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Beltz AM. Hormonal contraceptives and behavior: Updating the potent state of the nascent science. Horm Behav 2024; 164:105574. [PMID: 38972245 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide use hormonal contraceptives (HCs), which have been an essential part of women's reproductive health care for decades. Throughout that time, however, research on the neural and behavioral consequences of HCs was minimal and plagued by poor methodology. HC effects - and users - were assumed to be homogenous. Fortunately, there has been a recent upswell in the number and quality of investigations, affording tentative conclusions about the roles of HCs in spatial cognition and mental health, particularly depression. Thus, this paper leverages findings from the past few years to highlight the heterogeneous aspects of use that seem to matter for behavior - ranging from variation in hormonal contraceptive formulations and routes of administration to individual differences among users linked to age and reproductive health history. This paper closes with five tips for future research that will help capture and clarify heterogeneity in potential relations between HCs and behavior, namely data collection, regional access, lifespan factors, gender, and collaboration. HCs are sociopolitically provocative and research on their potential behavioral neuroendocrine impacts is becoming increasingly popular. It is, therefore, imperative for scientists to conduct replicable and robust empirical investigations, and to communicate findings with the nuance that the heterogeneity among users and effects requires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriene M Beltz
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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2
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Jahanfar S, Mortazavi J, Lapidow A, Cu C, Al Abosy J, Morris K, Becerra-Mateus JC, Andrenacci P, Badawy M, Steinfeldt M, Maurer O, Jiang B, Ali M. Assessing the impact of contraceptive use on mental health among women of reproductive age - a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:396. [PMID: 38816797 PMCID: PMC11137968 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06587-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contraceptive use is the principal method by which women avoid unintended pregnancy. An unintended pregnancy can induce long-term distress related to the medical, emotional, and social consequences of carrying that pregnancy to term. OBJECTIVES This review investigates the effects of modern contraception techniques such as birth control pills, long-acting reversible contraceptives (e.g., intrauterine devices, implants), and condoms on mental health status. METHODS We searched multiple databases from inception until February 2022, with no geographical boundaries. RCTs underwent a quality assessment using the GRADE approach while the quality of observational studies was assessed using the Downs and Black scoring system. Data were analyzed through meta-analysis and relative risk and mean difference were calculated and forest plots were created for each outcome when two or more data points were eligible for analysis. MAIN RESULTS The total number of included studies was 43. In women without previous mental disorders, both RCTs (3 studies, SMD 0.18, 95% CI [0.02, 0.34], high quality of evidence) and cohort studies (RR 1.04 95% CI [1.03, 1.04]) detected a slight increase in the risk of depression development. In women with previous mental disorders, both RCTs (9 studies, SMD - 0.15, 95% CI [-0.30, -0.00], high quality of evidence) and cohort studies (SMD - 0.26, 95% CI [-0.37, -0.15]) detected slight protective effects of depression development. It was also noticed that HC demonstrated protective effects for anxiety in both groups (SMD - 0.20, 95% CI [-0.40, -0.01]). CONCLUSIONS Among women with pre-existing mental disorders who use hormonal contraceptives, we reported protective association with decreased depressive symptoms. However, the study also draws attention to some potential negative effects, including an increase in the risk of depression and antidepressant use among contraceptive users, a risk that is higher among women who use the hormonal IUD, implant, or patch/ring methods. Providers should select contraceptive methods taking individual aspects into account to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayesteh Jahanfar
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Julie Mortazavi
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Amy Lapidow
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Cassandra Cu
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Jude Al Abosy
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Katherine Morris
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | | | - Paola Andrenacci
- Coordinator Cochrane US Mentoring Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Marwa Badawy
- Cochrane mentee, US Mentoring Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Meredith Steinfeldt
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Olivia Maurer
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Bohang Jiang
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, US
| | - Moazzam Ali
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, Geneva 27, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland.
