Arterial Stiffness and Hemodynamics in Young Women: The Effects of Oral Contraceptive Intake and Physical Habits

Carina Enea, Pernelle Laffetas, Aurélien Pichon and Nathalie Delpech
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Carina Enea: Laboratoire MOVE (EA6314), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, 8 Allée Jean Monnet—TSA 31113, 86073 Poitiers CEDEX 9, France
Pernelle Laffetas: Laboratoire MOVE (EA6314), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, 8 Allée Jean Monnet—TSA 31113, 86073 Poitiers CEDEX 9, France
Aurélien Pichon: Laboratoire MOVE (EA6314), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, 8 Allée Jean Monnet—TSA 31113, 86073 Poitiers CEDEX 9, France
Nathalie Delpech: Laboratoire MOVE (EA6314), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, 8 Allée Jean Monnet—TSA 31113, 86073 Poitiers CEDEX 9, France

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Oral contraceptive (OC) intake seems to be associated with increased central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness. Conversely, physical activity (PA) is known to induce benefits on vascular structure and function, suggesting that the negative effects of the OC pill could be counterbalanced by regular PA. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine (1) whether OC intake in young women is associated with higher values of hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness and (2) whether these negative effects could be counterbalanced by regular physical activity. Forty-nine young healthy women (21.9 years ± 2.1) were recruited and divided into 4 groups, depending on their hormonal status (OC users: OC+ or non-OC users: OC?) and their physical habits (active/inactive). Assessments of central hemodynamics (central blood pressure, Aix75) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were performed using applanation tonometry. cBP was higher in OC+ vs. OC?, while PWV was similar between these two groups. No interaction between physical activity and hormonal status was observed for any of these variables. Nevertheless, PWV was lower in young active women compared with age-matched inactive women, suggesting that the positive effect of regular physical exercise on the cardiovascular system is already visible in the first years of women’s adulthood, whatever the hormonal status.

Keywords: arterial stiffness; oral contraceptive pill; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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