Birth Control Options for Moodiness

Updated on March 16, 2009
P.L. asks from Santa Fe, TX
10 answers

I keep seeing these commercials for Yaz, and they just sound too good to be true. I tried Ortho-tricyclen many years ago and it was AWFUL! I have a problem with depression in general and know that birth control is generally avoided in that situation. Plus I am a horrid witch during PMS and my poor kids catch the brunt of it. I wanted to try Yaz, but wonder if there might be any reason not to or perhaps something else that might work better. I'm so afraid of making the problem worse, like the ortho did. Any help Moms? Thank you!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Austin on

There are many other types of BCP's to try out there and I would say go for it. I've tried several and am happy with the 4 month version I do of Seasonique (spelling?). However, I can only go 3 months before I just have to have a period or I'll go nuts. I started this because, even with the monthly pills, I was always going way up and way down in my mood swings with very little pleasant in between. Taking the pill for longer periods of time lets me stay more even in my moods. I will tell you this. I tried Ortho-tri once and I literally felt like I was burning at the stake. Hot flashes! That and my attitude was terrible. I describe it as feeling like Medusa took over my body. Never had issues like that from other the other products.

Good luck! I hope you find what your looking for!
Jen
http://www.mommysjoy.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Austin on

Hi P.,
I suffer from very very severe PMS as well. The OBGYN put me on the lowest dose birth control and it made my PMS 100 times worse than it was before I started taking it. I saw my regular Dr. and he put me on the lowest possible dose of an antidepressant, Celexa 10mg. I started taking it a few days before my cycle ended last month. I should start my cycle in three more days and I usually start to experience my PMS anywhere from 7-10 days before my cycle. So far so good. My hubby did get on my nerves a tiny bit yesterday and today, but I think he was just acting like a jerk, lol. And I didn't respond to him like I normally would, I just got a little irritated then basically moved on from it. I have not experienced any negative side effects at this point. I didn't have much of an appetite the first few days I was on it, but that went away. It has only been a little less than a month so I pray that this will work and I pray you find an answer. I know how it is to deal with the craziness. I felt like a complete psycho for two weeks out of the month every month. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Houston on

Go talk to your doctor....you could be suffering from PMDD which is like PMS, only squared! I myself experience this and it's not uncommon. Your doctor can give you a pill that you take when you feel "moody" (symptomatic). You only take the pill when you feel this way....so you don't have to take it all the time. Go talk to your doctor. This may be a valid solution for you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.K.

answers from Killeen on

My husband was deployed to Germany for 2 years without us a few years ago (our oldest child had too many health issues for the miltary to handle oversewas so they wouldn't let us go with him) and I had deployment depression. I have always had horrible PMS since I began having periods.

I was put on Effexor for the deployment depression while he was gone, but it evened me out so well during my periods, that they decided it would be unfair to my family to take me off it and have me go back to my previous PMS issues.

You might ask your PCP about trying a low dose of anti-depressant to even out your PMS, and make sure you tell him you want to make sure to watch for signs of low libido and will want to change meds if you experience that side effect at all!!!

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from Austin on

I'm on the generic version of Yasmin which I understand is very similar (my doc gave me a sample pack of Yaz to use in case I ever lost on of my regulars down the drain). I've been taking Yasmin for years (with a year in the middle on the mini-pill while I was breastfeeding). I've loved it. My skin cleared up from what it used to be and I never had a problem with gaining weight unlike the 2 months I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclen many years ago where I gained weight quickly and had no improvements to my skin. You should ask your doctor about both Yasmin & Yaz. The one benefit to Yasmin is that it is now available in generic and I don't know that Yaz is so you could save some money. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Odessa on

I was on Reclipsen birth control (generic) for 2 1/2 years after I stopped nursing my youngest. One day during my period, I completely snapped. I was ugly and hateful to the greeter at SAM'S (she cowered and hid with a horrified expression on her face). Minutes after that while standing in line to get pizza for my kids, I stood there bawling like a baby for what I had just done and how out of control I felt. If there had been a cliff around where we live, I was ready to jump off of it. I called my doctor and told him I couldn't have another week like that and they put me on Yaz for the PMDD. The first month I was so nauseous, I couldn't develop an appetite, so I lost several pounds in the first month. My period didn't start until I started a new pack of pills, and that stressed me enough that I took a pregnancy test (negative). Overall, I took YAZ for 3 months. It did help tremendously to even out my moods. However, on my prescription plan, it cost me $30 a month where I had been paying $5 a month before. I called the doctor and asked if there was anything like YAZ that didn't cost as much and they put me on Yasmin or something like that and it was only $5. I ended up deciding to completely get off birth control and get all the artificial hormones out of my body. So far so good. As you probably know already, one pill will not have the same effect on each person. Many blessings in whichever route you choose.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Odessa on

I have twin boys, and we put tubes in both of their ears when they were a little over a year old. We have had great success. No more ear infections. In fact they are 3 1/2 now and rarely get sick, if at all. It was a huge blessing for our two.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Austin on

I was on Yaz for about 3-4months. While it did wonders for my PMS and other issues, I felt bloated, full, and fat 24/7. My doc told me there is a diuretic in it to avoid that issue but I got off it because of that. I didn't like feeling that way, which if you think about it, is minor compared to what I felt and acted before getting on it. I do think it helps with the depression feelings & I was even having panic attacks, and all those feelings went away but again I didn't like the bloated feeling. She also prescribed an anti-depressent pill, which forgive me I cannot remember the name (i think it's called seraphin) (it's like a generic anti depressent-ask your doc), which you're supposed to take 2weeks before you start your period. I bet if you just got on a generic pill (if you want to be on the pill that is), which is what I went back to (Kariva is the name) and take the other pill it will help a lot.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.M.

answers from San Antonio on

I was diagnosed with PMDD when I notice the foul moods I would get into in the days leading up to my cycle. I would go from being very angry to crying to tired. My doctor gave me fluoxetine. It is the generic version of Prozac. Prozac makers have renamed Prozac for the purpose of prescribing for PMDD and it is real expensive, so when you go the doctor, mention fluoxetine. You will have to take care of birth control by another method, but the fluoxetine worked really well. Start with a low dose because it will affect your sex drive. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Houston on

I had terrific results from SaraFem in addition to birth control. Don't know about Yaz, but your gyn will probably know more. Good luck!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches