OT: Hormones after pregnancy

[vettechick99]

What is your experience with hormones after pg? Months/years after pg, not just after pg.

The months after having DD22m, mine must have been out of whack. My ob put me on an estrogen cream and I got back on my regular pill which seemed to help a great deal. BTW, I never had any PPD or baby blues.

Well about 3 months ago, I got off the pill and now I feel like I'm much more emotional than ever before. About halfway through my cycle I feel down, stressed and argumentitive. Feels like PMS I suppose.

Is it because I'm off the pill? Should I make an appt with my ob to talk about this? What can he even offer me?

Thanks for your comments!

 

[RMulieri]

I had extremely bad PPD for months ( ok for exactly 18 mos after) , was on anti-depressants for well over 2years, and my hair fell out in huge clumps from the shifting hormone levels.i expected some hair loss, but I literally had bald spots and had to cut my hair. It was trully an awful time for me.

 

[vettechick99]

Pregnancy really does screw up your system!

 

[HelenePA]

Yes Pregnancy screws you up for awhile. I dont think I've been back to "normal" since my 8 yr old was born.. sometimes that's a good thing.. sometimes not so much.

 

[liznboys]

LOL Isn't that normal??? (I hope!)

I have noticed my hormones changed as I have gotten older (I am 32-33 in May). I can tell the day after I ovulate as if a switch was being turned on (or off). My hormones are so obviously different those last 2 weeks of my cycle-more irritable for sure!!

I don't know that my pregnancies have anything to do with, everything to do with it, or if it's a combo of them and me just getting older...

I remember my Dr. telling me that going on the pill would help with pms symptoms, but I feel awful on the pill so I just cope. It's so stinkin' fun being a woman!!!

 

[Reagan&Co.]

It sounds like PPMD (little bit stronger than PMS symptoms. Mine has just gotten worse with age. If you are in your mid to late 30's, I think it can be pretty common.
All my doctors have recommended a mild dose of Prozac for this- you do not have to take the whole month, just part. Or, they would probably recommend the pill or another birth control. I was on NuvaRing for a year or so, and felt GREAT!!

 

[Cinderellabride]

I was going to say sounds like PMDD too. You can also take Yaz. I would talk to your doctor.

 

[DISNEYNV]

I also had really bad PPD after DD and didn't go in anything and it really never went away so after DS was born I talked to my OB (who knew about my prior problem) and they gave me zoloft which has really helped with the stress, depression and irritability. I was quieter about it the first time around but it is better to just be open to options that may help even if it means going on medication. Make an appointment and talk to your doctor

 

[vettechick99]

Thanks all! I don't want to go back on the pill right now because we are going to start trying for #2 in the next year (I was on Ortho Tri-cyclen forever and it worked well for me).

I am 33, so I am getting older, but never had any issues until after I had her. I'll ask my doc about PMDD - I'll go look that up now!

 

[AmyBWV99]

I'm with you also 33 and have been way more emotional after #2 than #1, really more than I ever was pre-children. Altho I'm not completely unconvinced that I didn't have some sort of lobotomy during my C-sections . I feel like I never have all my screws tight enough, I feel lucy if I leave a store with 3 of the 5 things I went there to get.

I think that motherhood is enough to send all your hormones on a roller coaster no matter how long it's been since the baby was born. I'm sure your OB has something that can help that won't affect your fertility if you want to try sooner than later. I email mine sometimes that's quicker.

 

[vettechick99]

I'm with you also 33 and have been way more emotional after #2 than #1, really more than I ever was pre-children. Altho I'm not completely unconvinced that I didn't have some sort of lobotomy during my C-sections . I feel like I never have all my screws tight enough, I feel lucy if I leave a store with 3 of the 5 things I went there to get.

I think that motherhood is enough to send all your hormones on a roller coaster no matter how long it's been since the baby was born. I'm sure your OB has something that can help that won't affect your fertility if you want to try sooner than later. I email mine sometimes that's quicker.

Me too, girl! I feel so dumb lately. It started when I got pg with her and never stopped! I hate that DD has an idiot for a mom but I guess that's life.

