Is the oral contraceptive pill associated with fracture in later life? New evidence from the Royal College of General Practitioners Oral Contraception Study

Contraception, 84(1), 40-47

DOI 10.1016/j.contraception.2010.11.019 PMID 21664509 Source

Abstract

Background

Several studies, including an earlier analysis from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Oral Contraception Study, have suggested that ever users of oral contraceptives have an increased risk of fracture when compared with never users. In this paper, we examined a subset of women in the RCGP study living in Scotland to determine whether this risk has persisted.

Study design

A nested case-control study was carried out using data collected prospectively for the RCGP Oral Contraception Study. Cases were women with a first ever diagnosis of fracture (n=651), age-matched to two controls (n=1302). Adjustments were made for smoking, social class and parity.

Results

There was not a significant association between ever use of oral contraception and fracture (adjusted odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.86-1.29), compared with never users. Neither were significant associations found between fracture and smoking, social class and parity. The findings did not vary materially with age or type of fracture.

Conclusion

Ever use of oral contraception was not associated with fracture in this study.

Topics

oral contraceptive pill and fracture risk, birth control pill bone fractures, long-term effects of contraceptive pill, hormonal contraception bone health, fracture risk after stopping pill, oral contraceptive skeletal effects, nested case-control pill fracture, ever use of oral contraception outcomes, bone density and birth control pills, later life fracture risk pill users

Cite this article

Memon, S., Iversen, L., & Hannaford, P. C. (2011). Is the oral contraceptive pill associated with fracture in later life? New evidence from the Royal College of General Practitioners Oral Contraception Study. *Contraception*, *84*(1), 40-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2010.11.019

Related articles