Depression Treatment Medication Can Birth Control Pills Cause Depression? By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 07, 2020 Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on December 05, 2019 Facebook LinkedIn Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Jonathan Nourok / Getty Images Birth control pills are oral contraceptives that are taken every day in order to prevent pregnancy. Most women can safely use birth control pills, but pill use may carry some risks and/or side effects for certain people. Common Side Effects Women have been enjoying the benefits and advantages of the birth control pill since its FDA-approval on May 9, 1960. The pill is actually one of the most researched and studied of all medications. Most women can safely use birth control pills, but pill use may carry some risks and/or side effects that your doctor should make you aware of. Negative side effects of the pill include: AcneBreast tendernessDiarrheaDizzinessHeadachesIncreased appetiteIrregular spotting and bleeding between periodsLow libido, or change in sexual desireMood swingsNausea (sometimes accompanied by vomiting)Raised blood pressureVaginal dischargeWeight gain or water retention The Pill and Depression One of the possible side effects of birth control pills is, indeed, a change in mood. If you have a history of depression, you may not be able to continue to take birth control pills if your depression worsens. Studies show that this is not a common, or likely, side effect, but some experts nevertheless disagree. The results of a study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology in 2013, show that young women using the birth control pill and other hormonal methods were no more likely to be depressed than other young women. In the push-back upon the publication of these results, the lead author of the study pointed out that irritability and mood swings are very different from depression and suicide attempts, though they're definitely something to bring up with your doctor. Meanwhile, another study in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology gave some women a cycle of birth control pills and gave other another group of women placebos. At the end of the cycle, the women taking hormonal birth control were actually more likely to report worse mood, fatigue, and mood swings than the placebo group. So it seems that the truth remains elusive. A Word From Verywell If you experience any of these side effects, including worsening depression, especially for a period of longer than three months, you should consult with your physician for advice. It may just mean that your birth control pill needs to be changed. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Get our free guide when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Keyes KM, Cheslack-Postava K, Westhoff C, et al. Association of hormonal contraceptive use with reduced levels of depressive symptoms: A national study of sexually active women in the United States. Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(9):1378-1388. doi:10.1093/aje/kwt188 Keyes KM, Cheslack-Postava K, Westhoff C, et al. Keyes et Al. Respond to "hormonal contraception and mood". Am J Epidemiol. 2013;178(9):1392-1393. doi:10.1093/aje/kwt187 Gingnell M, Engman J, Frick A, et al. Oral contraceptive use changes brain activity and mood in women with previous negative affect on the pill--a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial of a levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptive. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2013;38(7):1133-1144. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.11.006 Speak to a Therapist for Depression Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.