The Influence of Oral Contraceptives During Disuse

Studies across various sports and physical activities have consistently shown that females are at greater risk than their male counterparts for musculoskeletal injuries. We are doing this study to see if there may be a link between sex hormones and injury risk and if the immobilization of your wrist joint affects your muscle strength. We will compare your results with other participants to see if the changes in muscle strength are linked to differences in gender and sex related hormones. We will compare results from men, women on oral contraceptives, and women who are not taking oral contraceptives.

Inclusion Qualifications:

Right-handed
Age between 18-35 years
Males
Females that have consistently used monophasic oral contraceptives for the previous 6 months
Females that have not used any form of contraceptives for the previous 6 months

Exclusion Qualifications:

You may not participate in this research opportunity if any of the following applies to you:

Gender identity inconsistent with biological sex (due to the influence that drugs used for gender reassignment may have)
Females that are amenorrheic (lack of menstruation for ≥3 consecutive cycles) or oligomenorrheic (menstrual cycle length ≤36 days)
Menstrual cycle irregularities among females not using OCs (regularity defined as every 21 to 35 days and/or at least 5 periods in the last six months)
Any contraceptive use other than monophasic OC within the last 6 months
Monophasic OC that has been inconsistent over the previous 6 months
Score of >2/5 on question 9, or a score of >1/5 on question 10 or 11 on the quick DASH outcome measure indicating pain/discomfort of the upper extremities (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand)
Dominant hand is the left hand
Body Mass Index < 18.5 kg/m²or > 29.9 kg/m²
Current depression or anxiety
History of musculoskeletal injury, pain, or surgery of the elbow, wrist, or hand
Unwillingness to avoid upper-body exercise during Phase 1
Unwillingness to avoid exercise and alcohol 24 hours prior to each testing visit.
Neuromuscular disease (e.g., MS, ALS, Parkinson’s)
Metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disorder, metabolic syndrome)
Personal or family history of blood clots
Trouble using or controlling one’s muscles
History of cancer
History of stroke
History of heart attack
History of arthritis
Allergy to rubbing alcohol
Lack of transportation to and from the laboratory
Current or planned pregnancy (within the next three months)
Implant of any kind
The use of medications that may increase the risk of blood clots (i.e., corticosteroids such as prednisone, testosterone and anabolic steroids, selective estrogen receptor modulators like tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors including anastrozole, thalidomide and lenalidomide, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents such as epoetin alfa, antipsychotics like chlorpromazine, antidepressants including paroxetine, various cancer chemotherapies, immune modulating drugs, antivirals such as ritonavir, and tamoxifen).
The use of creatine monohydrate and beta alanine supplementation within the previous 6 months.
The use of any medication or supplement that could influence hormone levels within the previous 6 months.

Participate in this Research

Submitting this form will put you in contact with the main point of contact for this project. They will provide more information and determine if you meet all of the qualifications needed.

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