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. 2016 Jun 1;16(2):92-104.

The effect of female sex hormone supplementation on tendon in pre and postmenopausal women: A systematic review

C Ganderton  1 , A Semciw, J Cook, T Pizzari
Affiliations

The effect of female sex hormone supplementation on tendon in pre and postmenopausal women: A systematic review

C Ganderton et al. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. .

Abstract

Objectives: Oestrogen deprivation has been shown to have a negative effect on connective tissue and its turnover. A link may exist between supplemental oestrogen, preservation of tendon collagen and less tendon abnormality. The aim was to determine the effects of female sex hormone supplementation (FSHS) on tendon.

Methods: A systematic search of nine key health databases; Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, AUSPORT and AMI, Cochrane Library, SafetyLit and PEDro was completed (to Feb 24, 2016). The search yielded 6378 records using terms relating to hormone (oestrogen, estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, HRT, estrogen therapy, oestrogen therapy, oral contraceptive pill) and tendon. Quality assessment, data extraction and data synthesis of included papers was undertaken.

Results: Low level of evidence for all outcomes; no positive or negative link between FSHS and molecular, mechanical and morphological tendon response outcomes, and the addition of exercise to FSHS, had minimal effects on tendon CSA.

Conclusions: The effect of oestrogen supplementation on tendon is contradictory and inconsistent. This review suggests there is a need for further studies to understand the effects of FSHS on tendon tissue at a mechanical, morphological and molecular level.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest. Professor Cook was supported by the Australian centre for research into sports injury and its prevention, which is one of the International Research Centres for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Professor Cook is a NHMRC practitioner fellow (ID 1058493).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of the studies included in the review.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Molecular Response of tendon in pre and post-menopausal women.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mechanical Response of tendon in pre and post-menopausal women.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Morphological response of tendon in pre and post-menopausal women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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