Comparison of Depression Rates between the Women Using Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) or Natural Methods of Contraception

Background: Steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) have been hypothesized to play significant role in the cause of depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study examined the association between the use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and depression in women referred at health care centers in Isfahan City, Iran during the years 2016-2017. Methods: In this cross-sectional anterograde study, 204 participants were assessed in two equal groups of women who used OCPs (group 1) or natural methods of birth control (group 2). Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and demographic information questionnaires were used to collect the data. Pearson test was then applied to examine possible significant relationships. Findings: There was no significant relationship between depression severity (P = 0.930, r = -0.09) and depression score (P = -0.889, r = -0.014) with the use of OCPs; while there was a significant positive relationship between depression severity (P < 0.001, r = 0.507) and depression score (P < 0.001, r = 0.528) with the duration of using OCPs. In group 1, there was a negative relationship between the level of education with depression severity and score (P < 0.001, r = -0.36 for both). In group 2, only a negative relationship was found between the degree of education and depression score (P = 0.018, r = -0.235). Conclusion: To reduce depression symptoms and rate in women after taking OCPs, it is recommended to use other safe non-hormonal methods. Moreover, taking OCPs should not be utilized for more than a five-year period.