Menstrual cycle hormones and oral contraceptives : a multimethod systems physiology-based review of their impact on key aspects of female physiology
Journal article
D'Souza, Alysha C., Wageh, Mai, Williams, Jennifer S., Colenso-Semple, Lauren M., McCarthy, Devin G., McKay, Alannah Kelli Anique, Elliott-Sale, Kirsty J, Burke, Louise Mary, Parise, Gianni, Macdonald, Maureen, Tarnopolsky, Mark and Phillips, Stuart. (2023). Menstrual cycle hormones and oral contraceptives : a multimethod systems physiology-based review of their impact on key aspects of female physiology. Journal of Applied Physiology. 135(6), pp. 1284-1299. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00346.2023
Authors | D'Souza, Alysha C., Wageh, Mai, Williams, Jennifer S., Colenso-Semple, Lauren M., McCarthy, Devin G., McKay, Alannah Kelli Anique, Elliott-Sale, Kirsty J, Burke, Louise Mary, Parise, Gianni, Macdonald, Maureen, Tarnopolsky, Mark and Phillips, Stuart |
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Abstract | Hormonal changes around ovulation divide the menstrual cycle (MC) into the follicular and luteal phases. In addition, oral contraceptives (OCs) have active (higher hormone) and placebo phases. Although there are some MC-based effects on various physiological outcomes, we found these differences relatively subtle and difficult to attribute to specific hormones, as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate rather than operating in a complete on/off pattern as observed in cellular or preclinical models often used to substantiate human data. A broad review reveals that the differences between the follicular and luteal phases and between OC active and placebo phases are not associated with marked differences in exercise performance and appear unlikely to influence muscular hypertrophy in response to resistance exercise training. A systematic review and meta-analysis of substrate oxidation between MC phases revealed no difference between phases in the relative carbohydrate and fat oxidation at rest and during acute aerobic exercise. Vascular differences between MC phases are also relatively small or nonexistent. Although OCs can vary in composition and androgenicity, we acknowledge that much more work remains to be done in this area; however, based on what little evidence is currently available, we do not find compelling support for the notion that OC use significantly influences exercise performance, substrate oxidation, or hypertrophy. It is important to note that the study of females requires better methodological control in many areas. Previous studies lacking such rigor have contributed to premature or incorrect conclusions regarding the effects of the MC and systemic hormones on outcomes. While we acknowledge that the evidence in certain research areas is limited, the consensus view is that the impact of the MC and OC use on various aspects of physiology is small or nonexistent. |
Keywords | endocrinology; exercise; female; human; menstrual cycle |
Year | 01 Jan 2023 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physiology |
Journal citation | 135 (6), pp. 1284-1299 |
Publisher | American Physiological Society |
ISSN | 8750-7587 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00346.2023 |
Web address (URL) | https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00346.2023 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1284-1299 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 01 Dec 2023 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 10 Oct 2023 |
Deposited | 27 Mar 2024 |
Additional information | Copyright © 2023 The Authors. |
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution CC-BY 4.0. Published by the American Physiological Society. | |
Place of publication | United States |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/904x2/menstrual-cycle-hormones-and-oral-contraceptives-a-multimethod-systems-physiology-based-review-of-their-impact-on-key-aspects-of-female-physiology
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Publisher's version
OA_McKay_2023_Menstrual_cycle_hormones_and_oral_contraceptives.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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