I went off the pill more than 10 years ago after being initially prescribed it for my skin when I was a teen. It was the best decision I ever made. I have not been on any other form of birth control since, which means I have to be very careful in sex. I now have two kids, and it’s my partner who has to get the snip if we want to continue having any form of a sex life.
My journey with the pill is pretty fucked. Started on levlin to deal with debilitating period pain, this gave me huge boobs that would "go away when I went off the pill" - they never did, Im planning reduction surgery for next year. Then onto Yasmine that did what Yaz did for you and made me suicidal 2 x a month. When I finally realised it was the pill doing that, my saviour was Yaz. I was on it for 10 years and was mostly ok. It's crazy that one pill can have such opposite effects in different people.
When I went off Yaz, I realised it had been helping me mask PMDD symptoms and the recommended solution was to go back on it but I opted for SSRIs instead.
Now I have an IUD and it seems fine, but not great. I just don't feel like there are a lot of options - or the many options given are like "try it and we'll see what happens!" I've seriously thought about a hysterectomy given that I dont want more kids and this would solve my PMDD but it would also mean going through menopause (side note: if anyone is in need of a healthy uterus, happy to donate mine... not even kidding).
This is insane how similar this is to my experience!! Levlin when I was 14 the Yasmin now YAZ, which is treating my PMDD and Sertraline SSRI’s. I want so badly to go off contraceptive but am so scared of experiencing the monthly suicidal feelings again.
I also want to get a hysterectomy but have heard menopause is worse the younger it happens to you and is also worse for people with PMDD sooo seems like there is no winning here!!
Anyway it’s validating to hear someone else has had a similar experience. I hope you find a helpful solution soon!!
Thank you for writing about this - I have suffered from extremely painful periods for most of my adult life and have been given contraception for this multiple times (actually, I was prescribed Yaz when I went in for an ear infection...). Each time within six or so months I have suicidal ideations almost entirely unprompted. Although my pain symptoms diminish, the ramifications on my mental health are enough to get me off the pill again - rock/ hard place. I have a propensity for depression as it is, it's in my genes, in my constitution, and on my health records in accessing psychologist rebates. Yet none of my doctors considered this risk when prescribing me contraception. And we wonder how non-males become disillusioned with healthcare and start seeking advice from quasi health-practitioners. Dr Ian Hickie did a great bit on depression and touches on the importance of oestrogen for womens moods and I've since gone down many rabbit holes ofc, will link below if anyone wants a listen.
Just a thought after reading a lot of these comments, especially from the younger folk: please still use condoms even if you're on the pill!
All the methods discussed here (pill, iud, nuva ring, Implanon) do not protect against STIs. So if you're young and sleeping with lots of people or new people (as you should be!) and worried about putting hormones in your body, you should def be using condoms anyway <3
I've had similar experiences with the pill and also gut issues. I did well on Zoely for unbearable Endometriosis pain before surgery a few years ago. It is a private script and has a natural version of progesterone, however, it numbed my emotions.
I know women who cycle manage and do not fall pregnant. I am one of these women however I am rarely sexually active due to Endometriosis and other illness. I stick to the first week of my period. We can technically only have a high risk of falling pregnant 2 weeks of every month, this information is controversial and I recommend doing your own research and speaking to a good GP.
This is a great article Hannah. It's a topic that I've been reading a lot about lately, my husband and I decided we were ready to get pregnant last year so I went off the pill - and no pregnancy yet. Turns out there is evidence that your fertility is diminished in the 6+ months coming off the pill, not to mention your nutrient levels. It's absolutely shocking that this isn't discussed when it's prescribed!
After being on the pill for the better part of 20 years … I cannot recommend a Mirena enough! No notes. It’s been amazing for me, I recommend it to everyone who’ll listen. I know everyone has their own experiences and it’s not for everyone but for me, so periods, no side effects… it’s a dream!
