Oral contraceptive usage alters the effects of cortisol on implicit fear learning

► Cortisol generally impaired fear conditioned responses in the amygdala. ► Cortisol reduced hippocampal fear learning in men and free-cycling women. ► Cortisol enhanced hippocampal fear learning in women taking oral contraceptives. ► Oral contraceptives seem to have a direct influence on subcortical fear learning. ► Oral contraceptive usage has to be considered in future fear conditioning studies.