Stress Center Peer Support

Ive been on birth control since I was 16. Ive been on the patch and the pill. I went to the gyno today and asked for the nuva ring.

I stopped taking birth control about a month or two ago after a bad episode with anxiety. I was trying to eliminate anything that may have contributed to that, also my mom told me to get off of it cause she was worried that it was causing harm mentally.

What happens is a few days before my period, when im taking the placebo pills, I get increased anxiety and depression. This goes away about a day or so into my period.

Im scared that im making up these symptoms and am being over sensitive to it. I just dont want to obsess about it anymore and I dont want to get pregnant!
Now the nuva ring has less hormones in it therefore it may be less severe. Does anyone have any experience with the nuva ring and depression? Can anyone give me advice?? I want th freedom of birth control but I dont want the side effects that I may be creating in my own head.

I went off birth control before I started the program, so ive never implemented my skills.

I have never been on the nuva ring but I am kind of in the same boat oure in. I went off BC pills 2 months ago just to eliminate anything that can make your anxiety/depression worse. I feel like I am worse now. I don't know why either. I know that BC pills arn't even good for you and sometimes I think about starting it up again but Im sure since i now know It can make your anxiety/depression worse I will think that going back on it. I don't know If I am one of the rare ones who is better on BC pills than off it. . What pills were you taking, If you dont mind me asking? I was on ortho-tri LO. I honestly dont think it made me worse. I didn't have pms on it. I don't know of my anxiety i had while on it was because of the pill or me though. I still get anxiety now and in fact it feels worse. who knows. maybe get a blood test to see where your hormone levels are

I was on ortho tri cyclen, yaz, and a few generic ones, the one that you gte oyur period 4 times a year and the patch. Ive decided to still wait a few months and let my body calm down. I want to get my anxiety under control before i introduce something to it.

Hi Jocie,
It almost sounds like you're suffering from severe pre-menstral syndrome, since your symptoms seem to be the worst right before your cycle. Have you talked to your GYNO about this? I *think* (if I remember correctly), there is a specific b.c. pill for this... I just remember an ad on television awhile back (it might even be an anti-depressant that you take for a week out of the month???).

If it is an anti-depressant, PLEASE do as much research as possible. Two of my best friends are OBGYNs (one was a "lab rat" @ Harvard for awhile), they might have good info. PM me if you'd like me to e-mail either.
fischee

I am getting of BCP because of headaches during my period starting 2 days before. I also notice increased anxiety and depression during that week. The doctor says when your estrogen drops during your period that your seratonin drops also. Now that I know why I am handling it better. Now will getting off BCP make all this better or worse? I don't know yet. I am still experimenting myself, but I pray getting off it will help my headaches and anxiety.

Sounds like PMDD, I have this and now take 10mg of Lexapro (an antideppressant) and it has helped alot.