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Benefits & Issues with Birth Control | Dr. Sara Gottfried & Dr. Andrew
Huberman
Huberman Lab Clips
● How does taking oral contraceptives affect thyroid function?
● What problems are associated with the use of oral contraceptives?
● What does SHBG do in the body?
● What are some symptoms women may experience due to the decline in free testosterone
caused by oral contraceptives?
● Can taking oral contraceptives shrink the clitoris?
● Does the elevation of SHBG go away after stopping oral contraceptives?
● What should women consider if they are thinking of taking oral contraceptives for acne or
painful periods?
● What are some alternative approaches to address issues like painful periods?
● Are there long-lasting effects on hormone levels from oral contraceptives?
● The topic of the conversation is the use of pure estrogen birth control and its potential
long-term consequences.
● The benefits of oral contraceptives include reproductive choice and a reduced risk of
ovarian cancer.
● The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and nonspecific, including bloating, bulk
symptoms, and pressure in the lower belly. Regular gynecologic exams and the CA 125
blood test can be used for diagnosis.
● Andrew Huberman suggests that women who are not sexually active may consider
suppressing ovulation to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, but Sara Gottfried raises
concerns about the long-term consequences and the need for informed consent.
● The risks of oral contraceptives include depletion of micronutrients, potential impact on
the microbiome, increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune conditions,
and potential impact on cortisol production.
● Women who take oral contraceptives may experience effects on their thyroid function.
● Use of oral contraceptives can elevate levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).
● SHBG acts as a sponge, absorbing free estrogen and testosterone in the body.
● Rising SHBG levels can lead to a decline in free testosterone.
● Some women may experience symptoms such as vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive,
and a decrease in confidence and agency due to the decline in free testosterone.
● Oral contraceptives can shrink the clitoris by up to 20%.
● The elevation of SHBG may persist even after stopping oral contraceptive use.
● It is important to explore alternative methods for addressing issues such as painful periods
rather than relying solely on oral contraceptives.
● Women should consider other approaches like fish oil, spms, or aspirin during periods to
 ●
reduce inflammation.
● Informed consent is crucial to understand the potential risks associated with oral
contraceptives and the elevation of SHBG.
● Thoughts on Pure Estrogen Birth Control
● Introduction
○ In a conversation between Andrew Huberman and Sara Gottfried, they discuss the
use of pure estrogen birth control and its potential long-term consequences.
○ They also touch on the benefits of oral contraceptives and the risks associated with
them.
● Benefits of Oral Contraceptives
○ Reproductive choice: Oral contraceptives provide women with the ability to make
decisions about their reproductive health.
○ Reduced risk of ovarian cancer: Oral contraceptives decrease ovulation, which has
been linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Taking oral contraceptives for five
years can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 50%.
● Symptoms and Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
○ The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and nonspecific.
○ Bloating is a common symptom, but it can also include bulk symptoms and a feeling
of pressure in the lower belly.
○ Regular gynecologic exams are important for early detection, and in some cases, a
blood test called CA 125 may be used for evaluation.
● Should Women Suppress Ovulation?
○ Andrew Huberman suggests that women who are not sexually active may consider
suppressing ovulation to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
○ Sara Gottfried raises concerns about the long-term consequences and emphasizes
the need for informed consent.
● Risks of Oral Contraceptives
○ Depletion of micronutrients: Oral contraceptives can deplete certain micronutrients
like magnesium and certain vitamin Bs.
○ Effect on the microbiome: While the data is not as strong, there may be an impact
on the microbiome.
○ Increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune conditions: Oral
contraceptives can increase inflammatory tone and elevate markers of inflammation,
such as high-sensitivity CRP.
○ Impact on cortisol production: Oral contraceptives may make the hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal axis less flexible, affecting cortisol production.

Benefits & Issues with Birth Control | Dr. Sara Gottfried & Dr. Andrew Huberman
Huberman Lab Clips
Thoughts on Pure Estrogen Birth Control
Introduction
In a conversation between Andrew Huberman and Sara Gottfried, they discuss the use of pure
estrogen birth control and its potential long-term consequences. They also touch on the benefits
of oral contraceptives and the risks associated with them.
Benefits of Oral Contraceptives
● Reproductive choice: Oral contraceptives provide women with the ability to make
decisions about their reproductive health.
