May 30th
2008
4:43 AM
Oh my gosh! I've been on this for almost a year and a half and after reading this it all makes sense! I recently started taking a medicine for mood swings but now I think it's the stupid desogen. I get it from planned parenthood at no cost and it's not worth it. I just went today to get more about a years worth and then i found this and i'm going to an actual doctor and get something that works. My periods have awful clotting and so heavy which they never used to be.I imagine my cramps to feel somewhat like contractions. I have to breathe heavily through them and midol doesn't do a damn thing to help. I'm bitchy and tired and I am so anxious i used to be a dare devil and now I won't even swim in a river. I will hear a song that nobody would think twice about and start bawling. I can't sleep and I'm gaining weight. I used to be an athlete and I should have a great body now i hate myself in a swim suit. My sex drive is nonexistent. I am too dry and when when I'm rarely able to lubricate it goes back to dry in a matter of minutes. I don't even want to have sex I feel bad for my boyfriend. Who has been with me for 2 years and said i'm a different person than when we started dating. Luckily he's stuck around long enough for me to realize the pill is screwing up my life and soon things will be back to normal. I'm not taking it another day. Ladies please get a prescription and don't think it's you if you've experienced anything that we're saying.
-- By cor123 | Reply | Private Message me
February 25th
2008
12:16 AM
After reading all of these comments I no longer feel crazy. Since I've started Desogen in January, I've had mornings where I wanted to roll from my bed right through the window. I've felt suicidal for no real reason. I would wake up thinking, "I can't do today." I've been so depressed and moody, even more so than usual. I've always been a pretty emotional being, but I found myself on the phone at work crying hysterically to a cousin about something so ridiculous that I know I freaked her out. However, since being on Desogen, the only times I've been happy were the moments that I was right next to my boyfriend or on the phone with him. Even when he'd leave the room to go shower my mood would drop tremendously. My sex drive hasn't changed that much. I'm slightly dryer than usual. I feel sick everyday all day (everyone thought I was pregnant, which I'm not). My eating habits have changed. I've gone from eating about 4 meals a day to eating once, maybe twice. A few days I had gone without eating simply because I did not want to get out of the bed. My sleeping pattern is off. And I have no energy. I've stopped working out because after work all I want to do is climb in my bed. This is nothing like me. I'm usually really excited, always dancing, had a pretty good workout schedule going. Now I feel like an empty shell of myself. Should I lay off Desogen, or wait to see if things change?
-- By b_holmes | Reply | Private Message me
November 14th
2007
2:39 PM
I also am rare and love this form of birth control. It reduced my anxiety giving me a more stabilized feel, no depression, took away cramps and pms cravings and symptoms (which I had a spectrum of) all my acne is GONE, and I've gained maybe just a few pounds but all these benefits for me have been completely worth it. I have been very happy with it and will probably not go off of it until I want to have kids:) My sex drive has decreased only a little but it was high before so in a way it's kind of nice. I recommend this pil for anyone with an abundance of testosterone, like I had.
-- By mflanaga | Reply | Private Message me
November 12th
2007
1:09 AM
I just got switched from desongen which I had been on for over a year to Apri and was told they are the same that one is the generic of the other,. I had never had any noticeable effects from desogen, my sex drive was down but definitely existent. But I found that this month I've been really moody and anxious, has anyone had a similar experience or am I going crazy? Is it even possible if the pills are chemically identical?
-- By fan12 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 30th
2007
10:36 AM
I just went on the pill and I started my 3rd week a day early because I lost a pill. So far I have noticed that I want food more, I feel bloated, and I have to keep running to the bathroom. It feels like I am always full with liquid. I am scared after reading this that I am going to gain a lot of weight, and I already had to change my diet because I have high cholesterol. Also When I first started the pill when I went to the bathroom it felt like my urin was on fire. It is really getting to me, and I heard that a lot of people became depressed and moody. I was already liked that. Before starting the pill I took Medroxyprogesterone because I was not getting my period, and then the doctor put me on this to help regulate it. I hope my sex drive doesnt start going down, but I do not see my boyfriend too often. What I did notice was the last time I seen him I started to cry, but this was before I started the pills. My doctor said that the other pills had the same medicine in it as the birth control that I am on now. I will be seeing my boyfriend for the first time since I started these pills in about a day and a half, and I have been getting some pains. I started this pill as soon as I got my period and I had some major stomach problems, so I took midol, and they go on and off. I hope the two medicines wont do any harm. But if I see any signs like everybody else had I will sure take myself off it. The doctor from my college put me on it, and now college is over and I am transfering, so I will not see this doctor anymore. I think I started at a bad time and have no idea what to do if something bad does happen like that.
