• Oral Contraceptive Use and Bone Density in Young Women

Oral Contraceptive Use and Bone Density in Young Women

Susan D Reed, MD, MPH

Osteoporosis and related fractures are growing public health problems in the US, with substantial associated morbidity, mortality and costs. Annual costs of osteoporosis care now approach $14 billion, and incidence is expected to triple by the year 2040. Hormones exert a profound effect on bone density, particularly from puberty onward.

The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of current oral contraceptive use on the skeletal health of young women who are acquiring bone. Specifically, we propose a prospective evaluation of bone density among adolescent and young adult women in a defined population of HMO enrollees for up to three years.

Funding Source: NICHD
Contact: Susan D Reed, MD, MPH, (206) 744-4292
Ends 3/31/09

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