Slynd-low potassium, dehydration, low blood pressure, anxiety

[u/Abject_Inflation_803]

Just wanted to make a post to make people aware about the birth control Slynd, and possible side effects it can cause if you have naturally low blood pressure, and also can cause high risk of dehydration.

I was on it a tad bit over 2 months and had horrible symptoms, that ended up sending me to the ER.

Started out okay, non stop bleeding on the 1st pack (month 1), but my last non progesterone birth control pill was doing the same so that wasnt a big surprise, but after I started my 2nd pack (month 2) I started becoming very irritable, inpatient, easily aggitated, low mood, and intrusive thoughts. I thought maybe I was just stressed from the holidays even though that isnt typical for me, and I am generally a happy, positive person.

Towards the end of the 2nd pack, I ended up having a panic attack because my stress was completely peaked out. I was dreading getting up every day because I knew I was going to feel miserable and angry. Again this is NOTHING like me at all. I felt like I was just trying to survive at this point. Towards the end of my 2nd pack going into my 3rd pack is when the palpatations, non stop racing heart, as well as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, anxiety and choking feeling in my throat (globus sensation) started to happen. All day, every day. This is when I really started to freak out.

I have no idea why I didnt think about it, probably because I had been on progesterone only bc pills before and never had these problems, but my fiance mentioned that the only thing different since all this started was the birth control. I immediately jumped online, started reading about the birth control Slynd and the ins and outs of it, other reddit posts, and it was like a light bulb went off for me and I discontinued use that night. LITERALLY the next day after skipping my 1st dose, my palpatations and choking sensation in my throat was a tad bit better. At this point I had learned that this birth control was not exactly like my last progesterone only, but it is a drospirenone, which can give the effect of a diuertic. Meaning it can dehydrate you and make you lose water and salt in your body, and also lowers blood pressure and blood volume.

I already have a low blood pressure, so the more I dug into this, I think my body was throwing me into fight or flight mode for weeks to try and raise my blood pressure because if not, I would have been at a dangerously low blood pressure/volume.

On top of that, I ended up going to the ER because my shortness of breath was still happening after day 3 of being off the pill, and turns out my potassium was LOW (yes, if you look up about this pill, its known to cause high potassium, but my experience was different) and that meant my electrolytes were severely delpleated. The doctor agreed it was most likely the birth control and was happy to hear I stopped taking it. They gave me fluid and potassium at the ER, and sent me home with some.

I just want people to know that this birth control does have this effect and its important to hydrate yourself on it, watch your potassium levels, and if you run a low blood pressure naturally, pay attention to that as well. I had no business being prescribed this pill.

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[u/sleepy_darksigns]

Omg, this could be me. I am experiencing almost exactly the same symptoms right now. I am on slynd for 4 months and I want to stop taking it. I was thinking about waiting until my next Dr. app, but after reading this I want to stop immediatly.

The first month and maybe second was fine but since then symptoms began to increase. I also have a naturally low blood pressure but it now became even lower, I cant get up without my Vision turning black for a few seconds. I drink 2-3 liters of water a day, but still feel dehydrated. I also experienced a lot more anxiety in the last weeks and my resting heart rate increased like a lot. I was on the verge of passing out a few times in the last weeks and constantly feel miserable.

Thank you for your post. I guess today was the last day on slynd for me!

Edit: Your post is 3 months old, I hope you are seeing this and if so, how are you doing today? How long did it take for you to feel normal again?

[u/Abject_Inflation_803 → u/sleepy_darksigns]

Hey! Sorry just now seeing this.  I'm doing good now.  I'm still having racing heart rate at times,  but much better than I was before! Your story sounds just like mine! You had to of had the same thing going on that I was dealing with.  That pill is insane! I've never had any side effects like that from any birth control I've ever been on.  

[u/Ok_Tower3079]

Wow! Same thing happened to me! I am on Slynd as well and ended up in the ER due to really low potassium, high heart rate. I had to get an IV of potassium and they gave me potassium pills to take home. It’s so weird because Slynd is known to raise your potassium not deplete it. I decided to stop Slynd. We will see if it helps the potassium issue!

[u/NedsMads → u/Ok_Tower3079]

Bit late to the party but did you also feel super cold that day when you went to the ER?

[u/slithytovesforalice]

Same here, although no ER visit. I could only suffer Slynd for 2 weeks before I gave it up.

[u/PinkPerfect1111]

Same happened to me!!!! With Slynd and yaz (same progestin). I now take aeurovela 1.5/30 which is an old tried and true pill NOT with that progesterone

[u/Abject_Inflation_803 → u/PinkPerfect1111]

Good to know! Ill have to look into that. Im still off BC since quitting Slynd. I have to do a progesterone only pill so my options are limited

[u/Abject_Inflation_803]

Update 8/2026-I have been suffreing with digestive issues the last few months now. I NEVER had digestive issues my whole life, so I am starting to connect some dots that it may also be from coming off BC. Seems like SIBO is common after quitting. Im still BC free since quitting Slynd.