Hormonal Birth Control and Mental Health: Are They Related?

Many of our patients opt for hormonal birth control because of its success in preventing pregnancy, but how do these contraceptives affect mental health? These birth control options include: the pill, the vaginal ring, contraceptive coils, and the skin patch. By working with hormone levels, these birth control methods prevent eggs from being released. But what is the connection between hormonal birth control and mental health?

We’ll examine some of the factors that may influence your mental health when you’re taking birth control, and how we can help determine the type of birth control that’s right for you.

But first, let’s take a quick look at hormonal birth control and how it works.

Hormonal Birth Control 101

As we mentioned earlier, these types of contraceptives use synthetic hormones to alter the reproductive process. They not only inhibit ovulation, but they also thicken cervical mucus and make the uterine lining less receptive to an egg.

Types of hormonal birth control include:

• Pills
• Patches
• Injections
• Implants

Hormonal birth control is not only effective at preventing pregnancy, but it also helps regulate periods and reduce menstrual cramps.

But what about birth control and mental health?

What is the Effect of Birth Control and Mental Health? Can Birth Control Affect Your Mental Health?

Mental health is a complicated matter, and research is still ongoing into the many facets affecting it. It’s not unusual for some individuals to experience mood changes when they take hormonal birth control. The signs may include anxiety, depression, or irritability.

However, in contrast, some women report that their mood has improved once taking birth control. It’s important to consider that every individual case is different and not everyone has a negative experience from using birth control. 

Mental Health: Contributing Factors

Biological, environmental, and psychological factors all play a major role in your mental well-being. For example:

• Biological factors: Brain chemistry, family medical history, and even genetic predispositions can determine if you’re more susceptible to mental wellness issues.
• Psychological factors: How do you cope with stress and adversity? What are your life experiences? All these frame your psychological profile,  and they may contribute to your emotional health. 
• Environmental factors: Your support network—or lack thereof—trauma, and access to health care can all contribute to your psychological state..

Can Birth Control Contribute to Anxiety?

It’s certainly possible, particularly if you are susceptible to anxiety before you start birth control. But as we mentioned earlier, sometimes the opposite is true, and women find that they have less anxiety than they did before they were on birth control.

Because each experience is different for every woman, it’s important to work closely with us to establish the best plan for you. 

It’s also vital to note that many factors outside of birth control contribute to anxiety. These can include:

• Trauma
• Past life experiences
• Other health conditions such as thyroid problems or diabetes
• A mental health condition such as depression or bipolar disorder

Can Stopping Birth Control Improve Mental Health?

This will vary from woman to woman. In certain cases, yes, it can improve mental health. However, if you stop your hormonal birth control and you do not want to have children, you should talk to us about other contraceptive measures. 

Risk Factors for Mental Health Issues

Birth control and mental health is a complicated issue. Be aware that there are factors that can contribute to both. Some items you need to consider include:

Hormonal changes

Remember that both birth control and mental health can be affected by hormone levels that can change your mood. One can easily influence the other.

Individual health profile

Everyone can react differently to birth control, and individuals may or may not be more susceptible to mental health issues. Remember that there are often contributing factors.

Stress

The amount of stress you are under can impact both birth control and mental health. If you have been under long-term, chronic stress, it can make any mental health issues worse. 

Lifestyle

Lifestyle factors still play a major role. It’s vital to get plenty of sleep, regular exercise, and eat nutritious foods. Overindulging in alcohol can have negative effects when it comes to birth control and mental health. 

At Chapel Hill OBGYN, We Care About Both Your Physical and Mental Health

At our practice, you’re not just a medical record number. You’re not just an appointment to be processed through the office as quickly as possible. 

You’re an individual. You’re a patient who has entrusted us with your healthcare. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. 

We consider it a privilege to be your medical home, and our healthcare team is ready to provide you with the individualized treatment you need and deserve. We also want you to feel free to talk to us about any mental health concerns you may have. We know that mental health has a huge impact on your overall health. We’ll be happy to let you know what resources are available to provide the assistance you need. 

If you’re looking for birth control options, schedule an appointment and discover why we’ve been consistently recognized as the best OBGYN practice in Orange and Durham counties.