Birth Control & moodiness?

Question

I am on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and am on my fourth month. I have had a lot of nausea, and been emotional since I have been on it. I went for my 'pill check' appt a few weeks ago, and since the symptoms had gotten better over that month, I assumed I was getting used to it, and told the dr I would keep going with it, instead of wanting to switch to something else. The first week of the 4th month though, (last week) the nausea was so bad that I had a plastic bag in my lap the whole way home from work, in case I got sick, and the moodiness is CONVINCING me that my boyfriend is cheating on me and going to leave me, and hates me. (When, on my 'better' weeks any idiot would see that he loves me and is NOT going to leave me any time soon, as we are looking for a house.) So, my question is, has anyone had any luck on birth control with these symptoms going away, or, at this point, if they havent, should I just ask my dr to switch to something else? (even though she already wrote me a prescription for a year?) Does the moodiness get better when switching to something else?

Answer 1

Not always. In fact, almost every option of birth control has the mood swings side effect. I'm talking about the combined and mini pill, implant, coil, etc.

It would be best just to go back to your doctor. It's your fourth month and it still hasn't settled down, so it looks like it's not doing you any favours. However, I don't know how long it normally takes for your body to get used to a new birth control.

I was on Cerazette for a few weeks and gave up because of the mood swings and increased appetite. Ironically I was given it, not only because I can't have oestrogen, but because it's supposed to be the better one regarding side effects. But I was 15 and so the progesterone + natural hormones may have tipped me over the edge.

Just go back to her and discuss other options. Even though your body will take a while to get used to another form of birth control, the mood swings should die down in the first few months. However, she may tell you to persevere with the one you're on because it's only been 4 months. If you're personally not happy with it and feel you want to try something else, voice your opinions.