-- By lostdemonchild28666 | Reply | Private Message me
April 30th
2007
10:04 AM
I just started on Desogen about 2 weeks ago. I already lost 1 pill but I am keeping on taking it. I noticed that I am eating a more, or it seems like it because I am eating 3 times a day instead of 2. My pains feel increased in some places of my body, and I I feel like I am gaining weight. I am on the pill because I had problems with my period, but I am kind of thinking that it is not really a good idea to be on the pill. I will keep taking the pill though for awhile and see if there are any other changes. I already have high cholesterol so my diet has changed, so my whole body is kind of yelling at me right now. As far as sex drive it did not dissapear yet, but after reading this I have a feeling it will. Im wondering how long I will have to stay on this pill because I am not seeing the doctor anymore who put me on it.
-- By lostdemonchild28666 | Reply | Private Message me
March 28th
2007
7:03 PM
I have had many symptons lateley I can't explain so I have begun to start research on the internet. It appears after reading the many posts that it is DESOGEN, I will be exploring different options. I now now why my HAIR IS FALLING OUT, NO SEX DRIVE, MOOD SWINGS especially the week before my period, and TIREDNESS.
-- By emchristine0818 | Reply | Private Message me
March 15th
2007
10:16 PM
It was fine for first 4-5 months. Then the sex drive went downhill until there was nothing left. I stopped the pill for last two months and the sex drive hasent returned.
-- By tangentconstraints | Reply | Private Message me
March 12th
2007
8:03 AM
I have been on Desogen/Apri for years and have had zero problems with it and appreciate the short, light periods. But lately I have wondered if my sex drive (or lack thereof) could be a side effect of the pill. Found this site and am relieved to see it could be related to it. I hesitate to switch pills as I've had so much success on this one, but my husband would enjoy having me in the bedroom again. That's the only side effect I've experienced.
-- By mdeshopping | Reply | Private Message me
January 20th
2007
11:40 PM
Previously on Desogen for 6 months. Good news and bad news. For 2 weeks out of a month I would be up and down with mood swings. Very terrible in which I would become irritable over the slightest things and have huge crying spells. No sex drive until after 4 months. Things got A LOT better after the 4 months, mood swings were gone and sex drive went up a lot!
But changed pharmacy, and they gave me Apri to try (generic form) Been taking it for a week and in the last 3 days it has been hell. I have not been like this for 3 months and the mood swings and crying spells are back in full force! I am going to the pharmacy tomorrow and demanding my desogen back! I went through a long time of bad symptoms to get my body used to it, I am not going off desogen again!
-- By yellowtrumpetuer | Reply | Private Message me
December 15th
2006
8:12 PM
I have decided to stop taking Desogen starting today because I am so sick of having absolutely no sex drive.. and now that I think about it, my appetite has definitely increased! That's not good for somebody who has had gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago!
-- By elinorjean115 | Reply | Private Message me
November 18th
2006
3:14 PM
I just got married a few weeks ago and I didn't want to have sex with my husband on our wedding night!! I did for him, but I had no interest whatsoever. I couldn't understand why until I came to this site. I came here because last night was the final straw. I thought that maybe my sex drive was gone because of something of him, so I decided to make myself ready for him. I couldn't even get me "ready". Dry as could be. For me, this med is a strain on my new marriage!
