History of the contraceptive pill

The first contraceptive pill hit the market in May 1960, although the first attempts to prepare such a form of pregnancy prevention began in the early 20th century. In the 1920s, Ludwig Haberlandt conducted experiments on rabbits to demonstrate that administration of a specific substance could effectively inhibit pregnancy in females. In the 1950s, norethindrone was synthesised and showed contraceptive properties. In the late 1950s, the first contraceptive pill - Envoid - was produced and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Types of contraceptive pills

There is a wide range of contraceptive pills available on the market. Two-ingredient pills contain two types of hormones - oestrogen and progesterone- in their composition. Two-component pills come in three types - as monophasic, biphasic and triphasic. Another type of pill is the single-phase pill, known as the mini-pill. This type of pill is considered to be the latest generation of pills. They contain one hormone - progesterone - in their composition. There are also so-called "after pills" on the market which are emergency contraception - this type of pill has a higher concentration of progesterone.

Depression, photo: panthermedia

Side effects

Like all medicines, the contraceptive pill can also cause side effects. Among the most commonly cited are intermenstrual bleeding or lack thereof, changes in libido, mood changes, breast tenderness, migraines, lipid disorders. In extreme cases, ischaemic heart disease, thromboembolic complications (known as thrombosis), which can be fatal. Thrombosis is caused by problems with the normal blood clotting process. Thrombosis can affect both veins (a clot forms in a vein) and arteries (a clot forms in an artery). Venous thrombosis occurs primarily in the deep veins of the lower limbs and pelvis. In the very rare cases where hormonal contraception is used, the risk of thrombosis increases. If a woman uses hormonal contraceptives and observes alarming symptoms in herself, such as sudden coughing, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, severe pain or swelling in the legs, paresis of parts of the body, sudden disturbance of taste, smell and hearing, double vision, sudden migraine, speech problems, it is essential to consult a doctor quickly. Thrombosis is a life-threatening condition.

Depression and the contraceptive pill

Can contraceptive pills affect depressive disorders? It turns out that yes. The most recent guidelines from the European Medicines Agency indicate that the responsible parties manufacturing contraceptives must include in the Summary of Product Characteristics and the Patient Information Leaflet that the use of oral contraceptives can lower the mood and cause depression. Importantly, depression can have severe sequelae, leading to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide. The results of a multi-year study cited by the EMA indicate that the problem of depression in women using oral contraception is serious. Scientists from the University of Copenhagen conducted a six-year study, reviewing the medical records of nearly one million Danish women aged 15-34. Among the women studied, more than 130,000 were taking oral contraceptives, of which 23,000 were diagnosed with depression.

Remember - persistent long-term mood disorders should not be underestimated. If left untreated, depression can result in a life-threatening attack. A visit to a psychologist or psychiatrist is nothing to be ashamed of!

way4cure.com

Can contraceptive pills cause depressive states?

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