From scientific research journals to the retail book shelf, Sarah Hill made little-known knowledge of the birth control pill accessible to the average woman.

The psychology professor’s book, This Is Your Brain on Birth Control: The Surprising Science of Women, Hormones, and the Law of Unintended Consequences (Avery, 2019), published October 1.

Sarah Hill, professor of psychology, wrote about the impact hormonal birth control has on women’s brains. Photo by Carolyn Cruz

Hill explains the tolls hormonal birth control can have on the brain.

“Women have been talking about this forever,” Hill said. But usually with doctors “we’ve been told about the sort of mood-related side effects as being the extent of the conversation that we generally get surrounding the pill.”

Hill said her inspiration started with her own experience with the pill. After taking the pill for more than 10 years, the evolutionary psychologist decided to stop.

“I felt different. I felt more vibrant,” Hill said. “I felt like the world was more interesting and meaningful. I started doing things like exercising and listening to music again.”

Shelda Dean, manager of marketing and communications for the Mary Couts Burnett Library, said the book’s timing is important.

“I think it’s going to open up a lot of eyes to a lot of women and girls for what the effects are, what the impact is,” Dean said. “There’s a lot of humor in it too, so she makes it more easy reading where it’s just not so technical.”

The library hosted members of the TCU community October 10 to hear Hill speak about the research in her book.

In writing her first book, Hill said the publishing process has been exhausting but exciting. She has been making public appearances to promote the book, including a segment on NBC’s Today Show.

Sophomore psychology major Gia Dao said he’s been keeping up with Hill’s projects as a student in one of her classes. He attended Hill’s event at the library.

“I was really excited to come here and see her talking about her book,” Dao said. “Even though I’m a guy, I think the topic of the book is really interesting. Everyone should have a basic knowledge.”

Hill said her goal is to keep women informed, not push a certain stance. She recommended that women prescribed the pill be mindful of how they feel in all areas of their life.

“Educate yourself and what’s in your pill,” she said. “Talk to your doctor — if you’re not having more good days than bad days when things in life are going well — about maybe trying a different one.”