His and Her Health

I will try to describe my problem without putting every one to sleep yet still give you enough info to work with.<BR>I am 25 yo, married, no children (neither husband or I want kids). I have no history of abuse and have a good, supportive relationship with my husband.<BR>When I was 15 I was diagnosed with severe depression (no medical reason found). I was on medication for a few years but discontinued them. Years 16-18 were good. Plenty of energy and optimism. <BR>Went on Depo Provera (did lose my period) when I was 18 and lost my virginity to my boyfriend. Feel good about that experience. Very open about sex and had a high sex drive. Broke up with that boyfriend and became depressed again for awhile but recovered. <BR>Moved to new state with family when 19. Met and started dating my husband. <BR>Depression returned shortly after move. Started taking antidepressents again. 200 mg Zoloft. Sexual relationship was still good.<BR>Around 22 yo my sex drive started to diminish. Last year it got to the point that I realized there was a problem. Spoke with my psych about it and he switched me to Wellbutrin. Also went to a ob/gyn who suggested I go off Depo and get testosterone shots every 3 months(did no tests). The shots would increase my libido for about a week or two. I got two shots total and missed the third because the Dr office didn't call and remind me. I haven't been back.<BR>Depo finally "expired" and I noticed I was much less moody. I was thrilled about that but my sex drive still didn't increase. <BR>Period started again after about two months. My breasts would hurt for two weeks before it started and I was hitting major emotional lows. Also couldn't explain the lows because my period was very irregular.<BR>Also tried to start the Ortho Patch that Dr prescribed but the moodiness returned so I stopped that.<BR>Went back on Depo in March. Period stopped for a while but now I am having bleeding/spotting that has lasted for 7 days. Next shot is due in a week.<BR>My husband is very supportive about this but I feel terrible. He does approach me for sex anymore because he knows he will be rejected. That makes me sad. I used to approach him. I am at a loss as to what to do. Do I stop the Depo and go crazy with PMS? Stay on Depo and go crazy with it? I can't seem to find a good DR either. My general practioner told me it was all in my head. My psych doesn't know what to suggest and doesn't know of any local Drs that can help. The ob/gyn just tried to treat the problem not find out what was causing it. Arrgh!!!<p>[This message has been edited by kittenbritches (edited 27 June 2003).]

Seems to me your moodiness and depression have little relation to when or what medications you're on?

Have you tried continuous OC's?<P>Basically you don't use the "placebo" or inert pills for week four, and start a new pack right away. (You could probably do this with Evra or NuvaRing too, though I've not heard of anyone actually doing this.)<P>This *might* alleviate your PMS issues.<P>I *do* wonder about your estrogen status. How irregular are your periods? <P>As you've probably read, the effects of DP are widely varied. Some love it, others think it's devil spawned. <P> Testosterone shots are pretty widely disparaged here in the states by most of the FSD experts. Basically most think that it causes the levels to spike too high at first, and drop back down again pretty quickly - 1-3 weeks or even less. Topical testosterone applied on a daily or every other day seems to maintain a much more even and consistant T level.<P>A couple of additional questions.<BR>How aroused are you?<BR>How much natural lubrication?<BR>This is difficult to self evaluate, but how is sensation and orgasm?<BR>Are you on any other medications you've not told us about?<P>The wellbutrin *can* also cause sexual dysfunction issues too, though it's less likely than Zoloft and the other SSRI class anti-depressants.<P>Testosterone, as it appears you already know, can have significant impact on mood, energy, sensation, lubrication and desire/libido. I'm not sure your situation is related, however.<P>Probably the advice I'd give would be this. Find a very good FSD doctor. (The forum listed at the website in my profile can help with that.) Get a full physical evaluation, including a whole range of hormone issues. (The tests most applicable are also listed there.) I think that once you know your hormone issues, then treating the PMS, and low libido will be a whole lot easier. Without these tests, it's difficult or impossible to know what treatment might be appropriate.<P>Hope that helps, if you have more questions, don't hesistate to ask. <P>Best wishes,<BR>Greg<P>My profile has my email address and website. Click on the icon at the top of this post that looks like a head with a question mark.<P>Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns. <P><p>[This message has been edited by distressed_12345 (edited 26 June 2003).]

