Feeling depressed after stopping the birth control pills?

Yes the vitamins are so expensive! Mostly because they are raw/organic. I would hold off on the anti depressants, your hormone levels are what have you feeling like this, not your seratonin levels. So taking anti depressants would alter your mind even more and most likely make you feel worse. Then you would have to feel the withdrawal from taking those pills also.

I've read a lot of different girls stories and a majority said that the anti depressants did not work. I was faced with the same dilemma, but I never picked up the pills. The fact that doctors are so quick to prescribe pills that are even more mind altering than BC is some scary stuff. I never took the pills, it took me 2-3 months before I started to SLOWLY feel better. My 2nd and 3rd month was when I went through the whole panicky depression and crying stage. I'm not really a cryer so I knew my hormones were off. It went away though and I can just imagine how worse off I would've been had I took those pills. Try to get some exercise in if you can, that will help.

I did a lot of counting, I think I reached 500 at times lol that will take your mind off the same song. You really have to keep your mind active with what you want. I know it's easier said than done. It's hard to focus on anything when your mind is racing.

I noticed cleaning or keeping myself walking around and physically active helped. But sometimes I would be really anxious after hard workouts so be careful, we are all different though. Try downloading a free yoga app and do it everytime you feel anxious, helps a little.

To answer your question yes I would consider that song being stuck in your head anxiety. It comes in many forms. It almost feels unreal. Anyways try not to over stress it will only make you feel worse and stress I horrible for the body. Now that you know what's going on you're a strong ahead of the game. I didn't find out BC was what caused this until my 3rd month being off! I literally thought I was dying of some virus or disease.

Thank you so so much for everything and for also being so quick to respond. Talking to you has helped me way more than you know.

I have a few questions, you seem to be well educated on the subject.

First do you think how long someone was on birth control correlates to how long it can take them to recover? I've noticed a lot of people on here that say it took them up to 6 months or longer to feel better but they also stated they were on birth control for years.

I see where you said you felt the worst in your second and third months so do you think that means the symptoms have the potential to get worse over time or is this something that's supposed to gradually get better instead of worsening before getting better?

A lot of the beginning of this thread has a lot to do with feeling distant from significant others but is it normal to feel distant from others you love such as your children? For me this has been the hardest part.

Lastly do you think certain birth controls cause these issues more than others? I've seen a lot of mention of Ortho Tri Cyclen and Yas/Yasmin. Maybe these pills contain more hormones than others?

I was on BC for a year and I'm seven months off and not recovered fully. Slowly improving. Still feel bad often though. But my period JUST came back two months ago. Didn't have one for the first four months off. I think that prolonged my healing.

My vision still feels slightly off and I feel unbalanced and dizzy sometimes too. So weird.

Shyla

Hey there. I do think that the longer you are on birth control the more shocked your body is when you get off because of the sudden drop in hormones.

We are all wired different so it's hard to compare the amount of time it takes our bodies to heal. I've read of some girls only being on for 3 months and having reaction during and post pill.

I'm pretty sure synthetic hormones (BC) disrupts our natural flow and hormone production. Our bodies are having a hard time learning to produce its own hormones again.

BC not only kills our natural hormones but it also can cause a list of things, mineral and vitamin depletion, candida, bacteria, mess up our gut flora, cause weight gain, water retention. There's such a long list.

I think that's partially why our bodies are having a harder time off of the pill and taking us longer to heal. That's why it's so important to get as healthy as we can to get those organs functioning properly.

I think initially off the pill it gets worse, but then gradually you get better. I'm pretty sure it has to do with our cycles and the constant fluctuation of estrogen and progerstone.

I think it's normal to feel detached because you are numb. You're not yourself rn. The only thing that matters is feeling better and anything else is secondary.

What got me through that part with my child was trying to cherish any moment with her even if it was just sitting on the couch. If your family or significant other are not being supportive or are really dismissive then it's easy to not really feel much for them.

I'm not going to lie this takes some time but you'll be so grateful once you hit that next month mark and start noticing the negetive energy and feelings lifting off of you. It's very subtle but you will notice after some time.

I want to say those BCs are repeat offenders, but there are many others mentioned. I've even seen mine floating around different forums(microgestin), which was supposed to be the lowest dose BC I could get since the other made me sick.

I was on BC 2 1/2 years , the first month I was on the 1st pill that made me sick, then switched to the low dose microgestin. I want to say I started to slowly feel more anxious nervous, weird the last 6 months on the pill. I'm not sure if it was because I could choose to have a period or take the pill straight through which I did on and off, I think that screwed me up also, not having that fake period.

Alls I know is that hormones have quite the cause and effect. Being imbalanced can mess your entire body up. Have you felt better today? Had the counting or staying busy with chores or physical project helped?

Thank you everyone for sharing! I was on Yasmin for about 8 years, came off about 4 months ago. Initially wasn't so bad but symptoms seem to be getting worse before they get better. I have muscle / joint pain, mainly in my arms, feeling very emotional which is not like me at all. I cry at TV, I get mad at my husband for no reason. It's really quite distressing. My boobs have shrunk and I think I've put on about half a stone so far. Gives me hope to read that things do get better. I feel so unlike me!

