Abstract
This article summarizes studies that deal with combined oral contraceptive (COC) use and its potential impact on women's mood. Research in this area is methodologically very difficult.
A certain number of women describe negative mood changes due to the use of COC. These women usually discontinue or switch COC soon after the onset of use.
COC probably slightly negatively affects the mood of some women, but their mental state and personality traits may also play the role. In the literature, there is currently a widespread hypothesis about the stabilizing influence of hormonal contraception on the women's mood.
Most articles reviewed in this study support it. Some women may sense this effect of COC as positive however the others may perceive it negatively.