Oral hormonal contraception (OHC) is widely used among women, including athletes, yet its effects on skeletal muscle hypertrophy remain unclear. We conducted a review of literature to examine how OHC use influences skeletal muscle growth in women. The focus was on changes in muscle protein synthesis and degradation, cross-sectional area of muscles and fibres, and lean body mass. Nine studies involving healthy women were included, reporting either comparisons between OHC users and non-users or effects during different phases of OHC. The evidence suggests that OHC’s impact on muscle hypertrophy is inconsistent. Effects appear to depend on hormone type and dose, as well as training status. Some studies report inhibitory effects, while others show similar or even enhanced adaptations compared to controls. Methodological heterogeneity and short intervention durations limit conclusions. Long-term studies with larger sample sizes and standardized training protocols are needed to better understand the effects of OHC on skeletal muscle hypertrophy.
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