birth control causing depression/low sex drive??

I've been on Microgestin FE 1/20 for a little over six months now. I switched to that from Yasmin b/c the side effects were too much (extreme nausea, adomenal craps), and my gyno thought I should switch to a pill with less hormone dosage (hence the 20 mg now). (I don't take anyother presecribed medication, so I'm not used to having to watch out for noticeable side effects from drugs.)

The pill was great at first, no nausea, no cramping, no break-thru bleeding; when I did get my period, there was hardly any bleeding even, my acne has definetly decreased, and my boobs got bigger. (Kind of nice not having to buy pads that often!).

Unforunately, I did notice that my sex drive decreased, I'm not even interested in being sexual or thinking about it (though that might just personally be me, I'm not sure). I don't even feel like getting off once in a while...it's annoying b/c I have a boyfriend now and I'm unsure about having sex with him (like I said, this part may not be related to the pill)...but I'm worried that the pill has decreased my sex drive.

Also, when I began the 7th month of Microgestin, I noticed that everytime I take the pill at night after eating dinner, I get stomach/abdomen pains, I don't feel really nauseous, but I become bloated and burp a lot. I only get this discomfort after I take the pill, I don't feel the same feelings in the morning after eating breakfast or lunch. Could this discomfort be caused by the pill?

And also, I'm afraid Microgestin might be giving me depression, b/c I don't feel happy anymore on a daily basis. Sure, it's different when I'd go to work (I work with little kids, so of course I have to appear happy at least). But I've noticed I've become more negative than usual and experience a few social anxiety symptoms...Maybe I already had a bit of depression and social anxiety, but could Microgestin be making it worse?

I'm considering just going off the pill...I don't think I'd want to switch to something else right now though it's annoying to have to make an appointment with the gyno and try something new. Like I said before, since I don't take anyother presribed meds (birth control has been my first prescription for a long time), I don't like having to watch out for the side effects. Anyone have any ideas on if these "side effects" is related to Microgestin? I'm disappointed b/c this pill has had some good side effects, but if I'm afraid it's making me depressed, then I wouldn't want to continue with it.

If anyone has anything to share, or have taken this birth control pill, I'd love to hear your input! Thanks so much.

 

sounds like hormone based birth control is just not for you... som epeople ar emore sensitive to it than others. ive personally had relaly good experiences with the pill, but there are people out ther who react mor estrongly to hormone bc..
other type sto consider then: condoms, iud, diaphragm, spermicide, rhythm method (or any of the above in conjunctio nwith one another)

 

Ask your Dr. for a non-estrogen based birth control. My wife went through the same thing. It helped her.

 

I was on ortho tricyclen lo for a while, and I deffinatly noticed a lower sex drive. I'm not sure how to help exactly, but I'm just pointing out that I've had the same problem (sort of).

 

I find it so odd that birth control can lower sex drive. It's a possible side effect, that's true, but doesn't that kind of defeat the main purpose?

 

I was taking the same thing and it also lowered my sex drive and made me feel more depressed. I also felt bloated too. So you are definitely not alone with the side effects.

 

I've heard this is a common thing. My wife had to try five different kinds of pills before her current one, which seems to have no side effects. Some women react differently to some hormones. Interesting about the non-estrogen based, I'll have to look that up...

 

What is the kind your wife is on?

 

I was on the "shot" for a year and I got so depressed that I couldn't get out of bed. I went to a psychologist and was put on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. They didn't help. Finally I was soooooooo depressed I couldn't get out of bed to go get my next shot. It took something like 9 months but my depression was gone as well as my anxiety. I would caution you as you are thinking about birth control and the myriad of choices out there.... try to stay away from this. It isn't my personal experience alone, but many friends who tried it only to suffer from depression which also produces lost of libido. I hope you find something that works well for you!

 

This makes SO much sense to me! I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclin about six weeks now and my sex drive has plummeted and I've been incredibly depressed and anxious. I'm getting an IUD inserted in two weeks and I can't wait! I'm sick of feeling so out of it. It's not me at all!