Which contraceptive is best when I have depression and anxiety?

[MaryBoBary]

I have only ever used microgynon 30 as my contraceptive. After my son was born I developed see pdession and anxiety which I still suffer with now 3 years later. I am currently taking 20mg Fluoxetine a day to help with this. I am back on microgynon now after a year or so of no contraception (had 2 miscarriages and decided to stop trying for a while) but my depression got worse hence the Fluoxetine prescription. It could be coincidence or it could be a direct result of microgynon.

I would prefer to take a non hormonal contraception to try and avoid my mood being affected any more, but I've seen that the copper coil can cause depression too.

Anyone else in the same boat? What could be my best option?

[Aquamarine1029]

Are you married and done having children? If so, I would ask him to get a vasectomy. If not, it's a very hard call. I would be wary of anything hormonal.

[TinyMarie]

Watching with interest!
I cannot take hormonal contraception as it actually makes me quite a horrible person! I become angry, moody and severely depressed. I took Cilest for years before making the connection and then tried Microgynon which had the same effect.
We are currently using condoms and discussing my partner having a vasectomy but we aren't 100% on no more children.
Wanted to try the implant but am scared it would also have awful effects!

[MaryBoBary]

I would like to have more children in a few years. I hoped the copper coil would be the answer but research shows it can worsen depression. But then again so does pretty much all of the hormonal contraceptives so I don't really know what to do.

[MaryBoBary]

@Tiny I am also looking at the implant but it seems quite drastic and I worry about the constant period that some people seem to have. Also downside of the copper coil is that it can make your periods heavier and I already have very heavy periods so wouldn't want that getting any worse

[stimulatemymind]

I have a mirena coil, it has hormones in it but because Hormones are realised straight into the womb it doesn't affect your brain. It lasts up to 5yrs. I had it because I also suffer with depression and anxiety but also because I have a brain condition and it doesn't affect me. From the day it went in I've had no periods.

[FissionChips]

Why not use condoms?

[MaryBoBary]

I don't really like the feel of condoms and nor does my partner. I certainly wouldnt want to use them long term.

[Greencustard]

I had the Mirena coil and it was horrendous. Made me anxious, bad-tempered and so impatient. I got it removed recently and I'm back to my normal self. I refuse to use hormones any more so I'm sticking with condoms.

[jamtart30]

Natural cycles

[gigi556]

I've successfully used natural family planning for 5 years. We have one son conceived quickly on purpose.

I don't mind condoms though and we don't have sex that frequently. We use condoms after my period and also during my fertile period. We only do no condoms after my fertile period has ended.

I had an implant for years and I'd never go back to hormonal contraception. I had zero libido.

[MaryBoBary]

Yes I've decided I'm going to try the natural cycles route too. To be honest the 3 times we've tried to conceive it hasn't been easy so as long as we use extra protection during ovulation week I think it will work fine. It's drummed into you that you must always use some form of contraception but in starting to realise this isn't the case (when risk of STIs aren't an issue).

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

What about a diaphragm? They're a bit unfashionable at the moment (who knew there were trends in contraceptives?!) but I'm seriously considering it, being in long distance relationship where we only see each other once every three months or so (and I have migraines, so would prefer to avoid hormones anyway).

[SpoonBlender]

Would a pregnancy evoke depression and anxiety? Because that's what you'll probably get...

[MaryBoBary]

Spoon - why would monitoring my cycles probably result in pregnancy?

[Jemima232]

Diaphragm or cervical cap + spermicidal jelly.

Worked for me, easy to put in, no-one has to have an operation, no moany condom conversations from DHs and no hormones.