Well we all have to keep in mind what
birth control is. It's something that
adjusts your body/hormones in a way that
is not natural for your body to be,
therefore, any and every type of birth
control (besides getting your tubes tied
probably - and many of us don't want
that!) is going to mess up your balance in
some way. Alot of them cause depression
because they do set off the same feelings
as pms. I guess eventually we just all
have to shop around to find one that gives
us symptoms we can better live with, like
say, not as moody but having to gain some
wieght.
|
Mich
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Mississauga
Posted: 10-25-05 10:18am
I think that if you treat the depression
as pms it might help. I used to naturally
get pms and I found that taking a calcium
supplement made the depression none
existant. It worked great. I have been
on the pill(alesse 21) for 2 1/2 years, I
have had problems with many other pills in
the past, and this one has given me no
problems except for a lower sex drive.
Its still there, but not like before. I
always thought that the sugar pills were
the problem cause now that I take 21's I
have no problem. Well, I really advise
taking calcium, it works really good. It
helps out with all different points of
pms.
Good luck :)
|
emily79
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 1
Birth Control And Depression Posted: 08-03-06 08:28am
I am so relieved to read all of your
responses regarding birth control and
depression. I started estrostep 5 months
ago and I have drastically changed. I
began to cry for no reason, feel very
suspicious of my boyfriend and
overwhelmed. I finally started linking
the sudden changes to the birthcontrol
after speaking with some friends who had
noticed depression on the pill. I made an
appointment with the gynecologist to
change pills and in the meantime,
discontinued the pill. One really bad
move on my part was that we were going on
vacation and I wanted to prevent my period
from coming. After not taking the pill
for three weeks, I took the pill for 5
days to postpone the period until after we
got back. Since then, I have suffered
severe panic attacks, waking up in the
middle of the night with sweats and out of
control feelings. I began crying all of
the time and could not keep any food down.
This drastic change has really scared me
and they have put me on an anti-anxiety
medication. I have mentioned to several
doctors the possibility of the birth
control effecting all of this, and they
have all adamantly denied the possibility.
Why are more physicians aware of this?
|
maddielove0308
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 1 Location: OHIO
Birth Control And Depression Posted: 02-08-07 19:50pm
I have also had the same problem. I have
tried ortho-tricyclen, the nuva ring and
the iud and seem to suffer from severe
depression when I am on any of them. I
am currently on the iud which I have not
only suffered from depression but also
sleeplessness. I can't take it much
longer. Just wondering if anyone else
has had any problems or experiences with
the iud? It seems like everyone seems to
be under the impression that the iud is
supposed to be so much better than the
others in that sense. I am at the point
that I can barely function and am about to
just take it out and see if it makes a
difference. I recently made the
connection between the time that I had the
iud implanted and the on-set of my
problems. At that time, I had already
known that the nuva ring caused problems
for me and realized that when I was
younger and was put on anti-depressants
was around the same time that I started
birth control. This time, it has been
really bad for me - I have actually had
suicidal thoughts as well. I had my iud
implanted about 6 months ago and shortly
after all of this started. My life has
been hell ever since. I don't feel like
myself. I actually attempted the nuva
ring two times. The first time I asked
my doctor if it causes mood changes and he
said he hadn't heard anyone else complain
of that. That is why I tried it the
second time and the same thing happened.
|
Kityoko
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 7
Posted: 02-09-07 23:49pm
I think all hormonal birth control has a
possibility of affecting your mood. I
mean, on some level, you're tricking your
body into thinking you're pregnant.
Many pregnant women complain of being
highly emotional. There's probably a
connection. I don't think it matters if
it's the pill, patch, ring, shot, norplant
or mirena iud, there's still a good chance
it'd do that for some women, because it's
hormones. Some pills work better for
some people though. I've tried three of
those six, several pills, and had bad
reactions to all of them. Also, it
wasn't all the time - I even worried it
was just me till one week when I was
having serious physical pms signs and
started crying when nothing was wrong.
Never happened off the pill. And as
another poster said, the planned
parenthood providers in my city were not
very receptive.
