Posts by quietdriver4

I’ve already posted here about my experiences with the pill, but now I find myself needing another perspective.

So, last Friday, I went to see my OB-GYN. I specifically scheduled this appointment to have a serious talk with her about stopping my birth control—basically to make her realize that I just don't want to be on them anymore. To put it bluntly, they make me feel terrible, and after doing some digging, I’ve developed a massive distaste for the whole idea of consuming them. I’ve started working out more consistently and have switched entirely to a whole-foods diet, even diving into keto because so many women I know swear by it for fixing hormonal imbalances and PCOS. My doctor actually confirmed that diagnosis during my exam and even gave me a nod of approval for sticking to the diet, which was a big deal considering how ice-cold she usually is... 😉 .

BUT, there's always a "but"... 😢 She told me straight up that she doesn't plan on letting me come off the pill and insisted I keep taking them. Obviously, she can't actually force me, but she managed to completely undermine my confidence in the decision I walked in with. According to her, my reasons aren't "strong enough" to justify stopping.

So, I’m wondering... what actually counts as a "good enough" reason to stop, assuming there isn't some catastrophic medical emergency? The side effects I'm currently dealing with are scary enough, but the thought that things could potentially get worse is even scarier. Plus, I really dislike the idea of constantly pumping this much synthetic chemistry into my body. I have this deep desire to actually solve the underlying issue rather than just using medication to mask the symptoms and push them to the sidelines.

I just sat through this for the first time recently. It genuinely moved me, but I find myself agreeing with one of the ladies on this forum earlier—I wish they had made the ending a bit more "serious." Not that I'd want to strip away that sense of humor they managed to weave in, but you know, it would have provided that certain weight you typically expect from mystery films and such...

quietfox384 said:Psychological side effects can sometimes crop up when you first start on birth control—your body often needs a little window of time to adjust to the new hormones.
However, six months is a long time to be feeling this way—honestly, I think it might be time to step away from them altogether.
Especially since this isn't even your first time trying pills, right?
I don't know the specifics of why you need them, but reading through your experience, it just doesn't seem worth the mental toll it's taking on you.
It sounds like your gynecologist has been pretty incompetent here—they really should have sat down with you to discuss next steps, ordered some tests, and helped find a better alternative.
Maybe you could try something milder, like calming herbal teas, just to take the edge off—though I suppose I can't say for sure if they'll actually help or what's safe for you to take without medical advice.

The most ridiculous part is that my gynecologist is supposedly the best in my entire county. Every time I remember that, it genuinely terrifies me to think about how bad the others must be.
Regarding why I have to stay on them... well, I basically have to take her word for it. She claims my blood work was a complete disaster before I started, and that my ovaries were in really poor shape—my periods used to be late by months at a time. She insists we have to fix this because my grandmother dealt with severe gynecological issues and had to undergo two major surgeries. According to her, if I didn't get things back under control, there's a high chance I'd face the exact same fate. So, that's why I'm putting up with all these side effects. Actually, the psychological stuff is the only real issue I've had; I've read about endless lists of side effects, but nothing else has hit me so far.

Michael Palmer4, I honestly think you should seek out a second opinion. I can't really offer much advice because your situation is quite complicated; perhaps finding someone who has dealt with a case similar to yours would be more helpful... In any case, unfortunately, sometimes you have to navigate through a whole revolving door of doctors just to find one who actually has the will to properly address a patient's case and resolve things correctly.

In the worst-case scenario, your remaining option is seeing a private specialist. I know it’s expensive, but considering you've barely survived two bouts of sepsis, I imagine you realize that any price is worth it if it solves your problem and allows you to live a normal life.

If you feel like a mild depression is setting in (I have some experience with that myself 😢), you might try going for a walk to boost your energy a bit, having some tea to calm your nerves, or simply creating a peaceful atmosphere to watch a movie or read a book 🙂

Hey ladies!
About three years ago, I started taking some birth control pills strictly because of certain health and gynecological issues (honestly, I can't even remember the exact names anymore). They actually helped with everything that was going wrong physically, but they completely messed with my mood... I just felt depressed most of the time. I’d find myself crying over absolutely nothing on a regular basis. After begging my OB-GYN and spending months convincing her that I needed a change, she switched me over to what I'm on now, Diane 35. But honestly? Things have gone from bad to worse. These pills have absolutely destroyed me mentally... My doctor says I shouldn't switch again so soon, even though I've been on them for over six months now. I've fallen into such a deep depression that it's almost hard to believe...

And it isn't just the depression; it feels like nothing brings me joy anymore. I end up crying at least three or four times a month—not even counting PMS, haha—because my mental state has turned me into this paranoid person. Every time I talk to anyone, I take things way too personally, misinterpreting everything, and then I just break down crying, thinking everyone hates me and feeling like I've just had enough of everything. Between that and some ongoing family issues, resisting this mental downward spiral is becoming impossible...

I can't just stop taking the pills because my cycle was in a really bad state, and given my family medical history, I had to get things under control immediately. I still remember who I used to be... someone cheerful and full of life. Even with all the drama at home, I was always smiling and looking for solutions. Now, all the hobbies I used to love just feel like a chore, like they're just wasting time that I could spend feeding these "dark thoughts" that have taken over my brain... I don't even know where to start to find the will to change. Today was just one of those days, which is probably why I felt compelled to write this post. I was talking to my boyfriend on the phone this afternoon, and when he mentioned he was grabbing coffee with a friend after work and we’d talk later, I spent the entire afternoon spiraling, convinced he was planning to leave me the second he said it. If I had called him yesterday when I was actually feeling okay, I wouldn't have thought twice about it; I would have known it's perfectly normal to not spend an hour on the phone with your partner when you're out with friends. These mood swings happen overnight... they turn me into a completely different person. I try to hide it from everyone as much as possible because I'm terrified of pushing people away with how I'm acting...

Has anyone else experienced this kind of sudden personality shift due to hormonal contraceptives? Has anyone found an alternative that worked, or does anyone have advice on how to find my "old self" again?
Thanks in advance to everyone... any message at all is welcome, and I'm sure it'll help brighten up these dark days just a little bit... 🙂