Looking for BCP that won't make me moody...

holly 1993 · 01-02-2008, 06:14 PM

HI, I haven't been here in a while, but I am trying to take better care of myself, sometimes it is hard to remember that with a family/work etc.., but I need to make time for me. At any rate, I am looking to possibly get on BCP again. My DH and I are done with having kids (@ after m/c's), and I have been having pain in the left ovary area for years...Heavy bleeding, clots, sorry tmi, and my friend swears that Yasmin makes her PMS better, although I have read alot to the contrary on that. I had an experience on BCP over 15 years ago that made me moody, and I don't want to go there, I already struggle with moods/anxiety that gets worse with PMS. I am so confused, some people say it makes it better, others say the opposite. Is there 1 type out there that is prone to make me less moody, or do I have to try different ones out? tia, Holly

donniedodo · 01-03-2008, 07:45 AM

I think it's a case of 'try it and see'. You won't know how your body will react until you try.
I've heard of many people on this board being on Dianette (Diane-35 in the US), and having few or no mood swings at all, I was completely different and only managed to stay on it for 3 months. I've been on Yasmin for 4 months, and no moodswings (but it's not helping with the excess hair too much either

)

Olivia'smommy · 01-03-2008, 12:30 PM

Hi Holly,

I hadn't been on the pill for over two years and my RE suggested it help with the amount of cysts I was getting. Well, I started Ortho Novum (mono) in August - multiple breakthrough bleeds and no period. After the second pack ended with still no AF in sight, I was put on Ortho Tricyclen (Try). The pill from hell. I have had severe migraine pain for about five days, nausea and the most incredible mood swings. Tears one minute, rottweiler attitude the next. I felt so low, I am now on Loestrin (just started the first pack). The head ache is gone but at 35, I am not comfortable being back on the pill because of all the side effects you can incurr. I think the only thing to suggest is to start trying different brands and one will eventually give you some relief. My RE recommends a low estrogen mono type pill, rather than the tri. Good luck!

Fleegle4 · 01-04-2008, 09:53 AM

It's going to be trial and error. I never found a pill that didn't have some effect on my moods after a while, but not all effects were the same. For me the absolute worst one was Yasmin. I have read a lot of testimonials that either it works great, or you're one of the significant minority that finds it the worst thing EVER. I was suicidal within about two weeks on it. Other pills just made me feel 'vague', underwater and no libido, and there was one that was good for a few months with no mood effects, but eventually got as bad as the others. I have been on four different pills total at one point or another, and at this point I would never take them again.

But that's me. Plenty of people find a pill that works great for them. However, which one completely varies.

holly 1993 · 01-04-2008, 10:17 PM

I am thinking it may not even be worth putting myself thru trying different BCP, I wonder if other forms of BC like that ring thing, are lower in hormones?? Although alot depends on getting an ultrasound to check on the cysts I have, I just am so wary to put myself in a potential situation of moodiness...KWIM?? thanks

fransimp8826 · 01-05-2008, 12:02 AM

Hey! I was on Yasmin for almost 4 years, and it started out ok in the beginning, but got worse as more time went on... i was the bawl your eyes out type when i was on it... so i quit taking it and haven't taken any BC in about 2 years... i've noticed that i'm really irritable and moody when i'm NOT on BC.... so i guess i'm one of the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" kinda people!! lol :c) i was on ortho tricyclen before yasmin, and i had really bad bleeding and cramps... i've heard some good things about yaz... which is a little less hormones than yasmin... so you might try that... i think that's what i'll try when i go back to the dr later this month... i'll keep you updated as to how it goes! :c)

stellarchik · 01-05-2008, 12:42 PM

I have also tried what seems like a million different BCP's and have finally found one that didn't make me the walking hormone from hell! I have the same issue and seem to always get horrible mood swings or cry at the drop of a hat.

Finally my Doc put me on the lowest form of BCP there is. Alesse is a great pill that causes almost zero side affects emotionally and still manages to produce a period for me even though I have severe PCOS with no ovulation or menstration without BCP's.

Met didn't induce a period for me and BCP's are the only way to get myself to have a cycle. I have had great results on Alesse and would recommend these to anyone seeking a pill that cuts back on the emotions!

RunnerDuck · 01-08-2008, 04:49 PM

I have taken at least 10 different kinds of pills. Depression is my #1 side effect, though for some of them bleeding was the problem, for one it was migraines, for one it was fat/pimplyness... Anyway. I personally do the best on ortho-cyclin - not TRICYCLIN, just the monophasic one. No acne, no weight gain, minimal or no mood issues. Everyone is different though.

FWIW Yasmin made me VERY moody.

Awesome A · 01-11-2008, 12:50 AM

I've taken Diane 35 for four years and have never had any side effects. I love it.

KatCarney · 01-11-2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunnerDuck

Depression is my #1 side effect....

Depression was my biggest side effect, too. I simply couldn't take it.

The 'gym' became my 'pill'.

holly 1993 · 01-11-2008, 11:55 AM

KatCarney, what do you mean that the gym became your pill? Is that what helped regulate your period? I may be different in that I have periods, but they are so heavy, painful and clotty (tmi sorry) I am looking to the pill to maybe make them lighter, and less crampy, and less emotional. I am also backwards in that when I am pregnant at least the pregnancies that lasted resulting in 2 wonderful healthy girls, I actually lost about 30 lbs each time and was emotionally very even and good b/c I wasn't getting my periods. Of course with the fun aspect of weight regarding PCOS, I unfortunaltey gained all I lost and then some back during the first few months after giving birth!! So maybe, just maybe if I try different pills, I may find one that helps with my moods, flow, etc, since I am backwards regarding pregnancy anyway. Having a list of suggested BCP to go the dr with is really helpful, it gives me a starting point, I am just nervous to end up more moody with PMS than I already am, KWIM? thanks!

KatCarney · 01-11-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holly 1993

KatCarney, what do you mean that the gym became your pill? Is that what helped regulate your period? I may be different in that I have periods...

I always had periods, too.

For me, adding a daily workout program (cardio AND strength), coupled with stress management, and healthy eating, totally turned my body inside out, and regulated my hormones (and moods.)

If you were to post in Diet & Exercise, a question asking how many cysters experienced better AF, regulated hormones, and better moods after starting a workout program, I think you'll hear many stories similar to mine.

Having said that, have you mentioned to your doctors about the heavy periods and pain? You should FIRST eliminate the possibility that there something 'else' amiss that needs to be treated.

But for me, working out 60 minutes a day, 5-6 days a week makes me feel 100% better.

holly 1993 · 01-11-2008, 01:37 PM

I actually went for an u/s of my ovaries to look for the source of the pain, this may sound unbelieveable, but they found my right ovary everything was fine, and couldn't find my left ovary where the pain it. The tech was jamming the wand in so far to find it I was in pain, the report actually says they couldn't find the left ovary, and when the dr called to go over the report, I asked her and she said everything was fine. I asked if that was ok to not see the ovary where the pain is, they said that was fine, I said is it b/c of my belly fat? No good answer to why they couldn't find the left ovary and source of pain, so needless to say, I am looking for a new ob/gyn and want to arm myself with info regarding BCP's and this time I won't take no for an answer if they can't find the ovary, just seems crazy to me!!

I am so glad you explained the whole exercise thing, I actually went to Curves for 1.5 years, and last winter had a recurring sinus infection that kept me out of the gym, and today I am going with a friend to check out a new gym in about an hour, a women's gym, so this info only makes me more excited about getting back into the swing of exercise!! Thanks so much!!