Hormonal contraception use alters stress responses and emotional memory

► We examine effects of hormonal contraception on stress responses and emotional memory. ► Contraceptive users had blunted responses to stressors vs. naturally cycling women. ► Contraceptive use reduces norepinephrine and cortisol responses to acute stressors. ► Emotional recall depended on contraceptive use and stress hormone responses. ► Contraceptive use alters memory for emotional material depending on stress responses.