Brain Health and Development
Women’s menstruation plays a vital role in brain health. Naturally occurring hormones and healthy cycles contribute to healthy immune systems, bone health, heart and blood pressure regulation, and our brain health.
The brain uses 20% of the body’s energy so healthy reproductive hormone production is necessary to promote positive effects on the brain.
Naturally-Occurring Hormones
The balance of estrogen and progesterone act as a neuroprotective mechanism for the brain. Estrogen contributes to plasticity of the brain and improves cognitive function. Progesterone regulates cellular growth and mood stabilization.
Estrogen increases serotonin receptor levels and dopamine synthesis causing a general upbeat mood, increased energy levels and improved verbal skills.
Progesterone heals and maintains brain cells and inhibits dopamine release causing a generalized mellow mood, decreased anxiety and can even treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Synthetic Hormones
The synthetic hormones found in hormonal birth control have been shown to decrease serotonin and increase hepatic sex hormone binding which makes it difficult for your naturally occurring sex hormones for your body to utilize.
Hormonal contraception has been shown to decrease hypothalamus resulting in altered body temperature, mood, appetite, sex drive, sleep cycles and heart rate.
Other instances have shown a smaller hypothalamus which can cause increased irritability and depression. In addition, women report brain fog and which is the result of altered brain organization related to the synthetic hormones blocking natural hormone exposure.
Birth Control Stress Level
According to the Science Daily, women on synthetic birth control have dysregulated responses to cortisol. When the stress profiles of women on hormonal birth control were observed, they mimicked trauma victims due to higher than average levels of cortisol.
Natural Birth Control Effects on the Brain
Hormonal health enables women’s brains to mature, improve, and maintain cognitive function which effects how she interacts with herself and others. Synthetic hormones disrupt these natural reproductive processes and brain development, heart health, immune system health, and bone health are inhibited.
TCMC Reproductive Health Education Services
TCMC offers programs like FEMM (Fertility Education & Medical Management) education empowering women to achieve hormonal health through charting their cycles while working side-by-side with a medical professional who will help them significantly improve their overall health.
At True Choice Medical Clinics, our certified clinicians are here to help answer your fertility and reproductive health questions.
To consult with a certified fertility education instructor, call 858-397-1970 or email [email protected]
Reasons Women Need Periods: The Role of the Menstrual Cycle in Brain Health & Development
