Depressive symptoms and Norplant contraceptive implants.
Women enrolled in a multicenter prospective study were evaluated to identify any possible relationship between depressive symptoms and the use of contraceptive implants. Women choosing Norplant implants (n = 910) were evaluated before starting this contraceptive and were reinterviewed at 6 months and 2 years. Women who continued the method had lower depressive symptom scores before initiating Norplant implants than did the women who discontinued the method or who were lost to follow up. Among the continuing Norplant implant users, the mean scores were similar before starting Norplant and at 6 months (7.9 vs 7.7). The strongest overall predictor of the depressive symptom score was relationship satisfaction. At 24 months, the subgroup of continuing users with decreased relationship satisfaction had an increase in depressive symptom score, but those with stable or improved relationships had stable depressive symptom scores. The subjects with the highest (i.e., worst) scores at enrollment demonstrated improved scores during follow-up. These results are reassuring for women who are concerned that Norplant use may adversely affect their mood.
Westhoff
C
C
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Truman
C
C
Kalmuss
D
D
Cushman
L
L
Rulin
M
M
Heartwell
S
S
Davidson
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel