Ortho Micronor and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• ACa...
• May 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I have tried every type of birth control, from implants to IUDs to rings to 5 different types of combined BCPs, but Ortho Micronor is my favorite. I take generic Micronor and it has the least amount of side effects of any hormonal birth control method I have ever used. It’s the only pill that doesn’t cause me mood swings. I have not had any notable extra acne, no facial hair, no weight gain. All other combined pills made me emotional, weepy, agitated, and irritable. I have PMDD, and Yaz actually made it worse. I will take Norethindrone for as long as I can. It’s been the best yet for me. I know every body is different, but I wish I tried this sooner. I would have saved myself a lot of painful and emotional trial and error."

• ACa...
• May 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I have tried every type of birth control, from implants to IUDs to rings to 5 different types of combined BCPs, but Ortho Micronor is my favorite. I take generic Micronor and it has the least amount of side effects of any hormonal birth control method I have ever used. It’s the only pill that doesn’t cause me mood swings. I have not had any notable extra acne, no facial hair, no weight gain. All other combined pills made me emotional, weepy, agitated, and irritable. I have PMDD, and Yaz actually made it worse. I will take Norethindrone for as long as I can. It’s been the best yet for me. I know every body is different, but I wish I tried this sooner. I would have saved myself a lot of painful and emotional trial and error."

• Lov...
• January 31, 2013

For Birth Control "This birth control did prevent me from getting pregnant, which is the main concern. However, I have never bled so much in my life. I am someone who has always had perfect periods without birth control. I went from that to bleeding three weeks out of the month, and it never would stop. It wasn't necessarily heavy bleeding, but it is very aggravating to bleed constantly. This medicine also made me have acne, and I normally have very clear skin. It made me have mood swings that my husband noticed. He even asked me when his nice wife was coming back. I decided after giving this three months to go for a permanent birth control method."

• ama...
• May 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on a combo pill for years before Micronor, and it was the worst. I had terrible mood swings, weight gain, an increase in appetite, and low sex drive, and the headaches were TERRIBLE. Once I started getting aura migraines, my doctor made me switch. I thought Micronor would be just as bad or worse. Thankfully, however, everything has been good! I've only noticed around an 8 lb weight gain, and it pretty much all went to my chest, I went from barely a B to a full C. Can't complain about that, lol. My only real complaint is that my face, which has always been clear even throughout my teenage years, now breaks out every so often. No mood swings, decreased appetite, up sex drive, bigger boobs, regular periods, and no babies. Go Micronor!"

• 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."

• Lxr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 19 and have been taking this for over a month now since I have signs of endometriosis. I haven’t had any bad side effects, except for mood swings. No spotting or periods. I’ve been taking it around the same time every day, most I’ve forgotten is about 45 minutes. Despite my insurance not wanting to cover it, I definitely wouldn’t change it. At first I noticed my stomach hurting a lot as it was transitioning from combo to mini pill, but eating something with it took that away. If you’re unsure, I feel like this is your best option concerning mini pills. A lot of others have awful reviews, and this has given me a seamless experience. Not pregnant either!"

• 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."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I am taking Micronor for over a year now. My doctor prescribed it because I have bad migraines, which get worse with combination pills. I was super happy in the beginning because my migraines stopped completely, but over time the other side effects became worse and worse: my breasts are extremely swollen and painful, my husband cannot hug me, it really hurts, terrible cramps, spotting for 15 days nonstop, and mood swings. I had to stop, unfortunately. I'm not sure if Cerazette could be better, but it looks like it is about the same."

• Cam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on Ortho Micronor for two weeks now, it's been an absolute roller coaster. I've had strange sensations in my legs, severe depressive episodes, mood swings, heart palpitations, headaches, and am currently experiencing what seems to be another period exactly one week after having my last one. I think if this continues, I'm going back to the GP for a new prescription."

• Tir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I got switched to this because I get auras with my migraines. It gave me menstrual migraines and periods every other week. My periods were heavier, longer, and a lot more painful. I don't really have PMS, but on this drug, I get mood swings, painful constipation, acne, and a sore genital tract. The menstrual migraines went away after three months, the first month, the period pain went away. Over the course of 18 months, my vaginal discharge disappeared. It made sex so painful that it's impossible. It also caused stress incontinence. I've been off it for six months, and the lack of discharge is still a problem because I'm apparently not allowed to have any type of estrogen."

• dre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Micronor for over a year now, and I am seriously thinking of stopping them. When I started taking them, I had the common side effects until my body adjusted. About three months ago, the side effects started up again and have become worse. For preventing a pregnancy, they work well, but for mood swings and cramps, it's actually making them worse for me."

• Gig...
• December 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this for 2 weeks now. My doctor put me on this bc of the no estrogen, and I was suffering from postpartum anxiety. It makes me extremely bloated, and I have gained 9 lbs. I have no sex drive and still am moody. I am planning on stopping this week. Not worth the additional weight gain after birth, and the excess bloat is crazy! My mood swings are weird as well."

• lin...
• September 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I am 43 years old and have always had very regular periods and pretty good health. I have never had a good birth control experience, though, until Micronor. I take it every day at the exact same time on an empty stomach. For the first time ever, I have not had ANY weight gain, no mood swings, no diminished sex drive, no ridiculous spotting, no swollen, painful breasts. As a matter of fact, Micronor has eliminated PMS, I don't get any cramps, my skin is absolutely glowing, and my sex drive seems to be increased. I've been on the Depo shot before (spotting continuously for months, 30-pound weight gain). I've been on countless combination pills (huge, sore boobs, zero sex drive, weight gain, moodiness). I wish I would have discovered the mini pill years ago. The only drawbacks: my period used to be about 4 days and done. Now, I bleed for maybe 2 days and then spot for 4 days, which can be a little annoying. But my cycle still comes every 28 days."

• 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!!!"

• Cin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I had a baby in 2018, and my doctor prescribed me this method because it's best for breastfeeding. Took it for almost a year and only had my period for 2 months in that time and only bled just a very, very, very little. And very bad mood swings, I stopped taking it just 3 months ago and still haven't had my period. Very bad pill."

• jpo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for 4 months. My period starts every 5-6 weeks instead of monthly. This is very annoying. My breasts are always tender. And my mood swings are very noticeable by everyone."

• wen...
• February 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I have gained weight and been spotting and very bloated. Mood swings are out of this world. I have only been on this pill for 2 months. I am getting off it now. I do not recommend this pill."