Bone mineral density in postmenopausal women as determined by prior oral contraceptive use.

The long-term consequences of prior oral contraceptive use for bone mineral density were examined in 239 postmenopausal women, 35.1% of whom reported prior oral contraceptive use. Women who had used oral contraceptives for 6 or more years had significantly higher bone densities of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, but not of the ultradistal wrist or radius, than women who never used oral contraceptives.