India, Dec. 3 -- A new study has suggested that the use of contraceptive pills may have a hidden cost: impaired mental health.

Access to the contraceptive pill during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of depression later in life. Women who are genetically predisposed to mental illness are particularly at risk of suffering from this side effect.

This is shown by a new study from the University of Copenhagen, which builds on previous research from the same university - and also demonstrated links between hormonal contraceptives and mental health problems.

"We know that the contraceptive pill has had enormous societal consequences, and positively affected women's careers. But we have overlooked the fact that it can also hav...