Adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion in response to anticipatory stress and venepuncture: The role of menstrual phase and oral contraceptive use.

Introduction: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are primarily known for their effects on the reproductive system, but they can also impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The present study aimed to compare plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses to the anticipatory stress of participating in a scientific experiment and venepuncture in OC users versus naturally cycling (NC) women, with a focus on variations throughout the menstrual cycle.

Methods: We recruited 131 young women (average age 20.