Question:
This may sound really like a strange kind of question, I hope you don't
mind.
I am somewhat frightened because of this small hint that depressive symptoms
may occur as possible side effects of oral contraception. 4 months ago I
ended my treatment with antidepressants and I felt terrific even during and
after the withdrawal period. Two weeks ago I started using oral
contraception and since then I have had recurrent episodes of severe
insomnia and crying outbursts. Pure coincidence? Paranoia? Has anyone had
similar experiences?
Answer:
Not at all a strange question. Oral contraceptives have varying dosages of
different hormones and, like anti-depressants, different people will have
different reactions to them. The pill sends a message to your pituitary
gland and tells it that you're pregnant so your pituitary stops sending a
message to your ovaries to drop an egg every 28 days. No egg, nothing to
fertilize, no baby. However, your whole system thinks you're pregnant, so
many people will have some of the same symptoms as if they were pregnant. I
have not been successful in taking any brand of the pill. One made me
incredibly aggressive and downright ornery, another had me crying and yet
another caused nausea vomiting. However, many more women than not, that I
know of, can find a pill that works for them. You may want to call your
doctor and let her/him know your symptoms. There are many alternatives to
try if you choose to. I can't say that I've heard of what you describe, but I can report that my
wife was having a very cyclic problem with crashing every two weeks,
having about a week of really bad depression, then going up again to "not
as bad" depression for a week or two. The cycle was perfectly timed. Going
on to oral contraception pills regulated that cycle and stopped the cyclic
crashing she was experiencing. So, I don't know if it's what is causing your trouble, but it seems
possible. Perhaps a different oral contraceptive pill would work better for
you, or perhaps you'll have to stop taking them. It's certainly something
to check in to.
The problem is: If I can't find a pill
that works for me, I will have to resort to other forms of contraception
like before. This is, we will have to use condoms in connection with
chemical contraception again, which has worked out fine for the last six
months. BUT it's said not to be as safe as the pill. And then I will again
constantly worry about getting pregnant. I guess I react extremely
exaggerated as far as this is concerned and I will have to figure it out for
myself. I heard Dr. Dean Edell saying recently that IUD's were the safest and
most effective birth control method, but having gotten a bad name
because of problems with one type or brand, no one wanted to use them.
Just a thought.
My GYN has also suggested the IUD and dittoed EZ's info about it getting a
bad rap because of one former brand with design problems. I have friends
who swear by it and my doc told me that it's as safe if not safer than the
pill. The only people they don't suggest it for are those with heavy cramps
and/or heavy bleeding because it can exaggerate these syptoms. I am on the "Pill" as well and according to my information about Microgyon
(which is my pill) depressive moods can occur, I'm on an anti-depressant for
reactive depression and it does not affect the pill or the doctor would have
told me.
Depression often occurs with P.M.T. my depression will get worse then, maybe
that is happening to you. You could try Vitamin B6 or St John's Wort both
available at the chemist. I'm trying St John's Wort myself. Don't worry
you're not being paranoid. I am on the "pill" myself and I'm still suffering from P.M.T. which I
thought suppose to stop, eventually this week I was suffering from extreme
depression (worse than normal) that I went to the doctor and was prescribed
Norethisterone tablets (progestogens which are in the pill) for my P.MT.
I've suffered from this for years and know they tell me to try this
doctors!!! maybe you might like to try these before giving up the pill,
getting pregnant will get you more depressed I know it would me at the
moment. The Reactive depression I'm suffering from is being "controlled" by
the Anit-Depressants, but this extreme "premenstrual" depression I can't.