-- By iamada | Reply | Private Message me
August 19th
2006
10:57 AM
I have been taking Apri for 11 months. I have had so many side effects I thought there was something seriously wrong. My major concern was major hair loss, I felt like I have PMS all of the time, extreme bouts of anger, swollen hands, jittery eyes, skin breaking out and NO sex drive, I feel an actual repulsion to the thought. I finally realized all of my symptoms started at the time I started this pill. BAD PILL..GRRR
-- By meeniepantz | Reply | Private Message me
March 26th
2006
8:42 AM
I've been taking Desogen for 8 months. I don't like it. The major side-effect I've had with this medicine is severe constipation and abdominal cramps. Usually the week before my period is the WORST! I've been stuck in the bathroom for 2 hours at a time. Not good! Also I have no sex drive. And during my period I've noticed the menstrual cramps are very painful and the bleeding is heavier than with other birth control I've taken. I think LoOvaral is the best birth control I've used so far. Ortho-tricyclen is okay too, but way too expensive.
-- By annraeparry | Reply | Private Message me
January 23th
2006
8:00 PM
i have been on apri for about a year, everything is okay with it except i'm more moody and i have NOOO sex drive AT ALL.
-- By kisstheclouds | Reply | Private Message me
December 18th
2004
2:03 PM
Desogen is the worst birth control pill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have experienced many problems: 1. Sex Drive is GONE! 2. Weight Gain and increased hunger 3. Severe Abdominal Cramps 4. Headaches 5. Mood Swings -From extreme bad temper to crying over nothing 6. Nervousness 7. Hot Flashes 8. Flushed Cheeks 9. Constipation 10. Depression
Should I go on? I do not recommend this to anyone!!!!
My Husband's Comment: "THIS IS THE WORST I HAVE EVER SEEN !" He also says no one should be taking this. It should be taken off the market!
July 18th
2004
1:13 PM
I DO NOT recommend Desogen!!! I started taking Desogen because it was cheaper through my university health center. I started off fine...then the second and third week I began getting extremely tense in my neck and shoulders, severe headaches, I had nausea for 2 weeks straight. My eating habits changed dramatically - I began to constantly think about food and get terrible cravings. I had no self-control when it came to food. Everytime I ate, even when I was extremely hungry, I became very bloated. I could have a couple bites of something about feel like I spent 3 hours at a buffet. My breasts increased in size and I gained weight due to the change in eating. My sex drive is low - my boyfriend and I used to have sex regularly but I have not had sex in 23 days - he's been keeping count :(. I am very emotional and depressed sometimes. During these two weeks, I have random pains in my abdomen that feel like cramps I would have during my period. I didn't have any kind of spotting or anything and it wasn't too heavy when I was on my period. I also have very loose stools - often diarea (sp?) then I'll take Immodium and get really constipated. I have almost all of the symptoms of pregnancy but there's no way I'm pregnant - it's this stupid birth control. I know that most medicines take 3 months to get right in the body but I stopped my second month. I couldn't handle it. I stopped last night - right before the start of the 3rd week. I feel amazingly better even the day after - I still feel bloated and stuff though. Don't take it unless you want to feel like you are sick 24/7.
-- By dvefannqc | Reply | Private Message me
June 15th
2004
12:29 PM
I started taking Desogen about a month and a half ago and in the beginning I didn't notice any side effects. About 2-3 weeks into taking it, I realized that my sex drive was very low, and unfortunately it is still low! It's extremely frustrating not only for me, but also for my boyfriend. I then become very stressed out because I know my boyfriend is frustrated with me. I have also noticed that I am quick tempered a bit more lately, and I'm more sensitive resulting in me crying more easily. A side effect that I have not read in this column is one that I may be experiencing. For almost a month now, I've had a burning sensation every time my boyfriend and I are having sex and I'm not sure if this is a result of Desogen. I hate it because when I do want to have sex I can't because it burns so much. If anyone else is experiencing this pain and taking Desogen please let me know. I'm going to the doctor soon but it would be helpful to know if anyone else is going through such frustrating pain. Thanks!
-- By steffie004 | Reply | Private Message me
May 21th
2004
4:12 PM
I have been taking this pill for about 3 months now. I will be starting my 4th month in a couple of days. I am actually going to go talk to my doctor about some side effects I have been having. Right away I noticed vaginal dryness and acne. Not really more acne than before but they became those kind that are really painful and never go away. I also noticed that I have a really short temper...I mean REALLY short. Then to top it off, my sex drive is GONE! I started the pill about a month before I got married while I was still a virgin and I was fine on the honeymoon but now I never seem to be able to get in the mood. I always was able to get in the mood for any sort of sexual thing with my husband (well, boyfriend at the time) before. Now he is getting upset with me because I never want to have sex with him. The problem is, I do want to but my body won't let me! We tried some creams to increase my sex drive and they just ended up giving him a rash and they didn't really work. And I can't take any sort of pills because they will interfere with the pill. It is really starting to affect my NEW marriage. So long story short, I am going to talk to my doctor. I don't know if any other pill will have less effect or not. But I just might try something else cause this is getting really irritating.
