Bone impact after two years of low-dose oral contraceptive use during adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: Data regarding the use and effect of hormonal contraceptives on bone mass acquisition during adolescence are contradictory. The present study was designed to evaluate bone metabolism in two groups of healthy adolescents using combined oral contraceptives (COC). METHODS: A total of 168 adolescents were recruited from 2014 to 2020 in a non-randomized clinical trial and divided into three groups. The COC1 group used 20 µg Ethinylestradiol (EE)/150 µg Desogestrel and the COC2 group used 30 µg EE/3 mg Drospirenone over a period of two years. These groups were compared to a control group of adolescent non-COC users. The adolescents were submitted to bone densitometry by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and measurement of bone biomarkers, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and osteocalcin (OC) at baseline and 24 months after inclusion in the study. The three groups studied were compared at the different time points by ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Incorporation of bone mass was greater in non-users at all sites analyzed (4.85 g in lumbar Bone mineral content (BMC)) when compared to adolescents of the COC1 and COC2 groups, with a respective increase of 2.15 g and loss of 0.43g in lumbar BMC (P = 0.001). When comparing subtotal BMC, the control increased 100.83 g, COC 1 increased 21.46 g, and COC 2 presented a reduction of 1.47 g (P = 0.005). The values of bone markers after 24 months are similar for BAP, being 30.51 U/L (± 11.6) for the control group, 34.95 U/L (± 10.8) for COC1, and 30.29 U/L for COC 2 (± 11.5) (P = 0.377). However, when we analyzed OC, we observed for control, COC 1, and COC 2 groups, respectively, 13.59 ng/mL (± 7.3), 6.44 ng/mL (± 4.6), and 9.48 ng/mL (± 5.9), with P = 0.003. Despite loss to follow-up occurring in the three groups, there were no significant differences between the variables in adolescents at baseline who remained in the study during the 24-month follow-up and those who were excluded or lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Bone mass acquisition was compromised in healthy adolescents using combined hormonal contraceptives when compared to controls. This negative impact seems to be more pronounced in the group that used contraceptives containing 30 µg EE. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br, RBR-5h9b3c. "Low-dose combined oral contraceptive use is associated with lower bone mass in adolescents".

Effect of two combinations of low-dose oral contraceptives on adolescent bone mass: A clinical trial with 2 years follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Most contraceptive combinations can interfere with the processes of bone formation and resorption. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2 combinations of low-dose oral hormonal contraceptives (20 µg ethinyl estradiol [EE]/150 mg desogestrel [COC1] or 30 µg EE/3 mg drospirenone [COC2]) on bone mass acquisition in adolescents over 2 years by means of bone densitometry and measurement of biomarkers of bone remodeling. METHODS: Parallel-group, non-randomized controlled clinical trial of 127 adolescents divided into a control group and 2 groups receiving either COC1 or COC2. The participants were submitted to anthropometric assessment and evaluation of secondary sexual characteristics (Tanner criteria) and bone age. Bone densitometry by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and measurement of bone biomarkers (bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and C-terminal telopeptide) were performed at baseline and after 24 months. RESULTS: No significant differences in the variables analyzed were observed between COC1 or COC2 users and the control group at baseline. After 24 months, non-users had incorporated more bone mass (content and density) than either group of contraceptive users. This negative impact was more pronounced in the COC2 group than in the COC1 group. A significant reduction in the percentage values of bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin was observed in users of oral contraceptives. CONCLUSION: Bone mass acquisition was compromised in adolescent users of combined hormonal contraceptives. The negative impact was more pronounced in adolescents using contraceptives that contain 30 µg EE/3 mg drospirenone.