131 – Your Brain on Birth Control
“The take away here, is that the effects of the pill on the brain go far beyond what’s happening with your ovaries. Far beyond the “mood related side effect” that our doctor will sometimes talk to us about. Instead, it influences the day to day operations of what your brain is doing and because of this, it touches almost every aspect of psychological functioning in women’s lives.” – Dr. Sarah E. Hill
It is so important for all women to understand the benefits and risks (beyond nutrient deficiencies and blood clots) of the birth control pill. This tiny tablet that has the potential to empower us in many ways is often prescribed without an explanation of the effect on your brain. The research is clear- the pill changes women. Though women go on the pill for a handful of targeted reasons—such as pregnancy prevention and clearer skin—sex hormones don’t work that way. Sex hormones impact the activities of billions of cells in the body at once, many of which are in the brain. As a result, the pill affects sex, hunger, friendships, aggression, learning, and more. Dr. Sarah E. Hill, a leading researcher in evolutionary psychology, provides women with an even-handed, science-based understanding of how their bodies and brains work on and off the pill. She recognizes how instrumental the pill has been in helping women advance in the workplace and society. Dr. Hill credits the pill to her own ability to achieve a doctorate and career success. In turn, she’s not anti-birth control. She’s pro-woman. Listen in (or read the transcript) as we discuss how the pill impacts:
- Sexual desire
- Stress response
- Mental health
- Level of achievement
