The Effect Of Contraceptive Pills Can Affect The Mood To Mental Health

JAKARTA - A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology highlights how hormonal contraception can affect mood and mindset, especially in women who are prone to symptoms of depression. This study reveals a connection between the use of birth control pills and emotional changes, including a mindset that resembles depression.

According to the Hindustan Times report on, the study, led by Elizabeth Hampson, researched how oral contraception was related to mood swings and emotional processing during various phases in the menstrual cycle.

This study involved 53 healthy women aged 1826 years who have used combinatorial KB pills, which contain hormone estrogen and progestin, for a minimum of three months. The participants were analyzed twice: once in the active hormone phase (when consuming hormonal pills) and once in the inactive phase (when not consuming hormones).

The results showed that some participants reported more negative moods, including symptoms of depression, during the inactive phase. Nearly 29 percent of participants have a depression score that is comparable to the level commonly found in individuals with mild to moderate anxiety or depression.

Interestingly, when carrying out tasks that measure implicit emotional processing, such as recognizing emotional facial expressions or linking positive and negative images, it is found that there is an emotional pattern that resembles depression stronger during the active hormone phase. This effect is especially seen in women with an initial tendency for higher symptoms of depression.

Citing ANTARA, it is important to note that not all women who use birth control pills experience significant mood swings. Many women report no emotional side effects, and the benefits of oral contraception are often greater than the risks.

This study underscores the complexity of the relationship between hormonal contraception and mental health. Although birth control pills are a very effective and widely used contraceptive method, their impact on psychological health is still an important concern for many women.

The researchers noted that emotional responses to hormonal contraception vary widely based on individual factors, such as genetic tendencies towards depression. These findings highlight the need to consider the emotional experience reported by individuals and the unconscious emotional response when evaluating the psychological impact of oral contraception.

Although this study provides valuable insight, this study was conducted on a small group of healthy young women. Follow-up research involving a larger and diverse population is needed to better understand the impact of hormonal contraception.

A better understanding of how hormonal contraception affects the body and mind can help women make more informed decisions regarding their reproductive health.