Feeling depressed after stopping the birth control pills?

Hey there. the exhaustion is normal I struggled with that terribly n the first 3-4 months as well on a daily basis. The exhaustion has gotten better and I just have a few days after ovulation and before my period that I feel really tired and want to sleep. I also went through extreme anxiety, panic attacks and depression to the point where I was also suicidal but knowing this is not who I am and realized that all of it started since stopping the pill, I started researching to find out why the pill has such an effect and started finding ways to balance my hormones out as this is a hormonal imbalance of epic proportions. YOU ARE NOT GOING CRAZY your body is just reacting. I would def suggest going to see a naturopath or endocrinologist that can help you through this. PMDD is just a results of a hormonal imbalance.... its going to take some time but know that you can do this!!!! get some people around you that are understanding and can help you in the darkest times and of course we all here for you too

Hello all,

   This is my first time posting, however I have been observing this forum for a couple of months now. My symptoms began at the end of January and have been very similar to what many are posting: anxiety, panic attacks, issues with short term memory, brain fog, depersonalization, headache and dizziness. 

   The first two months were pretty horrible, I had a lot of anxiety and this feeling like I was going to pass out much of the time. I found that Magnesium Citrate helped dull the anxiety on days when it was really bad. Also no period in month two, it ended up being 30 days late.

   Month three I started to see some improvement, I experienced less anxiety and when I had anxiety it was not as severe. Short term memory was still not great. I looked into Post Birth Control Syndrome (PCBS) more and started taking B Complex, Magnesium Glycinate  and a Probiotic daily. I had one week that I felt 100% myself.

   Month four (this month). My symptoms seemed to change I had a headache and stiff neck for the first two weeks of my cycle. Then I had really bad heart burn/indigestion for a few days in week three (the only other time I’ve had this was both times I had a new nexplanon implant so I’m sure it must be hormone related).

   I have cut out caffeine, soy, gluten, dairy, eggs, processed food, refined sugar and I eat a vegetarian diet. I also do yoga or walk regularly, and always get at least eight hours of sleep.

   I have notice that I experience the most anxiety the two weeks before my period begins with it peaking around day eight before my period. I have been looking into Ashwagandha supplements, has anyone on here tried this for anxiety? I’m curious to hear if it helps.

   Overall, I have come a long way but I have a long way to go. As I’ve seen on here numerous times time is the largest healer. 

 

-Meg

HI Meg, welcome and thanks for posting your experience.
Ashagandha helped me tremendously with anxiety.... it brings balance to cortisol levels.
Are you taking any Omega 3? those are great for bringing down inflammation in your body and Vit C to boost immunity.

That’s great that Ashwagandha helped with your anxiety, I hope I have the same results! I’ll have to look into the vitamin C I know I could certainly use a boost to my immunity. How is your progress coming along?

Hey, I also experienced neck stiffness as one of my many symptoms coming off nexplanon. Month 4 I was experiencing a lot of dizziness, headaches and nausea.

It's taken me 9 months to feel better and I'm still not 100%. I promise you will feel better though. My cycle has actually stopped completely so maybe that's why my symptoms are calming down!! You can expect some ups and downs but don't panic when this happens, it's a slow recovery xx

That’s really good to hear that you’re feeling better even if it’s not 100% yet! I have it in my head that it’s going to take a year to get over this thing, I hope that’s the case at least, not longer.

Hi meg,
Iv had my nexplanon out since jan this year
I have improved from the first few months but am still anxious most of the day. I find it easier to distract myself now though.
I started my period yesterday so am very anxious today.
I like to come here on bad days
it helps posting how you feel, and I put less pressure on myself to feel better as a lot of people say it can take 1-2 years!

I know this isn't related to depression but i'm curious if anyone here found out they have hypo or hyperthyroidism after stopping the pill? I've read it's quite common for the pill to mess with the thyroid and also low progesterone can cause thyroid dysfunction.

HI Meg, let me know hot it goes with the Ashwagnadha.... they said I should give it at least 3 weeks to work although I felt it start working after a few days. Don't stop it immediately after you start feeling better, keep taking it for a few weeks.... I used to take it during my fertile window only eventually as that is when I felt the worst anxiety and it helped.

Progress is great. haven't had a setback since mid March so I'm very grateful.

