What Are Some Natural Remedies For Mood Swings During Menstruation
Some research has linked taking a calcium supplement or increasing calcium intake through food with decreased or improved PMS-related mood swings.
However, it can take several cycles for levels to build up in your body to have an impact. Regular exercise, resisting too much junk food, and getting quality sleep may also help.
How Will It Affect Any Preexisting Conditions
If you have any preexisting conditions, youll want to talk with a healthcare professional about how different birth control might impact your condition or any medications you take.
This is especially important if you have a history of depression, PMS, PMDD, or another mood disorder, since some people have reported a worsening of symptoms after starting hormonal contraceptives.
A good place to start is with your healthcare professional, if you already have one you like.
You have other options, too:
First Are Birth Control Pills Really Safe
Women have become much savvier about artificial hormones since the Womens Health Initiative shed light on the risks of synthetic hormone replacement therapy . What many women dont realize is that the Pill has higher amounts of synthetic hormones than HRT up to twice as much, depending on the brand.
On balance, the Pill has a better safety record than many prescription drugs. But there are inherent risks with all drugs. While there is little data showing a connection between birth control pills and breast cancer risk, some women metabolize hormones differently. Risk of long-term use of birth control pills is unclear for these women. There may also be an increased risk of cervical and liver cancer. For some women over 35, the Pill may increase risk factors for blood clotting, cardiovascular disease, and liver, kidney or adrenal disease. It can also cause or worsen symptoms of hormonal imbalance: fluid retention, headaches, loss of sexual desire, breast tenderness, PMS, irregular bleeding, depression, and hair loss.
Many of the risks associated with the Pill have been linked to smoking, and other pre-existing conditions. It is important to always discuss the pros and cons of any prescription drug you are considering or taking with your healthcare practitioner, so you fully understand all the benefits and risks.
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How Can I Prevent Birth Control Side Effects
Its true that hormonal birth control prevents unwanted pregnancy. But unfortunately, its also true these contraceptive methods can come with unwanted side effects, like spotting, weight gain, and nausea.
At Kelly Morales, OB/GYN, our womens health specialist, Dr. Morales, understands how these unpleasant side effects can make you second guess your choice of contraception. But instead of throwing in the towel when it comes to hormonal birth control, try our top tips for preventing their troublesome side effects instead.
What Are Birth Control Pills And How Do They Work
Birth control pills contain hormones that prevent a woman from becoming pregnant. These pills are to be taken every day in order to work effectively.
There are two types of birth control pills: the combination pill and the progestin-only pill. As the names imply, the combination pill uses a combination of estrogen and progesterone hormones, while the progestin-only pill only contains progesterone.
While these pills have a difference in hormones, they both work very similarly.
Both pills thicken the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg. Furthermore, they also make the uterine lining thinner. This makes it more difficult for a fertilized egg to latch on to the uterus which is necessary for a pregnancy to occur.
The combination pills main function is to prevent ovulation from occurring. In other words, it stops the release of an egg. With no egg for sperm to fertilize, its impossible for a pregnancy to take place.
Similarly, the progestin-only pill also prevents ovulation from occurring. However, according to WebMD, it doesnt block the release of an egg as effectively as the combination pill does. This is because it contains progesterone at a lower dose. This is why the progestin-only pill is also called the mini-pill.
Having said this, the progestin-only pill is still effective at preventing a pregnancy from occurring. However, its imperative to never miss a dose and always take the dose at the same time every day.
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Why Does My Period Give Me Mood Swings
Mood swings can occur due to hormonal fluctuations throughout your cycle. Estrogen and progesterone drop when your body releases its egg during ovulation, and this can impact your serotonin levels, which play a role in your emotional and mental health.
Different people have different sensitivities to hormonal fluctuation and levels of serotonin, so some may experience more severe mood swings than others.
Is It Ok To Take Other Drugs While Taking Birth Control Pills
Some drugs, including antibiotics and anti-seizure meds, can make birth control pills less effective. Some herbal supplements like St. Johnâs wort and some drugs used to treat HIV can also affect how well your pills work.
Tell your doctor about all medications, over-the-counter agents, herbs, and recreational drugs that you take. They can tell you about any possible effects on the pill.
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Fatigue And Sleep Patterns Whats The Link
Research shows insomnia affects between 6% to 9.5% of adults, but theres not a clearcut link between sleep problems, and fatigue. Studies do suggest that sleep quality, duration and number of awakenings can worsen fatigue. However, mental and physical health also have a considerable influence on fatigue.
Are There Any Other Causes To Be Aware Of
A number of conditions can cause fatigue.
