WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for January, 1998: Re: depression and estrogen/ progesterone ortho tricyclin birth control pills

Re: depression and estrogen/ progesterone ortho tricyclin birth control pills

From: Kelly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 8 Jan 1998 21:40:50 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: e: "depression and estrogen/ progesterone ortho tricyclin birth control pills"

At Thu, 8 Jan 1998, e wrote: >
>I have recently started treatment for depression that became much more
>serious one month after i began taking birth control pills in january of
>last year. depression is a listed side effect; i am wondering if anyone
>can tell me more about the relation between progesterone, estrogen, and
>depression- specifically, chemically, what is the relation between the
>two?

Progesterone, in some people, seems to exacerbate moodiness and depression. The exact mechanism is not known.

also, are there other alternatives to treating my depression other >than going on anti-depressants; for example; should i try taking other
>types of pills with different ratio of estrogen and progesterone, or use
>another type of contraceptive altogether.

Sure, try another pill -- all oral contraceptives (with the exception of Micronor, which doesn not have any estrogen) have teh same estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), but the progestin component differs. A different progestin may help. If not, I'd suggest a non-hormonal method of contraception like condoms, diaphragm or IUD.

Also, given that this onset >of depression may have been caused by birth control pills, are there
>specific antidepressants that will be more effective than others?

Didn't you say you were depressed before the pill, but it got worse? I don't think one type of antidepressant works better than another if you have depression exacerbated by the pill. And, >does this side effect, like others, go away with time?

If it's just moodiness, rathre than depression, it may get better, but usually side effects that you have initially (nausea, breast tenderness, headaches) improve after teh first couple of months on the pill.

--
Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.
Sorry, but private e-mails will not be answered.

Next message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: Toxoplasmosis"
Previous message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: Cyclokapron (transexamic acid) as a treatment fo menorrhagia"
In reply to: e: "depression and estrogen/ progesterone ortho tricyclin birth control pills"

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