---
title: How do birth control pills affect brain chemicals that control mood?
description: Birth control pills reduce neuroactive steroid levels in the brain. Since these chemicals help regulate mood, lower levels might explain why some women experi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/oral-contraceptives-and-neuroactive-steroids-2006/
---

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- How do birth control pills affect brain chemicals that control mood?

Review, 2006

# How do birth control pills affect brain chemicals that control mood?

Birth control pills reduce neuroactive steroid levels in the brain. Since these chemicals help regulate mood, lower levels might explain why some women experience negative mood symptoms on the pill.

 Early or limited evidence

Review article including human and animal studies on oral contraceptives

## What they did

A review summarizing data on how oral contraceptive treatment affects neuroactive steroids (mood-regulating chemicals) in women and rats.

## What they found

Oral contraceptives reduce neuroactive steroid concentrations in the brain. Because neuroactive steroids are potent modulators of GABA receptor function, which affects mood regulation, reduced levels from oral contraceptives might contribute to negative mood symptoms in some women.

## What it means for you

If you experience mood changes or anxiety when taking birth control pills, it may be due to changes in brain chemicals caused by the pill. This could help explain why some women need to try different contraceptive options. This is a review of how the pill works on the brain, not a guide to treatment options.

## About the study

Original title Oral contraceptives and neuroactive steroids Authors Rapkin AJ, Biggio G, Concas A Journal Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior Year 2006 Study design Review What was tested None - review article Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2006.06.008](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2006.06.008)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

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