jsmontage04 ([info]jsmontage04) wrote in [info]vaginapagina,
@ 2008-12-06 22:52:00
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Birth Control and PMDD
So I have known for some time That something just isn't right with my moods. For the past couple weeks I have been very upset, withdrawn, and having irrational thoughts and being very down on myself. Then today it's like someone flipped a switch and I am happy happy.I know it isn't normal because the things I was upset about and crying over were not even real things or something I would normally think. I take it out on others around me. My ex bf got to the point where he didn't want to hang out with me when i was close to my period. I am not entirely sure this is period related because I don't really keep track of when I feel like this. more than likely it is though...soo enough rambling. My question is does a certain kind of birth control work for this? I know Yaz is supposed to. I guess I am just looking for real stories. I really do not want to or have the money to see a doc about this and I am seriously sick of it and my relationships are starting to suffer. Thanks!

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[info]jackdiamond
2008-12-07 04:39 am UTC (link)
Among what some people say works, other than HBC: vitamin B12, fish oil, evening primrose tablets, exercise, abstaining from caffeine, salt, fats, increasing omega 3 consumption (salmon is a great source).

I have pmdd. The above do not work for me. Yaz works for me, but given its cost, you might want to start with other options. It doesn't make me miss cheerful, but it cuts the mad mood and rage issues about 2/3rds, and even helps with cramps, and I barely need a pantiliner.

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[info]atashida
2008-12-07 04:41 am UTC (link)
Yasmin and Yaz have helped me, but not all the way. (Another person I know with PMDD swears by NuvaRing, although it's not specifically supposed to help. She also takes prozac.) Another oft-proscribed treatment is some low-dose SSRI (ie zoloft or prozac). It's definitely helped some people, but when I tried it I didn't feel better enough to continue and I started getting side effects when we raised the dose so I just stuck with birth control.

In terms of herbs & supplements (health food store): You might want to make sure you're taking enough B vitamins in general, as they help with mood. Evening primrose oil is supposed to help - I think it may help me (I'm not sure). Kava is a Pacific tea that has been under scrutiny for causing liver problems in some people under some conditions, but I love it. It's like alcohol without the extreme impairment of motor function and sleepiness, and makes me feel very calm. Don't drink it if you have liver problems or drink a ton of alcohol, but people in the Pacific have drank it for hundreds of years.

The herb St. John's Wort is also supposed to help with mood, but it WILL mess with your birth control so I've never tried it. I've also had doctors suggest meditation and staying away from caffeine while I'm in that period of time.

Honestly in terms of PMDD it seems different things work for different people so it's a toss-up as to what will work for you. Holistically, you may also want to make sure you're eating well OR taking supplements (properly, which is sometimes difficult) as any sort of other issue will make PMDD worse. Hopefully some combination will help - good luck!

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[info]brittlepeople
2008-12-07 04:43 am UTC (link)
If you have a partner see if they'll help with the cost. I also went to Planned Parenthood recently and asked the nurse if I could be put on Yaz for free, she said I might be able to work something out with a doctor to see if they can cut down the cost. I had a very good experience with Yaz when I was taking it. When I stopped taking it, it was still a few months before I really started to feel as emotional and crazy as I was before.

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[info]xgirasolx
2008-12-07 04:44 am UTC (link)
You sound EXACTLY like me, even down to the ex bf saying not to call around my period.

I've started dong quai and am boosting my EFAs if you are into natural things... not seeing much change yet though. :(

