birth control pill causing anxiety/ depression??

I was just wondering if anyone has been on birth control pills and have suffered from anxiety or depression issues? I have been on the pill for 11yrs now and cant take how I am feeling anymore. I went on the pill for irregular periods, but since then I have been feeling blah, libido has decreased severely, I have sinus problems- I found out I have no allergies- so I think it is related to axiety, I worry constantly about everything; I get so nervous I get light headed sometimes. I thinkk I am going to try and stop the pills. I was just wondering if anyone had similar side effects from birth control pills. Thank you!

[jwinst]

I believe that the pill gave me some anxiety issues. I was on them for 6 years or so and have been off them for about 3 months. I have definitely noticed a change in my libido since I stopped...for the better:) I still have anxiety issues, but I know that it is still early and takes time for hormones to readjust. If you can use alternate forms of birth control I would try stopping and see what happens. My period has been on time since I stopped and they have been fairly short and light. Putting all  those hormones in our bodies certainly has consequences and I think increased anxiety may be one of them.

[torque]

Thank you for the quick  comment! I feel better knowing that someone else has similar effects. I took my last pill last night. I cant wait to see how I feel!!

[worriewort]

you mentioned you think your anxiety was from birth control pills. That may be very true. I had taken the pill maybe 15 years ago and stopped because I was starting a family. I was given the pill in dec 2005 to help with my PMS,heavy bleediing etc. I was on it for one month and had extreme anxiety from it. Seriously, I would worry about dying, a sniffle caused me to think I was dying. I couldn't breathe, my heart would pound. I had EKG, blood work, etc. everything came out fine. So, I quit the pill. It's been 1 year. I still have some anxiety, only around my period, which leaves me to believe it's hormones. The pill isn't for everyone. My sister & friend had same experiences.

I have started yoga, excercising, eating right and seeing a therapist...it really helps.  

I totally know how you feel!!!

[torque]

Thank you for your comment. I have just stopped the pill this week, so it is too soon to see a change yet. I have also found numerous articles about how exercise and diet can effect the length and pain associated with periods. I am trying to adapt to a new healthy life style. I hope this works!! Thanks again!

[jenabug]

OMG! Thank you everyone who has posted on this forum. I am only 20 years old and I have been on the pill for about 9 months now. I have horrible anxiety. I have never felt this before, so I know my birth control is causing this! I go to the gyno in a couple weeks and I hope that she can figure something out. I do want to get pregnant again for quite a few years, so I definitely need some form of birth control. I hope that I can find something that will not cause me to have severe anxiety. I have the most horrid panic attacks. I worry constantly, and I can never have any fun because of my anxiety. I cannot even go to the movies because I start to freak! This is getting way out of hand!

[bruglj3316]

I too had anxiety issues on birth control pills.  I was nauseated constantly and development anorexia.  I lost 20 lbs on birth control pills and was nervous and sick on a daily basis.   I went off birth control 5 years ago and have been fine since then.  Good riddens to birth control pills.....I now have an IUD and have gained my weight back.  I had no clue what was wrong with me at the time, but looking back I had a HUGE problem.  Good luck to all of you.  My advice is get out while you still can.  I caused alot of bodily harm while on birth control.  My bones suffered from not enough calcium, my muscles deteriorated, and my teeth were a mess.  These are all things that can't be reversed.

[Calma]

This discussion is so interesting.  Probably the thing that we can take away from it is that hormones do play an important role in anxiety.  

I have had the complete opposite reaction from the rest of the community.  I had been on the pill for years (for irregular menstruation) and then went off of it - thought it had been long enough.  About a month after quitting the pill, I started having panic attacks (but didn't yet correlate it with the pill).  I started taking the pill again a couple of months later, then went off of it again - the panic attacks came on full force about a month later.  It was horrible!  I got to a point where I could not function.  Searching for an answer, I put the pieces together regarding the timing of the onset and going off of the pill.  I decided to start taking the pill again to see what happened...  I think that I now may always have to struggle with panic attacks to some extent.  Once you've had such a horrible experience, can you ever go back to being normal?  But, since I've been back on the pill, I don't have any problem with going about day-to-day life (the attacks are much less debilitating and come with much less frequency - and this dramatic change occurred within the first month of taking the pill again).

I think that the issue of hormones is probably not talked about as much as it should be with relation to panic attacks and how to go about treating this disorder.

Best wishes to you all!

[Gracieface]

I was on the pill for four months and I became more anxious as well.  By the fourth month I had one evening where my thoughts began to race really fast and I felt out of control.  I had never had anxiety like that before.  I also became nervous about my boyfriend all the time and worried he may be unfaithful, which before I started the pill and after I stopped it, was not an issue.  I also got depressed in a more intense way on the placebo pills.  I really think its a shame that more is not done to study the effects of the pill on mood.  my roommate is also admittedly more edgy since she has been on the pill but is afraid to stop for fear of not having a better option.  she has also gained a lot of weight.  the pill is no miracle, and i think our society is naive to think processed hormones do not affect how we feel.  

[lila8022]

hi my name is lila and for the past three months i have been trying to pray this anxiety away. I am 27 and a mother to a one and a half year old. after her birth i was put on the nuva ring and had to get off due to really bad migrains. After i got off i started to experiance panick attacks and anxiety and even got depressed. I have never felt this way before in my life until after i got off the ring. I've talked to my doctor they want to put me on lexapro, but i know what i have is hormonal. around my period is when i have the worst anxiety. I've started to speak with a counselor and she agrees it is hormonal and has advised me not to take the lexapro yet. We are going to use it as a last resort. Until i can't take it anymore. in the mean time i am trying to take walks to get moving, eating right, and taking vitamins. i also drink an ensure to help me gain some weight back. i lost 15 lbs! This is what i am doing to try and get better. I would love to hear what other people out there are doing to get over the anxiety and what they have been taking. Has anyone gotten over this with time?? How long does it take to feel normal again?? I would appreciate any feed back and support. Here is my email address for anyone wanting to become support buddies ***@****
Thank you
~~lila~~

[lila8022]

i guess it won't let me post my email address. You can click on my user name and send you to an area to send me a private message.
~lila~

[hethrnoel]

I was on the Pill for half of my 20s and into my 30s and, during those years, had terrible anxiety.  I recently had a child, had to go back on the Pill, not realizing the Pill was causing bad anxiety (practically anxiety attacks)--and was back in full force (pretty much at its all-time worst).  

I wish I had known all those years I was on the Pill that it was causing the anxiety b/c I could have saved myself a lot of grief and discomfort.  

I still have to find a form of birth control and was recently told that the copper IUD doesn't have the same effect as the Pill, so I'm gonna give that a shot.  

[lila8022]

Hi all, I  just email dr. oz from the oprah show. Will you send him an email telling your story about anxiety after birth control too? I think it's time we get some answers instead of just taking anti-depressants. If you want to send him an email go to OPRAH.com scroll down the page and on the left had side is a ask dr. oz box. Click it then go to the blue topic about anxiety and panick attacks. Click that and fill out your info. and tell him your story.
thanks.
Tell all you hormonally unbalanced friends to do the same.

[cocot]

good for you lila.....
damn these pills... they have ruined so so many women, most of which are now addicted to anti-depressants because a doctor told them this would help..
My therapist advised I take the Lexapro for 5 or 6 months and ween myself.... I think not... the side effects are worse than the actual anxiety symptoms.., and god forbid you try and stop taking the anti- depressants- they will surely send you over the edge with the anxiety sypmtoms... had I known all of this- I would have never ever taken a pill...
There are lots of women out there like us....some of them drowning in there own fear.......I pray for them, us and me....
more research and studies need to be done to link this stuff to hormones- than just the brain waves and brain chemical studies they do............

[lilmoon]

Wow, I thought I was really losing my mind!  Ever since I started ortho tri-cyclen lo I have been so moody (extreme rage then histerical crying for NO reason).  My Dr has me on it because I have extremely heavy periods and anemia (level hovering around a 5 or 6 for cbc).  I am also on Wellbuterin and I am wondering if I should stop both or just the bc???  Anyone else have this problem with the same two meds?  I think I am in grave danger of losing my friends because my anxiety is so extreem and I am raging so I act out on my anxieties...  Then there's the domino affect!  I am so scared...  I really love my friends, but they don't seem to REALLY understand...  Now I am going to cry.  What the heck!  

[wmll19]

I've switched to the pill now but just started but after I had my son i wanted to try Depo-provera I got the shot until my son was six months old and I think it may have had something to do with my mood I started feeling really sad all the time and started getting chest pains and bad headaches I went to the er twice with chest pains and they did a ct scan and ekg and said everything was fine both times and they did a scan on my head to check for tumors and they said everything was fine with that too but I was obsessed and am still a little that I am gonna die from something that couldv'e been prevented even though the tests came back negative sorry to go on rambling when you have problems of your own but I was just curious if the depo affected me I support your decision to go off the pill I would love to myself but - sorry for the tmi- I HATE the feel of condoms

[Peewee55]

I was on birth control for a few years and then stopped due to financial issues. I didn't get my period for a year and a half.  I wasn't ok with that so I went back on it.  I do have anxiety issues, chest pain, insomnia, suicidal thoughts (but not attempted), and am known as a worrier.  My doctor dismissed me when I brought up the idea of hormones from my birth control.  He now wants to put me on antidepressants (Paxil).  I don't want to stop the pill because I want a normal cycle and don't want to get pregnant.  I'm not sure what to do next, but am starting to rethink the Paxil idea.

[michelleanne]

Hmmm, I am just curious if this has anything to do with the estrogen in the pills?  Talk to your doc (or several docs, diff opinions) and see if you can get a lower dosage that doesn't affect your hormones as much?  I hope this makes sense.

[imgonnabeamommy111608]

the pill does make you have mood swings.. depression, anger, kinda like pms bu alittle worse.

[shortshorthair]

I had little spouts of anxiety before I went on the pill.  Once I got on the pill I was super anxious and had to be put on Zoloft.  I stopped taking the pill (a month ago) and am now (today) done with the Zoloft (after a painful weaning period).  I feel fine.  No anxiety that isn't warranted.  Try getting off the pill before you go on antidepressants.  If the pill isn't causing the anxiety than you know the condition far reaches pharmaceuticals.  Though I must say when I was on Zoloft it worked wonders just sucked to wean off it.

[kathryn80]

The pill makes your body think it's pregnant... I don't have experience being pregnant, but I do have experience on the pill... I think it is a price we pay for the benefits.  If you can afford not to be on it, probably better.  Personally, I have 2 week periods without and am not sure if I can get a handle on them without it.  

[moonsun]

Have any of you heard of compounded natural hormones?  (Suzanne Sommers, the blonde star of Three is Company, an old TV show, wrote a book about these.)  Once your hormone levels are measured--in blood or urine--conbinations of different hormones are put together, in capsules, to your bodies specifications; you need to find a gyn or a Dr. open to these and willing to work with you.  These compounded hormones do not affect fertility, they are not for birth control purposes, but can certainly help with excessive, irregular bleeding, depression, menopause symptoms and other hormonal imbalances.   My heart goes out to all you having problems with the pill.  
I have a 20 year old, 4 months on the pill, experiencing constant anxiety and depression with anger and bouts of crying over small things.  I am helping her find alternatives.  It has been very helpful to read all postings here as I was not aware of such serious side effects and was not sure what was going on with her.  Depression and the pill are obviously not researched at all.  

[crystalfresh]

I am a man but might be able to offer something in on this.

My girlfriend is on the pill. She started taking ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN and her personality changed to being a bit snappy and after 3 months I requested that she stop taking it. Her personality changed so much I was not happy around her. We changed to ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LOW and she turned sweet again. It was weird too because the ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN made her gain 8 lbs more body weight and when she switched to low she lost 10 lbs body weight. We then changed to Tri-Nesta and she gained her 2 lbs back to normal body weight. Through all this her personality changed with her body weight. We ran out of pills and went back to some old pill packs and just like that her personality changed and weight changed. She was totally unaware of the personality change but as her boyfriend I noticed a big change. I don't think any of them had an affect on her weight but when she became more snappy on the ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN she tended to eat more junk. And when she changed to the lower hormone she became my sweet girlfriend again. Not sure if it is the pill but the hormone level in the dosage at least that I noticed with my girlfriend. She is actually the least snappy when she is on the low level hormone pills than she is off the pill too if that makes sense? Us men don't pick up on everything but we sure notice when our other becomes snappy. :) Hope this adds some info from a 3rd party.

[cav88]

Hello everyone, I am a 19 year old female, and let me tell you I have been through hell from birth control pills.  My doctor had put me on birth control pills since I was about 16 years old because I had a ovarian cyst.  I started out on Ortho-Tri Cyclen and that worked wonders for me and my cycle, but after 2 years I started to have break through bleeding.  Then about a couple months ago my doctor put me on Loestrin24Fe, and thats were the trouble began.   I noticed that I became very anxious, tired, and nervous.  That is when the panic attacks started.  However, at the time I did not know what I was experiencing.  Therefore, I went to the doctor and she took me off of the pills. I haven't been on any birth control pills for a month now and my anxiety and panic attacks have gotten worse.  Does anyone know why?  I believe it is because I have been on the pill for a decent amount of time that my body is not used to my normal hormones yet.  I NEED ANSWERS!! I am becoming extremely depressed because it is effecting my life greatly.  I am a very active person but ever since I came in touch with the feeling of anxiety I am a different person all together.

[Franker]

Its really comforting hearing that people out there are experiencing the same things I have been.. Im 28 and was on the pill for almost 10 years.. I started with Ortho tri cyclen at 18  and I was fine on it.  Then Planned Parenthood changed me to Ortho tri cyclen lo after 5 years which screwed me up wicked.. Had spotting every week when I transitioned from dose level to dose level... Terrible... They just told me to "give it time" finally I had to stop using it and went on Levlen which is a monophasic pill.. Loved it! No spotting or anything.. then... after 3 years.... I recently developed massive anxiety all of a sudden....  At the same time Planned parenthood switched me again to Microgestin... a lower dose hormone... BAD! (they like to swicth people every few years) The first month was fine... I actually felt better mentally and had no spotting.. but then I had a nasty period.. got really bloated.. now its month 2 and I have has like non-stop spotting and bloating.. I feel like a fat pig! But... I think that it has helped my anxiety attacks....  Mr drs all said there wasn't likely a link between my anxiety and the pill bcuz the hormone levels are so low (ie why we have to take them everyday) but I think there is.. They tested me for everything, found nothing, although I still feel depressed and like I am going to die sometimes with paranoia etc  (I was convinced I was going to have an aneurysm or I had a brain tumor) but they checked me into therapy and tried to put me on Paxil etc...  All I can say is that as we get older our bodies change.. especially in late 20s to the 30s. If you have anxiety etc etc HAVE YOUR THYROID TESTED!!!!!!! Your thyroid is responsible for many hormonal issues.... Although many women dont get tested until their 30-40s, thyroid issues are majorly under diagnosed in younger women... Now that I am closer to 30 I feel that 10 years on the pill is long enough... The IUD is the way to go I hear...  If anyone has advice on the IUD and anxiety I am curious...

[km88]

hey everyone,
im being put on birth control next month for irregular periods and severe cramps. I already suffer from GAD/panic attacks and i dont want the pill to make it worse!
i was wondering if any of you take any med for your anxiety and if so does the pill stop the anxiety med from working? i take klonopin every day, so i dont know if the pill would cause the klonopin to stop working and i'll feel anxious again? oh gosh, after reading all your post, i dont want to go on the pill!

[pooh80]

I have been on the nuva ring 1 year and half, which is a form of birth control. I now have symptoms of anxiety do you think my anxiety could be coming from this.

[kt717313]

I am 20 and i've been on the pill for almost a year now. I am a happy person and i love life but, this year has been so crazy. I've had 2 panic attacks and had to quit a job waitressing because I would become so anxious. I am extroverted and I love talking to people but all the sudden I was nervous. I thought I was losing my mind. I have taken Desogen and now I'm on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I thought there might be a connection between the anxiety and my pill but all the drs. said it was unrelated and I should go to a family dr. So, three weeks ago I did and they put me on Lexapro 10mg for anxiety and Protonix 40mg for stomach problems that go with my anxiety. So, now I feel better but I wonder if I could avoid all this by stopping the birth control pill. What other options are there for a 20 that doesn't want to have kids for at least 5-8 years?

[XKARMAX08]

So I too have seen a difference in my mood, now that I putting things together.
I have had anxiety for so long that I thought it was all from my family having anxiety.
I am sure that 50% of this is true, but I have noticed that everytime I am on birth control, my mood is so different.
I was put on the nuvaring last January and was in the hopital in February due to side effects. At the time, I didn't know exactly it was the birth control, I thought that it was just me.
Well I stopped the nvaring for about two months and when I went back to my OBGYN, he told me that my body just needs to get used to it and that I would be fine. So, needless to say, I filled the perscription again and was okay for about two months. In june, I put the ring back in, and about days days went by, I was at work and had a huge panic attack, that I took sick time and felt like I needed to run away.
After about a week, I was getting worse and four days later all day at work, all I did was cry! i just couldnt stop and felt horrible. My fiancee was really concerned and told me to check the side effects of the nvaring and on there it said that it can cause nervousness and or depression. As soon as I read that a loud to my fiancee and I he told me to take it out right away.I went to my PCP and she gave me Paxil and XanaX but havent taken either. I am too afraid, (again because of my anxiety). Well, I started to get better after about a week of not having the nvaring in but I am still going thru a depression period. I think that its because I consumed myself with panic, racing thoughts the whole nine that I now I dont know how to get out of it.
I started therapy two weeks ago and also went back to the doctors where they put me on YAZ. Its been four days so I will see how that goes. Hormones definitely by all means have something to do with how we feel. I hate that we can get so screwed up because of this.
I am so happy that I have found people that totally understand. Sorry for the TMI as well. I just thought that I would share.

[camom3]

hm...
i just checked myself into ER last week from chest pains and trouble breading... was having breakthrough bleeding.... nauseus, dizzy/lightheaded... clammy, heaviness in entire upper body... extreme fatigue... thought there was something seriously wrong with me. had EKG...   around similar time i had also stopped taking pills.  wasn't sure if i was going through panic anxiety symptoms or was due to getting off the pill.... maybe they are all related??... i was going online looking for answers ---  i am starting to think there may be some kind of link with the pill and anxiety!.... i am off the pill... but still having spouts of bleeding... my anxiety keeps coming and going... nightmares...    I am a Christian and in my head i am able to sort things through... but my body is having a harder time due to whatever is going on...

[Hellyay]

I have been on the pill for gosh almost 8 years. I have never connected it to anxiety, but when I was on Ortho Tricylin for a brief month I felt like I was crazy. I got off of that and found a new pill to take. This one made me feel fine. I think lol. Ive been on it for so long, but I have also had anxiety for as long. I need to think about this. I was on anxiety medication for the last 4 years, and now I cut myself off cold turkey.  I wonder if I went through the IUD realm I would go back to how I felt before the anxiety. You guys definitelky have made me think.

[haiiro]

Thank you guys so much... Reading all these comments made me feel much better... I was beginning to think my anxiety would never end. I used to have anxiety attacks when I was very young, and then very rarely as a teenager, but other than that I am usually very high-spirited and carefree. I'm 21 and have been on the pill since Feb 07 but stopped in November 07 for a couple of months because I was getting bad pains in my left leg, had a really bad anxiety attack and generally wasn't feeling like myself.

During those two months the cramps were so bad, they reminded me why I first had revered the pill as a godsend, so I went back on it. It's been about 7 months since I started on the pill again, and about three weeks ago the anxiety returned full swing. Reasoning with myself and distracting myself works temporarily, but I find myself going through highs and lows pretty rapidly, and the lows keep me from getting work done.

Without the pill, the cramps are absolutely horrendous, but I'm beginning to think that I could deal with physical pain better than this anxiety, and may stop with the pill altogether.

[ksob]

My daughter went on the pill because of heavy flow and long duration, which was really a problem because she plays college basketball.  She never had serious PMS so that wasn't a problem.  She took the pill that is 24 days on and 4 off.  She was okay for three months then her periods stopped.  Our physician said that was okay, just keep taking the pills for now and we planned on a physical when she got home in May.  My daughter was actually kind of thrilled not to have to deal with it during the basketball season.  But things went downhill fast.  I didn't know what was wrong with her, she just seemed emotionally flat.  When she came home in May she had dropped 20 pounds, and finally broke down saying she had kept to herself all semester because she felt so sad all the time.  We set up a doctor's appointment and they ran all the blood work which showed some lower hormone levels but all within the normal range.  Then she and I sat together for hours talking about health and planning a program that would help restore her.  She stopped taking the pill immediately.  I had researched the effects of the different hormones involved and it turns out that the pill affects seritonin levels...SO OF COURSE IT IS GOING TO AFFECT A WOMAN'S EMOTIONAL HEALTH!  Within about 6 weeks the result of eating a thoroughly healthy diet and not taking hormones was evident.  She was sparkling, looking forward to getting back to school.  However, she wanted to try the pills again to see if that was what caused all the trouble, with the agreement that she would stop them if there were any signs of the depression returning.  She took them for six weeks, and then stopped.  Her mood had crashed again.When we spoke to our physician (a woman) and with the university Physician and nurse practitioner, all of them poo-pooed my daughter's claims of emotional deterioration while on the pill.  
   So, if I didn't bore you too much, I leave you with this thought, which I also saw in an earlier post:  How many women are on anti-depressants because of the pill?  I seriously think this could be one of the greatest assaults on women in modern history.   How do we get the medical community to address this?

