YOUNG-WOMEN Messages for March, 2001: Re: Birth control for college athletes

Re: Birth control for college athletes

From: William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 24 Mar 2001 15:42:12 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Melissa: "Birth control for college athletes"

At Sat, 24 Mar 2001, Melissa wrote: >
>I would like advice about going on birth control. Firstly I'd like to
>say that even if I went on bith control I would still use condoms and
>spremicide in addition and I am only having sex in a monogomous
>relationship with my boyfriend. Even though we have been using condoms
>and spermicide I feel that the pill would give me a sense of security
>since I do not plan on having a child in either college or medical
>school. I do have fears about introducing hormones into my body because
>of breast cancer side effects (significant family history), and because
>I am afraid of side effects it might have on my athletic performance. I
>am a varsity athlete in track and field for shot put, javelin and discus
>and my trainig rests on my ability to build and maintain muscle. Would
>the pill affect my weightlifting regimen or other athletic performance?
>I have read articles in the archives about estrogen use being helpful
>for very thin athletes and bone density but neither of these are my
>problems. I have always had regular(though often painful without
>anaprox) peridods since the age of 12. Since my periods have always
>been regular is there any chance that going on the pill could make me
>irregular? Thank you very much!

Melissa

You are right, the pill is recommended for amenorrheic (without periods) athletes due to bone loss. I do not see it as an advantage to your health from this point of view, but it will not interfere with your training, it will help your dysmenorrhea (painful menses), and you can even use it to regulate your menses during track meets, etc. I have not read any good articles that have proved to me that it increases your risk for breast cancer. Good Luck

--
William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG
Editorial Advisor-Pregnancy and Birth
Private Practice
New Orleans, La.

*Please understand I can not respond to private emails.

*These comments are for educational purposes only.  They are
not meant to take the place of an examination by a qualified
health care provider.  They are not intended to be the start
of a physician-patient relationship.

Next message: dez: "awaiting answer to question"
Previous message: William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG: "Re: what are the chances?"
In reply to: Melissa: "Birth control for college athletes"

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