Faculty Sponsor

Jana Stedman

College

College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)

Department/Program

Physician Assistant Program

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-22-2026

Abstract

a)     Objective: The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives on ligamentous injuries in female athletes, and if treatment/counseling should be tailored accordingly.

b)     Methods: A literature search for this narrative review was conducted using UpToDate, Google Scholar, and the Christopher Center library databases. Search terms included OCPs, ligament injuries, female athletes, menstruation, menstrual cycle, and follicular phase. English-language studies published from 2017 onward examining soft tissue or musculoskeletal injuries in female athletes of reproductive age were included. Relevant articles were identified with ligamentous, soft tissue, and MSK injuries as the primary outcomes of interest.

c)     Results: After reviewing the current evidence on OCP use and ACL injuries, it was found that oral contraceptives play a protective role on ACL injuries likely due to OCP’s affect on lowering the estrogen spike during menstrual cycle.  Soft tissue injuries including ACL tears were more likely to occur in the follicular phase partly due to the peak in estrogen, however, the specific effects on the body are still unknown.

d)     Conclusion: There is some evidence that ACL injuries are greater in the follicular phase, but the literature is contradictory. There is evidence that OCPs play a protective role in ACL injuries. Therefore, female athletes should be counseled on OCP’s protective factor and that training modifications during their follicular phase can be helpful, but is not evidence-based.

e) Keywords: ligamentous injuries, OCP, menstrual cycle, female athletes

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Kaitlyn has an interest in emergency and family medicine. She will be presenting on “The relationship between oral contraceptives and soft tissue injuries in women: Tailoring reproductive care for female athletes" because she has a special interest in sports medicine as it correlates to women's health. She hopes that this topic can shed light on the shared decision making between patient and provider when it comes to female athletes and their reproductive health. 

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