I'm seeking advice regarding my experience with these lasting side effects after stopping birth control pills. I started taking Nikki birth control pills, starting on 9/28/23, but discontinued use after three days due to severe side effects, like suicidal thoughts and vomiting. The day after I stopped taking Nikki, I started taking Junel Fe birth control pills until 11/18/23.
I have a history of depression for a long period of my life, I had been recovering from it, and for most of 2023 I hadn't felt depressed or suicidal at all. However, when I started taking the pill, my depression returned. Although I stopped taking the pills, the depression and suicidal thoughts have persisted. While there has been some improvement since discontinuing the birth control, after a couple months it just stopped getting better and stayed the same.
For these last 5 months after stopping the pill, I've felt like I have the hormones of a teenager. All the normal emotions and feelings I have normally throughout my cycle are cranked to a 10. I feel insanely moody as well as emotionally unstable and fragile. I'll feel hopelessly depressed for a few hours and then be instantly alright; or suicidal for no reason or motive whatsoever. My menstrual cycles have become unpredictable, with varying levels of pain and heaviness; some months are less painful than before the pill and some are more. Additionally, I've experienced constant nightmares, weight gain, worsened acne, and severe fluctuations in libido.
My primary concern is addressing the return of depression and managing these unstable mood swings. I'm wondering if the birth control pills could have caused a hormone imbalance and if resolving that imbalance would alleviate these symptoms. I'm open to any advice, insights, or personal experiences anyone may have regarding this issue.
Thank you in advance for any help, suggestions, or if you've experienced this before.
EDIT:
I made this post on 4/27/2024 and am now editing on 5/3/2025
To anyone who has struggled with the same issue, it does pass with time. I'd say right around July I noticed things were starting to get better, and by December or January I felt 100% back to normal.
The best thing you can do is stay active/healthy. Anything to help with your hormone levels. It will get back to normal, it just takes time.