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Depression and progesterone?

9 replies

mechanicalpencil · 29/09/2025 21:53

Depression has significantly worsened recently and realise it coincides with starting progesterone only pill… ( to help with hormonal migraine).

Could there be a connection?

I am 47.

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LittleJustice · 29/09/2025 21:56

Very definitely, progesterone really interferes with my mental health and I had to have the mirena taken out because I was just not myself at all. I have never felt so bad and as soon as it was taken out I reverted to my normal self.

mechanicalpencil · 29/09/2025 22:15

Thank you.

Today has been so bleak.

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LittleJustice · 29/09/2025 22:18

I'm so sorry. It is annoying I have always reacted really strongly to Progesterone. And I know that if I went on HRT I would have to take it unfortunately 😔

I'd perhaps see if there is something else you can take instead.

AnOldCynic · 29/09/2025 22:20

@LittleJustice did you gave the Mirena for contraceptive or HRT purposes?

NeonSigns · 30/09/2025 06:36

Yes definitely I eventually stopped hormonal contraceptives due to this . But the migraines did return.

I have found sequential HRT really good for migraine. The bio identical progesterone doesn't seem to give me that awful flat low feeling I got from the mini pill.

mechanicalpencil · 30/09/2025 08:39

Thank you @NeonSigns , I haven’t heard of sequentially hurt, I will look into it.

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mechanicalpencil · 30/09/2025 08:46

It’s interesting to hear other experiences. It had passed through my mind a few times but dismissed it as I have a lot going on in my life right now and put it down to that. But yesterday was so very very tough, I can’t explain it, but feelings were so dark and utterly miserable. Realised i have in fact been feeling this way for a while now, since I started the pill back in spring.

It hasn’t really helped my migraine anyway so time to come off it.

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NeonSigns · 01/10/2025 11:44

If you search there's a lot of anecdotal stuff on negative side effects from the pill. Depression, loss of libido etc. Hopefully it will help to know you're far from alone in your experiences!

It's a different thread really, but I really believe lack of progression in contraceptive medicine is a minor medical scandal. Our culture would never tolerate this for men but has no issues with women feeling rubbish and having no sexual desire.

Good luck coming off. I found i actually wanted to embrace and enjoy the highs and lows of my natural cycle when I did.

mechanicalpencil · 03/10/2025 10:30

NeonSigns · 01/10/2025 11:44

If you search there's a lot of anecdotal stuff on negative side effects from the pill. Depression, loss of libido etc. Hopefully it will help to know you're far from alone in your experiences!

It's a different thread really, but I really believe lack of progression in contraceptive medicine is a minor medical scandal. Our culture would never tolerate this for men but has no issues with women feeling rubbish and having no sexual desire.

Good luck coming off. I found i actually wanted to embrace and enjoy the highs and lows of my natural cycle when I did.

@NeonSigns thank you for this, very interesting, I hadn’t thought about it before but yes, you are absolutely right. Have been doing a fair bit of research and so many women out there, feeling awful month in month out.

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