Oral Contraceptives and Bone Health in Female Runners
Abstract
This was a two-year randomized trial of the effects of oral contraceptives on bone mass and stress fracture incidence among 150 female competitive distance runners of ages 18-26 years. The Coordinating Center is at Stanford University and bone mass was measured at five sites: Massachusetts General Hospital, University of California Los Angeles, University of Michigan, Stanford University/Palo Alto VA Medical Center, and Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw NY. Two manuscripts have been completed and are about to be submitted for publication. One manuscript, Randomized trial of the effect of oral contraceptives on bone mass and stress fractures in female runners, concludes that oral contraceptives may reduce the risk for stress fracture, but our data are inconclusive. Oligo/amenorrheic athletes with low bone mass should be advised to gain weight, increase dietary calcium, and take steps to resume normal menses; they may benefit from oral contraceptives, but again the evidence is not conclusive. The second manuscript, Risk factors for stress fracture among young female cross-country runners, found that a history of stress fractures, lower bone mass, lower dietary calcium intake, younger chronological age, younger age at menarche, and possibly a history of irregular menstrual periods were associated with an increased risk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA462082
Entities
People
- Jennifer L. Kelsey
Organizations
- Stanford University