Mirena, nuvaring, and like 3 different pills (don't remember names, last one was tri-sprintec) all gave me severe depression and anxiety. A flaw in the study is that you can have depression and not be prescribed medications e.g. The … 2 years ago. I recommend the Paragard IUD! I took one once called Natazia that gave me very little side effects. Usually mood issues disappear after a few months. Which pill would be least likely to cause depression? Thank you in advance for all the help. Report Save. I would get very depressed around my period before birth control and now that basically doesn't happen. However, I went on Nexplanon and felt like my mood has slightly improved since taking it. You also need to give a new pill at least 3 cycles if you can, because a lot can happen in that time. Problem #5 With Birth Control Pills Depression. SUMMARY: I quit birth control July 16, 2012 and had the 2 week-long episodes of extreme anxiety/depression. I was put on VIENVA 3 months ago and was nervous because of negative reviews. Or the Skyla IUD (lower dose than Mirena, almost everyone ovulates with it / basically works by changing the cervical mucus). Now I'm unemployed and have to use Planned Parenthood to get my birth control and they don't carry it either. The study of over a million Danish women over age 14, using hard data like diagnosis codes and prescription records, strongly suggests that there is an increased risk of depression associated with all types of hormonal contraception. I wouldn't recommend Yasmin or any other pill containing an anti-androgen, because these are well-known to cause low mood/depression and low libido. Most combination birth control pills contain 10 to 35 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol, a kind of estrogen. My mood is great now too! It is hormone free and 99.2% effective. I suffer from depression and anxiety and have so far tried two pills, one of which is the Loestrin- it made no difference for me depression wise and I stopped taking it for unrelated issues. I get heavier periods and cramp now but I'll gladly take it over hormonal changes. I felt waves of ups and downs throughout the day so i switched to Yazmin. Women who struggle with mental health problems will sometimes forgo the most effective forms of birth control because of concerns about worsening those issues, but a new study delivers a reassuring finding: the pill and other forms of hormonal birth control do not raise depression risk. It hasn't helped it, but it's not made it worse. A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found a link between hormonal birth control use and an increased incidence of depression. They're oestrogen-dominant and fairly "balanced" pills in terms of the potency of the progestogens, which seem to be causing you the trouble. I found it hard to find many reviews online that weren't horror stories of excruciating pain upon insertion, cramping, and heavy bleeding for months on end. My anxiety issues are far worse than depression, so it might not be the same as what you're experiencing. A recent study on a male contraceptive injection was discontinued after reports of depression. The doctor prescribed me Lo loestrin Fe. I haven't had headaches. I find I can still be moody but I can actually function now. The first month was pretty hard, but it's nothing compared to the crazy mood swings I got on the pill. In this type of combination birth control pill, the amounts of hormones in active pills vary. I'm on the minipill because nuvaring made my depression really intense. Depression is well known to be what’s called multifactorial in nature,” he said. I have a copper IUD now and it's great! If you think your contraception is making you anxious or depressed, you’re not imagining things. Best birth control pill for acne and depression? So, again, my point is- you kind of can't know. Both my mom and my sister had ovarian cysts, my sister was hospitalized 5 times in 2 months for them before I mention it could be her IUD causing it! My period was heavy at first but now it's moderate. Some say it's a common side effect, some say that is yet to be substantiated, some say that's highly unlikely. Now I have copper and i’ve never been happier with a birth control! Depression and mood swings are commonly reported side effects of birth control pills. I started on birth control after I would get nauseous for two weeks out of every the month. I got really anxious and felt on edge all the time. Has anyone with depression found a bc pill that doesn't send you into a spiraling abyss? It's a case of trial and error, if you're willing to give pills another chance. Birth control never affected my depression too strongly. I loved it, but unfortunately I lost my health insurance, and then I got Kaiser but they didn't carry it. Many women say birth control affects their mood. IUD — or intrauterine device — is a long-acting, reversible form of birth control. I've been off BC for almost 3 years now, and now I got a nice guy and all that stuff, so I need to start thinking about BC again. If you have a Paraguard (a copper IUD) in place, there is no way it can affect how you are feeling. Your birth control is non-hormonal. Honestly, I'll probably just stick to condoms when needed in the future, no birth control is worth feeling like this. I've had the Copper IUD going on 7 months now. Came here to say this. After the birth control depression risk study was released, experts cautioned patients not to hastily base contraceptive decisions on it. With this one, it just leaves me with a baseline feeling of hopelessness all the time. But the evidence is mixed. The other problems that we see with birth control pills (problem #5,) and something I like to test for when working with woman who have Depression along with hormonal imbalances is something called Oxidative stress. I was so depressed I tried to commit