Interview study, 2015
Does hormonal contraception affect mental health and sexual desire?
Clear effects were found on sexual desire (decreased) and painful menstruation (reduced). No clear difference was found in psychological symptoms overall, though interviews suggested some women may experience mental changes.
What they did
30 women were interviewed 3 months to 2 years after they started or stopped combined hormonal contraception (birth control pills with estrogen and progestin). Interviews were supplemented with a 16-symptom rating scale where women rated the effects on physical, mental, and sexual changes.
What they found
Both interviews and the rating scale showed a clear effect of hormonal contraception on decreased sexual desire and reduction in painful menstruation. No clear difference was found in psychological symptoms overall, although the interviews suggested there might be some mental changes that the rating scale did not capture.
What it means for you
Hormonal contraception clearly affects sexual desire and menstrual pain, but effects on mental health are uncertain. The difference between what interviews showed (possible mental changes) and the rating scale (no clear difference) means more research is needed to understand mental effects. This is a small qualitative study without a comparison group, so findings may vary widely among women.
30
women interviewed
16
symptom scale items
About the study
- Original title
- [Mental changes in women due to the use of hormonal contraception]
- Authors
- Ottová B, Weiss P
- Journal
- Ceska gynekologie
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Interview study
- What was tested
- Combined hormonal contraception (start or stop)
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26606121/
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2021
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect women's menstrual cycles and symptoms?
Case report, 1981
How do hormonal birth control and progesterone affect mood?
Randomised trial, 2024
Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms?
Systematic review, 2023
How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes?
Randomised trial, 2015
Which birth control pill better reduces PMS and menstrual symptoms: nomegestrol acetate or drospirenone?
Case-control study, 2014
How common is severe period pain and what causes it?