The emotional effects of birth control pills

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So far, there is no scientific evidence that birth control pills have negative emotional effects on all women, but they do on some.

Many women around the world have reported that birth control pills have, in addition to the main one, negative emotional effects. The topic became almost anecdotal and it was even said that it was a myth.

The most problematic thing is that, although many women talk about the negative emotional effects due to the pill, Several studies have appeared with very different conclusions.. Some of them even try to prove the opposite: that the pill improves mood.

More recently, however, Several independent studies have also been carried out that seem to agree with those who speak of negative emotional effects. as a consequence of regularly taking oral contraceptives. At least for now, there is no consensus on the matter.

“Does the pill make you hysterical? She’s already hysterical. The Pentagon should use its hormones for chemical warfare”.

-Woody Allen-

Studies on the negative emotional effects of the pill

It must be noted, first of all, that not all women report suffering or having suffered negative emotional effects from the use of the pill. However, the complaints have reached a sufficient volume that some researchers have taken them into account. There are at least four major studies on this topic.

In 2003, a study was done with 658 women who regularly took birth control pills. The conclusion was that there was no evidence that the pills altered his mood. They only found a slight increase in distress in those with a history of depression.

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In 2007 another investigation was carried out on this matter, this time in Australia. This time a sample of 6,000 women was approached and a conclusion was reached very similar to that of the 2003 work.. They only added that women with a history of depression felt a slight increase in emotional distress, but that this faded over time.

Two other investigations were carried out in 2011 and 2013, in Finland and the United States, respectively. Again the same conclusion was reached. There was no evidence that hormonal contraceptives will generate negative emotional effects. And, when these appeared, they were residual or not very significant.

The questions

Although all the studies mentioned reach the same conclusion, Voices have also emerged that question this conclusion. The first refers to the difficulty of establishing stable parameters about what is “well” and what is not. The effect size of the significance found is also questioned.

Added to this is the fact that all the studies carried out mention that, for “the majority” of women, the use of oral contraceptives does not generate any undesirable emotional effects. This means that there is a minority who do have difficulties with the use of this type of contraceptive.

In the same way, a more than reasonable question is asked: if Contraceptives modify hormonal cycles and hormones affect mood.Wouldn’t it be logical to think that in some organisms they generate negative emotional effects?

Other related research

Professor Angelica Linden Hirschberg, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, with the support of the Stockholm School of Economics, carried out a study using a different method. Their goal was to determine whether there was evidence of a connection between taking birth control pills and women’s physical or mental well-being.

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To do this, they started from a group of 380 volunteers, between 24 and 35 years old. All of them were initially evaluated; Then, without their knowledge, they were divided into two groups. Some were given classic oral contraceptives, while the others were given a placebo. At the end of the study, Those who had taken contraceptives reported having lower self-control, energy, and mood.

On the other hand, in the magazine Frontiers in Neuroscience An article appeared that talked about another study on the matter. This involved a follow-up of 42 women who were taking the pill and 53 who were not.

All of them were tested to determine if they recognized complex facial expressions. Those taking the pill were on average 10% less accurate.

Scientists agree that there is still much to investigate. For now, the important thing is to review this debate so that women who use the pill have elements of judgment to support their decision. It is also important that they have alternative methods if they believe that the pills cause harmful effects.