Influences of Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives on Iron Status and Physiological Responses to Extreme Environments in Women

Exclusion Criteria

• •• Females who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant during the study, or breastfeeding.
• •* Taking prescription, over the counter medication, or dietary supplements, other than a contraceptive (unless approved by OMSO and Principal Investigator (PI))
• •* Tobacco or nicotine users, or anyone who has used tobacco or nicotine within the last four months
• •* Physical problems/injuries (e.g., current stress fractures, musculoskeletal strains) that would affect walking or running on a treadmill
• •* Allergy to skin adhesive
• •* Heart, lung, kidney, muscle, endocrine, or nerve disorder(s) as determined by OMSO
• •* History of heat intolerance or orthostatic intolerance
• •* Diagnosed and/or treated for fluid/electrolyte imbalance within the last 30 days
• •* History of obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract including (but not limited to) diverticulosis, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis.
• •* Scheduled MRI within 2 weeks after completing a heat or cold test
• •* Actively dieting with the intent to lose weight
• •* History of cold injuries of any severity (e.g., frostbite, trench foot, chilblains).
• •* Raynaud's syndrome
• •* Cold-induced asthma/bronchospasm
• •* Not willing to have small areas of skin on the body shaved (if deemed necessary for attachment of study instrumentation)
• •* Born at altitudes greater than 2,100 m (7,000 ft) (e.g., Mexico City, Mexico)
• •* Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m (4,000 ft) (e.g., Colorado Springs, CO) or have traveled to areas that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within the last 2 months
• •* Prior diagnosis of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
• •* Abnormal blood count in accordance with OMSO - Normal Hb women: 11.1-15.9 g·dL-1 or Normal Hct women: 34.0-48%, or presence of abnormal blood chemicals (hemoglobin S or Sickle Cell Trait)
• •* History of pneumothorax
• •* History of hypertension
• •* Blood donation within 8 weeks of beginning the study
• •* Any recent (within 4-6 weeks) and or expected history of prolonged periods of immobility or limited activity (including recent or upcoming surgery)
• •* Evidence of apnea or sleeping disorder (narcolepsy, insomnia, etc.)