The influence of hormonal contraception on depression and female sexuality: a narrative review of the literature

Abstract

Objective

Over the past decades, an increasing number of women have been using hormonal contraception. The potential role of sex hormones in regulating vegetative, psychophysiological, and cognitive functions has been highlighted in several studies, and there is a need to further understand the impact of hormonal contraception on women’s quality of life, especially as regards psychological health and sexuality.

Methods

We conducted a narrative review aimed at clarifying the mechanisms involved in the interaction between sex hormones and the brain, also focusing on the association between hormonal contraception and mood and sexual function.

Results

Our findings clarified that hormonal contraception may be associated with depressive symptoms, especially among adolescents, and with sexual dysfunction. However, the evidence included in this review was conflicting and did not support the hypothesis that hormonal contraception directly causes depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, or sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

The optimal hormonal contraception should be identified in the context of shared decision making, considering the preferences and needs of each woman, as well as her physical and psychosexual conditions.

激素避孕对抑郁和女性性行为的影响：叙述性综述 摘要

目的：在过去的几十年里, 越来越多的女性使用激素避孕。一些研究强调了性激素在调节植物神经、心理生理和认知功能方面的潜在作用, 需要进一步了解激素避孕对女性生活质量, 尤其是心理健康和性方面的影响。

方法：我们进行了一项叙述性综述, 旨在阐明性激素与大脑之间相互作用的机制, 同时关注激素避孕与情绪和性功能之间的关系。

结果：结果阐明了激素避孕可能与抑郁症状有关, 尤其是在青少年中。激素避孕还与性功能障碍有关。然而, 这篇综述纳入的证据相互矛盾, 不能支持激素避孕直接导致抑郁症状、重度抑郁障碍或性功能障碍的假设。

结论：制定最佳激素避孕方案, 应共同决策, 考虑到每位女性的偏好、需求、身体和心理状况。

Keywords:

• Hormonal contraception
• mood
• depression
• sexual function
• oral contraceptive
• sex hormones

Author contributions

L.B.: conceptualization, manuscript writing/editing and data collection, G.B.: manuscript writing/manuscript editing and data collection, F.F.: manuscript review/editing, L.G.: manuscript writing/editing; D.D.: manuscript editing, P.V.: manuscript review. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.