Liletta and Depression: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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."

• Ahl...
• May 5, 2021

For Birth Control "So I got this put in after my 2nd child, 6 years ago, and this is not what I wanted. I was supposed to have my tubes tied. I had my daughter at 24 weeks, and during birth, my placenta ruptured and had to be removed (horribly painful). My OBGYN decided it would be safer to get the IUD because of the trauma I had just gone through. I delivered when I was 137 lb, now I’m 182 lb, and nothing has changed except the IUD. I really hadn’t put it together until a friend told me her experience with Liletta. I’ve also had terrible depression, and I’m on medication for depression (Wellbutrin) and (Topamax & Fioricet) for migraines. I wrote my experience to urge women to pay attention to yourself, I may have connected the dots sooner if I had. I know not all our bodies are the same, so do what you think is best-just pay attention. Also, by all means, this IUD did keep me from becoming pregnant again, so it did do its job in that department. I just want to return to my normal self, physically and mentally."

• Jad...
• December 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I've had Liletta IUD for a little over 2 years. It was the worst experience! The insertion was so painful. I had contractions for days! My body kept trying to eject the IUD out throughout my cervix the entire time I had it. Sometimes the cramps were so painful, I felt my knees buckling. From the time I had Liletta in, I felt like my body had prepared for 2 pregnancies and was preparing for the third. I constantly felt pregnant. My BP skyrocketed and so did my weight. I gained 59 lbs!!!! I had some severe mental health issues. I was severely depressed and suffering from suicidal thoughts, and I did not know why. I thought maybe I'm overly sensitive to everything. My body wasn't mine, and I felt like I had to gain back control over whatever this IUD was doing to me. At this point, having a baby was better than this. I had my IUD removed a week ago, and I'm still spotting. It's light, but I will never ever recommend an IUD. It's been a week, and I've lost 4 lbs with no change in lifestyle."

• Fay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had Liletta for the past 1 year and 7 months, and nothing seems normal anymore. I have gained 30 lbs despite eating clean and working out, absolutely no sex drive at all, sex is very uncomfortable, and the bleeding after sex is very scary. I get my periods anytime, sometimes twice a month, it’s very heavy and lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 days. I have become a different person, always very moody, angry, very depressed, and just don’t want to leave my bed. I’ve never felt this way in my 40 years! I’ve discussed this with my gynecologist, an ultrasound shows the IUD is displaced and needs to be pulled out ASAP! My fibroids have increased in growth and size, and my MD is quite concerned. I will have it pulled out on Monday 11/19. I'm hoping things will get better after this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I got Liletta at the beginning of January. The insertion hurt pretty bad, and the day after was pretty bad too. After that, I didn't have periods, and I loved it at first. No acne, my moods even seemed to improve. By February, I noticed I gained 10 lbs, and I had been eating very healthy and working out. Previously to getting Liletta, I had been losing weight and was continuing exactly what I had done before. By the end of February, I was having bad cramps and acne. My skin was awful. Every day, there were new spots on my face. My cramps hurt so bad I had to call into work one day. The final straw was the depression that hit me. All of a sudden, I didn't care about anything and had no motivation. My thoughts were so dark. I got it removed in April."

• 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."

• ASa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena for the 5 years. It was effective with absolutely no problems or side effects and then took a six-month break. It worked so well I decided I wanted to have the same kind put back in. PP does not do Mirena any longer, and I was told that Liletta was the same but lasted only 3 years. I went ahead and got Liletta put in 08/16. I absolutely hate it. I went in to PP in January and was told by another doctor that it is NOT the same. It's 'generic,' which is not always the same. She said many women are having the same issues I have been. She gave me a couple of things to try and help, including other medications. My side effects: constant bleeding (maybe 5 days a month free of at least spotting), bloating, headaches, depression, horrible craving sweets, and always hungry. Breast tenderness at times to the point I could not touch my breasts even. Enough time has been given to see if things would get better. My appointment to have it removed is Tuesday."

• Nev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the Liletta inserted 2 years ago (6 weeks after having my daughter by C-section). I didn’t feel good for the weeks to follow but was told I was just my body adjusting and hormones adjusting. I was irritable, agitated, always felt bloated, and started experiencing daily headaches, which then turned into migraines. I felt depressed and have had no energy. 2 years later, I weigh more than I did when I was pregnant and have been exercising and dieting for 7 months, and the scale has hardly budged. I went to a new OB for my annual and decided to have my IUD removed after telling my doctor my concerns. They went to remove it and couldn’t find the strings. I had surgery to remove it on Thursday, and since then I haven’t had a single headache, I am down 5 lbs, my anxiety, agitation, and bloated feeling are gone. My energy is back to normal, and I feel excited about life. Never again."

• Mam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 10, 2018

For Birth Control "Worst birth control I’ve ever used. I had it placed 2 months after my last child. I had it in for 11 months. The worst 11 months of my life. I had a constant yeast infection. I hardly produced any natural lubricant. I started having severe eczema on both of my hands about 2 weeks after insertion. Despite HIIT, spin 1 hour 3 times a week, and healthy portioned eating, weight refused to go below a certain amount. I had constant bloating, terrible headaches, extreme water retention, depression, constant body aches (like flu), and so much more. I had the IUD removed and I have gradually started feeling myself again. I’ve had it out 3 days and I’m down 4 pounds. My hands aren’t as swollen and the eczema has started to go away. Never again."

• 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."

• Wic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m 47 years old. Had this birth control since May 2018. Used to take the Depo shot. Insertion was no problem. I was fine at first. Over the year and a half, I have gained 30 lbs, depressed, tired, bloated, lack of sex drive, and moody. I eat very well, work out, and can gain pounds quickly and lose them slowly. My doctor didn’t think the BC was the cause. Ran tests for thyroid and pre-menopause, and those tests were negative. I truly believe this BC is the cause, and I plan on having it removed immediately. I haven’t had a period in over four years. So I don’t know what will happen. But I would rather deal with a period than weight gain."

• 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."

• 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."

• Wan...
• February 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm sure by now you've seen a thousand of the reviews about the weight gain, the mood swings, the depression, and the acne that are the hallmark of Liletta users; so I will just say that in the 9 months I've had this BC, that has all happened to me (minus the acne, thank God). I have also had the fun addition of constant nausea that reminds me of nothing so strongly as the never-ending morning sickness I had with my son, where I was constantly nibbling to soothe my upset stomach and ended up gaining 20 lbs in the first trimester alone. I can't trust my emotions because they're ping-ponging between sadness, detached depression, spontaneous bursting into tears, and normalcy. I used to be even-keeled before this thing was put in. And my OB said it was just like the Mirena.... yeah right! At least I haven't had a period to speak of since it was installed. The dose must just be too high for me."

• 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."

• Saj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2023

For Birth Control "Wow, where do I start… my life was turned upside down by this IUD. I gained 25 pounds and couldn’t leave my bed anymore from being so depressed. Got the IUD so I can be protected during sex with my boyfriend, but it didn’t even matter because any type of sex drive I had was thrown out the window, just like my energy, happiness, and social life. It isn’t worth all the terrible things it did to me. I just got it taken out and was surprised to see it was already coming out on its own. Wouldn’t recommend to anyone, not even my own enemies. However, I’m not pregnant, so it did do the job. So if you don’t mind the possible side effects, then it does its job."