Birth control pills and other hormonal birth control

[Soul]

I tried the birth control pills because my withdrawal symptoms are worse during my ovulation and period, therefore I thought if I can avoid the hormonal changes maybe it will help. Well the pills made me worse, I was very sick for 3 days in a road, like in the early days in my withdrawal.

 

Does anyone know why everything get worse during the ovulation and the period time?

Why the pills made me more sick? Is it the estrogens or progestin or them?

How do I know If I have a hormonal problem that is making me more sick?

Any information regarding progesterone cream or maybe the minipill (which is progestin only)

 

Or plain and simple it is withdrawal and it will get better over time.....

 

Thanks

[Barbarannamated]

My first thought is that I would avoid throwing any additional hormones into the mix as the ADs have already disrupted your system. I'm sure those who know more will have more insight.

Have you had hormone levels checked? Im not sure how accurate those tests are, but seems like a logical first step. The endocrine system is incredibly complex (to me!).

[Altostrata]

I just heard a knowledgeable doctor suggest eating soy frequently during that phase of one's period, to reduce the exacerbation of withdrawal symptoms. (My guess is the phytoestrogens do some kind of balancing.)

[Shanti]

I just don't know what is bringing me down the last couple of weeks. Most all my withdrawal symptoms have come back, like nightmares, jerks and twitches, tinnitus. Fortunately, not the emotional symptoms though. But the astral nights are a killer. I can't figure out if it's because I started taking birth control pills or if it's because I've been fighting a flu bug. I was at the hospital a couple weeks ago with my mom going into surgery and my niece having a baby. I've been having sore throat, fever and wheezing. But also, at the same time I started back on the pill. Has anyone had any trouble with birth control pills setting off symptoms?

[Altostrata]

Yes, other women have reported starting (or stopping) hormones rocks the boat, recovery-wise.

 

All the hormones in the body are inter-related. Change the balance in one area and everything else changes, too. This can be destabilizing.

[Shanti]

Oh that's just great I thought that was it. Do you know if they have said their bodies eventually adjusted to the hormone pills? Thanks Alto.

[Altostrata]

That is something I don't know.

 

I know I experimented with a little progesterone cream (I'm post-menopause). At a low dosage, it was calming, but at a higher dosage, I had a paradoxical result.

 

Since I couldn't control the amount of a "dab," I stopped the progesterone cream and went to a Menostar estrogen mini-patch. This was calming.

 

Neither of these would be useful for birth control, though. Just examples of what happens when you add hormones. My guess is the hormones in the birth control pills are at dosage that sets off alerting symptoms via a paradoxical reaction.

[Shanti]

Thanks Alto. I'm going to look into other options on Tuesday when I see the doctor. I can't believe how far the pills can set me back on withdrawals. I was doing so good.

[Nikki]

It sounds like you may have two physical issues going on. Wheezing, sore throat and a fever is a bug, and that can take us out in a minute. When I used to take birth control pills years ago, there was a period of adjustment and feeling 'weird' or 'strange' physically. It would usually go away. Not all birth control pills are alike.

 

One of them made my daughter very irritable and weepy, that did not pass, so she switched to another.

 

Hugs

[Jemima]

You might want to read the article in my post at

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2010-prescription-drugs-that-can-cause-depression/

 

It's an article from AARP's most recent health newsletter and lists ten drugs that can cause depression. Hormones are on the list.

 

I haven't taken birth control pills for years, but I remember when I first went on them they made me quite depressed. Lower dose pills were developed about that time, luckily for me, or I might have had a whole passel of kids.

[Shanti]

Yeah, I think I'm getting a double whammy here with the birth control pills and the flu bug. I am doing better though as far as fever and wheezing. But still am having jerks, spasms and nightmares. The dreams are rough. The Stramonium that helped me so much before isn't working as great this time around. I'll have to try a different remedy.

 

Thank you for the link to the article Jemima. This week when I see my doctor I'm going to see about getting a tubel ligation and not have to worry about hormone pills at all. Hopefully I can get it soon. But then, now I'm concerned about anesthesia and all that. I have a feeling it will be okay though. Better than what I'm going through right now.

[elizabeth11]

Shanti-

 

As an experience infertility patient, birth control pills are notorious for causing depression, suicidal thoughts, the entire chibang in people who are susceptible.

 

Please also be careful about any surgery options. Doctors are quick to remove womens' fertility organs, telling them they will feel fine afterwards because they are say, leaving in the ovaries. Must ovaries will often fail when there is no uterus. Others on this site know more than I do about this...

 

Have you considered old fashioned methods?

 

Just my 2 cents.

[Nikki]

Shanti-

 

As an experience infertility patient, birth control pills are notorious for causing depression, suicidal thoughts, the entire chibang in people who are susceptible.

 

I am taking HRT to stop depression, hot flashes and the usual battery of symptoms from having had a hysterectomy. They make a difference, I can tell when on a rare occasion I forgot to take them.

