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Original poster

Cerazette pill and anxiety/ depression

22 replies

weareyoung · 21/06/2020 08:42

Posting in Chat for traffic, sorry.

Has anyone taking Cerazette (desogestrel) experienced horrendous panic / anxiety / depression?

I've only been on it for a week and honestly I feel like absolute shit. I have suffered from mild anxiety in the past (never been medicated) but since starting this pill I feel like I'm constantly teetering on the edge of huge panic attack.

This morning my chest is tight and the only way I can describe how I feel is that I've got a huge, dark weight sitting on my shoulders. It's bloody awful.

I'm wondering if this is something that anyone else has found? If so, did you stick it out and did it settle? Or did you stop taking the pill?
Because I'm honestly not sure I can carry on taking it if this is how it makes me feel.

OP posts:

userabcname · 21/06/2020 09:04

Hm it's interesting you should say this. I am on desogestrel and keep feeling like I'm going to have a panic attack - heart racing, feeling of "impending doom", teary. I did google whether it was a side effect but nothing came up. I do get panic attacks pre menstrually sometimes so I assume it's hormone related. I've been taking the mini pill for a few months now, though, and the feeling does keep hitting me still (not constantly).

Original poster

weareyoung · 21/06/2020 09:06

Impending doom...exactly that. I was wary of writing that in my OP as didn't want people suggesting I might be having a heart attack (I'm
not ).

I've also had the headaches, one so bad yesterday that even Nurofen Plus, paracetamol and propranolol couldn't take the edge off it.

I stayed over at DP's last night and woke up sweating and panicking. Fuck this.

OP posts:

hippohector · 21/06/2020 09:45

I have noticed a dramatic improvement in my anxiety levels since stopping Cerazette.
I was on it for years and I only realised just how badly it affected me once I stopped taking it. I am now much more calm and able to rationalise things without getting panicky.
Also, as an added bonus, my sex drive has now returned

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userabcname · 21/06/2020 09:54

Oh headaches too! Me too! I have been needing regular paracetamol for headaches, which is unlike me...hmmmm. I hadn't linked that to the mini pill but perhaps it is.

Original poster

weareyoung · 21/06/2020 11:49

As awful as it sounds, I'm glad it's not just me.

I've been doing some research and it seems the side effects really do hit some women hard.

I was hesitant about taking hormonal contraception but the GP assured me it was low dose and generally well tolerated.

OP posts:

NooneElseIsSingingMySong · 21/06/2020 13:00

Yes. I wasn’t too bad on Cerazette but it killed my sex drive. Then my practice made me switch to Cerelle and I felt bloody awful. I felt like I was permanently in fright or flight mode. I kept imagining myself running away! I also found my hair was greasy and I had loads of spots. So much better off it (even though I have endometriosis which means dealing with AF and PMS).

Rubychard · 21/06/2020 13:18

Cerazette also killed my sex drive.

Thinking back 30 years, I also went on a combined pill for a couple of months that made me feel anxious and paranoid. Fortunately i realised there was a link and changed.

Connie222 · 21/06/2020 13:35

I was put on it at my 6 week check.

After a week I thought I was going crazy. I was actually suicidal at points. The dr wanted to treat me for severe PND until one of the nurses realised what contraception I was on and told me to stop taking it immediately.

I was then back to my normal.

It was the worse experience of my life.

mencken · 21/06/2020 14:43

hormonal contraception can indeed have specific side effects, clearly this one doesn't suit your personal chemistry. Other people's experiences are of no value but get back to the doctor as you need to try something different.

Franticbutterfly · 21/06/2020 14:45

All hormonal contraceptives give me health and psychological problems, which is why my husband had the snip...although not before I we had a surprise baby 😂.

Kcoops88 · 07/12/2021 06:51

Hi, I’m currently experiencing high anxiety and panic attacks especially first thing in the morning have been taking cerazette for about 7months and thinking this may be the cause. I was initially prescribed it for PMS (moodiness and exhaustion) on the lead up to my cycle but that’s been replaced with anxiety and panic which is much worse..give me back moody 😂 just wondered if you had any side effects to stopping taking it and how long it took for you to feel better?

