Hormone levels naturally fluctuate as you age, especially during phases of life like puberty, the menopause, and pregnancy. Thyroid disorders, stress, exercise, and polycystic ovarian syndrome can also cause a hormonal imbalance. Unbalanced hormones can lead to a wide range of symptoms including changes to your mood. Some people may feel irritable, depressed or anxious. Others may find improvements to their mood. Taking hormonal birth control is an effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and can also be used to treat certain health conditions. Like any other type of medication, hormonal birth control comes with the risk of side effects because of how it interacts with your hormones. One of the most common side effects of hormonal birth control is changes to your mood.

Types of Contraception in the UK

Barrier methods and non-hormonal options like condoms and the copper IUD are some of the most commonly used types of birth control. More long-lasting hormonal methods like the birth control pill and implant are also common. Hormonal contraceptives contain synthetic versions of female sex hormones. These methods work to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and/or by making the cervical environment inhospitable to sperm. Some of the most used hormonal birth control methods are the pill, the patch, the vaginal ring, and the emergency contraceptive pill.

The Birth Control Pill

Commonly referred to as ‘the pill,’ there are two main types of birth control pills: the combined pill and progestogen only pill. When taken correctly and around the same time of day, they can be up to 99% effective. The combined pill contains progestogen and oestrogen. It prevents ovulation, thickens the cervical mucus, and thins the uterine lining to prevent pregnancy. The progestogen only pill also thickens cervical mucus and stops ovulation. It’s recommended for women over 35 or who are not able to take oestrogen birth control.

The Patch

The contraceptive patch is a small adhesive patch that releases hormones into your body through your skin. When used correctly, it can be up to 99% effective. The patch contains the same type of combined hormones as the combine birth control pill and works by thickening cervical mucus and by preventing ovulation. It can be worn during all normal daily activities, including showering, swimming, and exercising. The patch stays in place for 7 seven days before a new one is applied on day 8. After 3 weeks, you have a patch-free week.

The Vaginal Ring

The vaginal ring is a soft, flexible plastic ring that is inserted into the vagina. It’s more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. The vaginal ring can be left in place for 21 days and you can continue having sex and using tampons when it’s inserted. It releases a steady amount of oestrogen and progestogen, thickening cervical mucus and preventing ovulation. Once it’s in place, you won’t have to worry about birth control until it’s time to insert a new one.

Birth Control Implant

The contraceptive implant is a small plastic implant that is inserted under the skin of your upper arm by a medical professional. It releases progestogen directly into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy and is up to 99% effective. Women who can’t take oestrogen or who struggle to remember to take their birth control find the implant more convenient. By releasing oestrogen, the birth control implant stops ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus. Once inserted, the implant can stay in place for 3 years.

Emergency Contraceptive Pill

Emergency contraception, or ‘the morning after pill,’ is used after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It isn’t a long-term type of contraception and needs to be taken as soon as possible to prevent pregnancy. Depending on the pill used, it can used up to 3-5 days after unprotected sex. It can be used by most women, including those unable to use oestrogen birth control.

Risks of Birth Control

All methods of birth control have the potential for side effects. Commonly reported side effects of contraception include nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, and decreased sex drive. Most of these side effects are temporary. There’s also a higher risk of blood clots, especially in women who smoke or are over 35. The risk is still relatively low so speak with your GP to discuss your options if you’re concerned. In addition to physical side effects, many women report changes to their mood and overall mental health. These should subside once your body adjusts to your hormonal birth control but some women experiencing lasting mental health side effects.

Birth Control: Mood Swings

Whether there’s a link between contraception and depression or contraception and anxiety is still being researched. However, it’s established that certain hormones can affect your mood so it’s entirely possible for hormonal birth control to cause mood swings. Oestrogen affects the brain by causing an increase in the mood stabilising substance, serotonin, as well as the ‘happy hormone’ endorphins. This might make it sound like birth control should make you feel happier, but progestogen changes how oestrogen works in your body. Progestogen may slow down the production of endorphins and serotonin, causing a dip in mood levels. The research on birth control and its impact in mood are limited, but so far it seems to indicate the risk of depression and anxiety is higher with non-oral hormonal contraception. The effects tend to be more prominent in women under 19 because their brains and hormones are still undergoing development. Not all women will experience side effects or mood swings. With so many choices for hormonal contraception, it may be that you need to try a few different types before finding a method that works for you. 

Buy Different Types of Contraception Online in the UK

We are able to prescribe several types of birth control methods. From birth control pills to contraceptive rings to emergency contraception, we have your preferred method of contraception available to buy online. For convenient and affordable family planning options, quickly take our short assessment and let our prescribers help you find the right treatment with us.