The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oral contraceptives (OC) on bone health in active women during early adulthood. Thirty-eight women between the ages of 18 and 35 years participated in this study. Participants were placed into two groups: 1) those who had taken OCs (Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a minimum of two years (n=22) and 2) those who had never taken OCs (n=16). The two groups were matched based on age, nutritional habits, percent body fat, and activity level. Participants completed a health history questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire, and received a full body scan via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). An independent t-test revealed no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the bone mineral density of the women taking OCs (1.188 g/cm2 ± 0.09) and those women who never consumed OCs (1.207 g/cm2 ± 0.09). The effect of taking OCs in a young healthy population of women appears to have no osteogenic influence on bone health. / School of Physical Education
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/187757 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Brougher, Elizabeth A. |
| Contributors | Dugan, Eric L. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | viii, 55 leaves : forms ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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