Help! BC Questions...

[Kylie4501]

Ok, so I was on Ortho-cyclen for ten years before I got married and had two kids. It worked great for me with no issues at all!! I have two pregnancies pretty much back to back so it has been a couple years since I have been on anything. After my 2nd pregnancy I tried the Mirena IUD because I wanted simple, but ended up taking it out becasue I had to many horrible side effects from it (Moodiness, anger, depression, massive weight gain, loss of interest in anything), so I waited a month and then went back on Ortho-cyclen...I was feeling better after I got the IUD taken out but am now feeling those symptoms coming back. I can't decipher if it is the hormones or just my crazy life, no sleep with two kids now??? Also, ever since I went on the IUD, my eyes have been red and irritated ALOT! I touch them and they instantly burn. Started to feel better after the IUD was out and this too seems to be getting worse again. Am I crazy? Are all these symptoms in my head or could the pill really have this effect on me. If so, then why now? Why did I do fine with BC before I had kids? My husband and I are not sure if we are done, but I just can't stay on BC if these symptoms are going to stay like this...Help!

[Kylie4501]

Thank you!!

[Chima7]

This is purely a guess based on my extensive research about birth control methods.  I've spent many many hours reading tons and tons of posts across multiple message boards and I believe this is true. Having babies messes up your hormones a lot. To the point that things which were not a problem before pregnancy now all of the sudden after having babies, are now a problem. That can be anything from foods to medicines to different smells, you name it, it can happen.

I've never been pregnant and I've had mirena for about 9 months with little to no side effects.  Conversely, every post from every woman who got mirena has posted some kind of intolerable side effects which made them get it removed. I've also seen similar posts from women after pregnancy taking the pill. Is it a coincidence?  Possibly, but I don't think so.

I don't believe your symptoms are in your head. I believe they are real and they are causing you trouble because your hormones have been permanently altered as a result of the pregnancies. You said yourself that you had no issues with Ortho tri cyclen before you got pregnant now all the sudden you've had babies and you can't tolerate it. As for what to do about it, that I'm really not sure of that, but I bet you any dollar amount that it's a hormonal issue.  

I hope that at least helps you realize you're not crazy.