|
Oral Contraception (OC)
causes an increase in the production of sex hormone-binding globulin
(SHBG) and these levels do not return to normal when the birth
control pills are stopped.
A study published in
Journal of Sexual Medicine, measured the levels of 124
pre-menopausal women with sexual health complaints, included 62
women who had been taking OC for longer than 6 months and 39 women
who had taken it for longer than 6 months and then had stopped their
use.
The results showed
that the continued OC users had SHBF values four times higher than
individuals who have never used birth control pills. The former
users experienced a drop in SHBG levels after the OC was stopped,
but the value elevated several months later relative to the never
users.
Chronic SHBG
elevations may be associated with long-term effects on sexual,
metabolic, and mental status of women.
|