Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1371-8.
Decreased neuroactive steroids induced by combined oral contraceptive pills are not associated with mood changes.
Rapkin AJ , Morgan M , Sogliano C ,
Biggio G , Concas A .
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1740, USA. arapkin@mednet.ucla.edu
Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of a low-dose combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) on peripheral neuroactive steroid concentrations, precursors for neuroactive steroid synthesis, and mood in healthy women desiring contraception. These neuroactive steroids are gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor agonists and are important in the modulation of affect and adaptation to stress.
Design:
Prospective observational study.
Setting:
Human ambulatory patient study.
Patients:
Healthy OCP-naive women without current or history of affective disorder.
Intervention(s):
A 0.020-mg ethinyl E2-0.1-mg levonorgestrel containing OCP for 3 months.
Settings, Design and Main Outcome Measures:
Serum neuroactive steroids allopregnanolone, allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, and DHEA; neuroactive steroid precursors P and pregnenolone; E2; and mood and anxiety as assessed by the Premenstrual Syndrome Daily Ratings Form, Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Profile of Mood States.
Result(s):
The combined OCP resulted in a decrease in neuroactive steroids and neuroactive steroid precursors as well as in E2. However, this decline was not associated with adverse mood changes on any of the well-validated assessment tools.
Conclusion(s):
Healthy women without underlying mood or anxiety disorder who were given a low-dose OCP did not experience adverse psychological symptoms despite a significant reduction in neuroactive steroids.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is an oral contraceptive?
- 2 How popular are oral contraceptive pills?
- 3 What are the benefits of the combined oral contraceptive pill?
- 4 Will the combined oral contraceptive pill improve my periods?
- 5 Could the combined oral contraceptive pill change my libido (sex drive)
- 6 What are the risks of taking combined oral contraceptive pills?
- 7 What side effects could I have whilst taking the combined oral contraceptive pill?
- 8 What is the effect of the combined oral contraceptive pill on body weight?
- 9 Will the combined oral contraceptive pill increase my vaginal discharge?
- 10 Does the combined oral contraceptive pill increase the chance of pelvic infections?
- 11 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and fibroids?
- 12 Could a combined oral contraceptive pill increase my blood pressure?
- 13 Do combined oral contraceptive pills have any effect on the blood?
- 14 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and thromboembolism?
- 15 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and heart attacks?
- 16 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and strokes?
- 17 Does the combined oral contraceptive pill affect the breasts?
- 18 Could I feel depressed as a result of taking the combined oral contraceptive pill?
- 19 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and cancer of the ovary?
- 20 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and cancer of the uterus?
- 21 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and cancer of the cervix?
- 22 What is the relationship between the combined oral contraceptive pill and cancer of the breast?
- 23 Family Planning Support Groups.
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