Thanks

Nobranothanks · 07/12/2021 06:58

@Kcoops88 I also had horrific side effects from cerazette - they were yellow carded. I stopped taking them after a while once I realised what the cause was and soon went back to normal. A friend had the same thing happen to her on cerazette and it seems to be fairly common.

For what it's worth, I had a similar reaction to the implant.

OhPeeQueue · 07/12/2021 07:00

Cerazette ruined my life for about 2 years. I had panic attacks where I couldn’t breathe and really thought I was going to die, headaches, anxiety, paranoia, suicidal thoughts. I stopped taking it when ttc but never went back because my lovely doctor told me it wasn’t the best contraceptive.

It’s a nasty pill. The only reason they push it is because it has a 12 hour window.

Bagelsandbrie · 07/12/2021 07:13

For balance, I absolutely love Cezarette. It’s the only pill I can get on with. I’ve been on it 9 years now and after the initial spotting I had for a few months I’ve had no periods at all since which I love and no side effects.

But - it doesn’t contain oestrogen (which is why it’s safer from a blood clot risk point of view) but many women do find the extra progesterone without the oestrogen to balance it out does cause a lot of hormonal / emotional side effects. It’s a bit like only taking half of the HRT - in fact I take cezarette as part of the progesterone part of my HRT (and then utrogestan and oestrogel for the rest).

It may be that the side effects calm down as you continue to take it. It depends what other options you have and whether the long term benefits (reduced / no periods etc) are worth it.

ThatParent · 07/12/2021 07:23

Cerazette ruined my life for about 2 years

Cerazette saved my life! It had completely the opposite effect for me. For the first time in my life I've been stable and not having really thought I was going to die, headaches, anxiety, paranoia, suicidal thoughts. on a loop every month. I've been taking it for several years on and am terrified of someone saying I have to stop or switch!

I think the reactions to contraception must be very personal so if you think it's not working for you, go back and ask for a review.

Zephyrskye · 11/01/2022 18:39

I have been on desogestrel for 6 weeks and I actually feel absolutely horrible, I’m not someone who struggles with mental health ordinarily but I feel like someone has died or something. Every minute of the day. Have stopped taking and hope to return to normal soon! Interesting to see others have had similar negative effects too.

Midnight0 · 11/01/2022 19:10

I was on Cerazette in 2015 for almost a year, it was ridiculous; I was spotting almost every day and turned in to a crazy person, it didn't settle either. I begged the family planning nurse to help me, she suggested I try copper coil since it's non hormonal, and I haven't looked back.

BillGigolo · 11/01/2022 19:15

There was a long, long thread on here years back about exactly this. It definitely affected me badly. My SIL was given it after a miscarriage and was in an awful place, which eased up a lot when she came off it.

Mel8507 · 10/09/2022 08:23

I'm convinced this pill has caused my anxiety and panic attacks. I was taking it for 5 months and gradually got worse and worse. Constant anxiety and panic attacks. Headaches and jaw pain. Iv never felt so helpless in all my life. I stopped taking this 10 days ago and although I'm not 100% I am feeling a little better. I'm just hoping I will be myself again and it won't have any lasting damage to my mental health. Going to the doctors Monday to get mycroginnon. Id rather have breast pain and be moody than ever take another one of those pills. If anyone eles has experienced this please post. I need to know I'm not going crazy.

Franctomli · 26/11/2022 23:09

Yes! Had it about 4 years ago and had to come off it because I felt like I was literally going mad. On the edge all the time, weepy all the time, couldn’t do my job. Recently got put back in the mini pill and was given Noriday which worked with my HRT a dream but then when I had my repeat, the GP a messed up and gave me cerazette. Messed me up immediately but I didn’t realise initially what had happened. I was
failing at work, couldn’t cope and really was on the brink of…well…I’m not sure but it wasn’t good. Pushed the GP and it seems I cannot tolerate degesterel but I can take norithisterone and be ok.

KarolineB · 29/04/2023 07:09

Hi,
I have read your comment reguarding the side effects you suffered from while taking cerazette.
I have felt the same : panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. I have now come off for 3 weeks and wanted to ask how long it took you to feel better on a psychological Basis?

Thanks a lot!

KarolineB · 29/04/2023 07:11

Hi!
I felt the same! And now came off since 3 weeks. How long did it took you to feel better?

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