Lo Loestrin Fe and Depression: What Users Say

• Lau...
• July 3, 2020

For Birth Control "PLEASE READ IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH!! I was on Lo Lo for a little over a year and a half. Overall I didn’t have bloating or acne or irritability, which was great, however, I wouldn’t get my period for months at a time (wasn’t pregnant but definitely had a few scares when it wouldn’t come). It helped my cramping and PMS symptoms when I did get my period though, which was great. BUT DO NOT BE FOOLED! I struggle with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, so I never connected the dots that this birth control made it worse. I didn’t realize Lo Lo was making me critically depressed up until the last month, I had MAJOR suicidal thoughts and immediately stopped taking it and within a couple of days, I didn’t have those thoughts or crippling depression. I would not recommend it in the slightest if you struggle with mental health to begin with, as I do. I am currently taking a different birth control pill, and I feel back to my normal self."

• Lau...
• July 3, 2020

For Birth Control "PLEASE READ IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH!! I was on Lo Lo for a little over a year and a half. Overall I didn’t have bloating or acne or irritability, which was great, however, I wouldn’t get my period for months at a time (wasn’t pregnant but definitely had a few scares when it wouldn’t come). It helped my cramping and PMS symptoms when I did get my period though, which was great. BUT DO NOT BE FOOLED! I struggle with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, so I never connected the dots that this birth control made it worse. I didn’t realize Lo Lo was making me critically depressed up until the last month, I had MAJOR suicidal thoughts and immediately stopped taking it and within a couple of days, I didn’t have those thoughts or crippling depression. I would not recommend it in the slightest if you struggle with mental health to begin with, as I do. I am currently taking a different birth control pill, and I feel back to my normal self."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "LADIES. If you have had a bad pill experience, I hear you. Comments on how even if you’re having side effects like bad periods, migraines, weight gain, anxiety, or depression that “you haven’t been on it long enough to tell” need to stop. It absolutely isn’t ok to invalidate someone’s experience because they didn’t go through the 3 months of hell that is somehow a standard. If you’re having these side effects, they aren’t ok and your body is trying to clue you in. I was on birth control for 5 years, Lo Loestrin for over half of that. I thought the “good luck on not having your life ruined!” mentality was ok. Then the anxiety, depression, and ER visits hit. Nearly a year of my life was gone. It landed me on Prozac temporarily. I’ve never had mental health issues before in my life. I’m 5 months off the pill and am now feeling more like myself. My message is this: listen to your body. If something isn’t right, whether it be after a week or a year, it isn’t. Trust yourself."

• Lys...
• November 29, 2014

For Birth Control "If you're going to take this medication, I highly recommend you monitor your moods and be honest with yourself if you feel like you're out of control. I have been on this medication for two weeks and have the most tumultuous two weeks of my life. Hypersensitivity, crying spells, anger, depression, anxiety - I've been a crazy woman. It only just dawned on me that it has to be the medication. I wish I would have stopped taking it the minute the craziness started, it would have saved me a lot of tears and time!"

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2019

For Birth Control "My doctor decided to put me on this pill because I was basically having 2 periods a month taking Beyaz. I honestly knew nothing much about Lo Lo before taking it, but my doctor told me she had high hopes giving me this pill. So far, I’m halfway through my second pack and haven’t had any negative symptoms. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and neither of those have gotten worse since I’ve been taking this pill. I’m also super petite and work out daily, so weight gain is always a concern for me, and if anything, I’ve lost a couple of pounds since I’ve been on this pill. I wanted to share my experience because I do see there are a lot of negative reviews, and I wanted to share my positive one. The only reason I didn’t give this pill 10 stars is because I haven’t gotten my period since taking it, and although I love not having one, I am sexually active, so it makes me a little nervous. But all in all, so far, so good. I’m 26 for reference."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2022

For Birth Control "**DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL** If you have any underlying mental health issues/anxiety or anything, I do not recommend this pill at all. I have pretty mild anxiety, I don’t take anything for it, but I do not suffer from depression. I took Lo Lo, and immediately, the first day of taking it, I got depression symptoms. By day 2 and 3, I had suicidal thoughts, and I have NEVER in my life been suicidal. Literally, nothing was wrong, but I was uncontrollably sobbing every day and having suicidal thoughts. It was the most messed-up feeling, like I couldn’t even function anymore. It took me 4 days to realize it was the Lo Lo, so I stopped, and I am finally feeling better. I could not believe how awful the symptoms were, so I had to leave a review to let anyone considering Lo Lo know what it can do to your mental health."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2021

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL. This is my first ever drug review. I was on this pill for only 9 days. This pill gave me severe anxiety and intrusive thoughts that I am still dealing with almost a month after, although they’ve gotten a little better. This was the worst pill I’ve ever taken in my life. I had fatigue, heavy chest, random pains in my body, severe depression, I could not think or form a thought, anxiety, and fear. And I developed scary intrusive thoughts I never had before. My libido left, and I also experienced dryness I never had before. Only in 9 days! It was awful! Quit this pill and do not take it. Most of the side effects have left, but I’m still having the fear and OCD and I’m scared it screwed me up permanently."

