I use the Nuva Ring, which is a rubber ring like a jelly bracelet that you insert in your vagina and leave it in for three weeks, then remove for a week when you'll have your period. (very convienient for people who forget to take the pill, actually) I seem to feel like my chest hurts when I first insert the ring (when the hormones are strongest) and i feel jittery. Anyone else associate? By the way, thank you so much for all the replys to my first message...what a relief to know that im not ALONE!!!
Yeah, progesterone tends to give a calming effect and too much estrogen makes one more high strung or anxious.
I'm not saying all birth control can do this-- The pill that did this to me was a "life saver" to my good friend. We all have different chemistry and reactions.
I used to be on a progesterone only pill (POP) and came off it about 6 months ago. Since then my panic attacks have become more frequent. Also I have been more hormonal. Maybe it too has something to do with less progesterone and more oestrogen whizzing around my body. But I can't say for sure.
Samantha,
Many healthcare professionals believe the mood changes associated with oral contraceptives have to do with the changes in our hormones. These changes can depend on the type of birth control you are on. Please visit your doctor for further medical advice.
Great post!
Melanie
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The Panic Center Support Team
Edited on 1/24/2005 @ 11:00:50 AM by The Support Team
Hi there,
I recently posed this question to my doc and my pharmacist. He said that it can affect anxiety because of the effect it has on your hormones. Hormones play a part in this because of the changes you go through before and during your time of the month. I find just before my time i get worse anxiety, that is also when I stop taking the pill for a week. The changes affect you. It doesn't necessarily aggrevate it, sometimes it actually helps because it helps regulate your hormones. I am convinced this is why women are 2 times as likely to have panic and anxiety as men...our hormones are our main difference.
Really that is odd, cause i have been on the pill for over 6 years and nothing ever happened to me with different emotions. Huhhh now i will have to ask my gyno when i go see him...
I'm really surprised to hear that the pharmacist told you "no." I don't believe that was an accurate answer.. Obviously it doesn't cause anxiety or panic attacks in all women, but it most definitely can in some. My doctor has told me this and also my cousin who is a pharmacist.
The pill is a synthetic hormone; estrogen. Estrogen has been known to cause anxiety, anger, etc..
I know I took the pill for two years and my husband noticed a huge difference in my demeanor while on it, compared to while off of it.
I seemed to always be on the 'edge' when on it. I really did think I was losing it (and this was before I had panic attacks!).
O my gosh that is so funny you asked about birth control and panic attacks because i asked the pharm. the other day if my pills could be the factor with the panic and all the hormones and they actaully told me No. But that just made me laugh cause someone else was wondering the same thing LOL.
:)
