Camila and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• ju1...
• May 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Started taking this pill in December 2014 and been on it since. I am not happy with it at all. I used to have regular periods, but Camila made it very irregular. I hate not knowing if I will have a period or not. My mentality changed as well; usually, I'm a very happy girl, but the pill made me into a raging mean lunatic. It gave me extreme mood swings, frequent migraines, problems with my vision, depression, hair loss, extreme bloating, no sex drive at all, vaginal dryness, increased acne on my chin, numbness in my feet, and lack of sleep. I am stopping this immediately. I do not recommend this. This pill is evil."

• ABC...
• June 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Camila six months ago, after having a medical abortion. Somehow in my late 30s, I have become quite fertile, and I was afraid to get pregnant again, so I went on birth control for the first time since high school. They would not prescribe me anything with estrogen because of past migraines, so I went on Camila despite reading all the reviews. I have not had any issues with mood swings. I did not get acne like some have warned. I still have a healthy sex drive. I always shed, so I don't think this birth control has made that any worse. I have definitely gained weight, but I could blame that on late-night munchies as well. The periods were all over the place. Sometimes I would get my period twice in a month. Then last month, I didn't get it at all. In fact, I got PREGNANT using this birth control perfectly! Every day! At the same every day! This was not supposed to happen. This birth control failed me. Approx 13/100 women will get pregnant on this pill. BEWARE!"

• Jes...
• July 1, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have just finished my 2nd pack. Starting 3rd tomorrow. I am bleeding every other week. I started taking it to regulate my periods. It has made it worse. I am constantly bleeding, either spotting or full-blown. My breasts have gotten bigger. My mood swings are off the wall. I do not know if I can make it through this 3rd month all the way. I am tired of having to buy 2 packs of pads."

• Cas...
• May 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking Camila birth control pill for about two and a half years. Here are the things I have experienced since being on Camila: 1. When I first started on Camila, I noticed I was breaking out a lot on my face and back. I was 30 when I started taking Camila and had never broken out like this before. My doctor gave me spironolactone for the acne, and we increased the dose three times, but it didn't work. Now I use tretinoin on my face, and it helps, but I can't go in the sun, and it doesn't help with the body acne. 2. I was previously on one of those amazing pills where you only got your period every 3-4 months for about 4 days. *Sigh* Now I get my period just about every 2 weeks. One is short (like 6 days...), the next one is about 10-12 days, and they just keep coming. 3. Non-existent sex drive, like not even a little. 4. Recently, I have noticed a huge shift in my mood-I am irritable, moody, lacking a sense of satisfaction or joy."

• hal...
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Long but important! Don't take this! I absolutely hate this birth control! It makes me so rotten! Horrible mood swings to the point where I am snapping at people at work. I have gained 100 pounds being on birth control overall... that's right, 100 pounds. But this one keeps tipping the scale! My acne is terrible, I have absolutely no sex drive, and my periods are so irregular. My ankles swell to the point where I can't feel my toes, my hair is falling out in clumps, and I am absolutely miserable. Please don't waste your time on Camila like I did. I don't want anyone to ever experience what I am right now. I am getting it switched today. Good luck, ladies!"

• Fem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2023

For Birth Control "I’m here to post the positive review you’re probably looking for. I’ve been on a few different pills (with estrogen), of course, and have dealt with migraine headaches, mood swings, extremely low sex drive, and depressive episodes. This birth control has eradicated all of these symptoms for me. I am so thankful my doctor prescribed this for me. Hopefully, it works for you too."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2012

For Birth Control "I use birth control mainly because I have irregular periods. I switched from the NuvaRing (not sure if the bad mood swings, multiple yeast/UTI infections, and INSANELY low sex drive were because of the ring or because of a really bad relationship), and it's been great. I really dislike the 3-hour window (I forget pills). But I'm giving it a 9 because I haven't had ANY of the side effects that tend to come with other methods. I feel really great, and aside from light spotting, I can't really tell that I'm on the pill. If you don't mind using backup methods with sex, then it could be really awesome to use."