[ksob]

p.s. I am so thankful to find this discussion.  I have been looking for information for a year and a half and just couldn't find anything current.  

[billysophie]

I am 32 years old and have a 4 month old little boy i have just started taking the pop again micronor after coming off this pill 3 years ago to have a baby.
Its been 6 weeks since i started taking the pill and have experienced at least 3 major migraines blurred vision and in the last week severe anxiety attacks nausea and dizziness.
I have suffered with anxiety disorder for 13 years but have managed to live a very happy life and still do things that i have always wanted to do although at times the anxiety disorder has been very challenging and believe me i have had moments where i could have easily given up.
I have now just realised that the pill has probably (though not confirmed by a dr) been a big factor to my anxiety as i was anxiety free while  off the pill for 3 years or even if i did have anxiety in those 3 years it was not unbearable.
I have decided to come off the pill as of tomorrow all together as i feel that this may be the cause of my anxieties had i had known that the pill could do this many years ago i'm sure my life would have been a lot easier and my family would have been saved a lot less worry over my well being. Well if i am right maybe this could be the start of a happier me.

[jop84]

I am so glad to have found this, I started on the pill nearly 9 years ago, at the beginning of this year I came off it as I had complete loss of libido and felt that my body needed a break. My periods were so painful it really affected my life so I went back on the pill (Micronor) about 6 weeks ago. It was only once I started taking the pill again I realised how rough it made me feel. I have been feeling really tired, moody and snappy, I have also had a lot of breakthrough bleeding and heavy periods. I have also been really anxious. I got engaged 3 weeks ago and when my boyfriend said he was taking me out for the day I knew what was coming, we had a lovely lunch and then all of a sudden I felt sick and as though I was going to pass out, it was only after that I realised it was a panic attack, and since then I have been feeling really anxious, we had a party last night to celebrate our engagement but I couldn't enjoy myself as I was so anxious the whole night. I am going back to the doctor tomorrow to see what they can suggest, I am just worried that coming off the pill will bring back the really bad cramps. Anyone got any suggestions on dealing with these bad period pains?

[haiiro]

Unfortunately my only real solution is painkillers, painkillers and more painkillers. Oh yeah, and just being asleep. It's rough on the liver, I know, but as of now it's the only thing that can really get me through it when I'm not on the pill. (This cycle will be my first period after being on the pill again so I'm crossing my fingers)

There are a lot of natural remedies, like heating pads, exercise, flaxseed oil, rose hip tea/oil, etc. but as for myself, realistically they just don't cut it. They might be helping, but in such a small amount that I can't notice, because the pain is just too severe.

If you find out any other methods, let me know :)  In the meantime, I hope your cramps get less painful.

[alicia38]

I was diagnosed as severely anemic (hemolobin 8) in early July.  At the time I wasn't on a birth control pill.  I had gone off of it two years ago when my husband had a vasectomy.  He had this so that I wouldn't need to be on the pill since I was so moody on it.  He had commented after I was off of it about how much better I am off of it (mental health wise).  After being diagnosed with anemia, I started taking 3 iron pills a day & now my hemoglobin level is normal.  I am still taking one iron pill a day.  I was put on a low estrogen pill to control my monthly bleeding.  I am almost through my 2nd pack of pills.  I have had nausea, dizziness, and what now seems to be extreme anxiety.  I worry about everything all of the time.  I am not sleeping well at all.  I am calling the doctor tomorrow to see if I can stop taking the pill.  I believe something called ablation may be an option.  However, I was told it may not work well for me since I am 40.  Anyone have experience with ablation?

[moriah101]

I was very relieved to find this message chain.  Im 16 and i just started taking the pill at the beginning of August.  Last month i tried Linessa which caused me to gain almost ten pounds, it made my skin bad and i was angry alof of the time.. I then swiched over to Allese, im about half way through my first package and it has caused me to become severly depressed.  I've been having trouble getting out of bed.  My periods arnt great but i can deal with them when i am not on the pill and I'm still a virgin but i suppose that i wont be forever.  Im not sure whether to stay on the pill and live like this or go off and be happy again.  If i do go off can i just stop right now even thought im only about half way finnished the package?

[haiiro]

Out of curiosity, why are you on the pill? Personally, I think if your periods are manageable without it, the choice seems pretty clear to just stop taking the pill, especially since you are not sexually active yet.

You don't have to finish the pack if you're going to stop taking them (the reason you are to finish entire packs without missing one is so that you keep the steady flow of hormones to avoid pregnancy). When I decided to stop, I was just in the middle of the first week of a pack. Be cautioned that when you stop taking them, you'll start bleeding a day or so after, and your body may be in a confused state by the sudden change in hormone levels, but there's really no serious harm done by it. My anxiety was getting to a very severe point, so jumping ship like that was really the best option! Best of luck to you :)

[Jeniford]

Well I feel a lot better knowing there are others out there who are insane due to birthcontrol pills and anti depressants...

Last year I had an oviaian cyst rupture and bleed out into my stomach.  I had to go to the hospital and have minor surgery.  It wasn't really that big of an issue but after being a very healthy woman in my twenties and never having an experience like this happen, I freaked out.  I was convinced all aches and paines where the end of me.  I did some research and discovered that the Merina IUD causes ovarian cysts.  So now I'm on Paxil and birth control pills and I notice that the week before my period I'm an completely insane with panic attacks, crying fits and a very short temper.  I'm trying to talk my husband into getting fixed so I can get off the hormones, but he's being quite difficult.  

[midzgirl]

I googled to find this neat page about other women who go throught the sam eas me. I am going through anxiety I had the IUD put in about 1 1/2 years ago, when one stressful experience caused me to have anxiety to the extreme.I removed the IUD and thats when it got worse. when i got my periods my head aches would last for 3 weeks out of 4, constant thoughts, thinking i am going to die and helplessness. I tried to handle this by myself things weren't getting easier. My doctor put me on LEXAPRO and i seemed to be good whilst being on it he recommmends a 1year its been about 6months so far, i really want to come off but I am afraid of what might happen if I do... I am starting to think that I really should of studied the side effects of birth control.

[Rkga]

I had been taking Levlen for about 2-3 months and noticed almost immediately that I felt anxious, excessively and irrationally moody, paranoid, tired, depressed, having unpleasant and unwelcome mental visions, and had some sexual and libido issues.  I was in a relationship at the time and thought that my feelings were resulting from previous bad experiences (my ex cheated) and my current boyfriend triggering off old emotions.  I stopped taking Levlen when I found myself looking up methods of suicide on Google, that scared the hell out of me!  By the end of the first day of not taking it I was my normal self again and couldn't figure out what the hell the issues were.  Went to the doctor and got another prescription for Yaz, which is new and extremely expensive, but doesn't seem to have quite the level of impact.  I'm keeping a close eye on things because I don't ever want to feel like that again!  I keep thinking about how many women are out there on some form of the pill feeling this bad, not knowing why, and possibly destroying themselves or their relationships because of it.

[LC21166]

Reading this in tears - I have been on the pill for 6 weeks and my emotional state has deteriorated. I have anxiety now, which I have never had before - I had to Google to find out what on earth it was I was experiencing. Am gradually cutting myself off from friends (making excuses to stay in, not calling, leaving emails unanswered for days and days), and have no libido at all (usually not a problem, even if I've been tired or miserable in the past, my husband has always managed to pique my interest).

So pleased to have caught it early. The last pill passed my lips this morning - no more. Strangely it's the same pill I was on at 18, when I got on fine with it. Now at 35, and 2 kids later, it's screwing me up.

x

[chigirl08]

I too had mood and anxiety issues with a new BC, Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo.  I'm a healthy 31yo, have tried Ortho Tri Cyclen (seemed to cause weight gain and higher appetite) and Yasmin (caused crazy recurring yeast infections) in the past.  Two months ago, I decided to start using BC again after only using condoms, and my OB prescribed Ortho Tricyclen Lo.  After first few weeks, I started noticing that I was tired all the time -- even when I was getting 8-9 hours of sleep every night -- and moody.  By the 6th week, I noticed that I was waking up every morning feeling sad for no reason and going to bed feeling anxious even though nothing in particular was happening in my life.  During the day I would sometimes have short bursts of rapid heartbeats for no reason.  I had to fight off feelings of sadness all day long and had to force myself to try to stay active because I was exhausted all the time, and normally I'm a very cheerful, happy, energetic person.  So this is it for me, I'm finishing the 8th week and am stopping.  My OB is suggesting I switch to Loestrin 24 fe but I just don't know if I'm willing to go through another potential merry-goround.

[Tre4me]

I knew it! I am not crazy. I was chalking up my mood swings to pms and now I am sure it is the pill that is making me feel this way. When I was younger being on the pill was great. But now, after 2 children and turning 40, my body is reacting very differently. I am on the last week of this pack and will not renew the prescription. I am very curious to see the results. I will discuss this with my MD at my regular check up this week. As with all meds it is very wise to discuss any changes with you doctor! More doctors should hear the concerns of women experiencing mood changes from the pill. Thanks for starting this topic.

[tysmommy2005]

Thank goddness i found this sight Ihad never taken birth control as i was told i would never have children well 6 years into my marriage i got pregnant and  had the love of my life my beautiful son. Well after his birth i was put on lo/ovral which i thought was fine till my son was a lmost a year old i started getting serious anexity i mean horrible horrilble fears . My doc put me on effexor for about a year then lexapro which i hated i hate to take medication. Well i started gaing weight so i stopped taking it well about 3 months ago the anxiety came back BIG time, this time with horrible panic attacks. So now I,m on Zyprexa which i really don't like. I mean i feel better but all along i have felt it is the bc, thank you all who posted on here u have all confirmed what i have thought all along as i have never had ant feelings like this till the bc.
I am on a really low dose but i still think the hormones are too much for me . I think i am goning to go off.

[astridalabama]

The first time I went on birth control, ortho tri cyclen (I was 21,) I immediately started having severe headaches and anxiety ( I had previously suffered from a bit of depression never lasting more than a few weeks but never had anxiety issues before). I went to the emergency room one day because I couldn't breathe and had a migrane (migraine) (never had headaches before). I thought I was dying of an incurable disease. They ran all kinds of tests, found nothing, and sent me home. I began feeling nauseous every morning and lost a lot of weight and started losing hair as a result of not eating. I stopped taking birth control and everything else stopped as well.

I began taking birth control again recently (I'm now 25) to curb horrible cramps. I thought maybe trying a different kind of birth control would help and it would be different this time. Almost all of my symptoms are back. It pains me to think that this is happening and the medical community is basically ignoring women with these problems. They can link low levels of seratonin to hormonal influctuations but they refuse to link birth control (which causes unnatural hormonal influctuations) to low levels of seratonin. Whatever.

To all of the women on here who are opening up and speaking out about these issues, I applaud you and ask you to speak louder and to more people. Especially those people in the medical field.

[babylonpoet]

I have been on the pill for two years. I haven't experienced severe anxiety; however, I've been steadily becoming more severely depressed since starting the pills. I am going off them today, and I'll hopefully feel better.

I have done some research. Studies have shown that the pill can inhibit the production of serotonin, which is not good for someone with a history of depression. When confronted with the possibility of taking antidepressants, I decided that getting the pill out of my system might be better for me. If that doesn't work, I can always go on the old antidepressants.

I think that the medical community is letting women down on this issue. We should be warned about the potential risks to our mental health. Someone with a family and personal history of mental health issues, like me, should not be on the pill!

I'm lucky. My husband has had a vasectomy, so we just have a month of using barrier methods before the sterilization takes full effect.

I wish all of you ladies luck. Thank you for speaking out about your experiences.

[gozergirl]

I have been on Ortho Cyclen for 8 months now. I have developed fatuige, irritablilty, hunger, and 20 pound weight gain. I have been going to the gym and eating healther, but the weight will not come off.
I am stopping the pill after this cycle, hopefully my period wont screw up my vacation in January!
I am just so glad that I am not crazy, everyone is telling me its not the pill, and I cant lose weight because Im lazy...

[yodabear831]

I am really relieved to find out everyone else is having trouble with "The Pill." I just think its really weird and crazy that all these doctors make us think we are nuts when we bring up the topic about the pill causing anxiety/depression. I dont get it. I have been on the pill since I was 12 for bad menstrual cramps. I am now 25. I have had extreme anxiety issues for as long as I can remember and have been told many times to just get on lexapro. When I confronted my gynecologist about my concerns, she also ignored them and told me its not the pill thats causing my problems, and I need to stay on it if i dont want to get prego. I expained that my boyfriend and I are very careful and we use condoms and the "pull out method" every single time. She still ordered my to stay on the pill. I would much rather get off of the pill and see if that helps before trying some medication that messes with my BRAIN for crying out loud. One of my best friends was having problems also, when she got her hormones tested, they were exremely messed up. Since then, she has gotten off the pill and noticed a DRAMATIC difference. I am just trying to understand why docs are so in favor of the pill! I am lost and have no idea what to do!

[heatherg13]

I would love to share my story.

I am 20 years old and attend college. I have been on BC for about 4 years now. Started with Yasmin, didnt like it, went to Loestrin, didnt like it, and now found YAZ. YAZ worked WONDERS for me. I was a very happy person, of course with mood swings, but that comes with being a woman in the first place.  I stopped BC all together about a month and a half ago, and that is when all the hell started.  I had my first panic attack after ending the pill.  My anxiety has gotten soo high that i am not my normal self, sometimes i feel like i am just losing my mind because I always have that scared feeling in the back of my mind that it ill happwn again.  It is absolutely terrible. I now know what you all are going through. I have headaches, nausea, anxiety, depression, and I am sick of it.  Sunday I will be starting YAZ again becuase I am sick so sick of feeling this way. If anyone needs a support buddy or wans to just talk. Emai is ***@****

[Apriljht08]

Wow bc pills can make or break a womens life!!  Ive had a very bad experience with these hormonal pills!! ugghh....   My story will be a lil long but hopefully someone will benifit and not have to go through what i have!!!!!  
   Im 26 and was put on ortho tri cyclen at 16 for heavy bleeding and extreme cramps.  OHH i loved it.  All the benefits were there.  At 21 and a lil too much partying.lol i  forgot some pills and found i was pregnant.  My boyfriend and i were happy and 10  months later a wonderful lil girl.. then all hell broke loose.....   After having my daughter i tried ortho tricyclen and was having severe depression, tired all the time, moodswings, crying, felt very anxious. the whole works!. (at the time didnt know it was the bc pills) The doc figuring it was the baby blues put me on Zoloft.   It worked for awhile but made me either verry verry scary happy then evetually a numb feeling and also verry verry tired.  i could sleep all weekend long and still be tired the next day.  Through this i was still moody and anxious. i felt like i was going nuts so i dropped the zoloft.  but i still felt all the other effects of the pill.  I would get most anxious during the weekend when i know i wouldnt be busy  at work.  My boyfriend would walk on egg shells arounds me and my moods.  I found that drinking liquor would take the edge off.  Obviously a bad idea for the long run.  After a while of this distress i quit taking the pill and eventually felt normal happy enrgetic self.. wow couldn not believe i wasted so much time being unhappy for a pill that by just taking it would make u a bitchy enough to were u or ur partner wouldnt even want sex.lol  It seems After my child my hormone changed and were non compatible with bc pills.
Ive since tried Alesse,  Levlite, Levlin lo, and a few more.  After i learned the bc pills and thier side effects i keep a diary of how it makes me feel if starting a new one.  Sometimes i feel so down and out it doesnt pass my mind its the pill.   I havent been on any pill for 7 months and used the barrier methods.. I  started taking lessina and it was okay for the first two weeks and the third i had a major case of anxiety.  Soooo done with that.. im  currently researching the progesterin only pill.  Hopefully i find something that wont make me an emotional wreck.  Best advise i can give is to reasearch your bc and keep a diary when you change pills, and if all else fails quit ur bc for a couple months ( i know condoms sux)  and take note on how different better or worse u may feel.  It may take longer depending on how long youve been on.

[mb1717]

I just started having the same symptoms s everyone after being on the Pill (ortho tri cyclene) on and off since I was 18.  Out of nowhere I had heart attack symptoms, ALL of them.  Chest pain, numbness on the right side, shaking uncontrollably and nausea amd I was just sitting and watching TV.  Had this happen again out at dinner and then while driving and not thinking about anything, just hanging out.  I have gone to the ER, cardiologist, and bloodwork and NOTHING is supposedly wrong. The Doctors just want to put me on anxiety medication or tell me to be calm or see a psychiatrist.  I SWEAR nothing is out of the normal or wrong outside of my physical symptoms.  It HAS to be hormones and someone should come up with a test to see the problem to correct it.  

I just posted to Oprah.com too.  I love Lila's idea.  We should get this as a topic and get doctors to really tell us what is going on, not just pass it off as women "having a bad day" and to calm them with medication...

[mb1717]

Several have asked for the posting site for Dr. Oz on Oprah--
Here is where I found it:

https://www.oprah.com/plugform.jsp?plugId=697&referer=http://www.oprah.com/contributor/health/droz

[misslissa63]

OMG I am in tears reading all of your posts. I am in the same boat as all of you and I can't believe other women feel the same way I do. I thought I was going crazy and only last night I thought it might be the pills. I am on the pill for 2 years now(age 36), was on it in my 20's for like 2 years too.  But this time around I am so deprssed but didn't see it as depression. I can't even hold a job anymore, I am always thinking bad thoughts about my boyfriend(like another mentioned in an above post) and can't get my life together-I am in a haze all the time. I started the blank pills the other day and I will not be staring a new pill pack at all- I hope it does not take long to make a difference.
Thank you all for sharing and giving me hope.
Now I need to find another form of birth control!
Melissa

[haiiro]

Personally, it took me probably a total of 5 months to *really* get myself back from the anxiety and depression (my main concern was the anxiety). Every now and then I'll have a mild bout of anxiety or depression, but it has gotten so so so much better. I saw the biggest difference after just one week off the pill, so I hope you will experience at least the same relief right away. Good luck to you, feel free to message me if you want someone to talk to [amora9 at gmail *******] :) Have a great day

[ewps]

I'm actually have the same problem.. I had an ovarian cyst almost 2 yrs ago and doc asked me to go on the pill (mercilon). But before taking the pill, i was in great shocked after the minor surgery and i was in depression and anxiety. I went ahead to take the pill and first few months were horrible. I was up and down and i went to see a physician and i was given some anti-depressant. The Doc has stopped me from taking the anti-depressant and i thought everything will be fine. I was wrong, i am again anxious about anything and depressed about everything, couldnt sleep and that caused anxiety again.. i'm not too sure if it's because of the pill that i'm still taking.. I'm actually have the same problem.. I had an ovarian cyst almost 2 yrs ago and doc asked me to go on the pill (mercilon). But before taking the pill, i was in great shocked after the minor surgery and i was in depression and anxiety. I went ahead to take the pill and first few months were horrible. I was up and down and i went to see a physician and i was given some anti-depressant. The Doc has stopped me from taking the anti-depressant and i thought everything will be fine. I was wrong, i am again anxious about anything and depressed about everything, couldnt sleep and that caused anxiety again.. i'm not too sure if it's because of the pill that i'm still taking.. i need advice..now that i'm seeing all the postings regarding the pill, should i take it off ? what happen if i continue to have anxiety and depression after taking it off ? and also i'm afraid to get another ovarian cyst again in the future if i stop taking the pill..

[faith_tx]

Anxiety is so hard. . . I have had problems with Anxiety (mainly) and some depression for the past couple years.  I thought it was because of all the stuff going on in my life. But, my periods have been sort of "weird" so my doctor recommended the Pill.  It's like I have a new lease on life!  It has helped me SO much.  Apparently it was just what my body needed.

I know that for some it can make things worse, just like antidepressants make my panic and anxiety worse.

Just keep in mind everyone is different.

I'm on Loestrin and I couldn't be happier. The only problem is my stomach is more sensitive. But I'll take that over swinging from panic to raging lunatic any day. LOL

[ayshestes]

I took birth control pills when i was 16 (im now 17) and before i started them i had my anxiety under control and i was living life to the fullest. But while on them i experienced horrible anxiety and depression. I honestly felt like i was going to die all the time and never wanted to go out. I switched to Yaz because of it claiming to get rid of anxiety, but it didnt. It gave me depression instead. I know im young and my hormones are still flying around, but this is just to much. A warning would have been nice. I got off them probbay 8 or 9 months ago and ive been struggling with my anxiety ever since. I have good days, but the nights are bad as well as the late afternoons. Ive also developed strange fears of driving or being away from home at night. My parents are going to get me to a therapist, and i am taking buspar which my OBGYN prescribed me for "quick relief" of anxiety. I found out you hve to take the pill for a good 3 to 4 weeks for it to be its most effective. It was nice to NOT know that until my second refill-so i have started that. But my anxiety symptoms have become much more physical now also. I shake, i get dizzy and feel out of it, my body aches and burns and tingles when im having or getting close to an attack.Its ridiculous. Luckily i have a wodnerful family and boyfriend who are there with me through everything, and i do know that it could be much worse, but i just hate having this horrid, dreadful, depressd, nasuses, and anxious feeling through me for a good part of the day. I should probbably get on something stronger than buspar, or at least have a therapist let me know how to deal with it. But let me tell ya, i dont and never will recommend birth control pills to anyone. Abstinence or condoms work just fine for me. I know people are different, but every girl ive known whos been on birth control seems to have problems. I just hope girls are lucky enough to have a boyfriend understand the horror of these god awful pills. Has anyone else been effected long term after getting off the pills?

