Birth control and mental health
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s address some top questions about birth control and mental health.
Does birth control make you depressed?
The research is mixed on this. If you notice you are depressed after starting birth control, then talk to your doctor. KNOW that there are 8 different progestins. If one causes you to be depressed, you have seven others you can try. My psychiatrist friends generally agree that having a stable hormone level is better for depression and other mood disorders.
Do antidepressants affect my birth control?
TLDR: No. Antidepressants do not interact with hormonal birth control. However, some mood stabilizers (phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate, lamotrigine) might have interactions with birth control, so please talk to your doctor and check. Birth control is not a treatment for mood disorders.
Can birth control help with PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder)?
TLDR: Yes. If you skip the monthly bleeds using birth control, it should prevent PMDD. No menstruation, then no menstrual disorder. See my TEDx talk on the bottom of this page if you want to skip your monthly bleeds.
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is also Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! This month we honor the rich history and the countless contributions AAPI people have made to American society. In recent years America has seen an uptick in crimes against AAPI people, which Pandia Health strongly condemns. We are proud to be founded by a Taiwanese American woman, our very own Dr. Sophia Yen! May is not only a month to learn about the history of AAPI people, but also a chance to expand our understanding of the different cultures that represent Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Check out the Stop AAPI Hate coalition to report an incident, educate yourself, find local resources and donate to help #StopAAPIHate.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mothers are truly real life superheroes, and Pandia Health is lucky to have a team of so many supermoms (Our CEO, our COO, patient care advisors, and more!)! Above all, whether or not you decide to become a mother, Pandia Health supports your right to choose: if, when, and how many times you are a mother.
For any of our soon-to-be moms, check out our favorite online resource for navigating pregnancy – Ruth Health (pelvic floor training, lactation support, post c-section recovery)! And for our breastfeeding moms, shop: Simple Wishes and Pumping Essentials for breast pumps covered by insurance. In honor of Mother’s Day, Simple Wishes is offering the Pandia Health family 20% off with discount code PANDIA.
UPCOMING IG LIVESTREAMS
REAL TALK LIVE: Masturbation May
5/5 @ 5pm PST / 8pm EST
We are excited to be joined by Maureen Pollack, co-founder of Lovability, to discuss the stigmas surrounding women’s pleasure, and how to explore yourself guilt free! This is definitely going to be a fun one you don’t want to miss. See you there!
TMI Tuesdays
5/10 @ 5pm PST / 8pm EST en español and 5:30pm PST/8:30pm in English
Join our CEO/Founder Dr. Sophia Yen on Instagram live as she discusses the recent Supreme Court update and how stay prepared with emergency contraception. Tune in and get your questions answered by an expert!
Frequent asked questions
What is the color for Mental Health Awareness Month?
The color that is used to represent Mental Health Awareness is green.
Why is mental health awareness important?
Just as our physical health is important, mental health is important to living a healthy lifestyle. Nearly 1 in 5 adults struggle with a diagnosed mental illness, making it an extremely important topic to discuss.
Can birth control cause mental breakdowns?
There is no clear link between birth control and “mental breakdowns”. While your birth control may cause your mood to slightly shift, there is no science to support that birth control leads to extreme mental and emotional distress.
Does hormonal birth control affect mental health?
Potentially. Hormonal birth control should not affect one’s mental health however, some people report feeling depressed while taking certain hormonal birth control. Luckily, there are 8 different progestins and over 40 different birth control pills to try. It is all about finding the right fit for you.
What is AAPI Heritage Month?
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which occurs during the month of May, is a month dedicated to celebrating the various cultures and multitude of contributions of the AAPI community.
Why is AAPI Heritage Month important?
It is important to celebrate the history of all peoples! However, it is especially important to remember the history of AAPI people in the U.S. because it comes with a history we should never repeat. The United States famously held Japanese people in internment camps during WW2, and there was even a law called the Chinese Exclusion Act which barred people from immigrating to the United States based on race. While we have come far from those days, there are still anti-AAPI hate crimes and forced sterilization happening to the AAPI community. It is important we use this month to honor the rich heritage of these communities, while educating ourselves on the oppression they have faced in order to do better.