A 21-year-old Caucasian female had Nexplanon implanted 5 months ago. She endorses depression and mood swings, vaginal candida, and bacterial infections since insertion. The only supplement use is a multivitamin daily. She has no prescribed medications and no medical problems. Her family history is noncontributory. Her fasting glucose is 100 mg/dL. 1. Address the link between hormonal fluctuations and emotions. 2. Address whether there is an “onset” period after insertion of long-term contraceptives. 3. Address whether this form of medication is associated with infections.
1. Hormonal fluctuations and emotions
Hormones are any substance produced by one tissue or endocrine glands and conveyed by the blood stream to another to effect physiological activity. A synthetic compound with the same activity is also called hormone. Hormonal fluctuations can cause emotional changes, even though hormones can't act in isolation.
The female hormone Estrogen is closely associated with the women's feelings and emotions. When Estrogen is balanced with Progesterone ( second half of Menstrual cycle), the woman feels the energy and feels better. But when there is Estrogen dominance she feels mood swings such as depression, anger and irritability and sexual drive also getting decreased in this time. Even though the Mechanism of Action is not so clear behind this link , studies show that Women in their youth period ( Estrogen producing years) are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression than the women, who is in their post menopausal phase. Another evidence for this link is the Premenstrual symptoms ( includes severe mood swings, social withdrawal, anger, other physical symptoms) and Pre menstrual dysphoric disorder.
Another example for the link between Hormonal fluctuations and emotions is the low testosterone in men in aging man. Most of the cases it cause depression, decreased energy and lack of sexual drive.
Serotonin levels in the brain is closely associated with the wellbeing of a person. Decrease in serotonin and dopamine ( neuro transmitters) cause depression in people.
2. " Onset " period and long term contraceptives
Contraceptives are the drugs, device or procedures that prevent conception as a result of sexual activity. Examples of Long term contraceptives includes implants, that provide long term protection against pregnancy.
There is an " onset" period after insertion of long-term contraceptives especially implants. Usually this implants release progestin , that leads to prevention of pregnancy, prevention of ovulation etc. If the implants are inserted the first phase of Menstrual cycle ( within first 5 days) , the effectiveness will begin immediately. In other case , it may take 5 to seven days for the full protection against pregnancy. Women is instructed to use other measures for contraception like condoms for the first few days, until the ' onset' of full effectiveness of the long term contraceptives.
Nexplanon and infections
It is a contraceptive implant , tiny rod that release Progestin , inserted under the skin to get protection against pregnancy. The use of such implants may lead to imbalance in the Estrogen and progesterone level in the body. This imbalance can leads to yeast infections ( vaginal Candidiasis). Especially Progesterone- only contraceptives can lead to this risk. Example: Nexplanon, Depo provera.
Imbalance in the acidity of vaginal discharge may give rise to bacterial infections, (that also may be due to imbalance in Estrogen and progesterone ). Bacterial vaginitis or bacterial vaginosis can cause abnormal and foul smelling discharge.
Studies show that Women in implants reported more cases of throat infections and flu like symptoms.
The insertion and removal of Nexplanon in some women, causes allergic and othet infections such as eczema, dermatitis, inflammation at the site etc.
A 21-year-old Caucasian female had Nexplanon implanted 5 months ago. She endorses depression and mood swings,...
A 21-year-old Caucasian female had Nexplanon implanted 5 months ago. She endorses depression and mood swings, vaginal candida, and bacterial infections since insertion. The only supplement use is a multivitamin daily. She has no prescribed medications and no medical problems. Her family history is noncontributory. Her fasting glucose is 100 mg/dL. 1. Address the link between hormonal fluctuations and emotions. 2. Address whether there is an “onset” period after insertion of long-term contraceptives. 3. Address whether this form of medication...