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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
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...?
sl
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.
Posted by sl on August 14, 2001, at 17:13:16
In reply to Re: Hormonal changes going off Birth Control Pills » sl, posted by Kaysey on August 14, 2001, at 16:00:31
Wow, you covered all the bases! I appreciate it!
I'm 27, I haven't been totally off birth control pills since I was about 20. At that time, I got periods almost randomly, sometimes up to 3-4 months apart. But I didn't get PMS at all until the last year or two. I was on OrthoCept. I was having PMS so my lady (nurse prac?) changed me to EstroStep. That made me hungry and kinda moody. So now I'm trying going off altogether so we can sorta see what my "baseline" is.
I'm taking Wellbutrin SR 300mg/day, and occasionally Seroquel for sleep. I haven't been off pills in the time I've been on Wellbutrin, so I don't know what's going to happen. *worry*But right now I'm almost PMSy and it's not cool. :/
Thanks...
sl> > 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...?
> >
> > sl
>
> Maybe 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.
Posted by susan C on August 14, 2001, at 17:56:04
In reply to Hormonal changes going off Birth Control Pills, posted by sl on August 14, 2001, at 14:28:45
Yes, As with some many of these mood things (unlike a broken finger) you need to track your symptoms, get lots of opinions, try different things, and trust your instincts. Many 'alternative' things have been and are now being scientifically investigated.
Here is a list of things I tried: Evening Primrose oil, B vits, elminate sugar, elimate milk, progesterone (yam based sustained release)black cohosh chasteberry, triestrogen/progesterone conpounded by my pharmacy. The last two are the ones that have controlled my hot flashes. Though through careful mood charting, I have not yet found an effect on my mood.
When I was in my late 30's the progesterone was a major help, though not complete in evening out the PMS sysmptoms I had been experiencing for a long time....
Dr. Lee is a good source of info. Hopes this helps.
-s
> 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...?
>
> sl
Posted by Sylvie on August 8, 2002, at 13:07:44
In reply to Re: Hormonal changes going off Birth Control Pills, posted by susan C on August 14, 2001, at 17:56:04
Has anyone else experienced the same problem as I have since being sterilized.
- bad skin 2 years after operation
- mood swings
- severe pms
all the above have become worse since having the operation.
Posted by blondemomints on August 12, 2002, at 18:20:39
In reply to Re: Hormonal changes after sterilization, posted by Sylvie on August 8, 2002, at 13:07:44
> Has anyone else experienced the same problem as I have since being sterilized.
> - bad skin 2 years after operation
> - mood swings
> - severe pms
> all the above have become worse since having the operation.
>
Sylvie,I can't believe I stumbled upon your post! Oh my gosh, I have had the EXACT same since June of 2000 when I had a total hysterectomy. I was 37 years old @ the time and have been on virtually every estrogen product on the market to try and help me; to no avail. I have had to go on various depression medication with the HRT to help. I have seen a number of physicians who have all had different opinions and so called "answers".
I barely get by each day, it has changed my life totally and completely.
I feel your pain, I experience the same...I only wish I had a solution for both of us :-(
Hugs friend,
Robin
Posted by shar on August 13, 2002, at 21:26:42
In reply to Re: Hormonal changes after sterilization, posted by Sylvie on August 8, 2002, at 13:07:44
I have more questions than answers here, so you can ignore this if you like.
Did you have a tubal ligation? Those, technically, are not supposed to mess with your hormones because they don't affect your ovaries (at least directly). I had a tubal ligation at age 28 and didn't experience the items you mentioned.
Or, do you mean something different by sterilization? Like having your uterus removed? Were you having any trouble with anything like endometriosis, or fibroids, or irregular periods? Really crampy periods? Before the surgery?
Is your age a possible factor? I mean, is it possible you are perimenopausal? Hormonal changes can start early...like in your 40's or sooner. If you know your family history on that, that could help.
Did your skin problems start after the surgery? Or did they exist before? Could your mood swings and/or PMS be related to your DX?
Shar
> Has anyone else experienced the same problem as I have since being sterilized.
> - bad skin 2 years after operation
> - mood swings
> - severe pms
> all the above have become worse since having the operation.
>
This is the end of the thread.
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