HOW CAN WE PROTECT PEAK BONE MASS AND FUTURE BONE HEALTH FOR ADOLESCENT WOMEN? -  BY SUPPORTING OVULATION AND AVOIDING COMBINED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION USE

Jerilynn C Prior

doi:10.1590/1984-0462/;2017;35;2;00019

Bone Health · Hormones and Bone

HOW CAN WE PROTECT PEAK BONE MASS AND FUTURE BONE HEALTH FOR ADOLESCENT WOMEN? - BY SUPPORTING OVULATION AND AVOIDING COMBINED HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION USE

Published October 5, 2017 Revista Paulista De Pediatria : Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade De Pediatria De Sao Paulo, 35(2), 121-124

DOI 10.1590/1984-0462/;2017;35;2;00019 PMID 28977329 PMC PMC5496723

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RRM Academy Synopsis

Ovulation Patterns Linked to Bone Health in Teen Girls

This paper reviews studies on ovulation, birth control, and bone growth in teen girls. The review looks at a small study, a pooled analysis, and an unpublished analysis of about 900 girls. Skipped ovulation and combined hormonal birth control both link to smaller bone gains in teens.

Key Findings

A pooled analysis of women from their teens through their 30s linked more ovulation-disturbed cycles to almost 1% more spinal bone loss per year (-0.86%/year, 95% CI -1.68 to -0.04, p=0.04).
In a small study of 13 teen girls, ovulation began at least 10 months after the first period, and its timing tracked with whole-body bone gains.
A pooled analysis of about 900 girls ages 12 to 19 found combined hormonal contraceptive users had greater two-year spinal bone loss than non-users (-0.02 g/cm2, 95% CI -0.03 to -0.01, p=0.0007).
In a trial of women ages 20 to 35 with menstrual cycle disturbances, cyclic progestin therapy raised spinal bone density about 2% a year, versus a 2% yearly loss with placebo.

Interpretation

This is an editorial. The author reviews past research and argues for a view. Her evidence includes one very small study of 13 girls, one pooled analysis, and one analysis not yet reviewed by other scientists. Most studies she cites show a link. They do not prove causation. The only controlled trial used a different drug, studied grown women, and did not test cyclic progesterone or include teens. The author says a trial comparing cyclic progesterone with combined hormonal birth control in teens has not been done yet.

RRM Context

Restorative reproductive medicine treats teen cycle problems, like cramps or heavy flow, as clues to study. Charting a cycle can show if ovulation is happening. This paper says that matters for bone health as well as fertility. The author's caution about combined hormonal birth control in teens fits RRM's habit of looking for the pattern behind a hard cycle. She says the pill covers up the problem and leaves the cause unresolved.

Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.

Abstract not indexed.

Topics

By this author

Luteal Phase · Luteal Phase Deficiency

The influence of the menstrual cycle on muscle injuries - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Guthardt Y et al., 2026 Sci Rep Free full text on PubMed Central

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Baaske AV et al., 2025 Journal of the Endocrine Society Free full text on PubMed Central

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Breast Health · Benign Breast Conditions

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Wood M et al., 2025 Journal of the Endocrine Society Free full text on PubMed Central

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Hormonal Agents · Progesterone and Progestins

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Nelson K et al., 2025 J Endocr Soc Free full text on PubMed Central

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Bone Health › Hormones and Bone › Adolescent Bone Accrual · Menstrual Cycle › Cycle Disorders › Ovulatory Disturbances · Reproductive Endocrinology › Ovulation Physiology › Anovulation

Jerilynn C Prior

J Prior

PMID 28977329 28977329 DOI 10.1590/1984-0462/;2017;35;2;00019 10.1590/1984-0462/;2017;35;2;00019 Prior et al. 2017, Prior 2017

Cite this article

Prior, J. C. (2017). How can we protect peak bone mass and future bone health for adolescent women? - By supporting ovulation and avoiding combined hormonal contraception use. Revista Paulista De Pediatria : Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade De Pediatria De Sao Paulo, 35(2), 121-124. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/;2017;35;2;00019