 

[Normangirls]

After I had my DD3 (our third daughter), I was fine, just the normal post-pregnancy hormones and such.

Then, after I stopped nursing her (when she was about nine months old), my period started back up and I was a MESS. I was more emotional than at any time, ever.

Oh, and we went to Disney World. In the middle of all this.

Worst. Trip. Ever.

To be fair to my husband, I don't think he realized why I was being so emotional. To be fair to me, I was the one suffering. We fought our way around the World!

Anyway, this may be a hormone adjustment, and it may get better or go away. But talk to your doctor, talk to your friends, get any help or support you can/need. And (I know this sounds really silly) try a good strong dose of calcium (my doctor recommended it for PMS and I really feel like it makes a difference).

 

[HelenePA]

Me too, girl! I feel so dumb lately. It started when I got pg with her and never stopped! I hate that DD has an idiot for a mom but I guess that's life.

Nope this is called Mommy Brain.

 

[disneybridetobe]

OMG! I'm not alone!! I love you gals. I seriously thought this was just me.

 

[Reagan&Co.]

There are alternatives to treat PPMD besides hormones and anti-depressants. My doctor is pretty holistic. He recommended yoga. He said it would help with pretty much all my symptoms- sleeplessness before period, the irritability, the food cravings, the digestive symptoms (I have IBS and it acts up around my period.) I know, TMI, but I share this with you all so you know you are not alone!!
Some doctors also recommend cognitive therapy....whether you think you need it or not!

 

[Tiger926]

I have a 19 month old, and I have virtually no libido at all. Never had much of one before, but now, nothing. Hubby and I haven't been intimate since we conceived baby - do the math. It is what it is... I am far too busy with full time teaching and raising 2 kids, to see if it is indeed my hormones. I am still breastfeeding son and just had my first period in over 2.5 years, so I will give it another few months to see if anything improves.

I would say based on my case, that pregnancies definitely mess with things.

Hope you feel better soon, Tiger

 

[*Toadstool*]

I have a 19 month old, and I have virtually no libido at all. Never had much of one before, but now, nothing. Hubby and I haven't been intimate since we conceived baby - do the math. It is what it is... I am far too busy with full time teaching and raising 2 kids, to see if it is indeed my hormones. I am still breastfeeding son and just had my first period in over 2.5 years, so I will give it another few months to see if anything improves.

I would say based on my case, that pregnancies definitely mess with things.

Hope you feel better soon, Tiger

Tiger, I was in a similar situation. A few more complications because I kept having to have pelvic surgeries though. Anywho.. while I was BF I had to use Estroven in order to make my sex life come back.
I like some of the other women felt horrible after stopping BF, but it went away in a month or so. I don't need the Estroven anymore either.

 

[vettechick99]

I have a 19 month old, and I have virtually no libido at all. Never had much of one before, but now, nothing. Hubby and I haven't been intimate since we conceived baby - do the math. It is what it is... I am far too busy with full time teaching and raising 2 kids, to see if it is indeed my hormones. I am still breastfeeding son and just had my first period in over 2.5 years, so I will give it another few months to see if anything improves.

I would say based on my case, that pregnancies definitely mess with things.

Hope you feel better soon, Tiger

Sorry to hear about that. It's so unfair how hormones affect us.

Just to give you some hope, the same thing happened to me right after birth. I BF for 4 months and was on the Depo shot. I went back at 7 months PP for my next shot and told him about my issues (pain, no desire) and he said it actually looked like I was in menopause. So that's why he gave me the estrogen cream and put me back on my regular estrogen pill. It really made a difference!

Now if only I could feel normal without my pill!

Thanks everyone!

 

[dancin'girl]

I had alot of hormone problems after baby #2, not any issues with #1 for some reason. I think that is why I was so surprised by it all. It's amazing how each pregnancy can be so different. The baby is now 20 months old and I feel like I've finally settled down - I feel back to normal, just slightly more emotional. I took myself off the pill because I felt awful on it. I believe it was a huge part of what was causing me problems.

 

[AmyBWV99]

Totally OT but good luck in your race I was going to do the 1/2 but had to drop to the 5K. Should be a blast! Really I just wanted the crown medal.....