India, April 3 -- Hormones play a big role in determining mood, affecting your mental health. Contraceptive pills, which regulate the female hormones estrogen and progesterone levels, can also cause mood changes. A study published on March 31, 2025, in JAMA Network Open linked the use of contraceptive pills among new mothers to a higher likelihood of depression.

Previously, many experts had also established that hormonal contraceptives are linked to an increased risk of depression in women. But this was more in a general sense, including teenagers and young adults. However, this study further narrowed its focus specifically to new mothers who may have used contraceptive pills postpartum. The postpartum period is already a challenging tim...