Attention: Birth Control Users
Written by Pamela Fernandez
Edited by Christine Yee
Jan 18, 2021
Edited by Christine Yee
Jan 18, 2021
Unwanted pregnancies, hormonal acne, irregular periods and painful cramps are just a few of the conditions women experience throughout their lifetime. Since the development of birth control pills, this contraceptive has not only reduced acne, regulated menstrual cycles, and treated endometriosis, but has also allowed women to live a life risk free of unwanted pregnancies. However, can the same pill that has alleviated and helped so many with their symptoms also be contributing to a decrease in brain health?
A recent study conducted by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has found a surprising association between oral contraceptives and a reduction in the hypothalamus region of the brain. This vital part of the brain is responsible for regulating a wide variety of daily functions including body temperature, stress, sleep cycles, eating, sex drive, and energy. In other words, any damage to this region could be detrimental. In the study, a group of 50 women, 21 of which were actively taking the pill, underwent MRI scans. Upon analyzing the scans, researcher Dr. Michael L. Lipton and his colleagues were able to conclude that the women who were taking birth control pills had a significant difference in hypothalamus size when compared to those who were not taking the pill. While one might question why so many women today continue to take oral birth control despite this finding, it is important to keep in mind that research about oral contraceptive effects on the brain were limited prior to 2019. Accordingly, these results may be shocking to the estimated 47 million women who are taking birth control pills.
Although these findings can seem fearsome, don’t throw out your birth control pills just yet. While the study did find a relationship between birth control users and a reduced hypothalamus, it also indicates that no prior or further research has yet been conducted on this subject of concern. Additionally, the RSNA’s study utilized a relatively small sample size of women. Therefore, it is arguable that a study with such a limited number of individuals cannot provide enough evidence to conclude whether or not oral contraceptives truly play a role in brain health.
Works Cited
Radiological Society of North America. Study finds key brain region smaller in birth control pill users. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 December 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191204090819.htm>.