When is it time for Prozac?

last updated on
June 16, 2023
by
Alisa Vitti

Back in my early 20s, I was scheduled for a doctor’s check-up. As is usually the case I spent a few hours waiting to be called in. During that time my blood sugar dropped majorly - snack-packing failure! - and so by the time I got to see the doctor, I was in hysterics. Without blinking an eye, the doctor whipped out her prescription pad and asked me if I’d like to get on Prozac.You can imagine my reaction - jaw-drop…. “Absolutely not, thank you!” - because I know enough about blood sugar management and hormones to know that it wasn’t clinical depression that was causing my breakdown - it was food.I tell you this story today to introduce the extremely important topic of mood management and hormonal balance.Way too many women are being prescribed medications for symptoms that are actually not depression, but rather are hormonally-induced mood changes.If you’re wondering whether or not your symptoms call for medication or the more natural route of food therapy support, continue reading!

How Prozac and other SSRIs work

Plain and simply, SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), of which Prozac is one, help your brain take in more serotonin. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters that makes you feel happy. So it seems like if your brain can take in more of it, you’ll be happier - right? Not exactly...Here’s the catch -If your body is not making enough serotonin in the first place, it doesn’t matter how much Prozac you’re taking because you’ll still have the same underlying problem.And guess what? 95% of the serotonin you have is produced in your GUT! This means that the food you’re eating has a MAJOR impact on how much you can make in the first place.If you don’t have a clinically diagnosed mental illness - which we’ll explain more about shortly - you don’t want to be on SSRIs. The side effects of these medications are so powerful that you’ll kill your sex drive, put on weight, and experience a range of other unpleasant side effects.For more on this topic and a timeline of medications and women, check out this article.

Signs you don’t need medication:

Here’s a list of signs from your body that indicate food and lifestyle therapies, like our WomanCode System, would be extremely beneficial and that you therefore most likely DO NOT need medication:

  • Hypoglycemia - If your blood sugar is on a rollercoaster, much like my example from the doctor’s office above, it means you’re majorly messing with your brain chemistry which will lead to feeling blue or anxious.
  • Cyclical fluctuations - It’s actually normal to feel differently throughout different times in your cycle. Women tend to be more social, outgoing, and positive in the 1st half of their cycle (i.e. the follicular and ovulatory phases) and more inwardly focused, sensitive, and easier to fatigue in the second half (the luteal/pre-menstrual and menstrual phase). You may have judgements about these mood shifts that can also compound the feeling that something is wrong with you. (It’s not. This is a normal brain chemistry change.)
  • Moments of anxiety or high stress - If you experience what feels like a panic attack while executing normal daily functions, or if you function on high levels of stress or anxiety, you may or may not need medication. You definitely need to work on supporting your adrenal glands through your diet and lifestyle, either way! It’s likely you’re in stage 2 of adrenal fatigue here, which needs to be addressed naturally in order to heal.
Signs medication can help:

Here’s a list of signs and symptoms from your body and mind that indicate you most likely DO need medication:

  • OCD-like behavior - Obsessive-Compulsive activities and thoughts that interfere with your quality of life.
  • Clinical depression - When you can’t get out of bed in the morning, have no appetite, and it feels hard to do anything.
  • Severe anxiety or panic attacks - Where you feel like you’re dying or having a heart attack. When it gets to the cardiovascular levels, it’s an indication you’ve reached the point where medical help is important. But as stated above, a lot can be done naturally to reverse the effects of stress and heal your adrenal glands.
  • Other psychological diagnoses: Bipolar, Manic-depression, Borderline Personality Disorder

Please note that I’m not trying to diagnose or treat you here, but rather giving you points of reference to help assess your own symptoms. It’s important to see a doctor to help you determine what’s best for you, and if you go into your doctor’s office already well-informed, you’ll be so much better off :)

Medication is NOT the only option

Want to know what’s really going on with your hormones and learn how to take a drug-free approach?We’ve designed a quiz to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance NOW.[gravityform id="1" name="Sign up here to get your quiz!" description="false"]

Integrative Nutritionist, Author, & Founder of FLO Living

Alisa Vitti

Explore the Store

Best seller

Restore Supplements

Reduce Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) symptoms like painful periods, weight gain, acne breakouts, and unwanted hair with Restore, our PCOS supplement kit.