This is such important information! I'd highly recommend "Inferior" by Angela Saini regarding scientific research biases around hormones and contraception trials, and "Period Queen" by Lucy Peach which feels like your favourite big sister giving you the best sex-ed and period health chat you needed as a pubescent kid and didn't get till your twenties.
After 15 years of trying almost every pill and mini-pill on the market, the Nuva ring and the Mirena IUD, I went off all hormonal contraceptives. It was like my life snapped into Technicolor. It was incredibly validating and really sad to realise how gaslit I'd been. Anxiety and depression are no longer permanent travelling companions. My body feels stable. My gut instincts are better. My choices about relationships are more empowered.
For anyone who's doubting themselves: you're not crazy, it doesn't have to be this way, you are entitled to holistic healthcare that doesn't make you want to hurt/kill/lose yourself. Be a problem, be loud and demand better from your GP. Xoxoxo
As a Mum of teens and tweens and someone who used the pill I feel this is such an important read. So I shared this link to all of my socials and Facebook removed it for violating community guidelines!!! What the actual F*CK?!
I was put on the pill as a 14 year old to deal with painful periods. Went through five different kinds in four years and after being sent to hospital multiple times for excessive bleeding and debilitating pain got put on an iud. The mental and physical side effects of different types, doses and duration of hormones caused bad moods, throwing up and nausea, potentially fainting and weight fluctuations. All through my final years of high school. If I had been addressed properly I might not have a chronic pain condition now. The iud is better, but I'm now in year 12 and it's still not good. Thanks Hannah!
I was like most girls put on the pill for my cystic acne at 15. After a few years of failing to take it consistently I took myself off. My skin might be worse but gp’s need to be sending girls to dermatologists instead of putting them on contraception. Hormone regulation has fairly poor data for controlling acne anyway.
I was on the pill from 16 for my skin. I never really loved it and played around with other things like the nuva (?) ring. I eventually got a Mirena IUD and the first one worked amazingly. As a woman in the military having zero period was a lifesaver and I felt like everything was great. However I had constant issues with thrush which I only ever got while I had the IUD. After having my first child I had the Mirena inserted again and the DR put it into my cesarian scar instead of my uterus- this led to 4 attempts to remove it under a GA and an eventual miscarriage. I’m now completely sworn off birth control that I have to ingest or implant. I’ve done my bit. It’s my husband’s turn. Whatever that actually looks like…
Mate. I'm so glad we're talking about this. The first pill I ever went on was Yasmin, and I had the same experience as you. Very bad, very depressed, lost all interest in life, stopped seeing friends, couldn't get out of bed. I switched pills and it was like a heavy weight lifted.
My cousin was on Yaz, and had a stroke a few years ago. She suspects it was the pill.
I'm on contraceptive now, and I fully believe that it is ruining my life. I think it fucks with my stomach and causes gastro problems, I am unwell a lot, and very unhappy. But how can I prove that it's the pill?
There have been 2 times that I've been off the pill - before I became sexually active, and a short period of 2 years between partners. And they were the two times in my life when I've been the happiest and healthiest I've ever been.
What to do? I don't trust IUDs. I am seriously considering a tubal ligation, because I have absolutely no desire to have kids. But the fact that I have to resort to major surgery seems really shit.
Also, I heard recently that apparently being on the pill lessens the effects of menopause. I'm almost 40 so that's something I'm thinking about now.
Summing up, it just sucks to be a woman. We get the short end of everything. I'm so tired of being sick and unhappy but I don't see any solution.
The Implanon (getting it at 33 having never used contraception because I was only with women until that time) was the worst thing I have ever done to my body. Three years of weight gain, suicidal thoughts, deep dark anxiety and depression, and I had no idea that was the cause. Getting it out was life changing. I will never use a hormonal contraceptive again and I will always share my experience with the Implanon because I think it’s so important to be aware and informed of the risks.
I now have the copper IUD, and whilst it has its own issues (heavy periods, worse cramps), I am much happier with my choice.
My partner has offered to get a vasectomy, but unfortunately I still need a contraceptive option of my own. I love that he’s willing to play his part in helping support my body though.
