Could Birth Control Pills Prevent Muscle Injuries?

Oral contraceptives may make you less vulnerable to certain muscle and tendon injuries in comparison with those that aren’t on the pill, in accordance with a recent study involving data from over 126,000 patients.

The study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that female participants using contraception pills were 85% less likely than male participants to experience muscle sprains or tendon strains, that are probably the most common sorts of musculoskeletal injuries in sports.

“This discovery has the potential to advance preventative strategies and clinical interventions from musculotendinous injuries for various female populations,” Luis Rodriguezlead creator of the study and PhD candidate within the Joint Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program between UT Dallas and UT Southwestern, told Verywell in an email.

Here’s what else you have to know in regards to the study, how contraception pills might protect you from muscle injuries, and expert-recommended strategies for stopping such injuries.

People on the Pill Had Significantly Fewer Muscle and Tendon Injuries Than Others

Rodriguez and his colleagues used a national healthcare database called PearlDiver to look into an orthopedic injury dataset. They checked out the proportion of muscle and tendon injuries within the lower parts of the body in comparison with the whole variety of orthopedic injuries in numerous groups, including males, females who had been using oral contraceptives for not less than a yr before their injury and continued using them afterward, and females who had never used oral contraceptives.

The study focused on patients aged 18 to 39 with body mass indexes (BMIs) starting from normal to obese. Each cohort had 42,267 patients.

The study included monophasic, biphasic, triphasic, and quadriphasic oral contraceptive pills, that are different formulations designed to offer various levels of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle.

Rodriguez some examples of lower-body strain injuries featured within the study database include:

• Pulling the adductor muscle, fascia, and tendon of the fitting thigh for the primary time
• Straining the muscle group, fascia, and tendon behind the left thigh
• Overstretching the muscles and tendons within the lower leg on the fitting side for the primary time

After considering aspects like age, BMI, and geographic location, the researchers found that female participants using oral contraceptives had fewer muscle and tendon injuries in comparison with female participants who didn’t use them, and in comparison with male participants. Specifically, only 0.55% of orthopedic injuries were muscle and tendon injuries in those on contraception, in comparison with 2.55% for those and not using a history of using oral contraceptives and three.49% for males.

Rodriguez added that these findings could also provide insight into injury risk amongst women impacted by conditions involving hormone imbalances and altered hormonal environments, reminiscent of “women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menstrual cycle irregularities, and hormonal shifts post-menopause.”

Why Might Birth Control Pills Prevent Muscle and Tendon Injuries?

Rodriguez said that we still need more research to grasp how contraception pills might affect muscle and tendon injuries, but he thinks it may need something to do with hormone levels.

“At this point, we don’t know, but research indicates that ladies with low estrogen levels, reminiscent of after menopause, have poorer musculoskeletal health in comparison with women with normal levels,” Rodriguez said.

Other experts suggest that contraception pills might help prevent muscle and tendon injuries due to how they affect estrogen, a hormone needed for maintaining reproductive and sexual health.

Preliminary and controversial data show that muscle and tendon injuries in female athletes occur more steadily during certain phases of the menstrual cycle when estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are low, Mary Jacobson, MDan OB-GYN and Chief Medical Officer at Alpha Medical, told Verywell in an email.

However, estrogen, present in contraception pills will help improve muscle mass and strength while also increasing the collagen content of connective tissues, Jacobson said. But an excessive amount of estrogen could make tendons and ligaments less stiff, which raises the prospect of injury.

Birth control pills with a combination of estrogen and progestin might help by keeping estrogen levels from spiking too high, which might lower the danger of injuries, she added.

“We know that permanently low levels of female sex hormones, resulting in an absence of menstrual periods in athletes (called the female athlete triad), are detrimental for bone health and increase the danger for stress fractures,” Jacobson said. However, taking hormonal medication will help avoid these risks by balancing hormone levels.

Other Potential Benefits of Birth Control Pills

Besides protecting against pregnancy, contraception pills offer many other advantages, Jacobson said. They may make your period more regular, lighter, and shorter, help reduce or ease menstrual cramps, and reduce the danger of cancer of the uterus, ovary, and colon.

In addition, contraception pills may improve pimples and unwanted hair growth and treat certain disorders that cause heavy bleeding and menstrual pain, reminiscent of fibroids and endometriosis, Jacobson said.

If used constantly, contraception pills may reduce the frequency of migraines related to menstruation, “although they shouldn’t be used if you have got migraines with aura,” said Jacobson. “They will also be used to treat heavy bleeding and pain by stopping the menstrual period.”

Some studies have indicated that ladies using oral contraceptive pills may experience lower incidences of anterior cruciate ligament injuries, Rodriguez said. However, he emphasized that “this field remains to be young, so there are still a whole lot of unanswered questions” regarding the lesser-known advantages of contraception usage.

What Are the Risks of Taking Birth Control Pills?

Although there are advantages to using oral contraceptives, there are some risks to concentrate on, Jacobson said. These include a small increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and liver tumors.

Some individuals may experience digestive issues like bloating, increases in appetite, abdominal discomfort, and nausea, Myra Trivellas, MDan orthopedic surgeon who focuses on the treatment of shoulder, knee, and hip conditions and injuries at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, told Verywell in an email.

Trivellas added that oral contraceptives may cause hormonal unwanted side effects, reminiscent of mood changes, depression, mental changes, and headaches. They also can interact with certain medications, “potentially reducing their effectiveness or causing hostile effects.”

Other Ways to Prevent Muscle Injuries

According to Trivellas and Jacobson, there are various things you may do to stop muscle injuries and strains.

1. Warm-up and Cool-down. Before physical activity, engaging in dynamic stretching, static stretching, and lightweight exercises will help prepare muscles and tendons for movement, reducing the danger of injury, Trivellas said. Cooling down with gentle stretching after activity helps with muscle recovery.
2. Gradual Exercise Progression. Avoid sudden increases in intensity or duration of exercise to assist prevent overuse injuries to muscles and tendons. Gradually ramp up the intensity and duration of workouts to permit the body to adapt and strengthen safely, said Trivellas.
3. Maintain Proper Form: Use correct body mechanics and technique during exercise and each day activities to lower the strain on muscles and tendons, lowering the danger of injury, Trivellas said. Seeking guidance from a coach, fitness instructor, or physical therapist will be very helpful.
4. Cross-Training: Include quite a lot of exercises and activities right into a fitness routine to assist prevent overuse injuries by reducing stress across different muscle groups and reducing repetitive strain on specific tendons or muscles, Trivellas said.
5. Rest and Recovery: Ensure adequate rest between workouts to offer the body time to repair and rebuild muscle tissue, reducing the danger of overuse injuries, Trivellas said. It’s essential to prioritize sleep and incorporate rest days right into a training schedule.
6. Take Breaks Regularly. Try to take frequent breaks throughout the day and aim to alter any sustained posture every 20 to half-hour to stop muscle strain and stiffness, said Jacobson. Be sure to stretch any stiff muscles as well.
7. Nutrition and Hydration: Maintain a balanced weight loss plan and stay hydrated to support overall muscle and tendon health. Adequate intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals, together with staying hydrated, can aid in muscle repair and recovery, said Trivellas.
8. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to signs of muscle fatigue, discomfort, or pain during exercise. Ignoring these signals can increase the danger of injury, Trivellas said. It’s essential to change activities or seek medical advice if persistent pain or discomfort occurs.