Birth control pills are associated with a higher risk of depression in women

Globally, depression is a leading cause of ill health and disability. Affecting more than 264 million people, at least 25 percent of all women and 15 percent of men experience depression that requires treatment at some point in their lives.

The possibility that birth control pills can have negative effects on mental health and even cause depression has long been debated. Although many women decide to stop taking birth control pills because of the effect on their mood, research results have not been clear until now. The study is one of the largest and most comprehensive to date, involving more than a quarter of a million women from the UK Biobank from birth to menopause.

The researchers collected data on the women’s use of birth control pills, the time they were first diagnosed with depression, and when they first experienced symptoms of depression without receiving a diagnosis. The contraceptive method studied was combined contraceptive pills containing progestogen, a compound similar to the hormone progesterone, and estrogen. Progestogen prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus, while estrogen thins the uterine lining, preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.

“Although contraception has many benefits for women, both doctors and patients should be informed about the side effects identified in this and previous studies,” says Therese Johansson from Uppsala University’s Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, one of the researchers. following the investigation.

According to the study, women who started using birth control pills in their teens were 130 percent more likely to develop depressive symptoms, compared to 92 percent more adults.

The strong influence of birth control pills on teenagers can be attributed to the hormonal changes caused by puberty. Because women in that age group have already experienced major hormonal changes, they may be more susceptible not only to hormonal changes but also to other life experiences.Therese Johansson, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University

The researchers were also able to see that the increased incidence of depression decreased when women continued to take the pill after the first two years. However, adolescent users of birth control pills still had increased rates of depression even after stopping the pill, which was not seen in adult users of birth control pills.

“It is important to emphasize that most women tolerate external hormones well and do not experience negative effects on mood, so combined contraceptive pills are an excellent solution for many women. Contraceptive pills prevent unplanned pregnancy and can also prevent diseases that affect women, including ovarian and uterine cancer. However, some women may be at an increased risk of depression when they start taking birth control pills.”

The study’s findings suggest that health care professionals need to be more aware of possible connections between different body systems, such as depression, and the use of birth control pills. The researchers conclude that it is important for care providers to inform women who are considering birth control pills about the potential risk of depression as a side effect of the medication.

“Because we only studied combined contraceptive pills in this study, we cannot draw conclusions about other contraceptive options such as mini-pills, contraceptive patches, hormonal IUDs, vaginal rings, or contraceptive sticks. In a future study, we plan to examine different formulas and contraceptive sticks. Our goal in comparing different contraceptive methods is to give women even more information to help them make well-informed decisions about their contraceptive options,” says Johansson.