Synthetic estrogen in hormonal birth control linked to increased anxiety-like behaviors in rats, study finds.

Study at Endocrine Society conference reveals synthetic estrogen in hormonal birth control may impact anxiety-like behaviors in rats. Researchers found female rats treated with synthetic estrogen showed elevated anxiety-like behaviors compared to those on natural estrogen or vehicle control, suggesting estrogen type could be a potential clinical tool for managing behavioral side effects in women taking hormone-based contraceptives.