QuestionI have had one of my tubes tied and the other was removed last year due to a tubal pregnancy. My menstrual cycle is normally regular, however, I am three weeks late. I started taking Zoloft 50 mg a little over a month ago. Could this be a side effect of the Zoloft?
AnswerDear Cindy,
I found this on a message board:
> glancing over the many posts on SSRI message
> boards one can see that delayed menstrual
> periods and heavy uterine bleeding can be
> common in many women taking SSRI drugs.
> SSRI's increase serotonin availability by
> inhibiting reuptake of serotonin at receptor
> sites in the brain. The increase in
> serotonin can cause a lowering of dopamine
> in the brain. Lower dopamine levels can
> result in increased amounts of prolactin,
> which in turn can result in lowering
> testosterone levels. This "chain
> reaction" can result in milk discharge
> from breasts and delayed menstrual periods
> (dysmenorrhea). To alleviate this many
> doctors will prescribe vitamin B-6, since
> vitamin B-6 is a coenzyme in the production
> of dopamine. I would suggest taking vitamin
> B-6 in a vitamin B-complex supplement, since
> the B vitamins work best when taken
> together, except for vitamin B-12 which
> works best when taken on an empty stomach.
> Take 50 mg. in a complex form, three times
> daily. It may take a month to see any
> positive effects due to menses cycle. Cindy,
I found this on an SSRI (they type of medication class that includes Zoloft:
In reading about Zoloft, I found numerous accounts of problems with menstruation. However, that usually does turn around after one or two cycles.
I would definitely let my physician know. Most likely, they will have you go through another cycle or two to see what is going on.
If I can help you in any other way, Cindy, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Best wishes,
Andrea
