Hormonal Contraceptives Increase Depression

Danish study shows that hormonal contraceptives lead to depression in 40% of patients.  This was a study of over one million patients!!  The Mirena IUD increased risk 300%.  This is a huge problem.  I’ve certainly noticed it anecdotally in patients and personal contacts, but just wow.  That’s a big risk and extremely underappreciated.  Go with an IUD!  According to the experts at UCSF, it is the safest and best way for contraception. Worries about lack of fertility are unsubstantiated.

“Over all, compared with nonusers, users of hormonal contraception had a 40 percent increased risk of depression after six months of use. Some types of contraceptives carried even greater risk. Women who used progestin-only pills more than doubled their risk, for example, while those who used the levonorgestrel IUD (brand name Mirena) tripled their risk. The risk persisted after adjusting for age, educational level and other factors.

The study, in JAMA Psychiatry, also found that the risk was greater in adolescent girls, but this may be because they are especially susceptible to depression.”