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Le E, Chaku N, Foster KT, Weigard AS, Beltz AM. The link between daily affective complexity and anxiety is altered by oral contraceptive use. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 198:112310. [PMID: 38272264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Affective complexity - the unique ways in which individuals' emotions covary and differentiate - is an important aspect of internalizing problems. For instance, daily affective complexity has been linked to anxiety increases in women and to decreases in men. The mechanisms underlying this gender difference have not been widely investigated, but a role for ovarian hormones is likely. Research on oral contraceptives (OCs) provides promising insights into such mechanisms, as OCs suppress endogenous ovarian hormone production and vary in exogenous hormone formulations. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine links between daily affective complexity and internalizing problems in OC users (n = 84), focusing on dimensionally-assessed anxiety, and to investigate whether the links varied by pill formulation. Affective complexity was operationalized as number of factors for each person, as estimated by p-technique (i.e., person-specific factor analysis) of 75-day intensive longitudinal data. There was not a relation between affective complexity and anxiety in OC users, and this did not depend on OC pill formulation (i.e., estrogenic, progestational, or androgenic activities). Thus, OC use may blunt the relation between affective complexity and anxiety, as OC users had a relation in between the established positive relation for naturally cycling women and the inverse for men (despite a similar range of factors). Findings are consistent with a growing literature showing that OC use modulates stress and anxiety-linked processes, and suggest that gendered mechanisms underlying the relation between affective complexity and anxiety may be suppressed along with ovarian hormones in OC users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Le
- University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, USA
| | - Natasha Chaku
- University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, USA; Indiana University Bloomington, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, USA
| | - Katherine T Foster
- University of Washington, Department of Psychology, USA; University of Washington, Department of Global Health, USA
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Skovlund CW, Møller AL, Torp-Pedersen C, Mørch LS, Meaidi A. Depression risk in users of different doses of levonorgestrel intrauterine systems: a nationwide prospective cohort study. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2024; 38:100813. [PMID: 38476740 PMCID: PMC10928294 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Background Use of the high-dose levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) has been associated with increased risk of incident depression. Evidence is lacking on the influence of use of two recently marketed low-dose LNG-IUS on risk of depression. This study aims to examine associations between use of different doses of LNG-IUS and risk of depression. Methods We conducted a nationwide prospective cohort study involving all first-time users of an LNG-IUS among all Danish nulliparous women aged 15-34 years with no medical history of depression, major psychiatric diseases, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, polyp, myoma, dysmenorrhoea, iron supplement use, abortion, and infertility treatment. Findings A total of 46,565 first-time users of LNG-IUS were followed for 80,516 person-years with 1,531 incident initiations of antidepressant use observed during follow-up. Use of the high-dose LNG-IUS containing 52 mg levonorgestrel was initiated by 9,902 (21%) women, while 20,665 (44%), and 15,998 (34%) initiated use of the low-dose LNG-IUS containing 19·5 mg and 13·5 mg levonorgestrel, respectively.The age-, calendar-time-, and education-standardised incidence rates of first-time depression per 1,000 person-years at full LNG-IUS duration were 30.8 (95% CI 23·6-39·5) for the 52 mg LNG-IUS, 19·8 (95% CI 16·1; 24·0) for the 19·5 mg LNG-IUS, and 17·7 (95% CI 14·4-21·5) for the 13·5 mg LNG-IUS-. Compared to the high-dose 52 mg LNG-IUS, the adjusted number of avoided depressions per 1,000 person-years were 11·0 (95% CI 7·1-14·9) for the 19·5 mg LNG-IUS and 13·1 (95% CI 9·6-16·6) for the 13·5 mg LNG-IUS. The corresponding adjusted rate ratios were 0·77 (95% CI 0·68; 0·88) and 0·85 (95% CI 0·75-0·96). The reduced risk of depression with low-dose LNG-IUS compared to high-dose LNG-IUS was observable throughout duration of use. Interpretation Use of low-dose LNG-IUS containing 19·5 mg and 13·5 mg levonorgestrel, respectively, were associated with a reduced risk of incident depression compared to use of the high-dose 52 mg LNG-IUS. The study suggests that low-dose LNG-IUS should be preferred over the high-dose LNG-IUS for contraceptive purpose. Funding Sygeforsikringen "Danmark" grant: 2021-0128.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amalie Lykkemark Møller
- Cancer and Medicine, The Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Torp-Pedersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | | | - Amani Meaidi
