Anxiety and hormonal imbalance?

[Autumnx1003]

Hey all,

I have talked to a few women my age (25-35 range) and they were put on birth control pills for their anxiety & depression.  One is taking Yaz and another is wearing the patch.  I have also had it said to me many times that the sudden onset of this more extreme anxiety that I have been experiencing the last few months, in addition to the fact that I'm broke out like a 16 year-old,  might very well be a hormonal imbalance---too much estrogen maybe.  I have not taken any birth control since 2003, and at that time I was on a 3-phase pill.  I also have no children. What I'm hearing success with is the single-phase, low estrogen contraceptives---the ones that keep a steady flow of hormones in your system throughout the month.

Has anyone had any success with treating anxiety/depression symptoms with birth control?  I have read a lot of bad things on other forums, but for the ladies I know personally, they seem to swear by it. (and yes, I know that my doctor will be the best decider of this, but I like to research on my own before I approach him with it)

Please let me know your experiences...have a good weekend! :)

[Suzzie205]

I am much older than,almost 55, and I do believe that hormones play apart in anxiety. I had gone 2 years without a period so I believed that I had sailed into menopause with no problems. Well, after 2 years I got a full blown period and that  was 2 years ago this coming July. Nothing in my life has been the same since. I was always a nervous Nelly and always a worrier, but nothing like what I'm going through now. I joked with my Dr. that I feel like a fell off the hormone cliff or was pushed. So even though you are so much younger than I, I think hormones really can effect our mental state.

Hopefully, this helped you a little, but my experience is all I have to share. Best of luck to you and hopefully you have a Dr. that really listens to you. That's half the battle.

[greenlydia]

I think it's great that you are doing some research before you approach you gyno. Being "armed" with knowledge gives you power.
At 57 and way past menopause, I don't think I am in a position to help with your question. In my day, the "pill" pretty much in a one size fits all box and the level of estrogen in them was frightening! Today, you young women have so much more knowledge and so many more choices, I can only envy you.
I work with many younger women then myself and as we all know, we women eventually get around to talking about our periods. If you have spoken with other women who say that various contraceptive meds have helped with their anxiety, than you should ask your doctor if that is indeed one of the "good" side effects of that particular drug. I personally have never heard of a birth control pill helping anyone with REAL anxiety issues. Menopause is sometimes the first time in a woman's life that she experience anxiety, it often comes with the territory, but they aren't given birth control pills for it.
So, essentially, my advice is worthless. I urge you to continue to educate yourself about what is out there and applaud you for that...........and as you said, it will eventually be you and your gyno who decide what is best for you.
That you have been experiencing more anxiety in the past few months and breaking out like a 16 year old, I believe that would send up a red flag for me to see my gyno sooner rather than later. Believe it or not, you are not too young to have begun to experience perimenopause, and your symptoms are classic. Or, you could indeed just be having a bout of out of whack hormones for some reason, but those are, once again, reasons only your doctor can explain. Either way, I would make an appointment soon and discuss all of this with them.
Good luck and we'll be waiting to welcome you into the "RED HAT SOCIETY!"
Peace
Greenlydia

[Autumnx1003]

Thank you ladies for your responses.  I saw a homeopathic doctor today, and he doesnt suspect hormones.  I will keep you all posted!