Balancing Minds and Hormones: Unraveling the Impact of Contraceptives on Young Girls’ Mental Health
Janani Devkumar
August 2024
The growing association between mental health and hormonal contraceptive use is becoming an issue of rising concern for young girls. Due to the wide scope of benefits provided from hormonal birth control, ranging from acne management to pregnancy prevention, the utilization of this medicine has become more prevalent among adolescents. As a consequence, the mental health implications of these medications have come under growing inspection. This article focuses on the relationship between hormonal contraceptives and mental health disorders in young adolescents, further highlighting the significance of well-informed decisions for the betterment of young girl’s healthcare.
The Impact of Hormonal Contraceptives on Mental Health
Hormonal contraceptives, including birth control pills, injections, and implants, are put into effect by changing the body’s natural hormone levels in attempts to avoid accidental pregnancies. These methods, despite having a high efficiency rate, have the potential to affect the brain’s chemistry. This could cause alterations in the adolescents mood as well and negatively impact their mental health. The two main hormones that are influenced by contraceptives are estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for inflicting changes to the mental health of the individual.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry led to the conclusion that young girls that utilize hormonal contraceptives were 80% more likely and in greater risk of being diagnosed with depression in comparison to those who did not use these methods. [1] In addition, a separate study brought awareness to the unfavorable consequences that resulted from the usage of these medications by highlighting that young adolescents who used combined oral contraceptives had a 70% increased risk of developing symptoms of anxiety compared to those who did not. [2]
Risk Factors Involved
Various factors can increase the risk of experiencing mental health issues from hormonal contraceptives. This includes pre-existing mental health conditions, such as a previous experience or history with depression or anxiety. In addition, genetic proneness, such as a family history of mental health disorders, can also influence the extent to which a girl’s body reacts in a negative manner to these hormones.
Research that was conducted by the University of Copenhagen found that teenage girls who possessed a history of mental health issues had almost double the risk of experiencing worsening symptoms after starting hormonal contraceptives. [3] To expand, a longitudinal study expressed that those with a family history of depression had a higher likelihood of developing symptoms related to depression following the introduction of hormonal birth control into their system. [4]
Conclusion
The correlation between mental health disorders and hormonal contraceptives for adolescent girls is a complex and highly prevalent issue in today’s society. Despite the benefits that result from taking these medications, the potential negative consequences on mental health for those who take them cannot be overlooked. It is important to understand that great consideration must go into deciding whether or not hormonal contraceptives are the best route for young girls.
References
[1] Skovlund, C. W., Morch, L. S., Kessing, L. V., & Lidegaard, Ø. (2016). Association of hormonal contraception with depression. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(11), 1154-1162.
[2] Zettermark, S., Perez Vicente, R., & Merlo, J. (2018). Hormonal contraceptive use among adolescent girls and subsequent depression: A nationwide population-based cohort study. BMJ Open, 8(11), e024813.
[3] University of Copenhagen. (2017). Impact of hormonal contraception on mental health in young women. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 45(5), 483-491.
[4] Bratke, S., & Sundström, A. (2020). Hormonal contraception and the risk of mental health disorders: A systematic review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 126, 75-85.