[starzzy002]

I am 20 years old and began taking birth control for a year. I began taking it due to the fact that I had 2 week periods every month and extremely sever cramps. The first one my doctor put me only extended my period, then she switched me to YAZ.
That is when the problems began, I began having sever panic attacks, I would break down crying for no reason and could eat or hold down food. I went back to my doctor who acted as if I was crazy to think that the birth control had anything to do with the anxiety, and put me on prozac.
I then went to see a doctor who has done alot of work with anxiety patients, and he said that it is highly possible that the birth control was causing my anxiety, so he recommended that I go off it. Which I did for 4 months, about 3 weeks after my anxiety went away, and I quite taking the Prozac and was fine.
However my periods went back to being extremely long, so I went back on a different birth control 3 weeks ago and my anxiety and depression symptoms have returned.

Does anyone who has had this have a birth control that has not caused the anxiety problems?

[Bea610]

This is so refreshing. I had a baby almost 2 years ago and started experiencing symptoms of depression. I was diagnosed with post-partum and eventually put on medication (prozac) for  depression. While the medication calmed my mood swings and made me less depressed, I felt no emotions and still didn't feel like me. I went back to my OB/GYN for an annual appointment and she asked why I was still on the birth control they had prescribed for me to take while I was breastfeeding (progestin only pills). She changed my prescription to a 'normal' pill and I immediately felt a difference and felt that I could go off of my depression meds. It's been almost a month now since I changed birth control pills and stopped the meds and I feel as close to normal as I have in a long time. Seeing everyone elses story re-inforces my hunch that the pill was affecting me. Thank you!

[haiiro]

You may also want to try to find a female doctor and get yourself checked out to find the real reason for the long periods and cramps. There could be something else going on that's causing that. (Personally I'd love to find out the reasons for my horrible cramps, so I could possibly find a solution and finally stop taking so many painkillers to cover up the problem. The only reason I haven't yet is because I don't have health insurance.) I wish solutions were more readily available, instead of prescribing things right away.

[steph106]

iv had anxiety from the pill after being on it for 10 months, and it felt so out of control and it made me worry about my boyfriend,so i changed it to a different brith pill, and iv been on it for 10 months now and i have the same thing back again!.Makes me feel relieved that im not the only one that had this, because i went to my doctors and she couldnt of cared less and said it wasnt the pill causing it, when i mainly got it during my period.The Pill more of a hassel, just glad i know im not the only one going through it.Its bloody horrible!

[Bon-Bon]

Many years ago I was on low dose Ortho Novum 777 for 3 + years.  It was for the treatment of Endometriosis after having surgury for it.  

Ortho Novum 777 increased my blood pressure from my normal reading at that time of 128/70 to 200/101 and pulse rate went from 70 beats per minute to 120 beats per minute, just sitting around; along with, leg pain upon walking, and increased anxiety.  

My gyno's nurse caught that reading in the doctors office during a routine checkup and immediately alerted the doctor that prescribed the pill to me.  The doctor told her it was nothing to worry about, that this was "normal" and that Ortho Novum 777 had absolutely nothing to do with this and for me to continue taking the pill.  Inspite of the fact that I told her all of this started very shortly after beginning this pill 3 yrs. ago!

A few months later, I went for a checkup at my family physicians office and reported all the same readings, symptoms, etc. in his office.  He said that these symptoms were not due to Ortho Novum 777 and to continue taking the pill.  Again, inspite of the fact that I reported to him that all of this started very shortly after beginning this pill 3 yrs. ago.  I had not been and was not on any other meds.  

Thes symptoms were getting so bad and the doctors were not believing it had anything to do with this pill.  However, everything in me told me it was due to that pill; but, they would not listen.  So, I decided to listen to my body and stop taking the pill after finishing the month.  

In my case, the VERY NEXT DAY, my blood pressure and pulse were back to normal, anxiety greately reduced, leg pain gone and never came back!  To think I continued to suffer those symptoms for 3 years and it all stop abruptly after discontinuing the pill.          

[Bon-Bon]

P.S.  I must add, in no way am I implying that anyone should discontinue the pill without their doctors approval; nor, that you will recieve the same results I have.  I share with you, my own particular experience in this situation.  People's circumstances and experiences can be very different.

[iNayeli]

Hi. :)
First off, I am 24 years old. I've been on Seasonique for 2 months and about 2 years ago I was on Tri-Nessa for about 10 months.

I started Tri-Nessa and I went into a depression that lasted about 6-7 months. I got to the point where I wouldn't leave the house for a week straight. (I had just graduated college and was job searching.) Normally I love the outdoors. Until that year I had surfed and beach bummed every summer. I was a straight A student. After stopping the pill, within a month I went back to normal and I found a job right away, although I thought it was because of things happening in my life.

I just started to take Seasonique after a few friends and coworkers suggested it. For the last two months I have felt ill for the following 2 hours after taking the pill each night and I will cry over anything. Last night I cried because I saw someone being really happy on American Idol. Two weeks ago I kept my boyfriend awake until 3AM because my mind was racing and I couldn't control my emotions and couldn't stop crying/thinking irrationally. He probably thinks I'm crazy. I got my first migraine ever the other week and have experienced odd leg pains that go away. I feel demoralized and cranky at work, where as before I just trooped through it.

After reading all the replies, I am sure that it is because of our birth control. The question is: How do you find the right birth control for you? Which birth control pills effect your hormones the least? I do not want to get pregnant, but condoms break and boys sometimes do not pull out in time, as we all know. Surgery for women is shown to reduce life expectancy and surgery for men mean that I'll never get to have children in the future. I don't know what to do but pill hop or just stop having sex all together.

[faith_tx]

You could try an IUD or Diaphragm!

I'm lucky. . I'm on Loestrin and it makes me feel great. However, I'm in perimenopause and so I was missing some estrogen and it gives me just enough to make me feel more balanced.

[ILADVOCATE]

Female friends of mine as well as my mother have taken what are otherwise used as birth control pills for endometriosis and they often cause mood changes as they change the level of hormones. The medical community was not aware of it at the beginning but they are aware of it now. These people did not have any diagnosis though one may have cylothymia (mild bipolar). Birth control pills can cause set backs in people with any form of psychiatric disability and interact with the medications and anyone experiencing that should speak to their doctor about having the medications adjusted if the birth control pills are neccessary. If they are not, other forms of contraceptions are preferable (birth control pills alone prevent pregnancy but not std's) because of the long term health consequences of them. Speak to your doctor more about this.

[peewee396]

After reading these comments, I realize there is hope for my 19 year old daughter.  She has now been on Ortho Tricyclen Lo for a little over a year.  As I reflect back, I would have to say there were changes in her personality shortly after starting the pill.  However, at that time we dismissed them as stress related due to planning a wedding, leaving home and moving to an unfamilair area.  Wrong!  My once happy, friendly and loving daughter had been effected by what I believe to be the birth control pills.  Similiar to a couple of other comments, she felt out of control, anger and racing thoughts to the point that she worried that her husband was unfaithful.  We encouraged her to get help and when and she did...she discontinued the pills two weeks ago and went to the doctor just yesterday.  Sadly, they had to admit her to understand 'more' about the racing thoughts.  How painful for a mother to see her dauther go through such a horrific experience and not be able to help!  My concern is that they don't immediately start medication without getting to the root of the problem.  I would encourage everyone to think twice about birht contril pills and ACT FAST when you see changes occur in your personality.  

[Leslier0519]

For several months now I have been doing a lot of research online regarding birth control and its effects on mood.  I was on Lutera and the first month was great, but starting the second month I spiraled down quickly.  Anxiety, racing thoughts, lack of energy, sadness, and a general state of not wanting to do anything.  I had been so happy with my boyfriend and than all of a sudden I started questioning everything with him.  And what a slap in the face to him--I had been a fine, normal, happy person and than suddenly I'm telling him that I don't think we should get engaged.  I have now stopped taking birth control (off for one month now) and feel so much better.  I look back at those couple of months on birth control and feel as though I was operating in a cloud.  Nothing seemed right and I truly felt like I was going crazy.  I agree with people who say more research needs to be done on birth control and its effects on mood.  What are women to do if they react badly to hormonal methods?  It seems the only choice (besides barrier methods) is a copper IUD and there are several concerns that have to be taken into account with that method.  It's incredibly frustrating and disheartening.

[Charliee101]

I'm only 16 and started the birth control pill a month ago. I have noticed a huge change in my mood even though it has been such a short period of time. I question in the back of my mind whether it is something to do with the pill seeing as my life is at its peak at the moment and I can't understand what would be getting me down.
All I know is, these last 3 weeks or so I have been feeling really low, paranoid and the smallest thing really gets me down. I have had a lack of energy - it is sort of like a minor form of depression.
I think I will say something to the doctor when I go back in 2 months to see what she says as it says in the instruction leafelt that if signs of depression occur to tell a doctor. I hope it is just a side effect that will soon wear off when my body adjusts as it is horrible feeling like this at a time when I should be appreciative. :(

[faith_tx]

I have just stopped taking the Loestrin 24 also.  When I started on it I thought it was really helping with my PMS and moods, but I guess that was just wishful thinking.  This past couple months I've been more tired out and just not wanting to do anything.  Last weekend I had gotten to the point where I thought I was sick because I didn't want to get up off the couch. That is totally not me at all!  I have had problems with anxiety my entire adult life so I can't say if the pill caused that or not. I went to my doctor and he actually thought maybe I had become bipolar because I was rambling on and on so much.  He wanted to put me on antidepressants.  I decided to go to a pychologist who also specializes in PMS and she told me to get OFF the birth control pill. I've been off 3 days and I already feel better. It was the middle of the pack so I'm bleeding now, but I'll take that over no motivation and cold chills and racing thoughts. . .I'm hoping I'll feel back to normal soon.

[cheli10]

I think My problem is hormonal!!!!! due to the pill.  Back in december, I made a big mistake to take pill 15 instead of 1! days after that. I started feeling very anxious and nervous. I would be afraid of everything!!! even cooking???? now i have noticed that when i get my pd my anxiety attacks and nervousness get worse!. I also found out that during my cycle, the flow stops and i get the anxiety symptoms again, and go away once it flows again.  I thank everyone for posting your comments.  I will get off pill as soon as possible!  Now I know im not going crazy!:) they are just the hormones talking!

[Dee838]

Omg im so grateful i found this site!!!
  
    I was going absolutely crazy and had no idea why! I've been crying every night for the last 3 months or so that I have been on YAZ. Tonight I decided to do some research and it ALL finally makes sense! I lost all interest in going out or doing any of my usual activities (I'm 20 years old). I only took the pill for my period and it also caused me to gain weight and break out! I have been having horrible anxiety when anyone is around me and severe paranoia about my future. I have felt helpless and completely defenseless and now all i wanna do is SCREAM! This pill has broken several of my friendships and relationships that I can never have again! I'm going off the pill immediatly and just looking forward to have a normal life again!

[kitkat8]

Thank you so much for starting this thread. It's comforting to know that other women are dealing with the same issues I am. I've been on the pill for about 2 years. In this time, my moods have become completely unstable. My depression and anxiety are out of control. I've tried at least 6 different pills, hoping that one would work for me. My mental state just gets worse and worse. Like others have said, doctors completely dismiss the fact that my state could be caused by horomones, and told me to stay on it. Well, I don't believe the doctors anymore. I'm getting off the pill. Thank you to everyone who posted your experiences and enlightening others to this serious problem. Good luck.

[marymagdeline]

Hi, I'm a nutritionist.  You all MUST get off the birth control pill.  It is terrible for your body.  And yes, it can cause you to have anxiety.  So, get off of it.  Wait 3 months, if your still having anxiety, go see a dr who used "bio-identical" hormones to treat hormonal imbalances.  She'll test to see if your hormones are imbalanced.  The best way I know of to NOT get pregant and NOT ruin your body by screwing up your hormones is to learn "Natural Family Planning."  (google this)  Good luck to you all.

[EvaLee127]

I'm 19, i've been on avianne for almost three months now and i just stopped taking them three days ago due to:
1. bad heartburn (which I've never had before in my life) which would keep me up at night, horrible fatigue (seems like i have no energy except to sleep),
2. stomach pains (regurgitation, really bad acid bubbling, some nausea, gas, lack of appetite, bad bloating and shooting pains in the abdomen and some in the chest
I evan had a linea negra to show up!!  and of course anxiety, which contributed with not being able to get to sleep at night when the pain was the most bad.  it's had me freaking that i could be pregnant even though i've taken three home pregnancy tests in the past three months (after i took the first one and it was negative, i went to the dr's to get on the pill, have taken two tests since due to bad stomach problems, both negative), have had four periods (five including the one i'm on now due to stopping the pill, the pill also made my periods have brown in them, which i've never had before, does anyone else get this on the pill?) and even the doctor said i was not pregnant (i asked for a test, he asked why, told him, he told me there's no way i could be pregnant with the periods, no matter if they were different or not).  this anxiety has caused me to stay around my house, i barely see my friends, i get glued to my computer trying to find out what's wrong with me and even called the dr's office and got them to get me a form to go get a blood pregnancy test,(which i go for tommorow) just so i can stop worrying about it.  my mom and sister both think it's just the pills, maybe plus a possible peptic ulcer.  my mom has noticed whenever i talk about worrying being pregnant, i seem to in a permanent state of panic.
sorry this post isn't very organized, but as i said, permanently anxious, has anyone else had these symptoms i'm describing?
thanks

[AmbreRae]

I was on yaz for 7 months and was out of control when upset and had uncontrolable crying often..I was taking it for endometriosis.  My GP then changed my pills and put me on micronor because the hormones were lower.  My moods stabilized but I have almost totally lost my libido and started getting chest pains which have now increased into severe panic attacks.  I feel like I am dying and lasts for thirty minutes sometimes.  It starts with pain and then tightness in my chest and then PANIC!  I spoke with my GP after three months on the pill and she told me I have a panic disorder and prescribed me ativan.  I haven't taken it yet, but after the panic attack that I had today, I am stopping birth control.  I am really worried about the period and pain to come though.  

[EvaLee127]

Just as an update, I got the blood pregancy test done and it did come out negative.  I started noticing up to a week after i stopped taking the pill my anxiety started going away (even before i got the test or the results, it's like i stopped worrying about it so much, to the point where i was thinking normally and telling myself "why were you so flippin worried?").  My heartburn is virtually GONE (except for some bubbling noises, but i've heard it may never go away now that i've been on the pill), shooting pains are gone, I still get some muscle twitches in my lower abdomen, but my mom and i both think those are just leftover from the pill causing it.  The linea negra has faded a bit (if it doesn't go away i am going to be ANGRY).  Constant headaches are also gone as well as the abnormal fatique, I'm feeling back to normal and am having some SERIOUS reserves about going BACK on ANY form of hormonal birth control.  My mom suggested i ask the doctor for a lower dosage, or the kind that "weans" you on it (like my sister had, purple pills one week, pink the next, blue, then green, if that makes any sense) or even the patch, like a friend of mine has, and i'm very much against it at the moment.  I've never felt so "off" in my life as being on the pill, and never want to go back to that.  I am back to feeling normal and am loving it.  

AmbreRae - I am also worried about the period pains again.  I originally started on the pill for severe cramping that had gotten worse over the years and even a few times had me incapacitated to the point of having to call in sick for work (luckily I work with mostly women).  The pill i found didn't even help at all, like the doc said it would (more like PROMISED it would...), so i'm still worried how my first period off the pill will be.  The only advice i can give you it to take Midol, it's the only thing I found that worked for me, not advil or tylenol.

Good luck!

[radiorental]

Thank god I found this page! Its such a relief to see that I'm not the only one having problems with the pill.
Im 18 and I've been takeing ovranette for the last 6 months due to irregular and extremely heavy/painful period. It was okay to start with but ive recently been getting bad anxiety and bouts of depression. Ive been crying alot for no reason, often having heart palpitations and a huge weight loss as i cant hold food down to well anymore. This is really strange for me as ive always been a laid back, " look on the brightside" person. I honestly think its the pill thats causing this as  feelings came only a few weeks after takeing ovranette. I also think the reason the medical industry is keeping this quiet is that perhaps they dont want high rates of unwanted pregnancies. If this is true it dosent justify the secrecy they should warn people about these things!

I've decided to come off it and see what happens. I'd rather live with the physical pain than this horrible anxiety. Good luck to anyone else who is in the same boat as me

[yummy_mummy]

wow! Im a young mum at the age of 22, i have 2 young kids and recently its all been too much to handle.i just went to my drs this morning as i wanted to see if i can do something. My Dr definately believes its the Diane Pill im on thats causing my anxiety. I cant be alone with  my kids, everything seems useless, irritable and moody, which im taking out on my family :( Im losing my temper and i can get quite angry over things i should be able to cope with. I just feel for my beautiful kids and my husband who have to put up with a cranky mum and wife. It has only just clicked today that it was because of this Pill!!!! i had only started taking it to help with some acne that appeared out of nowhere! now i wish i hadnt. anyway ill stop taking the pill today and ill see how i go... bit scary but hope i feel more like my normal relaxed happy self soon!!

[CHAKICH2495]

yes i experienced the same side effects . i am to scared to go back on it now.

[steph106]

i got all the anxiety and i tryed like 5 different types of contraceptive pills and they all made me a bloody reck, and this site actually helped me because none of the doctors i saw would beleive it was down to the pill. so i gave them this website to prove it!! . im not on the mini pill which is just progesterone and no oestrogen and its been fine,although it may not agree with everyone.It seems to of worked for me.

[UStrotter]

For several years I have had bouts of what feels like palpitations, followed by shortness of breath, dizzyness, and consequently a fear that something bad is happening to me/my heart.  I was told it is anxiety.  In about the last year, it has become more frequent, sometimes lasting hours where I feel like I am just trying to breathe and fighting off the feeling of unwell-ness.  It also happens at random and doesn't seem to be connected to my stress level (i.e. doesn't occur when one would think it should when I'm really stressed, and happens oftentimes when I'm settling down for the night).
Recently I got in a jam where I ran out of my birth control and it hasn't been re-filled for a week.  I noticed that I was feeling very good and without palpitations/adrenaline feeling over the past few days and tried to think of what I had been doing differently so I could stay like this.  The birth control!   I'm not completely convinced yet, I am going to start/stop taking it a few times before I decide this.  But hopefully this was a contributing factor to my problems.  I'll keep you posted.

[Margie23]

I was on the pill for 3 years, and about two months ago I decided to stop taking them.  For the past two weeks I have experienced some depression and anxiety and cant seem to shake it off. I was thinking it might be a combination of getting off the birth control and also the stress I have with school work. I hope it goes away soon because its definitely not a good feeling.

[Shayla88]

My anxiety started after I started BC.

I have no idea if that's the cause, but I never had anxiety before it. I wish I could get off the pill to see if it helps, but right now I'd rather deal with my anxiety than quit school to raise a baby.

I'll be really interested to see if my anxiety settles down once I'm ready to be off the pill though.

[j_meD]

I just figured this out today!  I started birth control when I was 18, about 6 months later I started having anxiety/panic attacks.  I had never felt this before, and I had no idea where it came from.  I was put on Effexor when I was 20, which really worked, but I didn't want to take a pill forever so I stopped about a year later.  I was okay for a few months but it all came back.  I lived in misery with all the anxiety for a few more years, and then when I was 25 I went back on the Effexor.  Again, I got off of it 6 months later because I was tired of taking drugs, plus I wanted to start a family and didn't want to take anything if I were to get pregnant.  So I stopped the effexor in October, and the Birth Control in November of 2007.  I never felt better, I got pregnant in January 2009 and didn't have one hint of anxiety.  I had my son October 2008 and started the pill again in November.  A month or two ago my anxiety started back up.  Today I was thinking about why I had anxiety....and it just clicked....it HAS to be the pills.  I have no trauma in my life, no major changes, nothing.  Nothing triggers my anxiety, but I do notice it happens more often around my periods.  I didn't start having anxiety until I started the pills and when I was off the pills I felt great and that is the only time I have ever been off the pill since I was 18.  I have 3 more days left on this pack and then I'm going to stop and see what happens.

[pinkLilly]

i really appreciate all the input on the anxiety, i have been on birth controll pills for a year the first six months after i had my baby i was on a pill safe for breast feeding. i did well i think on that but i had stopped my bc  for a few months for lack of getting down to the ob, but was put on yazz. i seem to be a wreck now. i am mad all the time and feel like crying just about anytime of the day, or if i think of something that is a little upsetting to me. now i want to say i am not a cryer, i'm the opposite of that normally, so i really dont know. but i am starting to get a good idea that it just may be the bc pills. i am so unhappy now i dont even like my dogs half the time and that *****.

[foxy85]

I've noticed this about a year ago now. I first started taking BC pills (Alesse) after starting a long term relationship. I know I got way more moody, dizzy, not my normal self, always tired. Looking back I realize these damn pills changed the our relationship big time!! I finally stopped taking them when my bf got in a horrible car accident barely surviving. I returned to my normal self to a point where I felt so good I went off Celexa for my anxiety (which Im thinking the only reason I went on them in the 1st place is the anxiety/depression from the BC pills). Well, bf got better, and I started taking them again. We faught a lot and we broke up. He moved away. I went off BC again, and had no daily anxiety again. I went to visit him and everything was fine, so happy, no worry. Then I went on Depo shot a few weeks ago because I started seeing someone else. Anxiety attacks are back! Now I'm back on Celexa so I can try to have my life back again without panic. Ugggh so unhappy with this bulls*it.   :(  The anxiety from Alesse goes away pretty much a few weeks to a month after stopping them. Not sure if I'll continue with the shot and celexa. Seems  to be my only choice right now.

