---
title: How do birth control pills affect renin levels in the body and uterus?
description: Birth control pills lower renin in the bloodstream but raise related substances in the uterus. The highest activity of these substances occurs before menstrua
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/renin-substrate-active-and-acid-activatable-renin-concentrations-in-human-plasma-1980/
---

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- How do birth control pills affect renin levels in the body and uterus?

Study, 1980

# How do birth control pills affect renin levels in the body and uterus?

Birth control pills lower renin in the bloodstream but raise related substances in the uterus. The highest activity of these substances occurs before menstruation.

 Early or limited evidence

31 women taking oral contraceptives

## What they did

Measured active and acid-activatable renin and renin substrate in blood and uterine tissue samples from 31 women taking oral contraceptives.

## What they found

Plasma active renin concentration was lower in cycles with oral contraceptives than in normal cycles. Substrate concentrations were higher with oral contraceptives. In the uterus, all renin system components were raised. The maximum potential for angiotensin production was in the premenstrual stage.

## What it means for you

Birth control pills change renin levels in the blood and uterus during the menstrual cycle. These changes might relate to PMS but this is a small lab measurement study from 1980 that does not explain what these hormone changes mean for how women feel.

31

women studied

## About the study

Original title Renin substrate, active and acid-activatable renin concentrations in human plasma and endometrium during menstrual cycles controlled by oral contraceptive preparations Authors Johnson IR Journal British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1980 Study design Study Participants 31 What was tested Oral contraceptive use Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1980.tb04441.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1980.tb04441.x)

## Topics

[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

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