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What if the birth control you’re taking every day is quietly changing your brain, your mood, your relationships—and even who you’re attracted to? In this groundbreaking episode of hol+, Dr. Taz MD sits down with award-winning researcher and author Dr. Sarah Hill (This Is Your Brain on Birth Control) to reveal the shocking, little-known science of how hormonal contraception shapes not just your reproductive system, but your entire mind and body.

From altered stress responses to shifts in attraction, depression risk in teens, and the controversial “bikini science” problem in medical research, Dr. Hill pulls back the curtain on decades of overlooked studies that every woman and parent should know about. She shares her own journey from evolutionary psychologist to outspoken women’s health advocate, explaining why synthetic progestins are not the same as progesterone, how birth control affects your immune system, and why teenagers may be especially vulnerable to its mental health effects.

If you’re a woman in your teens, 20s, 30s, or 40s—or a parent guiding your daughter—this episode could change the way you think about hormone health, fertility, and your body’s natural rhythms.

Dr. Hill and Dr. Taz discuss:

• How birth control changes the brain’s structure and function
• The difference between progesterone and synthetic progestins (and why it matters)
• Why “bikini science” has failed women in medical research
• The surprising link between birth control and partner attraction
• The immune system’s hidden connection to hormonal cycling
• Teen mental health risks: depression, anxiety, and brain development
• Safer contraceptive choices and how to support your body if you use the pill
• How nutrition and micronized progesterone might help offset side effects

This conversation is more than just information — it’s a wake-up call for how we study, prescribe, and support women’s health.

Topics Covered:

• Hormonal birth control’s impact on the brain
• Synthetic hormones vs. bioidentical hormones
• Partner choice and relationship satisfaction research
• Autoimmunity and immune system differences in women
• Mental health risks for adolescent users
• Non-hormonal birth control options
• Nutritional and hormonal support strategies

Connect further to Hol+ at https://holplus.co/- Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+.

About Dr. Sarah E. Hill

Sarah E. Hill, Ph.D., is the author of This is Your Brain on Birth Control and an award-winning researcher who has spent most of her 20+ year career studying women, relationships, and health. In addition to having established an award-winning health and relationships lab at TCU, she has published nearly 100 academic research articles, is a sought-after public speaker, and sits on the scientific advisory boards for women’s health companies such as Flo and 28 Wellness. Her research is regularly covered by national media, such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and many others, and is regularly published in highly prestigious journals, including Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Psychoneuroendocrinology, Psychological Science, and Health Psychology.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to the audio podcast: https://holplus.transistor.fm/subscribe

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Follow Dr. Taz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/drtazmd/

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Join the conversation on X: https://x.com/@drtazmd

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Connect with Dr. Sarah E. Hill:

https://www.sarahehill.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sarahehillphd

Host & Production Team

Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Lead Producer: Lauren Feighan; Editors: Jeremiah Schultz and Patrick Edwards)

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes of hol+

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

06:12 The Flaws in Medical Research on Women

17:51 Dr. Hill's Personal Journey with Birth Control

21:43 The Science Behind Birth Control's Effects on the Brain

27:45 How Birth Control Influences Attraction and Relationships

34:44 Impact of Birth Control on Relationship Satisfaction

37:31 Divorce Rates and Birth Control

40:12 Hormones and Brain Influence

41:35 Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Progesterone vs. Progestin

47:57 Birth Control and Mental Health in Teens

01:00:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts