My problem with The Pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-19-2003
My problem with The Pill
6
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 7:58pm
When I first got married in March 2003, I was on Ortho-Tricyclen Lo. I stopped taking it in September 2003 because it caused me to have mood swings, I was irritable, sometimes depressed, and I got very hard to live with. (We've been using condoms ever since). Did anybody else have this happen to them, and what other forms of birth control were you able to use?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 8:30pm
I just quit OTClo in October after a 6 month try. I have tried several different bcp over the years (stronger ones than OTClo, hence why I tried once more)and always came to the place you describe. Totally flat feeling, depression, even anxiety "attacks." I know there are even lower dose stuff you may want to try. Nuva ring and such. The ladies here can tell you more. I could not do them because of my weight and frankly I desire to avoid all hormones after this last round on OTClo.

This week on Monday I got an IUD (Paraguard.) I think this is the best decision I ever made. I understand some docs may suggest you not to have one if you have not had a baby...but I think some docs say it is OK if you are in a faithful relationship. There is a greater possibility of expulsion of the IUD by your body if you have never had a baby. Well, guess I'd ask your doc to see what (s)he thinks.

Best wishes,

Sandy

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 9:27pm
Hey there

i have the same problem with my BC im on OTC, and i have noticed that 2 weeks out of the month i have horrible mood swings and depression. I just dont like feeling like i dont have control of my emotions, you know? My husband and I are going to see a Dr about getting him a vasectomy. I am hoping that I am going to be able to get of the BCP and do alrigth with the transition and feel like my old self again. Anyway if you want to talk about anything or just need someone to talk to about how you are feeling here is my e mail address : mryon216@verizon.net

I know i could use someone who knows what im feeling too!! ;-) Take care

Missy

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 10:01pm
My b/f and I are using condoms and fertility awareness. We are very conservative with it, abstaining during my fertile days. But we go barrier free after ovulation.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-19-2003
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 12:00am
Thanks to all the replies I've seen so far!

Another problem I have is, ever since I've been off The Pill, I've been very irregular. December of last year and last month, I've gone 39 and 38 days, respectively. Both times, my hubby and I got worried because we're not ready for a baby yet, and both times we were able to breathe a sigh of relief. If that weren't a factor, then I'd like to try the natural methods. Oh well.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 7:59am
Fertility awareness can still work if you have irregular cycles. Since you're going off signs like cervical mucus and temperature, those still apply if sometimes you ovulate later than other times. You could try reading "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". Even if you don't rely on fertility awareness, it's helpful to have more of an idea of your cycles. I have pretty long cycles myself at times, and when I went 45 days between periods once, I didn't have to worry, because I knew I'd ovulated late and I knew exactly when to expect my period as a result. I never relied completely on fertility awareness, I was actually on the mini pill (which does not prevent ovulation). My doctor had suggested using a backup method during ovulation, so I was using fertility awareness to figure out when that was.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2004
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 3:00am
I was on "regular" strength OTC a few years ago and was miserable. I believe week 2, or light blue, was my crazy week. I went back to my ob/gyn, and she switched me to Desogen. It has one level of hormones throughout the months, so I didn't have such wild swings. There are still some of the usual bc pill side effects, so I'm now looking into IUDs. I've never had kids, so I hope my doctor agrees. If not, on to the next dr., b/c I'm sick of the pill, and my husband and I have no immediate plans for children!