---
title: Do hormonal contraceptives cause depression? | Niyora
description: The link between hormonal contraceptives and depression is still debated. Women with a history of mood disorders or PMDD are at higher risk of mood effects, a
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/hormonal-contraception-and-depression-updated-evidence-and-implications-in-2020/
---

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- Do hormonal contraceptives cause depression?

Review, 2020

# Do hormonal contraceptives cause depression?

The link between hormonal contraceptives and depression is still debated. Women with a history of mood disorders or PMDD are at higher risk of mood effects, and adolescence appears to be a critical vulnerable period.

 Early or limited evidence

Women using hormonal contraceptives (more than 100 million worldwide)

## What they did

Literature review of studies on hormonal contraceptive use and depressive symptoms, focusing on how they work in the brain.

## What they found

More than 100 million women use hormonal contraceptives worldwide. The main pathway for menstrual cycle-related mood changes is the GABA pathway, which is sensitive to progesterone and its metabolite allopregnanolone. Different progestins have different effects on allopregnanolone based on their androgenicity. Progestins may affect brain structure and function. Adolescence is a critical period with complex, possibly bidirectional vulnerability. Women with a history of mood disorders or PMDD are at higher risk of negative mood effects.

## What it means for you

Hormonal contraceptives may affect mood through brain chemistry, especially in women with mood vulnerabilities. Adolescence appears to be a particularly critical and sensitive period. More research is needed to clarify who is at highest risk and whether hormonal type matters.

>100 million

Women worldwide using hormonal contraceptives

## About the study

Original title Hormonal Contraception and Depression: Updated Evidence and Implications in Clinical Practice Authors Fruzzetti F, Fidecicchi T Journal Clinical drug investigation Year 2020 Study design Review What was tested Hormonal contraceptives Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s40261-020-00966-8](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-020-00966-8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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## Related studies

Randomised trial, 2017

Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?

Study, 2022

Why do women get PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

Study, 2026

What treatments work for PMDD?

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