Posted by metalflipflop on December 8, 2003, at 9:58:22
In reply to Bipolar and birth control pills, posted by sac on December 8, 2003, at 8:30:58
i have tried about 6 different brands of bcp's (yasmin, mircette, allesse, estrostep, loestrin, the nuva ring), all causing similar worsening of mood--crying a lot, feeling unstable, cycling more dramatically. i had the same reaction when my doc gave me 5 days of progesterone to induce a normal period. i have finally come to the conclusion that my body just cannot take hormones. it's a real shame, as non-hormonal contraceptive options are completely sub-standard. i am thinking of getting a copper iud, though i am still undecided due to risks of greater bleeding and cramps, and infection.
one option you could look into though, if you would like to give hormones another go, is the mirena iud. unlike the older copper iud, it is plastic and releases a small amount of progestin which can help with period problems. as the hormone is so localized, it is less likely to cause the mood-related side effects that plague people like us. i'd say it's your best bet.
i think i have given up on the hormones though, b/c i just value my stability so much and don't want to upset what seems to be a delicate balance lately. there is just so much that science doesn't know about all this.
best of luck.
liz
poster:metalflipflop
thread:287630
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031208/msgs/287662.html