- Cancer and Medicine, The Danish Cancer Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kraft MZ, Rojczyk P, Weiss T, Derntl B, Kikinis Z, Croy I, Heller C. Symptoms of mental disorders and oral contraception use: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 72:101111. [PMID: 37967755 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, over 150 million adolescent and adult women use oral contraceptives (OC). An association between OC-use and the emergence of symptoms of mental disorders has been suggested. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an overview of published research regarding symptoms of mental disorders in association with OC-use, factoring the influence of OC types, age of first-use, duration of OC-intake, and previous diagnoses of mental disorders. A systematic literature search was conducted between June-July 2022. 22 studies were included. While most found no significant OC-use effects on mental symptoms, some hinted at OCs as a potential risk. The existing evidence regarding the potential link between progestin-only OC-use and an elevated risk of mental symptoms in comparison to combined OC-use remains inconclusive. However, due to emerging indications suggesting that the formulation of OC might play a role in mental health outcomes, this topic warrants further investigation. Moreover, indications of an increased risk for depressive symptoms in adolescent OC-users should be noted. Hence, while general population effects seem unlikely, they cannot be completely disregarded. The decision on OC-use should depend on the patient's medical history and should be re-evaluated regularly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilda Z Kraft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Philine Rojczyk
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Weiss
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Birgit Derntl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Innovative Neuroimaging, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Lead Graduate School, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zora Kikinis
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on adaptive and maladaptive brain Circuits underlying mental health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany
| | - Carina Heller
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany; Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on adaptive and maladaptive brain Circuits underlying mental health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany.
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Polo-Kantola P, Toffol E. The Relationship Between Mood and Sleep in Different Female Reproductive States. Sleep Med Clin 2023; 18:385-398. [PMID: 38501512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Mood and sleep are tightly interrelated. Mood and sleep symptoms and disorders are more common in women than in men and often associated with reproductive events. This article reviews the current literature on the reciprocal relationships between mood and sleep across reproductive phases in women, such as menstrual cycle and related disorders, pregnancy, climacteric, and use of hormonal contraception and hormone replacement therapy. Mood and sleep symptoms seem to covary in relation to physiologic and pathologic reproductive conditions, although the relationship seems more clear for subjective than objective sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Polo-Kantola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Elena Toffol
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, PO Box 20, Helsinki 00014, Finland
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Stenhammar E, Wikman P, Gemzell Danielsson K, Kopp-Kallner H, Sundström Poromaa I. Levonorgestrel intrauterine device and depression: A Swedish register-based cohort study. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 193:112230. [PMID: 37611669 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) is traditionally viewed as a safe contraceptive with limited systemic effects. However, three recent studies have indicated an increased risk of depression subsequent to LNG-IUD use. This study aimed to examine the potential associated risk between LNG-IUDs and depression, and determine which women are at risk. METHODS This longitudinal cohort study was based on data from seven Swedish national population-based registers. All Nordic-born women aged 15-24 years residing in Sweden between 2010 and 2017 were included. Cox regression was implemented to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) for developing depression, defined as first depression diagnosis or redeemed prescription for antidepressant treatment. We adjusted for age, education level, parental country of origin, parental psychiatric health, previous hormonal contraceptive use and medical indications for contraceptive use. FINDINGS 703,157 women were included in the analysis. The LNG-IUD was associated with 57 % increased risk of depression [AHR 1.57 (95 % CI 1.51-1.64)]. The greatest risk increase was seen in adolescent women [AHR 2.57, (95 % CI 2.36-2.80)] and women who used the LNG-IUD as their first hormonal contraceptive method [AHR 1.63, (95 % CI 1.50-1.78)]. The risk of depression decreased at the end of study period [AHR 1.43, (95 % CI 1.36-1.51)], once the LNG-IUD became more widely accessible among nulliparous women. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent women who use the LNG-IUD as their first-ever hormonal contraceptive are at increased risk of developing depression. However, additional impact from confounding factors is likely as risk estimates decreased over the study period. Further research needs to determine if there is a causal relationship between LNG-IUDs and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Stenhammar
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Per Wikman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Kristina Gemzell Danielsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Helena Kopp-Kallner
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital, 182 57 Danderyd, Sweden.
