Even experienced users of fertility awareness methods can be caught off guard by unexpected changes in their cycle—especially when starting or stopping medication. This story comes from a long-time sympto-thermal method (STM) user who noticed clear shifts in her cycle after using antidepressant.
“My cycles were always predictable—30 days, with a 14-day luteal phase. That was my normal after coming off the pill over a year ago. I knew my body.”
But things changed when she started Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride, 150 mg) on day 29 of her 10th cycle.
“I had a cold at the time, but what really surprised me was that my next cycle was only 26 days—my shortest ever—and my luteal phase dropped to 12 days.”
She continued taking Wellbutrin through the next cycle but decided to stop on day 23 of cycle 12. As the medication left her system, she began tracking not just her temperatures and mucus, but also her emotional and sensory changes.
“Seventeen days after stopping Wellbutrin, I noticed that sexual sensations started returning. Climaxing became a bit easier and more intense during self-pleasure, but intercourse still felt distant. Like my body wasn’t fully present.”
She also noted that, despite continuing antihistamines, her cervical mucus—previously almost absent—began to return.
“I felt a bit of moisture again. Sticky, not much, but different. Like something was waking back up.”
About the medication:
Wellbutrin is an antidepressant commonly prescribed for depression and smoking cessation. Its active ingredient, bupropion hydrochloride, works differently from SSRIs. It affects dopamine and norepinephrine, not serotonin, and is often considered to have fewer sexual side effects. Still, its impact on hormones and nervous system function can influence menstrual cycles, luteal phase length, cervical fluid, libido, and emotional connection.
Fertility and Antidepressants: What Studies Show
While individual experiences vary, research has observed a broader connection between antidepressant use and fertility challenges. For example, a case-control study published in Fertility and Sterility (2016) found that women taking antidepressants were about three times more likely to experience infertility compared to non-users. Specifically, 25% of women with infertility in the study reported antidepressant use, versus just 9.5% in the control group.
This suggests that medication effects on ovulation, cycle regularity, cervical fluid, or sexual function may play a role.
Why Charting Matters
This case highlights how fertility awareness isn’t just about ovulation—it’s about understanding your whole cycle and how it responds to change. With consistent charting and self-awareness, this user was able to connect the dots between her medication and her fertility signs, giving her more clarity and control in the process of healing.
