The Balancing Act

TAKING ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES DOES NOT MEAN COMPROMISING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

By Jane Houseal, Contributing Writer Illustrated by Keely Bradish, Arts Curator

Earlier this year, a TikTok trend illuminated the pressing emotional tribulations many individuals experience when taking hormonal birth control. Young people on birth control would post pictures of them smiling and glowing before birth control, and then switch to show clips of them crying after starting birth control. Though the trend is recent, this concept is not new. If you or someone you know uses hormonal birth control, then you too may be familiar with the deep, emotional side effects birth control can cause.

Research shows that there is a direct correlation between birth control and depression. One Danish study found that 15 to 19-year-old females taking oral combination birth control pills were diagnosed with depression at a 70% higher rate than non-users. Another study claims that using oral contraceptives increased women’s rate of taking antidepressants by 23%. Among teens using the same contraceptives, the findings were even more severe: the rate nearly doubled.1 While these statistics are real, they are dramatically highlighted in the media, creating fear-based narratives that cause people to forego birth control altogether.2 Not everyone has negative

1 Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, “Large Danish Study Links Contraceptive Use To Risk Of Depression,” Kaiser Health News, September 28, 2016, 2 Julia Belluz, “You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Hormonal Birth Control. But Here’s How to Evaluate the Risks,” Vox, Vox, June 23, 2015. experiences with birth control as it varies from person to person and therefore birth control experiences shouldn’t be stigmatized. Despite the proven link between birth control and mental health effects, this is not the only experience for people who want to go on birth control. You don’t have to sacrifice your mental health for your physical health. In reaction to the before and after birth control trend on TikTok, several empowering OBGYN doctors hopped on the app to tell young people that suffering emotionally or risking getting pregnant are not the only options. There is a wide variety of birth control methods, including a vast amount of oral contraceptives.3 One OBGYN doctor, Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, uses her TikTok platform to urge young people to talk to their doctor if they are struggling. “If your birth control is making you miserable, tell your doctor!” She says in one of her videos, “If you’re having side effects, let us know! We can help you find a better option.” 4 Many doctors share the same advice as her — you do not have to suffer in order to take control of your reproductive health. One reason so many young people are stuck with a birth control plan that causes them emotional distress is the lack of progressive sex education in the U.S. The gap between sex education

3 Jennifer Lincoln, TikTok, January 28, 2020. 4 Ibid. students should receive and what they do receive is severe. A 2014 CDC School Health Profiles found that fewer than half of high schools teach all 16 topics recommended by the CDC as essential components of sex education.5 In addition, states are not required under federal law to teach sexual education to a certain standard. Due to this, there is a great disparity throughout the U.S. on what is taught in sexual education courses.6 This failure to educate teenagers equally and completely on reproductive and sexual health leaves students without the knowledge to make informed decisions about birth control. It is impossible for someone to pick the best option for them if they do not know the all the options. No one should have to choose between enduring emotional agony and taking control of their reproductive health. While it is true that many people do tolerate their emotional struggles in order to take oral contraceptives, it does not have to be that way. There are other options and professionals who can help you live without the burden of bad birth control. It is crucial that you are your own biggest advocate so that you can seek out a birth control plan that is right for you. Talking to your doctor can make all the difference, so trust your intuition and champion your sexual health! ■

5 Planned Parenthood, “State of Sex Education in USA: Health Education in Schools,” Planned Parenthood, accessed October 14, 2020. 6 “Sex and HIV Education,” Guttmacher Institute, October 12, 2020.