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. 1973 Aug 11;3(5875):349.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.3.5875.349-b.

Side effects of the pill

E C Grant

Side effects of the pill

E C Grant. Br Med J. .

Abstract

PIP: In response to a letter by Drs. D.M. and S.M. Hall calling loss of libido with oral contraceptive use only psychological, the author states it would seem that drugs which can produce an atrophic endometrium and a dry vagina might also cause loss or decrease of libido. The progestogenic low-estrogen compounds produce endometrial glands which have a high level of monoamine oxidase, particularly in the premenstrual phase. The author has found a correlation of depression and loss of libido with the endometrial monoamine oxidase activity. Estrogenic sequential regimens had a low incidence of depression and low monoamide oxidase activity. The Halls' data, with a much greater number of women under age 30, implies that oral contraceptives are not well tolerated by older women. Women under age 20 seem to be slower to have depression changes. Unmarried women may be more reluctant to admit to side effects because of their need for an efficient contraceptive. In the author's follow-up of 341 women, 40% noted mood changes and headaches on discontinuing oral contraceptives. Of 31 women stopping low-estrogen compounds 70% noted depressive mood changes.

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References

    1. Br Med J. 1968 Sep 28;3(5621):777-80 - PubMed

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