Is depression a side effect of birth control?
On One Hand: It’s a Side EffectDepression is a common side effect when using birth control that affects hormones. The makers of Yaz and other birth control pills list depression as one of the side effects. Among the other side effects is mood swings, which can also result in periods of sadness or depression.On the Other: Not All Forms Cause DepressionThere are several forms of birth control that do not affect hormones, such as condoms, the contraceptive sponge and the diaphragm. Also, different kinds of hormonal birth control, such as oral contraceptives, the patch and the vaginal ring, have different effects on their users. One might trigger depression as a side effect in a user while others might not.Bottom LineRecent studies have confirmed that depression is a relatively common side effect of oral contraceptives, one that should be monitored, especially in those who have had depression before.
