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Hormonal contraception and depression: a survey of the present state of knowledge

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Depressive symptoms often occur among women of reproductive age. In this article we perform an analysis of existing studies to examine a possible correlation between depression and the use of hormone-based contraceptives.

Methods

The computerized databases MEDLINE/PubMed were searched for studies examining the relation between depressive disorders and hormonal contraception of the years 1976–2010.

Results

Data on this topic are limited. At least two confounding variables influence the analysis of the available data and make it difficult to draw firm conclusions: the inconsistent use of the term “depression” and the large number of combined contraceptives which vary in their composition. The association between the use of oral contraceptives and depression is not clear. We found that depression is not a common side effect of hormone-based contraceptives.

Conclusion

Individual, patient-based decisions with consideration of the individual history and predispositions are recommended when starting oral contraceptives. If depressive symptoms or mood changes occur, decisions regarding discontinuation or medication change need to be made on an individual basis.

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Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitätsklinik für Gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Reproduktionsmedizin, Department Frauenheilkunde, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    B. Böttcher & L. Wildt

  2. Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

    K. Radenbach

  3. Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany

    B. Hinney

Authors
  1. B. Böttcher
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  2. K. Radenbach
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  3. L. Wildt
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  4. B. Hinney
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Böttcher.

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Böttcher, B., Radenbach, K., Wildt, L. et al. Hormonal contraception and depression: a survey of the present state of knowledge. Arch Gynecol Obstet 286, 231–236 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2298-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2298-2

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