Completed

OC-RInfluence of Oral Contraceptive Use on Recovery in Trained Women

What is being tested

Training

Procedure

Who is being recruted

From 18 to 30 Years

+13 Eligibility Criteria

See all eligibility criteria

How is the trial designed

Basic Science Study

Interventional

Study Start: October 2020

See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorUniversity of Aarhus

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: October 19, 2020

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

There is still no one who has studied how oral contraceptive use affects recovery in trained women after repeated high-intensity workouts. Consequently, a well-controlled study is needed. The project is designed as a controlled cohort study, where 20 oral contraceptive users will be compared with 20 non-users. After initial preliminary examination and habituation to the test procedures, the subjects will start the intervention in week 2 of their menstrual cycle / active contraceptive pill cycle. Before and 3h, 24h and 48h after 3 intense strength training sessions performed 2 days in a row, blood samples will be taken, muscle soreness measured and performance tests performed. The day before the first training session and over the 4 trial days, the subjects will receive a standardized diet.

Official TitleInfluence of Oral Contraceptive Use on Recovery in Trained Women

NCT04564300

Principal SponsorUniversity of Aarhus

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

Design Details

40 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Basic Science Study

Basic science studies help researchers understand how the body works or how a disease develops. They don't test treatments, but they build the foundation for future therapies.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Criteria

Female

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

From 18 to 30 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Criteria

2 inclusion criteria required to participate

BMI 18.5-30

Regular training minimum. 4 times a week (1≤ times strength training, 1≤ times endurance training / interval training or interval-based sports. If the interest in participation is greater than necessary, we will prioritize people who perform strength training at least twice a week)

11 exclusion criteria prevent from participating

Irregular menstruation over the last 6 months (shorter than 24 days or longer than 35 days cycle)

Used birth control pills for less than 6 months

Non-birth control pill users must not have used birth control pills, IUDs, birth control pills, or mini- pills for a maximum of 1 month during the last 6 months and not within the last 3 months up to the trial. .

Injuries / pain in the lower body, which prevents participation in intense strength training

Show More Criteria

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.

Treatment Groups

Study Objectives

2 intervention groups are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group

Treatment Groups

Group I

Active Comparator

Group II

Experimental

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Suspended

Aarhus University, Department for Public Health, Section for Sport Science

Aarhus, DenmarkOpen Aarhus University, Department for Public Health, Section for Sport Science in Google Maps

CompletedOne Study Center