Psychophysiologic Changes accompanying Oral Contraceptive Use
DAVID B. MARCOTTE M.D.1,
FRANCIS J. KANE Jr. M.D.2,
PAUL OBRIST Ph.D.3, and
MORRIS A. LIPTON M.D.4
1 University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2 Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, N.C.
3 Associate Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, N.C.
4 Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Research Development, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, N.C.
A double blind psychophysiologic `study of the effects of an estrogenprogestin combination oral contraceptive agent on mood and sexual behavior' is reported. Mild depression, lethargy, altered sleep patterns and decrease in sexual desire and capacity for orgasm were reported, accompanied by decreased levels of excretion of catecholamine metabolites and decreased heart rate during the period of drug use.
Submitted on August 19, 1968