[am5286]

Hi i read your BC post and I would recommend you look into a non hormonal or like a ortho tri cyclen, no monophasic. Your story sounds identical to mine, but it has taken me 5 years and 3 different BC pills the depo shot and 4 different anti depressants to figure out to STOP TAKING THE PILL! I am getting the copper IUC Paragard placed in a couple weeks. I just stopped taking my levora and I am constantly crying and feel like a zombie. I now know it will pass once my body gets back to normal. I hope I helped.

[spicy2009]

oh my gOD!!!! I cant believe that the birth pills that im taking are the cause of my anxiety and depression and i become so sensitive.... im 27 i started taking pills 4mos. ago...It really ruin my life because i feel bad when im being ignored, and i easily cry for some unreasonable situation...i guess im almost acting like paranoid....im thankful for this forum i was hoping that you could help me to find the answer for my problem, and my libido increase its just i wanna make love everyday..lol hope u can email me at ***@****!

[Anz428]

Hey I had this problem too.  I thought my birthcontrol was making me have anxiety attacks.  Whatever you do please tell your OBGYN that you are going to go off the pill.  I went off the pill without telling them.  I felt a little bit better still had anxiety problems...but my periods lasted like 3 weeks for some odd reason.  The OBGYN said I was messing with my hormones and everything and that was why.  Now I'm back on the pill and still think the birthcontrol does cause anxiety attacks.  It all has do with the brain chemicals in the head that are trigger these anxiety attacks.  Dotors need to figure out what ones anf fast!!!!

[krazynat]

Lets just say being on birth control has made my life a living hell. I'm 20 years old and never experienced with a horomonal treatment until an ovarian cyst was detected which caused me to have krazy cramps. The doctors pretty much made me go on birth control Loesterin fe 2 be exact saying they don't want to deal with me if I don't give it a try. I finally did, and lets just say everyone around me thinks I've just gotten posessed by the devil. I literally feel krazy, I cannot go on with my daily tasks because I feel tired all the time, I cannot sleep, It's made my constipation worse, and worst of all I feel extremely moody and every little thing makes me cry. I definalty feel a drastic difference from before I began the pill two weeks ago and now. It's only been two weeks and I've become a wreck. I really would rather deal with my painful periods that are caused by a cyst than all these side efects. It's killing my summer but I'm worried to stop randomly because they say horomones get messed up from inconsistent intake of birth control...Is that true??

[teachnash]

Have any of you tried low low dose birth control, I am on Avaine, it was actually created for people with anxiety, and it works great, it hasn't affected my mood or anxiety, I actually feel better on it, I think it keeps my hormones in check, I gained a few lbs when I first started it, but I just got married and I was the happiest I had ever been, so my doctor and I chalked up to being happy and eating more, 5lbs is not a big deal for me lol.  Anyways I haven't gained any weight since then and I feel so much better and it helped so much with my cramps and irregular periods.  Good luck ladies!

[fifi3434]

hello ladies

im so glad i came across this page.
Now i am 100% positive that it was the bc pills that has ruined the last 4 years of my life.
i went on bc when i was about 20 years old...i went on them because i had irragular periods and stayed on them until i was 24. the last 2 years that i was on the pill was for my acne wich worked great and also cause i was in a long relationship.
I stopped taking the pill because i had forgotten to take it with me while on a vacation with my boyfriend.
5 days later i woke up with an extreme panic attack and anxiety. i was so scared, i thought i was going crazy. as of that moment my anxiety and panic became constant and unbearable, i couldnt leave my house for 2 months until finally my doctor forced me to go on antidepressents. i felt i had no choice and i got on the pill and sucked up all the side effects hoping to feel like my self again.
i started feeling better on the ssris but not like my old self. now 3 years later i am still on the antidepressants for my panic and anxiety because my doctor doesnt think i should get off of them just yet, specially because i had a nother sever panic period all last month......
deep down inside i always thought it might have had something to do with stopping the bc pills and now coming across this page i can say that i am sure that was the cause.
my doctor will not listen to me and doesnt think it is hormonal. i dont know what to do......should i go back on the pill to see how i feel?????any help or suggession from u ladies will help.
i am so hopeless and depressed and i can not deal with my anxiety disorder anymore....
thanks for listening and hope i get feedback...............
u can email me at farah1129 at hotmail com

[missy12666]

hey guys,
Im 17 years old, in love, and sexually active. I have had anxiety since i was like 12 pretty much but:
After being one the pill for 4 months, i started to disconect myself from my friends, my school work had deminished. I would come home and cry. To the point now where i have bad thoughts, i dont see point in what i do.
My boyfriend suggested that i might have deppression and i never thought about the link until i searched it.
Thank you everyone for making me realise.
I will seek help now, thank you.  

[prttygurl]

I am so relieved that there are other woman who are feeling the same as i am. I started the pill (allesse 28) when i was 15 for irregular periods and got off of them when i was about 20. I decided about a month ago to try them again due to my periods. I have never suffered from anxiety but ive always been sort of a worrier. Now im worrying constantly and have panic attacks so i made an appointment with my doctor and im stopping the pills. I'd rather deal with my irregular periods than live like this because i work for psychiatrist/psychologist and i DO NOT want to end up like the people i come in contact with on a regular basis.

[jlstudinka]

What about the pill and DEPRESSION?

I'm 24, been on Loestrin Fe for about 8 years, since roughly age 16 and all seemed fine emotionally.  at about age 20 I dipped into a bout with serious depression that eventually came under control with Lexapro which I've now been on for over 3 years.     So I was on the pill for at least 4 years before I ever had any depression symptoms? could they still be related?
Until this month I've never associated depression and the pill.  I tried getting off lexapro for about 8 months last year and It did not work, I was miserably down and very anxious.  I now wonder if getting of both the pill and the lexapro might be the answer but of course I'm worried abotu the potential roller coaster ride I could be on were I to take that step.  

This is very obviously a real issue, yet doctors I talk to seem to bush aside any correlation!  

Please respond!

[taylorm]

Absolutely! A lot of people won't believe you, but it's true. Even my gynecologist didn't believe me. But you're right, putting hormones in your body disrupts your natural balance. After two bad experiences with being on the pill, I have decided: never again.

[taylorm]

I've found the best way to control pregnancy is to monitor my cycles and know exactly when I am ovulating. That way I can easily avoid being pregnant, and I don't have to worry about pills and hormones, and any other side effects. Also, obviously, the pill doesn't help with STD's, so even if you are on the pill, and you want to be safe, you still have to use a condom. I even know a lot of married couples who use condoms regularly. So it's up to you, but you know your body and your personality, and anything that messes with that too much probably isn't helping you.

[hjghjg]

I have been on the pill one and off for about 6 years now. I recently stopped taking the Yasmine because the Anxiety and its effects became WAY too much to handle. It became so bad that I could no longer have lunch with my workmates, eat in restaurants or drink alcahol (alcohol) in public becuase as soon as I was asked a slightly intimidating question or a simple question about myself, I would break out in a red rash on my neck and face. I asked two doctors and they both suggested that I eithre stop the pill or put up with the consequences of taking it. I went to two naturopaths that suggested that I get off it immediatly and stop eating bread. After only 3 months, I am back on bread and can withstand the most intimidating questions.

I'm not a doctor, but if anyone else is feeling the same as I did and suffering the consequences of anxiety, please remember, YOU ARE NOT going crazy.
Personally, I would rather catch something or have a child than go through that again.

I really think that this is an issue that should be addressed by doctors and drug companies as depression and social anxiety is NOT a minor side effect and there seems to be a greast deal of people with these and other similar symptoms.

[MrsD_123]

A couple of weeks after I began taking the pill my body started to go haywire (nausea, chest pains, headaches, lethargy...)...a couple of months later and my mind followed... (anxiety, depression, agrophobia, OCD... etc) It was only in one of my deep depressions that i had a gutful of it all and stopped taking all my medications. I was on the pill and anti-depressants... I was lying of the bathroom floor for about a week with headaches and nausea (withdrawal from anti-d'sIi think). But every day since then the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming brighter and brighter...I'm no longer suicidal, most mornings I can get out of bed, get dressed, eat breakfast without a major ordeal, and I've even managed to go back to uni on a 1/4 load...I wish someone had told me about the side effects of the pill earlier and maybe the last 3 years of my life might have been better...So stoaked(happy/excited) I'm getting back 2 normal...

And there is some research being done now, how awesome is that!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200502/s1312627.htm

[jojopie]

I was on BC for a little over a year and recently stopped taking it. I've only been off of it for about a month now and I just had really bad anxiety today. My moods are all over the place! I feel like every little thing can/will make me cry.

[green88]

Hello!
just like u guys i have the same problem. But mine was a bit different i decided to go on the pill [Yaz] when i was a freshman in college and then after like three months i got off it and then a yr later i got on them again and i got my first panic attack after being on the pill after only a month. I got the panic attack during the week off my placebo pills since they were the placebo pills i decided not to take them but since then i have not been the same. It has been almost two years this coming december since i got my first panic attack and into today i still suffer from anxiety. I just hate it, i feel like others have mention im not enjoying myself because im always worried or paranoid that something is going to happen. Like someone else has mention i have felt suicidal as well. And i know for  a fact that all of this happen because of the pill. I was so happy before this happen to me, it ***** that im still trying to fight this. Im also surprise that i did take the pill for less time then some of you and i still have the same effects. I was just hoping for advice of how i can fight this. i have been going to therapy but i fell like i need to do more.

[eve_romance]

Sorry, this is going to be long, but please read it.  I think you'll get some good information out of it.

I have been an absolute basket case for the past three years.  It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that I finally connected my depression/moodiness/anxiety to the birth control pill.  I was so relieved to find this discussion.  It gave me a lot of hope.  It made me realize that it might not be me that was crazy, but this synthetic hormone that was making me this way.

Here are some side effects I've dealt with:
Depression and anxiety (got ten times worse when I took my placebo pills)
Nervousness (constantly feel nervous)
Racing thoughts (thinking about how my boyfriends were all cheating on me, they weren't)
Feeling like I was going to cry all the time
Crying over really little things that normally wouldn't bother me
Fatigue (even after a full night's rest)
NO sex drive
Vaginal dryness

I have done a looooooooooot of research in the past couple of weeks.

Here's what I've found:
Progestogens (synthetic progesterone) are linked with depression.  That is, progestogens can worsen depression.  So, with that being said, there are some birth control pills that have a lower progestin potency than others.  And these are the pills that are best for depression, or moodiness or irritability.

My Personal Experience:
About three and a half years ago (Jan 2006) I was put on Lutera (generic for Alesse) by planned parenthood.  I don't recall having any emotional side effects, and my sex drive was actually higher.  Then around November 2006, planned parenthood didn't have Lutera anymore, so they put me on Levlen and said it was pretty much the same.  That's when my craziness started.  I was a psychopath.  I never put two and two together, so I thought it was just me.  I moved in August of 2008, and went to refill my prescription at the new planned parenthood. They didn't have Levlen, so they put me on Lo/Ovral.  They said it would pretty much the same.  They were right this time.  I was still a psychopath.  In Aug 2009, they switched me to Levora, because they didn't have Lo/Ovral anymore.  They said it would be pretty much the same.  Levora was better than Levlen and Lo/Ovral, but still not that much better.  I feel more depressed than I feel like I'm going to cry over every little thing that happens.

So, I'm going to talk to my doctor about going back to Lutera.  It seemed to be the only birth control pill I took that didn't make me crazy.  I'm really lucky to have a boyfriend who is understanding and totally willing to help me through all this.  I've read that some girl's boyfriends just get pissed when they don't want to have sex, or cry all the time.  My advice is to find someone more understanding because it's not you, it's the damn pills.

I found a website that has some really good information on it.  There is a chart that says which birth control pills are best for which problems, such as depression, acne, break-thourgh bleeding, etc.

http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr13.htm

If your doctor doesn't agree with you that it's the pills, and won't switch you to a different brand of pills or advise you to go off the pills, get a new doctor. It's not worth it.

[Lowrye]

Well, here is yet another story for you. I am 26 and have been on some form of bc since I was 11. At first it was because I was bleeding so heavily--16 days on with only 5 off, every month. I was anemic, it was terrible. I never really connected it until recently, but I have felt depressed and suicidal since my teen years. I'm always thinking that it would be so much better to end it, but when I step back and look I don't really know why---now I do. I would rather have 20 children than feel like this. I'm always moody and depressed, cry over everything, get angry really easily. Then there was the 5 years I was on the Depo shot--I gained about 3 lbs every 3 months and over 5 years that is a lot! Since being on the pill again for the past couple of years I have lost the weight but have kept the depression, moodiness and I didn't realize it but I think I have been having anxiety problems as well. I'm always paranoid that my bf is going to leave me-but I think if he did it would be because the pills are making me crazy! I just want to be a normal person again and if getting off the pills does it--then so be it! I'm just glad that I never was able to go through with my suicidal thoughts!

[AeLoz32]

I have been on the pill for about 8 years!!! Only today did it finally hit me that the pill could be causing my anxiety/panic disorder. I spoke to a friend today and she told me that her sister had panic attacks once getting on the pill, then quit the pill and she went back to her mentally healthy, laid back self. So because of what she told me I decided to research this, and I am astonished by all of the women who are having similar experiences!

When I think back to when I first started the pill, at 18 yrs old (now 28 yrs old), I realize that my anxiety and emotional issues began around that time. I figured it was the stresses of college and being away from home for the first time. Now I am thinking differently!

Because of my anxiety, I started on Effexor a little over a year ago. DO NOT EVER EVER EVER TAKE EFFEXOR!!! The side effects are awful!!! So now I have decided to get off of Effexor and the withdrawls are making me very sick. I have decided to get off this med because I really want to try to deal with my anxiety naturally.

BUT after this new revelation of the pill possibly causing my anxiety (ALL OF THIS TIME),  I am going to now stop taking my birth control,Yaz, immediately!!! I hope and pray to God that this has been the root of all my struggles with panic all of these 8 years! I also hope this for all of you who are going through similar situations.

Thank you all for this information, and I pray for good health for all of you. God Bless:)

[cabinc]

I basically diagnosed myself with an anxiety disorder through the internet and looked for ways to sort my life out. Everything started bothering. Checking things over and over and the frustration. I feel like it just crept up on me and before I know it, I suffer an anxiety attck. My heart is racing and a lump in my throat and no one understands cos its so many thoughts rushing to your head and so scary and you dont know how you will ever get through. I am 24 and on the pill for 6 years. Since coming off it 3 months ago. My life has been so bad with anxiety soaring. I just want it to stop. I feel so weak and look forward to the future and cant talk to anyone because no one understands but after reading your comments- I really think the pill has had a major affect on me and around menstruation- I am at my worst.

Can someone please help and tell me should I go back on the pill?

[fleshman]

cabinc,
I know how you feel being anxious/depressed all the time. I have been too, except in my case I think it is the birth control causing it, although I could be wrong. I just decided to stop taking it, so I'll see what happens after that. In your case it sounds like going off the pill did not help, but it could just be that your body needs time to adjust. In any case, it may be helpful to talk to a doctor or therapist. Not sure where/how to find a therapist, but it may be better than talking to a doctor because they will probably just put you on drugs which have worse side affects than anxiety and may actually increase suicidal thoughts. I have been so desperate lately that I was thinking about trying to get on some meds, but I just don't think it would be worth it. In any case, don't give up hope! I will pray for you, and I want you to know that there are lots of us out there that understand what you are going through; you are not alone. If you go to a local church they may be able to give you counseling about your anxiety or at least be praying for you and your health. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you. -Brandi

[sjrich]

I am so glad i found this site! I am 19 years old and recently got married. I have started having major anxiety and nausa everyday! I get very anxious about going to events where there is going to be big crowds. I even started to freak out about going to work and church. I have always been an extremely social and outgoing person...i thought i was going crazy prior to reading all of these posts! I am defo getting off my birth control...which I have only been on for 11 months. It is so not worth messing your life up over. I just hope my nausa and anxiety issues disappear..i'm starting to not even recognize who I am anymore! Thanks to everyone for speaking out about the BC!!

[heisy]

Thank you so much for sharing your stories, this is a big relief to me!! i thought i was going insane, no one seems to think i have any medical reason to stp taking hormones for bc.  im 20 and i have been on nuvuea ring for two years for birth control and to control heavy periods.  i just recently stopped last month, and  i feel like this is this first time i can remember being happy and not anxious in a long time!! i dont know what to do, im glad i read this,  thought it was just the ring that was causing it but it seems like all hormones have the same affect- im glad i wont have to go through testing it for myself now and messing up my body even more then ive already had.. i dont ever want to be on them again. i also workout and run on a regular basis, im a full time student and running helps with the stress and anxiety.

for now im just going back to condoms, but hopefully they will develop something soon that wont make us crazy, gain weight, loose calcium, loose hair and generally ruin our lives.

[hiking_girl]

I am so glad I read this. I have had some anxiety problems when I was younger, but they had gone away almost completely. Recently, however, they have come back. I have been on the pill since July, and just switched this month to another brand thinking it might help. It's only been about a week on the new one (Tri-Cyclen LO) and my mood has been on a downward spiral. I have always been a bright, happy person, and I still am but I get certain days when I'm just so sad and hopeless. It doesn't make sense, I have no reason to be sad, I just get so stressed out and worked up about things, and constantly worry about dying from the stupidest things. Anyways, I think what I am going to do is STOP taking the pill, and see how my mood gets. I'd like to catch this early while it is still manageable and hopefully it will go away. The last thing I'd want is to have depression and take MORE pills. Here's hoping that ALL of us will find solutions to our problems. My heart goes out to you all, and thank you for lettimg me know I am not alone.

[danielle_ohwell]

I'm 22 and i recently started taking Levlen. Im only on my third week but i'm already experiencing depression and mild anxiety. I say mild because my boyfriend suffers with diagnosed general and social anxiety, which for a time, was debilitating for him. The anxiety levels I am experiencing have not been so bad that it gets in the way of life, however it feels aweful to go from being a vibrant care free girl who helped pull my boyfriend out of the grip and cycle of social anxiety, to being constantly worried about.. I don't even know what. I cry at the drop of a freakin' hat and I feel bloated with sore boobs. The doctor said mood swings and breast tenderness are common side effects, but she never mentioned anxiety. She did say that the side effects should wear off and to wait the full 4 months before coming back. I don't know if I can take another 3 months of this though. I am not happy and reading some of the posts here, it looks like things may not get better? Has anyone ever had the symptoms but then gotten over them as time went on. I haven't experienced the fear of dying myself but last night I found myself stressing about my boyfriend of 6 years dying and then i worked myself up imagining it that I was crying uncontrollably. This was at 2 o clock in the morning, I had to wake him and he managed to calm me down. I don't know what my other options are. I am in a committed relationship and the pill seemed like the best option. what to do?

[mariekespinoza]

I started taking Levora 3.5 years ago. I had never taken any form of birth control and was just 17 when I got on it, so didn't really ask any questions. Planned parenthood perscribed it, and I started taking it.

I started off with the basic side effects, such as, head aches, weight gain, spotting, but those all went away. But then very subtley, my moods started changing. I didn't feel happy with my boyfriend (the one I had been with since I got on the pill) and for the last year of our relationship I felt very moody, I had absolutely no libido, and got irritated to the point where I thought I was crazy. I ended things with him, and went into a deep depression. I am generally a happy person but, these feelings of anxiety and depression consumed me. I went off the pill and now I feel much more peaceful. I honestly think that birth control made me lose my mind a little bit. It seemed to have clouded my judgement because my emotions were running a million miles a minute. We are still broken up but I am actually happy and thinking straight.

I never thought that birth control would effect me like that. Next time I need some sort of birth control I will not use that pill.

Has anyone had any bad experience with ortho-tri-lo?

[nputte]

My gynecologist said in people that already have anxiety issues, putting them on birth control exacerbates the issue. I stopped taking them about 3 months ago, each month it gets better and better. I still get anxious around my period, but again. Hormones. Anyway, we are using other methods. There are side effects of not being on the pill, but I will deal with those anyday over the horrible anxiety I felt while on the pill.

[alyssa3054]

I'm wondering if birth control can commonly affect emotional health or if I should be concerned about other factors. I'm 18 years old and have been on the pill for almost a year. Since beginning the pill, I've felt an overwhelming change in my moods, from being happy some days to constantly worrying. I am wondering if anyone out there would know if this could be from the pill, or other outside factors.

I worry that my boyfriends depression has added to my change in moods, as he began to have suicidal thoughts when I began my bc treatment. When should I draw the line and take action and talk to my doctor?

[poochie417]

I have been on the pill full time for 6-7 years.  Around the same time i met my now husband, bought a house, etc. and developed anxiety, gained weight.  I thought it was the stress of 'being an adult'.  i was put on celexa which helped but also made me feel numb.  we were talking about starting a family so in december i started to wean myself off of the celexa and my claritin and didn't have any negative effects.  earlier this month i decided i wanted to try going off the pill and convince my husband that we should use condoms as i was reading up on bc and it said it causes depression, etc.  my husband freaked out and after a week into my cycle i started the pills again.  he doesn't understand what an effect they have and doesn't believe me.  that one week that i was off them was the best week i've had it a long time.  i had so much energy, i wasn't constantly thinking about food, i wanted to exercise.  i've been trying to lose about 30 lbs for a while now but i'm constantly tired and want to take naps and only eat carbs and not exercise.  i'm going to the gyn tomorrow to get a script for the femcap.  i cannot wait to be off the pill again so that hopefully i can finally lose weight.

