The association between oral contraceptive use, bone mineral density and fractures in women aged 50-80 years

Author affiliations
  • University of Tasmania ROR

Contraception, 84(4), 357-362, 2011

DOI 10.1016/j.contraception.2011.02.001 PMID 21920189

Abstract

Background

The associations between oral contraceptive (OC) use, bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of fractures remain controversial.

Study Design

A cross-sectional study of 491 women aged 50-80 years was performed. We assessed OC use and fractures by questionnaire, and BMD and vertebral deformity by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Results

Ever use of OC was associated with significantly higher BMD at the total body (6%, p<.001) and spine (4%; p=.05) (but not hip) after adjustment for confounders. There was also a significant association between duration of OC use and total body and spine BMD. Use of OCs for 5-10 years was associated with reduced vertebral deformity (adjusted odds ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.94).

Conclusions

Oral contraceptive use and duration were associated with higher total body and spine BMD and a consistent reduction in vertebral deformities, although most associations did not reach significance.

Topics

oral contraceptive use bone mineral density fractures postmenopausal women, OC pill BMD total body spine hip older women, oral contraceptive duration bone density vertebral deformity, hormonal contraception long-term effect bone mineral density DXA, oral contraceptive use vertebral fracture risk reduction older women, bone mineral density dual energy x-ray absorptiometry contraceptive history, oral contraceptive protective effect bone density postmenopausal cross-sectional, prior oral contraceptive use bone health women aged 50-80, OC duration spine BMD vertebral deformity odds ratio, hormonal contraception bone remodeling long-term skeletal effects
PMID 21920189 21920189 DOI 10.1016/j.contraception.2011.02.001 10.1016/j.contraception.2011.02.001

Cite this article

Wei, S., Venn, A., Ding, C., Foley, S., Laslett, L., & Jones, G. (2011). The association between oral contraceptive use, bone mineral density and fractures in women aged 50-80 years. *Contraception*, *84*(4), 357-362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.02.001

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