Dear Dr Rainford,

I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome three years ago and I have been having irregular periods since then. I was informed by an obstetrician and gynaecologist that an oral contraceptive would be beneficial and was taking same. However, since taking the Pill, I noticed that I have become very depressed and irritated. I stopped taking it last month but have just felt slightly better since and I am very concerned about this. I await a response soon.

Dear Reader,

Combined oral contraceptive pills (the birth control pills available in Jamaica) contain two types of hormones, an oestrogen and a progestin. All of these pills contain the same type of oestrogen, ethinyl estradiol (although the dose varies slightly). However many different kinds of progestins are used in birth control pills and women react to progestins differently.

It is possible that your symptoms are related to the effect that the progestin in your pill has on you. I would recommend that you visit your gynaecologist so that you can have a proper evaluation and perhaps a birth control pill with another progestin could be tried. It is quite likely that you may better tolerate a different formulation of birth control pill. I hope that I have relieved some of your concerns.

- Dr Monique Rainford

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.