birth control pill causing anxiety/ depression??

[torque]

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!

[jessicatm]

Hi, yeah I'm on yasmin I have always been a bit insecure and felt jealous which is a problem I need to battle myself, but since going on birth control my hormones have gone through the roof! I have been crying to the point of not breathing, trying to jump out of my bedroom window, thinking about my partners past so much that it was making me feel like I couldn't be with him because I felt rubbish compared! Not that I am. Its just awful and very worrying. I'm to scared to try other BC pills just in case I have to go through that whole experienc again,!

[Megansstory]

I'm wondering if its the pill ortho tri cyclin causing anxiety because I was just switched to it approximately a month and a half ago and I've had such bad anxiety! Everything in my life and routine has stayed the same so nothing drastic happened that would have induced my anxiety. the only difference is the switching of my birth control. I have never had anxiety problems in my life so when it first started it really really scared me but since ive been coping with it for almost two months its been manageable. When i get anxiety gets my thoughts racie and I think I'm crazy then think the worst, but I know that I'm not crazy and I will be just fine.. After reading this, I'm really thinking about stopping ortho tri cyclin to see if that helps and it stops my anxiety symptoms. Maybe you should too?

[Aquatica]

It's great to read these posts and know I'm not alone. I have been using the oral contraceptive pill (ethinyl estradol and levonogestrel) for period pain for over 7 years.  The last year or so I have had headaches every day, my period pain has been getting worse, I've had sharp pain where my ovary is, joint pain, increased tiredness. There has not been much increased stress in my life, in fact, things have been going well for me. I had been feeling anxious and emotional a day after taking my first non-active tablet (right before my period). The last three months of using the pill I skipped the non-active tablets so I wouldn't get my period. I took my first non-active pill for the first time in the last months. The day after taking the first non-active pill I got extremely emotional (for no particular reason) and had a panic attack.  The next day was the same. I got my period and I was fine the next three or so days - I felt very energetic and excited about life. The next day I started having panic attacks which wouldn't stop. Went to Emergency twice! Test results came back normal. I should also mention that I coughed up fresh blood (after a light cough) one week before all of this. The heart palpitations and nausea, and feelings of anxiousness and doom did not stop for about a month. The doctor prescribed me Lexapro and a benzo to make me relaxed. The lexapro made me feel worse for a few weeks and then seemed to work but then stopped. I had a gut feeling that my anxiousness had something to do with the pill. I stopped taking the pill just over 3 weeks ago. I am taking B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and folate. I am feeling better but still not ready to be back at work. My GP wants me to continue with the Lexapro for 12 months however I don't want to be taking it - she's extremely sceptical that the oral contraceptive pill is related to my hormones.

I heard it takes about 2 to 3 months for the body to produce it's own hormones and function regularly. I hope I will be back to my old self (or even better) soon! I am normally very confident and upset that all of this has happened to me.

I should also mention that after stopping the oral contraceptive pill my period was very late, irregular and short, and my moods since have included depressed feelings, anxiety. I feel as if everyday I have been feeling a bit better – I am hoping this is because of my hormones and not the lexapro.

[kimberlyt73]

Don't worry; you aren't crazy.  The same thing happened to me on the pill; I went from a happy, motivated person to a suicidal, sobbing, fatigued and anxious wreck within days.  Some friends told me to stay on it longer to see if my body would adjust but I wasn't willing to risk my life for it; I'd recommend going off it or try another pill.  Since you're young, you may not have problems with some other brands.  In my 20's I had no side effects from the pill at all and now that I'm 39, all of the pills make me severely anxious and depressed and bloated and sick--I'm not using them for birth control; I'm using them for horrible cramps and PMS and migraines but I just have to deal with those things because what's the point of preventing them if I don't want to live while I'm on them.  I've tried numerous ones and have had depression with all of them, but Ortho Novum was the absolute worst of all.  Good luck!

[pjaj]

hi there. i really do feel that more research o  birth controll and moods definately needs to be done. i had been on birth control for 12 years andxat the time didnt associate my low moods with the pill just thought it was my lot in life and found ways to cope and learn how to manage it.  it wasnt until i had my second daughter and after just 7 days of being on the mini pill i had severe anxiety the shakes really edgy and extreme mood swings. i went straight off it. it took a good 2 months to completly get out of my system and now 3 months later i am back to my normal happy self with the usual couple of days of being tiered etc near my period. i have two girls and i will be definately steering them away from birth control. i am now practicing a natural method and couldnt be happier.

[becccckkkka200]

I'm in the same position, I'm 17 and I've been on the combined pill for nearly 4 months, 4th month being on a different brand and it's driving me insane! My doctor dianogsed me with Depression and Anxiety last month and hasb't mentioned anything about my pill, but ever since starting the pill I've been feeling really low! I cry almost every night, I really myself sick over silly things, I want my old life back! But condoms alone aren't for me and my partner so anyone suggest a different type of contraception other than the pill? I can handle headaches, tender breasts etc. but not depression! Please help, nurses and doctors just don't understand! Thanks