Influence of oral contraceptive use on pain perception and blood pressure.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of oral contraceptive (OC) use on pain perception and blood pressure. Thirty women (15 using OC and 15 normally menstruating) reported to the laboratory once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed, and then pressure was applied to the left forefinger for 2 minutes with the Forgione-Barber pain stimulator while participants indicated when the stimulus became painful (PT) and rated the intensity of pain (PR). Data were analyzed with a 2 (group) x 4 (trials) ANOVA. Results indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) for PT or PR between the two groups of women across the 4 weeks. There was a significant trials effect for systolic blood pressure (SBP; P < 0.05), with SBP being higher premenstrually and menstrually compared with postmenstrually in both groups of women. It is concluded that OC use did not significantly influence pain perception or blood pressure.