The Pill is making me irritable....help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2004
The Pill is making me irritable....help!
4
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 4:38pm
I think my bc (ortho-tricyclen) is making me crabby, cranky, and very irritable. But I'm not sure....so I need some input from other ladies. Has anyone else experience similiar symptoms. I am a SAHM with a 3 & 2 yr. old. While off the pill, little things would irritate me, but not as easily. I feel like I am constantly in a bad mood. I wonder if it's just general stress, ie: fighting toddlers, or is it the pill??? I am hesitant to stop taking it...not ready for baby #3, and REALLY like my clear complexion (no zits that time of the month!). PLEASE.....any input would be great.

THANKS, momzj2001

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 4:45pm
Birth control pills can cause moodiness/irritability in some women. Triphasic pills (such as you're on) have a tendancy be worse for this (for some women). If you otherwise like this pill, I would consider asking your doctor if you can try Ortho-Cyclen. It is the same hormones as week three, all month.

Being a Mommy to toddlers is hard enough! Good Luck finding a pill that doesn't make matters worse.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 4:55pm
I totally understand, when I took OTC, I was really irritable and crabby and just felt totally on the edge! Once, I switched I went back to "normal".

Avatar for rzberrysun
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 7:34pm
Yes! I had the same experience two different times when I was on Ortho Tricyclen (a few years apart and I'd forgotten why I'd switched the first time). It made me incredibly irritable, other BC pills have not had that same effect on me. There was a definetly different feeling while on those.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 11:08pm
Hi Momzj;

I also had the same issues with OTC, as did a couple of my friends...none of us seemed to like it. It made me feel almost like another person! I was ready to bite of the head of anyone who said "boo" to me.

I switched to a monophasic pill (one with the same dose each day for 21 days) which helped a lot. But it was not another Ortho pill, I tried two of their pills (OTC, and OTC-Lo) and since they are the same simulated hormones switching between them did not make any difference. My advice would be to go to another brand all together.

Hope that helps!

Andi in NY