Debunking the Myth: Hormonal Contraceptives and Their Impact on Mental Health

Myth and Truth about Hormonal Contraceptives and Mental Health

Myth: Hormonal Contraceptives Improve Mental Health

This statement is false. Hormonal contraceptives, which include oral contraceptives, the patch, birth control injections, vaginal rings, and various intrauterine devices, can have significant side effects, particularly mood changes.

Impact on Adolescents

Due to these potential side effects, many adolescents opt to discontinue the use of hormonal contraceptives. A study published in the journal PLoS One examined the psychological effects of these contraceptives on women aged 12 to 30 in Sweden.

Key Findings of the Study

The research focused on the use of psychotropic medications, such as antidepressants, among women who began using hormonal contraceptives. It revealed a notable association between hormonal contraceptive use and an increase in psychotropic drug use among adolescent girls aged 12 to 14.

Further Reading

For more details on this study, you can access it here.

Reference

Zettermark, S., Vicente, R. P., & Merlo, J. (2018). Hormonal contraception increases the risk of psychotropic drug use in adolescent girls but not in adults: A pharmacoepidemiological study on 800,000 Swedish women. PLoS One, 13(3), e0194773. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194773