Influence of depressed mood and psychological stress symptoms on perceived oral contraceptive side effects and discontinuation in young minority women

BackgroundWe examined the influence of depressed mood and psychological stress on oral contraceptive (OC) side effects and discontinuation.Study DesignWe administered standard psychological instruments to 354 young women (13–24 years old) beginning a 6-month OC continuation intervention trial and questions on OC side effects and use at 6 months. Logisitic regression determined the relationships between psychological conditions, perceived OC side effects and continuation rates.ResultsBaseline depressed mood (21%) and stress (19%) and 6-month mood (25%) and weight changes (57%) were relatively common. Only 38% continued OCs at 6 months. Depressed mood [odds ratio (OR) 2.27, confidence interval (CI) 1.25–4.15, p=.007] and stress (OR 2.07, CI 1.12–3.82, p=.02) were associated with perceived OC-related moodiness; depressed mood was associated with perceived weight loss (OR 1.89, CI 1.01–3.55, p=.05). Depressed mood (OR 0.54, CI 0.29–0.99, p=.04), stress (OR 0.48, CI 0.25–0.91, p=.03) and perceived weight change (OR 0.60, CI 0.38–0.94, p=.03) all reduced the likelihood of OC continuation.ConclusionYoung women with adverse psychological symptoms are at risk for perceived OC side effects and discontinuation.