Hormonal contraception is known to precipitate or perpetuate depression in some patients. The link between oral contraceptive pills and depression relates to the amount and type of progestogen contained in these pills. Many of the older oral contraceptive pills, which contain ethinylestradiol, are linked to severe mood problems. Newer oral contraceptive pills containing physiological forms of oestrogen may be better tolerated with a purported weaker link to mood problems. Clinicians should consider the temporal relationship between the use of hormonal contraception and development of new or worsened depression or mood changes.
Keywords: mood; oestrogen; oral contraceptive pill; progesterone; progestogen.
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