Ortho Micronor and Depression: What Users Say

• Bri...
• June 30, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on plenty of birth control methods. From the ring, patch, IUD, and pills. Nothing seemed to work, then (as a healthcare professional) I decided to research and try Norethindrone (Ortho Micronor). This was the best decision, Sharobel and Micronor are my favorites! No weight gain (like I've had on others), no anxiety issues/depression. Sex drive is the same. I will NOT go back to anything else! I'm so grateful."

• Abl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2015

For Endometriosis "First 4 months I had a period every 2 weeks, extreme bloating (15 lbs), very tender breasts, but those all went away. After this, my periods evened out to every 28 days. I had some mild acne, and my PMS and cramps were very, very mild. About a year in, I went off these pills because I was very depressed and suicidal. I had also developed severe insomnia, social anxiety, and was constantly freezing. Within days of being off these pills, my depression disappeared (I have never been depressed before), I'm warm at a temperature below 78 degrees, and I can sleep. I can't have estrogen, so these pills were a godsend for my severe PMS and cramps, but the mental side effects were horrible and developed slowly. Be careful."

• Ven...
• May 6, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 41 and have had heavy periods for 3 years. I was bleeding for 10 straight days before seeing my OB. I did tests and vaginal ultrasounds, and my OB says everything looks fine. She put me on Micronor because of my HBP and because of my age. I was having breakthrough bleeding for 3 weeks after starting on Micronor. After the 3 weeks, I guess I had my period because it was heavier. I still had a little spotting afterwards, and thankfully it tapered off after a few days. Now no blood, it stopped, and I'm period free. I'm now in my first week of my second pack. I don't really have any side effects, just a little hungrier, but no weight gain yet. My complexion is fine, no mood swings, my sex life is fine, no depression either."

• Cam...
• June 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Before this, I tried one mini pill and had mood swings/breakouts. Then tried the combined pill (Lucette) and gained weight rapidly- even went up a cup size in a week. As a result, I felt depressed because of my weight gain. I then tried the IUD, intercourse felt like being stabbed internally, and I had bleeding every day for four months with flesh clots. Although my GP claimed this wasn't because of the IUD, they eventually removed it due to an ovarian cyst. Within days, all side effects stopped, but my GP put me on Cerelle, which made me have insane mood swings and depression. This is the first pill with no side effects other than light breakthrough bleeding every few months."

• Nic...
• August 9, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have taken the pill for 26 days. The 27th, I have decided to stop! I have been bleeding heavily for 26 continuous days, plus cramping, headaches, absolute lack of libido, bigger sore breasts, need to sleep 5 extra hours per day (naps all the time), extreme sadness, vaginal dryness despite the bleeding, heavy legs, general growing fatigue, and incapacity to function normally! I switched to another pill (Lolo from Actavis), and so far, so good. I am thankful for the reviews here because I did not feel alone or getting crazy with such painful side effects. The extreme sadness was really odd. Lolo is not a mini-pill, but it has a low amount of estrogen. I am hopeful. I could not move with Micronor despite being very active normally."

• Jab...
• February 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I am not allowed to take a combo pill because I have migraines. I started Micronor, and it has been terrible. I get my period every two weeks, my breasts are extremely sore all of the time, and I'm constantly spotting. I am also irritable, moody, and have cramps all of the time. Before I started it, my period was always on time...predictable to the hour it started. I don't think it's worth bleeding constantly and being irritable and depressed...so I have stopped. Back to condoms it is."

• Tif...
• November 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I love this pill. I've tried several and always ended up with decreased sex drive, depression, and anxiety. None with this. After 2 months of taking this at the exact same time every day, my periods went away and stayed gone for years. Who the heck wants a period? Yay! The only reason I have to stop is because I'm having trouble fighting an infection in my mouth, and my dentist said progesterone can make that more difficult. It's very important to take this one at the same time every day - set an alarm and keep your pills in your purse so they're always handy. Taking these at random times will cause random bleeding or periods."

• SAE...
• May 1, 2015

For Birth Control "This drug did do its job of keeping us from getting pregnant again. However, it had very bad side effects for me. It caused numbness in my feet and hands, and it caused severe mood swings, specifically deep depression, irrational thoughts, and anger. As my GP explained it, since Micronor is progesterone-based, my body is as if PMSing all around the clock because it thinks I'm menstruating around the clock from the pill."

• Jul...
• March 7, 2018

For Birth Control "Pros: I never got periods or cramps. Cons: 1. Depression - Regardless of the new studies that came out stating progestin-only birth control isn't linked to depression, it still does mess up with your hormones. I've had the worst depression episode of my whole life. I didn't believe the people that blamed birth control for causing fights between their partners. But now I believe it. Once I switched back to estrogen-progestin birth control, I am now back to my normal mood. 2. Acne - I've had the worst acne in my life on this birth control. I had constant deep cystic acne. My skin cleared after I stopped taking this pill."

• Jul...
• February 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm 22. I’m currently on my second pack of Micronor. I was originally on the combined pill for awful/irregular periods, but I hated the depression and body image issues it would give me. I'd gain 5-8 pounds despite the fact that I work out 3 days a week. I could see it in my belly, thighs, hips, and breasts. So I got off it. But then I became sexually active. So I started this mini pill hoping it would be better. It’s been GREAT so far!! My weight has stayed constant, my libido has been great, and it’s been GREAT for birth control (we don’t use condoms either, BUT I take my pills on time. I only missed a pill once, but I took it 10 hours later and I didn’t have sex again for 9 days). No complaints, besides occasionally feeling a bit down and being a LITTLE drier down there during sex. My cycles are normally long, and this pill hasn’t changed that. I still get my periods late, which is fine. I’m hoping this pill eliminates my periods altogether like it did for some."

• Emm...
• April 30, 2016

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrendous, the worst birth control I've ever been on. It made me lose a lot of weight. Every birth control made me lose weight, but this one made me lose the most. I was only 8 st to begin with, so I couldn't afford to lose weight. It caused me to have depression over my weight loss, anxiety, sore chest, sore ribs, extremely hungry, moody, no periods, blurred vision, heart palpitations, and more. I am currently 1 week into not taking it and already feel better, my period has returned."

• Ree...
• September 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Ok, so I went through the gauntlet of my doctor giving me the generic mini pill. It was awful. I had bouts of depression, mood swings, and had nausea so bad for months! I would go into bouts of puking and shaking with chills and shaking. Then they put me on just the name brand actual Ortho Micronor, and I have been so happy. I don't know when my period is coming, but it's okay... 'cause I have no side effects. Just found out Ortho is stopping making this product! NOT HAPPY! What are we supposed to do??? Please help!!!"