Nutrient deficiencies that have nothing to do with your birth control can result in excessive tiredness. Iron deficiency anemia is a common example.
An underactive thyroid can also leave you feeling more tired than usual.
Other
Mental health issues are another potential cause of fatigue.
Depression and anxiety can deplete your energy levels and affect your sleeping pattern by making it more difficult to sleep or forcing you to oversleep.
The way you live your life can even have an impact on your tiredness levels.
If youre excessively consuming alcohol or eating unhealthily, you may feel fatigued.
Too much or too little exercise can also have a damaging effect, along with high levels of stress.
Taking hormonal birth control comes with a lot of positives. It prevents pregnancy. It can help regulate your period. And, when used correctly, hormonal birth control is up to 99.9% effective. But birth control is just like any other medication in that it comes with potential side effects. Fatigue is just one of them.
Research on whether hormonal birth control can really make you tired is limited and conflicting. In this article, the reasons for fatigue related to your monthly cycle will be explored, as well as other potential reasons for tiredness that you should speak to your doctor about.
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If The Pill Is The Problem Why
Here are a few theories for why birth control can make you feel tired:
- Hormonal contraceptives are associated with a diagnosis of depression and antidepressant use. Depression often causes sleep disturbances and low energy.
- Combined oral contraceptives lower testosterone levels. Lower testosterone could explain lower energy levels.
- Women with diabetes may experience hyperglycemia when they start the pill, making them feel excessively sleepy.
- Birth control pills can affect levels of micronutrients like folate, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12. Long-term nutrient deficits could have a number of health consequences.
The list of lifestyle factors and ailments that can cause fatigue is absolutely endless. Is it stress? Chronic pain? Drug and alcohol use? Too much or too little exercise?
You and your health care provider should be able to figure out the most likely culprit together.
Here are 10 medical conditions to watch out for if youre feeling unusually tired:
Spotting Or Heavier Flow
If your pill, patch or ring worked perfectly, your periods were regular with a medium flow and you had no spotting at other times of the month.
It’s a whole new ball game now that you’re going off birth control. You may spot a bit when you ovulate and perhaps again just before your period officially arrives. And that period may hit with fuller force post-pill, -patch or -ring, since hormonal contraceptives may help keep your menstruation more regular, lighter and shorter. Be prepared with super tampons or pads at least until you conceive.
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How To Take It
The minipill comes in a pack of 28. Unlike combination birth control pills, thereâs no row of inactive, or placebo, pills. Itâs important to take the minipill every day and at the same time each day. Your body clears progestin more quickly than the hormones in combination birth control pills. If you take the minipill more than 3 hours outside of your usual time, it may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. If you miss the 3-hour window, use a condom or don’t have sex for the next 2 days.
If you forget to take a pill, take one as soon as you remember. That may mean you take two pills in one day. Take them a few hours apart. Then take the next pill at your regular time.
When you first start the minipill, take it within 5 days of when your period starts. It takes time for the minipill to work. Use a condom every time you have sex in the first week after you start the minipill.
You Suddenly Feel Sad
“There is one side effect that I always discontinue treatment on seeing: blue moods, emptiness, sadness, bouts of crying, and depression,” says cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Sonam Yadav, who treats women with Polycystic Ovarian Disease. “PCOD is linked with depression and the pills may just precipitate that.” Even if you don’t have PCOD, it is possible to experience mood swings or sadness. Switching to a birth control method with no hormones may be just what you need.
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Do Antidepressants Such As Lexapro Affect Birth Control
No, antidepressants such as Lexapro do not affect birth control. However, if you are taking any other medication, it is critical you talk to your doctor before starting birth control to avoid any negative reactions.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
For a person to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, their fears must be considered out-of-proportion to the situation, not age-appropriate, and also impair the persons ability to function normally. There are many different types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Agoraphobia
Anxiety disorders are incredibly common and will affect up to 30% of all U.S. adults at some point in their lives. Though anxiety disorders are common and often debilitating, they are highly treatable. A combination of medication and talking therapy can go a long way to treating most cases of anxiety. Medications commonly used to treat depression, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, are also used to treat anxiety disorders.
Pill Raises A Protein Called Cortisol
Another reason that you experience fatigue after stopping birth control is that birth control raises cortisol-binding globulin. Cortisol-binding globulin is a protein that regulates cortisol levels and can secrete more or less of it depending on the situation. In elevated levels, the CBG can hold a storage of cortisol that will release in high amounts during inflammation. Birth control has been shown to increase CBG to have this high-stress effect. As mentioned, the stress response can cause the fatigue after stopping birth control.
