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Birth Control Causing Depression/Anxiety?
An_246594 posted:
Recently I have been feeling sad, confused, anxious, depressed and pretty much hopeless when I'm alone. I cannot seem to get past it. When I'm at work, busy being a cashier, I'm fine, when I'm home with my boyfriend I'm great but when I am alone or something goes wrong, I feel like I could just break down and start crying. I'm 23 and have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for over two years and I'm starting to wonder if that could be the cause. I was on Yaz originally but it made me crazy every time I got my period. I had major mood swings and couldn't seem to control them so I switched.
I never had this problem with Loestrin before until my most recent period. The day before I actually had it, I had terrible cramping and then it was like my whole world was slipping away and there was no way to fix it. I got really sad the next day and since then, its now been six days, I haven't been able to get away from the cloud of doom that seems to be hanging over my head when I'm alone.
Tonight for example my boyfriend when into work at three though he usually works at five. I didn't mind but when it was time for him to leave I didn't want him to go. I was actually scared of being home alone because of how sad I've been lately. (I should note that there have not been any suicidal thoughts) I just question everything. I even question our relationship even though I've been with him for just about four years now and know there isn't anyone else. Its like a constant battle between the happy person I used to be and the sad and anxious person I am now. I just want to figure out why I want to cry all the time at the smallest things and what's causing it. I feel lost and I want to feel happy again when I'm alone. I want to be content like I used to be instead of feeling this terrible, scary, darkness creeping up behind me.
So I'm asking if anyone else has had this happen to them while being on the pill and what they've done to help reverse it. And I'm also wondering if there is a legitimate connection between birth control and depression. It'd be great to hear from anyone with advice! Thanks.
I never had this problem with Loestrin before until my most recent period. The day before I actually had it, I had terrible cramping and then it was like my whole world was slipping away and there was no way to fix it. I got really sad the next day and since then, its now been six days, I haven't been able to get away from the cloud of doom that seems to be hanging over my head when I'm alone.
Tonight for example my boyfriend when into work at three though he usually works at five. I didn't mind but when it was time for him to leave I didn't want him to go. I was actually scared of being home alone because of how sad I've been lately. (I should note that there have not been any suicidal thoughts) I just question everything. I even question our relationship even though I've been with him for just about four years now and know there isn't anyone else. Its like a constant battle between the happy person I used to be and the sad and anxious person I am now. I just want to figure out why I want to cry all the time at the smallest things and what's causing it. I feel lost and I want to feel happy again when I'm alone. I want to be content like I used to be instead of feeling this terrible, scary, darkness creeping up behind me.
So I'm asking if anyone else has had this happen to them while being on the pill and what they've done to help reverse it. And I'm also wondering if there is a legitimate connection between birth control and depression. It'd be great to hear from anyone with advice! Thanks.
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Birth Control Causing Depression/Anxiety?Recently I have been feeling sad, confused, anxious, depressed and pretty much hopeless when I'm alone. I cannot seem to get past it. When I'm at work, busy being a cashier, I'm fine, when I'm home with my boyfriend I'm great but when I am alone or something goes wrong, I feel like I could just break down and start crying. I'm 23 and have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for over two years and I'm starting to wonder if that could be the cause. I was on Yaz originally but it made me crazy every time I got my period. I had major mood swings and couldn't seem to control them so I switched.<br />I never had this problem with Loestrin before until my most recent period. The day before I actually had it, I had terrible cramping and then it was like my whole world was slipping away and there was no way to fix it. I got really sad the next day and since then, its now been six days, I haven't been able to get away from the cloud of doom that seems to be hanging over my head when I'm alone.<br />Tonight for example my boyfriend when into work at three though he usually works at five. I didn't mind but when it was time for him to leave I didn't want him to go. I was actually scared of being home alone because of how sad I've been lately. (I should note that there have not been any suicidal thoughts) I just question everything. I even question our relationship even though I've been with him for just about four years now and know there isn't anyone else. Its like a constant battle between the happy person I used to be and the sad and anxious person I am now. I just want to figure out why I want to cry all the time at the smallest things and what's causing it. I feel lost and I want to feel happy again when I'm alone. I want to be content like I used to be instead of feeling this terrible, scary, darkness creeping up behind me.<br />So I'm asking if anyone else has had this happen to them while being on the pill and what they've done to help reverse it. And I'm also wondering if there is a legitimate connection between birth control and depression. It'd be great to hear from anyone with advice! Thanks.
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear An: Thank you for waiting for two days to get a reply. Given the severity of your symptoms, 48 hours would be a long time to wait.
