title: The use of hormonal contraceptive agents and mood disorders in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mood disorders are a major cause of disability in developed countries, and contraceptive agents among the most widely used medications. The relationship between contraceptive agents and mood is unclear. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the association between current contraception use and mood disorders in a random population-based sample of women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined epidemiological data obtained from 498 women aged 20-50year participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS). Mood disorders were diagnosed using a clinical interview (SCID-I/NP) and information on medication use and other lifestyle factors were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for age and socioeconomic status (SES), women taking progestin-only contraceptive agents had an increased likelihood of a current mood disorder (OR 3.0 95%CI: 1.1-7.8, p=0.03). In contrast, women taking combined contraceptive agents had a decreased likelihood of a current mood disorder, adjusting this for age and SES (OR 0.3 95%CI: 0.1, 0.9 p=0.03). These findings were not explained by weight, physical activity level, past depression, number of medical conditions or cigarette smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is cross-sectional, which precludes any determination regarding the direction of the relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest a protective effect of the combined contraceptive pill, and a deleterious effect of progestin only agents in regards to mood disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Gjertrud
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Svendal
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pasco
authors.forename: Felice N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Jacka
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: Lana J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*