The pill is making me moody and depressed

[frogspoon]

I've been taking the pill (for painful periods) for about 7 weeks, and its making me moody.

I was originally on microgynon, but stopped taking it after just over a month due to bad side effects (headaches, painful breasts, moodiness)

I've been on mercilon for less than 2 weeks, and although the headaches have gone, I'm still really moody and feeling down.

I have a history of depression but I'm not on any medication at the moment and am trying hard not to go back on it.

I'm not really sure what to do.

I have a miserable time on the pill, inc. progesterone only. However, the patch was great. Most of my GPs were hesitate to prescribe it due to the cost (it's much more expensive to the NHS, I believe), but one did citing how great they thought it was and as it was on repeat I continued to get it. Had no problems with it - can no longer use them (own medical reasons) but if I could I'd be getting a new script tomorrow!

Thanks for the advice. Neither of the pills I have tried are progesterone only.

I've never really thought about the patch, but having just looked into it I don't think it would be suitable for a couple of reasons:

1. I tend to fiddle with things e.g. I fiddle with plasters and pull them off before they are ready to come off. I would likely do the same with a sticky patch!

1. I am a secondary school teacher, and therefore don't want my contraception to be visible, my private life is not my students' business!

I am going to see my GP and look into other pills/ methods, as what I am taking at the moment really isn't working.

Just to say, you kind of forget the patch is there and it doesn't have to be visible - I used to go for various areas on my thighs and lower back/upper backside (one of those, can't remember exactly).

Also I've had a lot of friends on the pill and everyone had issues with microgynon and most didn't find one until at least 3 or 4 types into trying them. After looking into it we realised that usually the cheapest one was prescribed and then the GP went from there, with many of us faring better on the more expensive versions. My current GP put it like this - for many doctors, a success is doing what the medication aims to do (eg prevent pregnancy), not whether the medication does other stuff too that is unwanted (eg weight gain, heavy bleeding, mood swings).

Hope you can find one that works for you!

I've just come off the patch. Had been on it 3 years and (for various reasons) decided to take a break for a couple of months.

I lost about 6 pounds without trying after coming off it, and felt really happy and energised.

Went back on it about 6 weeks later and felt miserable, hungry and bloated.

I just don't get on with hormonal contraception (have been on pill, mini pill, depo and the implant in the past).

Am now on the waiting list for a copper coil, but ultimate plan is for DH to have the snip.