Objectives: Describe the relationship between anxiety and depression, hypothyroidism, and hormonal contraceptives use. Establish plausible treatment options for anxiety and depression that is tailored for patients also diagnosed with hypothyroidism who are utilizing hormonal contraceptives. Methods: Review databases for sources regarding pathophysiological connections between hypothyroidism with anxiety and depression, hypothyroidism and contraceptive use, and contraceptive use with anxiety and depression. Review sources that discuss treatment options for anxiety and depression. Results: Untreated hypothyroidism results in increased levels of depressive symptoms and decreased quality of life, both of which improve after treatment with thyroid hormone replacement. Hormonal contraceptives alter thyroid hormone levels in the body which can have direct and indirect effects on thyroid function and mental health. Patients on hormonal contraceptives have mixed results on the development or worsening of mental health symptoms. Conclusions: Thyroid function is affected by hormonal contraceptives which can affect a patient’s psychological conditions. Therefore, management for anxiety and depression in this population should be unique to each patient. Special consideration should be paid by the provider and future research should be devoted to evaluating patients’ comorbidities, polypharmacy, and risk factors when determining a treatment regimen for patients with hypothyroidism and anxiety/depression who are utilizing hormonal contraceptives.
Keywords: hypothyroidism, anxiety, depression, hormonal contraceptives, side-effects, risk factors, treatment efficac
