Ethinyl estradiol / segesterone and Depression: What Users Say

• Old...
• January 22, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m a 35-year-old woman who has Hashimoto's thyroiditis, EDS, and PCOS. I do terrible on most hormonal birth controls, and IUDs make my anemia and pain worse. I put Annovera in on day 2 of my period, the period stopped. Had a headache for a day. I started spotting around day 20, with some cramps, heavy breakthrough around day 21. On day 17, I was irritable, but fine after. I can’t skip my period with any of the low estrogen BCs like this. I did have some cramping when spotting, took Ibu, period/cramps a little heavier. I used NuvaRing in the past: depression, no sex drive, and weight gain, none on this. My hormonal acne stopped. Partner can kinda feel it, but not enough to bother him, I can’t feel it. I really like it, hopefully, I will stop spotting after this period because it would be nice to find a birth control that doesn’t make my PCOS worse."

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been using Annovera for one month so far, I’m going to give it another month to get a better idea of long term. So far, I’m feeling much more depressed and fatigued than normal. I like that it lasts for a year and you don’t have to remember to take a pill every day, but I’m hoping these unwanted side effects go away soon. I’ll update again when it’s been another month or two."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2022

For Birth Control "I absolutely love Annovera and would highly recommend it. I was nervous about Annovera because I’ve had such bad side effects in the past on BC (weight gain, severe depression, anxiety, loss of sex drive, mood swings, you name it, I had it), and I also currently suffer from occasional migraines and am prone to yeast infections, so I was nervous this would make them worse. But after doing a lot of research, I still felt like this was what I wanted to try. I have had very minimal symptoms on this, if anything, it’s actually lessened my period symptoms and made me feel more mellow. The worst side effects I’ve had are breakthrough bleeding, which is annoying, but I’m only on month 3, and it seems to be getting better, if that’s the worst symptom I get, I’ll take it! I do get headaches the week I take it out, but they aren’t unbearable, just annoying. And I did have one spell of anxiety when I took it out and had to put it back in. But weirdly, anytime it’s in, I’m a happy camper!"

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been using Annovera for birth control for 5 months now, and I’m switching when it’s time for removal due to all these side effects that I have had. No sex drive, anxiety and depression (that I’ve never had before), heavy bleeding during the 7-day removal, bleeding in between periods. I have had it fall out several times, back pain, and fatigue."

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2021

For Birth Control "So my experience with Annovera was great! I loved the freedom that it allowed and seemed like a step up from my previous experience with NuvaRing (5+ years). It was easy to insert and maintain. No thinking! Awesome! I had taken a break from my previous birth control (copper IUD, which I didn't like and that I had for several months). Initially, my chest swelled and was painful to the touch for a couple of months. That’s since gone away. My periods are predictable and light (2 days after removal). However, the depression that I’ve been experiencing has been so much I think I’m going to take it out. My sex drive is at zero. I’m not sure what’s up, but I’m not in a good place. Any and all hormone BC affect me this way. I think I paid $64 with my insurance coverage."

• Vic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2022

For Birth Control "Tried it 3 times, 2 months, then a month, and last time after a 3 month break got it in, gave it another chance, but had to discontinue due to severe depression. All 3 times, the day after I took it out, I was back to being a normal person. I only had a history of depression when I was a teenager. Now 35, and it was just as bad. So if you have a similar history, be aware of it."

• liv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2023

For Birth Control "I started taking Annovera and was really nervous about weight gain. I’ve now been on it for about a month and a half and absolutely love it. The first 3 days of having it in, I was nauseous, but that passed pretty quickly. I get really moody and depressed before my periods, and this seemed to do the same thing. I haven’t gained any weight, and I feel like myself still, so I’m very happy about it."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2023

For Birth Control "Annovera is great most of the time. However, after using it for 3 months, at exactly 16-18 hours after insertion, I vomited continuously for over 5 hours. I tried it for another month and had the same result. Despite that, it is easy to use, doesn't shift/fall out, doesn't interfere with sex, doesn't require me to remember a pill daily, and I can take it out if I need to, unlike the IUD. I have had mild weight gain and sadness, and some decreased libido, but all of this could be from the seasonal depression I get, so it's hard to separate out. I might continue using it if I can control the vomiting."

• pvs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2023

For Birth Control "I tend to be very sensitive to medications in general. Prior to using Annovera, I was off birth control for 2.5 years because I couldn’t find one that I could tolerate. I started having short cycles that were painful, so my OBGYN suggested trying Annovera. I took Annovera for one cycle - I had it inserted for three weeks and then out for one to get my period. At first, I didn’t notice any side effects, which I was thrilled about given my generally bad experiences with medication. I had a day or two of nausea and was a bit tired, but that was it. Around week 3, I started to have significant mood changes. I found myself being incredibly irritable and feeling more negative/depressed. By the time I removed the ring, I had spent 3 days in a row crying at work and after work, having two anxiety attacks at work, and feeling very depressed. After I took out the ring, I felt normal within a week. Please beware of any sudden changes in your mood!"

• Emm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2020

For Birth Control "I just started Annovera less than a week ago, and the side effects have been terrible. The first couple of days, I had a headache and nausea so bad I had to leave work. Today, day 4, I felt so depressed I could barely get out of bed. I've had depression in the past, but it's been very manageable lately. Today felt like a particularly low point, which usually comes after days of warning signs, not out of nowhere. It was so bad I took the ring out, but I plan to put it back within the 2-hour window. If the side effects don't go away soon, I'm going to switch because I can't handle a 2-3 month adjustment period like this. If the Annovera did me one favor, it was convincing me to switch to non-hormonal birth control soon. (This doesn't mean it's not for anyone, but my experience so far hasn't been good.)"

• Bug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2022

For Birth Control "I love Annovera so much. I tried using the pill, but I always forgot to take it, and then I went on the generic version of NuvaRing, which made me so depressed and anxious that I had to get off it immediately. I was worried that nothing would work, but then I got Annovera, and it's been amazing. I don't have to think about it too much, I just put it in my calendar when to take it out and put it back in. It hasn't affected my mood as much as the NuvaRing did, and it even got rid of my cramps! I used to have cramps so bad that I'd curl up on the couch, unable to move. Heating pads and Advil galore, and I'd often be sent home from work because of my pain. Annovera has gotten rid of that, and now I have incredibly minor cramps, and it's amazing! I feel upset I didn't try it sooner because I've missed out on living my life when I was on my period in the past."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2022

For Birth Control "As someone who stopped using birth control pills, took out my IUD, and stopped using NuvaRing after one week, I LOVE Annovera. Seriously. I stopped using birth control pills (Junel Fe) after 3 years because it gave me severe depression and began to make me dry to the point where sex wasn't possible without reapplying lube. I was only 18, thinking that I was going through early menopause or thinking I had a problem. It wasn't me, it was the birth control! Annovera is the best decision I have made for birth control. No depression, no dryness, no irritation. It even made me more wet, which is a plus. The fact that it's long term is nice, and neither my partners nor I feel it in there. The only downside is that for some, it can be a little difficult to put in at first because it's so soft and round, but that's the only negative. Annovera is worth it. Try it out! (By the way, NuvaRing caused a lot of irritation, and the monthly maintenance seemed like too much)"