• RIG...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Camila since I had my baby in July 2015. I breastfeed, so this pill was the best for me at the time. I just had a consultation with my primary doctor due to a very big increase in my weight, before starting this pill, I had lost all my baby weight. I am now 25 pounds heavier, the heaviest I've been all my life. I have had headaches, hair loss, mood swings, low sex drive, and irregular bleeding. After reading all these reviews, it has become very clear to me I need to stop this pill immediately."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2018

For Birth Control "When it comes to birth control, it's different strokes for different folks. I'm over 35 y/o. I switched from combo pills to Camila 6 months ago because of the terrible side effects. Ever since I took Camila, I haven't had bad effects. No more high blood pressure, no migraines, no crazy mood swings, no skin rashes, no cramps, and the period is 3-4 days instead of 6-7 when I was on TriCyclen. The only side effect from Camila is the weight gain. I'm definitely keeping taking Camila."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Camila for 6 months, was put on after the birth of my daughter. Cons: Headaches, 20-pound weight gain, horrible mood swings, and longer periods (4 days start to finish vs. 7.5 now). Hair loss. Constant cramps. I've developed extreme nausea that is similar to morning sickness, and painful sex. (These are CONSTANT. THERE IS NO BREAK FROM THESE SIDE EFFECTS.) And that's after being begged for it, as I have 0 sex drive. Let me highlight how extreme a change that is: I used to crave/want to have sex 4 times DAILY. Now? Zero. Pros: less painful periods. No pregnancy. I have stopped taking this rubbish pill. Whoever invented it: get a new profession. I've been off it 2 weeks and feel so SO much better mentally and physically. Like coming out of a fog. Don't try this garbage."

• ros...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 9, 2019

For Birth Control "The only reason I was put on this birth control was due to my high blood pressure. I couldn't take other types of oral contraceptive pills, but that was the worst decision ever. Ever since I started taking this thing, I have been feeling horrible, such as fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, depression, mood swings, and, worst of all, weight gain. I was not on any other medication, nor did I take anything for my blood pressure, so of course I knew this birth control was the only thing giving me these crazy side effects. I'll just stick to my old birth controls that I have been put on in the past."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I originally began taking this pill to lessen the pain of my period cramps and make them lighter. It did make them lighter, but my cramps did not improve. I also wanted to protect against pregnancy, which it did. I broke out a lot less. My boobs were sore and tender ALL THE TIME. The huge issue I had with this pill was the mood swings and weight gain. I was very irritable and constantly snapped at my mom and my boyfriend, which caused arguments in our relationship. I was tired all the time. I cried over everything and was just very depressed. I did notice I would eat more, which caused me to gain a bit of weight. I would not recommend this pill to anyone. It's not worth the emotional roller coaster it puts you on."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "PREGNANT. Yup. To be honest, the pill seemed to work great for me. No weight gain that I noticed. No mood swings, crazy bleeding, or pain. Nothing. But alas, it failed me. Took the pill every day. But still ended up with a bun in the oven."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill since January (4 months) and still haven’t had a period. I am not sexually active, which not having a period is kinda great for me at the moment, but not for later on. I’m 18 and in college, and I have bad migraines all the time, so I had to switch from Sprintec to Camila so I did not have estrogen so I could have injections for my migraines. I’ve been bloated and gained 10 lbs, which I’m not happy about. I broke out on my face, mostly forehead, a lot when I used to have clear skin. I have mood swings, usually sad."

• Car...
• December 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Camila birth control pill for a year after switching from combo to minipill due to migraine auras. Since switching, my periods went back to the length and flow pre-BC (8 days & medium flow). My cramps came back too. Something new was that I would get emotional a day before my period. Full-on crying. My acne stayed the same when I switched. My libido stayed very high. My cycle was starting to become regular (few days early/late), until a few months ago. I haven’t changed anything, but my cycle is extremely irregular now (last period was late by a week, haven’t had a period since and it’s been over a month - took several pregnancy tests and all negative), I lost my libido & skin is breaking out a lot. My hormones are out of whack. Not sure what is causing it or if the side effects just took a year to kick in, but I wish I could switch back to combo pills since there are diff ones to try. I don’t plan on getting off of this BC, but I’m also not loving it. I will be talking to my gyno about other options."

