Other studies rely on the subjective experience of users and whether symptoms such as depression or mood swings are reported as side effects. Some studies have people complete surveys asking questions about symptoms of depression or anxiety and compare scores before and after hormonal birth control or between groups of birth control users. Some studies look at medical records to see if people using hormonal birth control were more likely to be diagnosed with depression or prescribed an antidepressant. Research studies vary in how they measure mood and mental health outcomes. Some studies try to account for personal, familial, or societal factors that can increase a person’s risk for depression, but it can be hard. This leaves open the possibility that the outcomes of the study aren’t related to the birth control itself, but to some other factor that would lead people to choose that method (9). Most of the studies done on mood and hormonal birth control are based on groups of people who chose for themselves what type of birth control they wanted to use. There are few randomized controlled trials on the subject, which involve taking a group of people and randomly assigning them to either take hormonal birth control or not. Some of this inconsistency is likely because studies are designed and carried out differently and have different ways of measuring mood and mental health outcomes (8). Studies on hormonal contraception and mood effects have had inconsistent results. Why hormonal impact on mood is hard to measure A family history of mood or psychiatric disorders, adversities in childhood, stressful life events, and social isolation all make it more likely that someone will be diagnosed with major depression (4). When a person uses hormonal birth control, it can change the natural level of hormones in their body and could possibly cause changes to their mental health.Įnvironmental and societal factors likely affect the risk for depression as well (7). Changes in estrogen levels may explain why some people experience depressive symptoms more frequently in the premenstrual phase, postpartum, and in perimenopause (6). One small study showed that people with depression had lower estrogen levels during the follicular phase (the time when estrogen levels normally rise between the start of a period and ovulation) (5). Women are about twice as likely as men to have depression-a difference that begins during puberty (4). There is reason to believe that hormones play a role in depression. We will dive into what we know and what we don’t know about different methods of birth control and the impact they have on mood and mental health. What does this mean when it comes to selecting a birth control type that’s right for you? Considering the effects that birth control could have on your mood or mental health is important. In these studies, people using hormonal birth control of any type reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety (2,3). Two large studies in the United States and Finland showed something different. This study analyzed nationwide health records and showed that hormonal birth control users were more likely to be diagnosed with or treated for depression (1). Several large studies have explored whether there is a connection between different types and formulations of hormonal birth control and changes in mood or mental health with some conflicting results.Ī 2016 study of more than one million women in Denmark really brought the possible connection between birth control and mental health to mainstream attention (1). Combined-hormonal birth control contains both progestin and a form of estrogen. Progestin-only hormonal birth control contains just progestin (a synthetic form of the body’s naturally-occurring hormone, progesterone). Hormonal birth control comes in several forms, including the implant, the intrauterine device (IUD), the shot, the pill, the patch, and the ring. Of course each person’s body-and brain-is unique and their response to hormonal birth control can be different. You may also hear people say that hormonal birth control improved their mood, making them feel more calm or stable. You may hear people say hormonal birth control negatively affected their mood, making them feel depressed, anxious, or irritable. Hormonal birth control may increase the risk for being diagnosed with depression, but effects on mood are mixed and vary by birth control typeįor people who have depression, hormonal birth control is not associated with worsening symptoms Hormonal changes may be a factor in the risk for depression This article is also available in: Português (PT), Español (ES), Deutsch (DE), Français (FR) Top things to know:
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