Severe Depression From Mixed Pill Posted: 12-27-03 17:08pm
Hi,
I began taking birth control about two
months ago. I started on microgynon 30,
which is a 1.5 progestin
(levonorgestrel)/30 estrogen combination.
Within 24 hours of taking the pill, I
became extremely irritable. As I
continued taking it, I began crying
uncontrollably for periods of 1-2 hours,
and could not interact with others
socially. I also had anxiety and panic
attacks, and considered cutting myself.
At times, I couldn't get out of bed.
I went off that pill after six days. I
tried loestrin 30 this month, which has a
different, weaker progestin (norethindrone
acetate), but is still a 1.5 progestin/30
estrogen combo. After 48 hours, I had
the same severe depression.
I have no history of depression. After
stopping both of these pills, my mood
returned to normal after about three days.
Has anyone else had these side effects?
If so, do you know which hormone is
causing the effect? What can I do to
prevent another severe reaction?
I am sexually active and would like to
take bc pills if possible. I have heard
that progestin causes depressive side
effects; it causes similar (but less
severe) effects during the end of my
menstual cycle. Are any pills better for
women whose moods are negatively affected
by progestin? Are there any tests
doctors can perform on me to ascertain the
problem? Any help would be greatly
appreciated!!
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sourlikecandee
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 4 Location: paradise
Posted: 01-05-04 01:21am
Hi, I have no answers to all your
questions but I want to express my
sympathy b/c I have also experience mad
depression on birth control.
I have tried the depo shot and now on the
patch. I
believe I am "less" depress and emotional.
I still get
hysterical and cry for no reason. But I
also get over it
very quickly.
If the pill already makes you depress, I
suggest you
stay away from depo, I read many many
stories that depo makes you very
emotional. They even
dedicated a webpage to warn people about
it.
I am just starting birth control this
week, but prior to now, I had read that bc
can cause depression. I have a history of
depression, so I mentioned it to my
doctor. She says that the depression is
often caused because many bc pills deplete
your body of the b vitamins. Lack of b
vitamins in your body can and does cause
depression. She suggested that if I was
serious about taking bc, I should be
taking vitamin b... But not just a multi
vitamin, a b complex pill to replace the
missing vitamins.... Figured it may do
you some good if I mention it... Good
luck
