Contraception and Anti-Depressants - British Heart Fou...

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Contraception and Anti-Depressants

CourtsL profile image
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Hi all, hope everyone is enjoying the festive season 🎄🎁😊I'm 10 weeks postpartum, started the Levest contraception and put back on Mirtazipine 15mg (but im anxious on taking the Mirtazipine as i was on it when i was having significant pauses in heart rate) - but I've noticed a major increase in heart palpitations since taking contraception - so I've had to come off contraveptions - I'm just wondering has anyone got any advice on what contraception to use that doesn't affect heart rate.

And also, has anyone resumed Anti-Depressants after a Cardiac event and felt OK with them still? I was on a few meds while pregnant and they was causing my cardiovascular system to slow dangerously down and even pause for 6.53 seconds, and mirtazipine was one of the meds i was taking. I have a 1st degree AV block, grade 2/6 mid systolic murmur and I have a D-L-A - I'm not due to see my Cardiologist until the 16th Jan and I've been struggling to get a Dr App at my GP for the past week 🙈

TIA x

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CourtsL
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MarmiteB profile image
MarmiteB

Hey, I had to come off all kinds of hormone contraceptions after my bypass. We had to revert back to condoms (I know, not ideal) or the other option was the copper coil - having had baby recently that might be the best option? I didn't get the coil because we are planning a family.

Or...pretty radical...a vesectomy! That's what me and my husband have discussed as a future option, after kids!

CourtsL profile image
CourtsL in reply to MarmiteB

Yes me and my OH have discussed Vesectomy it was me who decided against it as what could come after having it done, depression, loss of libido etc. I've been debating the copper coil but i know some people who haven't had the best experience with it so it's sort of put me off 🙈 I was on the levest for 7/8 years - then conceived my eldest she's nearly 6 - it's only been in the past 6 years I've developed heart problems and they got dangerously worse with my 3rd pregnancy so I asked for that thinking it would be ok still 🙈 suppose it's all trial and error 🤷‍♀️

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to CourtsL

Another option is a mirena coil.

It secretes a small amount of progesterone, at a much lower dose than if you were taking the progesterone only pill.

As well as helping to prevent pregnancies, the mirena coil is used to treat heavy periods and the symptoms of the menopause.

I had my first, of 3 put in, after my youngest was born ( he's nearly 22 years old).

I haven’t had a period since, no heavy bleeding whilst taking clopidogrel, which I am on for life.

I experienced very few menopausal symptoms.

Perhaps ask to discuss your options with a menopause specialist and your Cardiologist.

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