Episode 10: “How do Oral Contraceptives Impact Your Brain Health?”

“We are relying on 1960’s science to affect reproductive function, and science can do better” – Dr. Emily Jacobs

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Emily Jacobs and Dr. Cailtin Taylor to discuss how oral contraceptives (OC) impact women’s brain health. We break down the science behind oral contraceptives, discover gaps in research, and discuss the need for safer birth control options for women.

Below is a list of definitions and abbreviations that may be useful when listening to this episode:

• OC: Oral contraceptives
• Endocrine system: The endocrine system is a network of glands in your body that make the hormones that help cells talk to each other. They’re responsible for almost every cell, organ, and function in your body
• Estradiol: Estradiol is an estrogen steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone. It is involved in the regulation of the estrous and menstrual female reproductive cycles
• Progestin: A progestogen, also referred to as a progestagen, gestagen, or gestogen, is a type of medication which produces effects similar to those of the natural female sex hormone progesterone in the body. A progestin is a synthetic progestogen.
• Endogenous: Endogenous substances and processes are those that originate from within a system such as an organism, tissue, or cell. Exogenous substances and processes, which originate from outside of the organism, such as drugs, contrast with endogenous ones.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode/ further reading material:

• Unwell Women: Misdiagnosis and Myth in a Man-Made World Hardcover by Elinor Cleghor
• Taylor et al. (2020). The scientific body of knowledge – Whose body does it serve? A spotlight on oral contraceptives and women’s health factors in neuroimaging
• Sinda Agha (film maker) New York Times Opinion Documentary called Birth Control my own adventure (first person perspective on her experience going on hormone based medications)

Guest biographies:

Dr. Emily Jacobs is an associate professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at the U.C. Santa Barbara. She explores the functional changes that occur in the brain that occur in response to changing hormonal conditions. In addition to her research, Dr. Jacobs advocates for diversity in science at the national and international level. Her lab regularly partners with K-12 groups throughout the central coast to advance girls’ representation in STEM.

Dr. Caitlin Taylor is a post-doctoral researcher with Dr. Emily Jacobs at U.C. Santa Barbara. She uses neuroimaging to try and understand the effects of sex hormones on the human brain and is dedicated to determining the effects of hormonal contraceptives on brain structure and function.