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Then there was that huge study that showed the birth control pill causes loss of sex drive and depression[0]. [0]https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.c

Then there was that huge study that showed the birth control pill causes loss of sex drive and depression[0]. [0]https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/oct/03/pill-linked-depression-doctors-hormonal-contraceptives https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfr...

kevinnk 10y ago
That study showed a "link" (i.e. correlation) between hormonal contraception and first diagnosis of depression or use of antidepressants. That's not the same as showing the pill causes depression! Even the study authors explicitly say that more study is needed before we can definitively say there is cause and effect.
- acaciapalm 10y ago
  It's difficult to truly prove, but many women have noticed this and complained about it. It is only now that they are finally actually looking in to the possibility. I find it incredibly ironic that people take it as a given that women's hormones might affect moods (PMS, anyone?), but then brush off women's concerns that taking large doses of female hormones might --in fact!-- have an affect on mood.
  - kevinnk 10y ago
    To be clear, I'm not denying the possibility that hormonal birth control can cause depression or that many women experience problems while on it (I've heard similar complaints to what you're describing). What I'm commenting on is your misrepresentation of what the study is "proving".
    - acaciapalm 10y ago
      I used the word "show" not "prove" for that reason. Point taken though: in the future, I will use "showed a link" or "found correlation". I am really very careful not to use the word "proved" for the same concerns you have.
      - kevinnk 10y ago
        Not to keep arguing a dead point, but the word I cared about was "causes" not "show". The study shows pretty definitively ("proves") that a correlation exists. It does not show that hormonal birth control causes depression. Regardless, I appreciate that you're making an effort to be careful. I've just been seeing this particular study making the rounds on Facebook and I felt like I needed to point out what the study actually says.
        acaciapalm 10y ago
        Regardless of semantics, I'm glad you see it being shared on Facebook. I really hope it inspires women to stop taking their pills and go all Lysistrata until there is more research done and/or a better solution is invented. I mean, it's the same thing that was invented back in the 1960s. There's been very little progress. I wish they could invent something semi permanent for men. Then we could cease having the current child support debates. Temporary vasectomy would be awesome for the world.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]

kevinnk 10y ago

That study showed a "link" (i.e. correlation) between hormonal contraception and first diagnosis of depression or use of antidepressants. That's not the same as showing the pill causes depression! Even the study authors explicitly say that more study is needed before we can definitively say there is cause and effect.

acaciapalm 10y ago
It's difficult to truly prove, but many women have noticed this and complained about it. It is only now that they are finally actually looking in to the possibility. I find it incredibly ironic that people take it as a given that women's hormones might affect moods (PMS, anyone?), but then brush off women's concerns that taking large doses of female hormones might --in fact!-- have an affect on mood.
- kevinnk 10y ago
  To be clear, I'm not denying the possibility that hormonal birth control can cause depression or that many women experience problems while on it (I've heard similar complaints to what you're describing). What I'm commenting on is your misrepresentation of what the study is "proving".
  - acaciapalm 10y ago
    I used the word "show" not "prove" for that reason. Point taken though: in the future, I will use "showed a link" or "found correlation". I am really very careful not to use the word "proved" for the same concerns you have.
    - kevinnk 10y ago
      Not to keep arguing a dead point, but the word I cared about was "causes" not "show". The study shows pretty definitively ("proves") that a correlation exists. It does not show that hormonal birth control causes depression. Regardless, I appreciate that you're making an effort to be careful. I've just been seeing this particular study making the rounds on Facebook and I felt like I needed to point out what the study actually says.
      - acaciapalm 10y ago
        Regardless of semantics, I'm glad you see it being shared on Facebook. I really hope it inspires women to stop taking their pills and go all Lysistrata until there is more research done and/or a better solution is invented. I mean, it's the same thing that was invented back in the 1960s. There's been very little progress. I wish they could invent something semi permanent for men. Then we could cease having the current child support debates. Temporary vasectomy would be awesome for the world.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]