Ethinyl estradiol / norgestrel and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• tak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2022

For Birth Control "Went on this birth control at the age of 16 to regulate my cycle. My cycle was irregular since it started at the age of 13. I went to my pediatrician, who prescribed me Cryselle. During the second month of taking it, I noticed weight gain in my torso and face specifically. In addition to that, my appetite was insane. I had huge cravings for junk food and was hungry all the time and had lots of gas. I also struggled greatly with anxiety and depression. Literally cried myself to sleep in my room and experienced dissociation like I never had before. Panicking and crying about everything, including my existence. I did get my period every month, but at what cost? Don’t recommend it."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2019

For Birth Control "My doctor recommended I switch to this birth control about 2 months ago because of my worsening cramps on my period. This medication has worsened my anxiety, caused my depression to be through the roof, and made me break out with acne all over my face. My anxiety is so bad sometimes that I can’t even work up the courage to walk out of the door and go do things during the day. I had never struggled with acne in the past until I was put on this medication. Now I have acne scars and pimples all over my forehead that won’t go away even after getting medicine from a dermatologist. I am seeing my doctor on Friday to get off of this horrible birth control and get my life back on track. Do yourself a favor and NEVER go on this medication. It will make you hormonal and make you feel crazy."

• sen...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I have taken Cryselle for nearly eight years now. I was prescribed this birth control when I became sexually active. Its purpose was to control my abnormally heavy flow and to prevent pregnancy. For the last three years, I have been miserable. I did not believe that my worsening anxiety and depression were caused by my hormones, much less the prescription that I had taken for seven years. My blood pressure has been recorded at very high levels. My sweating is excessive and I have panic attacks regularly. My anxiety has never been so out of control, and I have withdrawn from my friends and family because of my uncontrollable mood swings. I have turned into an impulsive, irritable, and unhappy woman out of nowhere, and I need a different hormone therapy as soon as possible. If you experience worsened depression with this medication, please do not wait like me. Everyone's body is different. Go speak with your doctor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for 7 months. The first 3 months were the worst as my body was adjusting, and I was so bipolar and nauseous. Now... it honestly worsened my acne from mild to moderate, painful cysts. No weight gain. But honestly, this pill has left me an emotional wreck. If I'm not angry, I am sad or easily irritated. Happiness is rare. And I break out even worse during my period in places I never even broke out before. Not the worst, but not the best. Definitely switching pill brands."

• Mel...
• December 9, 2015

For Birth Control "This is such a terrible pill. I have never ever felt the way I did while I was on this pill. I took the pill for 4 months. The first month was okay, I had no symptoms at all. However, towards the end of the month, every day I either had a headache, had anxiety, was very angry, or miserably depressed. I couldn't stand the person next to me, any person who made a noise or laughed too hard. I was very mean and so frustrated towards everything my boyfriend did and said, and the next day I would feel bad and apologize. This pill made me feel like a crazy person and was driving me insane. One minute I was laughing, the other I was crying. I do not recommend this pill to any girls out there, this pill is terrible!!"

• str...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill about 8 months now. It's my 3rd birth control. Tricyclics give me bad migraines, and I was on Minastrin before this. Minastrin always made me really sad for no reason, too nauseous to eat, very moody and depressed, and I had no period. Cryselle was such a big turnaround for me. I'm back to my normal happy self, periods only last 1-2 days, rarely any cramping. The only thing I noticed was a little bit of weight gain, but that could also be from switching, as the last birth control made me too sick to eat half the time."

• str...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill about 8 months now. It's my 3rd birth control. Tricyclics give me bad migraines, and I was on Minastrin before this. Minastrin always made me really sad for no reason, too nauseous to eat, very moody and depressed, and I had no period. Cryselle was such a big turnaround for me. I'm back to my normal happy self, periods only last 1-2 days, rarely any cramping. The only thing I noticed was a little bit of weight gain, but that could also be from switching, as the last birth control made me too sick to eat half the time."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this pill. I've been on this pill for 5 years, and at the beginning, it was okay to use for my acne and to use for regular periods, but over time, my acne comes back horribly. I have severe anxiety and I hyperventilate. I absolutely have no sex drive. It's been making me beat myself up. My mind goes crazy all the time, overthinking. I have extreme anxiety and depression, and I have crazy mood swings. I realize that I've been changing the way that I am and being angry over small things, or I cry for super small things. I've also been having chest pains that I read are a side effect. I would not recommend this pill, and I'm deciding to go off as soon as my pack is up. I would not recommend it long term."

