Birth Control Pills Found to Have Negative Effects on Women's Brains

A recent study presented at the Radiological Society of North America shows that taking oral contraceptives, one of the most widely-used birth control methods in the United States, may alter an important part of the brain, according to an article by Yahoo Lifestyle.

In the small study involving 50 women, 21 were taking birth control pills, while the rest served as independent variables. All of the subjects had their hypothalamus measured through a brain MRI. The hypothalamus is a crucial part of the brain that helps regulate hormonal levels and is involved in a person's sleep cycle and heart rate to appetite and weight.

In a report by ScienceDaily, the study's author Dr. Michael L. Lipton, a radiology professor at the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and medical director of MRI Services at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, said that the researchers found out those who had been taking oral contraceptives have a significantly smaller hypothalamus compared to the non-pill users

"This initial study shows a strong association and should motivate further investigation into the effects of oral contraceptives on brain structure and their potential impact on brain function," said Lipton.

However, the researchers noted that the women's cognitive performance was not affected by this structural change in the brain.

"They gave women a test of cognitive function and saw no changes in cognition, so that's very reassuring," said Jonathan Schaffir, an obstetrician-gynecologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

There are other studies that link oral contraceptives to the changes in women's brains. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience earlier this year found that women taking oral contraceptives were nearly 10 percent worse at deciphering complex emotions on people's faces, such as contempt or pride.

In a report by BBC, some studies raised that taking oral contraceptives with androgenic progestins has "masculinising" effects on women such as lower verbal fluency (the ability to think of new words), better ability to rotate objects, better spatial awareness and a slight difficulty in articulating their emotions-qualities which are common among men.

However, Schaffir said although there have been other studies claiming that the pill can affect the mood, it is not clear whether oral contraceptives are the primary cause or there could be other reasons associated to the pills such as painful periods or other medical concerns that might be a contributing factor. He added, it doesn't mean they should stop taking oral contraceptives.

Schaffir explained that the hypothalamus makes hormones that signal the pituitary gland when and how much hormone to make. But birth control pills take over part of that job, preventing the pituitary gland from making more hormones, which in turn helps prevent ovulation.

"So it's not really all that surprising - you'd expect the hypothalamus to be a little less active in that capacity," he added. "It happens to anything that's not being used."

Amit Sachdev, MD, a neurologist and medical director for the department of neurology and ophthalmology at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, also supported this claim saying, "While these findings are interesting, I don't think that they are very meaningful today. The hypothalamus helps to regulate hormone levels. It would not be surprising that when one takes hormones by mouth that the glands that help to produce and control these hormones begin to change. We know this happens with steroids and the adrenal glands. It is not surprising that it would happen with the hypothalamus."

Sachdev added that it is important to note that oral contraceptives have been used safely and proven to work in millions of women for decades.

"Women have safely transitioned onto and off these medications without 'withdrawal.' For this reason, I don't think this study is game-changing."

Finally, Schaffir advised those who are having second thoughts to discuss their concerns with their medical specialists.

"But the birth control pill remains a very effective and safe way to prevent pregnancy," he noted. "I don't think this study should dissuade anyone from using it as a contraceptive method."