Birth Control Pills and Muscle Mass

A new research study found that birth control pills have an impact on lean muscle mass in young women. The study looked at women ages 18 to 31 who were given instructions to eat a high-protein diet and were put on a resistance exercise routine. One group of women took oral contraceptive pills, the other did not. What the study found was that the women who took the pills had less lean muscle gain than the women who did not.

What to keep in mind about this study is that they did not control what the women ate, but just suggested a certain diet. Additionally, although the women on the birth control pills had less lean muscle gain, they had the same increases in strength as the women who weren't taking the pills. Keep in mind that this study only looked at oral contraceptive pills, so it can't be said that the same effect would happen if on another form of hormonal birth control. If your daughter is considering a hormonal form of birth control, take this study into consideration but be aware that more research on this topic is needed.