The non-hormonal copper iud is around 98%
effective. Sadly, it's the only 'highly
effective', non-hormonal, non-permanant bc
out there. It was definitely hard to
get in though. I finally opted for
conscious sedation. I just got it in
today, and I feel great. And no
hormones! Here's hoping. I'll post
in a month or two about progress.
|
kca
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 2 Location: California
Depression And Oc's? You Bet!! Posted: 03-05-07 02:41am
I have learned over the past 15 years that
I am very sensitive to hormones. I have
taken OC's for that long to regulate my
period (2x monthly). Through the challenge
of finding the right pill and dealing with
horrible PMS (try having your period 2x
month!), I have learned that I can
tolerate only one birth control pill brand
so far (multiphasil--Tri-Levlin 2 that gives me a
regular period and lowest PMS symptoms
(however still get 3-5 bad days/month).
When I have tried other pills, *even* the
generic of Tri-Levlin 28, they have made
me VERY depressed and anxious--and have my
period at odd times.
So, YES. OC'S CAN MAKE OR ALLEVIATE
DEPRESSION.
Clue: I noticed that during PMS my alcohol
tolerance is higher, therefore suggesting
a blocker of Serotonin going on already.
However, SSRI's have NOT helped my PMS
(maybe I need an elevated does?).
Good luck!
|
kca
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 2 Location: California
Ps Posted: 03-05-07 02:43am
I decided that what I need is a "hormone
cocktail" not an SSRI cocktail. Let's
address the problem at the root! The
challenge is finding an OB/GYN doctor who
is willing to stay the course. All of them
so far, prescribe an OC and if it doesn't
work, just want me to go back on the old
one--that works good enough, but not well
enough.
|
Bones74
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 1 Location: MO
Why Won't Doctors Warn Us of This? Posted: 03-08-07 13:56pm
I've been on several forms of birth
control and I too feel "on edge" because
of them.
If one thing makes me angry about this it
is that doctors do not make a serious
enough point of this potentially
life-shattering side effect. For some
women, this changes us in ways that we
can't quite name and if it happens as
teenagers, we may blame ourselves.
I did.
I went on the pill at 19 and spent the
next two years thinking I was a crazy
person, a jealous girlfriend and an
emotional wreck.
I get very grumpy thinking about how much
happier I would have been if my doctor had
said something like, "Please tell me
immediatly if you notice mood swings."
Eventually I found that LoEstrin worked
well for me, with only mild moodiness and
a SIGNIFICANT but not massive amount of
hairloss.
However, after going off it for a year,
when I tried to go back on the moodiness
was too much.
The NuvaRing seems to be working OK, but
my mood was black for two days this week.
If it stays that short, I'll deal. If
not, I'm going off.
The thing is, women blame themselves for
these side effects. I did for years.
It's only after all the experiences I've
had both on and off the pill that I know
can be sure there is a connection.
I truly wish doctors were more forthcoming
about this.
|
Quetta2007
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Georgia
Estrostep And Depression Posted: 04-12-07 14:04pm
Hello ladies,
I have experienced the same symptoms,
and I thought I was going nuts also. I was
instructed to begin Estrostep Fe Tuesday,
March 13, 2007 (mid pack) everything
seemed to be normal aside from a little
feeling down from time-to-time.
My period came on the third inactive
pill as my doctor said it would. I
completed all the inactive pills while on
my period. Then I began the new pack
Sunday, April 1, 2007. Since then I have
been through hell and high water. I have
been crying everyday, crying my self to
sleep, having negative thought about those
who I come into contact with and my face
has broken out more than usual.
I have cursed a lot of people out. I
can't do my homework because I have been
so sad. I cry everytime I see pregnant
women or small babies. I have been feeling
so alone and by myself, and I am being
effected while on my internship.
I have thrown the birth control away as
of today Thursday, April 12, 2007. I do
not feel what I have gone through in the
past month is worth any of this. I am in
college and I am 300+ miles away from my
significant other (who I rarely see), so I
will continue with condoms when we decide
to get intimate because putting a
synthetic in my body is just not worth it
when there are other alternatives.
|
mias
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 21
Posted: 04-17-07 04:52am
i had the same thing when i was on the
combined pill, i went to my local fpc and
spoke to the doctor about other methods,
it turns out oestrogen can cause
depression and moodswings. so she put me
on the Progesterone only pill (Cerazette),
and ive not had one mood swing and
actually feel amazing. Since it is a very
low dose of progesterone i have had some
bleeding since about a week after i began
taking it, but have been told this will
settle down and become more regular.
