Liletta and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Hap...
• May 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the Liletta inserted shortly after my second child was born. While on Liletta, I did notice an extreme uptick in my sex drive, which has been great. But, like others, my anxiety was out of control, moods were up/down, there was an odd odor all the time. But the constant bleeding was what had me mostly concerned. I literally bled nonstop. It would be consistent for three weeks, wane off for two, back for a few days, away for another few days, etc. It was awful. I complained to my OB, and he chalked it off to "your body is getting used to it," etc. Finally, one and a half years after insertion, I’m two days post-removal (had a Mirena put in on Wednesday after getting the Liletta out), and I feel awesome. No pain, physically lighter. My jeans fit better-no bloating, my mood is incredibly brighter-no odor, and NO BLOOD! My experience with the Liletta was not a favorable one."

• Bre...
• January 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve had Liletta for what will be 3 years this month. Overall, it has done its job, seeing that I have not gotten pregnant. The pros for this birth control for me would be shorter and lighter periods, less severe cramps, and bigger breasts. However, what made me write a review on this site was seeing that so many women also experienced some of the same cons. I’ve had terrible depression and anxiety since starting it. Granted, I am naturally a very emotional person, so for the longest time, I thought it was just me. But reading these posts and thinking back on the last 3 years, I can see that my emotions have been ten times worse than usual. I’m easily stressed now and overly anxious. I also feel extremely unmotivated and lazy and have had so many random negative thoughts. As if that’s not already enough, I’ve gained so much weight (went from 130 to 170)."

• Jay...
• November 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve had Liletta going on to a year, and it was the absolute biggest mistake I’ve ever made. As far as it “not getting me pregnant,” sure, it’s done its job, but the side effects are the absolute worst. I’ve never had acne in my life, and now I do. My periods seem to last forever. I never not have my period. I’m always spotting, it never fully goes away. MOST IMPORTANTLY, my mental health. I have experienced crucial mood swings, depression, and anxiety. I do not feel like myself AT ALL. One day I’m good, the next day I’m all over the place. One minute I’m fine, the next moment I’m crying or angry or upset over absolutely nothing. It feels like my body has been invaded, and I have zero control over how I feel. The mood swings are crucial, as well as the random depression and anxiety. I’d rather use condoms for the rest of my life than to feel how I feel."

• BLS...
• January 19, 2020

For Birth Control "on this for irregular periods/ovarian cysts/birth control. I have not stopped bleeding since insertion and feel like I'm in a constant state of PMS. I have regular cramping and noticeable pressure in my lower abdomen. I am almost constantly bloated. I eat 90% paleo, limit alcohol, and work out regularly. The rest of my body is in great shape, but since the IUD insertion, my mid-section is ever-expanding! I am unable to fit into anything unless it has spandex. I have been experiencing headaches, which I am not normally prone to, and I feel more anxious than normal. My skin has also taken a downward turn. I have never been acne-prone, and my face looks like I am going through puberty. And most importantly, my mood sucks! I find myself to be uncontrollably irritable. It's almost like watching another person because I can see myself being angry or down in the dumps, and I can't pinpoint why and struggle to shake myself out of it. I have never had depression, but I think the medication is taking its toll on my normally upbeat nature. I am done."

• MJC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I've had the Liletta for a few months now, I've been reading through the reviews on this website, and I can honestly say I have not experienced the things that most of these people are experiencing. It has helped with my mood swings and anxiety. I have not gotten pregnant with it yet."

• Mom...
• April 2, 2021

For Birth Control "Had this Liletta IUD put in January 2020 because of irregular and heavy periods. The insertion was not bad. I experienced cramps for a day or two. But the spotting that followed was unreal. It lasted about 5 months accompanied by my regular, irregular periods. Additionally, I have gained 15 pounds, which is frustrating considering that I have maintained a consistent weight my whole adult life (except pregnancy) due to following a strict exercise and diet regimen. My sex drive is also completely gone and has been replaced with headaches, mood swings, anxiety, and depression. I am grateful to have found this website to learn this is not all in my head and others have experienced the same side effects. It’s not worth it anymore and I will be having the IUD removed shortly."

