Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Body Composition and Physical Performance in Female Athletes

Abstract

0221 Menstrual disturbances are common among female athletes and oral contraceptives (OCs) are often recommended as estrogen substitution. However, there is no information about effects of OC use in athletes and there is great concern that OCs might impair physical performance. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of OC use on body composition and physical performance in female athletes. METHODS: Twenty-six endurance athletes and 12 sedentary controls were examined with dual energy X-ray aborptiometry and physical performance tests (treadmill, isometric strength measurements) before and after 10 months of treatment with a low-dose monophasic, combined OC. RESULTS: significant changes in body composition were recorded only in the athlete group. There was an increase in weight and fat mass, particularly in athletes with oligo-/amenorrhea. These changes were associated with a decrease in ovarian androgens. OC treatment also increased total BMD with the largest increase in athletes with a low BMD at baseline. Despite significant changes in body composition, only little impact on physical performance was recorded. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that OC treatment in female athletes predominantly has beneflcial effects on body composition without adverse effects on physical performance and could be used for prevention of osteoporosis in athletic amenorrhea. Still, it can not be excluded that a marked increase in fat mass might have unfavorable effects for athletic performance in individual women.