If you are finding the negatives of your current birth control method outweigh the benefits, you might want to explore other options.
\nNobody should feel low all the time. You deserve to feel your best.
\nThe good news is there are plenty of contraception options out there, with hormonal and non-hormonal methods available, depending on where you live.
\nIf you want to compare methods, you can take Find My Method’s quiz to explore the options.
\nOne birth control method might work well for you but have different effects on another person. There is no harm in exploring other methods and finding your perfect fit based on your lifestyle and needs.
\nIt’s true that, for some people, birth control can negatively or positively impact mood and cause other potential good and bad side effects.
\nFor some people, birth control can negatively or positively impact mood and cause other potential good and bad side effects. You deserve to feel your best and explore other methods.
\nProgestogen-only methods (such as the mini-pill, progestin-only pills, and hormonal injectables) are often linked in studies and patient reports to low mood and depressive symptoms compared to combined hormonal options, which contain progesterone and oestrogen.
\nAnother large study in the UK looking at the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) showed a positive association between the use of a levonorgestrel-containing IUD and depression, anxiety and sleep problems in people who did not have these conditions before use of the IUD.
\nMental health conditions can often go undiagnosed, which means that it is possible someone could have anxiety or depressive symptoms regardless of the contraception they take but not realize it.
\nIf you have any symptoms that are worrying you, it is really important to talk to someone and seek out medical assistance; nobody should suffer alone.
\nA large study in Sweden using data from UK Biobank found that the first two years of taking an oral contraceptive were associated with a 71% higher risk of depression.
\nThe same study also reported that people using a contraceptive pill as teenagers had an even greater risk of feeling depressed.
\nHowever, this could be because of the hormonal changes already happening during puberty.
\nIt can be difficult to tell exactly why you are experiencing certain emotions and if birth control is the cause.
\nLife happens: stress, lack of sleep, upsetting events come up; it is never smooth sailing, so there can be lots of contributing factors to mood.
\nThat doesn’t mean that contraception isn’t a factor; it might well be contributing to or causing low mood too.
\nTo better understand how you are feeling, it can be useful to note down specific emotions and on what day these feelings occur.
\nAlthough it is also possible that the emotions you are experiencing could be related to your menstrual cycle, or it could be external factors and life events, keeping notes can help assess this better.
\nIdentifying patterns in mood can be very helpful when deciding which contraception method might work for you.
\nSome people keep track of how they are feeling and the first and last day of their period via an app, or with a manual calendar.
\nYou know your body and mind better than anyone else, so the best person to make this decision is you.
\nMental health is as important as physical health, so if you feel that something is off and you have noticed a change in your mood, remember it is okay to seek help and talk about it with loved ones or trained professionals.
\nContraception is supposed to make our lives easier by helping us feel empowered, safe, and in control of our bodies.
\nIf you are feeling like the contraception you are taking is not best for your mental health, it could be time to take a moment to think about whether it is best to stop this form of contraception or make a well-informed switch.
\nCertain types of birth control might not be right for you and your body, but that’s not to say they are all bad. It is about finding the right fit for you.
\nIf progesterone-only birth control is not working for you, you could explore non-hormonal birth control such as:
\nThe non-hormonal IUD, also called a copper IUD, is a long-term contraceptive composed of a small T-shaped piece of plastic and copper.
Or if you want something short-term, you could use external or internal condoms.
\nSome contraceptive methods include both estrogen and progesterone; this could be a better balance for you, and there are several types of contraceptive methods in this category, including the combined oral pill, contraceptive injections, and the contraceptive patch, among others.
If you have questions, you can chat with Myka, a free AI-powered chatbot, on the Find My Method website.
\nSwitching birth control is an empowering way to ensure your contraception aligns with your evolving body, lifestyle, and pleasure.
\nIt is important to remember that most hormonal options take up to seven full days to reach maximum effectiveness.
\nIf you are switching from one method that contains the same hormones as the new method, it does not always mean you will be fully protected when you make the initial switch.
To make a seamless transition without any gaps in protection, the key strategy is to overlap methods while switching, for example, using condoms when you go from one method to another. This just gives you that added level of safety and security.
\nIt can depend on where you are in your menstrual cycle, so always check with a medical professional first, and if in doubt, use a backup method during the transition period.
\nWhen things don’t feel right, don’t hesitate to seek help.
\nThe number one rule is to always put yourself and your health first and check with medical professionals about any questions or concerns you have.
\nThere is no such thing as a silly question or wasting a doctor’s time; they are there to help people with any health-related topic, whether that is physical or mental health.
\nKeeping worries about your health to yourself can feel lonely and stressful. You will be amazed at how much better you can feel by taking that first step and talking to someone.
\nLinks:
\nhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9218393/#r16
\nhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29785475/
\n\nhttps://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/how-long-does-it-take-for-the-pill-to-become-effective
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