Greg,<P>What are OC's?<P>To answer your questions..... When I do have sex with my husband I do feel I get wet enough and am able to achieve orgasim with self stimulation. Things that are missing are breast sensitivity (that used to be my hot zone) and that hot and bothered feeling like I used to get even just kissing. And I feel like life would be just as fine without sex. I don't have any desire to do it with my husband or any one else for that matter. The only other medication I am taking is Zyrtec-D for allergies and that was a recent add on. I am skeptical about birth control in general since they seem to throw a monkey wrench into ones hormones. I am trying to decide if I should quit depo again and try to purge all of these drugs from my system. Maybe suffer through some periods for awhile to determine exactly how irregular they are. I only had two before I went back on the shot but that was two periods in one month. And I felt terrible. No desire/energy to get up and face the world. <BR>By the way, does any one know of any decent doctors in the Chattanooga area. The ones listed on the Association of Sex Therapist web site seemed a little flakey. I did find one that looked normal in Atlanta but my insurance doesn't cover him.<BR>Thanks for your input on this matter, Greg. You really seem to be keeping up with all the newest research.<P>Kitten

Sigh...So little time, and so many things to do. *grin* (You're thinking - "welcome to my world!" I'll bet.)<P>I'm going to start some work on a suplimental doctors page right now. I have no fewer than 3 requests for some names waiting at the moment.<P>If you'll visit the website listed in my profile, I'll do my best to have something up soon. If not, remind me by posting at this forum, or the one on my website. (I forget easily.)<P>OC=Oral Contraceptives. (Sorry)<P>If you dump hormonal contraceptives all together, do you have some plan for an alternative? Go see <A HREF="www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/" TARGET=_blank>www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/</A> for some ideas. An IUD might be a good choice, unless your periods continue to be problematic.<P>Ok, I should run and make some hay on the tasks I've got pending. I'll be glad to answer any other questions I missed or that you think up next, just post again and let us know.<P>Thanks,<BR>Greg<P>------------------<BR>My profile has my email address and website. Click on the icon at the top of this post that looks like a head with a question mark.<P>Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Would you be interested in natural ways of countering PMS? It sounds to me like your gut is telling you to try to get off of hormonal birth control for a while to see if that will fix the problem. If you try that and it doesn't work, there is always the option of going to an FSD specialist and getting T cream.<P>Also, have you had your iron levels checked?

I don't think OC's are reliable enough as birth control. I have a friend that just got pregnant while she was on them. And the statistics aren't great for them. Only 27% of women take them properly. The Ob/Gyn recommended an IUD but I can't imagine having to check the string to see if it is the same length (meaning it hasn't slipped out). What do I do stick a ruler up there and measure? And BTW, that is not something the OB/GYN told me that I would have to do. I found that out by doing research on my own. I don't trust something that I have to check on.<BR>When I was off the Depo and before I started the Ortho my hubby and I used condoms. Not like we are having sex enough for contious BC to matter anyway. Just once for the month of June (yes I am keeping track).<BR>I asked the Dr to tie my tubes but he insisted that I might change my mind about kids. I decided not to go into the many reasons of why I don't want them. <BR>Did I forget to answer any of your questions?<P>Kitten<P>I see that I did forget to answer a question. No, Zaneblue, the Drs haven't tested anything. The Ob/GYN mentioned that he wanted to test my thyroid but he never did. I am curious about it though because my mom has a history of thyroid problems.<BR>I would like to go to a FSD specialist but my insurance doesn't cover any in my area and I can't afford it otherwise. My insurance does cover Drs Berman and Berman but it would take a four or five day drive just get to them.<BR>I forgot to mention in my original post that I did speak to my family doctor about this problem. He told me that it was psycholgical. When I asked him to check my testosterone levels he said that wasn't necessary, testosterone has nothing to do with a womens sex drive. He wanted to know why I thought that it did I told him about Drs Berman and Berman and the research I have done on the internet. He said that "TV" doctors are quacks. He did run the tests but I'm not sure he did the right ones. He got very concerned when he saw my levels were way off and wanted to follow up. Well, I got a copy of the records and what he seemed to miss was that they put me down as a male. Therefore, my levels were being compared to what male levels should be not female so ofcourse they were low. I told him that I did not want to see him again, he was very unprofessional in his treatment with me, and I was amazed that at the appointment he told me testosterone had nothing to do with it and now he has done a complete turn around and says it does. Again, Arrrrgh!<p>[This message has been edited by kittenbritches (edited 27 June 2003).]

