Hormonal Birth Control Does Not Increase Depression Risk in Women

Hormonal birth control doesn’t cause depression in women. Pregnant moms will sometimes have a higher depression risk, not necessarily because of the drugs, but because they have that risk to start with.

New study conducted by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center researchers finds no link between hormonal contraceptives and depression.

"Depression is a concern for a lot of women when they're starting hormonal contraception, particularly when they're using specific types that have progesterone," said Dr. Brett Worly, lead author of the study and OB/GYN at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. "Based on our findings, this side effect shouldn't be a concern for most women, and they should feel comfortable knowing they're making a safe choice."

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A birth control patch is a new method of contraception for women for once weekly external application and contains both estrogen and progesterone.

‘Contraceptive pills, implants and pills do not increase women’s risk of depression.’

Worly and his team reviewed thousands of studies on the mental health effects of contraceptives. They included data tied to various contraception methods, including injections, implants and pills. Similarly, researchers reviewed studies examining the effects of hormonal birth control on postpartum women, adolescents and women with a history of depression, all with the same conclusion: there is insufficient evidence to prove a link between birth control and depression.

"For those patients, it's important that they have a good relationship with their healthcare provider so they can get the appropriate screening done - regardless of the medications they're on," said Worly.

Worly said patient concerns are valid, and he wants women to continue having open and honest discussions with their doctor about which options work for them.

Quiz on Depression
The World Health Organization reports that depression is one of the main causes of disability affecting about 121 million people worldwide. More tragically, it claims around 850,000 lives every year. Hence, it is important that we understand this affliction to help ourselves or our loved ones to cope and, hopefully, resolve it. How well do you know the facts about depression? Take this quiz and find out.

"We live in a media-savvy age where if one or a few people have severe side effects, all of a sudden, that gets amplified to every single person," he said. "The biggest misconception is that birth control leads to depression. For most patients that's just not the case."

Most women have tried at least one method of contraception in their lives, with nearly 37 million women in the United States currently using birth control. Sixty-seven percent of current users have opted for a non-permanent hormonal method such as an oral pill, but among those, 30 percent have discontinued their use due to dissatisfaction with potential side effects.

Top Facts on Depression
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder is a mood disorder characterized by a feeling of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. Here are some top facts on depression you should know.

Source-Eurekalert

Test Your Knowledge on Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are daily pills that contain hormones to control and change the body’s functions to prevent pregnancy. Its main function is to prevent the release of an egg during the monthly menstrual cycle. It also works on the mucus lining around the cervix by thickening it and making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach out to the eggs. The birth control pills also make the lining of the uterus thinner so that egg does not attach to the wall of the uterus. The best birth control pill can vary according to the age, needs of the user and other factors. Most women consider the contraceptive pills to be the best birth control method.