A new meta-analysis study has taken the research from 26 different studies and analyzed them for quality, bias, and results. Published in the reproductive health journal, Contraception, researchers Brett L. Worly, Tamar L. Gur, and Jonathan Schaffir concluded that there is no increase in clinical depression when patients begin using the progestin contraceptives included in these studies. However, it is important to note that every patient is affected differently, so if you begin taking birth control and feel differently or depressed, you should talk to your health care provider immediately. Additionally, one of the studies analyzed, which they categorized as good-quality and medium-bias, did show an association between progestin-only pills, the intrauterine device, and depression, so further study of more types and combinations of birth control are necessary. One of the researchers, Brett L. Worly, noted that their study only looked at clinically-recognized signs of depression, which are different from mood changes and a sense of depressed mood, so the widespread perception that starting or switching birth control increases depression could still be true for non-clinical depression symptoms. Read more in this article in Women’s Health or view the published study in Contraception.
