Study, 1970
Does oral contraceptive use affect depression related to the menstrual cycle?
Yes. In women not using contraceptives, depression varied with the menstrual cycle day. In women using oral contraceptives, this pattern was much weaker. Also, 6.6 percent of women on one type of contraceptive were more severely depressed than any woman in the control group.
What they did
261 women completed a depression scale. 168 were taking oral contraceptives and 93 were using physical contraception methods. Researchers looked at how depression scores varied with the menstrual cycle day in each group.
What they found
In the control group (not using hormonal contraceptives), depression varied by menstrual cycle day. In the oral contraceptive group, this pattern was much weaker - depression was mainly in the 1 to 2 days before menstruation. Women taking a specific contraceptive containing lynoestrenol 2.5 mg and mestranol 0.075 mg had higher rates of pessimism, dissatisfaction, crying, and tension compared to other contraceptives and the control group. Overall, 6.6 percent of women on oral contraceptives were more severely depressed than any woman in the control group.
What it means for you
Oral contraceptives appear to reduce the link between the menstrual cycle and depression. The hormones prevent the cyclic depression some women without contraceptives experience. Some specific contraceptives increased mood symptoms, suggesting the hormones used matter. This was not a randomized trial, so it cannot prove contraceptives caused the changes.
261
total women
168
women on oral contraceptives
6.6
percent with severe depression (contraceptive group)
About the study
- Original title
- Depressive symptoms and oral contraceptives
- Authors
- Herzberg BN, Johnson AL, Brown S
- Journal
- British medical journal
- Year
- 1970
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 261
- What was tested
- Oral contraceptive use (various types) compared with physical contraception methods
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/bmj.4.5728.142
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