• EmJ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I thankfully did not have any of the extreme side effects of weight gain, constant bleeding, or severe acne. I actually did not bleed at all after the initial insertion (which ended up making me more paranoid than I anticipated). However, I had constant nausea to the point where there was not a single day where I was able to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner because I always felt so sick. The worst part, though, is that my mental health completely deteriorated. I constantly felt anxious and depressed and did not feel like myself at all. I had two full-blown anxiety attacks on my honeymoon and started seeing a therapist until I realized it was potentially linked to my IUD. I had my IUD removed about a month and a half ago and went back to hormonal pills, and everything about me has completely gone back to normal. Each person is different, but I personally would never use this again."

• Rel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Ok, so I didn't understand why I'd been feeling like rubbish for the last two years until now. I was tired all the time, in a fog, depressed, even though I literally have everything a girl could want (except having to work full time, haha). But seriously, depression would sneak in and take over out of nowhere. I've been short-tempered, and wow, the anxiety has been awful, to say the least. My arms have broken out in chicken skin, and because of it, I now have scars from popping the pimples, gained 15+ lbs, and bloated all the time. I even often felt dizzy or light-headed. I have had it out for 4 days now, and let me tell you, my whole world has turned around, it's as if a giant weight has been lifted off my chest."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2024

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have had this for a year. Before the IUD, I was diagnosed with menorrhagia and had one (small) fibroid. I used to plan my life around my period; wore a large menstrual cup, extra-long pad, and period panties (and still leak). I modified my diet and took iron supplements that did not work. I experienced extreme fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety, migraines, and severe PMS. Insertion was painful. I bled for 10 days with painful cramps. My first cycle was awful, and for 3 months had strangely painful random cramps and spotting. After that, my periods got lighter and now I just wear pantiliners. In 5 months, PMS symptoms were gone. No more depression, night sweats, or raging mood swings. In 8 months, I no longer experienced debilitating fatigue, so I started exercising on a daily basis. I am now in the best shape of my life at the age of 37, no longer anemic, and have lost 25 lbs. My body fat has gone from 32% to 24%. Even my thin hair is growing back! I am SO GLAD I got this IUD!"

• Ang...
• December 9, 2019

For Birth Control "This IUD has ruined my life. Everyone’s bodies react differently, but what Liletta has done to me has ruined me, and I am so angry that I paid money for my body and mind to be destroyed. IUD insertion wasn’t bad at all. I’ve had it for 5 months now, and I'm going in next week to get it removed. During intercourse, I experience severe pain, and my man says it feels like something is stabbing him during certain positions. I experience extreme cramping after sex. But the worst part is, I have experienced extreme depression and anxiety, and have unwanted sad thoughts for no apparent reason. I have NEVER experienced this before. It’s ruining my life. It’s gotten so bad that I have lost my hair. I had amazing hair, and now? I have no hair? It’s so thin, and every day I wash my hair, I notice more and more falling out. This is not normal at all. Do NOT get Liletta. I am VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE RESULTS! The only good thing I can say is, I’m not pregnant, lol."

• Yag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "Date of insertion: December 9, 2019, review date January 26, 2020. I got my IUD after I had my second baby, the insertion was not unbearable, I felt cramps the whole time. Shortly after the insertion, I started to break out in cold sweats and nearly fainted, it really scared me. From the first week of insertion, my anxiety was through the roof. I bled for about three weeks, then haven’t bled since. Since getting this birth control, I have had mood swings, depression, and really bad anxiety. I have never felt this low in my life. On top of that, my hair has been falling out in clumps, I can’t brush my hair or even wash it without chunks of hair coming out. I really wanted this to work for me. I plan on getting it removed if the side effects have not leveled out by the third month. While I have lost weight since, I still look very bloated all the time, even more so than right after I had my baby, my stomach went down and now is big again. This has really messed with my mental health and self-confidence."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I had the IUD inserted back in February 2016, around 6-8 weeks after the birth of my second child. The insertion was uncomfortable, but tolerable; I have a pretty high pain tolerance, however. Since then, my depression has worsened-- this wasn't PPD-- I've gained nearly 30 lbs, I have zero libido, developed severe anxiety, have panic attacks, and debilitating migraines. I'm getting it removed next Friday. If I do this page again, I'll update once it's out and the hormones have worked their way out of my system."