suicide. Since most people have never heard of oxidative stress as it related to Depression and … COPPER!!!!! However, another does meet the criteria to qualify as high-quality, and therefore believable. Though, your doctor was kind of on the right track but giving you an oestrogen-dominant pill after your negative experience on a very progestogen-dominant pill. The birth control pills that contain levonorgestrel appear to have lower risks of side effects, such as venous thrombosis, than some of the other progestin options. Reddit; Pocket; Flipboard; Pinterest; Linkedin; Health news . Birth control. I had worse experiences when rapidly switching between brands trying to find one that worked for me. If you really aren't getting on with hormonal methods, consider a non-hormonal IUD. With this one, it just leaves me with a baseline feeling of hopelessness all the time. Alot of suicidal thoughts and feelings. Con: Occasionally sex will be uncomfortable. Good luck! What REALLY helped was a good doctor, a supportive family/friend group/partner, regular therapy sessions, and the right antidepressants. Once she got it removed, she was done with cysts. It made me really snappy with people around me, and over all was a bad experience. I can't say if it's correlation or causation for sure, but I feel much better being off hormones. Thank you in advance for all the help. Something that kind of helped me, though, is not taking breaks from the pill as my hormones are VERY imbalanced so during the break weeks I would go positively mad at first, a little less later, but overall the effect is noticeable, whereas nothing happens if I don't take a break. I began taking birth control for the first time in May. November 10, 2012 was the last time I felt that abnormal/irrational anxiety feeling. Don’t even waste your time or money trying out other hormonal options! I need to have it taken out soon though because I have never been this depressed in my life. I've spoken to my doctor about this at length and she had been quite worried how I would react to these pills, but we've both been relieved to find I was mostly ok (emotionally, loestrin caused other issues). I have switched to a pill called cilique and again it has little effect on depression, if any. I am not enjoying the pills too much, but the reason why I am telling you this is because I think it's extremely important to remember that we react to these pills VERY individually and what works for someone may not work for you (we took the same pill and I was fine, you weren't), and vice versa. I'd avoid progestogen-only methods. Birth Control Study Has People Talking About Depression. A place to discuss birth control methods. Here’s what researchers know about the link between hormonal birth control and your emotions. A place to discuss birth control methods. The doctor prescribed me Lo loestrin Fe. Yet birth control methods for women that are on the market today have similar reports of depression. So, that’s a 0.5% greater chance. But I like it, I don't notice any major side effects mood wise except some mild pms emotionalness about a week before the placebo pills. edit: forgot to mention, lots of family members had issues with the copper IUD! Maybe there is THE pill for you, maybe there are several that make you feel okay, maybe none of them work for you. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the birthcontrol community. Can you specify what issues they had with the Copper IUD? Yaz sent me to the psych ward. I switched to microgestin after and its been amazing. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Side effects vary, but I have not noticed a change in personality or mentality as a result from taking BC. The downside to Paragard is that it may increase your menstrual flow but it's great for people who can't take hormonal birth control and it lasts up to 10 years but can be removed at any time by your doctor. Just because they had issues doesn't mean you will as well. Of course the improvement could be due to something unrelated, but anxiety/depression definitely hasn't gotten worse on it. Wow. I ended up having to take a break from hormonal bc for several months before starting the pills I'm on now. I'd recommend a standard strength monophasic pill (30-35mcg EE) plus either 250mcg norgestimate or up to 500mcg norethisterone. Today it is January 7, 2013 and I feel completely fine. 3. share. Yea. I’m on gederal and it’s making me so bad. I never had any issues with depression until I got the Mirena, then I started feeling depressed/anxious most of the time. I had depression with a hormonal IUD too. Insider spoke to two gynecologists who say that this claim is largely unfounded. I took Lo loestrin Fe and it also made me crazy. I don't take meds for my depression (mostly because I don't have access to mental healthcare), but this is how everything except Natazia had affected me. I felt waves of ups and downs throughout the day so i switched to Yazmin. I'm seriously considering (under the care of my dr!) Birth Control and Depression In the largest epidemiological study to date, researchers followed over one million women ages 15-34 for 13 years and found that women were more likely to be diagnosed with depression after being given the pill. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. If you really want to use hormonal methods, this website is helpful: http://www.fainamd.com/resources/Which+OCP+is+Best+Handout.pdf. Birth control that uses synthetic hormones could influence a person’s mood, potentially triggering depression or … Really, really bad. After being on hormonal birth control (lolo pill) for over 6 years I had become tired of having to be consistent with the pill everyday. Not sure how it affects depression but I haven't noticed an impact on my anxiety either way. Like, I'm so depressed and hopeless I didn't get out of bed today, and I cry at the littlest provocation. 