My friends and I have been discussing this over the past few years and though we’re all grateful for the freedom that contraception has given women over the years, half of us hate being on it. I went on the pill when I was 17 as I get painful periods and I was due to start my period on the first day of the HSC. I don’t remember any real side effects aside from my boobs growing a lot, but when I went back to another doctor 3 months later to renew my script I was told that being on the pill increased my risk of stroke as I get semi regular migraines (something that the original doctor had not mentioned).
I didn’t need other contraception for a few years but just before covid (December 2019) when I was 6 months into a long-term relationship I decided I needed more security than condoms. I also got the implanon which gave me mood swings for a few months. Then COVID hit and I assumed that my ongoing sadness and anxiety (which is pretty out of character for me) were due to the fact that my relationship was now long distance and that there was a global pandemic. And my longer and more painful periods became the new normal. But after my boyfriend and I moved in together and the pandemic started to ease off and I was still not feeling myself I decided to get the implanon removed and within a couple of days felt so much better! It was like I remembered happiness again. My periods have also gotten further apart and less painful again. It’s now been 1.5 years and my boyfriend and I use condoms religiously, without any issues. There is no way I’m going back on hormonal contraception after those experiences!
I was on the pill from ages 18-27. I met my husband at 20 and we married at 25. I came off YAZ as we were trying to conceive. That same year I fell in love with my female best friend. I then fell pregnant. My husband and I separated when I turned 30 as I disclosed my relationship with this woman. I am genuinely wondering about the role of the pill in suppressing my sexuality and your article suggests that there may be data to support this. I am a counsellor at a women’s health centre and run groups for teenage girls. I feel so torn when discussing contraception with them. I don’t want to turn them off using the pill as I know how important it has been in liberating women. Thanks for your work Hannah.
I went off the pill more than 10 years ago after being initially prescribed it for my skin when I was a teen. It was the best decision I ever made. I have not been on any other form of birth control since, which means I have to be very careful in sex. I now have two kids, and it’s my partner who has to get the snip if we want to continue having any form of a sex life.
This is such an eye-opener, Hannah.
My journey with the pill is pretty fucked. Started on levlin to deal with debilitating period pain, this gave me huge boobs that would "go away when I went off the pill" - they never did, Im planning reduction surgery for next year. Then onto Yasmine that did what Yaz did for you and made me suicidal 2 x a month. When I finally realised it was the pill doing that, my saviour was Yaz. I was on it for 10 years and was mostly ok. It's crazy that one pill can have such opposite effects in different people.
When I went off Yaz, I realised it had been helping me mask PMDD symptoms and the recommended solution was to go back on it but I opted for SSRIs instead.
Now I have an IUD and it seems fine, but not great. I just don't feel like there are a lot of options - or the many options given are like "try it and we'll see what happens!" I've seriously thought about a hysterectomy given that I dont want more kids and this would solve my PMDD but it would also mean going through menopause (side note: if anyone is in need of a healthy uterus, happy to donate mine... not even kidding).
Anyway, off to buy this book and you should take a listen to this jam: https://open.spotify.com/track/5eoG7w6MkZFf9NLLQpUzpy?si=d5473fd724254d5e
This is insane how similar this is to my experience!! Levlin when I was 14 the Yasmin now YAZ, which is treating my PMDD and Sertraline SSRI’s. I want so badly to go off contraceptive but am so scared of experiencing the monthly suicidal feelings again.
I also want to get a hysterectomy but have heard menopause is worse the younger it happens to you and is also worse for people with PMDD sooo seems like there is no winning here!!
Anyway it’s validating to hear someone else has had a similar experience. I hope you find a helpful solution soon!!