● Reduced risk of ovarian cancer: Oral contraceptives decrease ovulation, which has been
linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Taking oral contraceptives for five years can
reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 50%.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and nonspecific. Bloating is a common symptom, but
it can also include bulk symptoms and a feeling of pressure in the lower belly. Regular
gynecologic exams are important for early detection, and in some cases, a blood test called CA
125 may be used for evaluation.
Should Women Suppress Ovulation?
Andrew Huberman suggests that women who are not sexually active may consider suppressing
ovulation to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. However, Sara Gottfried raises concerns about the
long-term consequences and emphasizes the need for informed consent.
Risks of Oral Contraceptives
● Depletion of micronutrients: Oral contraceptives can deplete certain micronutrients like
magnesium and certain vitamin Bs.
● Effect on the microbiome: While the data is not as strong, there may be an impact on the
microbiome.
● Increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune conditions: Oral
contraceptives can increase inflammatory tone and elevate markers of inflammation, such
as high-sensitivity CRP.
● Impact on cortisol production: Oral contraceptives may make the hypothalamic-pituitary-
adrenal axis less flexible, affecting cortisol production.
When women take oral contraceptives, it can affect their thyroid function. There
are multiple problems associated with the use of oral contraceptives, including
the elevation of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG acts as a sponge
that absorbs free estrogen and testosterone in the body. When women go on the
pill, their SHBG levels rise, leading to a decline in free testosterone. Some women
are more sensitive to this decline and may experience symptoms such as vaginal
dryness, decreased sex drive, and a decrease in confidence and agency.
Additionally, taking oral contraceptives can shrink the clitoris by up to 20%. The
elevation of SHBG does not seem to go away when women stop taking the pill,
which is a major concern. Therefore, it is important to explore alternative
methods to address issues such as painful periods rather than relying solely on
oral contraceptives.
If a woman is considering taking oral contraceptives for reasons such as acne or
painful periods, it is recommended to explore other approaches that can alleviate
these symptoms without the potential negative effects of the pill. These
approaches may include using fish oil, spms, or even aspirin during periods to
reduce inflammation. It is important to have informed consent about the potential
risks associated with oral contraceptives, as they can have long-lasting effects
on hormone levels, including the elevation of SHBG.

Benefits & Issues with Birth Control | Dr. Sara Gottfried & Dr. Andrew Huberman
Huberman Lab Clips
How does taking oral contraceptives affect thyroid function?
When women take oral contraceptives, it can affect their thyroid function.
What problems are associated with the use of oral contraceptives?
Elevation of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is one problem associated with the use of oral
contraceptives.
What does SHBG do in the body?
SHBG acts as a sponge that absorbs free estrogen and testosterone in the body.
What are some symptoms women may experience due to the decline in free testosterone caused
by oral contraceptives?
Some symptoms women may experience include vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, and a
decrease in confidence and agency.
Can taking oral contraceptives shrink the clitoris?
Yes, taking oral contraceptives can shrink the clitoris by up to 20%.
Does the elevation of SHBG go away after stopping oral contraceptives?
No, the elevation of SHBG does not seem to go away when women stop taking the pill.
What should women consider if they are thinking of taking oral contraceptives for acne or painful
periods?
It is recommended to explore other approaches that can alleviate these symptoms without the
potential negative effects of the pill.
What are some alternative approaches to address issues like painful periods?
Alternative approaches may include using fish oil, spms, or even aspirin during periods to reduce
inflammation.
Are there long-lasting effects on hormone levels from oral contraceptives?
Yes, oral contraceptives can have long-lasting effects on hormone levels, including the elevation
of SHBG.
What is the topic of the conversation between Andrew Huberman and Sara Gottfried?
The topic of the conversation is the use of pure estrogen birth control and its potential long-term
consequences.
What are the benefits of oral contraceptives?
The benefits of oral contraceptives include reproductive choice and a reduced risk of ovarian
cancer.
What are the symptoms and diagnosis of ovarian cancer?
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and nonspecific, including bloating, bulk symptoms,
and pressure in the lower belly. Regular gynecologic exams and the CA 125 blood test can be
used for diagnosis.
Should women suppress ovulation to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer?
Andrew Huberman suggests that women who are not sexually active may consider suppressing
ovulation for this purpose, but Sara Gottfried raises concerns about the long-term consequences
and the need for informed consent.
What are the risks of oral contraceptives?
The risks of oral contraceptives include depletion of micronutrients, potential impact on the
microbiome, increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune conditions, and
potential impact on cortisol production.