| I am a 37-year-old woman, no children, and have been on birth control for the past 20 years, with the exception of a 4 year period in my late 20's and have never had difficult periods or PMS. In January of this year, I spoke to my doctor about some serious mood swings and anxiety that had developed over the past 6 months, which I thought could be related to my current pill, Ortho Tricyclen. She suggested a low-dose pill (Microgestin) and for the first two months, things seemed better - my mood evened, I didn't have the severe highs and lows and the anxiety all but vanished. I did miss my first two periods on the new pill, but she assured me things would return to normal after three months. It has now been six months and I have yet to have a period, although every month I go through the symptoms - tiredness, swollen breasts, etc. (I have taken a home pregnancy test, so that's not my concern). I have also, in the past two months, again developed anxiety, depression and, this time, insomnia. I have been doning some reading up on this particular pill and have found that a large number of women taking it are experiencing the same problems. I'm tempted to stop taking it altogether at the end of this pack but am concerned about making my side effects worse. Has anyone else experienced these problems with this pill? What do I need to be concerned about (other than pregnancy, of course) if I stop taking it? Any insight would be greatlu appreciated. |