[ddmjmj4]

wow its crazy to hear these stories, after i had my 2nd child i went on the depo shot, it was fine for the first 3 months then i would have episodes and i thought i was dying, i would freek out and my body would tingle, i couldnt sit still, breathe, my heart would beat soooo fast, i felt like i was going to pass out. i went to the doc and he said it could be post pardom, he put me on zoloft, i had the worst attack ever when i started taking that, i was having an attack every day it was horible pluss i started getting IBS because of it, i went to a psyciatrist and she wanted to put me on paxil, im the type of person who doesnt like to take meds so i asked if there was another way, she taught me how to breathe and now i can make them go away, its great! i got my tubes tied so i dont have to take birth controll because of the anxiety. now i only have it like once every three months. i still worry about everything now and when i worry i have to go right to the bathroom haha it sux but at least i dont freek out like i used to.

[CareBear74]

This seems almost an epidemic. My story... Since youth I can remember having a high level of anxiety. At 18 I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder. I am 35 now and have had long spells of anxiety and depression followed by equally long spells of less (mind you, it is never completely gone). The correlation is so clear to me now. The times when I have been at my worst... I have been on synthetic hormones (bc). And the breaks in between... I was relying on other forms of bc, mainly because it is so expensive. I've been on the pill again for about a year and slowly the anxiety has come back in full force. I switched to Yaz during the summer and it's gotten even worse. I've decided, I have taken my last pill today. I am on effexor... but I've been on it for six years or so. Increasing the dose has taken the edge off, but that constant feeling of digging your nails into your desk at work... well, it just *****. My aunt told me to look into adjusting my hormones because she went through this at my age as well. I think you should talk to your mom, aunts, grandma, any female relative... they have your same genetic makeup and often have gone through the same things. It never even dawned on me that it could be hormonal until I talked with her. But now I am pretty convinced that it very well could be the culprit. I'll report back on my progress.

[imsaved1000]

Finally I know I am not alone. I have been on the pill for 5 years now. I don't plan on having children. I'm not depressed all of the time, but I have a seasonal job and am layed off for the winter. When I'm alone at home sometimes I feel sad all of the time. I have never been an overly excited person, but some days I just feel sad all day. After my husband and I have arguments, I cry and start thinking how horrible I am. Many times I just question why I even exist. Sometimes I feel like I have no reason to get up in the morning. I never knew if it was just me or if it was the pill because depression is not listed as a side effect on the package and no doctor could give me an answer, either. I can also relate to having a general "numb" feeling about life. I'm not content with life and don't feel like I have any hopes or dreams.  I have to admit that I have never had much libido, and I dont' know why, but it has only got worse and there is no enjoyment at all. I wouldn't care if I never did it again. I am afraid to go off the pill, even though we aren't intimate very often anyway. I wish there was a better option. I don't trust the condoms completely, but I think going off the pill will be the only way I can know if it's causing my mood problems.

[tabby485]

@Imsaved1000 - My life in the past year is exactly like yours.

I'm a 24 y.o, a mum of a 4 yo, and my life, since I started taking Valette in October 2008 up until now, a month after quitting, has been a TOTAL nightmare and a complete mess!!!!!!! I used to be a happy-go-lucky girl, the most cheerful and easy-going from all of my best mates, but I'm now nothing but a depressed fiancee and mum, who wants to cut her wrist everytime something goes wrong or out of expectation.

I'm glad I found this page. It's really a nice feeling to know that there's nothing wrong with me!!! So you all know, I have a really bad background, from child abuse, family problem, teen pregnancy, to a nasty boyfriend who beats and kicks for 7 years. And I know that I'm more prone to have depression than other people with better background. But I had lived all those things quite OK, until I started taking the pills. I became easily hurt, I have no interest anymore in things I used to love doing, and it destroys my self confidence. Every problem seems to have no solution, and my life is heading to a dead end. It hurts me so bad because my fiance, sees me as someone who needs help. He's been trying to make me see a shrienk, and suggesting me to consider taking anti depressant.... I think he's grown tired dealing with all those theatrical cries, and also 'darkness' in our bedroom. (That's how he calls it) And one other thing, I feel like he doesn't see me, or know me, as who I really am....

Anyway, I quit the pills a month ago, and now I'm on my period. I felt MUCH better in the first three weeks, but my depression came back a week before I got my period (a normal period anxiety like I usually had, but 10x heavier). I think it does take time for your hormones to get back to its normal state. I really hope I could get back to the usual me.... I don't even recognize myself anymore!!!! And I can't remember how it felt to be me before all these started!

To all who consider taking BCP, I'd say do give it a try... But if it gives you anxiety and depression that you don't normally experience, STOP BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!!! Everybody is different, and some probably just have to stick to condoms... :))
It's not worth it, believe me!!!

[pilly92]

im 17 and started "ortho tri-cyclen lo" about 2 months ago (for my irregular periods & horrible cramps). since i started i've seen my life change drastically. i barely ever leave the house unless my friends or boyfriend persuade me to. my mood swings have increased and i'm constantly missing school because of anxiety/panic attacks. i feel depressed all the time and cry over the littlest problems. recently i stayed in my bed for 2 days straight because i was scared to leave my mom and house. i've started fearing death of both myself and others and its caused me not to want to talk to people so that i don't form a relationship with them because i'm too scared of getting hurt. My periods have been so much better and my cramps have drastically decreased but i'm not sure which is worth dealing with more.

Anyone else have this problem?

[liss999]

Hi i am 21 years old and i have been on birth control for almost 5 years. I have been on 3 different kinds but the most recent was yasmin and seasonal. I started to experience really bad mood swings. irrational thoughs, and anxiety on yasmin so my doctor suggested seasonal to maybe lessen the side effects. I was on seasonal for 3 months and i was experiencing the worst abdominal pain and back pain(period cramps) every week almost every day. I would have really bad anxiety with my boyfriend and panick attacks. I started to let my anxiety get to me and mostly direct it towards my boyfriend and make myself very confused about things. I became very drained and frustrated and did not feel myself at all. I stopped taking the birth control completly a few days ago. I talked to my doctor and he thinks my body is too sensitive for the hormones. I have been off the pill for 5 days now and i have really bad headaches every night and still some anxiety but this could just be from hormone withdrawl (withdrawal) symptoms. I am going to see a specialist about getting an IUD without and hormones. I really hope i start feeling myself again!

[DB227]

I have been on the birth control pill for 13 years now.  During this time, I experienced many things in my life such as losing my father to cancer and started experiencing depression during my 20's, which I obviously attributed to this.  My depression has worsened and it's increased to severe anxiety and I now have myself completely withdrawn from life, friends, and family.  It's affected me so badly and I'm on anti-depressants, Xanax, and sleeping pills.  Not to mention all the other medical things that are happening to me as a side effect of this depression.  This year, I started feeling suicidal and I'd had enough.  Just last week, I mentioned to my gynecologist that I was going to try to go off of the pill to see if that would help my depression because a friend of mine had told me how the pill had made her "crazy".  Well, believe it or not, I am already feeling better!  I'm so relieved to read and now see that there was a fixable cause to this and now I can fix it, but part of me is so frustrated that I didn't realize this sooner.  I wonder what I've missed out on and how many relationships I've ruined because of this.  

I have to say that I feel so strongly about this that I might now become a huge advocate for people to use non-hormonal birth control to spare themselves the pain that I've gone through.  I can't wait to start my life over and see what it holds for me now.

And when the time comes that I need birth control again, I'm going with the non-hormonal IUD.  Until then, condoms will have to do.  Thank you to all of you for validating the fact that I am not crazy.

[bkami]

I've been on the pill for a few months now for acne and regulation purposes. I'm in my teens and I dont use it for the normal reason, but I have noticed that my acne is clearing up a little. but i started having ANXIETY, depression, and panicky moments when I think that i'm going to throw up or i'm "going crazy!!" I can't hang out with my friends anymore because I panic, sleepovers are now scary to me after i had a panic attack at my best friends house and had to leave in the middle of the night. Now i am anxious and panicked that that will happen again...so no more fun times for me obviously. its taking over my life. I was diagnosed with an ulsor in my stomach from stress, and any little emotion is intensified. like the feeling of being exited or nervous and your stomach acts up BUT WORSE. but now i dont think it is that, but i think now its the birth control. SHOULD I GO OFF OF IT?

[luvbugg22]

i have been on birth control for the past few days i just feel so sad about everything and it *****. i dont know what to do i thought i was out of my mind but now that i know that other people have the same feelings it makes me feel better. my boy friend is off the walls he is so not understanding when i cry.i know its only because he cares for me but it just makes me cry more. thank you for posting because i feel much better knowing that im not the only one.

[faith_tx]

I'm not a doctor and you should definitely talk to yours. But, I would say definitely try and get off the pill. If the pill side effects is worse than the problem they are treating. . .you should consider it!  I have been through anxiety and panic problems for years and it's not fun. Anything you can do to feel better in that area again will help you with all of your life.

[shellydoyle25]

I was on Yasmin since I was 18 years of age and went off it when I was 22. I returned onto the pill taking Dianette when I was 24 for contraception and for bad acne. I was taken off Dianette because doctors don't like to see women on it for too long as it has alot of Oestrogen in it. I was put back on Yasmin and suffered from Major Migranes (migraines). Stupidly my Family Planning Nurse put me back on Dianette and I have been suffering from anxiety attacks every since being put back on it. I can't concentrate at all and i'm getting constant dizziness every day. I panic that the pill has not made me dizzy and that it is due to something much more serious. It will take a while to get the pill out of my system but If the dizziness and anxiety goes, I will be considering the coil or diaphram. So Sick of feeling like this, I feel like I just can't live my life the way I used to. My sex life is great with my boyfriend and I feel like I can't concentrate within the last month on our relationship because I can't think straight.
It doesn't seem to be gettin better.

[furmin]

I strongly believe anxiety and birth control pills are related. I have never ever been a stressed out person. Even in the worst of times, I just always knew things would work out and be okay. Here's my story. At age 13 I had horribly heavy and irregular periods and I became anemic. My doctor put me on Loestrin (generic Microgestin) to help prevent me from becoming more anemic. I was on this from ages 13-20, and never thought I had any side effects. At age 20 I decided to start Seasonale because I wanted fewer periods. Seasonale caused me to have joint pain and I was not as thrilled about this pill as I thought I would be. I am now 22 and stopped Seasonale about 1.5 months ago. My doctor put me back on Microgestin since I had seemed to handle it well before. About a week into that first pack everything went haywire. One morning I woke up with an awful headache, and it got worse through the day and by the evening I was so nauseous and my face and left side of my body had gone numb. I went to the ER because I thought I was having a stroke. They found nothing and after several MRI's and CT scans, the doctors could find nothing wrong w/ me despite persisting numbness and headaches. These are all symptoms of anxiety, the doctor says and I have since been diagnosed w/ chronic severe anxiety. My resting heard rate was 120+ bpm. We stopped my BC pills entirely since I had the bad reaction and I have been off them for about a month, but the anxiety has refused to leave. I am always convinced I'm dying and the doctors missed something. I think the most horrific thoughts all the time. From what I have been reading, estrogen hormone levels can effect anxiety. Pre-menopausal women are effected by it usually because of drops in estrogen levels. I now have no natural estrogen in my body. My body never had the chance to regulate itself at an early age, and now there is no outside estrogen coming in, so it's almost as my body thinks I am pre-menopausal due to the drop in hormones. I have also experienced what I think are mini-hot flashes. For the past couple of weeks, I would suddenly feel uncomfortably hot out of nowhere, which is odd for me. I am very skinny and constantly freezing. I am hoping to wait it out and things will get better. Right now the doctor has me on .25 mg of xanax 3x per day, but it is not helping, because I have already built a tolerance to it. I still have the numbness occasionally (even in my throat!) along w/ jaw pain, headaches, and many other insane symptoms the Dr says are all anxiety related.

[furmin]

Oh and I forgot to add that when I was 13, shortly after starting microgestin, I started to have suicidal thoughts, and I even considered ending my own life. These thoughts lasted for about several months, and eventually went away, since maybe I had adjusted to the pill. I had never put two and two together, but after reading about so much depression caused by BC pills, I really think that may have been a possibility for my suicidal thoughts at that age.

[skashi]

Hi girls, thank you so much for sharing your stories.Now I KNOW that I'm not crazy. I started the Nuva Ring 3 months ago because I was having terrible heavy periods and really bad cramping. I also had a consistent pain in my lower belly. I saw many doctors, did sonograms and tests, but nothing was found. No ovarian cysts, no STD. nobody knew what was wrong  with me. So (planed parenthood) put me on the Nuva Ring and i felt better right away. Less pain, short and easy periods. BUT, I definitely started having anxiety problems. thinking about terrible things that might happen to myself or loved once, crying for no reason (which helps a lot with my acting career but not with my everyday life). Right now I'm debating if i should stop right away or wait a little bit. I think I would wait talk to some specialists in Israel this summer, where i have insurance.
I would keep you posted if i find anything interesting. Just so you know, acupuncture is an amazing way to deal with problems like the once that we all have. Instead of taking birth control pills we should get treated for the pain or the anxiety first. It works .Right now I don't have any money for it but hopefully soon enough it will all be behind us.
good luck to you all

[skashi]

Hi girls, thank you so much for sharing your stories.Now I KNOW that I'm not crazy. I started the Nuva Ring 3 months ago because I was having terrible heavy periods and really bad cramping. I also had a consistent pain in my lower belly. I saw many doctors, did sonograms and tests, but nothing was found. No ovarian cysts, no STD. nobody knew what was wrong  with me. So (planed parenthood) put me on the Nuva Ring and i felt better right away. Less pain, short and easy periods. BUT, I definitely started having anxiety problems. thinking about terrible things that might happen to myself or loved once, crying for no reason (which helps a lot with my acting career but not with my everyday life). Right now I'm debating if i should stop right away or wait a little bit. I think I would wait talk to some specialists in Israel this summer, where i have insurance.
I would keep you posted if i find anything interesting. Just so you know, acupuncture is an amazing way to deal with problems like the once that we all have. Instead of taking birth control pills we should get treated for the pain or the anxiety first. It works .Right now I don't have any money for it but hopefully soon enough it will all be behind us.
good luck to you all

[marcy_182]

I have been in birth control pills since i was 16 now im 30 mother of two for the first time in my life we r planning on having a third child so i stop the pill, and that's when my nightmare started. Anxiety attacks,  then turn into Panic attacks, now i have what they call Phobias.
I want my life back, im doing better now, im taking 100% acai extract, 100% magosteen, 900mg St John Worth and 5 drops of Bach stress relief and went back to birth control i dont feel well in any way to have children any more i still would like one more but i cant ...

[curlygirl216]

I started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen about 14 years ago...stopping twice along the way to have my 2 kids...been on it consistantly for the past nine years.  Over those past nine years I have experienced some of the worst anxiety and depression that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy!  Crying at the drop of a hat all the time, RAGING anger, feeling worthless and useless in life, mad at the world, racing thoughts, exteme indecisiveness, constant nervousness and worrying, afraid to leave the house, yelling at people for no reason, heart beating out of my chest(when I'm sitting down doing nothing)...the list goes on and on.Last week my prescription ran out for my pills and I decided to just stop taking them to see what would happen with my mood.  It's been 7 days since I took my last pill and I am feeling so much better!  I never would've thought I would see such a big change in just a week but I have.  Now I am convinced those damn pills were contributing to the problems.  If I would have linked them together years ago I could have been spared...all this time I thought there was something wrong with ME and that I was crazy!  So glad I found this site...every woman should do research and get off the Pill...knowledge is power....

[theone_999]

Great stories girls!

I suffered from mild to severe depression for over 6 years before a hospital intern suggested that i try getting off the pill to see what happens. My symptoms disappeared within a week.

I had tried many different types of pills, but none of them seam to have made a difference! Because the depression was mild over many years, it was not taken seriously by my doctors, friends or family.  After crying at my doctor's office (a woman by the way), she told me that i was lucky 'nothing is wrong with me' and i should be thankful because i'm not as sick as some of her patients.

Everyone (including me eventually) thought it was circumstantial. I was feeling 'blah' most of the time and no highs or lows. just a general feeling of 'emptiness' in everything in my life.The depression was getting worse over time since the pill also affected my libido. I had very little sex drive and didn't enjoy sex as i used to.  It affected my friendships, it affected my work, it affected my health, my relationships...

I had tried everything from meditation, yoga, exercise and healthy eating... but now that i am off the pill (it has been 6 months) i have regained my life back.... i have the energy and the drive that i remember having before i started! I hope this story helps someone. of course you should listen to your body and only YOU know exactly what to do to make your life better.

good luck! ;)

[happyish]

i'm a 32yold mess, iv'e been on various pills since i was 16 and then i had my 1st child when i was 22.whilst most women complain about having awful pregnancies, i was quite the opposite.....i lost approx 15kg throughout it and came out skinner than i'd been in a long time! put the weightloss down to no alcohol during pregnancy, because i ate any thing and everything lol. then 8weeks after her birth, back on the pill. look back now was definately depressed after having her, no one helped tho just told me i would be fine. got progressively worse, crying all the time, couldn't leave the house, couldn't talk on phone, avoided people, couldn't cope but couldn't not cos had baby, all the classic signs of depression, anxiety and agraphobia.oh and ill add the new pill was a higher dose as after having daughter had bleeding through old one. then in 2004ish i started getting panic attacks, and im not talking the regular variety....palpatations, sweating, dizziness, fainting, diahorea, nausea, tremours, slurred speach, you name it i had it, thought i was having a heart attack or strfoke. called ambo a few times. finally got diagnosis of acute panic disorder. tried every natural remedy...far too severe for that. went on anti depressants. felt fantastic at first, realised i hadnt felt that good since a kid, realised i must have had depression most of life because i felt so great. ups and downs when they wouldnt work as effectively so i'd change to a different one but mostly under control. Then i fell pregnant with my son in 2006. although lovan was safe to take through pregnancy, i decided against it and no pill obviously! felt fantastic....lost 26kg! i gave birth and weight the same as my wedding day weight! i was the happiest new mother you have ever met!!! then i went back on the pill about 8wks after his birth, a couple of weeks later i was a wreck...all the panic attacks came back worse than before!! i was a mess, so back off to doc and back on the antideppressants. its been nearly 3 years now and although after changing anti depressants a number of times, panic attacks mostly controlled, depression in full force, want to sleep my life away, cant cry because im numb, FAT again (that came back about 3 months after birth) and have no desire to be alive.not that i want to kill myself, just seems that i would be happy to never wake up, i'm wishing my life away! the only relief is sleep.
so for years i have been say to people that my hormones must be at their optimum when i'm pregnant as i always feel fantastic and lose so much weight. everyone thinks i'm just looking for an excuse, that i'm just lazy and fat because of it. after reading this.....i think not! i'm going off the pill as of today to see. i'll stay on the antidepressants til i feel in control enough to come off those too, but heres hoping.
if anyone else has experienced this in pregnancy, please tell me. i will keep you all up to date. anything is worth a try at this stage!!

[ctuckerwv]

Ladies, I think we may be on to something here. I have been on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for seven years, since the birth of my second child. However, lately I have been experiencing the same symptoms you speak of. Fatigue, weakness, anxiety, nervousness, heart palpitations, muscle pain, irritability, forgetfulness, tinnitus(ringing of ears), dizziness. I eat very healthy and workout six days a week, so my lifestyle shouldn't cause these.  The doctors have been running some tests but so far everything is normal. I met with my gynecologist and she gave me trial of Loestrin. After researching it I decided to stick with the Ortho. I just had my period this past week and began to feel better and by the last day I felt remarkably well. I started my new pack lastnight and guess what? I wake up this morning and my symptoms have returned. Coincidence or not? I don't know, but I intend to meet with my gynecologist to discuss this. Should I quit taking birth control? That scares me too, I have fibroids and the doctor mentioned that without the pill my periods may be very heavy. I am turning forty this year and also wonder if my hormones might be starting to change.

[slicknick131]

I had severe depression and mood problems on the pill. I felt completely out of control with my emotions. It was awful. I also had severe PMS and other issues. I went off and got a non-hormonal IUD and couldn't be happier. I haven't had a child and I got this big opposition when I requested an IUD, which seemed unfounded. To me, the pill is much more dangerous and scary, yet people don't talk about it. IUD's are actually the most common form of birth control in other countries, yet in the US everyone get's put on the pill. I think it's a ploy from the drug companies. I paid $70 for an IUD that will last ten years vs. paying $20-$50 a month for the pill. Ridiculous. The pill also puts you at risk for other severe health problems. Get an IUD. Save your sanity, your health, and your wallet.

[ladytink548]

I have been on Loestrin 20 for about 2 months now and it’s been gradually knocking my self esteem down to the point where I find it hard to concentrate or be happy. I have had depression in the past but was on another contraceptive pill at the time and had to come off that. I have never been diagnosed with depression but I think I can safely say I have had it in the past.  I'm sick of the pill and its nasty effects, even other people recently have commented on my unusual behaviour or tense body language. I just don't know what to do anymore. I find myself turning into this nasty person that I don't recognise and it also makes me feel like not living anymore. How bad is that!!! I feel so useless and worthless.
I don't want to be poked and prodded either so can't think of any alternative contraception. I would consider the virginal ring as it has the lowest dose of hormone but my doctors don't offer it and the family planning clinic don't even know what it is!!

