Q:

I just started new birth control pills with a higher hormone dose. I have also recently been feeling a lot of anxiety and even some symptoms of depression which has been impacting my ability to get schoolwork done. Is this being caused by the higher hormone dose, and should I go back to a lower dose as soon as possible?

 

A:

It is possible for birth control pills to cause moodiness and irritability but significant depression symptoms and anxiety would be unlikely caused by the synthetic hormones alone.  You can try a drop back in dose to see if you feel better, but your symptoms, if impairing your ability to manage your academics, deserve a review by a psychologist at the Counseling Center 650-3164 to evaluate the severity and best course of action for treatment.

~The Doc