Norethindrone and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've had 8-9 periods over an 11-week span while on Errin. Horrible. Stop bleeding for a few days only to get it again. Terrible mood swings. Depression. I cannot wait to go back to my other birth control after this pack is finished next week."

• cho...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2022

Norethindrone for Endometriosis "Got put on this after lap for endometrioma and finding out that I had 'a war zone' of endometriosis (direct quote from my doctor). I was started on 5 mg daily and 10 mg when bleeding, but I started having more depression symptoms than usual, so I dropped it to 2.5 mg and 5 mg when bleeding. Bleeding decreased a LOT and I had very little pain. Now I'm out and just waiting to see my doctor again to get another supply!"

• Cal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 10, 2017

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I used to have the Mirena for 3 years, but during the 3rd year, I started having side effects, so I got the Lyza pill because I have migraines. I started in October 2016, and I'm always bleeding. I'll stop bleeding for a week and then start bleeding again. My cramps are worse, I get really depressed. I don't know what to do - I don't want kids right now. I'm married."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I went on this birth control (the generic brand) and have been on it for about 2 months. This pill has wrecked my mental state. I have had anxiety and depression in the past but have had it pretty much under control until this medication took effect. The best description for it is PMSing 24/7. I’m a neurotic mess currently with constant anxiety. This pill has made me angry, irritable, depressed, and it also screws with my cycle. I get my period every 2 weeks with spotting in between. It makes my sex drive very low when I usually have quite a high sex drive. It’s pretty much defeating the purpose of the pill considering I feel pregnant all of the time and I’m not, by the way. It prevents pregnancy but it’s literally not worth it at this point. If you have dealt with mental health issues in the past, do NOT take this pill, even if you experience ocular migraines and they tell you not to take the estrogen pill or the combination."

• 11a...
• October 6, 2016

Norethindrone 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."

• JTM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I have been on Nora for about 8 months. It has been a positive experience. Everyone is different; the way hormones affect you will be different; I felt that on combo pills with estrogen (particularly the 2 years I spent on Microgestin, yikes), I experienced consistent depression, anxiety, weight gain. I just think the way estrogen affects my body/brain is not good. So I tried a progestin-only pill. Negatives: your period is (somewhat) inconsistent. Mine has still been a normal period, 4-5 days; it's just not as easy to plan as the combo pill. I do miss being able to skip periods like on the combo pills, but not feeling emotional all the time is worth it. Have to take the pill at the same time daily within an hour or so. Set an alarm, and it's easy!"

• Jul...
• March 7, 2018

Norethindrone 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

Norethindrone 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."

• Chr...
• December 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. It's made me moody, I've gained 20 pounds, I constantly feel like I'm furious with everyone, it's given me consistent headaches, and my doctor told me to at least give it a try for 3 months. It's been 4 months, and I have found nothing but problems with this pill. I feel like one minute I'm horribly depressed, and the next I want to choke someone. I won't be going back to that doctor. At this point, I wish they'd just rip out my ovaries before I do it myself because this birth control is the absolute worst I've ever been on in the last ten years."

• Kbm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2021

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on birth control for 5 years now. I started out on Cryselle for 3 years. I generally liked it, but it made me extremely paranoid and depressed. A new doctor then changed me to Nora-Be. I bled for a month straight, had horrible headaches, and started having terrible acne. I called my doctor, they told me it was not the pill, and they basically wouldn’t change me to a different one. So, I just stayed on Nora-Be, hoping my body would get used to it. I've been on it for 2 years now, my periods are now so irregular (roughly every 2 months) and absolutely painful. It is giving me horrible cystic acne, and it is causing me to have UTIs. I have never had acne until now, and it is painful, so I have finally decided to stop taking it, and I do not recommend this pill to anyone. I feel so naive, I didn’t realize that this pill was causing all of this until now. I give this a 2 rating because it did prevent pregnancy, but it is nowhere near worth the suffering that it has caused."

• Joj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2022

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I switched to Heather after finding out I had factor IV. I would not recommend this pill. I recently stopped taking the pill because it completely changed me. After 7 months, I experienced hair loss at the front of my head, bad depression, bloating, bad digestion, and headaches. I had so little energy and motivation that I knew I had to get off this pill immediately. I am now using natural cycles and condoms, since the mini pill or progesterone was my only choice in birth control due to my condition. I decided to go the natural route. Feeling like myself now."

• Bli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

Norethindrone for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Ok, so after giving birth in 2011 to my last child, I had a tubal ligation done via C-section. Two years after my surgery, I started having problems, so I coped with it for another six years. After that, I could not take it anymore, so I went to see my doctor because I was bleeding for more than 15 days. She administered the Depo shot, and I bled for approximately six and a half months. So, I stopped the Depo, and the doctor gave me a prescription for Errin birth control - worst day in my life. After three months in, I stopped taking the pill. Now, four months later, I’m still bleeding, and there are clots. At this point, I don’t know what to do. This whole ordeal has me super depressed."

