Anxiety Attacks from bc pills?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2004
Anxiety Attacks from bc pills?
3
Thu, 11-11-2004 - 10:59pm
I'm wondering if anyone has experienced severe mood swings/anxiety and anxiety attacks due to the birth control pill? I've been taking Brand X for 2 years now- 3 months ago I experienced a week of extreme anxiety- to the point I had an anxiety attack. At the time I attributed it to a stressful week at work....After a week I calmed down and was fine until about 3 weeks ago when the same thing happened- anxiety/attack.

I wake up with a nervous feeling that comes and goes throughout the day...Ive been to the doctor twice and had a thyroid test which came back fine. My doctor thinks it's just anxiety but I have no idea what Im so anxious about! One minute Im fine and happy and the next minute Im so nervous and anxious...Ive cried almost every other day because of the pent up anxiety and emotional rollercoaster Ive been on the past few weeks. I have NO idea why this is happening to me and Im wondering if it could at all be related to my bc pills/hormones???....Im a typically happy, upbeat person which is why this is so frustrating.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

~confused lil me :(

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2004
Thu, 11-11-2004 - 11:29pm
Yeah, some women experience a big increase in mood swings and, yes, even panic attacks while on certain brands of pills. These seem to be more common with tri-phasic pills (they have three different levels of hormones per month). If I were you, I would look into changing to a pill, possibly a monophasic, or one that has the same level of hormones all month.

After 2 years on the pill, though, and no previous side effects like this, your life could definitely be making the problem worse. Even if you don`t think that you have anything to be stressed out over, something still could be. Hell, I know I`m a headcase half of the time just because I`m a worrier :) So take a look at your life, personal, work, family, and otherwise and maybe see if there`s anything that`s just bugging you. That could help.

But, yeah, I`d definitely look into a new pill. If you`re sick of the pill, though, you could try either OrthoEvra, the birth control patch, or Nuvaring.

http://www.orthoevra.com

http://www.nuvaring.com

If you can`t find a pill that works or just want to try something different, Nuvaring might be your best bet. It`s a 2-inch diameter, flexible ring worn in your vagine for three weeks and then removed on the fourth so that you have your period. It`s just as effective as pills without the hassle. And it also has the lowest dose of hormones on the market, which for most women can translate to fewer side effects.

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Fri, 11-12-2004 - 2:04pm
I get anxiety and depression from the pill. Doesn't matter what kind. I also get higher blood pressure and migraines.

The ring is said to be a little better and the Mirena IUD as well, but my Dr said it'd be best if I had no hormones at all.

If you're worried talk to your Dr.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2004
Sat, 11-13-2004 - 2:50pm
I had EXTREME anxiety problems while on the patch and the ring to the point where I was hospitalized. The anxiousness and constant worry was so bad that I was suicidal. That was when I knew it wasn't me... something was causing it. When I was at the hospital they told me it was most likely the hormones in the birth control. That was about a month ago and I'm now trying to figure out what method to use. Hopefully the IUD will work for me.

I would suggest you stop the birth control and see if your anxiety goes away. If you usually don't have panic/anxiety attacks it would make sense that its the hormones causing it. For me, the longer I waited to go off, the worse it got. So I recommend you go off the birth control as soon as possible.

Hope that helps. Good luck with everything, I know how hard it is.

Katie