- Users of skin patches were most likely to be prescribed an antidepressant
- Women on the most popular type of Pill were 23 per cent more likely
- Teenagers on the Pill appeared to be more vulnerable than older women
- Experts blame progesterone of playing a role in leaving women depressed
Stephen Matthews For Mailonline
41
View
comments
Women taking hormonal contraceptives may be at increased risk of depression, a study has found.
Those using skin patches which deliver a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone were most likely to be prescribed an antidepressant.
Users of the ring and coil were 60 and 40 per cent more likely respectively, scientists discovered.
Women on the most popular type of Pill were 23 per cent more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant than non-users.
While teenagers on the Pill appeared to be more vulnerable than older women, experts found.
Women on the most popular type of Pill were 23 per cent more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant than non-users, scientists found
Scientists suspect a link with progesterone, which has been shown to have a negative effect on mood during the menstrual cycle.
Lead researcher Dr Ojvind Lidegaard, from the University of Copenhagen, said: ‘Further studies are warranted to examine depression as a potential adverse effect of hormonal contraceptive use.’
For the study, researchers analysed data from national registries in Denmark that included more than a million teenage girls and adult women aged 15 to 34.
-
Last chance for that bikini! This month is the best shape…
Instant coffee for instant erections! Herbal brew containing…
Quicker detection of lung, breast and bowel cancer ‘could…
Mother who was told her pregnancy could KILL her says she’d…
Over an average period of six years, participants taking combined oral contraceptives containing a mixture of hormones were shown to be 23 per cent more likely than non-users to be treated with antidepressants for the first time.
Users of progestin-only pills which rely on synthetic progesterone had a 34 per cent increased risk.
Women using contraceptive patches, also containing progestin, were twice as much at risk.
Scientists suspect a link with progesterone, which has been shown to have a negative effect on mood during the menstrual cycle (stock)
For teenagers aged 15 to 19, use of the combined Pill led to an 80 per cent greater chance of being prescribed antidepressants.
The relative risks of having a diagnosis of depression mirrored those for being treated for the condition.
The study authors said both progesterone and its female sex hormone partner oestrogen were suspected of playing a role in depression.
HOW THE PILL COULD PROTECT WOMEN FROM FLU
Taking the contraceptive pill could protect women from the worst effects of the flu, scientists claim.
Progesterone, found in most forms of birth control helps to stave off influenza, a study discovered.
When infected, levels of the hormone in the body decline – but certain forms of contraception allow for more of it to remain in the system.
Women of reproductive age are twice as likely as men to suffer from complications related to the flu.
But it is hoped the discovery means these hormones could one day be used as a treatment for the virus in women.
Progesterone break down chemicals, or metabolites, have been shown to affect an important inhibitory system in the central nervous system.
Levels of the metabolites also increased after ovulation during the menstrual cycle and some women experienced negative moods at this time.
The findings supported the theory that progesterone might be linked to depression because ‘progestin dominates combined and progestin-only contraceptives’, researchers said.
Dr Channa Jayasena, from the Society for Endocrinology and Imperial College London, said: ‘This study raises important questions about the Pill.
‘In over a million Danish women, depression was associated with contraceptive Pill use.
‘The study does not prove (and does not claim) that the Pill plays any role in the development of depression. However, we know hormones play a hugely important role in regulating human behaviour.
‘Given the enormous size of this study, further work is needed to see if these results can be repeated in other populations, and to determine possible biological mechanisms which might underlie any possible link between the Pill and depression.
‘Until then, women should not be deterred from taking the Pill.’
Share or comment on this article
-
e-mail
Most watched News videos
-
Three-month-old baby appears to say ‘I love you’ to mother -
Accused murderer threatens Judge Amber Wolf in court -
Sam Allardyce offers advice on ‘getting around’ FA transfer rules -
Rumbie Mubaiwa posts live video after police shoot El Cajon man -
Moment father of the bride drops wedding cake in shocking prank -
Moment three-month-old baby girl tries on glasses for the first time -
Popular weather girl Daniela Crudu suffers wardrobe malfunction -
Young girl delivers emotional speech at Charlotte citizens forum -
SpaceX introduces its interplanetary transport system -
Beach towel prank sees man fall down a hole in the sand -
OUCH! Girl lets go of rope swing and falls onto jagged rocks -
Arizona burros see grass for the first time and are skeptical
-
Miss Universe ‘fat-shamed’ by Donald Trump was accused of…
-
Majority of snap polls show Trump won debate by a landslide…
-
EXCLUSIVE: Pitcher Jose Fernandez broke off his engagement…
-
Gorgeous in green! Beaming Kate dazzles in £2k Dolce …
-
Keith Scott WAS carrying a stolen gun, police say – and his…
-
New wave of police protests after unarmed black man is shot…
-
EXCLUSIVE: Brad Pitt’s ex-girlfriend says the Hollywood…
-
Muslim journalist, 22, poses for PLAYBOY wearing a hijab -…
-
Marilyn Monroe DID have an affair with Bobby Kennedy: Newly…
-
Down the hatch! Kate samples the local Canadian spirit – as…
-
‘Very drunk’ Jimmy Fallon, who has denied having a drinking…
-
‘Don’t you think I’m gonna find out where you live at?’ Man…
Comments (41)
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now