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How Oral Contraceptives Impact Social-Emotional Behavior and Brain Function
Estrella R Montoya1, Peter A Bos1
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|January 17, 2017
Summary
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used by women, including during crucial brain development. This review examines how OCs and their hormones impact social-emotional behaviors and brain function, proposing a model for their effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
Background:
- Millions of women use oral contraceptives (OCs), often initiating use during adolescence.
- Adolescence is a critical period for brain development, particularly in social-emotional circuits.
- Understanding the impact of OCs on social-emotional processing is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on the effects of OCs on social-emotional behaviors.
- To explore the influence of OCs' primary hormones, estradiol (E) and progesterone (P), on brain function.
- To propose a heuristic model illustrating how OCs modulate social-emotional systems.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies published in the last decade.
- Analysis of research investigating hormonal effects of OCs on behavior and brain.
- Synthesis of findings to develop a conceptual model.
Main Results:
- OCs and their constituent hormones (estradiol and progesterone) influence social-emotional behaviors.
- These hormonal effects are associated with alterations in underlying brain functions.
- A heuristic model is proposed to explain the modulation of social-emotional behaviors by OCs.
Conclusions:
- Oral contraceptives significantly impact social-emotional behaviors and brain function.
- Further research is needed to elucidate complex interactions and long-term effects.
- Understanding these effects has implications for women's health and neurodevelopmental research.
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