• Bet...
• November 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Low-Ogestrel-28 for about 9 months before my family basically had an intervention with me and told me I had to switch to something else. It wasn't until about month #6 that I really started experiencing the bad symptoms like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and anger/mood swings. I also saw increased appetite, bloating, water retention, and 10 lb weight gain. I was crying, lashing out, and overly emotional. I finally called my ob-gyn, and I got switched to the mini pill, and I feel 100% myself again. I feel like I'm on nothing. I came to the conclusion that estrogen and my body just don't do well, no matter what brand of combination pill. This pill has big-time side effects on me and messed with me psychologically. I noticed a drastic change 1 month off of them already, like I'm mellowed out and relaxed. This pill landed me in therapy because I couldn't control my anger. As a side note, it 100% did its job, which was to prevent pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Cryselle for 5 years now. At first, it did its exact job, prevented pregnancy, and regulated my period. I became an emotional roller coaster once I got on the pill, but my mom and I always chalked it up to teenager issues (I got on it when I was 16). Once I got older and grew to realize that I was severely struggling with anxiety and depression, I felt it was best that I got off. I only got off a week ago, so I can’t say what side effects come yet, but I will say that this pill makes anxiety and depression so much worse than I could have ever expected! I also struggled with severe acne in high school. Never any weight gain though, but with the depression, I had severe body dysmorphia, and anorexia could have just kept my weight down."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2019

For Birth Control "Okay, so this birth control helped my periods to be lighter and less cramping, but I became so emotional and depressed to the point where I couldn’t take it. I would cry every single day, and my mind would make up crazy situations. I just felt so emotional all the time. I’m in the process of switching to another birth control right now because I seriously could not handle the mood swings that it caused."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Horrible, absolutely horrible. I was on low ogesteral, and my pharmacy just switched it to Cryselle one day. Within a week, I felt depressed and withdrawn and completely not myself. I felt like crying and would cry at the drop of a dime for no given reason. I barely made it through one pack before I came off and actually spent a month off birth control until I could get an appointment to get a new pill. I am very sensitive to estrogen, so it is possible that I am an exception, but I have never had this experience on other birth control pills."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Horrible, absolutely horrible. I was on low ogesteral, and my pharmacy just switched it to Cryselle one day. Within a week, I felt depressed and withdrawn and completely not myself. I felt like crying and would cry at the drop of a dime for no given reason. I barely made it through one pack before I came off and actually spent a month off birth control until I could get an appointment to get a new pill. I am very sensitive to estrogen, so it is possible that I am an exception, but I have never had this experience on other birth control pills."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I began taking Cryselle a little over two years ago. I began taking it to fix irregular periods. At first, I didn't notice any side effects, but here lately, I have been on an emotional roller coaster. I am constantly going from happy to sad within minutes. I have also noticed that I have been feeling depressed constantly. People have asked me numerous times if something is wrong due to my mood swings. I don't recommend this pill at all! I have already switched pills."

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I am currently on the hunt for a birth control (BC) that doesn't impact my libido as much. My OBGYN recommended this one after a year of being off BC. I have been trying other BCs. She gave me a three-month supply and told me that it takes a month for my body to get used to it. Boy, let me tell you! If you are even remotely depressed or struggle with anxiety, steer clear of this BC. After taking this for a month, I was 10x more depressed, and really dark thoughts were emerging, and my anxiety was high. I can say I stopped taking it four days ago, and I feel so much better! I already made my appointment for next week."

• Hol...
• June 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using this pill now for about a month. My mood has changed drastically. I'm always depressed, most of the time I wanna cry, it makes me feel really nervous, and I can't stand most people, feeling stressed. I lost a few lbs, which is a good thing, and it controls my weight since I have a hormonal imbalance. But I hope to get off this pill ASAP."

• Ama...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for over 4 years. In these past four years, I have been moody, emotional, and depressed. I seriously thought I had a mental disorder, and I seemed helped because of it. The only good thing about this pill was I never got pregnant. Since stopping this pill, I have been happy... and my true self again."

• Anonymous
• January 4, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 10 years now, and it's been great up until about a year ago. I'm 33 years old now and have experienced depression and angry mood swings a week prior to my period. One week after my period, I experience increased libido, and two weeks after, I break out, then the cycle repeats all over again. I have never had acne, not even as a teen. I believe that my hormones are just changing due to aging, and I will speak to my doctor about slightly increasing my estrogen level through a different pill."

