Some people may find that their mood improves while taking hormonal birth control. Others, however, may experience a negative effect on their mental health.

If you’re here, you’re likely wondering if there’s a link between hormonal birth control and mood changes.

Everyone is unique and has the potential to respond to hormonal changes in a different way. Read on to learn about the possible psychological effects of birth control.

Research shows that all oral contraceptives have the potential to cause some form of mood changes, such as the combination pill and mini-pill.

While oral contraceptives have been linked to adverse mood changes, the hormones in it can actually help to regulate some people’s mood. So, currently, there’s little agreement on whether one method is more likely than another to cause mood changes

Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

There’s no clear-cut answer.

Some people “with a history of depression are more susceptible to a worsening of their condition while taking the pill,” says Dr. Tania Adib, a consultant gynecologist at Callaly,

For example, a 2019 review found that hormonal contraception can cause mood-related side effects, especially if you have a history of depressive episodes.

But, Adib adds, many “don’t feel worse — even if they’ve been depressed before.”

It’s very difficult to tell. As Adib explains, “it isn’t possible to predict how you’ll feel taking a certain contraceptive, and it’s often a case of trying different ones until you find the one that suits you best.”

The best thing to do is connect with a healthcare professional about your concerns, detailing your lifestyle and any history of mental health conditions.

They can then use the available research to figure out which method might work best.

For example, Adib says, “the combined oral contraceptive containing the progestogen drospirenone has been found to improve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).” So it can be beneficial if you experience PMS or low mood.

The potential mood effects of hormonal birth control are still a mystery in some ways, requiring more research.

But much of the research that has been carried out focuses on the pill. So, how can the pill cause changes to your mood?

Well, it “contains synthetic hormones, which can affect neurotransmitters,” Adib explains. These are “chemical messengers that the brain uses to communicate with itself and the different organs in the body.”

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down communication for a calmer effect. It’s released when its receptors are stimulated by the likes of alcohol and a type of natural steroid produced in the body when progesterone breaks down.

Other neurotransmitters, such as levels of the feel-good dopamine and serotonin, may also be affected by the hormones in birth control.

This could be due to progesterone’s ability to make rewarding things feel less rewarding. This dampened reward response has been noted in hormonal contraceptive users, but needs more investigation.

If you are experiencing mood changes, it can be helpful to:

  • exercise more regularly to release those feel-good hormones
  • work toward a sleep routine of around eight hours every night
  • consume a balanced diet that focuses on whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish.
  • use relaxation techniques, like meditation, which can help if stress levels are impacting your mood

It can be helpful to use daily diary entries to track changes in your mood and ask a close relative or friend to let you know if they notice changes in your behavior.

If you’re experiencing more down days than happy ones, that’s a sign to connect with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Being open with how you feel will help them find the best option for you, whether that’s a different contraceptive or referral to a mental health specialist.

“Changing [your] contraceptive method to the copper coil, which contains no hormones, is certainly an option,” Adib says. (FYI: Contraceptive coils are also known as intrauterine devices, or IUDs.)

But there’s always a chance that a swap will have no effect on your mood.

If you experience PMS, a hormonal method may help balance your hormones. But this doesn’t necessarily mean sticking with the method you’re currently on.

As Adib points out, IUDs containing a synthetic progestin “can improve mood as most of the hormone stays locally in the womb and very little is absorbed into the body, reducing the chance of mood-related changes.”

“Lower dose hormone coils are available,” she adds, “so there are many options.”

Regardless of whether you’re experiencing side effects, coming off of hormonal birth control is always an option.

Before taking any steps, it’s always a good idea to visit a doctor or sexual health clinic for advice on how to stop the method you’re taking and how to prevent pregnancy, should you wish to do so.

Stopping hormonal birth control can cause a few changes as your body’s hormone levels return to their natural state.

Everyone is different, but periods can be irregular for a couple of months or come with lighter or heavier bleeding. You may also notice spotting in between periods.

Right now, there’s no way to predict whether birth control will have a positive or negative effect on your mood. There’s a possibility of either — or no change at all.

As always, you can bring up any concerns with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

And remember that there are lots of hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive options out there. So if one doesn’t work for you, that doesn’t mean you need to steer clear of the rest.