• Coc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Ladies, do not take this medication. The month I began this Lo Loestrin Fe pill, my life became a bit of a nightmare. The first month, I had spotting every other day, then a horrible yeast infection (my 1st one EVER) during my actual period in the fourth week. During the 2nd month, I had breakthrough bleeding every other day, a period the 2nd week, and another during the inactive week. My mood has been so high and low. I have no desire to have sex whatsoever. I honestly feel really crazy!!! No sleep, no eating, and an overall feeling of dread/failure/sadness. Almost finished with the 4th pack, and I lost count of how many blood-free days I've had because I've been bleeding ALL MONTH and not little droplets. I'm talking enough to wear a regular tampon. Officially done with this and going to just try the fertility awareness method because no BC seems compatible with my body :("

• Coc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Ladies, do not take this medication. The month I began this Lo Loestrin Fe pill, my life became a bit of a nightmare. The first month, I had spotting every other day, then a horrible yeast infection (my 1st one EVER) during my actual period in the fourth week. During the 2nd month, I had breakthrough bleeding every other day, a period the 2nd week, and another during the inactive week. My mood has been so high and low. I have no desire to have sex whatsoever. I honestly feel really crazy!!! No sleep, no eating, and an overall feeling of dread/failure/sadness. Almost finished with the 4th pack, and I lost count of how many blood-free days I've had because I've been bleeding ALL MONTH and not little droplets. I'm talking enough to wear a regular tampon. Officially done with this and going to just try the fertility awareness method because no BC seems compatible with my body :("

• MAa...
• August 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had very bad experiences in the past with birth control pills (depression, weight gain, etc.). I tried Lo Loestrin Fe after the birth of my daughter and was happily surprised at how well my body reacted to it. I took it for 2 years and then stopped as I wanted to have a second child. I will get back to it soon. After stopping it, my periods came back as well as bad PMS. It seems like everyone has a different reaction to it, so I would suggest testing it and seeing with your OBGYN if this one is good for you. Because when it works, it is a true relief to be able to rely on a birth control that your body likes."

• jeo...
• July 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I've never taken birth control pills before. After taking these birth control pills, I've noticed a drastic change in my behavior. It's only been a couple of weeks of taking them, and I stopped. I've never felt lethargic and depressed in my life. I've noticed everything bothered me, and I would get upset easily. No desire to have sex at all. I didn't gain weight or break out, but I did crave junk food (which I don't eat). Overall, I guess it depends on the person. As for me, it definitely was a no-go!"

• KJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

For Birth Control "READ THIS IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO MEDICATIONS OR HAVE DEPRESSION! Everyone is different in how their bodies metabolize medications. I am very sensitive to side effects. My doctor suggested this pill with the lowest amount of estrogen in hopes that it wouldn't cause too many side effects. At 22 years old, I already struggle with depression & regular migraines. The only thing this pill did for me was decrease my headaches. I was on it for one month & my depression was seemingly worse than it ever had been. I had constant really dark thoughts, life just didn't seem worth it. I stopped the pill immediately & was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. A couple weeks off the pill & everything went back to baseline. Even if you don't have depression, this is a MAJOR side effect that is not properly addressed. A lot of people have reached out to me telling me they had a very similar experience. Again, everyone's experience is different, just be careful and do your research, as with any birth control."

• nik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I am only writing this review to let other women know that Lo Loestrin Fe gave me major depression and suicidal thoughts. It also raised my blood pressure significantly. If you have issues with mental health, I ask that you be cautious of this pill."

• Shi...
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I just started taking this birth control, Lo Loestrin, and honestly, I am so depressed. I have never felt this way in my life. I missed two days of work because I couldn’t even move from my bed. I have been spotting since I’ve been taking the pills. I'm on my 12th pill, I don’t think I’m gonna take it anymore."

• Shl...
• July 3, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill 8 months ago. I got my period horribly the first month, maybe even the worst I've ever had it. It was heavy, painful, and I gained 6 pounds in water weight. Since then, I have not gotten my period once. I will get some period symptoms around the time I would get my period and some discharge, but no period, which is great for me. I have been on probably more than 5 birth control pills before this, and this by far is the best. I've lost 10 pounds, no acne, and no depression, which is the main reason I switched. The only negative about this pill is the crazy high price. Great pill!"

• wor...
• September 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Please stay away from this birth control. I literally have never written a review for anything in 19 years of my life, but I needed to warn everyone researching birth controls to steer clear of this medication, especially if you are acne-prone. I am on my second course of Accutane because of this awful drug. It absolutely ruined my skin and gave me the worst cystic, hormonal acne, which I have never had in my life. It also gave me the most irregular periods that would last for weeks on and off and made me so sad, tired, and unmotivated all the time. My cramps and mood were affected in the worst way possible, the only minor plus of this is that I didn't gain any weight. I wish I never gave this birth control a try, and I really tried to push through and see if my body would get used to it, but after 5 months, it wasn't really worth it. Please don't let this medication do its damage to your body like it did to mine and many others. It's the worst."

