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Scientists have identified a potential link between the use of oral contraceptives and alterations in specific brain regions associated with fear processing. These findings may contribute to the understanding of gender-specific fear mechanisms, particularly those affecting women. Currently, it is recognized that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can influence the brain’s fear circuitry. With over 150 million users of oral contraceptives, particularly those containing synthetic estrogens and progestogens (COCs), the study focused on the impact of these contraceptives on the brain. The research revealed that women using COCs exhibited a thinning of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) compared to men. This segment of the prefrontal cortex is believed to support emotion regulation, playing a role in diminishing fear signals within the context of a secure environment. Importantly, this effect seemed to be reversible, as individuals who had ceased contraceptive use or had never used them did not display a lasting physiological change in this brain region.
Frontiers | Morphologic alterations of the fear circuitry: the role of sex hormones and oral contraceptives (frontiersin.org)
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