A large study from Uppsala University found that combined contraceptive use significantly increases the risk of depression in women, especially in the first two years of use, especially in teenage users. The researchers called on health care providers to raise awareness and clearly communicate potential risks to patients.
A new study from Uppsala University found that women who used combined contraceptives were at a higher risk of developing depression than those who did not. Birth control pills increased a woman’s risk by 73% in her first two years of use.
From a global perspective, depression is a leading cause of illness and disability. It affects more than 264 million people, with at least 25 percent of all women and 15 percent of all men experiencing depression that requires treatment at some point in their lives.
It has long been debated that contraceptives can adversely affect mental health and even cause depression. Many women choose to stop using contraceptives because of their impact on their mood, but research has shown that the situation is not simple. The study, which followed more than 250,000 women in the UK Biobank from birth to menopause, is one of the largest and most extensive studies to date.
When symptoms of depression appear
Researchers collected data on women’s use of contraceptives, when they were first diagnosed with depression, and when they first experienced symptoms of depression without being diagnosed. The contraceptive method studied combined a contraceptive containing estrogen with progestogen, a compound similar to the hormone progesterone. Progestogens prevent ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering the uterus, while estrogen thins the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
“Contraception has many benefits for women, but both physicians and patients should be informed about the side effects identified in this and previous studies,” said one of the researchers, Uppsala University Immunologist.・Thérèse Johansson of the Department of Genetics and Pathology said: She leads research.
Therese Johansson, PhD Student, Department of Immunology, Genetic Pathology, WOMHER, Uppsala University, Sweden.Credit: Michael Wallerstedt
The study found that women who started using birth control pills as teenagers had a 130 percent higher incidence of depressive symptoms, a similar increase of 92 percent for adult users.
“The powerful effects of contraceptives on teenagers are likely due to the hormonal changes caused by puberty. but may also be more receptive to other life experiences,” says Johansson.
The researchers also found that the increased incidence of depression was reduced when women continued to use contraceptives after the first two years. However, teenage contraceptive users still had an increased incidence of depression after stopping the pill, which was not observed in adult contraceptive users.
“It is important to emphasize that combination contraceptives are an excellent option for many women because most women can tolerate external hormones well without adverse effects on their mood. It can prevent unplanned pregnancies and prevent diseases that affect women, such as ovarian and uterine cancer.However, certain women are at risk of depression after starting contraceptive use. may increase.”
It is important for caregivers to inform women
The results of this study show that medical professionals need to be more aware of the connections between different systems in the body, such as depression and contraceptive use. The researchers conclude that it is important for health care providers to inform women considering contraceptive use of the potential risk of depression as a side effect of the drug.
“Since this study only investigated mixed contraceptives, no conclusions can be drawn for other contraceptive methods such as minipills, contraceptive patches, hormonal spirals, vaginal rings and contraceptive rods. Future studies may explore different formulations and administrations.” Our goal in comparing different contraceptive methods is to give women more information to help them make informed decisions about contraceptive methods,” Johansson said. say.
Reference: “A population-based cohort study of oral contraceptive use and risk of depression” by T. Johansson, S. Vinther Larsen, M. Bui, WE Ek, T. Karlsson, Å. Johansson, 12 June 2023, epidemiology and psychiatry.
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796023000525
