Hormonal Contraception and Risk for Depression

Changes in estrogen and progesterone can affect monoamine and GABA-ergic function and have been shown to increase depression in both experimental and natural contexts, including the transition to puberty, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause. Despite this, studies of hormonal contraceptive effects on mood have generally shown no adverse effects. In a prospective Danish registry-based cohort study, researchers examined depression risk in 1,061,997 women ages 15 to 34 over a mean of 6.4 years. Of the women, 56% used hormonal contraceptives; women with depression histories and pregnant and postpartum women were excluded.

Beginning to use some types of hormonal contraceptives was associated with slightly increased risks for initiation of antidepr…