As noted in other studies, young women are often not advised regarding the impact of oral contraceptives (“OC”) use on exercise performance—a growing area of research. Researchers from Texas A&M University and University of Houston-Victoria studied the effects of OCs on young healthy women ages 18–29 during a 10-week whole-body resistance training program.
Women who did not take OCs gained significantly more lean body mass. Researchers concluded that use of oral contraceptives impairs lean mass gains and is linked with lower DHEA levels and higher cortisol levels. More research is recommended to identify mechanisms for why lean mass gain is inhibited. Study authors think it may be related to OCs effect on anabolic and catabolic hormone levels or inhibition of the function of progestin.
Study findings are published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2022; 36 [11], 3074–80).
See also: Impact of Oral Contraceptives on Resistance Training
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