• Leg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had Liletta for a little over a year, and I am finally having it removed. I have wanted it removed for about 9 months and have had several doctors advise against it. Since beginning Liletta, I have had severe cystic acne breakouts, heightened anxiety, depression, ovarian cysts, and weight gain. It had been one of the worst decisions of my life having this placed, and it had been an utter pain. I would not suggest this product to anyone. I read several reviews before having Liletta placed and tried to remain optimistic, however, this product did not work for me at all. The side effects greatly outweighed the benefit of having an IUD."

• Bre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2023

For Birth Control "In 2021, I had a baby and was so scared to get pregnant again that I got an IUD for the first time ever. I’ve only ever taken the pill with no issues. My pregnancy was horrible, and I had high blood pressure, so my OB wanted me to try the IUD. It’s been 2 years of mood swings, depression, dizziness, cramps, high anxiety, and a 40+ weight gain. No matter how much I work out or eat healthily, I can’t shed the weight. I always feel bloated, and I spot or have a light period two times a month. I’m getting it taken out ASAP, it is horrible, and I’ll never suggest someone get it. Yes, it's great and effective for not getting pregnant, but I’ll take my chances so I can lose weight and feel better."

• Cc3...
• February 24, 2019

For Birth Control "Acne non-stop, mood swings that are ruining my life. I don't even know who I am anymore. I've gained 40 pounds in less than 7 months. I barely eat and I'm very active. Always have been about the same size, but I'm now bigger than I was 8 months pregnant with a baby on my hip. Lots of anxiety. I can't figure it out. Going to have it removed ASAP. I'm scared. But other than that, not pregnancies and eventually stopped having periods altogether."

• Hal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 3, 2023

For Birth Control "I’ve always had depression problems, but they increased after getting the IUD. I thought it was just hormones still adjusting because I was less than a year postpartum and recently stopping breastfeeding, so I just continued my antidepressants and tried to ignore it. Now I’ve had it for 4 years, and I’m seeing that everything about my health has spiraled out of control since its insertion. My anxiety and depression have steadily increased to the point where it’s causing job loss and relationship problems. My skin hasn’t been right since insertion either. I got on spironolactone and tretinoin in late 2019 and had little result, so they put me on oral contraceptives for 3 months in addition to the IUD to try to correct my skin, which also didn’t work. I’ve gone from 150 lbs to 230 lbs. I’m extremely fatigued. And in hindsight, it all began or dramatically increased after the IUD was inserted. I’m about to remove it!"

• Mad...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I had my Liletta for 7 years. I've been with my partner for 10 years. For the past 7 years, my sex drive was basically non-existent. My man felt inadequate, like I didn’t love him anymore… and I never could give him an explanation as to why I never wanted to have sex. I felt like something was wrong with me and would find any and every excuse. It was horrible, and it caused a lot of anxiety and depression because I missed that feeling and very much loved my fiancé. Before the IUD, we would have sex multiple times a week, sometimes multiple times a day! And then boom, I could go months without. I got my IUD removed last week and decided I was going to give my body a little break before putting a new one in. And OMG, I have been so horny since removing it. I honestly feel like I’m discovering sex all over again. To be honest, when I looked it up this morning and started to read all the women who share the same experience, I got emotional that it took 7 years to figure this out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had my Liletta in for a few months, and as of today, for the past 4 days, I've had severe anxiety, headaches, and weird chest pains. Having it removed tomorrow, I'm so scared. Hopefully, after the removal, the anxiety will go away. I feel like I can't breathe."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I had Liletta inserted in January 2018 at Planned Parenthood. After insertion, I was bleeding for about 2 months. It was pretty heavy. Today, July 21, 2019, I still have it in me. I want it removed, following my gaining 30 lbs. This IUD gives me severe anxiety, depression, and agitation. I always feel tired, my legs get swollen, and I just randomly started spotting. I wonder if it moved its placement a bit. Scheduling an appointment to remove it."

