Hello, I'm new to this site but it looks like what I've been looking for. I had a vag. hyst. in April 2004. They left one ovary. For 2 mos. I had a great time and then, after a reaction to some anesthesia, the docs felt I was in menopause. They put me on Lexapro and Ativan because I had some anxiety and depression (which I never had before in my life) and 2 mg. estradiol. Needless to say, my symptoms became dramatically worse! I quit taking the Lexapro nearly 3 weeks ago and I stopped the estrogen 3 days ago. I am much better (I'm in the process of getting off the Ativan- I'm on very low does like 0.125 mg. twice a day) My doctor then suggested giving me a low dose birth control pill (Loestrin) to "level" me out. I agree with her but I'm concerned that the pill might make me go through those horrible symptoms again ( I know I'm not on the Lexapro anymore but it feels scary to think I may go through that horrid stuff again) I used birth control pills with some success twice in my life before (I had very few side effects) so I think this may be the way to go until I get my hormone level to calm down (it ranges from 100-300 on the days that I've been tested) Has anyone tried this as a way to help with these symptoms? Can I start slowly, like 1/2 pill a day for a week and then go up? Would it be better to take these at night or in the morning? Please help.....I need some peace. Thanks Maddy

I just had to bump this post since I'm taking Loestrin for perimenopause, an I would like to hear from others who are doing well on birth control pills.

My sister found them useful for awhile, particularly for stopping the bleeding from fibroids. I react so badly to the progestin, the oral contraceptives are not an option for me. Nor, is natural progesterone. Before I had children, I could handle OC. Now, they make me morbidly depressed. I am, however, on the bottom rung of the hormonally challenged ladder.

[size=18][/size I have been on the pill now for a little over a year to help even out hormones.I started with ortho tri cyclin and now I am on Yasmin. needed to be on one that had a even hormone throught the month. some pillschange the amount of hormones each week. They have helped as far as not too many hot flashes and night sweats. or sore breasts.also, I have to say I feel alot better on them, almost normal!!

Maddy Your reaction was the Lexapro. I had a reaction like that from Zoloft and it is so scary. It isn't the hormones, take them as the dr. says and they should help you. I was apprehensive about going back on an antidepressant after my bad experience with one, but I can't live like this... so I am going back on one I was on before that had a few side effects like lightheadedness... but at least I know I can take this medication. After much deliberation and a whole lot of making everyone around me miserable... I just have to. You may have to too, but there are a lot of different ones. You know what's funny is... I was thinking about trying Lexapro, now I don't want to because you had a bad reaction with it. Once you have a bad reaction to a medication that messes with your mind, it's really scary. I feel for you, but I really really don't think that the hormones are going to give you a reaction like you had. The hormones take forever, if they do help. Mine seem to be taking so long... I haven't had any sign yet that they are helping me, but I'm only just through my second packet. I have noticed some depression since I've been on them, but I've been battling with that for a long time. At least I can cry now, but my hormones are just a birth control and my perimeno is natural, meaning, not with any surgeries. I"m only 33 too, so it's been tough. Take care and try not to worry. This is a great place for questions, and support.

I've taken different anti-depressants, but the side effects were tolerable compared to the oral contraceptives. Weird, because before I had children I tolerated OC. This was pre peri and many times I had the reaction to OC. Also, I wonder if those suckers worsened my premenstrual problems. As, concerning taking oral contraceptives, during peri, I'd read that they make one third of women better, one third worse and one third they do nothing for. So, all in all, it's worth a shot with the oral contraceptives in my opinion.

Also, in peri the antidepressants just flat out don't work as well. Wow, I felt pretty darn good in my early thirties. In my shining glory, so to speak, despite my preternatural anxiety and PMDD. I guess the Prozac worked at that juncture. I wasn't particularly depressed when I tried the OC, but tried them for the PMDD. BIG MISTAKE/ We're all so different. My sister found the OC controlled the bleeding from fibroids, and also helped in early peri with emotional symptoms.

So regarding not reacting to hormones you'd have to hold me down to get Oral Contraceptives into my mouth. AD's don't scare me, but provera does. I also solved someone's issue with depression, on these boards, by pointing out perhaps the OC may have been making her feel awful. She said they never had before. Well hormones are mysterious! After ingesting the OC for 3 days, she started feeling AWFUL. A mirrored experience of mine. She asked how long it took me to feel better after stopping the drug. I said, "About 3 days." That was exactly her experience. So, hormones gave me an EXTREME depressive reaction!

Antidepressants can certainly cause anxiety as a side effect, particularly in the early weeks. Considering you have no uterus, what's the point of the progestin in the pill. I don't get the doc's reasoning, but try it. You may be better off with Prometrium and Estrogen, which are natural. I'm not convinced natural means safe, but a progestin correllation to heart problems is starting to emerge. Still it's all short term, so if the pill helps, go for it. Good luck, ladies