By: Melissa B. Rayn
If you are struggling with depression, or have at one point in your life, it is important to learn more about how the birth control pill may affect your depression. Depending on the type of depression you have, birth control pills can improve it or make it worse.
PMS or Menstrual related depression can be improved by using the birth control pill. Depression that only sets on during “that time of the month” is caused by hormonal changes in your body. Those rapid changes can be “mellowed” by taking the pill. Many women with menstrual or PMS related depression see an improvement in the way the feel after being on the pill for a couple of months.
If you constantly suffer from depression, it is probably not hormone related, at least not related to the hormonal changes associated with your period. Taking the pill in this case can make things worse instead of helping relief your depression. Many women feel increased depression after being on the pill. There are also some who don’t start feeling depressed until they start taking the birth control pill. Usually using an alternate form of birth control in addition to some natural or prescription medication will get you back out of depression.
Different types of birth control pills seem to affect depression in different ways. In general pills with higher levels of progesterone are most likely to worsen your depression.
If you are currently suffering from depression talk to your health care professional about treatment options prior to starting on the pill. If you are already on an antidepressant, you may want to discuss birth control with your physician to see which option will have the least effect on your mental health and to make sure there isn’t any interaction or reaction with your depression medication.
If you are feeling depressed and think it may be caused at least in part by your birth control pill, make an appointment with your physician to discuss how the two of you can get you back out of depression and feeling better.
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