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Oral contraceptive use and bone mass in women aged 26–36 years

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Abstract

Introduction

The association between hormonal contraceptive use and bone mineral density remains controversial.

Hypothesis

Hormonal contraceptive use is positively associated with bone mass in young premenopausal women.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of data collected from women aged 26–36 years (n = 687) in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health study—a longitudinal study investigating childhood determinants of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases in adulthood. Participants were not currently pregnant or breast-feeding. Contraceptive use was obtained by self-administered questionnaire. Women were categorized as combined oral contraceptive users (n = 219), progestogen-only contraceptive users (n = 43), and non-users of hormonal contraceptives (n = 425). Bone mass was measured by quantitative ultrasound.

Results

Compared with women who were not using any hormonal contraceptives, women using combined oral contraceptives had significantly higher values of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound, and quantitative ultrasound index. These associations remained after adjustment for confounders. Progestogen-only contraceptive users had higher BUA than non-users, but the differences were not statistically significant in this small group.

Conclusion

Combined oral contraceptive use was associated with higher bone mass measured by quantitative ultrasound in this population-based sample of premenopausal women aged 26–36 while progestogen-only contraceptives appeared to have no deleterious effect on bone mass.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all CDAH staff and study participants for their valuable contributions to this study. The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, National Heart Foundation, Tasmanian Community Fund, and Veolia Environmental Services.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Menzies Research Institute, University of Tasmania, Private bag 23, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia

    S. Wei, G. Jones, R. Thomson & A. Venn

  2. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia

    T. Dwyer

Authors
  1. S. Wei
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  2. G. Jones
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  3. R. Thomson
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  4. T. Dwyer
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  5. A. Venn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Wei.

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Wei, S., Jones, G., Thomson, R. et al. Oral contraceptive use and bone mass in women aged 26–36 years. Osteoporos Int 22, 351–355 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1180-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1180-y

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