• Bel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2023

For Birth Control "I had Liletta inserted in the fall of 2020 after I gave birth to my daughter. I didn’t really experience the pain that some describe, but I did spot bleed for quite some time in the beginning, and gradually my periods are gone, which was one of the main reasons I chose this birth control. However, I think this birth control has given me miserable side effects. I have lost all energy, my anxiety is 100 percent daily, and I constantly feel like something is wrong with me. I’ve gained over 50 pounds on this. For the longest time, I have been trying to figure out what’s wrong with me (I’ve always been a healthy person overall), and I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s this BC! I’m definitely making an appointment to get this removed and look at other options, this just isn’t the way of life!"

• But...
• December 27, 2016

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrible. My hair is falling out, bloated all of the time. I had to start a pill to stop the constant bleeding, short temper, major depression. I have little control over my emotions now, cramping, acne. I've been losing bits of bloody skin, weight gain, and my anxiety has gotten 10 times worse. I'd never recommend this to anyone. I almost cried when the nurse told me that she couldn't get me in until next week. I don't know if I can handle this any longer, and I've only had it in for two months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2022

For Birth Control "I just want to start by saying that I completely understand that everybody is different. And my body did not like this IUD. I have had this IUD in for almost exactly one year, and after about 4 months of having it in, I noticed I was now getting cystic acne, I had gained 15 pounds, my depression and anxiety have been out of control, and I am extremely fatigued all of the time. I literally thought I was going crazy on this medication, so I booked an appointment to get it taken out, which is happening in two weeks! I cannot wait until this thing is out of me and I can go back to feeling like a normal person again."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the Liletta IUD for about one year and a half. I have had the worst experience with it. I have never had cystic acne before, and I have never gained so much weight! I have never had anxiety so bad as it is now with this. I am finally going to have it removed. I have gained 27 lbs, and I am extremely unhappy."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I got the Liletta IUD inserted 3 months ago to this date, and over that time period, I have felt my mood become destroyed. At first, I was just a little moody and irritable, but now I am so uncontrollably anxious and depressed I can't really function like normal. Panic attacks out of nowhere (which I never used to have), and just some really dark thoughts that make me feel crazy. This is not like me at all. I am normally so upbeat and happy, and this has just made me a mess. Some weeks I would feel fine, so I would convince myself, 'oh, it's just something else that's causing this anxiety.' But on month three, I feel so far from my normal mental state. My sex drive was all over the place, and the bleeding was almost nonstop for the first two months. But that is nothing compared to the way it has mentally affected me. If you are sensitive to drugs at all, you should not get this IUD."

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2022

For Birth Control "My first year was okay - the only symptom I noticed was extra cramping when I would normally get my period. It was painful, but typically only lasted 1-2 days/month. I had super heavy and painful periods prior, so the 1-2 day struggle without bleeding felt like a relief. I experienced no weight gain year 1. Years 2-3 have been absolutely terrible. It’s like one day the IUD flipped into overdrive. The worst symptom has been the extreme anxiety/depression. Having panic attacks almost daily, suicidal thoughts, and just don’t even feel like I’m in my body. I’ve struggled with anxiety throughout my life, but nothing that exercise couldn’t fix. Now I barely can do that due to the crippling anxiety and panic attacks. Weight gain started in year two, and it seems like no matter what I do, I can’t regulate it - for context, I work with a dietician and exercise daily for at least an hour."