Jolivette and Depression: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2011

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Jolivette due to my high blood pressure, which was being caused by Ocella birth control. For the first 3 months, I did not experience any side effects besides the irregular period, which was advised in advance. After 3 months, I first noticed the side effects below: extreme weight gain (50 pounds!) and cravings for food that I had not previously eaten. Oily scalp and hair loss, this was a first for me and I thought that I was just getting older, but then confirmed that it was Jolivette! (I'm 30, by the way). Anger and stress to the extreme. Depressed for no reason (I actually thought I was pregnant and would take home and doctor tests, but they resulted as negative every time). Chest and stomach pains."

• Mom...
• July 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had a horrible experience on this pill. I started taking it after my third child, and it has absolutely altered my mental well-being. I have been depressed, anxious, nervous, angry, it's been a nightmare. Stopping right away, good to know I'm not the only one going through this."

• 11a...
• October 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I started this pill to test the waters about getting a birth control implant, Nexplanon, which is the same hormone type treatment. I am glad I decided to try the pill before the implant. I was a shadow of myself on this pill. It was all I could do to get through the day because it basically put me in survival mode. I felt sick and tired, and I could not motivate myself to stay focused on any of my goals or obligations. It became difficult for me to work, and I have a very demanding job. It was hard to get out of bed. I started falling asleep involuntarily every night once it really had a hold on me (week 3-4). I would pass out with my clothes on and without setting an alarm. I was depressed, and my sex drive was altered, and my orgasms were sad."

• MzD...
• June 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on regular pills for about 25 years without issue. I just finished my first pack of this and am not sure I want to start my second. I have been so irrationally angry, stressed, and depressed this last month. Angry over little things to the point of not sleeping several nights. I honestly was very concerned about what was happening to me. Also had very sore nipples and am super hungry all the time. So happy to find that others experienced this and I'm not losing my mind! I did not get my period, which is usual for me, but I do have cramps."

• AB9...
• May 20, 2017

For Birth Control "Been taking the pills for 5 months. Last two months, I have had two full periods each month and heavy bleeding. Also have felt huge mood changes, anxiety, depression, easily irritated. I can clearly see changes in my mood before and after starting with these pills. Sorry, but would never, ever recommend them."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on the brand Ortho Micronor until my insurance company decided not to cover it anymore, they put me on Jolivette. After about a week of taking this pill, I noticed that I was getting horrible anxiety about the smallest little things. By week 2, it was so bad that I was afraid to leave my apartment. Simple tasks such as going out to dinner or going shopping with friends became very taxing. As someone who has never experienced severe anxiety, this was a very scary time. I also knew that this wasn't normal for me. I stopped taking this medication, and the panic and anxiety attacks stopped. I will never recommend this pill to anybody, as it was one of the most depressing and scary times in my life."

• jol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I was previously on Ortho Tri Cyclen, which made me have weight gain, super bad mood swings, anxiety, and depression. I was then switched to Jolivette and have had no horrible side effects. I have noticed I haven’t really been able to lose the weight gained from my previous pill, but that’s the only downside. Other than that, I completely love this pill! I am back to the same old normal happy me. :)"

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking this birth control for about 6 weeks now. My doctor prescribed this to me because I was having horrible migraines with one I was taking before. I haven't had my period yet, but have been spotting randomly since I started the pills. I used to have regular periods, so I'm not sure if I'm going to get them at all anymore. Not having the intense cramping every month like I used to is nice, though. I haven't experienced any weight gain or hair loss. Side effects that I have noticed are emotional. I have been experiencing severe mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, and depression. I know that I'm not pregnant, but this birth control makes me feel as though I am. Not sure if I'll continue taking it, for side effects may not be worth it."

• ack...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I had previously been on Ortho Micronor, the name brand for norethindrone, 0.35 mg, for 3 years. Then my insurance wouldn't cover it, so I had to go on Jolivette. After about a week of taking this pill, I started to experience heightened anxiety. It got so bad that I could no longer do simple day-to-day tasks, such as going to class or going to a restaurant. I was having panic attacks daily. It then got to the point where I was terrified to leave my house. I was also overcome with depression. This all happened within the first 2 weeks of taking this pill. It was too horrible to endure, so I stopped taking it. My mental health is still not 100% back to normal."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I honestly didn't even know all the issues I've been experiencing were due to Jolivette until I switched to Heather and was doing research to compare it to this one. I have had the worst side effects! I have literally gone completely crazy, had multiple psychotic episodes, I'm shocked my boyfriend is still with me too! I became super depressed, unmotivated, lazy, I was having night sweats so bad I would be soaked when I woke up. Insomnia like crazy. So glad I switched and definitely will never go back on Jolivette! It literally almost ruined my life."

