Oral ethinyl estradiol treatment in women with cystic fibrosis is associated with lower bone mineral density

Use of estrogen supplementation is associated with higher quality of life scores in women with cystic fibrosis

“…Previous studies of the role of estrogen supplementation for women with CF have focused on outcomes of inflammation [9] , [17] , [18] , [19] , pulmonary function [18] , [19] , nutrition [19] , and bone mineral density [20] , [21] . Oral contraceptive use by women with CF has been associated with decreased frequency of acute pulmonary exacerbations, decreased bone mineral density, similar declines in FEV1 and similar BMI compared to women with CF not using oral contraception [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] .…”

“…Previous studies of the role of estrogen supplementation for women with CF have focused on outcomes of inflammation [9] , [17] , [18] , [19] , pulmonary function [18] , [19] , nutrition [19] , and bone mineral density [20] , [21] . Oral contraceptive use by women with CF has been associated with decreased frequency of acute pulmonary exacerbations, decreased bone mineral density, similar declines in FEV1 and similar BMI compared to women with CF not using oral contraception [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] . Most previous studies in women with CF have analyzed the use of contraceptive products and have not necessarily distinguished different formulations and routes of estrogen or combination estrogen and progesterone from progesterone only; previous studies on participants using contraception may have included progesterone-only contraception users in the analysis.…”

Association of Short-Term Changes in Menstrual Frequency, Medication Use, Weight and Exercise on Bone Mineral Density in College-Aged Women

“…These participants had lower BMD compared to controls but had higher BMD than other anorexia nervosa patients who were not taking oral contraceptives [ 41 , 42 ]. Other studies have suggested that the amount of ethinyl estradiol may alter the consequence on BMD [ 43 ]. Very low doses of estrogen were associated with lower BMD compared to low doses or no supplementation [ 17 , 44 ] Thus, the effect of oral contraceptives on BMD may be influenced by one’s eating disorder status and dose of ethinyl estradiol.…”

Relationship Between Estrogen Treatment and Skeletal Health in Women With Cystic Fibrosis

“…A cross-sectional study conducted at our center found an estrogen prescription rate of 24.5%. 18 A study of 42 women with CF in the UK found that 60% had at any time used a combined oral contraceptive; however, only 16.7% of participants were using combined oral contraceptive at the time of the survey. 19 These low prescription rates highlight the need to screen and treat CF-related hypogonadism.…”