Oral contraceptives do not affect BP of young women during exercise: Study by IIT-M, Univ of Minnesota

CHENNAI: Researchers from IIT Madras and University of Minnesota, USA, have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the impact of oral contraceptives on blood pressure in young women who engage in dynamic exercises.

According to IIT-M, a recent study published in the American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology has found that oral contraceptive and natural fluctuations in ovarian hormones do not influence blood BP while doing lower body exercise.

The research team, comprising experts from both institutes, investigated the effects of oral contraceptives on the Exercise Pressor Reflex (EPR), a phenomenon where exercise increases BP due to increased sympathetic nerve activity. “Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are widely used by women to prevent pregnancy, reduce acne, menstrual cramps, and risk of ovarian cysts. Our study aimed to understand how these affect BP during exercise,” said Ninitha AJ, assistant professor, IIT-M, and a key member of the research team.

The findings assume significance in light of a previous study by Martin and colleagues, which revealed that around 70% of female athletes have taken oral contraceptives at some point in their career.

Manda Keller Ross, assistant professor, University of Minnesota, USA, and co-author of the study, emphasised, “Despite the widespread use of oral contraceptives, we’ve limited information on how they impact BP responses in women across their lifespan. Our next step will be to investigate if the EPR contributes to cardiovascular risk in menopausal women.”

The EPR is a critical mechanism that increases blood flow from the heart to skeletal muscle during exercise. While EPR is known to be greater in men compared to premenopausal women, it’s also exaggerated in individuals with cardiovascular disease.

The study’s outcomes provide insights into the relationship between oral contraceptives, exercise, and BP, enabling further research on cardiovascular health in women.