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Previous studies have accused hormonal contraceptives of being linked to a higher suicide rate. But a new Finnish study shows that they are on the contrary linked to a lower risk of suicide attempts compared to women who do not take them.
Hormonal contraceptives, including the pill, are among the most widely used and studied pharmaceuticals. Recent studies had suggested they were associated with a higher risk of suicide attempts, raising real concerns. But a study presented at the European Congress of Psychiatry by Dr. Elena Toffol of the University of Helsinki, provides reassuring elements.
Conclusions drawn from databases
Dr. Toffol and his team compared the suicide attempt rates of users and non-users of hormonal contraceptives using data from the period 2017-2019, taken from several Finnish national databases.
The scientists sifted through the results of 587,823 women, which is about 50% of the total number of women in the 15-49 age group in Finland. Half of these women had used hormonal contraceptives, including pills, implants, patches and rings.
Suicide rates vary with age
Looking at these data, the authors found that rates of suicide attempts between hormonal contraceptive users and non-users were equally high among women aged 15 to 19.
On the other hand, the figures fall among older users of hormonal contraceptives, particularly in the 20-24 and 25-29 age groups. With 474 cases of suicide attempts in women who did not use hormonal contraceptives, against 344 attempts in women who used them, the scientists note a 37% drop in the risk of ending one’s life.
The authors therefore conclude thatrates of suicide attempts among women using hormonal contraception are actually lower than among women not using hormonal contraception“.
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A link with premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Questioned by Doctissimo, Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist and member of the expert committee of Doctissimo, is not surprised. “The results of this study do not surprise me because mood disorders can be severe in some women, including women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder. These are women who, before the arrival of their periods, are in a severe mental state bordering on psychiatric pathology. Once the period is over, they recover, but it’s a real hormonal ruckus for them” details the gynecologist.
“For many women, when taking a hormonal contraceptive, their hormone levels being more stable throughout the cycle, mood disorders will be less, which is consistent with the result of this study. , i.e. a lower suicide rate” concludes the specialist.