• Sha...
• March 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on and off with the mini pill, switching between pills to see what works best. I haven’t been consistent until just now, starting in January. I constantly bleed. Either it's every other week or every other two weeks. My period comes every 28 days, but I always spot in between, and it’s bothersome when you think you’re done bleeding for the month and then out of nowhere start bleeding again. When my period is about to come, my breasts hurt super bad, and I get real nauseous. It made me think I was pregnant, until the test was negative and my period came on the 28th day. I get terrible cramps when I’m spotting and also when I’m on my period. It protects you for sure, but it’s a hassle to deal with constant bleeding. I also break out when I’m on my period, and my face does clear up though after my period ends. I crave things sometimes and mood swings. I get irritated more quickly, and I’m super tired most days."

• Mxd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2019

For Birth Control "So I have been taking this pill for about 3-4 months now. I started taking it because I was and am sexually active, and I wanted extra protection. However, it has caused my period to come every 2 weeks. Previously, it would come at a normal rate, once a month. I do not understand why this is happening at all. I have had mood swings and issues concentrating while on my period that I did not have prior to taking this pill. The worst has honestly been the cramps. The cramps from being on this pill are absolutely terrible. I did not really have bad cramps before, they had been pretty subtle, never too much. However, the cramps, in combination with the excruciating backaches it has caused, well, all I can say is you may want to call in sick that day. I have honestly considered just stopping taking the pill without even asking my doctor, since I haven’t been able to get in contact. Honestly, if it keeps up, I’m just going to stop taking it. Absolutely terrible."

• Rae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "This was the worst birth control I have been on since I started 10 years ago. I have taken Crystelle, the depo shot, and this. I changed doctors, and my previous doctor prescribed Camila when I was breastfeeding, but after I stopped, the side effects came out of nowhere, hard. That's when I had constant bloating, breakthrough bleeding, and mood swings. My new doctor said it wasn't a period like I thought because I would bleed on and off for days, then weeks. She said it was breakthrough bleeding. It stopped pregnancy by making you feel unattractive with all the random bleeding and bloating. Switching doctors was the best decision because she gave me Crystelle again, and now I am back to normal and lost some weight. Only use if breastfeeding."

• SEG...
• October 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill for about 2 months. I wanted to try a low hormonal pill to hope for no or less weight gain. Camila, by far, is the worst birth control I have been on. My period is light, but the duration is about 9-11 days. SMH! I’d rather bleed heavy for 3-4! The cramps are deadly. I’ve always had bad cramps, but this is different now. Oh, if you miss a pill by a few hours, you start to cramp and bleed. I haven’t experienced any major breakouts. My mood is pretty normal, except for when I’m cramping and bloating. NOW the weight gain is no joke. I’m sure it’s all water weight and bloat, but who wants that? I’ve gained 6 lbs in one month! My appetite has definitely increased for the worst. I’m a normal healthy eater, but all I want to do is snack."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this for 5 months, the first 3, no period at all. Called the doc, he said give it time to adjust. Um, no. Month 4 and 5, the period has been all over the place. Bleed for 4 days, stop for a week, bleed for a day or two. This has been horrible, personally. Not to mention gaining about 5-10 lbs and having horrific mood swings. If you feel like carrying tampons with you everywhere you go, every day, then this is for you. Junel, Loestrin, those are both great. I should’ve stayed on them."

• Anonymous
• December 23, 2017

For Birth Control "First day on the new pill and already experiencing horrible bloating, not to mention the massive amount of mood swings. I cried at least 3 times for no reason at all and snapped at my boyfriend, which I’ve never done, and we’ve been dating for almost 2 years. Not to mention the super depressive thoughts. I refuse to take it a day longer. Give me my old pack back, please!"

• BHa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2018

For Birth Control "Started Camila 7 days ago. For the last 4 days, I have had serious mood swings. There were times when I would yell for no reason and times when I would burst into tears. Today was particularly bad because I cried nonstop most of the day. I can also attest to the increase in appetite. I'm not sure how effective it is at preventing pregnancy, but I'm not going to spend my days crying in order to find out."

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I had to stop Camila after one month. Ordered it online after filling out a brief questionnaire. Due to the fact I smoke and am 35, they gave me Camila. I used Ortho Tri-Cyclen my whole life and had no issues. This one made me have my period for a straight month with maybe a week off. I bled so heavily I went to the ER and was in so much pain they thought I had developed a blood clot in my lung. I almost went a second time due to heavy bleeding again a week later. Mood swings were insane... I feel these results are caused by too much estrogen in this pill. Either way, I feel so much better being off it for just one week. Good luck!"