Yasmin (birth control) and depression...

Post Reply New Topic

Two weeks ago or so I started taking a birth control pill (Yasmin) to clear up acne, but "severe depression" is listed as one of the side effects, and I got more depressed while on it (and still on 20 mg of Celexa)... I had been feeling depressed before, ever since a wierd reaction to the tetracycline and even before, but anyway... I haven't taken it for days now and I'm feeling fine, and Im on 40 mg of Celexa now (though for a reason!) and I'm wondering if I should start taking it again... I don't want to chance it, but what are the odds that I'll get dangerously depressed (in my opinion) from it?

I'm taking Yasmin and Wellbutrin right now with little to no side effects (sometimes I forget to eat). However, my sister took Yasmin and had to stop. Every time she forgot a pill and took it the recommended interval later, she got horribly sick. I can't remember if she was more depressed than would make sense, but I could see how in your situation, it is connected. Everyone's biology is different, but if you really think the Yasmin contributed to your depression and it wasn't situational, ask your doctor for another medication. Orthotricyclin-lo seems to be the most benign (emotionally and physically), and it helps with acne.

I've heard a lot of people react badly to Yasmin - I know my wife did (this was before I'd met her, so probably 7 or 8 years ago now), and I've hard about others having problems. I'd call or have someone else call your doctor to talk to them about it. For whatever reason, it causes real problems for some people (on the other hand, some people swear by it).

Depression or acne? The answer seems so obvious...depression can kill.
I was on Ortho-Tricyclen for about three years, and looking back, yes my face did look somewhat better but my mood was terrible. I was so depressed, cried so often- huge long blubbering cries. It was a really dark time. If I hadn't been so depressed I probably would have gone back to the doc and said, "this brand is making me sad and angry all the time, and I would like to try something else" but basic problem-solving skills were just not there!

If the Yasmin made you depressed before, you probably shouldn't try it again. If you want to try birth control again, there are literally dozens of brands, each with different formulations. Depression is a major side effect for all brands of the pill, but most women have very different side effects from different brands. Just monitor your moods carefully, and quit taking it if you start feeling depressed. I've heard that Diane-35 and Ortho Tri-Cyclen in particular are good for acne. If you don't want to try birth control again, I've heard that some of the mail-order acne systems, like Pro-Activ Solution, are very effective.

Depression (as one poster said) can kill. If the acne is that serious, birth control pills are a quick fix. See your doctor immediately. There are other things that will clear up acne. Any time you mess around with the endocrine system (as birth control pills do) you're asking for it. Don't wait. Get thee back to a doctor.
BTDT

I'll wait to take them then, until I get a life and start feeling really good, and the 40 mg dose of Celexa has been in there for a month or two. I don't even know if the Yasmin was what was making me depressed; I took it for a few days and it didn't make me depressed but then I got depressed and I don't know if it's related. I'll just wait then; depression DOES kill. I don't ever want to go through that again.