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The pill may lead to lower bone density, study concludes

Updated: 2010-01-16 00:11:16 CST Category: Infertitlity Hormone Testing

by Alex Schoenfeld

According to recent medical testing, oral contraception may decrease bone density in young women.

Researchers at the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle conducted a study comprised of more than 600 women between the ages of 14 and 30. They found that oral contraceptive users had a bone mineral density that was 2.3 percent lower than women who were not on the pill, Health Day reports.

When looking at the spine in particular, researchers found that oral contraceptive users had a 5.9 percent lower bone density than non-users.

"I think the evidence is still emerging on this association, but our findings suggest that low-dose oral contraceptives with long-term use have some impact on bone density," said study author Delia Scholes.

She added that a 5 percent lower bone density is associated with an almost 50 percent increased risk of osteoporotic fractures for menopausal women.

Meanwhile, in a separate study, researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have found that women who take at least 600 mg of calcium everyday can limit their bone less by up to 2 percent in as little as two years, according to Reuters.

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