Popular contraception linked to depression

Research has found a link between the use of hormonal contraception and increased risk of depression.

Women and teenage girls aged 15 to 34 who used hormonal contraception had a 1.23 times higher risk of being diagnosed with depression, especially adolescents, according to a paper published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, reports SMH.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark analysed health registry data of one million Danish women from 2000 and followed them up after an average of six years.

Of the 55 per cent of those who used hormonal contraception, there were just over 23,000 first diagnoses of depression at the time of follow up.

More than 133,000 had received their first prescription of antidepressants.

The highest risk of depression was among the adolescent girls, who had a 1.8-times higher risk of first use of an antidepressant.

Study author Ojvind Lidegaard says their research warrants the need for further studies into the potential adverse effects of the pill.

“Use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with subsequent antidepressant use and first diagnosis of depression at a psychiatric hospital among women living in Denmark.

“Adolescents seemed to be more vulnerable to this risk than women 20 to 34 years old,” Lidegaard said.

Have you had any bad experiences with the pill?

Share your comments below.

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15 Comments

- - ChiWren said
  - 30 Sep 2024
    10:59 pm
I never felt out of the ordinary on the pill. The mini pill Im currently on, maybe, but that’s because I can’t skip my period whenever I want hahah

- - mom101628 said
  - 10 Nov 2016
    10:20 pm
So glad to be beyond that these days.

- - missliss89 said
  - 03 Nov 2016
    1:24 pm
its interesting i read this today. a week ago i ran out of my pill and haven’t been back for a new prescription. but I’ve actually had a great week!
ive woken up before my alarm, I’ve been happier and had more patience with the kids! (and the hubby! lol )

- - 3xmum said
  - 04 Oct 2016
    9:22 pm
I used to be on the mini pill when I first started contraception and yes I must admit it made me blue, and frumpy. But then again most contraception’s didn’t like me 🙂 It was a love hate relationship.

- - Dreaming mummy said
  - 02 Oct 2016
    4:58 pm
I started on the pill at 14 for acne, and have had depression ever since. I went off it at 21, and 5 years later I am finally depression free without antidepressants. I had to go back on the pill for s few weeks once and it returned by the end of the three weeks! Never again, it’s obviously just not for me.

- - mom81879 said
  - 02 Oct 2016
    9:39 am
It must happen in the smallest percentage of people. I’ve used the pill for years with no issues whatsoever

- - mom134803 said
  - 02 Oct 2016
    7:33 am
Yes it’s known the pill has many negative side effects.

- - june11 said
  - 01 Oct 2016
    1:41 pm
I know a lady who supposedly drove her car off the side of the road early one morning, and thought It was just an accident. A few weeks later she realised she was very depressed and on thinking later realised it may have been the start of depression of that point.

- - mum4107 said
  - 30 Sep 2016
    9:37 pm
I have had many issues with the pill. Migraines, severe mood swings, acne.

- - mom112217 said
  - 30 Sep 2016
    8:00 am
I have never had any issues with my contraceptives.

- - mom93821 said
  - 29 Sep 2016
    9:34 pm
There are many studies and lots of research on this issue and there are many other reasons for depression that appear at the same time during adolescence. There needs to be more research which includes many countries and wider populations and demographics.

- - natct said
  - 29 Sep 2016
    9:21 pm
I had high blood pressure when young after I started on the pill. I stopped taking it and was just careful for many many years I was fine. After kids I had an arm contraception can’t remember the name… it near killed me. 6 month and I walked into the doc and said you cut it out or I will. Was a nasty horrible nightmare. The standard pill now and I’ve told my man to get fixed as I will finish this script and no more. I said I want to know me again before menopause. It’s the change in hormones. My body does not cope and my mind can’t. Pregnancy 3 times was 7+ months of wishing I wouldn’t wake up from the pain. It’s all hormones.

- - lspew said
  - 29 Sep 2016
    7:24 pm
i was lucky to have no issues at all. But have heard some people having a horrible time on the pill.
- mom93821 replied
  
  30 Sep 2016 , 5:54 am
  All types of medication can impact on people – it is so individual and thankfully there is always a long list of possible side effects that come with all medications.
- - mom160421 said
  - 29 Sep 2016
    3:40 pm
Fortunately I didn’t have any adverse effects. This is worrying though.