A NEW study has found that systemic hormonal contraceptive use is associated with a decreased risk of ACL injuries requiring reconstruction in women aged 15 to 35. The research, published in The Colorado Health Data Compass, analysed data from over 14 million women between 2011 and 2024, highlighting a potential protective effect of contraceptive hormones on ligament health.
The study compared females who sustained an ACL injury and underwent reconstruction to those with no history of ACL injuries. Researchers found that women using hormonal contraceptives had a lower ACL injury incidence (0.079%) compared to non-users (0.12%). Those using oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) also had a lower incidence rate (0.088%), with the strongest protective effect observed in progestin-only OCPs (0.03%).
While most age groups saw a significant reduction in ACL injuries with contraceptive use, the 15 to 19-year-old age group showed no difference in ACL injury rates between OCP users and non-users. This suggests that the protective effects of hormonal contraceptives may develop later in life or vary based on hormonal changes with age.
These findings could have major implications for female athletes and active individuals, as ACL injuries are more common in women than men. Further research could help determine whether hormonal contraceptives could be considered as part of injury prevention strategies for women engaged in high-impact sports.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Fry SA et al. Use of Hormonal Contraceptives is Associated with Decreased Incidence of ACL Injuries Requiring Reconstruction in Females. Arthroscopy. 2024;DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2025.02.012.
