post birth control symptoms

[lee3233]

I went off birth control 5 months ago after being on it 15 years.   As soon as I stopped I had terrible symptoms and am still having them.  When I ovulate and menstrate I get extreme anxiety and all the symptoms of pms.  Can anyone relate or help at all?

[lee3233]

Thanks for your help.  I had my hormones tested on april 11th in the follicular phase.  The dr said they were normal.  Progesterone=.39  Fsh=5.9  lh=5.99 and estradiol=43.  I also had bloodwork done and my thyroid tested, again they said normal.  The problem started when  my gyn put me on microgestin after being on the generic ortho tricyclen for 10 years.  1 month into the Microgestin I became severely dizzy and had severe heart palpitations.  I completely stopped all birth control and my body became super fatigued and I broke out in horrible cystic acne.  After changing my diet, elimating caffeine, accupuncture and taking many herbs and vitamins my body feels better.   Now I am experiencing severe pms symptoms every period.  Did my birth control cause all this?  I am currently taking estrobalance daily, is this a good idea?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These symptoms can be due to hormonal imbalance. You need to get your hormone levels checked from a gynecologist and if they are low then you may need to take hormonal treatment or oral contraceptives for some time till the hormone levels come back to normal.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.