Psychiatric complications of progesterone and oral contraceptives.

Progesterone plays a critical role in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and sexuality. Its role in premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum disorders is outlined. Oral contraceptives seem to affect mood and behavior in some women without preexisting psychiatric illness, sometimes inducing depression and loss of libido. When used as psychotropic agents, they can have mood-stabilizing effects and relieve premenstrual syndrome.