• Boo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 26, 2015

For Endometriosis "I've been on norethindrone for probably 2 years. I never have periods unless I go beyond 3 hours after my usual time slot for taking it. You should take it within 1-2 hours at the same time every night. What I can say is I love having no periods. However, I have little to no desire for sex. If you want to be celibate, take this pill and you won't care about sex, haha. So, I can't say I take it to prevent pregnancy. Symptoms I seem to have often: anxiety (though I've been on the pill 24 years, all different brands, always had anxiety). I also have TMJ, depression, and no interest in activities. I'm very lazy and a heavy smoker. Mood swings often. Quick temper. Wait? Maybe this is from the celibacy."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Endometriosis "I was prescribed Norlutate in December 2019 for stage 4 colorectal endometriosis. For the first couple of weeks, I experienced depression, crying, emotional instability, painful periods, and difficulty sleeping. My partner was able to convince me to give the medication time to work. I am very happy to say that by giving it time, the depression has subsided, I don't cry without reason, I am still moody but can feel it coming before I react to a situation unreasonably. I started meditating and stretching before bed, which helps me be in a better state for sleeping. As for my diagnosis, it's working - I no longer have bleeding rectally during menstruation, and the constipation is gone. I am no longer in constant pain - but manageable pain. It kind of sucks having a bit of acne at age 31, and a small amount of weight gain, but it's a small price to pay in order to have the quality of life back you desire."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2015

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on Nora-Be for 4 months now. For the first 3 months, the spotting seemed never-ending. It would stop for a few days and then start again. It was so annoying feeling like I should always keep a tampon in, just in case. I've gotten increased acne, but not too bad. I've also had an increased appetite and gained about 15 lbs! Major bummer! I wasn't eating well either, but I've NEVER gained weight this fast! This past month, no spotting. My period actually came a couple of weeks later than expected. I almost thought I was pregnant. This pill was useful as birth control-2 stars for that. But now I've been experiencing mood swings and depression in overdrive. I cry so easily and so often now. I'm planning on trying the full pill."

• MzD...
• June 28, 2015

Norethindrone 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."

• Can...
• August 6, 2016

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I'm 26, and I switched from a combination pill to Nora-Be, and I hated it. I was on it for 7 months, and at first it was okay for the first 2 months, then I started having 2 or 3 periods in one month for 7 days at a time. I have had extreme mood swings, depression, and major weight gain. I don't use scales because they are discouraging, but if I had to guess, I would say I've gained 15 to 20 pounds, if not more. I eat healthy and exercise at least 2 to 3 times a week. I have decided to try out a diaphragm. I'm done with hormones. Ladies, these hormones are no good for us. Even though they are effective for birth control, it's not worth emotional and physical distress. My advice: try a non-hormonal method."

• Ale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2020

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I've been on Errin for about 7 months, and I have never experienced more painful period cramps. That is my only complaint while being on this birth control. Before starting this pill, I was taking Lo Loestrin Fe, and I experienced terrible acne, felt depressed and emotional constantly, and gained some weight. Although the cramps have been bad with Errin, I would rather take this pill than what I did before."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 17, 2017

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I just stopped taking this birth control due to the negative side effects I have experienced. It caused me to have severe headaches every single day, mainly behind my eyes. I also felt moody and depressed. I would not recommend."

• AB9...
• May 20, 2017

Norethindrone 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."

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

Norethindrone 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."

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

Norethindrone 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."

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

Norethindrone 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."

• A-C...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2019

Norethindrone for Birth Control "I started Tulana after having a Mirena IUD for about seven years. I was having problems with ovarian cysts and thought the Mirena might be what was causing it, so I had it removed. I have intense migraines too, so my only options are progesterone-only BC methods. I wanted to give my body some time to adjust to the new hormone intake process, but after three months, I have decided to stop taking it. The depression, anxiety, fatigue, and horrible cramps are just not worth it. My emotional state is a wreck two out of four weeks every month. I had my first panic attack in over a year. I had menstrual cramping that hurt so badly I passed out and had to go to the ER (not ovarian cyst related). This medication might work well for some, but definitely not for me. I can't wait to get my IUD back. T_T"

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 14, 2019

For Birth Control "After a year taking this pill, I have experienced a downward spiral that I did not realize was caused by this pill. The first year it was okay. Periods were lighter, it was much better than the terrible cramps, vomiting, and heavy flow I was experiencing before. My skin was so clear. No weight gain. No mood swings besides slight PMS symptoms. All of a sudden this summer I had terrible depression despite things going great. I developed an anxiety to where I felt like I was literally facing a lion even though I was just walking to class. When even the slightest bit embarrassed or speaking to someone, my face would get flame red hot and flush so bad. Let it be known I am NOT a socially shy or awkward person. My acne came back FULL FORCE. Ten-day cycles persisted for months. And I bled for half of the month. I would cry all the time and feel sad and anxious. The only reason I'm giving it a 2 is because I never got pregnant at least. I'M DONE! I'm done with the mini pill as of today!!"