More articles from Volume 17, Issue 2, 2025
Sport-specific patterns of vascular compression in athletes with entrapment syndrome: A comparative analysis of endurance versus non-endurance athletes
Effectiveness of pilates exercise on quality of life in older adult women: A scoping review
Influence of sociodemographic variables on patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options for Parkinson's disease
Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on recovery from fatiguing exercise
The impact of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy
The impact of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy
,
Nevena Markov
Contact Nevena Markov
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska , Izola , Slovenia
Matevž Arčon
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska , Izola , Slovenia
Editor: Danilo Radanović
Published: 18.07.2025.
Volume 17, Issue 2 (2025)
pp. 65-79;
Abstract
Female reproductive hormones such as progesterone and estrogen play an important role in the body as they orchestrate functions of numerous cells including skeletal muscle cells. Onset of menses marks the beginning of reproductive life, whereas menopause marks its cessation. We distinguish three phases of the 28-day menstrual cycle namely follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases. The follicular phase is characterised by marked increases in estrogen, which triggers ovulation. During this phase, estrogen peaks, whereas progesterone levels are low. Following ovulation, the luteal phase commences marked by high progesterone levels and reduced estrogen. Indeed, these periodic fluctuations in reproductive hormones may affect rates of muscle protein synthesis and hence hinder sought adaptations such as skeletal muscle hypertrophy in female athletes. With the introduction of hormonal contraceptives, female athletes were able to have ameliorate the negative effects of the menstrual cycle by reducing menstrual cramping and bleeding. Hormonal contraceptives are constituted of a single or multiple synthetic hormones namely estrogen and progestin. Nevertheless, the impact of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy remains elusive. In this review, we aim to present the potential implications of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy.
Keywords
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