More than 99% of women aged 15 and 44, who have ever had sexual intercourse have used at least one method of hormonal contraception, reports the Guttmacher Institute. However, despite research indicating that the use birth control has an influence on some women’s mood, the topic has seldom been addressed – until now.
According to a new study investigating “whether the use of hormonal contraception is positively associated with subsequent use of antidepressants and a diagnosis of depression at a psychiatric hospital,” there’s much to be discussed.
Per the research published in JAMA Psychiatry, scientists from the University of Copenhagen tracked one million Danish women between the ages of 15 and 34 from January 1, 2000, to December 2013 (13 years). What they discovered, was that birth control is connected to higher rates of depression in adolescents. In fact, young women between the ages of 15 and 19 who took oral contraceptives were 80% more likely to end up depressed.
The study says of its design, setting, and participants:
“A total of 1 061 997 women (mean [SD] age, 24.4 [0.001] years; mean [SD] follow-up, 6.4 [0.004] years) were included in the analysis. Compared with nonusers, users of combined oral contraceptives had an RR of first use of an antidepressant of 1.23 (95% CI, 1.22-1.25). Users of progestogen-only pills had an RR for first use of an antidepressant of 1.34 (95% CI, 1.27-1.40); users of a patch (norgestrolmin), 2.0 (95% CI, 1.76-2.18); users of a vaginal ring (etonogestrel), 1.6 (95% CI, 1.55-1.69); and users of a levonorgestrel intrauterine system, 1.4 (95% CI, 1.31-1.42). For depression diagnoses, similar or slightly lower estimates were found.
The relative risks generally decreased with increasing age. Adolescents (age range, 15-19 years) using combined oral contraceptives had an RR of a first use of an antidepressant of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.75-1.84) and those using progestin-only pills, 2.2 (95% CI, 1.99-2.52). Six months after starting use of hormonal contraceptives, the RR of antidepressant use peaked at 1.4 (95% CI, 1.34-1.46). When the reference group was changed to those who never used hormonal contraception, the RR estimates for users of combined oral contraceptives increased to 1.7 (95% CI, 1.66-1.71).”
Meanwhile, another study, which focused on a group of nearly 8,400 children in Hong Kong born in April and May of 1997, is challenging the research — suggesting that early puberty – not contraceptives — may be linked to depression. In some cases, it may even be triggered by an immune response, says the findings published in the journal Pediatrics.
As for the significance, doctors are unlikely to prescribe the pill to women who are prone to depression, as the use of contraceptives may worsen their symptoms. Women are already twice as likely to experience depression as men. The discoveries are complicated, and there are still many legitimate reasons to take the pill. Experts argue that women should be aware of both the benefits and the risks.
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