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As if it wasn’t hard enough being a woman these days, here is some new reports that may make you think twice before taking birth control. A new study shows that women who take birth control may be linked to having a higher risk of depression.

The study, published in the journal JAMA of psychiatry explains that roughly 30 percent of women who take birth control suffer from depression. The study tested more than 1 million Danish women between the ages of 15 and 34 over 14 year period.

“We have known for decades that women’s sex hormones estrogen and progesterone have an influence on many women’s mood. Therefore, it is not very surprising that also external artificial hormones acting in the same way and on the same centers as the natural hormones might also influence women’s mood or even be responsible for depression development,” said Dr. Ojvind Lidegaard, a professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and lead supervisor of the study.

Serious decision

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The study shows that different methods of contraceptives can cause different effects. Women who use combined oral birth control methods (contains progestin & estrogen) experienced a 1.2-fold higher rate of taking anti-depressants to counteract the effects. Women who use progestin-only pills experienced a 1.3 fold higher rate of usage.

Non-oral methods like the patch or NuvaRing experienced 1.5 fold increased the risk of depression. Researchers indicated the difference may be with the dosage rather than how the hormones are administered throughout the body.

Of course, you should always have this conversation with your doctor and make sure you both are keeping track of mood swings while on contraceptions. You and your doctor will always be able to know what is best for you before any test or study.

For now, can we pray that science comes up wit a male contraceptive ASAP!

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