Expert: Diane Cheryl - 4/10/2007

Question
Hi Diane,
I'm having a dilemma, which I hope is fixable.  I got engaged in September, and started taking the pill in early December.  Before I started taking the pill, I had a very high sex drive, which was lots of fun.  But on the pill, YAZ, it went down to almost nothing by February (1 month before our wedding.  Note: we're both virgins, oh the irony) and so I switched to LoEstrin24 Fe.  Not only did my libido go into hiding further, but I also got a fun bout of mood swings, anxiety and depression (this showed up on day 4 of the honeymoon.  My husband was thrilled).  Anyway, I went off of them the next week.  It's been about 2.5 weeks since I discontinued them and though I feel more receptive to sex and my mood is back to my happy normal, I don't feel like I did back in November.  I love my husband, and he's hot!  But.. my body's not.  What's going on?  I read about those evil SHBGs and how they can stick around, but I thought that was just for long time users.  Do I just need to give it more time?  What's up?  
Thanks for your attention to my question.  :)
Tiffany  

Answer
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for your question. I'm not a medical doctor so I always suggest that you check with your physician. Yes, the pill (any kind) can cause hormonal swings. As you have experienced, there are other side effects such as anxiety, depression and other problems. I would suggest that you give yourself some more time to let the hormones go out of your body. Are you going to use any birth control method? I suggest Natural Family Planning. Please check with your doctor and let me know what happens.
Diane Cheryl
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com