---
title: How do hormonal birth control and progesterone affect mood? | Niyora
description: Hormonal birth control affects mood differently in different women. In some, it causes depression and loss of sexual desire. In others, it has mood-stabilizin
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/psychiatric-complications-of-progesterone-and-oral-contraceptives-1981/
---

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- How do hormonal birth control and progesterone affect mood?

Case report, 1981

# How do hormonal birth control and progesterone affect mood?

Hormonal birth control affects mood differently in different women. In some, it causes depression and loss of sexual desire. In others, it has mood-stabilizing effects and can reduce PMS. How progesterone and hormonal birth control affect mood varies from person to person.

 Early or limited evidence

Women (general discussion of how oral contraceptives affect some women)

## What they did

This is a discussion of how progesterone and oral contraceptives affect mood and mental health. The authors outline progesterone's role in PMS, menstrual pain, and mood disorders that happen after pregnancy.

## What they found

Progesterone plays a key role in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and sexual function. Oral contraceptives can cause depression and loss of sexual desire in some women who don't have previous psychiatric illness. However, when used as mood-stabilizing medications, they can reduce PMS and improve mood.

## What it means for you

Progesterone and hormonal birth control affect mood in different ways for different women. Some women experience worsening depression and loss of desire, while others benefit from mood-stabilizing effects and PMS relief. Individual responses vary greatly and the reasons why are not fully understood.

## About the study

Original title Psychiatric complications of progesterone and oral contraceptives Authors Glick ID, Bennett SE Journal Journal of clinical psychopharmacology Year 1981 Study design Case report What was tested Oral contraceptives and progesterone Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00004714-198111000-00003](https://doi.org/10.1097/00004714-198111000-00003)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Libido and sexual function](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sexual-function/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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## Related studies

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