The study “Association of Hormonal Contraception With Depression” (Charlotte Wessel Skovlund, MSc et. al), published in JAMA on September 28, 2016, provides evidence of a possible correlation between hormonal contraception medication and depression in women.
About the Study
The study was conducted in Denmark, and collected data from the National Prescription Register and the Psychiatric Central Research Register. The study examined women who used various forms of hormonal contraception and whom later used antidepressants or were diagnosed with depression. Data used in the study was collected from January 1, 2000, to December 2013 and only examined women aged 15 to 34. A total of 1,061,997 women were examined in the study.
The women who used hormonal contraception showed higher risks using antidepressants in the following areas:
- Oral contraceptives (standard birth-control pills): 23 percent higher risk.
- Progestogen-only pills: 34 percent higher risk.
- Hormone patches (norgestrolmin): 100 percent higher risk.
- Vaginal ring (etonogestrel): 60 percent higher risk.
- Levonorgestrel intrauterine system: 40 percent higher risk.
Women who were diagnosed with depression by a mental health professional showed slightly less or similar statistics.
Conclusion
Though the study provides relevant evidence that hormonal contraceptives are associated with depression, this does not prove a direct cause-and-effect between the two. The exact science as to how these medications could directly cause depression has not yet been thoroughly examined. However, it would be worth considering other contraceptive options if you are concerned that your medication may cause depression. Other contraceptives such as IUDs , diaphragms, and condoms are not hormonal and have not been associated with depression.
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