A recent study has found that synthetic estrogen in hormonal birth control may be linked to increased anxiety-like behaviors. The research, conducted on female rats, suggests that the type of estrogen used in contraceptives could play a significant role in mood and cognitive side effects experienced by women.
Key Takeaways
- Synthetic estrogen in birth control is linked to increased anxiety behaviors in female rats.
- The study compared synthetic ethinyl estradiol and natural estradiol valerate.
- Findings could guide clinical decisions to manage anxiety-related side effects in women using birth control.
Study Overview
Researchers from the Prakapenka Lab at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, presented data indicating that synthetic estrogen in birth control led to increased anxiety behaviors in female rats compared to natural estrogen. The study involved 36 young adult female rats, which were randomly assigned to receive synthetic ethinyl estradiol plus dienogest, natural estradiol valerate plus dienogest, or a vehicle control treatment.
After four weeks, the rats were evaluated on tasks designed to measure spatial memory and anxiety-like behavior. The results showed that female rats treated with synthetic estrogen exhibited elevated anxiety-like behaviors compared to those that received a vehicle control or natural estrogen. Spatial memory was similar across the three treatment groups, but the synthetic estrogen increased habitual turn strategy use, a behavior associated with anxiety.
Implications for Women
The findings highlight the importance of considering the type of estrogen in hormonal contraceptives when evaluating their behavioral side effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12.6% of women in the United States between the ages of 15 and 49 reported using oral contraceptives from 2015 to 2017. Behavioral side effects are one of the reasons many women stop taking combination birth control.
Future Directions
The researchers suggest that identifying the type of estrogen in contraceptives could be a potential clinical tool for managing behavioral side effects in women. This could lead to more personalized approaches in prescribing birth control, potentially reducing the incidence of anxiety-related side effects.
Broader Context
This study adds to a growing body of research on the impact of hormonal contraceptives on mental health. Another study has shown that up to 40% of prevalent mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, stem from childhood maltreatment. Addressing childhood maltreatment could prevent over 1.8 million cases of these disorders, highlighting the need for comprehensive public health strategies to support mental well-being.
Conclusion
The type of estrogen in hormonal birth control may significantly influence anxiety-like behaviors, according to recent research. These findings could guide clinical decisions and lead to more personalized approaches in managing the side effects of contraceptives, ultimately improving the quality of life for many women.
Sources
- Synthetic Estrogen in Birth Control Linked to Anxiety – Neuroscience News, Neuroscience News.
- 40 Percent of Mental Illnesses Linked to Childhood Maltreatment – Neuroscience News, Neuroscience News.
