Summary:
This article reviews the link between birth control and depression, answering key questions around birth control’s impact on mood, and how to find the right type of treatment for depression.
Depression is the most common mental health condition around the world, and it disproportionately impacts women more than men. But what are the causes of depression, and is birth control among them? Yes, Research indicates that there is a small relationship between birth control and depression, but this depends entirely on the type of depression and whether an individual has a pre-existing depressive disorder.
Does Birth Control Cause Depression?
There are many potential causes of depression, such as medication, birth control, environment, injuries, and substance abuse. Hormonal birth control has sometimes been found to increase the risk of depression in women who already have depression, but for other women who experience mood fluctuations due to menstruation, hormonal birth control sometimes does the opposite and stabilizes mood instead of exacerbating it.
There are many nuances associated with age, personal history, and the type of birth control used, with a strong debate among researchers and healthcare providers as to how much birth control plays a role in depression.
In many cases, individuals struggling with worsening depression after taking birth control likely already had a history of depression or might be dealing with secondary causes of depression that are exacerbated by the hormonal changes associated with birth control. No matter the cause, those who are struggling with depression can find recovery at our treatment centers.
Treating Depression at Sequoia Recovery
At Sequoia Detox Centers, we offer a full range of care, including dual diagnosis treatment. Those clients who are struggling with depression and co-occurring substance abuse can participate in each program in a step-down process during treatment.
During each level of care, our goal is to help individuals heal the brain and the heart by overcoming negative feedback loops that might lead to depression. The most common form of therapy we provide is cognitive behavioral therapy, considered the gold standard for depression treatment. With this level of care, individuals can participate in individual and group therapy as well as holistic treatments, all of which bolster the lessons and skills taught during CBT.
No matter the cause of your depression, we can help you find the right type of mental health treatment today. Call us at 1-866-824-0709 to get started.
FAQ
Does Birth Control Cause Depression?
No scientific evidence provides a direct cause-and-effect relationship between using birth control and subsequent depression. Large-scale studies have determined that there is a small risk of being prescribed antidepressants or an increased risk of being diagnosed, but this is generally associated with people who already have depression, and even then, it is statistically small.
Will Specific Birth Control Affect Mood?
Yes, some types of birth control have a higher risk of affecting your mood than others. Research indicates that options like implants, hormonal IUDs, or mini pills, which are progestin-only birth control methods, have a stronger link to depressive symptoms compared to pills that combine estrogen and progestin. Some research found that hormonal IUD users have a slightly higher risk of being prescribed antidepressants.
Does Age Impact Birth Control and Depression Risk?
Yes, some research indicates that teenagers who start hormonal birth control have a slightly higher risk of depression compared to adults. This has been attributed to the fact that hormone systems and brains in those between the ages of 15 and 19 are still developing, and therefore, they are the most vulnerable population.
How Long Does Birth Control-Related Depression Last?
Many individuals who start birth control and experience mood-related side effects like sadness or irritability will notice a decline in those symptoms within the first two or three months. This is a result of the body adjusting to the hormone birth control. However, if symptoms persist beyond this time frame, it is recommended that individuals talk to their primary care physician and potentially consider treatment for underlying depression or other co-occurring disorders.
Can Birth Control Boost My Mood?
For some people, birth control can actually provide more emotional stability. This is often why birth control is prescribed for things like severe PMS or PMDD. In these cases, hormonal birth control can change the hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle and reduce things like cyclical depression.
If I Have Depression, Should I Avoid Birth Control?
Just because you have depression or a history of depression does not mean you have to avoid birth control. It is important to discuss your mental health with your doctor before starting any new type of birth control if you have a history of mood disorders, because birth control can make you more sensitive to hormonal changes, but most people, even with a history of depression, don’t have worsening symptoms once they start birth control.
How Do I Know If Birth Control is Worsening My Mental Health?
There are some signs to look out for that include things like changes to anxiety levels or irritability. If, for example, you have a significant change in your eating or sleeping habits, you are struggling with constant feelings of emotional numbness or sadness, and you are prone to frequent crying spells with no discernible reason and increased levels of anxiety, it’s worth discussing with your doctor whether or not your birth control might be impacting your mental health. Your doctor can help you with things like mood diaries, symptom management, and potentially switching to another birth control or getting help for an underlying condition.
Why Does Birth Control Affect Some People But Not Others?
Each individual on birth control has a different brain chemistry, which means that hormonal birth control will have a different impact on individual mood. For some people, birth control can change the cortisol levels in the body, making them more sensitive and increasing the risk of changes to their mood, but for others, it can help smooth out cyclical mood changes that already exist.
