Does the use of hormonal contraceptives induce negative metacognitions, brooding, and depressive symptoms in an...

In western countries women are much more likely to suffer from depression than men are. Some reports have suggested that there is an increased risk of depression diagnoses in young women who start using hormonal contraception. Using an established approach to quantifying levels effective dosages of estradiol, progestins, and androgens in specific brands and types of hormonal contraception, we address a) whether hormonal contraception use in general is associated with depressive symptoms, and b) which contraceptive hormonal effects are associated with depressive symptoms as measured with the Beck Depression Inventory, brooding and negative metacognitions about rumination in a community sample of 757 young women (age 16-19). We also consider associations with age and relationship status. We detected no overall effect of hormonal contraception on depressive symptoms. We furthermore detected no effects of specific hormonal dosages on any of the three outcome measures depressive symptoms, brooding or negative metacognitions. The results are discussed in light of previous robust but limited findings of an association and the possibility that health care system contact increases likelihood of more health care services, rather than robust causal effects of hormones.