New study links contraceptive pill and depression

The stats are staggering

The pill can help women avoid unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. Image: Getty

The study of more than 264,000 women found that teenage girls are at the highest risk, with a 130 per cent higher rate of depression.

The side effects of the contraceptive pill just keep stacking up.

The most recent study saw researchers from Sweden's Uppsala University collect data on women’s use of contraceptive pills and the findings are worrying. 

Researchers tracked participants from the time they first experienced symptoms of depression without a diagnosis, and then from the time they were diagnosed with depression and found that women who began to use contraceptive pills as teenagers had a 130 per cent higher incidence of symptoms of depression. The extensive study also found the increase among adult women was 92 per cent. 

“Although contraception has many advantages for women, both medical practitioners and patients should be informed about the side-effects identified in this and previous research,” says Therese Johansson a lead researcher in the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University.

Johansson wondered if a teen’s susceptibility to mental health issues while on the pill was fuelled by hormones from puberty.

“The powerful influence of contraceptive pills on teenagers can be ascribed to the hormonal changes caused by puberty. As women in that age group have already experienced substantial hormonal changes, they can be more receptive not only to hormonal changes but also to other life experiences,” she says.

Teenage users of the pill still had an increased incidence of depression even after stopping using the pill. Adult users did not.

Johansson did ascertain the importance of contraceptive pills for teens and women, noting they can prevent illnesses like ovarian and uterine cancer, and help women avoid unplanned or unwanted pregnancies.

But we shouldn’t ignore that certain women have an increased risk of depression after taking it. Globally, depression is the leading cause of ill health and injury.

Johansson did ascertain the importance of contraceptive pills for teens and women. Image: iStock

Johansson preached the importance of healthcare providers informing female patients about the potential risks and side effects of using contraceptive pills, specifically depression. 

Perhaps exploring other forms of contraception is the way to go, but more research is needed.

“Since we only investigated combined contraceptive pills in this study, we cannot draw conclusions about other contraceptive options, such as mini-pills, contraceptive patches, hormonal spirals, vaginal rings or contraceptive rods,” Johansson says, adding that all of the above will be part of future studies at Uppsala University.

“Our ambition in comparing different contraceptive methods is to give women even more information to help them make well-informed decisions about their contraceptive options,” she says.

Originally published as New study links contraceptive pill and depression