Kitten,<P>I am interested in the study that shows women only take oral contraceptives correctly 27% of the time. This is astonishing to me! It's doubly weird because of all the women I know and have known on the pill, not a single one has ever gotten pregnant. Of course, most of my friends are fairly fastidious about that kind of thing.<P>Anyway, would you mind posting what study this is for me? I'm interested in reading it to see what the women did wrong, etc. It seems like such a staggering statistic--that 73% of women take their contraception incorrectly, and yet the pill still has such a high success rate seems really incongruous to me. I would like to do a quick read and see where the statistics aren't meeting.<P>Thank you, I really appreciate this new infomration.

Welcome to the world of descrimination against childfree women. Funny how people won't take a woman seriously when she says she does not want children, always telling her she'll 'change her mind' (which could also be translated to "when your birth control fails"). A woman who decides not to have children has probably spent more time arriving at her decision than many women who do have kids.<P>I used an IUD w/ no trouble. I never bothered to check for the string, and it never went anywhere. I figured it wouldn't be dropping out on its own anyway because having never given birth, my cervix was very tight, so the insertion was quite painful but over very quickly. Then when I was later thinking about getting a tubal, my husband volunteered to get a vasectomy. He said "because it's easier for men" - I thought that was very romantic ) He's had no complaints about his V.<P>If you're still thinking of the tubal route, you might want to check with Planned Parenthood for a doctor referral.

Ditch that family doctor for good, I say!

Dona,<BR>If I remember correctly I read that info on the Planned Parenthood website.<P>Sept,<BR>Yep, even my in-laws still think we will change our minds. Sigh.<BR>My hubby is too squeamish to get a vasectomy. I agree that your hubby is very romantic. Sadly, if my husband went to the Dr and asked for a vasectomy the doc would just do it and not second guess his choice.<P>Pinky,<BR>I definately ditched the Dr. I also sent a letter to his billing department, their billing company, and the Dr protesting getting charge for the visit (insurance should have covered it but he coded it so they wouldn't). I went into enough detail that each person realized what a jerk he is and I'm sure that his billing department spread the word thru the office and I haven't been billed again. I also tell every one I can about his attitude when the oppurtunity arises.<p>[This message has been edited by kittenbritches (edited 27 June 2003).]

Hi Kitten,<BR>I am just north of Atl. and do know of a dr. who seems very open and much more informed on FSD than my current GYN.<BR>I have not seen her yet, but have talked with her several times. I am waiting for our new ins. to kick in and will be going to her.<BR>If you would like her namd and #, email me. May be worth at least a phone call to her.<BR>Sheryl

<B>kittenbritches</B><P>Just realized that you were the person looking for providers in TN.<P>Again, I can't post them here, but I have done so over at the forum at the website listed in my profile.<P>Best wishes,<BR>Greg<P>------------------<BR>My profile has my email address and website. Click on the icon at the top of this post that looks like a head with a question mark.<P>Also note, I am *not* a doctor, and this is not intended as medical advice - Please talk to your doctor about your concerns.