Tendon Injury Is Associated With Sex Hormone Therapy in the Active-Duty Population.

Our results demonstrate that estrogen contraceptive therapy minimally increases the time to connective tissue injury in female active-duty service members, while androgen therapy in male active-duty service members increased the risk of connective tissue injury by up to 200%.

An anonymous survey of U. S. Army Rangers revealed that approximately 1/4 used an illegal steroid or other performance-enhancing drug (performance-enhancing drug).

While we could not capture the effects of performance-enhancing drug, our study provides evidence that individuals using any androgens are at higher risk for connective tissue injury.