Nuvaring-(and Prozac)-Free!

Friday was my last day on Nuvaring! So far I've had a pretty stable mood - I didn't wake up depressed or angry or get hyper or anything. I know I've been acting bipolar as hell for months now and it could just be growing pains but I honestly believe the steady dose of hormones had something to do with it. I mean i feel like if it were the transition, then I would have been having these crazy mood swings freshman year, not sophomore year. I mean, I'm not sure, but I really really think that the culprit is the birth control hormones. Think about it, when a woman is pregnant or going through menopause, she always has crazy mood swings and everyone knows to stay out of her way. And PMS, too, you know to avoid a girl whose PMSing. Well getting a steady dose of hormones from Nuvaring is like always PMSing!! Like its no way to describe it other than a roller coaster of emotions and really intense ones. I remember the one moment during the summer when I woke up, looked at the clock and burst into tears, cried myself back to sleep and woke up happy. I was so confused. This whole semester I haven't been myself. If I were a doctor, I would definitely do research about what the heck hormones have to do with emotions. Like do they decrease seratonin levels or something? Like how much of your mood can really be altered with pharmaceuticals? Its so interesting how there are medicines like antidepressants that are supposed to make you happy (prozac), medicines like adderol that are supposed to make you focus, and medicines like hormones that affect your mood.

Anyway the only research I can do now is on the internet or in a library, or by asking a doctor questions lol. Maybe one day I could do actual hands on research into this stuff, especially since my field of study is about global health and health systems and etc. I could do my senior project on like, the effect of Planned Parenthood on Baltimore or something. Who knows hopefully I can turn this experience into something positive.

Anyway now its on to the next one, I'm going to try yet another pill. Maybe seasonale, or yasmin. I'm going to look into the ones that have good reviews. However for anyone considering Nuvaring I definitely recommend it. It's just not the right one for me. No matter what type you are with, I just wish I could tell everyone to please please please:

• WATCH out for signs of mood change or depression or whatever. Its very subtle and you would probably just think you are stressed or whatever. You and people around you are likely to attribute it to things like school, work, or family. Even if you go to your doctor and say you are depressed, they probably would overlook the fact that your taking hormones and just have you see a psychologist who will tell you its your life. Just pay attention because mood swings and depression are an ACTUAL side effect (yes, its listed on the wrapper) and if you notice it you should switch brands. You would switch brands if you started breaking out or were spotting, so you should switch brands if its affecting your mental health too.

Dez Out