The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a new "Practice Bulletin" of clinical managmeent guidelines for ob/gyns last month, "Use of Hormonal Contraception in Women with Coexisting Medical Conditions" (number 73).

Here's an excerpt from their current guidelines in answer to the question, "What are the effects of hormonal contraception in women with depressed mood?":

"Data on the use of hormonal contraceptives in women with depression are limited, but generally show no effect. Women with depressive disorders do not appear to experience worsening of symptoms with use of hormonal methods of contraception."

This ACOG recommendation is a "Level B" type, which means it is "based on limited or inconsistent scientific evidence."

The take-home message? 1.) Based on what we know now, from a limited number of small studies, taking hormonal birth control does not worsen depressive symptoms in women. 2.) We need more studies, and bigger studies, to really know if (and to what extent) hormonal contraceptives may affect depression.