The Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Exercise Performance in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Methodology

Meta-analysis

Population

42 studies, 590 women using or not using oral contraceptives

Intervention

Oral contraceptive use vs. non-use (and comparisons across OC pill-taking vs. withdrawal phases)

Findings

Oral contraceptive use had only trivial effects on exercise performance, with credible intervals overlapping zero. There is no evidence-based reason to expect meaningful performance impairment from OC use, though the evidence quality is limited.

Outcome measures

Exercise performance outcomes including strength, power and endurance measures

Limitations

83% of included studies were of moderate, low or very low quality; wide variety of OC formulations, doses and generations pooled together; small sample sizes; few studies in trained athletes.

Original source

DOI: 10.1007/s40279-020-01317-5 · PMID: 32666247