Okay, I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 7 years now, and just recently (within the last 6-8 months) I've been really depressed. It's almost an empty feeling. Like I have no feeling, not really happy or sad just nothing. Feelings come and go. I do have some feelings. I can cry at just about anything. A majority of the time I'm just empty. Everything in my life is great! Should I think about trying a different kind of BC (Ortho Tri-Cyclen is the only kind I've been on) or should I go talk to the doctor about anti-depressents?
2007-08-10 10:25:26 · 10 answers · asked by marie_fairfax 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I think that if you have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 7 years and you're just now experiencing symptoms of depression, it's probably from something totally unrelated. However, I am on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, which is the low-dose version that is still just as effective but contains less progesterone, and it seems to ease my mild PMS symptoms like mood swings and rage, that I used to experience more when I was on the regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I have heard that birth control pills can suddenly just cause side effects they never caused before, like I once started to experience a noticeably lower sex drive with a pill I'd been taking for about 3 years. Nowadays, I just switch them up every 2 or 3 years. It seems to work. Try switching your Pill first and if that doesn't help, you might need some anti-depressants.
2007-08-10 10:35:03 · answer #1 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Birth control pills are a big cause of depression! I answered a similar question before and I'll include the link to a survey in which I participated. Even though it is widely known that BC pills cause depression it seems that most people don't want to discuss it.
If you absolutely have to be on a birth control pill then I would suggest trying something different before resorting to antidepressants. Antidepressants are serious medications despite the fact that physicians hand them out like candy. Why fill your body with more and more chemicals?
I have some books I can recommend for helping with depression...many of them mention the birth control link to mood as well.
"Depression Free For Life" by Gabriel Cousens
"The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross
"Dealing With Depression Naturally" by Syd Baumel
"Secrets of Serotonin" by Carol Hart
"Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" by Christiane Northrup
2007-08-10 17:41:08 · answer #2 · answered by radiant_innerlight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd try going off the BCP first. I know it affected me over time. I was on it for years with rew problems, but I think as my hormones gradually changed during my life, my reaction to the pill changed. When I finally went off the pill, I felt much better in general and suddenly had a libido again!
A few years later I decided to try the pill again, thinking "maybe it wasn't really the pill. Maybe it was just my life or depression". Within 6 months I felt that familiar empty 'blah, why bother'. Went off the pill and bounced back.
2007-08-10 18:58:24 · answer #3 · answered by christnp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would try a different type of birth control before I asked a doctor for anti-depressants. If you still feel this way after switching your pills then speak to a doctor and see what they think the best course of action would be. They may give you anti-depressants, they may refer you to a couselor, or they may recommend both.
Hope this helps. :-)
2007-08-10 17:29:48 · answer #4 · answered by Peatea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should talk to your doctor about anti-depressants. The pill is not causing your depression. When you suffer from depression, you get depressed whether you're on the pill or not. Believe me, I know, I've been there. Tell your general practitioner your symptoms, they've got anti-depressants out now that kick in in a week, instead of a month. You'll be feeling better in no time.
2007-08-10 17:34:57 · answer #5 · answered by flacocajuncujo 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Personally I try to stay away from drugs for depression if possible. If you still able to function- get out of bed, shower, go to work and so, I don't think you should consider anti-depressents. However I think maybe you should find somebody to talk to. Sometimes just talking to somebody once or twice makes all the difference.
2007-08-10 17:31:34 · answer #6 · answered by Simba 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your doctor about your feelings, birth control pills really shouldn't have that effect on you, and since you've been taking them so long... you would have already have had effects. The doctor would know what's best for ya.
2007-08-10 17:29:20 · answer #7 · answered by The Nikki 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check out YAZ( http://www.yaz-us.com/home.jsp)..I myself was going through the same I talked with my doctor and after giving all my symptoms etc she decided to switch me to a new pill called YAZ..It helps treat PMDD and things seem to be looking up for me . Talk with your doctor first see what she has to say..sometimes just talking and letting it all out to someone makes you feel so much better..hang in there and good luck
2007-08-10 18:00:03 · answer #8 · answered by mamabear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would talk to your doctor and see what he/she thinks. I had serious emotional problems with birth control, but since you've been on it that long, I would think it would have had this effect on you earlier.
2007-08-10 17:33:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
talk to your doctor. i can't see symptoms coming after being on it for so long. however, they are hormone pills and hormones do affect our emotions. the doctor may want to try switching medications and/or sending you to a psychiatrist for an evaluation.
2007-08-10 17:32:18 · answer #10 · answered by kiki 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