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Abstract
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are often initiated during adolescence and emerging adulthood, a period of continued maturation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Because hormonal exposure during this window may shape emotional, biological, and reproductive outcomes, it is important to understand the specific formulations young women take and the hormonal profiles these formulations produce. This study characterizes OC formulation features and measured hormone levels in young adult OC users (n = 30).
Ethinyl estradiol (EE) doses ranged from 0.01–0.035 mg (mean = 0.022 mg), with 70% using ≤0.02 mg. Pill regimens included 21/7 packs (83%), 24/4 packs (10%), and 84/7 regimens (3%). Progestins included norethindrone (and acetate), levonorgestrel, norgestimate, desogestrel, and drospirenone. Duration of use ranged from 6–72 months (mean = 30.8 months). At both study visits, during the active and inactive pill, plasma estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured.
Although OCs suppress the HPG axis, little research examines how formulation characteristics influence measured hormone levels in early-life users. Existing studies rarely compare hormone concentrations across modern low-dose versus standard-dose pills, and few evaluate whether duration of use or regimen structure affects estradiol, progesterone, FSH, or LH during active or inactive intervals. We will test three hypotheses: (1) Lower-dose EE formulations (≤0.02 mg) will show stronger suppression of estradiol and progesterone, (2) Longer duration of OC use will be associated with lower FSH and LH, and (3) Inactive-week hormone levels will vary systematically by estrogen dose and regimen type, not progestin type. Testing these associations addresses a gap in the early-life contraceptive literature.
Publication Date
2026
Subject Major(s)
Psychology, Biochemistry
Keywords
Psychology, Biochemistry
Disciplines
Behavioral Neurobiology | Biochemistry | Biological Psychology | Biotechnology | Cognitive Science | Developmental Biology | Developmental Psychology | Development Studies | Molecular Biology
Current Academic Year
Junior
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Roxann Roberson Nay
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Timothy York
Rights
© The Author(s)
Included in
Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Biochemistry Commons, Biological Psychology Commons, Biotechnology Commons, Cognitive Science Commons, Developmental Biology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Development Studies Commons, Molecular Biology Commons