Thank you for writing about this - I have suffered from extremely painful periods for most of my adult life and have been given contraception for this multiple times (actually, I was prescribed Yaz when I went in for an ear infection...). Each time within six or so months I have suicidal ideations almost entirely unprompted. Although my pain symptoms diminish, the ramifications on my mental health are enough to get me off the pill again - rock/ hard place. I have a propensity for depression as it is, it's in my genes, in my constitution, and on my health records in accessing psychologist rebates. Yet none of my doctors considered this risk when prescribing me contraception. And we wonder how non-males become disillusioned with healthcare and start seeking advice from quasi health-practitioners. Dr Ian Hickie did a great bit on depression and touches on the importance of oestrogen for womens moods and I've since gone down many rabbit holes ofc, will link below if anyone wants a listen.
https://youtu.be/5MeT59i_5rE?si=NdXRpSx2BUm0Cyhc
Just a thought after reading a lot of these comments, especially from the younger folk: please still use condoms even if you're on the pill!
All the methods discussed here (pill, iud, nuva ring, Implanon) do not protect against STIs. So if you're young and sleeping with lots of people or new people (as you should be!) and worried about putting hormones in your body, you should def be using condoms anyway <3
I've had similar experiences with the pill and also gut issues. I did well on Zoely for unbearable Endometriosis pain before surgery a few years ago. It is a private script and has a natural version of progesterone, however, it numbed my emotions.
I know women who cycle manage and do not fall pregnant. I am one of these women however I am rarely sexually active due to Endometriosis and other illness. I stick to the first week of my period. We can technically only have a high risk of falling pregnant 2 weeks of every month, this information is controversial and I recommend doing your own research and speaking to a good GP.
This is a great article Hannah. It's a topic that I've been reading a lot about lately, my husband and I decided we were ready to get pregnant last year so I went off the pill - and no pregnancy yet. Turns out there is evidence that your fertility is diminished in the 6+ months coming off the pill, not to mention your nutrient levels. It's absolutely shocking that this isn't discussed when it's prescribed!
Also, anyone who wants to connect on Stardust to hit that free pro subscription hit me up!
After being on the pill for the better part of 20 years … I cannot recommend a Mirena enough! No notes. It’s been amazing for me, I recommend it to everyone who’ll listen. I know everyone has their own experiences and it’s not for everyone but for me, so periods, no side effects… it’s a dream!
This is such important information! I'd highly recommend "Inferior" by Angela Saini regarding scientific research biases around hormones and contraception trials, and "Period Queen" by Lucy Peach which feels like your favourite big sister giving you the best sex-ed and period health chat you needed as a pubescent kid and didn't get till your twenties.
After 15 years of trying almost every pill and mini-pill on the market, the Nuva ring and the Mirena IUD, I went off all hormonal contraceptives. It was like my life snapped into Technicolor. It was incredibly validating and really sad to realise how gaslit I'd been. Anxiety and depression are no longer permanent travelling companions. My body feels stable. My gut instincts are better. My choices about relationships are more empowered.
For anyone who's doubting themselves: you're not crazy, it doesn't have to be this way, you are entitled to holistic healthcare that doesn't make you want to hurt/kill/lose yourself. Be a problem, be loud and demand better from your GP. Xoxoxo
As a Mum of teens and tweens and someone who used the pill I feel this is such an important read. So I shared this link to all of my socials and Facebook removed it for violating community guidelines!!! What the actual F*CK?!
I was put on the pill as a 14 year old to deal with painful periods. Went through five different kinds in four years and after being sent to hospital multiple times for excessive bleeding and debilitating pain got put on an iud. The mental and physical side effects of different types, doses and duration of hormones caused bad moods, throwing up and nausea, potentially fainting and weight fluctuations. All through my final years of high school. If I had been addressed properly I might not have a chronic pain condition now. The iud is better, but I'm now in year 12 and it's still not good. Thanks Hannah!
I was like most girls put on the pill for my cystic acne at 15. After a few years of failing to take it consistently I took myself off. My skin might be worse but gp’s need to be sending girls to dermatologists instead of putting them on contraception. Hormone regulation has fairly poor data for controlling acne anyway.