2. I'm horrible at remembering to take the pill. 5. Most women know at least one or two other women who have had a bad reaction to the pill. I've felt no mood related side effects with this method. I've been off BC for almost 3 years now, and now I got a nice guy and all that stuff, so I need to start thinking about BC again. I don't even normally have depression off birth control. I've tried almost everything, so many pills, Nuvaring, Mirena, and I now have the Nexplanon implant. I've been taking Spironolactone for years (for acne and oily skin) and sorta wish someone would have told me this. Putting in another good word for the copper IUD. So, uhm. “Birth control is one of the most commonly prescribed medications globally. However after that I only had a couple more episodes! Can i ask what it took to help you feel normal again? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the birthcontrol community. User account menu. My sex drive has been great. Evolutionary psychologist Sarah E. Hill explains what happens to your brain on birth control. The research on depression and BC seems mixed. 2. I've been on it one year. However, I have chronic depression, and I know oral contraceptives can exacerbate this. Got the copper one about 6 weeks ago and haven't had any issues with it besides slightly worse periods. I began taking birth control for the first time in May. :). I haven't found a bc yet that doesn't. This one sounds silly, but I have seen it. Hi, My dermotologist suggested I go on birth control pills for adult acne vulgaris (nothing else has worked, and it's clearly hormonal). Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. On the contrary, a 2013 study showed that hormonal birth control use may actually reduce depression among women, and other studies have pointed to the potential benefits that birth control may offer in terms of mood. I only cramp during ovulation and right before my period. Press J to jump to the feed. Close . Has anyone with depression found a bc pill that doesn't send you into a spiraling abyss? Share your stories with me about some options? Paragard releases copper to prevent pregnancy. For Birth Control: “I have been through the nightmare that is birth control for the last 2 years I have tried 6 different BC’s and had horrible side effects from all of them including bipolar depression, mood swings, weight gain, hair loss, loss of sex drive, horrible cramping. I haven't lost or gained weight. I'm considering either the patch or the ring, but I would love to get Mirena again, but I'm petrified of having that experience again... but I'm also in a much better place and getting help for my depression as well. Anna. Every body is different. I have anxiety and depression and being on birth control has actually helped. level 1. So, I've always struggled with really nasty depression while on birth control, and on Mirena it was bad. going off BC to see if the depression lifts, with the plan of going back on/trying a different pill if symptoms of POI return. I am also on antidepressants at the moment, but I wasn't the time of taking Loestrin and my bout of depression was unrelated and uneffected (timing). Log In Sign Up. Press J to jump to the feed. Everyones hormones are different so it's hard to predict what will work for you. so Ortho-Cyclen or Brevicon would be good matches. Wow, i'm so sorry. In 2016 in a study of 1 million Dutch women, women on hormonal birth control (the pill, patch, ring, IUD with hormone, implant) had a 2.2% chance of being prescribed antidepressants vs 1.7% of those not on hormonal birth control. It's partly how they work (reducing androgens). Multiphasic. Just because some studies have found links between birth control and mental health issues, doesn't mean depression will be the fate of everyone on the Pill. Some people claim that using an IUD causes or triggers depression, due to the progestin hormone. Is anyone’s depression gotten seriously worse since going on the pill/ birth control. Researchers have been unable to prove or disprove a link. He has suggested Ortho-TriCyclin. Wellness blogger Jules Hunt (Om and The City) was on hormonal birth control for nine years. This time 3 days long and not as severe. The only risk I was made aware of was that it could affect my potassium levels, but that routine blood tests would make sure I'm alright. Thank you so much for your reply... can i ask what happened exactly? A person using birth control may experience mood changes. I'm on Skyla, for about 5 months. When I got my IUD, it mostly took away my cycle, so the extra depression I got with my period doesn't happen anymore. It's the best choice I've made and I'll go the tubal route once this is up in 9 years. A strong study on hormonal birth control and depression. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Really, really bad. I'm horrible at remembering to take the pill. But the cramps aren't excruciating as people tend to believe, it's pretty minor and manageable. If you're still concerned, however, the non-hormonal IUD is a great option. I'd recommend trying it! I had depression on sprintec(pill), skyla, and nexplanon! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://www.fainamd.com/resources/Which+OCP+is+Best+Handout.pdf. That has been fixed. I switched from hormonal BC to Paragard and my anxiety has improved immensely. I have Paragard. So, I've always struggled with really nasty depression while on birth control, and on Mirena it was bad. I'm having that same issue right now. Oxidative Stress and Depression . Posted by 14 days ago. I liked that the copper IUD was protective for years at a time and hormone free. I've been on other birth controls and say this birth control worked best for me. For some folks, it's not one pill that works all the way but a combo. Birth control. 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