---
title: Does the birth control pill help female athletes manage PMS and other health issues?
description: The birth control pill may help athletes control PMS symptoms and menstrual bleeding and may improve athletic performance. Effects on bone health and injury p
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-oral-contraceptive-pill-a-revolution-for-sportswomen-1999/
---

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- Does the birth control pill help female athletes manage PMS and other health issues?

Review, 1999

# Does the birth control pill help female athletes manage PMS and other health issues?

The birth control pill may help athletes control PMS symptoms and menstrual bleeding and may improve athletic performance. Effects on bone health and injury prevention are unclear, and individual responses vary.

 Early or limited evidence

Female athletes

## What they did

Literature review examining studies on the pill's effects on bone health, soft tissue injury, performance, and menstrual symptoms in female athletes.

## What they found

Female athletes use the pill mainly for contraception, with secondary benefits of cycle control and PMS reduction. Effects on bone density are mixed across studies. The pill may reduce PMS symptoms and menstrual bleeding and may enhance athletic performance. Weight gain concerns with modern lower-dose pills are not well supported by research.

## What it means for you

The birth control pill may be beneficial for managing PMS in female athletes, though results vary across studies and individual women respond differently. Overall benefits appear to outweigh disadvantages, but women should be counseled about individual responses.

## About the study

Original title The oral contraceptive pill: a revolution for sportswomen? Authors Bennell K, White S, Crossley K Journal British journal of sports medicine Year 1999 Study design Review What was tested Oral contraceptive pill Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.33.4.231](https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.33.4.231)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Does matching your running training to your menstrual cycle phase improve performance, recovery and wellbeing?

Systematic review, 2023

How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes?

Case-control study, 2014

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Survey study, 2026

Does stress affect premenstrual symptoms in female athletes, and can coping strategies help?

Cohort study, 2026

Does a birth control pill with estetrol and drospirenone help PMS?

Survey study, 2025

Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls?

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