[Amira1]

I really think there needs to be more warning about the dangers of contraceptive pills. For some women, they can cause severe emotional side effects and what do we do? Get put on anti-depressants and suffer for years because we dont have the right information about what we are putting in our bodies. This is morally wrong.
I went on the pill a couple of years ago, I was at the time very down anyway, my parents had just divorced and am now wondering whether the pill tipped me over the egde. I suffered from severe depression involving self harm, anxiety attacks, isolation, suicide attempts. This lasted a year. I was also violent to my beautiful husband, hitting out at him because I had such extreme rage. I feel so ashamed to admit this. I had never raised a hand to anyone in my life and was shocked to see this in me. I am a gentle warm person training to be a nurse because I love people so much, and was disgusted at this in me. I came off the pill and immediatly got pregnant.
I was absolutely shocked when mentally I flourished, I wasnt depressed any more I was positive, loving, kind, self assured and happy. After I had my daughter I was equally suprised to see I didnt develop post natal depression (given that I had a history of depression) in fact I took everything in my stride and was overjoyed.
I went on the pill two months ago, and guess what has happened? I have had extreme rage, extreme emotions and crying constantly. I am exhausted, hopeless and angry. I have even hit out at my husband.
This massive behaviour change has made me realise that the pill could be resposible for the things I have gone through and he things today I am feeling.
I am coming off this pill. All the time when I was pregnant and had my baby, me and my husband were using condoms, and I was shocked to see how well I was doing. In fact, my mind was just free to be me, rather than masked by the hormonal effects of the pill.
Its amazing how one little pill can change so much in a person. Makes condoms not look so bad now. I think as women, we have got to understand that a pill 'faking' pregnancy or feeding all different kinds of hormones into our body can only cause an imbalance.
We shouldnt suffer any more. Please if anyone has a similar story please share, we all need to stand together on this.

[Les1989]

I was 19 when I started taking YAZ in January 2009 to treat mild acne. I had tried everything and birth control was the last resort. I was on YAZ for 1 year and 2 months. Everything was great. I did not notice a change in mood, behavior or physical feeling. And almost all my acne cleared up, which was great. In February 2010, at the age of 20, I started seeing commercials for YAZ and got a little freaked out about the risks from being on it. After consulting with my aunt, a nurse practitioner, I decided to stop taking the YAZ cold turkey in the middle of the "active" pink pills. BAD IDEA. Not even three days later I began feeling weak, lethargic, loss of appetite and even experienced mild depression along with a "buzzy" feeling in my head, however this feeling was not accompanied by dizziness or lightheadedness, so I don't know what it was. Anyways, this was so not me. I felt like this for 2 weeks or so then I started getting anixety and panic attacks after 3 weeks of being off the pill. I literally felt like I was having withdraw symptoms from coming off the pill. (My mom and aunt agree, especially since YAZ has that extra drsp in it). It was so WEIRD!

I decided to go to the Gyno who then started me on Loestrin 24 Fe 3 weeks after coming off YAZ. By the way, he thought that I was not have withdraw symptoms from coming off YAZ, which is totally wrong because it was all my hormones out of balance, but my Gyno is a male and he's a little older so how would he know. HE WOULDN'T! lol Anways, the Loestrin 24 Fe was okay, but it was not an automatic cure. Most my symptoms remained about the same--still did not notice much of a change. I took Loestrin 24 Fe for 2 months and towards the end of the second month, I had the worst panic attack of my life. I had to do something. I began remembering that I was totally fine on YAZ. So despite the commercials and scares, I have decided to go back on YAZ because I know it was good for me. It's only been 4 days back on it, but I am hoping that after I give it a few weeks/months I will see my old self return. I can't handle much of this other stuff too much longer. I still have bad days where I feel so lazy and weak, but I have to remain positive. I know the feelings will pass.

I'm going to the regular physician soon because my mom wants me to get my blood work checked out and I plan on telling the doctor all these symptoms. I do not want to be put on an anit-anxiety medication. I've heard they are no fun to wean off of, and I know I do not have a disorder....even thought it may seem like it. I am convinced it is my hormone imbalance. And I'm hoping that going back on YAZ will put me back on the right track. I one day want to get pregnant, so I know I will have to come off the pill again, but I can't think about that right now. I just have to get to feeling better so I can finish up school and grad school without being so anxious. I have faith that when that day comes, I can work it out!

I agree that we should get this out there to the public. It is important for women to know EVERYTHING about the pill.

[crystaljoy978]

i was told when i got on the pill that it would help with depression. I think i've gotten so much worse from being in the pill and i havent even been taking it for a month. I get the worse headaches and one minute i can be really happy and the next minute i hate my life and everyone around it. I hate the feeling of being depressed and i was diagnosed as depressed before i even got on the pill. I feel worse than i did before!! i cant wait until this pack is done because im not going to take it again. My anxiety got ten times worse and my mood swings are out of control. I feel like a walk around in a cloud and no one likes me.

not all of this is from the birth control but already having a hormone inbalance i should have never gotten on the pill.

[girlwithhope]

Does anyone have Mirena the IUD.And does it give u any side affects.I have it on for 2 years now so I don't know if this is causing HIGH anxiety for me.I know when I'm about to start or during my period my anxiety is REALLY bad.Sometimes I wanna take it out.Has anyone had this put on before.Sometimes I get so scared that this can cause some kind of cancer or blood clot.Thanks 4 reading

[ladytink548]

I did some research and was reading up on the Yaz pill but am unsure as to whether it would actually help, since it's more or less the same dosage as loestrin 20. I have enquired at many different GP surgeries about the Nuvaring and they have NO idea what it is, even though its been in the UK since April 2009.  I am soooo sick of this and might just come off the pill altogether.  I would rather have horrid and unbearable monthly periods than put up with the depression that sometimes occurs.  At the moment I've been putting on weight and feel myself getting larger by the day. I feel like a bloated whale and I'm not even due on!! I'm sick and tired of it and really angry that there are little alternatives out there.  It's made my appetite increase recently and I find that I sometimes can't stop eating....I cannot live like this!!

[ashhole123]

About two years ago i was laying in bed and started to get sever chest pain. A few months earlier i started taking ortho tri cyclen. For some odd reason i was convinced it was a heart problem, mind you i was only 16. My mom took me to the emergency room and they did tests on me and told me everything was fine and that i had my first panic attack. From then on out i started having panic attacks atleast once a week for no reason, i was extremely emotional and didnt think i could handle to live like this anymore. I then stopped taking birth control and things got alot better. 5 months or so later my skin started to break out (now i think due to all the different products i was trying) but at the time my doctor thought it was my hormones. so i was prescribed trinessa which is a very high dosage of birth control. when i started on it my skin started to clear up and for the first 6 months or so i was fine. there was times when i would feel nausea and fatigue and maybe a little more emotional then i should be. I forgot to get a new pack this past month so i stopped taking it for a month and was fine. i started taking it again two weeks ago and since then have been feeling extremely depressed and anxious about nothing. i also feel sick and nausea. and i dont really feel like myself, almost like im in a daze. im wondering if my hormones are all out of wack due to me stopping the pills for a month. either way i am convinced that birth control is an evil drug and doctors need to do some deeper studying. these things are putting women through alot of unnecissary pain

[highermystery]

i've had mild depression since my teenage yrs. and chronic depression after a bad breakup in my 20's. Been on different pills since my 20's & last 2 yrs. or so i started taking YASMIN. After a yr or so, I developed high anxiety and depression. But i was wondering if it was my old depression coming back or was it brought on by Yasmin. I too developed paranoia and mistrust of my boyfriend of 2 yrs. I went to my gyn. as she confirmed that Yasmin can aggravate depression. She gave me the choice of using Yaz or Novynette but I chose NOVYNETTE bec. Yaz was similar to the Yazmin she said. But now after being on the Novynette for about 11 days, i'm having bad depression and anxiety...paranoid thoughts about my boyfriend...I'm so fed up...i don't want to loose my relationship and he's saying that he cant use condoms so what am i to do? Maybe i'll have to put my foot down and stop taking any bc to see what happens.

[hlundin]

I have been in and out of the doctor, shortness of breath, panic attacks, chest pains, headaches, and my heart sometimes just takes off like a rocket. My doctors keep putting me on Lexapro Which was hell to get off. And keep trying to add more antidepressants on to my medication. I took myself off lexapro but now I just have all these other symptoms. It is nice to know that maybe I am not crazy and its all the stupid pill. It amazes me that my doctor never mentioned this. Actually just interesting.

[Meglion]

I just went on Aviane to try to stop my horrible period cramps for awhile - I was getting stomach bleeds from Advil, so my GYN thought that giving my body a rest would be a good idea.  I've only been on it 5 days, but some symptoms of anxiety and depression are definitely worse.  I wish there were a natural way to reduce cramps (or that just once, men could have their periods and go through everything we do, because THEN we'd have some real solutions).  I'm 40 and have had 3 bouts of depression/anxiety in my lifetime, but generally have not been on meds.  I'm back on Prozac now and am thinking I may just have to take myself off the BC.  Thanks so very much to all of you for your time and honesty - this site has helped me a lot.

[goldgunsgirls]

I never thought there would be so many people that feel the exact same way because of Birth Control pills.

I have been feeling moderately depressed since I was 13 (I'm 19 now) .. but I managed okay with the support of friends and I kept myself very busy throughout high school, which helped a lot. In my senior year, my boyfriend and I started dating and we both decided that before becoming sexually active, I should go on the pill. My doctor started me out on 3 months of Aviane which I found totally fine except for the fact that it made my skin horrible. So after 3 months of that, I switched to ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for another 3 months. I noticed that it made my moods freaking wild and I would start to cry out of nowhere and panic over nothing.. But it cleared up my skin completely and my periods were shorter than ever so when I went back to the doctor I just got my prescription renewed for a year - not knowing the havoc this crap would cost in my life.

Since I started Try Cyclen Lo,  the depression has come back full force.. along with the (still) crying over nothing and being extremely paranoid. I've even been totally anxious about my boyfriend cheating on me when he would never do such a thing and there really hasn't been any signs of him doing so... I've been extremely paranoid about EVERYTHING, lost a lot of friends, and lie low a lot - avoiding hanging out with the friends I have left.

I went to the doctor yesterday to talk about everything and he prescribed me Effexor (antidepressants), since the symptoms of depression have been around since I was 13... but I've been thinking about my moods over the past 6 yeasr SUPER in depth and it has never been HORRIBLE, never as bad as it has been since I started tri cyclen lo. I don't want to take them (the antidepressants).. I truly believe switching birth control pills would help me. I don't want to come right off of birth control as I don't want to get pregnant... but I don't feel comfortable taking antidepressants. I have another doctors appointment in a month, so I'm thinking of holding off on the antidepressants until then, and talking in depth even more about this birth control pill stuff. I don't feel comfortable taking ANY medications, I don't even like to take Advil when I have a headache... but like I said, my boyfriend and I don't want a child - and condoms don't work 100% of the time.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one getting completely messed up from birth control pills! Doctors should pay more attention to this and not just shove antidepressants down our throats.....

[alexns]

Anybody who is on NuvaRing. Stop!!!
It has extreme side effects of anxiety/depression.
It ruined my life as well as many other people's.
After stopping to take it my anxiety/depression never went away and I have been suffering for the past 3 years.
I would recommend asking your doctor for a form of birth control with the least hormones and telling them that you suffer from anxiety/depression if you want to go back on.

[jess19961]

It is so good to know I'm not alone in this, I recently had to have the mirena removed (for a procedure) and was put on ortho 1/35.  Ever since then i have had depression and anxiety, but I didn't put the two & two together until last month, so i stopped the pill and am starting to feel better!  I really wish my husband would just have a vasectomy, it so much easier, as far as the procedure, than me having my tubes tied.  He;s not easy to persuade, though.  So hopefully i can get my mirena back soon.  Its a shame that Dr.s think they are so much smarter than everyone else, and wont ever listen to a woman, but we know our body better than ANYONE ELSE!!  Trust your instincts ladies, and I wish you all good luck! :)

[seekinghappiness]

I am astounded and grateful to have stumbled upon this post.  Thank you all for your stories; you have helped me to feel less crazy, and I intend to stop birth control TOMORROW.  I have taken my final pill tonight, and never again, this is so not worth it.  Here's my story:

When I entered college in the fall of 2005, I became interested in utilizing my school's health insurance to the max.  My friends started making appointments at the women's health center to go on birth control pills, and I decided to try it out myself.  Well, as naive as I was at the time, I completely trusted my doctor's decision to prescribe me whatever birth control pill she thought best.  She prescribed me Estrostep, which was my 1st horrible experience with birth control.  Estrostep is high-estrogen, and since I didn't ask my doctor any questions, this is what I was given.  I gained 10-15lbs, developed bad acne, developed mood issues that I had not previously experienced, and with all of this, experienced a lapse in self-esteem.  After some months on this, I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen, but I perhaps didn't give it enough of a chance.  I waited about 4 months and didn't feel as though my symptoms were getting better (at this point in my life I was mainly concerned with my weight gain, new stretch marks (a lot of them), etc.), and so September of my 2nd year of college, I went off the pill altogether, and within 2 weeks I had lost about 101bs or so, the bloating went away, and I generally felt better.

For the next 2.5 years I stayed away from the pill, and was fine without it.  I had a serious boyfriend at the time, and we used condoms, which I didn't really have a problem with during that whole time, and he was understanding.  Then, I went through a horrible breakup with this individual, and my usual happy disposition changed.  I dealt with it without the use of medication (medication of any sort generally freaks me out), and after about a year I started feeling better about my life again, I started feeling good about things, I was returning to my normal self.

Around this time - toward the end of my final year of college - I met my current boyfriend, whom I love very much and can see myself with in the future.  As a result of meeting and beginning to date him, I decided to go back on birth control.  I met with my doctor and explained my concerns with gaining weight again on the pill, and so she put me on a low-dose pill that was supposed to help with this issue.  Unfortunately I didn't think about the other issues that could come up with birth control experimentation (issues that are much worse than mere weight gain), and I wish I could take it all back.

My doctor prescribed me to Kariva, and I began this in March of 2009.  I felt like Kariva worked fine for me - I actually LOST weight on this pill (which was a plus), didn't feel bloated, but I did experience fatigue, didn't have energy late at night, and I guess had some more issues with PMS.  (Prior to ever being on birth control I really didn't think I had PMS, but birth control CERTAINLY changed all of that.  Now I feel I PMS all the time, but we'll get back to that).  I wish I had a better memory to more clearly distinguish the specific qualities of Kariva for me, but I've been in a depressive state for the past year, and my memory is really bad.  But from what I can remember, I preferred Kariva over my first two birth controls, physically I looked and felt fine, and emotionally I was beginning to become a bit of wreck - but I attributed this to all the changes going on in my life.  (New boyfriend, graduating college with an impractical degree, moving from the city I'd lived for 4 years, not having a job and having to find a job, entering the real world...).  So in my mind it made sense that I started developing anxiety, depression, and the like.  I did notice an increase the summer after I graduated - with moodiness and irritability, but I didn't track it as I should have, since I didn't consider birth control as a factor.

Come September or October of 2009, Walgreen pharmacy switched my prescription (Kariva) to AZURETTE (THE DEVIL PILL).  I went to fill my prescription at the end of the month as usual, and NO ONE TOLD ME THAT THE PILL HAD BEEN SWITCHED.  Luckily I opened the bag and looked before leaving the store, and saw Azurette.  I re-approached the pharmacist and told her there had been a mistake, I had received the wrong pill.  She told me that Azurette had replaced Kariva, and that they had the same components.  I really was irked that no one had explained this to me and just filled my prescription as if it was nothing, but I didn't ask questions, as I was told this was the same pill and would do the same thing for me.

To be continued below...

[seekinghappiness]

Soon after starting on Azurette, my depression REALLY kicked into high gear.  My relationships with my friends really suffered, I never wanted to do anything, I became anti-social, isolated myself in my room all of the time, was not my usual friendly, upbeat, energetic self WHATSOEVER.  A completely changed person.  I developed severe anxiety, SEVERE mood swings (ESPECIALLY during my period), and generally since being on Azurette specifically (and I'm not going to rule Kariva out of this one because symptoms started developing during that time, just not to the crazy extent that they have now).  Literally, I feel like a crazy person, and have become a massive hypochondriac.  I am diagnosed myself with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and all sorts of other things that the internet could find for me.  I cried and cry ALL OF THE TIME.  The littlest things set me off.  I used to be much more laid back - and now I am entirely the opposite.  I am easily offended.  My feelings are hurt at the flip of a switch.  I am NOT who I want to be.  I have been severely depressed since about September/October of 2009, very severely so, diagnosed by a psychiatrist.  This is not me!  I dislike myself, have little self-worth, low confidence, and I am just sooo irritable.  My boyfriend, the most wonderful man I know, is luckily extremely patient with all of these very negative things - he is in medical school and thus has a greater understanding of mood disorders and how medications can affect you, etc etc, thank GOODNESS I have someone who is so understanding, but literally, I have taken him and myself on a wild rollercoaster ride.  I get angry with him often, cry to him often about EVERYTHING, argue nonstop, and very moody, am very depressed and can be not fun to be around, more negative than ever.  He is my best friend, and I want to save myself and our relationship from this devastating ride.  After reading this thread (in addition to countless conversations with friends, conversations with my bf, suspicions on my own, reading other threads), I have come to the determination that my birth control certainly has been a major proponent of all of these very negative qualities that have come out in me.  I'm certainly not going to evade all blame for the negativity in my life, as situationally I have been undergoing a lot of change and clearly react more sensitively to that change, but I have been trying a lot of things to help better myself - psychiatry, sleeping more, eating better, drinking more water, breathing consciously, relaxing, thinking positively, self-help websites - and all of this keeps returning.  Even if birth control isn't the whole root of it, I don't care.  I'm now wholly convinced that birth control has absolutely ruined a part of my life that I cannot take back, and I will do everything in my control from this day forward to eliminate anything negative from my life.  Starting with the devil pill, Azurette, and birth control pills in general.  I didn't want to have to do this, and was going to experiment some more with other pills or IUD or something, but it's just not worth it to me.  Perhaps I am more sensitive to hormones than other women, but I will go back to condoms regardless.  From what I remember, sex is not horrible with condoms....right???  Gahhh.  Sorry this is  such a huge tangent, but I just need to vent to a forum of people who REALLY understand.  This last month on my period was SO horrible - I was an absolute emotional wreck - crying about NOTHING, feeling it was the end of the world, thinking i have all of these emotional disorders, sobbing uncontrollably at work, had to call into work 2 days straight (and that's not me).  My boyfriend moreso stays away from me on my period because I become CRAZY.

Never again.  I am taking my life back, and getting my relationships back on track.Good luck on your journeys, ladies.  May you find the courage to do what is best for YOU.

[kelsie900]

I have alwaz been a happy / or just content girl all my life apart from when i left school i suffered some depression, i think down to struggling to get a job for so long and growing changes etc. I'm 25 now so almost 10 years with no problems. I've never took birthcontrol until feb this year, i hav the implant in my arm and i bled for 2 months, drs put me on the mini pill as well (didn't make no difference ) a month later they put me on the normal pill which stopped the bleeding but i think gradually over the last few months off being on the pill i am suffering horribly from extreme anxiety/depression, its effecting my life. I'm signed off work and i'm worried about my WAS perfect relationship. I've never had these feelings b4, i am afraid of everything. After the research i've been doing i can only put it down to me being on the implant  which is all progesterone and the pill also after reading all this, so i'm getting double trouble i think from the both :( The drs have put me on anti anxiety pills which has mayb helped a little but i'm not satisfied, the drs don't agree its the contraception so mayb i should show them this site! i've never felt this unstable before, i even had a major panic attack and ended up in hospital. I am having my implanon removed next week and think i will stop the pill also and hopefully my mood will improve. Its really ruining everything in my life.
I can't be certain its the contraceptives , its easy to blame something else when you are struggling to cope with life but , i cried in the drs when she said it can't be the implant etc but i rang an implanon helpline and apparently its very common to get nervousness/depression etc. So i'm not sure to trust the drs entirely. Depression is the one of the top reasons for removal i have found out. I don't think the drs are as clever as i thought, well they prob haven't spent as much time researching the effects of contraceptives than i have.
I have also not took the pill as told the odd time, i forget sometimes and take one the following day, it won't mean i'll get pregnant cause i have implant to but maybe this has disturbed my body and its getting all confused. I got drs in 2 hrs and i'm not letting this go, wish me luck, cuz if i feel better after stopping all this i will be very angry the drs were wrong and that these side effects are not acceptable, especially when you start questioning your sanity and think of ways to end your life.
Good luck girlz i'll let u know how i get on xxxxxx k xxxxxxx

[kelsie900]

For the people suffering from depression.
Eat foods high in Vitamin B. b6.b12. They are essential for your moods and mental health.
Eat foods: Beef, tuna, oats,turkey,brazil nuts, bananas, pots, avocados, salmon(omega 3) cabbage. (thats all i can remember).
Lower your sugar and eat less white bread as apparently this takes away yr vitamin B. (may be my prob, i eat way to much empty carbs!)
Exersize!
Alternative therapys : accupuncture, aromatherapy, essential oils (lavender,jasmine,neroli)
Get plenty of sunlight (proven cure for depression)
oh and laughter.