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Contraceptive Methods: Key Considerations
Three main considerations commonly arise in discussions of contraceptive methods: method safety and contraindications, failure rates, and return to fertility.
An important source for data about method safety comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use ,8 which categorizes the safety of contraceptive methods in accordance with the specific health concerns of patients . In this article well highlight the common contraindications and drug interactions categorized as U.S. MEC 4: A condition that represents an unacceptable health risk if the contraceptive method is used.8 We recommend that readers familiarize themselves with the U.S. MEC, which includes a comprehensive list of such conditions its available free online and as an app.
How To Stop Taking Non
Hormone-free birth control options dont affect your bodys hormone signals or stop you from ovulating, so theres not much to consider when deciding to stop in terms of getting pregnant.
If youre using a copper IUD, youll have to have that removed by your OB/GYN. Once the IUD is removed, you can start trying to get pregnant with your next cycle.
As for other methods like condoms or barriers? Since they only work to block sperm while youre using them, its possible to get pregnant any time theyre not used.
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Abdominal Or Fertility Massage
Across the board, massage therapy is one of the most supportive ways you can support the body in healing. More specifically fertility or abdominal massage focuses specifically on the reproductive system, helping to promote ovulation, support communication with the endocrine system, improve circulation to the uterus and ovaries it also supports the body in ridding it of those excess toxins and hormones. This type of massage is a great way to be directly connected to healing your fertility. You can find a practitioner who specializes in fertility or abdominal massage or you can learn how to do this massage for yourself with the Self Fertility Massage method.
Circulatory massage is the most common healing method used for enhancing the proper flow of blood through the entire body and providing relaxation to the various muscles. ~ Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
What Can You Do To Help Manage It
Sometimes, a birth control side effect will go away by itself.
It may take a few weeks or even a few months and then improve as your body gets used to your method, Irobunda notes.
While your body is adjusting, make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and staying hydrated, she adds.
Jamil advises taking supplements of vitamins B-5, B-6, B-12, and C, as well as magnesium.
Any time you start feeling different, you should track your symptoms and how they affect your day-to-day life.
When it comes to fatigue, book a doctors appointment if the tiredness persists.
Show them your symptom diary and be honest about your lifestyle and previous health history.
If you think your fatigue is related to birth control, tell your doctor.
Theyll take this into account and test for any other issues that could be causing you to feel tired.
This may involve discussions about your dietary and exercise habits, as well as blood tests to check for the likes of deficiencies.
Medication may be recommended for thyroid or mental health conditions, and nutritional supplements may be advised if youre lacking in a particular area.
If you and your doctor are struggling to find the cause of your tiredness, Consider switching to a different form of birth control to see if your fatigue improves, Irobunda says.
Changing your contraceptive may help, and it may not.
Always consult with your doctor before making any birth control-related decision.
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What Can You Do About Your Anxiety
Whether you think your current birth control is contributing to your anxiety, or you want to explore how to use birth control to stabilize your hormones, Pandia Health is here to help.
If you are experiencing anxiety, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor as soon as possible to discuss what your options are, and what may be causing your anxiety. Before prescribing talking therapy or medications, your doctor may suggest changing your birth control.
If your doctor is not a birth control expert, Pandia Health is here to help. Our expert birth control doctors are available to prescribe the best birth control for you and its so easy to get started.
At Pandia Health, we take pride in prescribing birth control based on several factors, including age, ethnicity, BMI, and general health including mental health.
All these factors can influence your bodys reaction to birth control, which your doctor will consider when reviewing the best options for you. With just one $20 payment a year, you can get access to our expert doctors for 364 days.
If you suspect your current prescription could be causing you anxiety, get in touch to change your birth control today!
What Contraceptives Are Recommended To Women Who Are Prone To Anxiety
TL DR: Women who have anxiety and depression can use all forms of contraception. Each woman is different and will have a unique response to hormones.
Cooper IUD, implants condoms
No formal connection between the use of non-hormonal methods of birth control such as the copper IUD or condoms and increased risk of depression and anxiety has been made. However, some women who use the copper IUD have anecdotally reported copper toxicity, with symptoms of brain fog and fatigue, decreased energy, and increased levels of depression and irritability which have been resolved once the copper IUD has been removed.
IUDs and implants are long-acting, reversible birth control methods that can be removed when a woman wishes to become pregnant. IUDs and implants are also relatively easy to remove in case a woman has an adverse reaction to the hormones present. The copper IUD does not use hormones and is effective for up to 10 years.
Progestin-only
Existing research is mixed on progestin-only methods such as theIUDwith hormone, implant, andprogestin-only pills.
A2018 review of 26 studies concluded there was no increase in depression with progestin-only contraceptives.
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