A team of researchers from Aarhus University and the United States performed a study to examine the stress responses in 131 young women when having a blood sample taken. Specifically, the scientists focused on measuring the levels of the stress hormone ACTH in the ladiess blood.
Our results are actually essential because they indicate that individuals who utilize birth control pills do not experience the very same decreased tension hormonal agent levels in connection with social activity as people who do not utilize the tablet,” states Michael Winterdahl. In this research study, the researchers measured the tension hormone ACTH, which changes considerably faster than cortisol. Given that allopregnanolone is important for activating the receptors that control the stress reaction, we dont see a reduction in ACTH levels in females with a natural cycle who have just had their duration,” states Michael Winterdahl.
A recent research study found that social activities like playing parlor game or singing songs lowered tension hormone ACTH levels in ladies not using birth-control pills, however had no such impact on females utilizing them. Researchers recommend that birth control tablets might impact the bodys natural tension action, potentially due to their influence on hormonal agent policy.
Current research shows that birth-control pills negatively affect femaless capability to handle tension.
Given that the 1960s, ladies have actually been using contraceptive pills, yet the complex methods which these hormone-filled tablets communicate with the body are not completely comprehended.
A team of scientists from Aarhus University and the United States performed a research study to take a look at the stress responses in 131 girls when having a blood sample taken. The study participants consisted of both ladies who were taking birth control tablets and those who were not. Specifically, the researchers focused on determining the levels of the stress hormonal agent ACTH in the ladiess blood.
The study revealed that 15 minutes of social activity after having a blood sample taken decreases tension hormone levels in females who are not on the birth-control pill. In contrast, women who are on contraceptive pill do not experience any reduction in their ACTH levels.
To avoid triggering any additional tension to the test subjects, a small intravenous catheter was inserted in connection with the first blood sample. The scientists might then draw blood after the social activity without having to puncture the women with a needle once again.
” I hope that our research can contribute to better treatment and prevention of stress-related conditions in women. In addition, the study also adds to a more comprehensive understanding of the interactions in between gender and stress hormones,” says Michael Winterdahl. Credit: AU
Females played parlor game and sang tunes together
The guinea pig had an average age of 20.5 years. After having a blood sample taken, they might then participate in among 6 different group activities such as playing parlor game, learning more about each other in a group session, singing tunes together, or attending a church service.
” Being with other individuals is among the most effective ways of reducing tension. Our outcomes are truly important due to the fact that they suggest that people who utilize contraceptive pill do not experience the same minimized tension hormone levels in connection with social activity as individuals who do not utilize the tablet,” states Michael Winterdahl. He is a visiting scholar at the Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit at the Department of Clinical Medicine and is the last author of the post.
Several contending hypotheses
The study varies from previous studies that have mainly focused on the stress hormonal agent cortisol in severe circumstances. In this research study, the scientists determined the tension hormonal agent ACTH, which changes significantly faster than cortisol. This makes it possible to observe and analyze quick changes in an individuals stress action.
It has long been understood that birth-control tablets affect the stress reaction in women. Looking at the stress hormonal agent ACTH in connection with a social activity is a new method.
” By studying ACTH levels, we take another step towards comprehending how the brain manages stress as ACTH acts as a neurotransmitter from the brain to the adrenal cortex, which produces cortisol. When we evaluate ACTH levels, we can acquire insight into the quick-response system that manages the bodys response to stress,” says Michael Winterdahl.
Birth-control pills are understood for being able to impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. As the name indicates, the stress signal travels from the hypothalamus in the brain through the pituitary gland, which releases ACTH, to the adrenal glands, which launch cortisol.
The scientists still require a last explanation for why birth-control pill users do not experience the exact same reduction of stress hormonal agent levels in connection with social activities as individuals who are not on the pill.
” There are a number of competing hypotheses that attempt to describe the lower cortisol levels in individuals who utilize contraceptive pill. Our research study has pressed us closer to an explanation that focuses on the brain and the ACTH characteristics. The biochemistry is complex, but we are working based on the assumption that birth-control tablets can reduce the bodys own production of progesterone,” says Michael Winterdahl.
Progesterone is broken down into the hormonal agent allopregnanolone, which is associated with a vast array of calming effects and can have an influence on the stress reaction.
Differences in between stages
The research study included females who used birth control pills and females who didnt. The females were at various phases of their menstrual cycle.
The study revealed that the tension action in ladies who do not take birth-control pills depends on where they remain in their monthly cycle. The stress-reducing group activities had no impact on the ACTH levels of the ladies who were in the proliferative phase of their cycle– just after their duration had actually ended and the body started producing hormonal agents to get ovulation started.
” Progesterone levels are very low during the proliferative stage of a natural cycle. This leads to a very little conversion of progesterone into the hormonal agent allopregnanolone. Because allopregnanolone is necessary for triggering the receptors that manage the stress action, we dont see a reduction in ACTH levels in ladies with a natural cycle who have just had their period,” states Michael Winterdahl.
He points out that females are also usually more physically active during the proliferative stage, which might be viewed as an adaption in which the tension action and behavior change in action with the cycle. In ladies who use contraceptive pill, the tension response is disconnected, suggesting it can not be adapted to a provided situation.
Research study still can not discuss exactly how this affects women. Additional research study is for that reason needed to clarify the intricate mechanisms involved in the correlation between hormone levels and the tension action.
” Its likewise pertinent to mention that birth control pills arent simply contraceptives. There are various generations of the tablet, each with its own chemical structure due to the hormonal agents used, which indicates the pills have various side-effect profiles. Its for that reason important that our experiments are recreated with a bigger and more diverse group of guinea pig,” says Michael Winterdahl.
Reference: “Adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion in response to anticipatory stress and venepuncture: The role of menstrual phase and oral contraceptive usage” by Marie Vadstrup Pedersen, Line Mathilde Brostrup Hansen, Ben Garforth, Paul J. Zak and Michael Winterdahl, 19 June 2023, Behavioural Brain Research.DOI: 10.1016/ j.bbr.2023.114550.