The easiest question first, OK? In my clinical experience, some women definitely seem to have worsened depression and anxiety when taking birth control pills (BCPs). There is not a particular brand of BCP which seems to make all the problems. Sometimes a switch of brand can make an improvement (you mentioned needing to switch off the Yaz brand of BCP). Some women will do better switching to a nonhormonal method of contraception. In my experience, women with a personal, or family, history of depression/anxiety are more likely to have an increased risk for down moods on BCPs--or other hormonal kinds of birth control.
As you may have read, both depression and anxiety (frequently co-exisiting in women) are important women's health concerns. Women have twice the incidence of these mood symptoms than men. One in every four or five women will have a major depression at some time in her life. There also seem to be times of hormonal flux when down moods are more prevalent (eg premenstrual, postpartum, perimenopause).
The most important thing is for you to get help right away. You can start with the GYN or clinic that prescribed your BCPs. They may have you use another kind of birth control. They may refer you to a counselor or even a person with specialized expertise in women's mood disorders (could be therapist, psych nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist). Your GYN should also be able to evaluate you for other medical conditions which can cause depression/anxiety (eg thryoid disorders, mitral valve prolapse of the heart, metabolic problems, etc.). If you progress to suicidal thoughts, that mandates an ER visit.
Lastly, do not hesitate to ask for help from a close friend or other trusted person. Once you begin talking with other women you may realize that depression has touched MANY of us.
Been There,
Jane
The easiest question first, OK? In my clinical experience, some women definitely seem to have worsened depression and anxiety when taking birth control pills (BCPs). There is not a particular brand of BCP which seems to make all the problems. Sometimes a switch of brand can make an improvement (you mentioned needing to switch off the Yaz brand of BCP). Some women will do better switching to a nonhormonal method of contraception. In my experience, women with a personal, or family, history of depression/anxiety are more likely to have an increased risk for down moods on BCPs--or other hormonal kinds of birth control.
As you may have read, both depression and anxiety (frequently co-exisiting in women) are important women's health concerns. Women have twice the incidence of these mood symptoms than men. One in every four or five women will have a major depression at some time in her life. There also seem to be times of hormonal flux when down moods are more prevalent (eg premenstrual, postpartum, perimenopause).
The most important thing is for you to get help right away. You can start with the GYN or clinic that prescribed your BCPs. They may have you use another kind of birth control. They may refer you to a counselor or even a person with specialized expertise in women's mood disorders (could be therapist, psych nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist). Your GYN should also be able to evaluate you for other medical conditions which can cause depression/anxiety (eg thryoid disorders, mitral valve prolapse of the heart, metabolic problems, etc.). If you progress to suicidal thoughts, that mandates an ER visit.
Lastly, do not hesitate to ask for help from a close friend or other trusted person. Once you begin talking with other women you may realize that depression has touched MANY of us.
Been There,
Jane
Report This| Share this:Birth Control Causing Depression/Anxiety?Dear An: Thank you for waiting for two days to get a reply. Given the severity of your symptoms, 48 hours would be a long time to wait. <br /><br />The easiest question first, OK? In my clinical experience, some women definitely seem to have worsened depression and anxiety when taking birth control pills (BCPs). There is not a particular brand of BCP which seems to make all the problems. Sometimes a switch of brand can make an improvement (you mentioned needing to switch off the Yaz brand of BCP). Some women will do better switching to a nonhormonal method of contraception. In my experience, women with a personal, or family, history of depression/anxiety are more likely to have an increased risk for down moods on BCPs--or other hormonal kinds of birth control.<br /><br />As you may have read, both depression and anxiety (frequently co-exisiting in women) are important women's health concerns. Women have twice the incidence of these mood symptoms than men. One in every four or five women will have a major depression at some time in her life. There also seem to be times of hormonal flux when down moods are more prevalent (eg premenstrual, postpartum, perimenopause).<br /><br />The most important thing is for you to get help <u>right away</u>. You can start with the GYN or clinic that prescribed your BCPs. They may have you use another kind of birth control. They may refer you to a counselor or even a person with specialized expertise in women's mood disorders (could be therapist, psych nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist). Your GYN should also be able to evaluate you for other medical conditions which can cause depression/anxiety (eg thryoid disorders, mitral valve prolapse of the heart, metabolic problems, etc.). If you progress to suicidal thoughts, that mandates an ER visit.<br /><br />Lastly, do not hesitate to ask for help from a close friend or other trusted person. Once you begin talking with other women you may realize that depression has touched MANY of us.<br /><br />Been There,<br />Jane
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