Pathophysiology
"Conclusions: SSRIs might have statistically significant effects on depressive symptoms, but all trials were at high risk of bias and the clinical significance seems questionable. SSRIs significantly increase the risk of both serious and non-serious adverse events. The potential small beneficial effects seem to be outweighed by harmful effects." See also PSSD.
Hormonal contraceptives suppress oxytocin-induced brain reward responses to the partner’s face
Treatment with OXT increased the perceived attractiveness of the partner relative to other men, which was paralleled by elevated responses in reward-associated regions, including the nucleus accumbens. These effects of OXT were absent in women using HC. Our results confirm and extend previous findings in men that OXT interacts with the brain reward system to reinforce partner value representations, indicating a common OXT-dependent mechanism underlying partner attraction in both sexes. This mechanism may be disturbed in women using HC, suggesting that gonadal steroids could alter partner-specific OXT effects.
The regulation of adipose tissue distribution in humans
High insulin + cortisol cause a shift towards visceral fat accumulation
Individuals with TSH > 2.0 uIU/L had ~60% higher cortisol than those ≤ 2.0 uIU/L.
↓ Thyroid function → ↑ Cortisol
↑ Cortisol (stress) → ↓ TSH
Abdominal fat is directly correlated with elevated cortisol expression (in women more so than men)