Do you think the mini pill can make you depressed?

[MaryPoppinsPenguins]

I've always been rubbish at taking my pill... it was really hard for me to conceive so I've never been that religious about taking it... my my periods were driving me crazy and anytime I go on holiday there it is without fail. So I went on the mini pill about a month ago and have taken it perfectly.

I feel like shit. I had a huge falling out with oldest friend a few months ago and although it was sad, I felt like it was just a blip and we'd work it out.... but these past few days it's been weighing heavily on me like a fog, and I just feel so teary. My DD2 is challenging at the best of times... and even started school this week so she's not even been here all day... but I've really shouted at her tonight for hitting me in the face (and caught my eye) and just burst into tears and I'm really not like that.

Even my DD1, who is an absolute angel and does nothing wrong, is just making me anxious. I'm looking at her and thinking about her life and school bullies and how hard everything is.

And I feel so exhausted doing anything.... it's such a chore to make dinner or tidy up.

I think the only thing that has changed is the pill. Please tell me I feel this way because if this...

Yes, definitely. I went on it after DC3 and I could only cope with three weeks of it. I spent two of those weeks staring at the kitchen table, which wasn't ideal as I had a newborn, a toddler and an older dc.

I told the doctor and she said, yes, depression is a known side effect. In the end I got the copper coil.

Sorry you're feeling so shit OP

Could well be caused by (or exacerbated by) the mini pill, yes. I've tried three different mini pills and they have all made me horrendously anxious and shaky.... Artificial progesterone clearly does not agree with me.

If I were you I'd go back to the GP and discuss things. You clearly do have a lot on your plate at the moment though, so don't be too quick to blame the mini pill for everything. If your DD's behaviour is challenging, do you have someone to help you? A partner? (Assume you're using the mini pill for contraception rather than just controlling your cycle? - sorry if this is too nosy!). And falling out with a good friend is a horrible thing to go through, whether or not you have hormones disrupting you....

Absolutely. I went from perfectly normal to having suicidal thoughts and wanting to self-harm after less that a fortnight on Cerazette, and I know quite a few other people who have had similar experiences. My reaction was so dramatic that it was quite obviously caused by the pill, so in that I was quite lucky.

Yep. I tried to kill myself twice on it. Came off and the fog lifted.

Oh god yes, Cerazette was the worst one for me too. It was horrendous, I was constantly shaky and terrified and thought I was losing my mind. I now need HRT but can't bring myself to start taking the tablets after my mini pill experience.

Yes. Dreadful dreadful depression. Lifted completely when I switched to the combined pill after about a week.

Yes, I have a DH and he's amazing. My DD2 has a neurological disorder so she's always hard work but actually has got better and better over the past 12 months. We've been in much darker places than this with her and my DH can't understand why I'm so sad. And actually, neither can I. (Except this brainwave and thread!)

Thanks everyone... I'll see the GP. I hate having periods... so painful and debilitating. I thought this pill was going to be the best thing ever

Yes, I personally use to get so down when I was on the pill, quite depressed at times. Stopped taking it 7 odd years ago and would never go back on to any pill now. My hormones are a lot better balanced and I feel like myself.

I lasted two months on the mini pill. It made me paranoid and depressed. Within three days of stopping it I felt so much better. If I had stayed on it then I would have ended up splitting up with my partner, it was horrific. I wouldn't recommend it to any one.

Definitely. Go back to the gp and get something else.