The pill def upsets the entire endocrine system and it can manifest in various forms. I did have my thyroid function tested but the numbers where in normal range....

HI Meg, I also had it in my head for at least a year.... each person is different. it could be shorter it could be a little longer... it all depends what you are prepared to do to help your body and mind recover.
If its not your norm, don't accept it , fight to get yourself back on track. Even if you struggled with anxiety before birth control, that doesn't mean its normal... that means there was something wrong from the get go that needs to be addressed. Looking back I realized that there were moments of anxiety and fear that were so random and uncalled for but because they came and went so quickly I never paid attention to them.... after these last few months though I see the pattern and realized that there has always been a hormonal imbalance, not severe enough to make me take notice though until I stopped the pill. I also realized that I've been running on adrenaline and stress for most of my working life but didn't realize that your body can actually get to a point where it say's "Enough" .... until I stopped the pill.

The one thing I'm still very conscious of is that I cannot drink too much coffee as that triggers the stress hormone which affects sex hormone production .... anyways the point is that YOU WILL HEAL and you will learn a lot about yourself , your body your mind and your emotions and how keeping all 3 happy is vital.

Hi Kamzin I totally agree with you, I realised I was a little anxious before birth control and then when I went on it that settled everything Down.
But obviously that means it’s to do with hormones otherwise bc wouldn’t have helped with it,
How long have you been off bc for ?

very good point. I also noticed that I was less emotional about stuff with this last brand I was on...Zoely. I even commented to my husband that of all the brands this agree with me the most but after a year I started having symptoms strange symptoms. My period stopped altogether, no withdrawal bleeds , heart palpitations for no reason, tingling in my fingers, severe migraines, and anxiety started creeping in. Got sick more often, and I kow this is TMI but it has to be said.... I very seldom experienced an orgasm. (hubby started thinking it was his fault) the first good thing that changed when going off the pill... the rest was terrible.

I stopped bc last year august. had first symptoms of slight depression but didn't pay close attention to it and then by October, as my second period was finishing, the anxiety and panic attacks hit me out of nowhere.... and lasted for hours sometimes days and then came full on depression and hopelessness and suicidal thoughts that I new was not normal. I only got married 2 years ago to a stunning man so I had no reason to be feeling the way I was. it was hell! I thought I was stuck like that for the rest of my life until I spoke to my mom and a friend and they started sharing their experiences with me... my mom was due to menaupose and my friend was due to burnout but basically they both had the same symptoms I did so I was very grateful I wasn't actually loosing my mind... that's how it felt.

Anyways lots of research and reading later and natural remedies and support from hubby and loved ones and light training and i'm enjoying life again. Physically I can see the hormones aren't 100% yet but emotionally and mentally i'm good. I have 1 or 2 bad days here and there but hey id rather take that than having 1 or 2 good days here and there. the worst was the first 2 months but every month has gotten better. I'm starting to "forget" the intensity of what happened, and I don't check in with my mental state on waking up like I used to.... so I do believe that soon enough we'll all be ourselves again but perhaps changed in some way. We'll always remember this time but wont remember the feelings etc just that it was something we don't ever want to deal with again but definitely be more sympathetic towards others dealing with mental and emotional stuff .

Thanks. I've started having all the symptoms of hyperthyroid 3 months off the pill. Rapid heart, tremor, heart intolerance, frequent need to poop (LOL) , anxiety , hair loss... UGH

Hello Kamzin,
Thanks for your reply...
I actually tried to take a B vitamin complex but my pee would be fluorescent yellow all day long! I went on google and read that it meant I had too many B vitamins and so i stopped taking it. Is it normal for my pee to change colour with a B complex vitamin?


Today, I am feeling quite anxious (Im on day 12 and I always do on this day! and the following ovulation...) My thoughts revolve about my bf and I am scared that when we get back together it will all be bad again and I will feel a certain way I used to feel (ROCD, anxious, poor self confidence...) :(

It worries me that my only concern is regarding my boyfriend. I am otherwise not anxious about anything at all, though I am bit more on the anxious side than the norm, but I only get anxiety about thoughts of my boyfriend! Anyways I guess thats what ROCD is all about...

The scary thoughts actually a month or so before I stopped taking the pill, which makes me wonder if the pill did that to me after all...

Anyways!
Thanks for listening!
Hope all is well for everyone
xx
Emma