Can Birth Control Pills Cause Depression?

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 Negative Side Effects of the Pill

Negative side effects of the pill include:

• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Nausea (sometimes accompanied by vomiting)
• Irregular spotting and bleeding between periods
• A change in sexual desire

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 other 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.

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.

More About the Pill and Mood Disorders

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.