Bipolar and BC pills?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Bipolar and BC pills?
4
Sun, 10-02-2005 - 6:04am

Folks, I was just on the BC board and it came up that the bc pill I am on, Ortho tri-cyclen, can cause mood swings because of the different amounts of hormones from week to week. Now, my bipolar is more or less under control- my pdoc is happy with how I'm doing, and while I do cycle when things get tough, that's about the only time. In your opinions, should I consider switching to a pill that has the same level of hormones throughout, like Ortho Cyclen?

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 10-02-2005 - 6:54am
OH YES!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Sun, 10-02-2005 - 10:27am

hi beth~


i'm not on birth control, but if you are noticing swings that you can tie to the bc, i would definitely talk to both your ob/gyn and your pdoc! if the bp meds are working, i wouldn't think of changing those! however, if there's a bc pill you can take that would keep you more stable around that time, i'd go for it. while your ob/gyn isn't a specialist in bp, if you tell him/her and this doc is reputable he/she will do thier homework, and if necessary (with your permission of course) talk to your pdoc.


i know i'm definitely NOT the best one to give advice on meds, since i struggle with mine so much, but after the struggle for so long, i'm finally ready to 'play by the rules.' this means open communication between me and my docs. they are there to help us. took me a while, but i finally figured that one out;)


hugs,
traci

Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 10-02-2005 - 12:51pm
i do know that anyone w/ mood swings should avoid the birth control pills w/ the word TRI in them.
bcause of the 3 l;evels of hormones mood swings are more pronounced or aggravated.
this is just my experience & what i've been told as well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 9:59am

Here is my experience, for what its worth.


b/c pills give you a huge dose when

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