Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo=Depression? - Birth Control Message Board

heatherw1013 · 02-04-2008, 05:12 AM

I am 21 years old and my whole life I have been self-confident, extremely social, down to earth, and fun. I began taking OTC-Lo about 9 months ago.

Within the past 6 months I have been battling with pretty moderate depression. A couple times I quit, but not for long at all and both times I went back on OTC-Lo.

With my boyfriend, I used to be able to orgasm all the time, our sex life was fantastic. Also within the past 6 months, give or take a few weeks, I have almost completely lost my libido! I worry about petty things now and in general I am not happy...although everything surrounding me in my life is wonderful. I hardly ever see my friends on my account, and I am convinced it is because of this depression. My boyfriend of 2 years says I have become a completely different person and we are both discouraged of with our sex life. Our relationship is falling apart because of this.

The only thing I have done differently in my life is start taking these BC pills, so I am pretty convinced now that they have brought about this change in me. I just finished the pack and threw them away.

I am writing this to find out if anyone has experienced the same changes, and if so please reply.

Thanks.

kittywitty · 02-04-2008, 12:12 PM

Yes, I experienced depression on Brevicon. I started taking a B complex vitamin and then I felt a lot better. This is because the pill depletes B vitamins and hence causes mood problems. As for the sex drive thing, the pill reduces the amount of free testosterone that we have in our bodies. Testosterone, of course, is the sex drive hormone. I had this problem on Desogen. I only stayed on it for a month, then quit it. My libido came right back. Yet on Ovcon 35, my libido actually increased. Go figure. Different pills affect us all differently.

dancergal19 · 02-05-2008, 11:42 AM

I also got very depressed and emotional on OTC lo. It made me a wreck. I think it also decreased my sex drive but that was the least of my problems on it. If I were you, I would try another type of pill or use alternative methods of birth control. I have a feeling most of your symptoms will go away after being off OTC lo. It does take a little while for you body to readjust, though.

chuzter · 02-10-2008, 06:25 PM

ive been on otclo for 10 months now.. i havent been depressed at all.. i havent had any problems with this pill.. aside starting it i was naucious.. but lately i notice my periods are a week early, a week later or last 5-7 days and the cramps are getting worse.. as opposed to the first 6 months i was on it, and my periods were on time, 4 days long, no cramps and light. i'm starting to get annoyed.

i say if it continues talk 2 ur dr. and s***** pills. depression is no fun.

armychicmkm · 02-20-2008, 09:16 AM

I was on Regular OTC and my husband said I was a different person every week. One week happy, the next depressed, the next &%*%, and then period week. I finally had enough and switched to Seasonale and I loved it.