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

For Birth Control "I started this pill 7 weeks after having my daughter because I was breastfeeding. Did not notice a decrease in my supply. I have been taking it for 10 months. I've been suffering from postpartum depression and recently stopped taking the pill. I can tell a huge difference and it has been 2 weeks. Now that I think about it and read all these experiences, I see a lot of similarities. I’ve had horrible anxiety and depression, it’s been hard to lose weight! And I have experienced hair loss. I’m going to continue off the pill and figure out what next birth control I should use next."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this pill ten days ago. I gave birth seven weeks ago. My milk supply was low to begin with, I am barely getting one feeding in after eight days of this BC. I struggle with mild anxiety and depression pretty rarely, however, the last two days, I have wanted to just cry, and I felt detached from my children and husband. I have been anxious, and I don’t know why. I have been an endless pit for food, I feel that I cannot eat enough, and I also started to get a breakout of pimples on my forehead (I have never had acne). After calling my husband crying and telling him I had been sleeping the majority of the day and crying, we decided it was best to stop the medication immediately. This was my experience with the medication, I cannot wait it out and hope it gets better. I do not want to spend my precious maternity leave feeling detached from my NB and depressed/anxious."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this pill ten days ago. I gave birth seven weeks ago. My milk supply was low to begin with, I am barely getting one feeding in after eight days of this BC. I struggle with mild anxiety and depression pretty rarely, however, the last two days, I have wanted to just cry, and I felt detached from my children and husband. I have been anxious, and I don’t know why. I have been an endless pit for food, I feel that I cannot eat enough, and I also started to get a breakout of pimples on my forehead (I have never had acne). After calling my husband crying and telling him I had been sleeping the majority of the day and crying, we decided it was best to stop the medication immediately. This was my experience with the medication, I cannot wait it out and hope it gets better. I do not want to spend my precious maternity leave feeling detached from my NB and depressed/anxious."

• Can...
• November 30, 2017

For Birth Control "Ooh my... what a nightmare the past 6 months have been!!! I relate to a lot of the comments here. I was nauseous and moody mostly, but when I say moody, I mean full-on psychotic episodes... I'm surprised my boyfriend is still even with me... I felt hopeless and unmotivated 24/7... stay away from this awful medication!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Tried for 3 months because all other types of pills were causing me ovulation cyst problems. Jolivette made me gain weight, bloat, break out on my face, feel depressed, have low libido, and very swollen, sore breasts. This pill is not worth the issues. I'm stopping immediately. I have never gained weight on a pill like this. I work out and am pretty fit. Hopefully, I can lose it."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking Jolivette 5 months ago. First, to all you breastfeeding moms out there, I have had NO decrease in milk supply. And that from a woman who had to supplement with the first 2 babies within their first 3 months because of low supply and low weight gain. My 3rd baby is now 5 1/2 months old and still exclusively breastfed and gaining weight beautifully. So it doesn't always affect milk supply. I've taken different BC pills before and always suffered severe anxiety and depression just before starting my period. I was worried about starting another pill but haven't had any problems yet. My first month on these pills I had a heavy period, but haven't had another one since. I'm pretty happy with these pills."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2018

For Birth Control "This medication is not for me. I started it a few months ago after an ectopic pregnancy. My mood has changed so much to a point where my anxiety and depression were so bad I thought I was losing my mind. My headaches have increased, and I cry a lot. Not normal for me. I also have hypothyroidism, and it actually changed my levels. After reading what other people have gone through, I have decided to stop this medication immediately. I seriously thought I was going to end up in the psych unit!"

• Dr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched to Jolivette from Ortho-Tricyclen because of the side effects, my PCP recommended a progesterone-only pill to help with these. I became horribly depressed to the point that I was actually suicidal. I stuck to it for two months because I knew that most side effects go away by the end of the third month, but I couldn't deal with the fallout from this pill. I ended a relationship, and I would cry in clinic, I felt so lost and alone, like taking this pill made me feel like I was separate from everyone else. It also made me a bottomless pit, I was always starving and gained a bit of weight. I also had a period every two weeks, not spotting, a full-blown period. I got off the pill, and within the week, I felt better. It was like the sun started shining again. This pill works for some, but if you find yourself suicidal when taking this, get off of it!"