Women’s Variations in Mood Symptoms and their Interaction with Menstrual Cycle Phase, Oral Contraceptive Use and Personality Traits

Background. This study was undertaken to determine whether symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety vary between naturally cycling (NC) women and women who use oral contraceptives (OCs), as well as the potential influence of personality traits, particularly emotional stability, on these variations. Methods. Standard psychological instruments assessing mood symptoms and personality traits, as well as a questionnaire regarding menstrual cycle and OC use were completed online by 266 women (133 OC, 133 NC) between the ages of 18 and 35. Correlation analyses and multivariate analyses of variance were used to determine the associations between these variables. Results. No statistically significant difference was found in scores of depression (D), stress (S) and anxiety (A) between OC and NC women (D; p=0.47, S; p=0.55, A; p=0.93). All three measures of mood showed a significant negative correlation with emotional stability (all p values <.001, D; r= -.32, S; r=-.44, S; r= -.46). However...Show moreBackground. This study was undertaken to determine whether symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety vary between naturally cycling (NC) women and women who use oral contraceptives (OCs), as well as the potential influence of personality traits, particularly emotional stability, on these variations. Methods. Standard psychological instruments assessing mood symptoms and personality traits, as well as a questionnaire regarding menstrual cycle and OC use were completed online by 266 women (133 OC, 133 NC) between the ages of 18 and 35. Correlation analyses and multivariate analyses of variance were used to determine the associations between these variables. Results. No statistically significant difference was found in scores of depression (D), stress (S) and anxiety (A) between OC and NC women (D; p=0.47, S; p=0.55, A; p=0.93). All three measures of mood showed a significant negative correlation with emotional stability (all p values <.001, D; r= -.32, S; r=-.44, S; r= -.46). However, no statistically significant difference was found between OC and NC women on the combined measures of depression, stress and anxiety when controlling for low emotional stability (p=.201). Conclusion. Low emotional stability is associated with heightened mood symptoms, however, there is no difference in these associations or mood symptom severity between NC women and OC women. This is in contrast with widespread beliefs and perceptions about OC use, as well as some scientific literature, although there still remains inconsistent evidence within the literature regarding which women experience negative side effects due to OC and why.Show less

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Women’s Variations in Mood Symptoms and their Interaction with Menstrual Cycle Phase, Oral Contraceptive Use and Personality Traits