The Truth About Birth Control Pills and Hormones
“The pill” is one of the most popular forms of birth control in the world. Statistics show that in the U.S., approximately 1 in 4 women aged 15-44 who are using contraception are taking oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills. What many of these women don’t know is that the birth control pill can cause an imbalance of hormones, which have negative impacts on brain function and mental health.
In fact, many women have misconceptions about how these hormonal contraceptives affect the brain and body and how they influence overall health. It’s time to clear up the confusion.
Research shows that taking birth control pills causes structural changes in the brain, alters neurotransmitter function, and messes with mood regulation.WHAT ARE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES?
Oral contraceptives are most commonly associated with preventing pregnancy. However, they are also frequently used to reduce symptoms that may occur with menstruation, such as:
- Irregular periods
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD)
- Pain and cramping
- Heavy flow
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Fibroids
Because the pill can effectively decrease symptoms of these conditions, it is commonly prescribed.
HOW BIRTH CONTROL PILLS WORK INSIDE THE BODY
Most oral contraceptives are made with combinations of synthetic estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. After taking the pill, these synthetic hormones enter the brain and act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the signaling process that is necessary for ovulation.
In particular, they prevent the hypothalamus from signaling to the pituitary gland (which regulates your hormones) to secrete the hormones that cause an egg to be released. In the unlikely event ovulation does occur and an egg is fertilized, the synthetic progestin thins the uterine lining, making it more likely that the egg will be shed.
Many birth control pills include a week of placebo pills that induce monthly breakthrough bleeding, but this is not a real menstrual period. It is an artificial pattern that eliminates the natural ebb and flow of estrogen and progesterone throughout the cycle.
HOW HORMONES WORK IN THE BRAIN AND BODY
In order to feel happy and healthy, you need to have balanced hormones. Here is some important information to note about the differences between natural and synthetic hormones.
Natural hormones bind to specific receptors and keep your body in balance:
- Estrogen binds to the estrogen receptor.
- Progesterone binds to the progesterone receptor.
- Testosterone binds to the testosterone receptor (yes, women produce testosterone, just not as much as men).
- There is no cross-reactivity.
Synthetic progesterone (progestins) acts differently on the body:
- Progestins do not limit binding to just the progesterone receptor, rather, they bind to many other receptors as well.
- When a synthetic hormone binds to the wrong receptor, that receptor may convey inaccurate signals, which throws the body off balance.
Because synthetic hormones may bind to the wrong receptors, birth control pills may cause hormonal imbalances and detrimental side effects. Not all women experience these problems, but for those that do, side effects can be quite miserable.
THE HEAVY TOLL OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON THE BRAIN
You may already know that birth control pills have been shown to cause problems with blood pressure. They also increase the risk of blood clots and strokes, especially if you smoke or have a history of migraine headaches. But did you know that birth control pills also affect your brain and mental health?
Research shows that taking birth control pills causes structural changes in the brain, alters neurotransmitter function, and messes with mood regulation.
- Brain structure: A 2019 study found that the hypothalamus in women taking oral contraceptives was about 6% smaller than in women who weren’t on the pill.
- Neurotransmitters and moods: Scientists from Denmark found that women ages 15-34 taking oral contraceptives were 23% more likely to start taking antidepressants for the first time than those who weren’t taking the pill. In fact, bouts of depression have been reported by 16%-56% of women taking the pill, which depletes the neurotransmitter serotonin.
- Other neurohormones: Birth control pills also elevate cortisol levels (hello, stress!) and lower testosterone levels (goodbye, sex drive!). And low-testosterone problems can remain even after stopping oral contraceptives, putting you at increased risk for long-term sexual, brain health, and mental health disorders.
- Microbiome disruption: Synthetic birth control can also disrupt the gut microbiome.
The gut—your gastrointestinal tract (GI)—is often called the second brain because it is lined with about 100 million neurons. That’s more neurons than you have in your spinal cord or in your peripheral nervous system.
Research shows that gut health problems, such as leaky gut, are associated with mood and anxiety disorders. A 2017 article explored the connection between gut health and ADD/ADHD.
- Micronutrient depletion: Birth control pills interfere with the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, according to a 2013 study.
In particular, key nutrient depletions have been seen in folic acid, B vitamins (B2, B6, and B12), vitamins C and E, and the minerals magnesium, zinc, and selenium—micronutrients that are important for healthy brain function. If you’re taking oral contraceptives, it’s a good idea to take nutritional supplements to avoid deficiencies.
SYMPTOMS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE
Many women have no idea that their birth control pills may be causing the following issues:
- Clinical depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Low libido
- Insomnia
- Weight gain
To find out if your birth control pills are contributing to your symptoms, it’s important to get tested. However, simple standard blood tests will rarely detect this problem.
A better option is a 24-hour urine hormone collection, which is the gold standard for looking at all the hormones and their metabolic byproducts. An integrative medicine physician, also called a function medicine physician, can be helpful in assessing hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies, and other issues related to hormonal birth control.
ARE YOU READY TO STOP TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS?
Going off the pill isn’t necessarily a quick-fix solution. Some women experience a rash of symptoms—including mood swings, anxiety, and depression—in the months following cessation of hormonal birth control. Some hormonal experts have started calling this effect “post-birth control syndrome.”
In addition, it’s important to remember that if you started taking the pill because you were experiencing irregular periods, fibroids, endometriosis, or other symptoms, the pill doesn’t actually address those issues. It only masks the problem. When you stop taking oral contraceptives, that original issue may return with a vengeance.
If you were experiencing menstrual Irregularities, take note that taking natural progesterone can be quite effective for some women—without any of the side effects of synthetic progestin in hormonal contraceptives.
If you’re concerned about unplanned pregnancy, there are other non-synthetic, non-hormonal birth control options available that you can discuss with an integrative physician.
HOW TO GET BACK INTO HORMONAL BALANCE
If you have been taking birth control pills for many years, it can take several months to rebalance your natural hormone levels. This is due to the chronic suppression of your own hormone production. It is often helpful to supplement hormones during this recovery period.
If you must stay on the pill for any particular reason, consider asking your physician about using natural progesterone and/or testosterone to improve quality-of-life issues while taking the pill.
Depression, anxiety, and other issues related to hormonal imbalances can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
