A new study suggests that hormonal contraceptives, such as implants, patches, and the birth control pill may be linked to depression. Researchers looked at data on more than a million girls and women ages 15 to 35 in Denmark.
They found that the rates of women filling their first prescription for an antidepressant were higher in women using a hormonal contraceptive. Antidepressant use was higher in women using hormonal contraceptives in an injection, implant, patch, ring, or IUD, than in those using birth control pills.
However, overall, there was about a 23 percent increase compared to non-users of hormonal contraception in terms of depression diagnosis or use of antidepressants.
The study found teenagers were at the greatest risk. “The cognitive development is certainly not as mature as women who are older and relationship issues may be more prevalent in that population so i think that sort of reflects that trend,” said Dr. James Liu, Obstetrics and Gynecology Chairman, UH Cleveland Medical Center.
Doctors say the study doesn’t change whether hormonal contraceptives should be prescribed to women, but the link is something physicians and patients should be aware of.
