Estrogen meds

[Phoenyx]

Hello guys and Happy Thanksgiving to all that celebrate today :)! I've been having OCD episodes since I was 21. Although I was misdiagnosed for quite some time, I'm happy the medications that my psychiatrist prescribed me worked all this time. I have something interesting to share with you. I've been going through IVF procedure and put on tons of medications throughout the journey. And at a certain point, I realized that the estrogen pills make my intrusive thoughts go away completely. First I wasn't sure if it was the meds or I'm simply improving on my own. But I forgot to take them on several occasions and I immediately noticed the difference. Now they are slowly reducing the dosage and putting me off the meds for good. And I have to admit, I'm a little afraid that I have to deal with these upsetting thoughts again. But all that makes me wonder that there might be a simple solution to our MUTUAL problem. Something like hormonal unbalance ... any thoughts?

[Sallyskins]

It's certainly the case that hormones can affect OCD. I, like many other women, have noticed that OCD fluctuates according to the menstrual cycle. And PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) often includes an OCD spike!

So it makes sense, I'm sure, for oestrogen to make you feel better. It peaks mid-cycle, when a woman is usually fertile. And it is lowest, I think, just before your period, when it dips, which is of course when PMS kicks in.

I'm no expert on this, but taking oestrogen pills long term is likely to have effects on your body that you don't want. But it's an interesting area and perhaps scientists will take it up.

Meanwhile, perhaps consider taking a Vitamin B6 supplement. It can be used to counteract PMS, and if PMS includes an OCD spike, it should help with that, too. So if you are suffering from the effects of oestrogen withdrawal, it could help with that. It might be worth asking your doctors - both those treating you with IVF and for the OCD.

The brain is so complex, and this could be an avenue to explore in getting better treatment for OCD. I think it worth suggesting to scientists as something to investigate.

Thanks for your post, and best wishes for your IVF.

[Phoenyx in reply to Sallyskins]

Hi there. I was on such high dose on estradiol because I was going through an in vitro fertilization treatment. I'm going off the meds because I'm already 3 months pregnant :). I agree estrogen pill as long term surely is not an option but there must be a correlation between the two- obsessive thoughts and hormone levels. For instance, I go into an OCD episode when my thyroid levels are off, too. I conducted a small research among 350 women with Thyroid autoimmune disease and 70% of them share similar issues like you and me and the rest of the people in this forum. As you suggested, I am thinking to provide the information I had gathered to a research center or someone who might be interested in it. I truly believe there must be a reason for all these thoughts

[Decorgal]

I’ve never made a logical connection to my OCD and estrogen but now your post is helping me to put some pieces together so I just wanted to thank you! For years I’ve had just mild OCD with cleaning and organization but it’s always been manageable and I’ve never been on any medication. However two years ago I started having intrusive thoughts that were very disturbing. They came on at a time when I was under a lot of stress so I attributed the intrusive thoughts to the stress I was having. However now I’m connecting the dots! I will be 53 in 3 weeks and started going through menopause………..two years ago. I can tell my lowering estrogen is already affecting my sex drive, weight gain, mental fog and energy and now I’m convinced my intrusive thoughts. I’ll be looking into this so thank you so much for some good information. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help to you but did want to validate your train of thought on this and to wish you all the best and encourage you. It’s an awful disease but can can most definitely be handled with prayer, research and in turn proper meds. But now I believe wholeheartedly there’s a connection. Thank you. I will post back to you If I find any helpful information out there.

[Phoenyx in reply to Decorgal]

ANYTIME! I would do anything to help people that have been suffering like I have. OCD is literally hell in your own mind. As I mentioned in my answer to Sallyskins, I strongly believe there is a correlation between our endocrine system and OCD! I was diagnosed with Thyroid autoimmune disease and if my hormones go off, my OCD awakes like a monster who's been sleeping in me. And now this experience, with the estradiol medications completely convinced me hormones might mess up your brain and makes you feel like you are going insane.

[Sydney45]

For me, it seemed like the intrusive thoughts got better after I stopped taking an oral contraceptive. It sounds like my experience was in the opposite direction. I’ve read about women who get OCD symptoms after giving birth. I definitely think there is some kind of a connection between OCD and hormones.

