Worldwide over 150 million women use oral contraceptives (OCs), which are the most
prescribed form of contraception in both the United States and in European countries. Sex
hormones, such as estradiol and progesterone, are important endogenous hormones known
for shaping the brain across the life span. Synthetic hormones, which are present in OCs,
interfere with the natural hormonal balance by reducing the endogenous hormone levels.
Little is known how this affects the brain, especially during the most vulnerable times of brain …

Background Oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most popular form of birth control in the
United States and in European countries. However, little is known about the extent OCs
affect the brain's function and morphology, although it is known that endogenous sex
hormones shape the brain across the life span. Here, we reviewed studies that investigated
structural gray and white matter in women using OCs in comparison to naturally cycling
women. Methods We focused on neuroimaging methods used to quantify structural gray and …