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Nayyar S, Archibong A, Nayyar T. Testosterone and Prolactin Perturbations Possibly Associated with Reduced Levels of β-Arrestin1 in Mononuclear Leukocytes of Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15449. [PMID: 37895130 PMCID: PMC10607656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we reported that a reduction in β-Arrestin1 protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMC) significantly correlated with the severity of depression symptoms in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This study aimed to determine whether the reduced premenstrual β-Arrestin1 protein levels were associated with changes in the regulator for late luteal phase progesterone secretion. The study participants (n = 25) were non-pregnant women between 18 and 42 years of age not taking any antidepressants or receiving therapy and experiencing the luteal phase of menstruation. ELISA determined the β-Arrestin1 protein in PBMC; testosterone and prolactin levels from the plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Reduced levels of β-Arrestin1 protein in women with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores above 19 were observed alongside significantly higher plasma testosterone and prolactin concentrations. Understanding the mechanism underlying the initiation of PMDD will allow for identification of a key perturbed metabolic enzyme that can serve as a target for drug development to ensure the alleviation of PMDD, which has been suggested earlier as a risk factor for developing major depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tultul Nayyar
- Meharry Medical College, 1005 Dr. D. B. Todd Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; (S.N.); (A.A.)
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Forslund M, Melin J, Alesi S, Piltonen T, Romualdi D, Tay CT, Witchel S, Pena A, Mousa A, Teede H. Combined oral contraceptive pill compared with no medical treatment in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023; 99:79-91. [PMID: 36939017 PMCID: PMC10952804 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE As part of the update of the International Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a systematic review was performed to inform evidence-based recommendations. DESIGN Systematic review. Only randomised controlled trial were included. PATIENTS Women with PCOS; the use of combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP) was compared with no medical treatment. MEASUREMENTS Outcomes were designed in collaboration with clinical experts, researchers, and consumers. Critical outcomes included hirsutism, irregular cycles, quality of life, body mass index (BMI), and weight. RESULTS 1660 publications were identified, but only four studies were included. No studies could be combined for meta-analysis. COCP treatment improved cycle regularity compared with no medical treatment (100% vs. 0%, with low certainty of evidence). COCP showed no difference in improvement of hirsutism or BMI compared with placebo or lifestyle; a lower weight after COCP compared with no treatment (mean difference [MD] -8.0 (95% confidence interval, CI -11.67); -4.33 kg); and improvement in quality of life (MD 1.2 [95% CI 0.96]; 1.44), but these results were all very low certainty of evidence. CONCLUSION Results show that COCP benefit cycle regulation, but other benefits or potential adverse effects were only identified with very low certainty of evidence. The COCP is frontline medical treatment in PCOS, but this is still based on established efficacy in the broader general population. Our results show that research in PCOS is seriously lacking and should be prioritised to capture core reproductive, metabolic and psychological outcomes important in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Forslund
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriAustralia
| | - Johanna Melin
- Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University HospitalUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Simon Alesi
- Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriAustralia
| | - Terhi Piltonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine and Medical research Centre, Oulu University HospitalUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Daniela Romualdi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCSItaly
| | - Chau Thien Tay
- Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriAustralia
| | - Selma Witchel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric EndocrinologyUPMC Children's Hospital of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Alexia Pena
- Discipline of PaedriaticsThe University of Adelaide and Robinson Research InstituteNorth AdelaideAustralia
| | - Aya Mousa
- Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriAustralia
| | - Helena Teede
- Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriAustralia
- Department of Diabetes and Vascular MedicineMonash HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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10
