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Can Birth Control Cause Depression?

Mood swings and other emotional adverse effects are experienced by some hormonal birth control users. Changes can occasionally be beneficial, such as reducing your irritability or anxiousness. However, other women claim to experience depression or a severe emotional roller coaster that caused them to stop using hormonal contraceptives. Keep reading to learn more about this condition.


Difference Between Anxiety and Depression – Can Birth Control Cause Depression?

Anxiety and depression difference: The fact that one term denotes a single sickness while the other denotes a collection of ailments is a significant distinction between anxiety and depression.

In reality, depression is one illness. There are numerous distinct symptoms (see below). And different people may experience it very differently. However, the term “depression” only refers to one illness.

The word “anxiety” can indicate a number of different things. We all experience anxiety occasionally, and the word “anxiety” can be used to describe that feeling simply. However, when we use the word anxiety in a medical context, it actually refers to anxiety disorder.

Some less frequent conditions are included under anxiety. These include panic disorders and phobias. However, generalized anxiety disorder is the most prevalent (GAD). In the US, a generalized anxiety disorder may affect four to five out of every 100 persons. In this post, we’ll concentrate on generalized anxiety.

What is Anxiety Disorder? Can Birth Control Cause Depression?

According to The National Institute on Mental Health, periodic anxiety is a standard component of life. When faced with a challenge at work, before a test, or before making a crucial decision, you could experience anxiety. However, anxiety disorders involve more than just passing apprehension or terror.

Anxiety and depression difference: It’s critical to get anxiety treatment as soon as you can since, for someone with an anxiety condition, the anxiety does not go away and can actually worsen over time. The symptoms might affect daily tasks like work performance, academic progress, and interpersonal connections. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders are only a few of the several types of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety and depression difference: People with a generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD) display excessive Anxiety or worry, most days for at least 6 months, about many things such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday routine life circumstances. Fear and Anxiety can cause significant problems in areas of their life, such as social interactions, school, and work. 

What is Depression? Can Birth Control Cause Depression?

Depression (also known as Major Depressive Illness or Clinical Depression) is a common but significant mood disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It produces severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis, including sleeping, eating, and working. The signs of depression must last for at least two weeks before a diagnosis may be made.

Depression treatment is required when depressive symptoms are chronic and do not go away since some types of depression are slightly different or may arise in unusual situations.

Types of Depression

  • Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia): is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major Depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered a persistent depressive disorder.
  • Psychotic Depression: occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.
Depression (also known as Major Depressive Illness or Clinical Depression) is a common but significant mood disorder.
Can Birth Control Cause Depression? Depression (also known as Major Depressive Illness or Clinical Depression) is a common but significant mood disorder.
  • Bipolar disorder: is different from Depression, but it is included in this list because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major Depression (called “Bipolar Depression”). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.”
  • Postpartum Depression: is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with postpartum Depression experience full-blown major Depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany postpartum depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or their babies.
  • Seasonal affective disorder: is characterized by the onset of Depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This Depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter Depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal affective disorder.

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Depression Fact Sheet

Depression Overview

Depression is a group of illnesses like depression or bipolar disorder that are connected to mood elevation or depression


Types of Depression

  • Clinical Depression: A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.
  • Persistent depressive disorder: A mild but long-term form of depression.
  • Bipolar disorder: A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
  • Bipolar II disorder:  A type of bipolar disorder characterized by depressive and hypomanic episodes.
  • Postpartum depression: Depression that occurs after childbirth.

Depression Treatments

  • Support group: A place where those pursuing the same disease or objective, such as weight loss or depression, can receive counseling and exchange experiences.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy: A conversation treatment that aimed to change the negative attitudes, actions, and feelings connected to psychiatric discomfort.
  • Counseling psychology: A subfield of psychology that handles issues with the self that are connected to work, school, family, and social life.
  • Anger management: To reduce destructive emotional outbursts, practice mindfulness, coping skills, and trigger avoidance.
  • Psychoeducation: Mental health education that also helps individuals feel supported, validated, and empowered
  • Family therapy: psychological counseling that improves family communication and conflict resolution.

Depression and Anxiety Statistics

It’s critical to understand the distinction between anxiety and depression. Anxiety, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worry, whereas depression, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness. It is conceivable for someone to experience depression and anxiety simultaneously.


6.8 million

GAD affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment.

Source: National Institute on Mental Health

19 million

19 million adults experience specific phobias, making it the most common anxiety disorder in America.  

Source: ADAA2020

17.3 million

Major depressive disorder affects approximately 17.3 million American adults or about 7.1% of the U.S. population aged 18 and older.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health


Generalized anxiety disorder and depression can both have emotional and physical symptoms.
Can Birth Control Cause Depression? Generalized anxiety disorder and depression can both have emotional and physical symptoms.

Does Birth Control Make You Depressed?

Mood swings and other emotional adverse effects are experienced by some hormonal birth control users. Changes can occasionally be beneficial, such as reducing your irritability or anxiousness. However, other women claim to experience depression or a severe emotional roller coaster that caused them to stop using hormonal contraceptives.

Birth Control and Depression: Does Birth Control Cause Depression?