$
-
$
139
Best seller

Nurture Supplements

Optimize your fertility and get your body baby-ready with Nurture, our therapeutic-grade fertility supplement kit.

$
-
$
219
Best seller

Balance Supplements

Support whole-body hormonal balance and regular, PMS-free periods with these five essential micronutrient formulations, designed to be taken simultaneously every day.

$
259
-
$
219

Explore the Store

Best seller

Balance Supplements

Support whole-body hormonal balance and regular, PMS-free periods with these five essential micronutrient formulations, designed to be taken simultaneously every day.

$
219
-
$
259
Best seller

Cycle Syncing® Supplements

Feel better and perform more effectively when you support your hormonal health during every phase of your cycle.

$
259
-
$
299
Best seller

Cycle Syncing® Membership

A revolutionary roadmap for women to help balance their hormones and care for their bodies, so they can feel their best all month long with Cycle Syncing®.

$
28
-
$

Get started

We can help you address your underlying issues and understand your hormones like never before

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • “MyFLO has been a true game changer for me and my cycle. I now have an increased awareness of my body's needs throughout the month.”

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • “MyFLO has completely transformed my relationship with my cycle. I am sleeping through the night, intuitively managing my stress, and eating with my cycle.”

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • “I use MyFLO every day to track my cycle and symptoms. I've managed to significantly reduce PMS symptoms like breast tenderness, and my cycle length has gone down from 40 days to 30 days.”

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Boost micronutrient levels

  • Manage blood sugar

  • Reduce stress

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • "My period was missing for 3 years after getting off birth control. MonthlyFLO helped me finally get my period back.”

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • I feel more empowered to understand my body and heal my hormones. I no longer accept the patriarchal dismissal and confusion about the female cycle”

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • “I got my period back after 15 years! Thank all of you for your support. I'm just so grateful!”

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • “FLO Living has seriously changed my life. It gave me the courage and bravery to get off of birth control, and completely changed my outlook on health. I look and feel better than I ever have in my life”

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Detox estrogen

  • Reduce inflammatory foods

  • Improve elimination

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Stabilize blood sugar

  • Reduce Androgens

  • Restore ovulation

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Boost progesterone production

  • Support estrogen elimination with dietary changes

  • Replenish micronutrients

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Detox estrogen

  • Improve bowel movements

  • Reduce inflammation

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Manage blood sugar

  • Address micronutrient deficiencies

  • Restore ovulation

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Detox chemical stress

  • Micronutrients to boost egg quality

  • Reduce inflammation

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Stabilize blood sugar

  • Detox chemical stress

  • Targeted micronutrients to support ovulation

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Micronutrients to boost egg quality

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Support immune function of uterus

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Implement Cycle Syncing ®

  • Detox chemical stress

  • Boost micronutrient levels

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Manage blood sugar

  • Detox estrogen

  • Boost progesterone production

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Stabilize blood sugar

  • Reduce stress

  • Boost energy

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Cycle Syncing® Food & Workouts

  • Stabilize blood sugar

  • Restore Micronutrients

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Cycle Syncing® Food & Workouts

  • Boost progesterone production

  • Support estrogen elimination

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Cycle Syncing® Food & Workouts

  • Micronutrients to boost egg quality

  • Reduce inflammation

Alisha A   /  46 years old

Heavy bleeding
Fibroids
Infertility

Flo Care Plan

  • Cycle Syncing® Food & Workouts

  • Boost progesterone production

  • Increase micronutrient levels

Please Rotate Your Device