Could my birth control pill cause depression?

Some evidence hints at a connection, but research is mixed.

pill, the pill, birth control

Updated on February 21, 2025.

Millions of people take birth control pills. In fact, “the pill” is the second most common form of contraception used by women ages 18 to 49 in the United States. In addition to preventing unintended pregnancies, these oral medications can help improve cramps, heavy bleeding, premenstrual syndrome, and acne. 

But some research suggests the pill is associated with depression. And while the evidence is mixed, many people stop using birth control pills due to depression concerns. Here’s what to know.

Birth control pills and mood

Birth control pills contain reproductive hormones. Some include only progestin, while others combine progestin and estrogen. To prevent pregnancy, the pills work to change the levels of hormones in your body. This may lead to mood changes, as well, which are a common and well-known side effect of the medication.

Depression is a mental health disorder that involves a prolonged, serious change in mood. It’s characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest or pleasure. It can profoundly affect your day-to-day life. A few different factors play a role in depression risk, including your genetics and environment. 

Since hormonal birth control may cause mood changes and many people report having depression when they’re taking the pill, some people believe they’re linked.

Reviewing the evidence

There’s a large body of research examining the potential ties between birth control pills and depression. Much of it hasn’t found a direct cause-and-effect. One study published in 2024 in the Journal of Affective Disorders even found that people taking the pill were less likely to report major depression compared with never users or past users.

But some studies show a different picture. A 2023 British study published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences found that birth control pills were tied to higher rates of depression in the first two years of use and a slightly higher lifetime risk thereafter.

Another study of more than 1 million women and teenagers ages 15 to 34 found that people who used hormonal birth control saw a small rise in first-time antidepressant use. This included people who used pills as well as other hormonal contraception, including the patch, ring, and progesterone IUD. The results were published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2016.

Since studies keep getting different results, the debate persists and research remains ongoing. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to safeguard your mental and reproductive well-being.

How to protect your health

Ultimately, your choice of birth control will depend on many factors, including your age, health status, and family plans. If you’re considering depression risk, it’s important to understand these points: 

  • People are different. They respond to birth control pills in different ways. Some are more sensitive to the pills’ potential mental health effects than others. 
  • Some people are at a higher risk for depression. If you have a personal or family history of the disorder, for example, you may be more likely to develop it while taking the pill. 
  • If you experience depression while taking the birth control pill, it may be due to other factors. 
  • Most people don’t develop depression while they’re on the pill. 
  • Depression isn’t a contraindication for the pill. That means experts don’t consider the condition to be a reason for avoiding its use.

With that in mind, the best step you can take is speaking with a healthcare provider (HCP). Based on your personal situation, talk about your options and preferences and weigh the pill’s benefits and drawbacks. You may want to try a newer type of pill, for example, with fewer side effects.

If you’re already on the pill, let your HCP know about any concerning emotional changes or symptoms. With their guidance, you may switch to another type of pill or form of contraception that works better for you. 

Article sources open article sources

Guttmacher Institute. Contraceptive Use in the United States by Method. May 2021.
Kaiser Family Foundation. Contraceptive Experiences, Coverage, and Preferences: Findings from the 2024 KFF Women's Health Survey. November 22, 2024.
Daniels K, Abma JC. Current contraceptive status among women aged 15–49: United States, 2017–2019. NCHS Data Brief, no 388. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.
Cleveland Clinic. Birth control pills. July 5, 2023.
Gawronska J, Meads C, Smith L, Cao C, Wang N, Walker S. Association of oral contraceptive pill use and depression among US women. J Affect Disord. 2024 Jan 1;344:132-140.
Mu E, Kulkarni J. Hormonal contraception and mood disorders. Aust Prescr. 2022 Jun;45(3):75-79. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2022.025. Epub 2022 Jun 1. Erratum in: Aust Prescr. 2022 Aug;45(4):147.
Planned Parenthood. Can Birth Control Cause Depression? October 18, 2023.
MedlinePlus. Birth control pills. March 31, 2024.
Martell S, Marini C, et al. Psychological side effects of hormonal contraception: A disconnect between patients and providers. Contracept Reprod Med. 2023;8(1):9.
Fruzzetti F, Fidecicchi T. Hormonal contraception and depression: Updated evidence and implications in clinical practice. Clin Drug Investig. 2020;40(12):1097–1106.
Buggio L, Barbara G, Facchin F, Ghezzi L, Dridi D, Vercellini P. The influence of hormonal contraception on depression and female sexuality: A narrative review of the literature. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2022 Mar;38(3):193-201.
Beltz AM. Hormonal contraceptives and behavior: Updating the potent state of the nascent science. Horm Behav. 2024 Aug;164:105574. 
Jahanfar S, Mortazavi J, et al. Assessing the impact of contraceptive use on mental health among women of reproductive age - a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 May 30;24(1):396. 
Johansson T, Vinther Larsen S, Bui M, Ek WE, Karlsson T, Johansson Å. Population-based cohort study of oral contraceptive use and risk of depression. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2023 Jun 12;32:e39.
Skovlund CW, Mørch LS, Kessing LV, Lidegaard Ø. Association of hormonal contraception with depression. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016 Nov 1;73(11):1154-1162. Erratum in: JAMA Psychiatry. 2017 Jul 1;74(7):764.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Facts are important: Hormonal birth control. May 2024.
Worly BL, Gur TL, Schaffir J. The relationship between progestin hormonal contraception and depression: a systematic review. Contraception. 2018 Jun;97(6):478-489.

More On

How do birth control pills affect ovarian cancer risk?

video

How do birth control pills affect ovarian cancer risk?
Birth control pills substantially decrease the risk of ovarian cancer, especially when taken long-term. Gynecologic oncologist Diljeet Singh, MD, expl...
How insurance providers deny access to no-cost birth control

article

How insurance providers deny access to no-cost birth control
If your health insurance provider isn’t providing birth control at no cost, they may be violating a federal law.
Choosing the right birth control

video

Choosing the right birth control
There are many methods of birth control available, but the type that works best will depend on your age, health and lifestyle. Patricia Geraghty, NP, ...
Why some people are unable to use hormonal birth control

video

Why some people are unable to use hormonal birth control
Some contraceptives contain hormones which can have serious side effects. This HealthSmarts video covers the risks and side effects of taking a hormo...
Effectiveness of birth control methods and options

video

Effectiveness of birth control methods and options
While there are many different methods of birth control available, some are more effective than others. Patricia Geraghty, NP, lists some important fa...