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Wang Y, Chen Y, Xiao Y, Ruan J, Tian Q, Cheng Q, Chang K, Yi X. Distinct subtypes of endometriosis identified based on stromal-immune microenvironment and gene expression: implications for hormone therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1133672. [PMID: 37426659 PMCID: PMC10324653 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1133672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis (EMs) is a chronic inflammatory condition that is highly heterogeneous. Current clinical staging fails to accurately predict drug responses and prognosis. In this study, we aimed to reveal the heterogeneity of ectopic lesions and investigate the possible underlying mechanisms using transcriptomic data and clinical information. Methods The EMs microarray dataset GSE141549 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was performed to identify EMs subtypes, which was followed by the functional enrichment analysis and estimation of immune infiltrates. Subtype-associated gene signatures were identified and further validated in other independent datasets, including GSE25628, E-MTAB-694, and GSE23339. Additionally, tissue microarrays (TMAs) were generated from premenopausal patients with EMs to investigate the potential clinical implications of the two identified subtypes. Results The unsupervised clustering analysis revealed that ectopic EMs lesions can be classified into two distinct subtypes: stroma-enriched (S1) and immune-enriched (S2). The functional analysis revealed that S1 correlated with fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix remodeling in the ectopic milieu, whereas S2 was characterized by the upregulation of immune pathways and a higher positive correlation with the immunotherapy response. Moreover, we identified a subtype signature composed of FHL1 and SORBS1, and constructed a subtype diagnostic model. Based on the cohort data from the TMAs, we found that S2 was strongly associated with the failure of/intolerance to hormone therapy. Conclusions This study identified two distinct subtypes that are varyingly associated with hormone resistance, stroma-immunity, and molecular features, thereby highlighting the importance of this stromal-immune heterogeneity in identifying EMs subtypes and providing novel insights into future personalized hormone-free therapy in EMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinping Xiao
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyao Ruan
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Tian
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaikai Chang
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofang Yi
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Hidalgo-Lopez E, Engman J, Poromaa IS, Gingnell M, Pletzer B. Triple network model of brain connectivity changes related to adverse mood effects in an oral contraceptive placebo-controlled trial. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:209. [PMID: 37328507 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02470-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined oral contraceptives (COC) are among the most commonly used contraceptive methods worldwide, and mood side effects are the major reason for discontinuation of treatment. We here investigate the directed connectivity patterns associated with the mood side effects of an androgenic COC in a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trial in women with a history of affective COC side effects (n = 34). We used spectral dynamic causal modeling on a triple network model consisting of the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN) and executive control network (ECN). Within this framework, we assessed the treatment-related changes in directed connectivity associated with adverse mood side effects. Overall, during COC use, we found a pattern of enhanced connectivity within the DMN and decreased connectivity within the ECN. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (SN) mediates an increased recruitment of the DMN by the ECN during treatment. Mood lability was the most prominent COC-induced symptom and also arose as the side effect most consistently related to connectivity changes. Connections that were related to increased mood lability showed increased connectivity during COC treatment, while connections that were related to decreased mood lability showed decreased connectivity during COC treatment. Among these, the connections with the highest effect size could also predict the participants' treatment group above chance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Jonas Engman
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Inger Sundström Poromaa
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Women's Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malin Gingnell
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
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Johansson T, Vinther Larsen S, Bui M, Ek WE, Karlsson T, Johansson Å. Population-based cohort study of oral contraceptive use and risk of depression. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2023; 32:e39. [PMID: 37303201 PMCID: PMC10294242 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796023000525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Research on the effect of oral contraceptive (OC) use on the risk of depression shows inconsistent findings, especially in adult OC users. One possible reason for this inconsistency is the omission of women who discontinue OCs due to adverse mood effects, leading to healthy user bias. To address this issue, we aim to estimate the risk of depression that is associated with the initiation of OCs as well as the effect of OC use on lifetime risk of depression. METHODS This is a population-based cohort study based on data from 264,557 women from the UK Biobank. Incidence of depression was addressed via interviews, inpatient hospital or primary care data. The hazard ratio (HR) between OC use and incident depression was estimated by multivariable Cox regression with OC use as a time-varying exposure. To validate causality, we examined familial confounding in 7,354 sibling pairs. RESULTS We observed that the first 2 years of OC use were associated with a higher rate of depression compared to never users (HR = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55-1.88). Although the risk was not as pronounced beyond the first 2 years, ever OC use was still associated with an increased lifetime risk of depression (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09). Previous OC use were associated with a higher rate of depression compared to never users, with adolescent OC users driving the increased hazard (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12-1.25). No significant association were observed among adult OC users who had previously used OCs (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.95-1.04). Notably, the sibling analysis provided further evidence for a causal effect of OC use on the risk of depression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the use of OCs, particularly during the first 2 years, increases the risk of depression. Additionally, OC use during adolescence might increase the risk of depression later in life. Our results are consistent with a causal relationship between OC use and depression, as supported by the sibling analysis. This study highlights the importance of considering the healthy user bias as well as family-level confounding in studies of OC use and mental health outcomes. Physicians and patients should be aware of this potential risk when considering OCs, and individualized risk-benefit assessments should be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Johansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Women’s Mental Health during the Reproductive Lifespan – Womher, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - S. Vinther Larsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M. Bui
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - W. E. Ek
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - T. Karlsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Å. Johansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Pletzer B, Noachtar I, Hidalgo-Lopez E. Hormonal contraception & face processing: Examining face gender, androgenicity & treatment duration. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 154:106292. [PMID: 37210755 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Previous cross-sectional studies observed differences between users and non-users of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) in both the structure and function of the fusiform face area (FFA) related to face processing. For the present study 120 female participants performed high-resolution structural, as well as functional scans at rest, during face encoding and face recognition. Participants were either never-users of COCs (26), current first-time users of androgenic (29) or anti-androgenic COCs (23) or previous users of androgenic (21) or anti-androgenic COCs (21). Results suggest that associations between COC-use and face processing are modulated by androgenicity, but do not persist beyond the duration of COC use. The majority of findings concern the connectivity of the left FFA to the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG), which is a key region in cognitive empathy. While connectivity in anti-androgenic COC users differs from never users irrespective of the duration of COC use already at rest, connectivity in androgenic COC users decreases with longer duration of use during face recognition. Furthermore, longer duration of androgenic COC use was related to reduced identification accuracy, as well as increased connectivity of the left FFA to the right orbitofrontal cortex. Accordingly, the FFA and SMG emerge as promising ROIs for future randomized controlled trials on the effects of COC use on face processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology & Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Isabel Noachtar
- Department of Psychology & Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Esmeralda Hidalgo-Lopez
- Department of Psychology & Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Towards a more comprehensive neuroscience of hormonal contraceptives. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:529-531. [PMID: 36879144 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01273-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
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Beltz AM. Hormonal contraceptive influences on cognition and psychopathology: Past methods, present inferences, and future directions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101037. [PMID: 36154817 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, there has been a remarkable surge in research on the neural and behavioral correlates of hormonal contraceptive use, particularly oral contraceptive use. Questions have evolved swiftly and notably, with studies no longer revealing if hormonal contraceptives matter for the brain and behavior, but rather how, when, and for whom they matter most. Paralleling this shift, the goal of this review is to move beyond an average synthesis of hormonal contraceptive influences on human cognition and psychopathology (and their neural substrates) in order to consider the nature and specificity of effects. Accompanied by an evaluation of study methods and informed by findings from animal models, this consideration uncovers promising areas of research in the next ten years, including potential activational and organizational effects of hormonal contraceptive use, individual differences in effects that matter for the wellbeing of unique individuals, and correlates of intrauterine device use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriene M Beltz
- University of Michigan, 2227 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Abor, MI 48109, USA.
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