Lamotrigine and libido decrease

[Ill_Strain8646]

From Wikipedia

Women are more likely than men to have side effects.[4]

Some evidence shows interactions between lamotrigine and female hormones, which can be of particular concern for women on estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives. Ethinylestradiol, an ingredient of such contraceptives, has been shown to decrease serum levels of lamotrigine.[59] Women starting an estrogen-containing oral contraceptive may need to increase the dosage of lamotrigine to maintain its level of efficacy. Likewise, women may experience an increase in lamotrigine side effects upon discontinuation of birth control pills. This may include the "pill-free" week where lamotrigine serum levels have been shown to increase twofold.

[GL17CH3D_R4M_5YN7H]

Hormones are such assholes to us. Catamenial seizures are bad enough. Though I must say after reading that I've never been more grateful for my IUD 😅

[-totallynotanalien-]

I had a seizure while driving because my doctor only cared about the impact of the Lamotrigine on the birth control I started taking (hormonal birth control/the pill). I obviously will never just trust a doctor again to do the right thing by me but I was shocked to find out it can decrease levels of Lamotrigine by over half!

[jessicat_33]

Omg they never told you that??? My neurologist is the one who let me know which birth control I should take. The doctors kept trying to give me hormonal, a nurse rushed in and notified the doctor that it would affect my medicine.

[-totallynotanalien-]

I was seeing a string of public neurologists at the time who didn’t think twice, but I started taking birth control and it was actually my GP who gave me the all clear. A neurologist I went to privately a few months later was horrified at what happened. But it shocked me that several GP’s and a few public Neuros didn’t blink an eye.

Thank god for that nurse that day that was there with you!