| Submit your comments on this article |
| Science & Technology |
| The pill is linked to depression – and doctors can no longer ignore it |
| 2016-10-03 |
| [Guardian] A newly published study from the University of Copenhagen has confirmed a link between hormonal contraceptives and depression. The largest of its kind, with one million Danish women between the ages of 15 and 34 tracked for a total of 13 years, it’s the kind of study that women such as me, who have experienced the side-effects of birth control-induced depression first hand, have been waiting for. Researchers found that women taking the combined oral contraceptive were 23% more likely to be diagnosed with depression and those using progestin-only pills (also known as "the mini-pill") were 34% more likely. Teens were at the greatest risk of depression, with an 80% increase when taking the combined pill, and that risk is two-fold with the progestin-only pill. In addition, other hormone-based methods commonly offered to women seeking an alternative to the pill ‐ such as the hormonal IUS/coil, the patch and the ring ‐ were shown to increase depression at a rate much higher than either kind of oral contraceptives. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #9 Any link to the rise in autism corresponding to rise in pill use? |
| Posted by: Airandee 2016-10-03 19:37 |
| #8 So the Catholic Church was right all those years ago? |
| Posted by: Snater Spoth8474 2016-10-03 16:17 |
| #7 Mothers Little Helper... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2016-10-03 15:19 |
| #6 Not too worry. There are pills for that too. Pills for everyone! |
| Posted by: Iblis 2016-10-03 12:50 |
| #5 Or the inability to keep your legs closed. |
| Posted by: badanov 2016-10-03 12:06 |
| #4 They didn't factor in post-partum depression or from bearing a unwanted child they cannot provide for. |
| Posted by: One Eyed Speaking for Boskone7919 2016-10-03 11:45 |
| #3 I'd be interested to know if the pill itself caused the depression or if the body was depressed for failing to procreate. Subtle difference I know but still. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2016-10-03 11:03 |
| #2 And here I thought Scandinavians were a bit depressive naturally. (do I need to put a /sarc on that?) |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2016-10-03 08:26 |
| #1 Chemically altering the natural hormonal process has side effects? Who knew ? I doubt big-Pharma will be pleased, but could we possibly extend the study to examine long-term socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural impacts as well ? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-10-03 08:17 |