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Does chronic oral contraceptive use detrimentally affect C-reactive protein or iron status for endurance-trained
C E Badenhorst1, A D Govus2, T Mündel1,3
1School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Purpose:
Chronic use of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is reported to increase C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in premenopausal females.
Methods:
A secondary analysis of data from two research studies in eumenorrheic (n = 8) and OCP (n = 8) female athletes. Basal CRP and iron parameters were included in the analysis. Sample collection occurred following a standardized exercise and nutritional control for 24 h. Eumenorrheic females were tested in the early-follicular and mid-luteal phases, and the OCP users were tested in quasi-follicular and quasi-luteal phases (both active pill periods).
Results:
A main effect for group (p < 0.01) indicated that average CRP concentration was higher in OCP users compared with eumenorrheic females, regardless of the day of measurement within the cycle. Results demonstrate a degree of iron parameters moderation throughout the menstrual cycle that is influenced by basal CRP levels; however, no linear relationship with CRP, serum iron, and ferritin was observed.
Conclusions:
Basal CRP values were consistently higher in the OCP group despite participants being in a rested state. These results may indicate a potential risk of cardiovascular disease in prolonged users of the OCP when compared to eumenorrheic female athletes.
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