Birth control and postpartum depression

Why do I feel so depressed while taking birth control? Can birth control help treat certain types of depression? Should I use birth control pills if I have depression?

If you have postpartum depression , prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby. Yes, hormonal birth control — even low-dosage varieties — are known to aggravate symptoms of depression and anxiety, and perhaps even more so for postpartum depression (PPD).

Pretty much every handout and info sheet out there cautions against hormonal birth control for women currently being treated for PPD. However, if you are being treated for postpartum depression , you may want to choose a contraception method other than birth control pills, which may sometimes aggravate the symptoms of depression. Using a birth control method in the weeks after you have a baby (the postpartum period) helps you avoid an unintended pregnancy. How do I choose a postpartum birth control method?

When choosing a birth control method to use after you have a baby, think about the following: Timing—Some birth control methods can be started right after childbirth. Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby. Feelings of postpartum depression are more intense and last longer than those of “baby blues,” a term used to describe the worry, sadness, and tiredness many women experience after having a baby.

While I did not use Depo Provera postpartum , I did use it when I was in college for a brief stint. I had already been diagnosed with major depression years prior to my first use, and while I had a few episodes of depression prior, the worst episode I have ever had was while I was taking Depo. Those with a history of depression should think carefully about taking the birth control pill, especially in the postpartum period when reoccurrence of depressive symptoms in the form of a perinatal mood disorder are more likely.

Without a doubt, hormones affect our mood. The reluctance is that they want to feel like themselves and are concerned that hormones may change that,” she says. Hormonal birth control methods usually do not have side effects, but if you have concerns—and especially if you have a history of mental health issues or postpartum depression—speak to your healthcare provider about options. While some women are predisposed to experiencing postpartum depression , PPD can affect anyone, including women who experience a normal delivery and give birth to a healthy child. Since a personal history of depression can increase the risk of postpartum depression , let your doctor know if you have struggled with depression or anxiety in the past.

The symptoms of postpartum depression last longer and are more severe. Shots are administered in your arm or buttocks, and must be done every months. They work by inhibiting ovulation, and the most well known brand of progestin-only birth control injections is Depo Provera. According to the DSM- a manual used to diagnose mental. While most women won’t experience clinical depression or need antidepressant medication soon after starting birth control , experts say the suggest that doctors who prescribe birth control to first-time users should be on the lookout for potential changes in mood in the first few months.

Mothers with postpartum depression can usually continue to breastfeed. Healthcare providers should work with mothers to ensure they receive appropriate treatment, support, and medications that are safe to use while breastfeeding.

Is there an association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression ? We report a null relationship between type of birth (normal physiological vs. interventive non-physiological) and postpartum depression and anxiety. Depression is one of the most common reasons women stop taking birth control pills. Despite this, research can’t explain the connection. If you experience depression while you’re on birth.

A strong study on hormonal birth control and depression. However, another does meet the criteria to qualify as high-quality, and therefore believable.