Just thought i'd share with some of my research into this. I've also read everywhere people prone to any depression should be v.wary of birth control. I will try all these things.
oh and homeopathy and hydrotherapy whatever that is lol
hope this helps xxxxxx

[kahlo]

i am currently feeling the full extent of what the pill is capable of. when I was 18 (i am now 27) i went on the pill for the first time but had to get off it as it was causing wieght gain, bad acne and depression. after i finished the pill the acne didnt stop it got worse and had to take a very strong medication called roaccutane, which cured my acne. After this experience with the pill i thought NEVER AGAIN will i touch the evil pill. how quickly we forget....

last year i met my current boyfriend and decided to try the pill out again and i wish that i hadn't. almost instantly the pimples came back (this time not as bad) and i started to develop constant PMS and anxiety. i knew it was the pill but i stuck with it for a year and changed pills a couple of times. when i went to a doctor with my concerns she said, oh no this pill your on cannot cause pimples and as for the depression/anxiety, try a different pill and if it continues i will put you on antidepressants. well, this made me angry, why do i need antidepressants to cure me when the thing thats making me depressed/anxious is the pill. wouldn't you just stop the pill??? to my doctors going off the pill was never an option and she failed to see it was the problem (as it seems from readind the posts on this forum so many doctors do).

anyways after a year of hell i went off the pill and hoped my problems would go away. however, after being off it now for 2 or so months i am no better, i am anxious a lot of the time, my relationship is on the rocks due to my mood swings, anxiety etc. my boyfriend fell in love with a funny/happy girl. now he's got an anxious, sad and tear filled substitute. also, now i am seeing a psychologist who diagnosed me with anxiety.  things are looking up as i am told with cognitive theoropy i can change my thought patterns and overcome my anxiety. also my psychologist said that my anxiety is a result of consistant long term bad thought patterns....in other words over the past year of feeling crappy on the pill and having negative thought/feelings, now this is how my brain naturally functions....to anyone who is reading this can i give you the advice that if you are on the pill and experiencing anxiety etc GET OFF IT NOW before your extreme PMS consumes you and eventually becomes who you are.

[kahlo]

hi, just wanted to say your story rang true for me, very similar to my experiences...thank you for sharing

[essjay]

Ok... so if you've got to the bottom of the list and are still reading this, well done!

I can't express my relief at all these comments from so many wonderful women. It has made me so happy to discover that it isn't just me that believes in this link between birth control and anxiety.

I went on the implanon 3 years ago due to unbelievably heavy periods (I literally couldn't move for 7 days). They were excrutiating and exhausting. I wanted a quick fix. The implanon was that fix in the beginning but my periods came back totally irregular. I have had periods for 2-3 weeks out of every month with no break. The pain has also returned (although not as awful).

My anxiety (that i developed soon after my implanon fitting) now controls my life. In the last few months, I have become very angry that this should happen to me and have been determined to find the cause. I do no put full blame on contraception (as the human mind is not that simple) however, it has become sparkling clear that my birth control is directly linked to my anxiety  and panic attacks.

Since making this discovery, I have decided to get my implanon removed and start a fresh. This will happen in 2 weeks, and i can't wait! Although the chances of my excrutiating periods coming back are relatively high, physical pain is nothing compared to mental pain and so i feel that if the period pain returns then so be it. (If anyone knows any effective period relief then let me know!)


Adding hormone-cocktails to our bodies is not natural, ladies. It has been made so "normal" that no one even thinks about any side effects. I hope that one day, there will be a medical breakthrough that proves there is a link between anxiety and birth control hormones. Perhaps it will save a few beautiful minds.

Until then, we must get to know our bodies. What aids them and what hinders them. Thank you so much to everyone in this forum. I hope that every one of you finds what you are looking for.

Good luck :)

[Shortyrt29]

Omg it's so wonderful to read that others are going through this too. They have switched my birth control a few times and it seems I'm only feeling worse. I'm actually going to see my OB tomorrow to discuss trying something different or getting off them completely. I've never felt so down until now and I really think my bc has A LOT to do with it. I'm usually a very talkative happy young woman but I've seemed to have lost that woman in me. My birth control has wreaked havoc on my emotions for a long time now and I'm so over it! I want to be my happy, friendly self again! Looking forward to seeing what the outcome is like! I'm hoping they might be okay when I ask for a hormone free iud.

[fizz82]

I went on the pill (microgynon) sept 09...In the December I went through a family berevement; shortly after my job went to part time and I had a falling out with a life long friend (we no longer speak)...In the June (2009) one day I was reading a newspaper regarding the death of Michael Jackson and my heart went crazy out of nowhere, I went dizzy and I felt I weren't breathing.  I went to my Dr and he suggested it was anxiety depression caused by stress due to the past years events, he thinks reading about MJ may have triggered 'something'.  I asked after a few months if it could be the pill and he said he was confident there was no link.  I have been in in Cognative Behavioural Therapy since November last year and though it has help with other issues I still tend to feel dizzy, breathless, like I am about to stop breathing, like everything around me is a dream, tired, nervous, anxious and with the feeling of dread.

I have never suffered with anxiety before, I only ever had 'normal' phobias like scared of small spaces etc.

I have always had a feeling that the pill could be related to the way I am feeling; the only thing that made me doubt it was that the first panic attack didn't happen till 9 months after I started the pill...

I want to come off the pill just to see if anything changes but I am not sure if I trust any other sort of contraceptive even though my boyfriend is happy to use condoms.

[prb268]

Hi
I'm 18 and just started a pack of Ortho-tri cyclen lo for the first time. This is my first time using hormonal methods of birth control. My doctor recommended it because of painful periods and also as a means of birth control. I noticed after taking just one pill that my heart began to race. I've been on it for only 3 weeks and I've already had difficulty sleeping and periodic mild anxiety attacks. I also notice a heaviness around my chest and mild abdominal pain. Thank you so much for posting to this site! I am definitely going to contact my doctor and get off these pills. There is also a history of mental illness in my family. I have never experienced anxiety or depression and fear things could get worse.

[hjean]

Hello everyone.  I completely relate to your experiences. I've been off and on birth control for 8 years now to treat my ovarian cysts. Needless to say my cysts would get worse when I was on them and had the worst anxiety attacks and depression ever. I am usually very happy, calm and quite person even when I'm going through hell but when I'm on them I am a sociopath and and have an ex fiance to prove it. I was so horrible to him and still to this day regret how I treated him.  I always though he was cheating. I would flip on a dime on my family and him and would even have episodes at my job.  I would start crying for no reason and they would send me home. My brothers stopped being around me. They would say that I was the coolest person but I'm a raving b***ch.  I tried to explain what the pills were doing to me to my doctors and all I would get is that ''you're crazy'' look from them.  My last round with bc pills landed me in the mental hospital.  It made me suicidal. NEVER in my life had I ever thought of suicide and scarred me to death. I had stopped taking them under my doctors orders a month prior and was put on xanax because I stopped them suddenly.  That was 4 years ago and have never had a suicidal, homicidal, anxiety attack since.  My Mother and Aunt have the same reaction from bc pills too! GET OFF OF THEM! I would rather have ovarian cysts and 10 kids trailing behind me than to ever face those again. One more advise: DO NOT stop them suddenly! Thanx for reading.    

[carebear86PIT]

Hello everyone.  It makes me feel a lot better to know that I'm not alone.  I have been on birth control for about 12 years.  I was on Ortho-tri-cyclen for about 10 of those years and recently on Kariva. I was switched to Kariva to try and stop the migraine I was getting around my period. Anyways, in the past 6 months, I feel like I have been going insane. About a week before my period,  I have weird thoughts, severely depressed, unexplainable anxiety, etc.  My gyn diagnosed me with PMDD.  She prescribed me to prozac but decided not to take due to bad past experiences with anti-depressants.  I've always had anxiety, but the past few months have been unbearable.  I started seeing a therapist because of the feeling of losing control and going crazy.  After talking to my primary doc and my gyn, I decided to get off of birth control for the first time in 12 years. I told them how I thought the birth control may be possibly causing these symptoms.  My gyn said that sometimes BC just doesn't work well with people.  I know a lot of the feelings and symptoms are hormonal because I even get hot flashes and I'm 27.  Well, I've been off birth control for about 18 days and I definitely feel a lot better.  I still have waves of anxiety and cry every once in a while for no reason, but definitely not like before.  Plus, my body is trying to adjust to the change in levels of hormones.  Hopefully when I am around my period, I don't get the severe PMDD symptoms. I think it's so scary too that when you quit birth control, your body has to learn how to produce it's regular hormones again.  Docs say that you can be on birth control for as long as you want and have no effects from it.  That's hard for me to believe. I'm glad that I found this site and we are all able to support each other.

[k8bug11]

I am 17 years old and have been on tri-sprintec. I was on that for like 6-7 months. I recently just got off of it because I'm irresponsible and forgot to buy a new package. In the time I was off of it..I was a different person. My depression went away, my anxiety stopped, even my hunger cravings went away. I felt awesome. I went to my gyno and she advised me to get on Loestrin. And once again the terrible feelings are coming back. It's awful. I don't know if it's just depression through my parents divorce or what, but all I know is that I am taking birth control and am NOT happy.

[smgr]

add me to your club ladies--
been on some form of bc for 11 years. however my earlier bc pills were the typical kind where u still have period every month. then later on switching to an extended bc (which my gyno recommended) and thought great 1 period every 3 months !!  i know i started out with seasonale then they switched me to seasonique then to joleesa then to quasense which is what i have been on for the past 2 years. began suffering from depression and anxiety about 6 -7 weeks ago. never had i had this before nor does it run in my family. i am the most happy,energetic, go with the flow kinda of gal u would ever meet. this turned me into the complete opposite. crying, scared, depressed, worried, racing thoughts,  basically thought i was going crazy. i began looking online at first for a therapist. did not know what else to do. on my 2nd vivsit with her she asked if i was on a bc pill. i said yes very puzzled. she asked if it was an extended bc pill. again i said yes. she began explaining that she has seen this many times before, and it does not really matter how long or how little you have been on a bc it can hit u at any time. once home i began researching online and the results floored me. i never realized how many ladies are suffering from this ! and how many are still suffering from this cause they dont know or some dumb dr has thrown them on a anti-depressent.. went to dr where she threw away bc pills right there in her office. we did do some blood work but everything came back normal. only 11 days off bc and cant really tell a diff yet but dr said not to expect to for 3-4 weeks. BC PILLS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE!!  of course if i had only know depression/anxiety was a possible side effect i would never have started a bc pill.. EVER.  your mental health is way more important!
feel free to email..

[findingmyselfagain]

Wow I have been reading these posts in tears..so thankful i found this site. I am 21 yrs old and was just put on tri-sprintec 2 months ago and i have turned into a complete stranger..I cry non stop. My boyfriend can look at me wrong and it sends me into a crying fit. I cant focus on anything very long without bawling. I slept 2 hours last night..i have never had insomnia in my life until taking this pill. I feel wired at night like my thoughts wont quit racing and my heart pounds and i worry about the most ridiculous things. I never once questioned my boyfriends faithfullness until taking this pill and now i feel paranoid constantly. I worry about anything and evrything and i dont know how much longr he is going to put up with this, and the thought of that makes me cry even harder. I feel so helpless and out of control.. i can relate to so many people, the isolation..fatigue..crying,.loss of appetite..i cannot go on like this. throwing the pills out. I am extremely worried i've permanently screwed myself up. I hope i find myself again soon...before i ruin all the rlationships i have. :(

[Shelbs508]

I am 20 years old and a little over 2 months ago, I stopped taking the birth control pill, low ogestrel, after being on it for 6 years.  About a month ago, so a month after I stopped the pill, I developed severe anxiety/depression. I started having terrible panic attacks due to disturbing thoughts that won't leave my mind.  It became so bad that I had to leave college for the semester to come home. I'm on an antidepressant, but it doesnt seem to be working at all. Could stopping the birth control have caused this problem to start?

[gettingbetter33]

THE PILL CHANGED MY LIFE! Not for the better I had no idea that birth control pills could cause so much trouble! I am 33 years old and never taken the pill before I had my last child 9 months ago ( I have three) I have always suffered from mild depression and anxiety but nothing like this I went to the doctor at the end of September to talk about birth controll and depression all in the same day he gave me a celesta an anti depressant and Lessina for birthcontrol the next day I took both medications the pill in the morning and the celesta in the evening and omg I thought I was gonna stop breathing the whole next day was like a blur my chest was tight I was never so tired in my life and I could not breath I read everything on the side effects of the celesta but none on the birthcontrol so i thought it would pass and in a couple of days I would feel better NOT I had to call an ambulance at 11: 00 that night I had the worst panic attack ever I thought I was dying everything in the room was spinning my face was numb cotton mouth my hart was beating out of my chest i thought as though I could hear it beating the ambulance arrived and looked at me and said " oh your just having a panic attack we see theese all the time I went to the hospital and the ER doc sent me home without even treating me although it was still happening to me there told me to go home and call my doc in the morning that whole night I thought I was gonna die The next day the doc switched the anti depressant never even disscussing the Pill  and it happened again for 5 days and nights i suffered from this finaly against the advice of the doctor I stopped taking the anti depressant and the attacks werent as bad but were still happening that is when I staretd to research birthcontrol and anxiety and I found this site I can not tell you how releived I am to know that I am not alone and not crazy the pill is what triggered the attacks Im sure of it the anti depressant did not have time to get in my body to stop it and the side effects of it on top of the attack made it worse looking back on the last couple of weeks there was not a single doctor nurse or EMT that ever related it to the pill goes to show you to listin to your body  (and supportive husbend) Tomorow I am not taking the pill I  am sure now that it was that I will have to update in a couple of days to let everyone know sorry if the spelling is off I am still a little dizzy from everythig good luck to everyone writing this did make me feel a little better all of you have helped me I hope reading my story will help someone els pass it on girls birthcontrol pills are not the way to go

[smgr]

to all the ladies over here
another great website is called *******************.com
it has a ton of stories just like these .
3 weeks and 2 days since stopping bc pill.
things have gotten better but still not my self yet
still have feelings of depression thinking that this will not go away and that i will never be happy again. it is positivly devastating to feel this way. i go by clark on the other site if anyone wants to chat.
thanks and take care. keep us posted gettingbetter and check out that other site.

[425runner]

I couldn't agree more!!  I want to get off the pill but my 66 year old husband insists that I keep taking it.  I've been having the worst PMS, anxiety, depression ever since taking Yasmin.  I'm gonna go see my GP to ask him for a different pill.  

Why should women have to bear all this responsibility?  Guys should have vasectomy done at birth!!  

[dpw1682]

Here's more of the same...I began taking Levlen at the beginning of the year and spent the next nine months slowly descending into depression. Having gone through a family breakdown and relationship problems I attributed the feelings to this. However, my depression got so bad that at rock bottom my clearest thought was that I didn't want to live anymore. When I realised the coincidental timing of my taking the pill and experiencing depression, I stopped taking it. Within a week I began to feel better and now, 4 weeks later, I feel like myself again. It scares me to think that for 9 months I was taking something every day which was causing me to feel so incredibly bad. The pill is easy contraception but for me depression isn't an acceptable 'side effect'.

[emilygreen]

Hi everyone,
I'm 16 years old. I was on birth control for 6 months only to get rid of the horrible cramps my period gave me. 4 months into it, I started having panic attacks all the time, and I kept feeling anxious over little things that were normal before. I stopped eating normally, because I'd fear throwing up in public (my worst nightmare since I have a phobia of throwing up). After spending an awful Summer dealing with the anxiety and depression that came as a result, I finally realized it was too coincidental for all of this to show up after I went on the pill and QUIT. It's been a little over 2 months and I'm now feeling normal again, back to being me.

My advice to you, get off the pill as soon as you realize it might be the cause for your anxiety. It will only get worse over time, believe me!

[kelsie900]

3 months after stopping the pill and having implanon removed i feel 95% better, i am so relieved the anxiety/depression is gone. I had the worst summer ever dealing with all that and now i'm planning to have the best xmas ever without it!
i am 100% sure the bc was the cause 4 what happened 2 me. My life was perfect before bc and now its getting back 2 that way now its out of my system.

Look after yourselves , this is my last post. Any questions feel free to send me a message :)x

[tan17]

im so glad i found this site and now know im not going crazy i just wish i would found it before it broke up all my relatonships honestly i didnt realize it till now but being on the pill was hell for me. i started taking it around march or april 2010 because i knew pre soon me and my then bf would become sexually active and never heard anything bad about them i was put on ortho tricyclin lo and i would of rather had him wear 3 condoms then go thru that btw im 17 but it made me nuts i had horrible depression and i didnt help when i found out my mom might have cancer i believed that everything would go wrong i cryed or got angry at the drop of a hat which just isnt me i argued with my bf for months about every stupid little thing and i always had thoughts in the back of my mind i was a horrible person and he would leave me and cheat on me and i always worried the world was gonna fall apart and i never realized what i was actually doing . but now after my bf breaking up wid me recently because of all this i realized that its time to quit these devil pills and go get sum help and it ***** that my bfs gone because i was in love with him for over a year and he just couldnt handle the constant fightin anymore ive apologized countless times but i jus dnt think hes comin back and its really killin me and ik i could of saved us if i realized wat these things did earlier i recomend that u do nottttttt go on hormonal pills because they really screwed up my life and i can never fix the things i done =( thank you ladies for sharign your stories

[lisa4484]

I have just completely stopped birth control and I am hoping to feel better. I don't know what is wrong with me but I have never felt like this. I had a miscarriage in August and got on the depo provera shot right after that. I started to get really bad anxiety and panic attacks in mid sept. I went to the ER twice thinking I was going crazy. They first thought I had a thyroid problem but all labs came back normal. Since my shot was due about 2 weeks ago I decided not to get it and switch to the pill instead because I thought the shot could be causing my anxiety and panic. Well my doc gave me Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and after taking 4 days I started to get really bad anxiety again and trouble breathing. I went to ER again yesterday to make sure I didn't have a pulmonary embolism or anything because of my trouble breathing. They did labs and CT scan and everything came back normal. I have since stopped taking the pills and I am hoping I will feel back to normal without any birth control. It has been 4 days since I stopped the pills and I still don't feel good. I still have bad anxiety and trouble breathing (hyperventilating). I think my hormones are just all messed up from my miscarriage and birth control. I feel like I am never going to feel like myself again.

[Cheryl175]

Hi all,
After 2. 5 years on microgynon I noticed I was starting to feel really depressed, lacked motivation and wasn't enjoying anything anymore. After my 7 pill free break my doc prescribed me Yasmin...I took it for a week but decided enough was enough as I wasn't feel any better. I've now been off pills for 5 days and having my withdraw bleed however I'm still depressed!...Does anyone have any idea how long it will take me to feel my usual happy self? I am in my final year of Uni so really can't mess up!
Any advice would help. Thanks xx

[VictoriaMarie83]

I am currently 27 years old and I have been taking the pill since I was 18. I went off it for a while about 3 years ago and looking back, it was the happiest, most care-free times in my life. I would say that I am naturally a worrier, but in the past 3 or 4 months it has been terrible. I have been so obsessed with my health (hypochondria) and other parts of life are becoming more than they can handle. I am newly married and my husband is having a hard time with all this. He even wants me to go to a psychologist/psychiatrist because he doesn't know what to do. I am pretty sure this has to do with the pill. Any one else suffer from hypochondria while on the pill? I don't really have any other options for birth control. I currently take Desogen and would like to switch to something else. Any suggestions? I just want to be happy!
I'm sorry that so many women struggle with this, but I am glad to have somewhere to turn.

[asilhouettex]

My boyfriend said my depression could be my pill cause I don't even WANT to be happy.
I'm taking Balziva. And I think I've been taking it for a year.
are people blaming their depression/side effects on the pill?
what is the TRUTH?

My depression includes: excluding myself from parties, denying invites, hating myself therefore I can't love my boyfriend, no confidence, I think laughing and having fun is stupid. It's been months, I'm pathetic. I don't know what to do. Is it the pill's fault? My brain's? Can I do something about it? Or is it chemical?
Truuuuth???
I'm pretty sure I'm normal, I just feel so depressed, hopeless, worthless, and I used to when I was in junior high. just cause I'm a girl and that's how a lot of 12-14 year olds act--retarded and depressed and weird, trying to find themselves.
I was really happy when I was 15, I met my boyfriend and started dating then, and ages 16, 17, I get depressed, hopeless, worthless... so I've been depressed a lot of my life. But for the last few months, I DON'T want to TRY to be happy. With friends or with my boyfriend.
I'm 18 now. I'm scared all the time. I'm worried all the time. Worse than I've ever been in my life, excluding the crazy 14 year old time.
I'm being completely honest. Like everyone else has here.
and I want an answer.
so I can WANT to be happy. and go out and live my life like I'm SUPPOSED TO. and not feel like I understand why people kill themselves...
I want to love my boyfriend and laugh and be happy like I used to.
I never changed this dramatically before. I don't want drama. I don't want to look stupid or be a stupid or bad girlfriend.
I could go on and on.
I want to get knocked out so I can stop worryin like a fool.
I don't want to take or do drugs or drink or smoke.
My boyfriend is a great man, and I can't believe he's been enduring me for so long... I don't want to leave him... I want to Want to be happy... but I don't, I don't care.
Is this the doing of the pill? Or do I need anti-depressants?
...or a punch in the face?
I'm killing myself by being so stressed. I stress myself out about things that don't matter! I know that's normal.

