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The Study

Dr. Ojvind Lidegaard, a professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and his team studied one million Danish women between the ages of 15-34 over the course of 14 years old 

Women who had a depression diagnosis before they turned 15 or at the start of the data collection were excluded to better ensure that depression was properly identified in connection with birth control use. 

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Parents.com
It is not very surprising that external artificial hormones acting in the same way might also influence women's moods
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It has been known that women's sex hormones (estrogen & progesterone) have an influence on their moods.
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In the study hormonal birth control users had an increased depression risk of 40%
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After analysis of the data collected researchers concluded that hormonal birth control was a positive link to depression diagnosis and antidepressant use
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thepancakelife.com
However researchers noted that more studies are need to further examine the full effect of hormonal contraceptive use
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Adolescents seemed more vulnerable to depression than women 24-34 years old
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The Independent
In the U.S. 62% of women 15-44 years old use some form of contraception
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While this study was taken amongst Danish women Dr. Lidegaard believes the results could translate to women in the United States as well.
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It's the first study to conclude there might be a link between birth control and depression. Mood Swings are often listed as a known side effect, but not clinical depression.

Dr. Ojvind Lidegaard to The Washington Post
Teen Vogue
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Theatlantic.com
Counter theories have been published & debated. Some stating other variables need to be considered such as the complexities in relationships, and all the happenings during the development age
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There has been wide acceptance and opposition to the findings of Dr. Lidegaard
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culturalevents
One of the most notable responses was from writer Holly Grigg-Spall
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Some counter theories were quickly met by responses from women all over the world.
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It seems that no study will ever be good enough for the medical community to take women's experiences seriously [.....] It's acceptable to blame women's depression on the fact that they're women. But it's not OK to claim a powerful medication formulated from synthetic hormones could be at fault.

Author of Sweetening the Pill, Holly Grigg-Spall In her column for The Guardian
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In Summary

  • The link between birth control and clinical depression has opened the door to further conversation and research
  • Dr. Lidegraad also wanted it to be noted that not all women who use contraceptives are necessarily sexually active. Making it believable that the correlation can't be explained by a Taylor Swift breakup album
  • Birth Control has many benefits. It helps to manage acne, regulate periods, prevent mood swings in some women, and reduced the risk of some cancers that affect reproductive organs
  • The average woman doesn't need to stop using all birth control methods but they should be informed of what they are putting in their bodies and monitor with their doctors how it's affecting them.
  • Dr. Lidegraad says "Whatever you choose, there will be benefits and risks"
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