Can birth control pills cause depression? There are numerous hormone-based contraceptives available to prevent pregnancy. The pill, the tiny pill, the implant, the shot, the intrauterine device (IUD), the patch, and the vaginal ring are among them.

There isn’t enough data for researchers to conclusively state that hormonal birth control causes depression (depression from birth control). However, the majority of the available data points to a likely no for the response. However, there is still a chance that there is a connection between certain contraceptives and depression.

Every woman responds to hormones differently, which contributes to some of the ambiguity. Another justification is that researchers have produced contradictory results.

For instance, according to some studies, women who use hormonal birth control experience additional benefits, such as reduced depression symptoms or premenstrual dysphoric disorder emotional symptoms that are lessened (PMDD).

However, other research has discovered a connection between the prevalence of depression and the use of antidepressants among women, particularly teenagers, who used hormonal birth control. One study found that birth control pill-using 16-year-olds cried more and had problems falling asleep.

Researchers believe that if a woman already suffers from a mental condition, hormonal contraceptives may have a greater impact. But additional research is required.

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Birth Control for Those With Depression: Best Contraceptive Pill for Anxiety and Depression

Depression birth control (best birth control for depression): Your decision about the best birth control that doesn’t cause depression will be influenced by factors like your lifestyle, cost, ease of use, and whether or not you plan to have a baby. Ask your doctor if there are any other options available if you’re concerned about how hormonal birth control might affect your mood. Birth Control For Depression:

  • Birth control that doesn’t cause depression: Less androgenic progestin-containing birth control (a type of hormone)
  • Birth control that doesn’t make you depressed: Hormonal contraception is used continuously. There is a medication that enables you to take a hormone pill daily without getting a period every month.
  • What birth control doesn’t cause depression: Hormonal contraceptives in combination that you don’t ingest. Examples of this include the vaginal ring and patch.
  • Best birth control for depression sufferers: Condoms, a copper intrauterine device, and a diaphragm/cervical cap are examples of hormone-free substitutes.

Can Birth Control Shot Make You Depressed? Birth Control Causing Depression

Can depo birth control cause depression? The product labeling for Depo-Provera cites depression as an infrequent side effect. Previous research on this topic has documented self-reported depression or mood changes in 1-5% of Depo-Provera users.

Does Yaz Birth Control Cause Depression?

All forms of hormonal contraception were associated with an increased risk of developing depression, with higher risks associated with the progesterone-only forms, including the IUD. This risk was higher in teens ages 15 to 19, especially for non-oral forms of birth control such as the ring, patch, and IUD.

Can Birth Control Help With Depression And Anxiety? Can Birth Control Help Depression?

Can birth control help with depression? Hormonal birth control can help with depression. Does birth control help with depression? A study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology showed women between the ages of 25-34 who used hormonal contraceptives had lower mean levels of concurrent depressive symptoms.

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When to Talk to Your Doctor About Birth Control Depression? Birth Control Pills Depression

Can Birth Control Cause Depression? Be alert to any mood swings or changes when taking hormonal birth control. Symptoms of possible depression include:

  • Having a hard time concentrating or making a decision
  • Lack of energy
  • Feeling more tired
  • Feeling “empty” or hopeless
  • Not enjoying your usual hobbies or activities
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

Call your doctor right away if:

  • You have had any of the above symptoms for more than 2 weeks
  • Your symptoms feel more severe than regular mood changes
  • Your mood is affecting your work, school, or home
There are numerous hormone-based contraceptives available to prevent pregnancy. The pill, the tiny pill, the implant, the shot, the intrauterine device (IUD), the patch, and the vaginal ring are among them.
Can Birth Control Cause Depression? Birth Control Pills And Depression: There are numerous hormone-based contraceptives available to prevent pregnancy. The pill, the tiny pill, the implant, the shot, the intrauterine device (IUD), the patch, and the vaginal ring are among them.

Depression After Stopping Birth Control: Can Going Off Birth Control Cause Depression And Anxiety?

Can Birth Control Cause Depression? Be mindful that preventing OCPs isn’t always a simple fix. In the months after stopping hormonal birth control, some women report a flurry of symptoms, including mood changes, anxiety, and sadness. This impact has begun to be referred to as “post-birth control syndrome” which refers to anxiety after stopping birth control by certain hormone experts.

It is typical for people to experience changes after they cease using hormonal birth control. Although clinicians are generally aware of these side effects, there is considerable disagreement regarding the phrase “post-birth control syndrome” that is used to refer to them. Post-birth control syndrome is a topic that needs more research and is now under the purview of naturopathic medicine.

According to Dr. Jolene Brighten, a functional medicine naturopathic doctor, post-birth control syndrome is “a group of symptoms that emerge 4 to 6 months following the withdrawal of oral contraceptives.”

Those who have been taking birth control pills are more likely to have the symptoms. Nevertheless, discontinuing any hormonal contraception, including an IUD, implant, or ring, might lead to the alterations associated with post-birth control syndrome.

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Can Birth Control Cause Depression? We Level Up FL Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The exact definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions.  However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time.

Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse. Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success. 

A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment.

At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

It can be challenging to accept that you may be living with a mental illness, but once it is properly diagnosed and treated, treating the presenting case of substance abuse can be magnitudes easier. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.

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