B3ta ladies! (B3ta gentlemen, look away now, ok? - no really, guys, it's girl stuff!)
For the last six months, I've been having sever mood swings and depression, to the point where I've contemplated suicide (don't worry, this is not a "woe is me post!")

6 months ago, I switched birth control - from an IUD to the depo provera shot. It took me until yesterday to figure out why I'm such a miserable cow!!!!
Tomorrow, I'm going to my doctor to verify it (either that or I'm bipolar, but I'm pretty certain it's the shot) and switch BC.

But, ladies, what I want to know - any of you guys had issues with that? And really, this isn't a "woe me, I want attention" anything like that kind of post, I'm just curious as to everyone elses situation?
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 3:54, 17 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Oh dearie. I used to deal with this sort of thing on a regular basis (long story--used to be in the healthcare field).

Bottom line is, if you're taking hormonal birth control, you MUST make sure you're getting adequate B vitamins. And, some women really cannot tolerate hormonal birth control. The mood swings and depression really ARE awful for some women.
(herbivorous, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 5:30, Reply)

Thank fuck!
Seriously, the last 6 months have been hell and I was thinking it was just severe depression and lately thinking I'm bi-polar.
It wasn't until yesterday when I put two and two together (one of my fishing friends is a psych nurse for the State so she's seen it all). It makes me so much happier knowing that that's probably the issue and I'm actually looking forward to seeing the doc tomorrow.
Only problem is I'm going to be completely honest with him, and there's a chance of a 5150 but I think we can get around that.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 5:57, Reply)

It chaps my hide enormously that hormone-based birth control is passed out as casually as if it were candy, yet most practitioners NEVER mention that many forms will increase the body's need for certain nutrients.

I mean, it's not exactly rocket science to tell someone to take a high-potency multivitamin if they're going to be using a medication that might cause a deficiency. This study

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15013271?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=4

is just one example of the evidence...it's not controversial or "woo-woo", it's just biochemistry.

Furthermore, in my (admittedly limited) experience, the Depo-Provera shot causes more moodiness and depression than other forms of hormonal birth control. Again, it's not something that is often discussed, which is a shame.
(herbivorous, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 6:33, Reply)

All the b3ta ladies (all the b3ta ladies)
All the b3ta ladies (all the b3ta ladies)
If you liked it you should have blogged about it.
If you liked it you should have blogged about it.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 7:47, Reply)

"start a thread on it" scans better.

( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 7:56, Reply)

Yep.
I can't take hormonal birth control. It makes me crazy(er). Emotional pits of despair, really bad. Then again, I am also bipolar. But hormonal birth control is a huge issue for me and I tried different brands of pill over 5 years but all of them left me a mess. I now avoid it like the plague.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 9:05, Reply)

Birth Control
I've got an Implanon Implant and have had them now for 6 years. I've never been able to take any other form of birth control as it makes me more crazy than normal. I've now had no periods for 6 years! :) It's the best decision I have ever made about my health. Good Luck at the doctors! :)
(WeeJen, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 9:44, Reply)

I used to have the Minera (?) IUD
and didn't have periods for 10 years, which is why I started getting the shot as I don't really want to have to go back to having periods. I'm going to try the implant and see what happens.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 11:26, Reply)

I could probably count the number of mood swings I've ever had on one hand.
*smugs*

But then again I suffer from dysmenorrhoea : (
( girlinthehole, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 9:49, Reply)

I've used both the Pill (20 years, on and off) and later Depo
and found the Depo to be an ideal contraceptive, for me anyway.* Absolutely loved it.

In fact, it's so good that I forget to go back for it and it lapses, and I have all sorts of mither getting it prescribed again.


*Just a little prick in my bum, fnaarr!
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 10:47, Reply)

When I first went on the pill, it was truly, truly dreadful. Insane mood swings, bursting into tears for no reason, getting crazy angry. It didn't help that I was at boarding school (I was 16) and surrounded by hormonal girls. The school doctor didn't raise an eyebrow when I told him I wanted the pill, he just wrote the prescription and let me get on with it. No "there might be side-effects" advice. He didn't even ask me about family blood-pressure history, FFS (it turned out there's a major history of HBP in my family). What's worse is that lots of other girls were also asking to go on the pill, to sort out their acne: none of them were warned about side-effects either. Very irresponsible of him.

I'm now on the Mirena IUD, which I find fantastic.
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 12:11, Reply)

Mirena FTW
No periods for the last two years. Fanfuckingtastic.

I didn't have mood swings (I think...) but I did pretty much haemorrhage every month - I only realised that my periods were far, far too heavy when I began using a Mooncup (fab as well) and had to empty it every hour - in theory it should hold the entire blood loss of five days - not that you would though, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, the mirena has done the trick. Fabulous thing.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 12:46, Reply)

that's what I just came off in May
I loved it. I was the first person in Yorkshire to get it, and had it in 13 years.
Think I'll go back to it.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 12:56, Reply)

I've got to have mine replaced next year.
There's a 5-year limit on it. I am NOT looking forward to this - although I agree that Mirena is FTW, the pain of having it put in was immense. But the benefits outweigh the 20 mins of excruciating pain, tbh.
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 14:07, Reply)

Fucking hell
well that explains a lot.

I was on the pill for 17 years and came off it a few months ago to give myself a break. I'd always thought I felt better on the pill than off it but I felt ok. But when I went back on it I felt so bloody awful I decided to come off it for good. The fella was pleased - he's the only guy I know who doesn't want bumsex all the time, as he wants to get me up the duff (his words).

Anyway I self diagnosed a B vitamin deficiency a few months ago as well but at the time put it down to my history of over-enthusiastic substance abuse. I'd read something about how it is significant in the production of dopamine and seratonin (the craving and reward chemicals), and realised how much less blighted my life would probably be if it was all in balance rather than swinging wildly from one to the other. For the first time in my life I intend to discover the benefits of delayed gratification.

So the vitamin b thing. I work in a pharmacy. Why didn't I know about this? Why doesn't everyone?
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 22:34, Reply)

Yeah, it explains a hell of a lot.
Doc has taken me off the shot (i.e. I didn't get it today like I was supposed to), put me on Prozac to stabilize the mood swings, and doesn't want me using birth control for at least six months.
And you know what, that's fine by me - periods after a 13 year break from them will be worth it if it means I'm not a mental nutcase.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 17 Nov 2009, 22:39, Reply)