Regularly taking the contraceptive pill could have effects on a specific region of the brain that controls emotions, and more precisely that which regulates fear, according to research conducted by a doctoral student at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM).
Psychology doctoral student Alexandra Brouillard compared the brains of women who are currently taking some form of birth control pills, others who are now not using them, women who have never taken the pill, and men.
This therefore allowed him to understand if there are morphological alterations and to detect possible differences between the sexes, while women are generally more likely to suffer from disorders related to anxiety and stress.
Thus, the study shows that women who use combined oral contraceptives (COCs) had a thinner ventromedial prefrontal cortex than men. This region of the brain would be involved in the regulation of emotions and would reduce fear signals in a non-dangerous situation.
If women are aware of the mainly physical side effects of taking the pill, the impact of sex hormones on brain development would be less often discussed.
“The objective of our work is not to counter the use of COCs, but it is important to be aware of the fact that the pill can have an effect on the brain,” explained Ms. Brouillard.
“The effects appear to be reversible, but at this stage, further research is needed in this area before we fully understand their effects on brain health,” she said.
However, other factors may predispose women to using the birth control pill. “We can only assume an association between COC use and brain morphology,” it was stated.
With this research, the doctoral student’s team wishes to raise awareness of the sometimes early prescription of the contraceptive pill which could influence brain development.