Contraceptive pills increase the risk of depression

It is known that women are twice more likely than men suffer from depression. A lot of them refuse to take hormonal contraceptives because of mood changes. According to UPI.com the scientists from the University of Copenhagen have analyzed data of 1061997 women. The average age of participants was 24 years.

At the beginning of the study, the women had no depression and other mental disorders and cancers. They did not take anti-depressants and were not treated for infertility. The specialists have been monitored the women for 6.4 years. During the study 55% of participants used hormonal contraceptives.

The study has showed that participants, who took combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and progestin-only pills, started to take antidepressants 1.23 and 1.34 times more than those who did not take oral contraceptives. In adolescents the risk was even greater. Thus, the probability of prescription of antidepressants to the participating adolescences, who used COCs and progestin-only pills, was 1.8 times and 2.2 times respectively.

Source: MEDdaily