• wor...
• September 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Please stay away from this birth control. I literally have never written a review for anything in 19 years of my life, but I needed to warn everyone researching birth controls to steer clear of this medication, especially if you are acne-prone. I am on my second course of Accutane because of this awful drug. It absolutely ruined my skin and gave me the worst cystic, hormonal acne, which I have never had in my life. It also gave me the most irregular periods that would last for weeks on and off and made me so sad, tired, and unmotivated all the time. My cramps and mood were affected in the worst way possible, the only minor plus of this is that I didn't gain any weight. I wish I never gave this birth control a try, and I really tried to push through and see if my body would get used to it, but after 5 months, it wasn't really worth it. Please don't let this medication do its damage to your body like it did to mine and many others. It's the worst."

• Nei...
• September 2, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my first month of using this birth control. I haven't had a period yet. I'm broke out in bad acne, having mood swings and depression, which I don't like. I stay angry at everybody. I'm on my last week of the pill. I'll never take this pill again."

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Birth Control "Would not recommend! This is my first birth control, and I’ve been on it for 3 months. I take the pill every day without skipping any days, and I have non-stop breakthrough bleeding. I started this pill to prevent pregnancy, but honestly, what’s the point if I can’t even have sex because I’m constantly bleeding? I’m also having terrible mood swings. I cry almost every day and have been feeling very depressed."

• Emm...
• August 20, 2015

For Birth Control "Was on this birth control pill for 3 months and had a terrible experience. I've never been a depressed or sad person, but around the 2nd month, I began to feel depressed. I never was happy about things that I normally would be happy about. I just felt sad about nothing, and that is not the kind of person I am. I would break down and cry, sobbing to my boyfriend about how I wasn't happy, but I couldn't tell him why. My boyfriend, who I have been infatuated with for over a year, quickly became annoying to me, and I felt like I wasn't attracted to him anymore. I was falling down the road of depression, so I immediately stopped taking it. I've been off of it for a week and already feel better! Stay away from this pill!"

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on the Lo Loestrin for 4 months now. My last period was extremely light and left me wondering if I had been pregnant. I take my pill regularly and have never missed, but the sudden light period frightened me. I took several tests, which came out negative. However, I have gained at least 10 pounds and have grown a cup size. My breasts are always tender and sore. I have noticed a significant level of depression in my attitude since I started the pill. It has helped with my acne and made my periods lighter with less cramping, but the bloating lasts for the majority of the month and food cravings come often. I am thinking of stopping the use of this pill."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I started on Sprintec and had a horrible experience. I was having 2-3 periods a month, and my whole body itched. So I switched to Lo Lo per my Dr. I’m halfway through the first pack and yes, there have been some side effects. My sex drive has not changed at all. No acne. No migraines thus far. No breakthrough bleeding. However, there have been like two days where I was majorly depressed, but that was while I was on my period, so it could have been hormone-related. As of now, I haven’t had any more depression. Don’t listen to the bad reviews. People who review it badly, well, it just wasn’t for them. Just like Sprintec wasn’t for me at all. BC is a waiting game of finding what’s right, and so far this one is definitely right for me!"

• Eml...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on six different birth controls, from the shot to different pills, and have always had bad side effects. I have been on Lo Loestrin Fe for a month now, and I love it! My hormones are balanced out, no mood swings, no depression, no weight gain, nothing. I think I'm actually losing weight, and I feel great. The only downfall is I have been spotting a little bit, and my breasts are tender, my mood is a little off the week before my period. Other than that, no complaints! If you have had trouble with birth control like me, I advise you to try this. I have gotten severe depression, weight gain, and everything else from other birth controls. If you get a green card from Planned Parenthood, this pill is free!"

• Meg...
• September 5, 2015

For Birth Control "After reading many of the reviews on the BC, I've concluded the three things common in most people are mood swings, depression, and loss of sex drive. I'm 29, I've been on this pill for four months, and all of these are true for me. No interest in sex at all, my boyfriend gets on my nerves all the time, and I cry pretty much every other day for no reason. What differs from me in most reviews, I have not had a period at all since I started taking it (DR says it's fine, but I'm not sure how I feel), I didn't get acne (didn't really have a problem to begin with), and I gained weight so my pants barely fit (mostly in the stomach area. May be bloating?). I feel my depression and moodiness are getting worse, so I think it's time for a change."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2019

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control ever. This is the second one that I have used. I switched birth control as I had bad mood swings on my first one. And I just felt I was lying to myself and others. So I switched. And it was awful. The first three months I knew my body had to get used to it, but I had very irregular periods. They would never come when I was on the last week of my pills. It would come in the first week of the next pack. Sometimes it wouldn’t come at all. I was on it for about five months until today. About three days ago, I broke out very badly. If I could put a picture up, I would. It is so painful and itchy. It’s all over my face. I can’t go to class because of how bad it is. My anxiety levels have been very high. I have been very depressed. And really haven’t felt like I have the energy to do anything. Please, if you are starting this pill, read these reviews. I wish I had when I first got them. It helps a lot."