 

Shanti...if you know you are not going to have more children maybe the tubal ligation is the best alternative. I once tried the 'ring'. It was so painful and can cause infection. Would you husband consider the surgery for himself? They have a much easier down time.

 

Anesthesia is a factor in WD. It affected me. However, much to my surprise when I had Propafol for a colonoscopy I was fine.

 

Hope you are feeling better with your 'bug'.

 

Hugs

 

PS can you tell me about Ativa Sativa???

[Jemima]

An IUD is also an option, especially if you've already had children (because the cervix is more relaxed and insertion is easier). That's what I used for years along with a shot of contraceptive foam, and it worked. No anesthesia is required for the insertion, although it does hurt some and usually causes cramping for several hours afterward.

[Shanti]

I'll ask my doctor about the IUD, that sounds like a good option.

 

I thought that a Tubal Ligation didn't remove organs, but just cut and tied the tubes so eggs can't be dropped? My doctor almost did a hysterectomy on me a year ago but I refused. There wasn't enough evidence that I needed it, and sure enough, all the symptoms I'd had are now gone without having done anything.

[Altostrata]

Yes, tubal ligation is tying tubes only, but it's more invasive than a vasectomy for a male.

 

An IUD might be your best option.

[Shanti]

I had to stop the birth control pills. It was aggravating my withdrawals symptoms way too much. It's been a few days and I'm just now starting to notice things getting a little better. So I decided on the TL and going to do that soon.

[Barbarannamated]

Just weighing in … I tried an IUD many years ago and couldn't tolerate the pain - I hadn't been thru childbirth (except as the child) so that may have been a factor -

Barb

[Shanti]

Just weighing in … I tried an IUD many years ago and couldn't tolerate the pain - I hadn't been thru childbirth (except as the child) so that may have been a factor -

Barb

 

That's exactly why I decided not to go with the IUD. I already have difficult periods and I read that it can make it worse. I'll just get the TL and never have to worry about birth control again. My kids are grown and I know there is no way I'd bring more souls into this world. I'll be happy with grandkids when the time comes though

[Finn]

Those who know about my experience, know that I've been struggling since I started Effexor with thrown off hormones. I have pcos so especially my reproductive/ sex hormones (whatever they're called) are especially vulnerable. In an attempt to stabilize hormones, I'm thinking of trying birth control to get my estrogen back up. Do you think it is a good idea to try this, or will I make things worse?

[theelt712]

My gyno actually wanted me to go on birth control while I was on Zoloft, and I still have it...unopened...in my bedroom. I'm too scared to start taking it.

[GiaK]

hormones are notorious for complicating issues...I cannot speak for every instance but I feel like it's playing with fire.

 

a lot of people acquire mood problems from birth control pills to begin with...that actually happened to me...I had to stop taking them...they really messed me up when I was a teenager...I took them because I had endometriosis...medical reason...like you

[Finn]

I have taken birth control in the past (long before any antidepressant), and I got migraines, bloating and maybe, exaggerated pms, but it did make my periods come on a regular basis, which was not happening alone. I was given the pill by my endocrinologist last fall as a general treatment for pcos. It apparently is one of the lowest estrogen pills (microgestin 1/20), if that matters at all. I feel like it could either make it worse or better, and it's a gamble I might be willing to take.

[Finn]

I started taking the birth control I have the prescription for. I'm going to make an appointment with my endocrinologist and explain my situation, and hopefully, she can help me. Endocrinologists have always been the one doctor who have helped me.

[NoMeaning25]

I was on Yasmin for 5 years. I then switched to 2 other birth control pills. In early withdrawal i cold turkey'd my BC and had an extreme reaction (Symptoms got 10x worse, crying non-stop, irritated, agitated, very very emotional and severely suicidal)

 

So the doctor put me on this (0.125mg Ethinylestradiol and 0.050mg Levongestrel) and these problems started:

 

Lumps in breasts, painful breasts, pelvic pain, bladder pain, stomach issues much much worse.

 

I took the full dosage for 8 months then i started tappering off them 1/4 at a time. These symptoms got worse, i became very moody and crying even more. 

 

I tapered down to 1/2 and made the disision to switch to this (0.075mg gestodene & 0.020mg ethinylestradiol) for one month now. Its Much lower than the previous pill.

 

The only symptom that has gotten better is the pain in my breasts. I still have lumps and the pelvic pain is bad as ever.

 

A radiologist told me i need to stop the BC immediately to see if the lumps and pelvic pain dissapear, but i am too scared. She said playing around with the dose by cutting it (Tapering) is dangerous and could cause alot of problem.

 

Should i taper down or just stop? 

