Review, 2006
How do birth control pills affect brain chemicals that control mood?
Birth control pills reduce neuroactive steroid levels in the brain. Since these chemicals help regulate mood, lower levels might explain why some women experience negative mood symptoms on the pill.
What they did
A review summarizing data on how oral contraceptive treatment affects neuroactive steroids (mood-regulating chemicals) in women and rats.
What they found
Oral contraceptives reduce neuroactive steroid concentrations in the brain. Because neuroactive steroids are potent modulators of GABA receptor function, which affects mood regulation, reduced levels from oral contraceptives might contribute to negative mood symptoms in some women.
What it means for you
If you experience mood changes or anxiety when taking birth control pills, it may be due to changes in brain chemicals caused by the pill. This could help explain why some women need to try different contraceptive options. This is a review of how the pill works on the brain, not a guide to treatment options.
About the study
- Original title
- Oral contraceptives and neuroactive steroids
- Authors
- Rapkin AJ, Biggio G, Concas A
- Journal
- Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None - review article
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2006.06.008
Topics
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