depression and taking birth control - Depression Message Board

meredith100 · 10-25-2005, 09:33 PM

Hi all---
I am currently taking Effexor XR for anxiety (occasional depression) and I also sometimes take Klonopin. I also just started taking ortho-try LO (the birth control pill) to reduce acne (Im 19). However, since starting ortho about a week ago, I have been completely exhuasted and the past few days I have felt depressed. I realize it's hard to tell what's what given all the factors but I was wondering if people have experienced these symptoms and if
they get better over time (particularly the fatigue?)
and if increasing an antidepressant dose typically works to counteract the mood changes caused by birth control?
any other suggestions about how to deal with those side effects without going off the pill? THANKS

jengjen · 10-28-2005, 08:15 AM

Hi! About a year ago I was put on a birth control pill that I felt caused me a bit of depression. Because I was already on an anti depressant I assumed it was the birth control pill because of the hormonal shift it causes when you first start taking it. How bad is your depression? If it is mild, it could just be your body adjusting to the hormones or because it is Ortho Lo it might not be enough estrogen for you. Are you spotting all of the time? That is another indication that it might not be enough estrogen for you. I had to switch to the regular ortho tri cyclen and am doing great. If your depression is mild I would say give it 3 cycles before you make a complete decision and always discuss it with your doctor! But if it gets or is bad enough, definitely call your doctor right away and try another pill. Depression can be a side effect of some birth control. Good luck and let me know how you are doing.

Nark · 11-04-2005, 06:44 AM

hey, I also had some depression arise from the first time I started the pill but they switched me to alesse and things seem to be ok now. Just as a side note, be sure to double up on birth control as I've read that antidepressents can reduce the effects of birth control...ie increase the risk of getting pregnant while on them. Just a heads up because it was something my dr didn't say anything about but my counsillor did. Good luck, I think the first few weeks are the hardest while your body adjusts