Anyway anyone that has any bad symptoms
while taking the combined pill i certainly
recommend Progesterone only birth control,
which is available in Pill, Injection and
Implant form. Im getting the implant next
month.
|
Tanly
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Canada
Breakdown Posted: 05-28-07 21:20pm
Thanks girls for posting your experiences!
I'm so glad I'm not going insane. I was
knew something was wrong a few weeks ago
when I started reacting to events with
tears which usually never happens. I've
been on Alesse for about 2 months now, and
Yasmin before that (but i gave me acne!),
and since starting the pill I've become an
emotional wreck. I'm usually a very cool
and collected person. At first I thought
it was just normal to feel a bit more
emotional since the pill is hormones, but
now im starting to wonder if I should
quit them. THe problem is I can't decide
which will be worse, having uncontrollable
stress about contraception failure and
pregnancy or being depressed but 99% safe?
My experience is pretty much reflective
of many of yours: anxiety (having
increased trust issues), feeling that rain
cloud following me, feeling like sleeping
all the time, being extremely irraitable
and unable to hold back tears.
I'm just wondering if there are any other
options out there that will decrease the
symptoms? from reading the comments it
seems like changing brands has very little
effect, is it worth it? are there any
other highly effective forms of birth
control that don't involve hormones and
can be used with condoms? im so lost in
this world of sex....
|
sissy57
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 13 Location: USA
Posted: 05-29-07 11:56am
It makes me feel so much better to know
that I am not alone!! I have tried 3
different pills (Ortho Tri Cyclen, Ortho
Tri Cyclen Lo, and Aleese) and the
Nuvaring.
I had side with all of the methods. With
Ortho Tri Cyclen, I had severe mood
swings. I felt like I wanted to kill
someonw. With Lo, I had mood swings and
unexplained bleeding. On Aleese, I would
bleed for 2 out of 4 weeks each month.
Most recently, I was on Nuvaring.
Nuvaring was by far the worst in regard to
side effects. I had severe mood swings; I
could go from crying to being extremely
mad in 2 seconds flat! I experienced
moderate hair loss (more than just normal
"shedding"); unexplained bleeding,
anxiety, low to no sex drive. I began to
feel so depressed and overwhelmed that I
just didn't think life was worth living.
I immediately took the ring out (3 days
after insertion) when I began to feel
extremely depressed and anxious; almost
suicidal. I called my doctor to tell her
what was going on and she had the nerve to
tell me that it was "all in my head" and
that I should "tough it out". Needless to
say, I was not thrilled with her response.
She basically chastised me for taking the
ring out.
I have been off of the hormones for about
4 weeks now and I feel GREAT!! My side
effects are disappearing and I feel like
my body is mine again.
I will not go on any form of hormonal
birth control ever again. Thankfully, my
husband is willing to use condoms (the
natural membrane ones are great by the
way) and spermicide. I know it is not as
effective as the hormones, but it is a
risk I am willing to take.
|
Tylanas
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 12985
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
Posted: 05-29-07 13:44pm
Why don't you discuss your troubles with
horomonal control with someone from a
planned parenthood? They tend to be very
understanding, and they can help you if
you're interested in a non-horomonal iud.
I think people forget that there are other
forms of birth control for women that
don't involve horomones:
Birth Control And Depression Posted: 07-16-07 11:54am
Ok, well I guess i'm the only guy on here
but here's my situation. My wife and i
got married last april. She started
taking birth control in january and she
seemed normal up unitl we got married.
Once we got married it's like a light
switch went off and she became a totally
different person. She was unhappy all the
time with me and her job and really
anything. I feel like she has turned to
alot of worldly possesions to try and
bridge those gaps but nothing satisfys
her. And she is pushing hereself further
and further from me. Beofre we got
married our relationship was perfect and
then just instantly went downhill. Does
that time table of like 4 months from when
she started on the pill add up to this
change in personality? For some reason
she says it's not the pill and she won't
get off of it. I just wish she would try
to see if it helps at all. Has anyone
experienced something like this or think
it makes since?
|
Tylanas
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 12985
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
Re: Birth Control And Depression Posted: 07-16-07 18:55pm
spencia98gt
wrote:
Ok, well I guess i'm the
only guy on here but here's my situation.
