Austin Set to Host Insightful Lecture on Birth Control and Women’s Health
AUSTIN — Mark your calendars! On November 15, the University of Texas is gearing up for an eye-opening lecture that promises to shed light on the less talked about effects of birth control on women’s bodies. This engaging event, part of the Hot Science Cool Talks lecture series, will feature Dr. Sarah Hill, a psychologist whose work focuses on the intricate world of women’s health.
Delving into the Psychological Effects of Birth Control
Dr. Hill’s interest in this subject stems from her own experiences with hormonal birth control. After spending a hefty ten years on the pill, she made the decision to stop taking it, leading to what she describes as a transformative shift in her life. “I just felt like I came to life,” she recalls. “It was like I suddenly was feeling things more deeply. My emotional responses to things had a deeper amplitude. My sexual desire was increasing, and my energy levels were through the roof.” It’s safe to say that her experiences were the catalyst for her ongoing research into this critical topic.
Sharing Her Story
In her book, This is Your Brain on Birth Control, Dr. Hill highlights her personal journey. During the lecture, she plans to give attendees an inside look into the science behind hormonal birth control and its various effects on women. She wants to create an open dialogue about a topic that is often overlooked.
Challenging the Norms
Dr. Hill points out a core issue regarding birth control—it’s become so ubiquitous that it’s rarely questioned. “Women are prescribed it for everything, ranging from contraception to acne. Because it is so prevalent, nobody thinks to question it,” she explains. She anticipates that in decades to come, people will look back and wonder how society could have been so “cavalier with women’s sex hormones.”
She doesn’t believe this information is hidden away; rather, it lacks visibility. “The reason for this is because of the siloed nature of science,” she notes. “Psychological science and neuroscience lives over here, and medicine and clinical medicine lives over here.” This separation often leaves crucial conversations about the psychological impact of birth control out of the clinical setting.
Side Effects and Experiences
Dr. Hill highlights a trend where doctors tend to focus on the physical side effects of hormonal contraceptives, often overlooking the mental and emotional aspects that women may experience. “A lot of times, the effects women feel while on the pill are psychological, such as feeling disconnected from themselves, reduced libido, or mood swings,” she explains. Unfortunately, these factors are frequently brushed aside in medical discussions about birth control.
Event Details
This must-attend event kicks off with a range of activities at 5:30 p.m., leading up to Dr. Hill’s lecture, which starts at 7 p.m. As she shares her groundbreaking research and personal revelations, attendees will have the chance to engage and ask questions, creating a richer understanding of this critical aspect of women’s health.
Don’t miss this opportunity to dive deep into a topic that affects so many lives and to hear from an expert who is passionate about changing the conversation around women’s health. See you there!
