Oral Contraceptives, Pyridoxine, and Depression

Abstract

Taking steroid hormones for the control of ovulation may be associated with depressive mood changes in women who are predisposed to depression. The author postulates that such depression may in some cases be due to inhibition of the synthesis of biogenic amines in the central nervous system as the result of a functional pyridoxine deficiency caused by the estrogen in the oral contraceptives. It is suggested that this depression might be prevented or alleviated by the administration of supplementary vitamin B6.