Birth Control Deep Dive: How it Changes Your Brain, Its Link to Autoimmune Conditions, and Why We Need Better Options with Sarah Hill Ph.D

Feb 10, 2025

In this insightful chat, Dr. Sarah Hill, a distinguished researcher and author with a PhD in evolutionary psychology, dives deep into the complexities of birth control. She discusses its potential long-term effects on women's health and brain function, highlighting concerns about mental health and autoimmune conditions. Dr. Hill shares her personal journey, the need for better-informed consent, and the urgency for safer alternatives. She advocates for a holistic approach to women's health, emphasizing the importance of understanding hormonal impacts on identity and well-being.

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ANECDOTE

Sarah Hill's Experience

Sarah Hill stopped hormonal birth control after 10-12 years of use.
She experienced increased energy, libido, and interest in pleasurable activities.

INSIGHT

Limited Research on Adolescent Use

Few studies examine the long-term effects of starting birth control during adolescence.
Hormonal birth control's impact on the developing brain is largely unknown.

INSIGHT

Birth Control and Women's Rights

Birth control is crucial for women's equality and independence.
Openly discussing its potential trade-offs is vital for informed decisions.

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This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, LMNT, and Lumebox.

There’s no denying that birth control has given women greater freedom and control over their fertility. However, many young girls and women have been on birth control for decades without fully understanding the long-term effects of hormone-altering medication. Today’s guest shares her research on birth control and provides key insights into its potential impact on long-term health and wellness.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Sarah Hill to discuss the impact of birth control on women’s health and brain function. Dr. Hill shares her personal journey with birth control and how it led her to research this topic. She reveals what her findings say about the long-term effects of birth control on the brain and explores alternative options for women. She also explains why informed consent should include comprehensive education on birth control’s potential impacts. Dr. Hill discusses her hopes for the future of women’s health and highlights the research still needed to provide women with accessible, well-informed options for managing their health and fertility.

Dr. Sarah Hill earned her PhD in evolutionary psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied under Dr. David Buss. She is currently a researcher and professor at TCU, the lead research advisor at 28, and a recognized thought leader in women’s hormones and sexual psychology. Her groundbreaking research has led to nearly 100 research publications. She is also the author of This Is Your Brain on Birth Control, which sheds critical new light on the psychological impact of women’s sex hormones and the birth control pill. Her upcoming book, The Period Brain, is set for release in September.

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Hill dive into:

What Dr. Hill noticed after stopping birth control (00:25)
The long-term impact of taking birth control (4:08)
The benefits of birth control for women’s rights (12:20)
The lack of fully informed consent in birth control decisions (16:06)
Using birth control as a prescription for period problems (21:06)
What happens to your brain on birth control (27:18)
How birth control influences partner choice (38:15)
The possible link between autoimmunity and birth control (44:15)
Recommendations for young women considering birth control (51:15)
Alternatives to birth control (54:15)
The research we still need on birth control (59:25)
Dr. Hill’s hope for more options for women (1:05:15)

Also mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Hill’s book This Is Your Brain on Birth Control: The Surprising Science of Women, Hormones, and the Law of Unintended Consequences

For more on Dr. Hill, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, and her Website.

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