 

Where can i get help regarding this? Please

[Petunia]

I thought it was ok to just stop taking birth control pills, but it seems there are mixed thoughts about it.  I found two links which may help you decide:

 

http://voices.yahoo.com/should-wean-yourself-off-birth-control-pill-5101377.html?cat=5

 

https://www.zocdoc.com/answers/13646/how-do-you-get-off-the-pill

[NoMeaning25]

Thank you so much for the links Petu! I appreciate it very much.

 

I did hear from several Gynaecologists that cutting the pill is bad news as the hormones aren't evenly distributed in the pills and that i then end up taking a different dose everyday and that can cause problems.

 

I decided to just stop it as i was already on less than a half a tablet (Technically) 

 

Hoping for the best.

[Muddles]

I'm sorry to ask but has any ladies out there experienced having a period when they are not supposed to be in withdrawel? This has totally thrown me today as its all of a sudden and heavy (sorry for being so blunt) I'm on the birth control pill yazmin....I'm scared to look at those side effects!

[Newbeginning]

Have you had your hormones checked? Not every health problemk is necessarily a side effect of withdrawal.

 

Could you use another birth control that does not mess with your hormones?

[Wildflower0214]

Yes, I think it is a problem that has just been made worse by WD. I think my hormones are messed up, but it doesn't much matter because I'm too sick to take hormones right now, and I have some serious concerns about taking them. Again, it's treating a symptom, not the root cause of the problem. I have seen that people can balance hormones through diet and supplementation, unless one is menopausal, that's a different story.

 

So right now, I will just have to hang tight.

 

I hope it works out for you, and everything checks out ok for u.

[Moonlitelotus]

Oh I will not be taking hormones either! I refuse to take birth control even. I am getting mine checked out to work with my naturopath on what natural remedy might help balance hormones. I will post what he suggests for hormone balance. He has mentioned evening primrose oil before but I wanted to know more about what is going on for sure and doing thyroid testing as well because that can mess up hormones and stop or cause irregular periods. And thank you I hope things go well too.

[DizzyGirl]

I never had problems with PMS before Paxil. After that Paxil mess everything changed.  I turn into Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde and get really aggressive 1 week before my period. I noticed a pattern in my fights with my boyfriend. Around 1 week before my period we had our severe fights and there were several times when I broke up with him, because I thought my feelings has changed.

 

1-2 days before aunt flow finally arrives my brain fog gets even worse. This is really the vegetable status I like to call ot. I just sit at work, blank faced, try to do my stuff and hope nobody notices,that I am not really "there".

 

Will it be like this until meno pause? Oh hell.

[greentrain]

Hi JDM, i'm 7 months off Lexapro and my period didn't show this month. First time ever that Ive missed. Maybe due to Lexapro or a supplement but either way, I can commiserate.

[Cdav]

Songbird, 

sorry the primrose oil didn't work for you. I'm going to see if this month it makes a difference for me. 

 

Moonlitelotus,

I'm glad the rhodiola is working for you. I tried it a couple of months ago  but, on the contrary it made my brain zaps worse at night and gave me really vivid and weird dreams, so I stopped it. But as we know, everyone reacts different to everything. 

 

I think messing with hormones through birth control pill is very dangerous. But I would also recommend everyone to be VERY careful with naturopaths dealing with hormonal imbalances. I went to a naturopath a couple of months ago, he ran some tests, found out my progesterone was low, and gave me "Pregnenolone" which is a natural steroid. I took it and it was a disaster, within 3 days I was extremely aggressive, brain zaps got worse. At least for me, it was not a good experience. I think the problem was that this was a steroid, and as I later found out steroids are very bad idea during WD. 

 

JDM1984

I also had a lot of problems with missing and late periods because of meds. This has resolved which is good because now I can predict my PMS and try to be more in control. I suppose as time goes by, your period might go back to normal on its own. 

 

 

DizzyGirl, 

I can relate 100% with what you describe and the problems with your bf. This started for me 3 years ago after horrible Pristiq WD. I also go into the Dr. Jecyll Mr Hyde mode. I punched my boyfriend several times during these trance-like moments of aggression and complete loss of control. And I had never been aggressive before. We would also fight a lot and break up a lot always during this time of the month. Fortunately, it's not as bad as it once was, and I've learned to notice my thoughts and feelings and I try not to see him during those days. It's hard, I have a hard time even being comfortable with myself during these days, I see everything under a horrible light. But I've learned to know this is an illusion caused by hormones and WD.  I really hope it's not like this until menopause! Like I mentioned before, I'm trying primrose oil, I'll let you all know how it goes. 

 

 

Greentrain, 

Sorry about your missing period. I hope everything returns to normal. These drugs can change every single system in our body. It's even harder being a girl. 

[Moonlitelotus]

Cdav,

 

Thank you for the heads up about the natural seroid thing. I think I would have been leery about that too. I might have to try primrose oil to help regulate my female hormones as well.

[Moonlitelotus]

Any of you ladies get sore lymph nodes in the armpits during PMS/withdrawal? Mine did this last month too.