Posted by Kaysey on August 14, 2001, at 16:00:31
In reply to Hormonal changes going off Birth Control Pills, posted by sl on August 14, 2001, at 14:28:45
> Has anyone else been on birth control pills for an extended period of time and then gone off?
>
> I'm finding myself exceptionally ..well, hormonal... moody, wanting to cry, sad...like PMS, but I'm a week AFTER my period so that's not it.
>
> Do you think this will fade off as my body adjusts to NOT having any synthetic hormones? Or is this just how it's going to be? Should I be taking soy or black cohosh or...?
>
> slMaybe you will have a more positive answer from someone else; but yes, I went off bcps several years ago after having been on them for awhile. I did not have a good experience at all and ultimately (after trying to 'stick it out' for 3 years) had to go back on them. Come to think of it (and this is the first time I have ever made this association) it was during this time period off of them that I began to have panic attacks. Anyway, between the moodiness, crying spells, acne and delayed, infrequent menstrual periods, I went back on them. It may be of some comfort for you to know that I am apparently atypical with regard to this (at least my physician told me so), and I do know a number of women who adjust well after a brief or longer period of time.
You bring up an interesting point though, because at age 43 I am again dealing with what hormone route I am going to take. Though my ob-gyn does not think I am going through peri-menopause, I beg to differ. I am not (and have not been) really satisfied with the pills I have been taking for a period of time. They also seem to exacerbate my effexor side effects from time to time (or the effexor exacerbates their symptoms
!) I have read about and know a few women who have had success with soy/black cohosh/chasteberry combos. I have actually considered this myself, considering my age and dissatisfaction with pill side effects. What were your cycles like before you went on the pill?--alot of times that is an indicator of your long-term after-pill experience. I was just as irregular, etc. after I went off as I was before...and more moody and nervous.
Sorry I took so long with this--it gets back to the same thing we often see on these boards: though our 'mileages may vary,' it does seem that we can relate to many of the same concerns. I know you post rather frequently, but right off hand I can't remember the meds you have been taking--have you encountered problems with those meds while on/off the pill?
Your age may or may not play a role--have you talked to your physician? Lots of things to think about. Best of luck--let me know how things go.
poster:Kaysey
thread:75066
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75073.html