Birth Control Pills and Sports Performance
Birth control pills or oral contraceptive agents (OCA) are used for contraceptive purposes, menstrual cycle regulation, the treatment of dysmenorrhea and estrogen replacement therapy in patients with amenorrhea. The effects of these pills on the performance of the athlete and health are to be studied to analyze their pros and cons.
Menses – Know the Basics
The completion of a specific cycle of estrogen and progesterone secretion that occurs every 25-35 days are referred to as menses. The duration of the cycle is affected by various factors like physical or emotional stress, nutrition and health condition. An alteration in these conditions affects the hormones, and manifest as irregular periods.
Birth Control Pills - Types
Oral birth control contraceptives fall into three major categories: 1) a combination of estrogen and progesterone, 2) progesterone alone, and 3) emergency contraceptive pills (ECP). ECP is meant for regular use. They are designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse.
Functions of Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills provide a constant supply of estrogen and progesterone in the blood stream which prevents the pulse levels that stimulates the ovulation and thereby preventing pregnancy. They decrease the lining of the uterus, and reduce the effects of dysmenorrhea.
Birth control pills also have the advantages of regulating the menstrual cycle, reducing premenstrual symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, irritability and depression, minimizing the effects of dysmenorrhea and improving bone mineral density.
Side Effects of Birth Control Pills
There are individual differences in the case of the side effects of OCA. Adverse effects include fluid retention and temporary weight gain, mid-cycle bleeding and negative effects on hemostatic mechanisms such as clotting factors and platelets.
Effects of Birth Control Pills on Sports Performance
Any study on the impact of birth control pills on performance should consider metabolic, cardiopulmonary and strength changes with OCA. No significant change in oxygen consumption or cardiac index has been recorded on using birth control pills.
The benefits of oral contraceptives are difficult to quantify. It may contribute positively to the performance as decreased cramping and pain save precious time that can be spent on training. Reduction in bleeding may prevent further depletion of iron stores and fatigue. More over they may boost bone mineral density by supplying estrogen.
Nutrition, emotional and physical stress, and the use of other medications or supplements can determine individual responses to birth control pills. To sum up the benefits seems to outweigh the risks. Proper counseling and medical prescription are required before taking the pills so as to minimize the risk factors.