even hard to have an orgasm, and if I did, they would only last for about 3 seconds. I had no breakthrough bleeding or cramping. The first week, I did get massive headaches from the dosage change and was increasingly nauseated. I have heard great things about this birth control, I just think it is not for me. PROS: Effective (not pregnant), no breakthrough bleeding or cramping CONS: Mood swings, no sex drive. I really tried to stick it out for longer than a month, but I decided the side effects outweighed the benefits, and I had to give it up."
- Anonymous
- March 7, 2011
For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Like the other users, I had absolutely no sex life for two reasons: like them, my heavy period came back, lasting longer than before with large clots, and my sex drive was pretty much non-existent. I was switched to Apri today, so we will see how that goes!"
- han...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 24, 2018
For Birth Control "Been on Sprintec for nearly six months now, and I have to say it’s been the birth control that’s worked best for me. I initially was on Mononessa for well over a year, but due to a pharmacy change, I switched over to Sprintec. The only downsides are a lower sex drive (where I don’t really get excited anymore unless prompted) and facial hairs that grow super fast and long at the beginning and end of the placebo week. Yet it keeps my skin (for the most part) clear and my weight down."
- jja...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 25, 2019
For Birth Control "I mean, I didn’t get pregnant thanks to this, but I had been debating getting off hormonal BC, and this made the decision VERY easy! I gained 10 pounds in a month (while exercising regularly and on a diet that I follow strictly), was insanely depressed and had awful mood swings, HORRIBLE nonstop acne breakouts for the whole month like I was a middle schooler again, and absolutely zero sex drive. For the love of god, STAY AWAY from Sprintec!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 30, 2016
For Birth Control "I swapped to Sprintec from Microgestin after having suicidal thoughts, weight gain, and no sex drive. Sprintec also made me depressed (with no suicidal thoughts), no sex drive, and caused me to gain another 15 pounds. I am normally very active and social, but I just sat around all day, every day, with no desire to go out and live life. I've since started the Xulane patch and LOVE it. With the patch, I have no depression, no suicidal thoughts, my appetite has gone back to how it was before I started birth control, and my sex drive has returned."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 22, 2016
For Birth Control "Worse birth control. I have been taking it for 2 weeks, and I am already experiencing horrid headaches. I'm nauseous, and I feel like I have something just sitting in my stomach. But the worst part, I have a decreased sex drive, and when I have sex, I dry up very quickly, which is so frustrating that I can't even enjoy my sex life while being on this pill."
- Pro...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- January 4, 2017
For Birth Control "I've been on this medication for about 6 years. It's fine at first, then everything just gets awful. The two positives are my skin stays clear, although my skin has never been prone to acne, and I've never gotten pregnant. Also, it never caused weight gain for me. Aside from that, I wouldn't recommend. I feel so depressed all of the time, and my anxiety is through the roof. All I want to do is sleep. Not to mention my sex drive is completely nonexistent. It gets 4/10 because it does its job as birth control effectively as long as you take it correctly. But what does the effectiveness matter if you never have the drive to have sex? Looking for a dependable alternative that works and won't cause weight gain or acne so I can stop taking this."
- Avo...
- December 23, 2016
For Birth Control "I don't understand. This pill is terrible. I recently got married and have been taking this pill for about two weeks, and I'm quitting immediately. Tender breasts (which is not a big complaint), and also depression-like symptoms. I've read some people saying they were prescribed anti-depressants while taking this pill, which is absolutely ridiculous, and no one should have to do that. Also, I feel tired all the time, and my sex drive is completely gone. It's been causing some real strain because my husband was under the impression that I'm all of a sudden not attracted to him anymore. It's also made me nauseous most days. I don't know what is in this crap, but I'm staying away."
- Gir...
- October 8, 2009
For Birth Control "Sprintec gave me a yeast infection, constant bleeding, and loss of appetite, as well as sex drive. I haven't had a yeast infection in over ten years, so I know it was the Sprintec because I got the infection after the first 2 weeks of using it. I have used Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo in the past with very little side effects. I thought it would be the same as Ortho. I am definitely switching back, even if it costs more."
- Ata...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- June 6, 2018
For Birth Control "I have used this for three years. It regulated my periods and made them shorter and lighter. One thing I have noticed is I have NO sex drive. NONE. I still have sex and enjoy it once the process is started, but I never feel 'hot and bothered' anymore. The va va voom is gone. My mood swings are higher and lower than ever, and I think it is the pill. I have been growing concerned with my mental health lately, but it may not be me going crazy--it could be this pill. I have read other reviews that say the same thing. I am scared to stop, I do not want a pregnancy, but I want my body to be MINE again."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 18, 2018
For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this per my doctor because of breakthrough bleeding in between periods. I have just decided to stop after a month. I have had nothing but horrible side effects. I developed acne-like spots on the inner labia (thankfully that went away), vaginal dryness/irritation, increase of anxiety, lethargy, uncontrollable gas, increased appetite, and low sex drive. The only good thing is that my adult facial acne has been nonexistent. All in all, it has been a horrible experience."
- A12...
- July 3, 2017
For Birth Control "Horrible mood swings since starting the pill. Emotionally numb, headaches, constant anxiety, nonexistent sex drive. I was switched to this pill by my doc because I had breakthrough bleeding on my other pill."
- But...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 27, 2019
For Birth Control "I’ve been on Sprintec for about 10 months. It gave me migraines with nausea to the point I’d throw up. I felt anxious most of the time, and my heart was racing. It also killed my libido, and it’s been 2 months since I stopped taking them, and libido still hasn’t come back. I opted for the Fertility Awareness Method, where you use cervical mucus, body temperature, and cervical position to identify the 5-7 days when you’re fertile and use protection during those days to avoid pregnancy. No headaches, nausea, or anything I was feeling on the pill (except for the lack of libido... hope to get it back soon). For me, it’s worth it! Feeling great!"
- Mis...
- April 28, 2017
For Birth Control "This pill is horrible. Makes you very moody, very miserable. No sex drive, and made me spot for months. Was on this pill for about a year, switching tomorrow thankfully. No weight gain, but I never get weight gain from birth control. Does its job, I guess, but overall I hate this pill."
- Blu...
- June 11, 2016
For Birth Control "I started this about a month ago. I've gained about 5 lbs, I've been getting acne in places I've never gotten acne before. I get really bad migraines. Lost my sex drive, depression has increased. Overall, don't take it. Get the shot."
- Sex...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 8, 2017
For Birth Control "I've been on Sprintec for approximately 3 years. I experienced extreme nausea initially, until I learned it's best to take the medication at night. My mild acne subsided significantly and still to this day seems non-existent. Everything seemed to be great with this pill until the last 6 months or so. My sex drive has taken a nosedive. Also, mood swings have become way too frequent. It's like I can't shake this dark cloud. One day I'm feeling a tad better, and then I'm down again. Although this pill has been great physically, it's not worth my emotional health. I will more than likely have my doctor prescribe something else."
See also:
More about Sprintec (ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate)
- Sprintec consumer information
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (1,301)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: contraceptives
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!"