I haven't been doing so well today. I've been horribly horribly depressed. I've been crying and feeling very numb and empty and also exhausted. Yesterday was a better day. I've been sleeping in the room with my mom for the last several days and last night she suggested I try sleeping in my own room again since I seemed to be doing so well. When I went to go lie down is when the empty depressed feeling sank in which I guess was also anxiety. I tried to fall asleep but couldn't so my mom let me come back in her room. I guess I have anxiety over sleeping in my room because since all this has began I've had many scary nights in there by myself. I fell asleep and woke up this morning feeling really bad. I haven't eaten or drank anything at all today. I've also been feeling very very suicidal. Because I just can't take this anymore. I've even considered starting the lexapro and I'm honestly wondering if this is even hormones at all anymore. I know I can't sleep in my moms room forever but for someone reason I can't shake this mental block that I cannot sleep by myself in my own room. I feel like if I try I'm going to have a complete mental break down. I just can't believe birth control is causing all of this. I just don't know how much longer I can deal. I'm physically and mentally exhausted. Tomorrow will be 6 weeks since I stopped the pill.

-Iris

Iris, I'm so so sorry. I've been there and I've felt all the things you're feeling. It was unbearable at times, but I promise, it will fade slowly. It will get better. I used to wake up devasted every single morning. Your sex hormones are likely very low still. Raspberry leaf tea helped my hormones balance, also natural progesterone cream is worth a shot. I put tumeric in everything to help with depression. Also, get some holy Basil capsules by Gaia and maybe some ashawaganda. Both are fantastic for anxiety.

Most of the healing seems to be done through TIME however. Which really freaking sucks. But time. You'll have good days and bad days, and eventually the good days will become more numerous. My healing has been a slow uphill climb with lots of dips. The dips make you feel back to square one but you're not. Healing is highs and lows. You will recover. It will take time. I've just started a bootcamp class which is helping me immensely. Exercise is worth a shot.

I'm praying for you, friend.
Shyla

Hey there Iris

Shyla said it best. At first there will be more bad days than good, but eventually you'll notice more and more good days. When you lose sleep and don't get enough rest everything will hit you harder leaving you feel alone and helpless : ( unfortunately we know how you feel. You will get through this, pretty soon you'll be looking back and thanking your lucky stars that you got the worst out of the way.

when you can't sleep or wake up in the middle of the night do you toss and turn or take another Valium? Depending on the last time you took one, you may need to take another or at least a half to help you go back to bed. I would ask the doc prior to doing so, that way you aren't over medicating.

I feel so bad for you and wish there were more I could do to help. Has your vitex arrived yet? This is your hormones! When imbalanced they can throw off your entire thought process. I know it's scary but please just hang in there.

Try to stay away from any trigger drinks and food that will increase your anxiety. I know you can't really eat or drink anything but if you do try to stick with natural Whole Foods, nothing processed. I used to have to force feed myself the first 3 months off the pill.

This is going to be one of the hardest things in life that you go through but you have other women on here that have lived it and are telling you it does get better. Your daughter needs you! There's a lot more life to live after this hormonal nightmare, I don't know where you are at, but go outside look at the sky, feel the sun against your skin. Take deep breaths.

Look up videos on YouTube for yoga for anxiety and hormonal imbalance. Also try to read other women's stories as much as you can. It's honestly what calmed me down and kept hope alive for me. You're going to feel better soon.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. Most of the time I try to respond or follow up on someone's post ASAP. I'm from the Bay Area, California by the way. 31 years old, close to 8-1/2 months off the pill. Take care. Pleas don't hesitate to post, even if it's the middle of the night and you just want to keep your mind busy by posting what you feel.

Thank you both so much. Writing on this thread is a really big help. Reading everyone else's stories helps me a lot too. When things get really bad I just remind myself how I feel on my good days and how I felt before all this started even if the "old me" seems like a distant memory right now. I'm glad to know you guys have gotten past the point where I am now, that gives me hope that this is just temporary. So thank you for all the encouragement.

I'm from Louisiana by the way and I'm 21 (:

-Iris

Hi everyone. Today I bought some Estroven from my local Walmart. I bought the one that supports stress plus mood and memory. The ingredients include Black Cohosh Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and Magnolia Bark extract. I was hoping you guys could give me some input before I actually start taking it. Do you think it would be helpful? Thanks in advance.

-Iris

Hey Iris

I'm not sure which estroven you got but based off of the reviews it helps women going through menopause sleep, which is good for you, I'm just not sure if it helps kick start natural hormone production.

I would look up each of those herbs you noted individually ex. "Magnolia Bark extract and hormones" See what comes up. I think this supplement is a good start to help you sleep. When I was my most depressed and panicky I wasn't getting enough sleep because I couldn't sleep.

I'm going to class right now so I have to cut it short but I'll chat soon'

Hello Hello, there's another active forum on this site called "anxiety after birth control pills" There are more girls chatting and sharing their stories, just thought I would let you all know. Iris how are you? Shyla how have you been? Sinus issues any better? I've had 2 days where my ear n sinus didn't feel blocked so far this month, what I would give to feel normal. At least I don't have depression or severe anxiety like I did. I have a doc appointment to get more tests on Monday.

What are the tests for?

I'm doing okay. Pretty good I guess. Doing lots of strength training. Head still feels weird sometimes, and the ringing in my ears is still bad. Not sure that will ever leave. So frustrating. Did your doc ever say anything about the ear ringing?

How are you??

Shyla

Hi all,

Looking for some closure here. Was on the pill for 2 years, and got off about 2 months ago and change. About one month after, I started questioning my boyfriend's attractiveness, my love for him, my future with him, how much fun I have with him, e.t.c. it is actually debilitating and heartbreaking. I love him so much. This past week has been very rough for me. Broke down and cried uncontrollably for a while twice, lost my appetite, did not want to go to work or get
out of bed, lost all love for the gym and have been unable to concentrate at work. I can't think of anything else besides the feelings
that I've had fomy boyfriend. I don't want to lose him but my mind has not been letting up. Has anyone had this debilitating experience? I have no history of mentAL health issues, bit this anxiety and depression is getting harder each day. In the mean time, I still hang out with my boyfriend but , but I end up breaking down.