Use of combined hormonal contraceptives was associated with impaired spinal bone accrual in adolescent girls.
Use of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) by teenagers is common and increasing worldwide. Concern has arisen that the estrogen component of CHC may impair bone formation in teenage girls, thereby compromising peak bone mass.
Researchers conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to compare changes in bone density, determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, in healthy adolescent users and nonusers of estrogen-progestin CHC. The researchers identified nine studies, involving a total of 1535 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. In pooled analysis, use of estrogen-progestin CHC was associated with significantly less spinal bone accrual at 24 months.
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardEli Lilly and Company; Advisory Council, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Subboard for Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
Grant/Research SupportPatty Brisben Foundation
Editorial BoardsOsteoporosis International; Bone; Journal of Adolescent Health
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardEli Lilly and Company; Advisory Council, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Subboard for Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
Grant/Research SupportPatty Brisben Foundation
Editorial BoardsOsteoporosis International; Bone; Journal of Adolescent Health