The British Journal of Psychiatry 132: 431-440 (1978)
© 1978 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Incidence of depressive symptoms in users of the oral contraceptive
O Fleming and CP Seager
Evidence is presented that the incidence of depression among users of oral
contraceptives is no higher than that among matched controls not taking
such medication. There is an association between high depression scores and
high neuroticism scores, more marked in controls than takers. Intensity of
depression is related more to age, personality and occupation than to the
use of oral contraceptives. A higher proportion of users than of controls
experience sexual satisfaction. Past takers include a large number of
individuals with a high neuroticism score. The incidence of depression
symptoms in women increases with age. A higher proportion of housewives
than of women going out to full-time work show depressive symptoms.