[elroy12]

I have had these feelings since I was about 15.  I was very sick and in the hospital and almost died.  It all was from tampons.  I made a very good turn around and came out of the hospital very healthy.  I have been on birth control since I was 15( when I got out of the hospital.)  They put me on the shot to stop my periods since I got sooo sick from the tampons.  I was never depressed before I got sick.  I have never been sure if I am depressed from the BC or from almost dying.  I strongly believe by reading all these post that it is the BC.    asilhouettex, please seek help, regardless if it is the BC or if you really are depressed.  I have lived the past 11 years feeling the way you feel.  I am almost 27 and just got married.  I am going to stop taking the pill to see what happens.  Please write me back if you need to talk.  Please take care of the depression now so you can live happy!

[BevvyBev]

i had the same problem. i had always suffered lightly from depression, but it was manageable. i did a lot of behavior therapy on my own from reading up on the psychology of it and was able to control it by changing my thought patterns and finding hobbies in the arts. my spells of 'depression' turned more into moodiness for a week here and there. I started taking birth control when i was 18, a year after I started dating my first love. After a few months i completely lost my sex drive, cried all the time, lost all self esteem and became bulemic and eventually anorexic. I became anti-social, and basically felt like I was completely insane and had no control over my thoughts. my anxiety became so bad that i couldn't meet new people, barely left the house and just sat and cried all day every day. the anxiety overwhelmed me so much that i would often suffer from blackouts and extreme nausea and vertigo. it got to the point that i became a 'cutter' and eventually attempted suicide. I became single at 20 and abstinent so i stopped taking the pill. my moods improved within weeks. I still did not make this connection until I was 22 and in a relationship and decided to get back on the pill. All of the symptoms came back full force and I again attempted suicide. I read the insert leaflet and saw a new doctor. She told me that I should never have been put on the pill based on my family history of depression and told me that I should NEVER take hormonal birth control. I am 29 now and will never take it again. the worst part is that i still carry the anxiety and depression. Not nearly as often or extreme, but more than before I had started taking it. I feel like the pill caused permanent damage to my brain and body. I would never recommend it to anyone and strongly urge anyone taking the pill to get off of it and just use condoms and a spermicide. it's a pain in the butt, but it's worth it to have most of my sanity back.

[BrookeWhite]

im 16 and i have been on YAZ for 2.5 monthes, for the last month i have been reallyyy nervous, anxious, sad, cranky, and just plain old different. I dont know how my boyfriend can stand me! im thinking of switching to Mirena, maybe that will help? i also think that im allergic to the birth control. ive been on Tri Cyclyn Low and YAZ and both times got bloches and REALLY itchy all over.. ive researched it and havent found someone else that has that same problem.. so let me know if you have. or if anyone is/has been on Mirena that can give me any advice. Please!
Thank you

[BevvyBev]

FYI to everyone. I chose to take an emergency contraceptive (Plan B Pills) about 3 months ago. For those who don't know, it is an extremely high dose of birth control taken in the form of 2 pills, 12 hours apart. It had been so long since i took bc pills that it didn't even occur to me that it could cause everything to start over. I just finally got back on a regular 28 days cycle after 3 months of spotting and having my period twice per month. I'm so unstable, having mood swings and going from laughing to rage in minutes. I feel bipolar and my boyfriend must think i'm crazy because i am so jealous and accusational of him cheating and i can't believe he hasn't broken up with me. I just realized after reading this that it was more than likely caused by the high level of estrogen i ingested. NEVER AGAIN!!! so heed this warning, do not take Plan B or any emergency contraceptive if you have had similar issues with birth control. I still have the package and notice that it only lists 'most common side effects', not 'possible side effects' as birth control pills do. Thank you all for sharing your stories and helping me realize i'm not crazy and give me hope that this is the last cycle of rage and depression from the hormones.

[BevvyBev]

google 'iud birth control' I don't think the link will post here but i'll try: http://hubpages.com/hub/Mirena-IUD-Birth-Control-Contraceptive  it was the first link that popped up on my search because i wanted to research it myself. The symptoms sound just as bad. It was that page that led me to find this one.if it doesn't come up on your search, it's on hubpages.com under Mirena-IUD-Birth-Control-Contraceptive

[jessica520]

I have experienced anxiety in full force for the last year. I never had anything like this until after my dad passed away in 2009. I began having these freak out sessions where I would think I was dying (heart racing, erratic thoughts, pacing, shaking). I actually went the emergency room one night because I was convinced I was having a heart attack. My heart rate was out of control, my chest was hurting, and my blood pressure sky rocketed. I had an ekg done and all the tests and everything came back normal. I then went to my doctor and he said I was having anxiety attacks. So, he prescribed lexapro. I took it for 2 weeks and woke up every morning during that time period with massive headaches and feeling light headed. My behavior began worrying my family. My aunt actually noticed since I had been put on the lexapro that I hadn't been acting like my normal self. So, I would definitely try every option before getting put on lexapro. I had my doctor take me off of them. But, there are breathing exercises you can do to help with the anxiety when your having an attack. My doctor put me on the lowest dose of xanax to take only when I begin to feel like I'm going to have an anxiety attack, because mine come out of nowhere. But, I have been on birth control for 7 years, and have been thinking about talking to my gyno about other options. I think that the pill has certainly contributed to me having anxiety/panic attacks and I'm willing to try something else and see if that helps. These posts have helped me to realize that I'm not the only one who has noticed this. Thanks guys and best of luck to all of you. Jessica

[britt3089]

Wow I am soo happy I looked this up!!! I seriously thought I was going nuts!! I have been on BC for 4yrs and have been on at least 4 different pill because they were not helping regulating my periods, but this last one put me though depression and anxiety very badly! I am in the process of switching pills again and hope this one will help. I would freak out my mind would race with all kinds a scary thoughts, stuff i wouldn't never care about or even think twice about making me scared. I went to my primary to talk about depression he gave me a book to read that talks about how your mind processes and how your thoughts work, it has helped me, its called "The Power Of Now" by  Eckhart Tolle. I haven't finished it yet but it really does make you think helps put things in prospective. Hopefully this helps any who is look for some support. I know reading everyone's post has put me at ease a little.

[kerikerikeri]

Wow, the length of this thread speaks volumes as to how relevant it is, and how many women go through difficult times while on the pill.  Similarly to cam88, I was put on Loestrin at 16 years old due to an ovarian cyst.  I was told I would have to be on the pill for the rest of my childbearing years to prevent further cysts.  

Around that time I became very impatient with other people, and very sullen.  My mother chalked it up to just being a teenager, but it continued into college, where I walled myself up in my schoolwork, didn't make very many friends, and felt very stressed out.  However, I attributed this to the amount of school work I had on my plate.  

I am now 29 years old and have only spent one of those adult years off of the pill.  That was when I was 23 - the decision was due to not having health coverage after college, and I was suddenly a different person when I went off the pill.  I was carefree and tried a whole lot of different things, including traveling and choosing a brand new, creative career path.  I was much more relaxed and happy. I chalked all of this up to entering the next stage of my life, free of school work.  

When I went back to school shortly after that year, I met a new boyfriend and went back on the pill.  Like clockwork I became anxious, depressed and closed-off.  That lasted several years.  I was treated for depression and anxiety but no medications had lasting effects for my symptoms.  

About six months ago, I went off of the pill because I thought it had caused me to gain the 15 pounds I hadn't been able to lose since going back on it.  Immediately I lost 6 pounds with no effort at all.  I became happy and carefree again, met a new boyfriend (see a pattern?) and went back on the pill.  I am now three months into this, and I'm back to having intense panic attacks and feelings of worthlessness.  I am sensitive to the most ridiculously minute things.  I can't live like this.

It's funny, that whole time I had thought that my mood swings were due to my situation in life at any given moment.  While I'm sure that those situations did play a role in my mood, looking back I am certain that I would have felt a whole lot better in my skin if I hadn't been feeding myself a dose of mood-altering hormones every single day.

Ladies, let's not forget that even though birth control pills are widespread, useful, and sometimes necessary for the treatment of certain diseases, the effect they can have on us mentally and physically is absolutely enormous.  I wish all of you the best and hope that you are able to find a balance that works well for you, whatever that might be.  For me, I think I'm going to have to swear off of the pill for good.  

Life is too short, and condoms aren't that bad in comparison to a lifetime of anxiety and depression.  ;)

[clarkeynz]

WOW!! I couldn't believe it when I stumbled across this site.  I had lunch with a friend and I was trying to explain to her how I'd been feeling.  She happened to mention the pill as she also went through a rough stage on it. I totally dismissed the idea...I mean how could a little white pill be causing me to act completely out of control!!!  Anyway it at least got me thinking....so I started searching. The things I came across were astounding, I had no idea what it could do to your body.....some people seemed to be explaining exactly how I had been acting.  

My story is similar to some above... I recently returned from overseas and in the new year my dr put me on to a different pill as the one I had been on for the past 17 years or so wasn't available.. I've only just realised the connection but since going on this new pill I have been so up and down and so unlike my normal self its been ridiculous.  I was actually ready to declare myself officially BONKERS! haha.  I  was having major anxiety attacks which I've never experienced before and things from my past that I have been dealing with for years just suddenly seemed way to hard and came back to haunt me. I found myself crying way more than I ever had and basically went from a happy outgoing individual pretty much overnight to an unreasonable B*TCH! haha.  I was seeing a guy who returned to the UK to finish some work papers... I can't believe the kind of stuff he has had to put up with over the last few months. I have constanting hounded him with texts, when he was out I assumed he was with another girl, when he wasn't out I wanted to hear him say he cared, I kept thinking up reasons why we shouldnt talk anymore, making arguments and one day it got to such a bad point I couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. Next minute I would realise how ridiculous I was being and then the begging and groveling would begin.. he would forgive me and then the cycle would start again. Poor guy right!!!!!  Since coming off the pill over a week ago I have noticed changes already.... I don't even seem to have the nervous feeling in my stomach I got most days..I was having trouble sleeping and I would wake up with such a horrible gut feeling I'm wondering how I ever got through the days at work..everything actually felt pointless.

I still don't quite believe that I'm not going nuts and this is what was happening to me, I thought I was just going throu a very very weird stage or that maybe I was having a mental breakdown!  I would love to hear some more stories.....

Michelle

[stephybear90]

I'm 20 years old, and I started taking Ocella in January of this year. Since starting, I have been nauseous almost all the time. I'm very cranky and always tired. I start crying for no reason at all and I feel angry all the time. At first I actually thought I was pregnant, but after seeing this post, I definitely don't think that anymore, and I can see a lot of other people are having the same issues I am. I have depression issues to begin with, but they were never this severe until I started the Ocella. I have panic attacks all the time and I cannot sleep. My grades in college used to be As and Bs, but now I don't even care anymore so they are falling. Anyone have any suggestions to help with the depression that don't involve going off the pills or starting antidepressants?

[Eyesaidit]

I use to take Orth Tricyclen years ago before starting our family.  Aside from some mild headaches and nausea I never really had any side effect.  I've always been a bit anxious/germ freaky...but in a cute quirtky way.  After our 2nd child I decided to go on the birth contril pill because I wanted to make sure we didn't have number 3 sooner than we planned.  Biggest mistake I've ever made.  I went on what they call a mini-pill(monoestren type I think) because it doesn't effect milk production and I was nursing our child.  I didn't even finish out the entire first month of pills because it turned me into someone I didn't even recognize.  I was anxious to the max, super germ freaky and uptight and so emotional and quick to anger at people.  Once I stopped taking it, it took around 8 months to feel almost back to normal in general.  The anger went away sooner, but the anxiety levels are still high for me.even nowjust over 7 years later.  Once you experience that intense anxiety its really hard to forget it...once you are scared of something(in my case germs/blood/illness is my huge concern) its hard to go from 100% anxiety back down to a comfortable 15% anxiety...because you remember feeling scared and anxious and part of you feels like you should be freaking out, when you aren't which then kind of makes you!!

I found this thread when doing reasearch for using the birth contol pills to skip a period.  I haven't been on any pills since then, but we are planning a 10-12 day vacation to Disney in October and I really don't want my period while on vacation.  In fact I'm feeling pretty anxious about it.  Travelling during that time just seems horrible.  So I was debating going back on the pill to skip it, but I have to say after reading this thread...I think I would rather travel 8 hours by plane with my period in full force(which because much stronger and longer after having my tubes tied...a side effect my doctor never warned me about) than risk going back on the pill and going to Disney in "full force crazy mode".  Thanks for reminding me what I don't want to be like again.  And for letting me know I'm not the only one out there thats experienced this!!

[sysek]

i took pills for about 4 years and i have to say that the first years were ok, but the last year i was going crazy...apart from my immune system being totally off (any type of virus, infections, fungus) i was constantly bombed with  crazy thoughts (always afraid of dying, losing someone i loved, from deep depression to panic attacs and then again)...i decided to quit taking pills when one day i started yelling at my professor (who was an innocent person) and then burst into tears...i heard that the brain on pills thinks "i'm pregnant"  but what i went through was just a disaster...after i gave them up i started feeling good (after let's say 2-3 months), no crying, no yelling and i can watch any movie without getting a heart attac :) i blame hormones because some time ago i had to take the after-sex pill (escapelle) and it all came back... and again about two months of being helpless in fight with my thoughts...

[Mgonsalez]

For the past couple years, I have been going through very stressful times, but able to get through them...in January, out of nowhere, it was the breaking point...I went into full force panic attack, fear of anything and everything, scared I was going crazy, wouldn't eat, scared to be alone with my 5 year old, life became miserable! This lasted for a month, went to see a therapist, refused meds, and so she suggested anxiety classes. So I started taking the classes, but all in while, when I had my panic attack, I stopped taking the pill a few weeks in, for what reason, none, just was so out of it that I started forgetting about it and cared less afterwards...well a week and a half in, I started feeling better! The fear had gone away, and my husband was taking his routine runs in the morning (since I didn't want to be left alone). Well once I realized, "oh snap, I don't want to get pregnant, need to get back on" I did, and figured I needed a lower dosage of hormones so I had my pills changed from Yaz to (I forget the name of the new pak)....well needless to say, a week in (this was in March), and my anxiety came back, not at full force, but just scare of the "what if it comes back", the classes have helped alot to control it, and I can go about my daily routine, with a worry feeling in my stomach though, and I am tired of feeling this way. Reading all these threads and looking back, once off the pill, I felt 100% again (except scared of everything that had happened to my mind and body with the panic that lasted so long)...I am on my last pack of pills, and I have 2 weeks to go...considering not getting back on them and testing out how I feel. I'm starting to really believe, the pills have a huge impact on my moods. Glad I found this...for some odd reason, I was researching "can birth control cause acne" because these new pills have caused me to break out horribly, and I came acorss this thread...God put this in my path...I hope this is PART of the solution, I am only 28, I am still young and full of life, I don't want this to overtake my life with my family.

[wja11]

I am 24 years old and getting married in a month and began taking birth control pills in January of this year...I was first put on Natazia - a new pill out by Bayer, the makers of Yaz. The first month was fine but during the second and third months, I developed almost Bi-Polar like emotion changes and awful stomach pains, especially in my lower left abdomen. I was admitted to the hospital for this issue and nothing was found. So, I stopped the Natazia and went on Ortho-Tricylclen-Lo - worst move ever. I  did not experience the abdomen pains, but the emotional roller coaster only got worse. I found myself crying at the drop of a pin and then experiencing highs of happiness and joy, only to hit rock bottom hours later. It was miserable. I then developed severe anxiety over things I have no control, and being a Christian, should not be worrying about! I began worrying about my life going too quickly, how I will feel when I lose my parents, how I will feel when I give birth to children and if I will experience the panic attacks with their transistions through life. On the day of my graduation from college with my masters degree, I had a panic attack - a day that was supposed to be full of such joy!  It was scary and definitely not my personality! My OBGYN wants to just switch pills but I truly believe that not every womans body can handle the hormones birth control pills contain. I am going to try and never be on any form of birth control again and just be as cautious as possible during times of unwanted pregnancy. Thank you all for these posts, they make me feel like I am not alone!

[momof4and1]

This thread has helped me so much! I'm 28 now and have 2 kids and am not ready for #3 yet so I decided to go on the pill. I haven't been on it since I was probably 22 and when I was in high school and college I had several bouts of anxiety. I actually had a panic attack in the middle of a class and had to leave. Between taking the pill in college and starting it up about 6 months ago I had nearly ZERO anxiety. People called me the carefree person and asked me how I could never worry about anything! I felt so great and happy. Lately, I've had horrible anxiety. HORRIBLE. I cannot sleep, or eat! I've lost 15 lbs (which was the only part I liked!) but it's because of the anxiety! I saw my doctor and she prescribed an antidepressant which helped a small amount. I've been wondering where this came from? Why did I go from happy carefree mom to crazy person?! The only thing I could think of was the pill, that has been the only change! The only reason I'm on it is because I don't want a baby but there are other ways to avoid that that wont cause me to act crazy! I'm going to stop now! Thanks SO MUCH! I hope this helps because this anxiety is horrible!

[mury0102]

I have been on birth control for about 6 years off and on. I first got on it for acne, heavy bleeding, and cramps. My issue is that I switched to yasmin in january and come March something just wasnt right with me. I have would have never thought and still seem to be unsure that a pill could do this to me but maybe it has. March I started feeling depressed and knew something was wrong with me but could not figure out what. My anxiety is to the roof. I have mood swings like a light switch. I have no sex drive what so ever. When I do have sex it hurts. I am constantly stressed and worried. Bad headaches and I use to never get headaches. fluctuating appetite. I cant stand people. I get shakes every now and then and feel fant. I get these chest pains around my heart that go down to right under my boob. Every so often I get these weird pain behind my eye. Sometimes after I take my pill I throw up very bad. And a weird discharge that I have no explanation for. All of this has kind of came at one time and has ruined my life. I am on the verge of quitting my job. My boyfriend just left me because of my mood changes and no sex drive. This is not like me at all and I cant figure out whats wrong with me. Someone please help.

[tikitorch]

Thank you so much for this wonderful thread. It is such a relief to know I'm not alone in this! I began taking birth control (Levora) three weeks ago to regulate painful cramps and acne. Hours after I popped the first pill I had an anxiety attack and having been suffering from anxiety and depression ever since. I have always been nervous, so the anxiety was troubling but not surprising, but depression has never been an issue before. Suddenly I was considering breaking up with my wonderful boyfriend, quitting my job, and running away from everything. I dread every little thing that is out of the norm-- from vacations to hair appointments. I've started seeing a therapist and considered going on anti-depressants. Now I'm convinced that stopping the pill will make me feel better.

I do worry (ha! of course I do) about the side effects of quitting a hormone. Does anyone have any insights into this? I'm debating between taking the last three "active" pills and then not resuming the pill after my period or just never taking another pill again rather than bearing three more days of this.

Considering my acne has actually gotten WORSE, I just can't see any reason to stay on the pill. I know condoms aren't as affective as the pill in preventing pregnancy but if I stay a basketcase and break up with my guy then there definitely won't be any need for birth control.

[jbmcall]

THis is a wonderful thread - started 4 1/2 years ago!  I am researching this because I have a 20 year old daughter experiencing unexplained anxiety.  I suspect it is due to the pill she is on - Loestrin. I have been experiencing anxiety for 6 months now.  The reason for my anxiety, I believe, is "estrogen dominance", as I am in peri-menopause.  I had a full hormonal workup done by a naturopath, and it confirmed that because my progesterone production is very low (typical at this age), my normal estrogen levels end up being "dominant".  The side effects of this are many, and they are all the same as the side effects you can get from being on birth control pills - the same as everyone is mentioning in this thread.  I've advised my daughter to go off the pill and see what happens. For me, I am now taking bio-identical hormones that are raising my level of progesterone at the right times of the month and it is helping.  For young girls still producing the right amounts of hormones on their own, just going off the pill could probably stabalize them.  I don't understand why more doctors don't understand the intricacies of hormones and their effects.  Some gyno's do, but you need to seek them out.

[bekahnz]

wow. like so many of you, I am so grateful that I found this website for a bit of reassurance and information.
I am 31 and have been on estelle (aka dianne 35) for about 10 years, i stopped the pill while i was pregnant with my now 2 year old.  the past couple of months i have been so riddled with anxiety that i couldn't even do grocery shopping with my husband.  I found it hard to walk to the letterbox and life was just crap to say the least.  i was very suicidal with my period, so skipped a lot of them.  to sum it up, over the last few months I have had:
-anxiety to an extreme
-no self confidence
-hating myself to the point of feeling suicidal
-couldn't get out of bed in the mornings
-had pains in my lower left leg
-pins and needles in my hands and arms at random
-severe migraines
-severe and uncalled for anger
-i was about to pack up my kids and leave my husband who is the most amazing man in the world.
Last wednesday i stopped the pill and I am literally a different person!!! That quickly!  Even husband is still amazed everyday at how different and better I am.  I still have anxiety but not to the extent it was, I'm guessing that will be a habit to break.  After years of counselling and being completely nuts, I've only just now discovered that it's birth control that does it to me!  The mirena made me VERY nuts, the depo-provera made me cry a lot and binge drink.  And the pill did all the above and more  to me.  Please research before you try the pill and if you feel slightly different, STOP IT IMMEDIATELY. I would hate for anyone to get to the point that I got to.