Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38816797›Full record

SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2024

Assessing the impact of contraceptive use on mental health among women of reproductive age - a systematic review.

Shayesteh Jahanfar, Julie Mortazavi, Amy Lapidow, Cassandra Cu, Jude Al Abosy, Katherine Morris, Juan Camilo Becerra-Mateus, Paola Andrenacci, Marwa Badawy, Meredith Steinfeldt and 3 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. The impact of ovulation-suppressing contraceptives on behavioral and functional difficulties in borderline personality disorder.Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · 2025
    Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Shayesteh JahanfarDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Julie MortazaviDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Amy LapidowDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Cassandra CuDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Jude Al AbosyDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Katherine MorrisDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Juan Camilo Becerra-MateusUniversidad de Antioquia, Columbia, USA.
Paola AndrenacciCoordinator Cochrane US Mentoring Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Marwa BadawyCochrane mentee, US Mentoring Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Meredith SteinfeldtDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Olivia MaurerDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Bohang JiangDepartment of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US.
Moazzam AliDepartment of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, Geneva 27, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland. alimoa@who.int.

Funding

USAID 7200GH21IO00005World Health Organization 001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundContraceptive use is the principal method by which women avoid unintended pregnancy. An unintended pregnancy can induce long-term distress related to the medical, emotional, and social consequences of carrying that pregnancy to term.

objectivesThis review investigates the effects of modern contraception techniques such as birth control pills, long-acting reversible contraceptives (e.g., intrauterine devices, implants), and condoms on mental health status.

methodsWe searched multiple databases from inception until February 2022, with no geographical boundaries. RCTs underwent a quality assessment using the GRADE approach while the quality of observational studies was assessed using the Downs and Black scoring system. Data were analyzed through meta-analysis and relative risk and mean difference were calculated and forest plots were created for each outcome when two or more data points were eligible for analysis. MAIN

resultsThe total number of included studies was 43. In women without previous mental disorders, both RCTs (3 studies, SMD 0.18, 95% CI [0.02, 0.34], high quality of evidence) and cohort studies (RR 1.04 95% CI [1.03, 1.04]) detected a slight increase in the risk of depression development. In women with previous mental disorders, both RCTs (9 studies, SMD - 0.15, 95% CI [-0.30, -0.00], high quality of evidence) and cohort studies (SMD - 0.26, 95% CI [-0.37, -0.15]) detected slight protective effects of depression development. It was also noticed that HC demonstrated protective effects for anxiety in both groups (SMD - 0.20, 95% CI [-0.40, -0.01]).

conclusionsAmong women with pre-existing mental disorders who use hormonal contraceptives, we reported protective association with decreased depressive symptoms. However, the study also draws attention to some potential negative effects, including an increase in the risk of depression and antidepressant use among contraceptive users, a risk that is higher among women who use the hormonal IUD, implant, or patch/ring methods. Providers should select contraceptive methods taking individual aspects into account to maximize benefits and minimize risks.

Indexed as

Mental HealthAdultAnxietyContraceptionContraception BehaviorDepressionFemaleHumansMental DisordersPregnancyPregnancy, UnplannedAnxietyContraceptionDepressionMental healthSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID38816797
PMCPMC11137968

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.