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[info]womdigo
2008-12-07 04:49 am UTC (link)
I didn't really believe in PMS (at least not for me) until I started tracking certain symptoms of my depression in my daily planner. I also always marked when I got my period. One day I glanced at it and realized that it was like clockwork. The symptoms would worsen considerably a day or two before my period started. I'd say that just knowing that was one of the most helpful things. When I'd get those strong feelings I was no able to realize they were at least partly due to what my hormones were doing and seeing them through that lens gave me a lot more control in dealing with them. Just knowing I wasn't going to feel like that forever (even if it felt like it at the time) and that I was going to feel a million times better in the morning helped.
I went on HBC (nuvaring) about a year ago and it has changed it, but i don't knot that it's gotten rid of it for me. I think it is usually less intense, but somehow that also makes it a little harder to keep track of and it can catch me more off guard. Different brands effect people differently so it can certainly be something worth looking into. It can also be good to pay a little extra attention to yourself or ask a close friend to kinda keep an eye on you at first when playing with hormone levels and starting a new HBC.
I think a talking to a doctor (maybe going to a clinic of some sort if money's an issue) can be a big help in going over issues and options. Taking depression tests online, journaling your answers, keeping some basic notes on what else is going on, can really help identify triggers for certain emotional states. This can be helpful if you decide to talk to a doctor, or just for your own information. I've found the site mymonthlycycles.com to be helpful in that. I hope you're able to figure out your pattern and also figure out what you can do to prepare for the rougher times. Coping strategies are good for you, and good to figure out for those you are close to. Even though I may not being in the mood doing something physically active (yoga or a long walk) help clear the junk out of my head. Also making myself accomplish little things when i'm feeling down on myself help me feel capable and worth while. (finally putting the clean laundry away or baking or just taking five minutes to wipe down the bathroom counter). I also know that if I'm tired or have low blood sugar my mood and coping abilities can go down hill in a hurry so I've warned my boyfriend that if I suddenly seem to go from fine to angry to give me a piece of bread and have me lay down for five minutes.
Well I hope this ramble was useful, it certainly seems you're trying to be more self aware of this and that can be a big step in the right direction. Take care of yourself - remember you're worth it!

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[info]jsmontage04
2008-12-07 04:59 am UTC (link)
I forgot to mention that I do take HBC (ortho cyclen) and take a B-complex, fish oil, SAM-e, and exercise almost daily. I almost think I had SAD as well because last year I became hugely depressed for seemily no reason in the winter months and while I experience hormonal mood swings year-round they are definitely worse now. I need to start tracking or remembering these things lol. Thanks for the suggestions.

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[info]svexsal
2008-12-07 05:46 am UTC (link)
There have been some posts here before about HBC and depression and I've responded in kind with these links:

http://www.enotalone.com/article/4116.html

http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/3191/1/Birth-Control-Pill-and-Depression.html

http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/birth_control_for_depression_healthcare_privacy

I've been on two different birth control pills (OTC and Loestrin FE) and both times it exacerbated my depression and migraines. So it wasn't for me. It doesn't typically happen for every woman but it's important and good to know that you're not alone if it does happen for you :) If you decide HBC is no longer for you, the good news is that there are other birth control options out there - hormone free IUDs, diaphragms, caps, etc.

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[info]big_sarah_yeti
2008-12-07 08:43 am UTC (link)
I was on Cerazette (UK trade name, not sure if it differs in other countries) and have moved on to the Depo Provera injection which means I now don't get periods as I have them rolling together. I went for this as I had dreadful problems with PMDD, those two mentioned above have a similar chemical make=up to each other, which is why I knew I had a high chance of getting along with Depo. Now different HBCs work differently for different people, but I have utterly fallen in love with my current choice.
Hope you find something that works out for you.

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[info]paperispatient
2008-12-07 02:49 pm UTC (link)
I went on HBC to have only 4 periods a year (I stack) because of what I now realize was PMDD. My period was really irregular, so sometimes I'd end up being miserable for like two weeks waiting to get it - I got insomnia, mood swings, and depression on top of other common PMS symptoms like cramps and bloating; my mom always told me that she could tell when we talked on the phone if I was waiting for my period and when I'd gotten it because I sounded like totally different people. HBC has helped me a lot - I figured, if I'm going to feel shitty like this, why not make it only 4 times a year? Happily, my PMS symptoms have also decreased/gone away since I've been on HBC, and I'd imagine that many women who take it "normally" (one placebo week every month) have found something similar.

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