• 3ca...
• October 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I took this for 10 yrs. Began experiencing severe leg cramping and depression. During a routine exam, found a lump in my breast at 31. Had a hysterectomy at 40 due to adenomyosis and eventually had a bilateral mastectomy at 51 after developing breast cancer."

• Ont...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on it for about 3 years, it works, as I haven't gotten pregnant. My first 3 months were horrible, with nausea and vomiting on the first 2 weeks of the pack. I take my pill at night, so waking up on the first weeks of the pack was horrible. My doctor warned me of feeling 'morning sickness,' but the nausea subsided after the 3 months. I still occasionally get some nausea, but it's only if I missed a dose and had to take 2 on the same day. My periods are about 3 days and light. I always get it by the third day of taking the placebo pills. Some months I get cramps, but they're not painful. I get PMS one week before my period, and I've noticed I get really depressed, emotional, and get chin acne. I've gotten used to it, so I'm okay with it."

• Las...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take. Raised blood glucose levels on Cryselle to over 200. With Cryselle right away, I noticed my temper went through the roof. I was always mad, sad, or feeling down. So, for those reasons, I was constantly doubting myself. That was pretty bad for me, but the worst part was that it was spiking my blood glucose anywhere from 200 to 250. My previous levels, before taking this pill, were very normal at 88 fasting, so that’s a huge jump. I did extensive monitoring, and it would spike up to those levels within one hour of taking the pill and no other foods. And that was only with one full week of taking it. I switched back to my previous birth control, and four days later, my blood glucose is finally starting to regulate itself. It’s still a little high with it being 106 after fasting, but it’s the lowest it’s been in a while. I just wanted to share my experience because when I researched this drug, I did not see effects on blood glucose, and it could become a dangerous thing."

• Las...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take. Raised blood glucose levels on Cryselle to over 200. With Cryselle right away, I noticed my temper went through the roof. I was always mad, sad, or feeling down. So, for those reasons, I was constantly doubting myself. That was pretty bad for me, but the worst part was that it was spiking my blood glucose anywhere from 200 to 250. My previous levels, before taking this pill, were very normal at 88 fasting, so that’s a huge jump. I did extensive monitoring, and it would spike up to those levels within one hour of taking the pill and no other foods. And that was only with one full week of taking it. I switched back to my previous birth control, and four days later, my blood glucose is finally starting to regulate itself. It’s still a little high with it being 106 after fasting, but it’s the lowest it’s been in a while. I just wanted to share my experience because when I researched this drug, I did not see effects on blood glucose, and it could become a dangerous thing."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Cryselle for a year and one month. I had noticed some random anxiety here and there (never have had anxiety), but it always went away quickly, and I didn’t think anything of it. However, my parents noted how I was more apathetic, withdrawn, and disinterested as time passed. I was put on an equivalent (generic) of this drug at my annual, and things quickly went off a cliff. Weight gain, acne, irrational anxiety and depression, no sex drive at all with my fiancé, and mental fog all the time. I would say that it all depends on individual body chemistry, but this pill was awful for me, maybe due to being higher in estrogen than my previous pill. I am now off this and doing so much better. Do not recommend."

• Ari...
• August 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking Cryselle for just over two years and have been fighting depression, weight gain, terrible headaches, and anxiety attacks for the entire duration. I live a very stressful life, but I was always optimistic and could fight through it until I started taking this pill. After about 3 months, I tried to commit suicide, my depression has become debilitating, and I have anxiety attacks at the most random moments without any triggers. I've been off the pill for about a week, and my mood is already improving. This pill changed who I am completely. I lost my friends and became distant, all because of the depression. I'm not sure how to be me again or who I even am anymore. Be careful and watch out for any side effects."

• blb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I was on Low-Ogestrel for about a year and a half after getting married. I experienced about 30 lbs of weight gain, moodiness, anxiousness, and overall felt depressed. I stopped birth control in May of 2021 after my husband and I decided we wanted to start trying for a baby. I have always had regular periods. It took 2 months for my period to come back, and now I believe I have pill-induced PCOS. I get a period every other month, and we have been trying for about 5 months now, and no luck. We have started seeing a fertility doctor and are getting bloodwork done to see what next steps we can take. I definitely do not recommend any form of hormonal birth control if you plan to start a family down the road. Looking back, we both seriously regret the pill and wish we had gone with natural family planning instead."