Progestogens might be responsible for the mental side effects of hormonal contraceptive use.
People think that sex hormones only affect reproductive health. But, estrogens, progestins, and androgens affect the central nervous system (CNS).
That means they can impact cognitive function.
Progesterone is a steroid hormone it can pass through the blood-brain barrier. There are receptors for Progesterone all over the female brain.
Here are eight positive things NATURAL Progesterone does for your health.
When Progesterone breaks down into "steroid metabolites," it causes many reactions to occur in the brain.
1.) Such as how we make neurons
2.) How our neurons talk to each other - regulating neurotransmitters
3.) Emotional and behavioral circuits in the brain via the GABA receptors
4.) It's turned into - allopregnanolone - (Which is good! You want more of it). It has mood-stabilizing effects during pregnancy and the postpartum period. (They've even turned it into a treatment.)
5.) It helps you sleep and regulates sleep cycles - it has anesthesia properties
6.) Emotional arousal or responding to negative stimuli
7.) Recognition memory and accessing emotional memories both at the behavioral level and brain
8.) Adequate progesterone levels can protect your babies brain
For instance, Progesterone works with the GABA pathway.
Increased GABA can reduce depression.
What if you're on hormonal contraceptives?
Look at the ingredients:
Synthetic Progesterone, also called progestogens or progestins, is used for hormonal contraception (HC). (Levonorgestrel, drospirenone, or cyproterone acetate.)
During the use of hormonal birth control, Progesterone's balance and the steroid metabolites break down to are affected.
Artificial Progesterone doesn't work the same way. It doesn't create the same positive responses in your brain. Progestins have different efficacies and side effects (Endrikat et al., 2011).
This study finds that the HC modifies the brain structure and functional areas involved in emotional control.
Here are five negative impacts of progestins:
1.) Progestins can induce changes in neurotransmitters, in particular, the γ-aminobutyric acid pathway.
The main pathway responsible for menstrual cycle-related mood changes is the γ-aminobutyric acid pathway. It is sensitive to changes in the levels of Progesterone and of its metabolites, the neurosteroids.
2.) Long term use of HC decreases GABA behavior (less natural Progesterone means your brain gets rid of the receptors it binds to)
3.) Decreases a metabolite: allopregnanolone (which is mood-stabilizing)
4.) Testosterone is decreased - impacts arousal and energy
Sex binding globulin is working (binding to fake sex hormones), but then this decreases natural testosterone and E2
5.) Pregnenolone can be converted into cortisol
Healthy women can tolerate well the fluctuations of Neurosteroids levels. Yet, if you are highly sensitive to these hormones, you could be more at risk of developing long term problems with your mental health.
You don't seem like yourself. Your friends and family ask you what's wrong? Seek medical attention if any new mood symptoms appear. Hormonal changes can often affect your mood.
Ask your doctor what kind of progestin is in my birth control? Ask is it there androgenic or anti-androgenic activity? Especially if you have a history of mood disorders. Be aware if they try to prescribe an antidepressant. In some cases, the mixed affective state may exacerbate manic or hypomanic symptoms.
“These neurosteroids' impaired production has been linked to PMDD, panic disorder, depression, and other mental illnesses [47].
Many studies have found that adolescents may be at a higher risk for adverse mood effects during HC use, even if the reason behind this theory is not completely clear [8, 9, 18, 19].”