depressed needs relief

[soyoptimista]

I have struggled with major depression for 4 years off and on.  I have had symptoms of depression since I was a teen, but it is only in the last 4 years that I have received treatment.  I also have endometriosis that puts me in bed or in the bathroom for 3 to 7 days every month.  I have had one laparoscopy to prove endometriosis and regular paps.  In May 2007, I started taking Levora birth control pills on a continuous basis to avoid normal menstrual cycles.  I stopped taking them in March 2008 to see if they had helped stop the endometriosis for good.  It didn't work, so my Gyn re-prescribed Levora 3 weeks ago.  Within a few days of taking Levora again I noticed that I was much more mentally vulnerable and by the third week on Levora I was completely destroyed emotionally and mentally.   This last weekend I had very strong desires to kill myself by stabbing myself repeatedly.  I have a great husband who has helped me stay safe and talked me through the difficult times.  I am not ready for a hysterectomy/ooverectomy yet.  Is there a birth control pill out there with fewer side effects for depression.  I take Effexor XR 225mg daily.  I will start a Intensive Out-patient Program this week for depression.

[amberelise]

I have had major depression on and off all of my life.  I am taking prozac off and on for it and it helps sometimes (i'm pretty sure i am bipolar)  And will be seeing a doctor as soon as i can about it.  But I started taking LO/Ovral birth control at the same time I started taking my prozac and my mood greatly improved.  Since I have run out of my birth control my mind isn't as stable.  I'm not sure if the LO/OVRAL had any thing to do with it but it might help.  

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I don't have any first hand experience with birth control pills.  You should ask this same question in another forum.  Getting   treatment for your depression is absolutely the right thing to do.