Hormonal contraception usage is associated with altered memory for an emotional story

► We examine effects of hormonal contraception on memory for an emotional story. ► Women on hormonal contraception recall more gist items from an emotional story. ► Naturally cycling women recall more detail items from an emotional story. ► The groups of women do not differ on measures of attention or arousal during the story. ► Hormonal contraception alters memory for an emotional event.