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Does the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cause depression?

April 26, 2017cause combined contraceptive depression ocp oral Pill

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Does the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cause depression?

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Depression and premenstrual mood changes are common in women in their reproductive years – many of whom are on combined OCPs. One should not immediately assume that the two are linked. When depression coincides with starting the pill, if there is a history of depression related to the pill in the past, if standard antidepressant therapy fails to relieve depression, and if distressing premenstrual mood changes occur in a pill user it may be reasonable to undertake a therapeutic trial of combined OCP discontinuation (ensuring suitable alternative contraception). The progestin component of the pill appears to adversely affect mood in some individuals and these women may do better on an alternate form of contraception.