My wife and i got married last april. She
started taking birth control in january
and she seemed normal up unitl we got
married. Once we got married it's like a
light switch went off and she became a
totally different person. She was unhappy
all the time with me and her job and
really anything. I feel like she has
turned to alot of worldly possesions to
try and bridge those gaps but nothing
satisfys her. And she is pushing hereself
further and further from me. Beofre we
got married our relationship was perfect
and then just instantly went downhill.
Does that time table of like 4 months from
when she started on the pill add up to
this change in personality? For some
reason she says it's not the pill and she
won't get off of it. I just wish she
would try to see if it helps at all. Has
anyone experienced something like this or
think it makes
since?
Personality changes on the pill normally
happen immediately and then fade, instead
of what happened to your wife. I agree,
it's her not the pills, and she has a
serious stick up her butt...
|
italia135
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Sep 2007 Posts: 1
Bcp And Depression Posted: 09-16-07 20:58pm
I've been on the BCP for 6 months now.
I've noticed i am not the same person i
was before taking them. I am so emotional
and i cry at any given time. I've also
noticed that for no reason i feel so
alone. im in a realation ship and it is
the best thing that ever happened to me so
i shouldn't be feeling this way. I've
been feeling depressed and was going to go
to my doctor to maybe seek info about
medication. I found this website and
realized that it is the BCP that is making
me feel this way. I've never been
depressed in my life and i know that the
pill is the reason for me feeling this
way. It just sux for girls because being
in a realationship and wanted to use the
pill for prevention of pregnancy and not
being able to because it just totally
takes over your emotions is hard to deal
with. I am in the first week of my 7th
month but i've decided today i will
immediately stop them and never take the
pill again. I would rather deal with
using condoms and being nervous about
pregnancy every month than having them
control my emotions and messing with my
head. Thanks to everyone for making me
realize what the pill really is about!!
|
Tylanas
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 12985
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
Posted: 09-16-07 21:48pm
Another type of pill may work for you, and
there are a lot of options including
nuvaring, the shot and the patch that are
also hormonal.
Furthermore, there are non-hormonal things
you can do aside from just condoms. IUDs,
Cervical caps and Diaphragms are all
viable options!
|
ibrandlilponies
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 1 Location: ,
Beginning Again Posted: 09-19-07 19:57pm
I was on bcp about a year ago for the
first time and they made me crazy. I got
really depressed (not just crying, im
talking to the point of finding a spot on
my way home from work and ending it all
depressed). Im usually a happy person,
rarely cry, and its hard to get me angry.
But when I was on bcp, I couldn't control
anything. I could hear myself and see what
I was doing, but I couldn't stop myself
from being insane. Needless to say, I
stopped taking the pills, and Im lucky I
trusted myself and not anyone else (who
told me bcp doesn't cause depression).
I went back to being my old self, Im happy
again and love my life. I found the love
of my life this summer and being in a
sexual relationship, I dont want to worry
about getting pregnant so Im wanting to
get back on birth control (I cant use
condoms, im allergic to a lot of them.)
I'm also going for severe cramps. So its
not just to prevent pregnancy. has anyone
found a pill that won't make you
completely nuts, will help control my
cramps, and prevent pregnancy?? I'd really
appreciate any help!
|
BlanketFace
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 1
Posted: 09-20-07 18:42pm
I was wondering how long roughly does it
take once you stop taking the birth
control till you see the depression
fading?
|
Georgia59
Supporter
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5480 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 78
Thanked:31
Posted: 09-20-07 21:20pm
m0lly2005
wrote:
Well we all have to keep in
mind what birth control is. It's
something that adjusts your body/hormones
in a way that is not natural for your body
to be, therefore, any and every type of
birth control (besides getting your tubes
tied probably - and many of us don't want
that!) is going to mess up your balance in
some way. Alot of them cause depression
because they do set off the same feelings
as pms. I guess eventually we just all
have to shop around to find one that gives
us symptoms we can better live with, like
say, not as moody but having to gain some
wieght.
Although many women experience icky side
effects on some pills, most are able to
'shop around' and find a pill that gives
them no side effects. Just keep trying!
that gives me a
regular period and lowest PMS symptoms
(however still get 3-5 bad days/month).
