Why do healthcare professionals still insist that birth control has no effect on your mood even though millions of women say otherwise?

[blondiecurly]

I (25F) went to consult with a healthcare professional to get a new birth control prescription since the previous one I was on triggered feelings of anxiety and depression. When I explained this, the healthcare professional proceeded to tell me that he had never heard of birth control affecting mood and he suggested that I seek separate help for my mental health. I actually had to strongly insist for him to prescribe me a pill with a lower estrogen dosage. While I’m not sure it will solve the problem, I figured it’s worth a try.
The issue is how dismissive he was about my complaint. I like to think that I know myself very well and I can say with 100% certainty that I felt different while I was on the pill and for about a month after I stopped. I’ve been off of it for 3 months now and I feel perfectly fine. And I’m not the only one…I’ve read so many birth control pill reviews online with women insisting that certain pills triggered some mental health issues. However at the same time, I’ve read articles saying that this is all a myth. So what is the truth?

Fortunately I’m now post menopause @RagzRebooted so no longer have to suffer dreadful periods. The coil was also ‘strongly’ promoted as the progesterone part of my HRT though. Once again I declined.

The awful feeling of utter despair and murderous rage from the mini pill isn’t something I’d wish on anyone.

My old GP flat out told me I was lying when I told him the pill gave me headaches and made my depression worse.

The amount of times I have to inform doctors of information that they either deny or dont seem to know

Another example - anti depressants and weight gain

They've literally done studies that show it affects mood. Isn't low mood/mood swings listed on the side effects on the leaflet?

Are there any "better" brands to be in? Teen DD who has extremely heavy periods and is a dancer wants to go on it ? I'm not against the idea at all but wonder if some
types are better than others?

as an ex-HCP who is fully capable of reading round the evidence and now has multiple health issues,I've often been really disappointed in advice & support I've got from my GP's. Remember though that GP's are "specialist generalists"..you need to know a heck of a lot about many different aspects of health plus you need a good dollop of understanding of human behaviour and socio-economic factors. I was a "specialist generalist" myself and would say the main issue is when Dr's either a. feel they know everything and/or b. aren't prepared (and to be honest at the moment, don't have the time) to read round a particular condition or fully investigate and discuss options with somebody. Hence why we have such problems of antibiotic resistance and giving anti-depressants/ pain meds out like smarties....its a lot quicker to write a script. I have met both fabulous and awful GP's in my time but that does equally apply to all health professionals....and sadly the whole system is breaking down at the moment which will lead to many, many mistakes, poor outcomes and dissatisfied patients.

The depo injection made me so depressed I couldn't stand it. I used to sit and write lists of ways to kill myself. Utterly horrific, and I had already been depressed for a long time but nothing like as bad as that. It took over two years after stopping it to feel better. I was only on it for six months!

I couldn't tolerate the pill at all. Lasted three months, was suicidal and fat. Same doctor put me on a ten times higher dose than recommended of Seroxat and I walked in to a bus. I have very little faith in the way the medical establishment treat women. Well done for sticking to your guns op. The pill works by disrupting one's hormones, of course it affects mood.

I was told that too! Oh no it doesn’t make you gain weight but it can increase your appetite - just piss off.

I agree, another person here who found the pill made me depressed and have suicidal thoughts. I stopped taking it 13 years ago. Much better now!

It's not the same thing at all. I'll explain it for you.

Drugs that cause increased appetite - you feel more hungry so you choose to eat more to satisfy that hunger, so you gain weight.
Drugs that cause weight gain - you eat the exact same amount as you used to, but the drug makes you gain weight.

Thanks for being just as patronising as the GP I was complaining about 🙄 the end result is the same, especially if it’s not pointed out as a side effect.

Interesting another poster said mirena caused thrush…

I had my old gp tell me till she was blue in the face that it the sudden onset of constant thrush was nothing to do with the mirena. I had constant spotting too which may have contributed,

She insisted I gave it 12 months. By month 5 I was on the mini pill in addition, antihistamines and weekly oral anti-fungal medications. It was a constant battle- which I was loosing.

By month 10 I said enough, take it out NOW.

Thrush disappeared.

Nope, no connection there at all.

Are you taking the piss?