Birth control pills help prevent conception by altering your hormone levels. Boosting certain hormones won’t only impact your ability to conceive, it can also change your mood in a variety of ways. Learn how your birth control method might be impacting your mood so you can take the appropriate steps to keep things under control.

Increases your chance of having depression

Symptoms of depression are more common in women who are taking birth control pills. One study found that women were 23% more likely to get a prescription for antidepressants if they were on combination birth control pills, and 34% more likely to get an antidepressant prescription while on a progestin-only pill.

Teens are at particularly high risk of these effects. These patients were 80% more likely to experience depression if they were taking a combination pill. On a progestin-only pill, teens’ chances of getting an antidepressant prescription are double those of teens who aren’t taking the pill.

Changes your vitamin and mineral levels

Taking the birth control pill will change your vitamin and mineral levels, which can have far-reaching effects throughout your body. Birth control depletes your reserves of zinc, magnesium, and Vitamin B6.

Zinc helps your brain modulate its response to stress so you can handle difficult situations better. Magnesium and Vitamin B6 deficiencies are linked to lower serotonin levels, which can depress your mood.

As these vitamin levels drop, birth control can simultaneously cause copper levels to rise. This creates a sense of being overstimulated, which might make it more difficult for women to control their emotions.

Minimises premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Though the birth control pill is depressive for some women, it can help improve moods for others. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the more severe premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can cause anger, anxiety and irritability. Some types of hormonal birth control have been shown to decrease these symptoms, helping patients enjoy fewer mood swings.

If you suffer from PMS or PMDD, you should discuss this with your doctor when you’re choosing a pill. A question about Sprintec vs Ortho Tri-Cyclen is easier to answer when you identify your most pressing symptoms. There are so many options for birth control pills, that you can find a formula suited to most any need if you’re looking to increase the level of hormones like norgestimate and estrogen in your body.

Alters your brain chemistry

When a woman is taking birth control pills, her lateral orbitofrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex get thinner. These parts of the brain are responsible for helping individuals control their emotions. This thinning might make it harder to maintain a steady, even approach to emotional situations.

Researchers haven’t yet proven whether this change in brain structure is a direct result of taking the birth control pill. Further studies are needed to determine exactly how the pill impacts one’s brain and what those changes mean in terms of emotions.

Understanding the link between birth control and your mood will help you find the right product for your needs. Experimenting with different pills as well as certain supplements may help you manage your mood and prevent pregnancy at the same time.

Psychreg is mainly for information purposes only. Materials on this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment or therapy. 

You can find a list of mental health service providers here. 

Wendy Whitehead worked as a teaching assistant at two special needs schools in London before embarking on a different career as a marketing consultant. Her passion for special education still remains with her, however. She is passionate about mental health and well-being and she write articles in these areas. Wendy did her undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Leicester. She later on did a short course in counselling from the University of Hertfordshire.