[Phoenyx in reply to Sydney45]

Hi Sydney45! I've heard so many people having similar issues with contraceptives. However, contraceptives are very different from the medication I was put on. It was just estradiol in very high dose 6mg a day. I agree, we are all different and that might be just my case, but there is a research that I found online with mice (although mice are very different from human mainly because they can't tell you if they have intrusive thoughts ) that suggests that male mice improve signs of OCD when given estradiol in very small amounts.

[Hidden]

So very interesting. I don’t have ocd (support a family member w the illness) but the estrogen component you mention spiked my interest to respond. As a 52 year old woman I began experiencing perimenopause issues a few years ago those they start for some women as early as in their 30’s due to falling estrogen levels. Hormone replacement is once again a widely accepted treatment to alleviate many of the symptoms that this change in hormones brings. That being said you could be be a candidate for ongoing hrt & it could be worth the effort to look into this. If you have a uterus it would typically involve taking progesterone to balance out the added estrogen. Understand that medical doctors do not receive training for this in medical school so you may need to find someone who has received additional education. A good site which lists certified practitioners is menopause.org (The North American Menopause Society). Wishing you much success in your journey to health!!

[Phoenyx in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I complete agree with you that some women experience pre-menopause symptoms as early as 30's. And before put on antidepressants, doctors should check their hormone levels to rule out any other possible cause. But unfortunately as you said, most doctors don't learn this in school. I actually had multiple very strong conversations with my endocrinologist who didn't believe me that changing hormonal medications threw me in a huge depression.

[Highly_Anxious]

Hi Phoenyx, thanks for sharing your experience. Seeing your post is really reassuring to me. Ive only made the connection this past week between my period and my OCD/Anxiety/Intrusive thoughts. I’m 38 and never realized how my period effects my OCD. My anxiety over the last two years has been getting worse. This past week I had my worst panic attack ever & a light in my brain went on. It corresponded to the week before my period. I went back & realized my OCD consistently spikes the week before through the week of my period. I contacted my doctor and she agreed that my hormone levels sound like they are off. She ordered blood work to check my hormones, thyroid, & everything else she can think of. She wants to increase the hormone in my birth control & up my sertraline dosage from 100mg to 200mg. I do think both changes will be greatly beneficial.

Honestly, I’m a bit angry & disheartened I was never made aware of this connection prior. I’ve been treated for OCD since I was 18 & not once did a medical doctor, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist ever mention anything about how a period can impact OCD. It’s upsetting. I’ve wasted so much time chastising myself over not being able to control my OCD as well as I used to. Pre-Menstrual Exacerbation is very real & should be getting a lot more discussion. Thank you again for sharing.

[Phoenyx in reply to Highly_Anxious]

Hi Highly_Anxious!I'm sorry you are feeling worse lately. I strongly believe there is a correlation between our hormones and OCD, anxiety, and depressive episodes. I am so happy your doctor listens to you and is willing to help you figure things out. Not a lot of doctors are willing to do it. Just keep on fighting for your right to feel better.

[sunshine92746]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this connection! I have hormonal imbalances and this month my PMS and period were worse and my OCD was ALSO really bad. The obsessive thoughts were way worse than normal during my PMS phase and now it makes sense. There definitely has to be some connection here. The HPA axis shows how our brain and hormones are interconnected.. Thank you so much for sharing. I feel so relieved to have read this. I feel a little less crazy! Also, self-care is so so so important. I'm going to make the effort to be extra kind to myself and take it easy around my PMS phase going forward.

Thank you!

[Phoenyx in reply to sunshine92746]

I don’t know you but from what I’ve read you are definitely not crazy. I know the feeling when these thoughts are so strong and overwhelming, you literally question your sanity. In these moments, I keep telling myself “crazy people don’t know they are crazy”, so wondering if I’m crazy simply makes me sane if that makes any sense. I wish you best of luck in your journey

[sunshine92746 in reply to Phoenyx]

That's so true. Thank you so much for your words. Having a community like this is so immensely helpful. Just knowing you're not alone and having a support network makes a huge difference. Wishing you the best on your journey as well! 💕

[brig1120]

I think it can have to do with hormonal levels at times. I do think.it is a anxiety based disorder for the most part though. I do see what you mean though when I am more balanced I feel better. Brigit

[brig1120]

I definetly think there is a correlation between hormone levels and ocd. I do notice that around pms time for me I am more emotional and notice more of an influx of worries. Think more studying has to be done with it.

[Phoenyx in reply to brig1120]

Yes, they need to invest more time and money in OCD studies.