I was on the pill from 16 for my skin. I never really loved it and played around with other things like the nuva (?) ring. I eventually got a Mirena IUD and the first one worked amazingly. As a woman in the military having zero period was a lifesaver and I felt like everything was great. However I had constant issues with thrush which I only ever got while I had the IUD. After having my first child I had the Mirena inserted again and the DR put it into my cesarian scar instead of my uterus- this led to 4 attempts to remove it under a GA and an eventual miscarriage. I’m now completely sworn off birth control that I have to ingest or implant. I’ve done my bit. It’s my husband’s turn. Whatever that actually looks like…
What do you mean they put it in your C section scar??? That sounds absolutely traumatic
Mate. I'm so glad we're talking about this. The first pill I ever went on was Yasmin, and I had the same experience as you. Very bad, very depressed, lost all interest in life, stopped seeing friends, couldn't get out of bed. I switched pills and it was like a heavy weight lifted.
My cousin was on Yaz, and had a stroke a few years ago. She suspects it was the pill.
I'm on contraceptive now, and I fully believe that it is ruining my life. I think it fucks with my stomach and causes gastro problems, I am unwell a lot, and very unhappy. But how can I prove that it's the pill?
There have been 2 times that I've been off the pill - before I became sexually active, and a short period of 2 years between partners. And they were the two times in my life when I've been the happiest and healthiest I've ever been.
What to do? I don't trust IUDs. I am seriously considering a tubal ligation, because I have absolutely no desire to have kids. But the fact that I have to resort to major surgery seems really shit.
Also, I heard recently that apparently being on the pill lessens the effects of menopause. I'm almost 40 so that's something I'm thinking about now.
Summing up, it just sucks to be a woman. We get the short end of everything. I'm so tired of being sick and unhappy but I don't see any solution.
The Implanon (getting it at 33 having never used contraception because I was only with women until that time) was the worst thing I have ever done to my body. Three years of weight gain, suicidal thoughts, deep dark anxiety and depression, and I had no idea that was the cause. Getting it out was life changing. I will never use a hormonal contraceptive again and I will always share my experience with the Implanon because I think it’s so important to be aware and informed of the risks.
I now have the copper IUD, and whilst it has its own issues (heavy periods, worse cramps), I am much happier with my choice.
My partner has offered to get a vasectomy, but unfortunately I still need a contraceptive option of my own. I love that he’s willing to play his part in helping support my body though.
My friends and I have been discussing this over the past few years and though we’re all grateful for the freedom that contraception has given women over the years, half of us hate being on it. I went on the pill when I was 17 as I get painful periods and I was due to start my period on the first day of the HSC. I don’t remember any real side effects aside from my boobs growing a lot, but when I went back to another doctor 3 months later to renew my script I was told that being on the pill increased my risk of stroke as I get semi regular migraines (something that the original doctor had not mentioned).
I didn’t need other contraception for a few years but just before covid (December 2019) when I was 6 months into a long-term relationship I decided I needed more security than condoms. I also got the implanon which gave me mood swings for a few months. Then COVID hit and I assumed that my ongoing sadness and anxiety (which is pretty out of character for me) were due to the fact that my relationship was now long distance and that there was a global pandemic. And my longer and more painful periods became the new normal. But after my boyfriend and I moved in together and the pandemic started to ease off and I was still not feeling myself I decided to get the implanon removed and within a couple of days felt so much better! It was like I remembered happiness again. My periods have also gotten further apart and less painful again. It’s now been 1.5 years and my boyfriend and I use condoms religiously, without any issues. There is no way I’m going back on hormonal contraception after those experiences!
I was on the pill from ages 18-27. I met my husband at 20 and we married at 25. I came off YAZ as we were trying to conceive. That same year I fell in love with my female best friend. I then fell pregnant. My husband and I separated when I turned 30 as I disclosed my relationship with this woman. I am genuinely wondering about the role of the pill in suppressing my sexuality and your article suggests that there may be data to support this. I am a counsellor at a women’s health centre and run groups for teenage girls. I feel so torn when discussing contraception with them. I don’t want to turn them off using the pill as I know how important it has been in liberating women. Thanks for your work Hannah.