Effect of combined oral contraceptives on bone mineral density in pre and postmenopausal women.

A retrospective urban-based cross-sectional study was done in the department of Pharmacology in collaboration with the department of Obs and Gynae of BSSMU, Dhaka, to define any relation between the OCP and BMD in pre and postmenopausal women. A total of 100 closely matched healthy women were selected non-randomly. The age range was 35-55 years. Among them 50 were controls or nonuser and 50 were case or users of OCP. They were further subdivided into pre and postmenopausal groups. Bone density of the 100 women was measured in distal radius and ulna by single photon Absorptiometry Bone Densitometer DTX-100. Statistically significant higher bone mineral density (BMD) was found in oral combined OCP users than non-users, both in pre and postmenopausal women. It can be concluded from this study that the most important non-contraceptive benefit of OCP may be positive effects on bone mass and thus reduced risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteroporotic fracture.