Birth control PILLS increase cortisol levels

[pineapple]

Effects of the Oral Contraceptive Pill Cycle on Physiological Responses to Hypoxic Exercise
To cite this paper:
Darleen A. Sandoval, Kathleen S. Matt. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. 2003, 4(1): 61-72. doi:10.1089/152702903321488997.


Darleen A. Sandoval
Exercise Science Department, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Kathleen S. Matt
Exercise Science Department, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.

To test whether the oral contraceptive pill cycle affects endocrine and metabolic responses to hypoxic (fraction of inspired oxygen = 13%, PIO2: 95 mmHg; H) versus normoxic (PIO2:153 mmHg; N) exercise, we examined eight women (28 ± 1.2 yr) during the third (PILL) and placebo (PLA) weeks of their monthly oral contraceptive pill cycle. Cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and neuroendocrine measurements were taken before, during, and after three 5-min consecutive workloads at 30%, 45%, and 60% of normoxic VO2peak in H and N trials. Heart rate response to exercise was greater in H versus N, but was not different between PILL and PLA. Lactate levels were significantly greater during exercise, and both lactate and glucose levels were significantly greater for 30 min after exercise in H versus N (p < 0.0001). When expressed relative to baseline, lactate levels were lower in PILL versus PLA, but glucose was greater in PILL versus PLA (p < 0.001). Cortisol levels were also significantly greater in PILL versus PLA (p < 0.001). Norepinephrine levels were significantly increased during exercise (p < 0.0001) and in H versus N (p < 0.0001). However, epinephrine levels were not different over time or with trial. Thus, the presence of circulating estradiol and progesterone during the PILL phase reduces glucose and lactate responses to hypoxic exercise.


BUT, there is good news. Estrogen is also responsible for a healthy lipid profile in men. Don't be without it.

The estrogen in birth control pills causes an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (the "good" cholesterol), a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (the "bad" cholesterol) and an increase in your total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Progestin in birth control pills has the opposite effect.

Bad thing is, all Oral birth control pills increase Triglycerides.