-- By butterflylr | Reply | Private Message me
April 27th
2004
11:04 AM
I was on desogen for 7 years and then I switched recently to Mircette. While on Mircette, I was not as moody and my breasts were not as tender however my sex drive was non existent so after four months I switched back to desogen. Now that I am back on it, I am realizing how moody I was previous to switching and many other side effects that I didn't know were caused by birth control pills.
-- By suzyparr | Reply | Private Message me
April 7th
2004
9:07 AM
I stopped taking Desogen two months ago after being on it for about 3 years (just wanted to take a break from pills). When I first started taking it, my skin stopped breaking out (face and body acne), which was nice, but my lips were dry and irritated for the first few months. My breasts increased in size slightly---they seemed to be more full (they returned to normal size one month after I stopped taking it). I gained about 10-15 pounds in the first few months, which made me feel bulky everywhere (even arms). This weight did not come off when I stopped taking it, but it seems that the weight has shifted to my mid section. Not pleasant. I was extremely irritable while taking this pill, and found it hard to contain anger once I started feeling upset (very short temper). I wasn't so much depressed, it was more that I didn't enjoy things as much as I used to. I also started getting horrible HORRIBLE premenstral abdominal pain/cramping over the last year while taking the Desogen. My sex drive decreased greatly during the first 3-4 months while taking it, but it did return (never as strong as before though). Other observations that I've made since being OFF this pill: change in overall body odor (body odor was almost non-existant while on the pill), vaginal dryness immediately after periods, skin started breaking out everywhere about 1.5 months after stopping, irregular periods (start time and length), I feel much more happy/relaxed, incredibly severe yeast infection 2 months after stopped (none during 3 years taking it), pregnancy-like symptoms during pre-menstral time (first two periods after stopped taking). I guess I am shocked at how much pills can affect the body. I am afraid to start taking it again --even if my skin was beautiful. My doctor gave me a perscription for a lower estrogen pill, but I haven't started it yet--- I just feel so unsure about this whole birth control method now. I hope this helps someone make a decision if nothing else!
-- By seralott | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 21th
2004
6:35 PM
I've been on for about a month. My skin is clearer than its ever been, my sex-drive has increased and my appetite has decreased (this is definately a good thing!). I do get occasional head aches but they could be stress related, and a little spotting, but I think my body just needs to adjust. So far, I like it a lot!
-- By kat4590 | Reply | Private Message me
March 5th
2004
11:19 AM
Ever since I have started taking this drug my sex drive has been nonexistant. I think my boyfriend is soon going to go into fits.
-- By criss.at | Reply | Private Message me
February 16th
2004
4:36 AM
I have been taking this pill for 10 years now. For the past 3 months I have not had my period. I'm not pregnant. My doctor doesn't know why this is happening. Even before that, It would only be for 1 day, if that. My sex drive has always been low, and It is so hard to loose weight, and it gives me acne. I think it is about time for me to stop. When I do stop, I'll let you know what happens.
-- By edgbat1 | Reply | Private Message me
February 3th
2004
11:41 AM
January 5th
2004
9:57 AM
I have become very irritible and moody, and my sex drive has majorly decreased. I also am very sensitve and take things too seriously and i'm very quick to snap at someone.
-- By beckylynn81 | Reply | Private Message me
June 22th
2008
1:34 PM
I was on the Depo shot for a while then my hair started falling out! I switched to Desogen and now i have absolutely no sex drive what so ever. I mean when I say no sex drive I mean NONE. When me and my boyfriend so have sex it's like it hurts so bad. Then I have this constant discharge all the time. I Don't know what to do. I would love to come off of it and see a regular doctor but I don't have medical insurance. I hate all hormonal birth control methods..
-- By slyslyvia2003 | Reply | Private Message me