Effects of long-term gestodene-containing oral contraceptives administration on hemostasis

Article Abstract:

Women who take oral contraceptives (OC) are at risk for blood clot formation (thrombosis). It is thought that the hormones in the oral contraceptive formulas affect components of the blood clotting cascade, which triggers the formation of blood clots. These blood clots can block blood vessels anywhere in the body. Newer low-dose oral contraceptive formulas have decreased the risk of thrombotic events. Fibrin, the basic protein component of blood clots, can be regulated by inhibiting the formation of the clot with inhibitors or removing the fibrin from the clot. The activation of fibrinopeptide A and factor VII, agents that activate the blood clotting process, and antithrombin III and protein C, inhibitors of the clotting process, were assessed in women receiving low-dose oral contraceptives. The women were given either a monophasic OC (15 women), a pill containing the same amount of estrogen and progesterone (30 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and 75 micrograms of gestodene) throughout the cycle, or a triphasic OC (15 women), which delivers a different combination of hormones each week over a three-week cycle. There were no changes in the activity of platelets, cells that clump and secrete factors during clotting. There was an increase in the level of factor VII and fibrinopeptide A after three cycles (three months). Antithrombin III activity increased slightly during treatment with the triphasic pills. There was no change in protein C concentration. Six and nine months later, factor VII was still high, whereas fibrinopeptide A was significantly lower. It is concluded that factors that inhibit thrombosis offset the initial tendency to clot during oral contraceptive treatments, which helps to minimize the long-term effects of hormone administration. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Blood coagulation factors, Thrombosis, Hemostasis

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Ovarian activity in women taking an oral contraceptive containing 20 micrograms ethinyl estradiol and 150 micrograms desogestrel: effects of low estrogen doses during the hormone-free interval

Article Abstract:

The oral contraceptive Mircette effectively suppresses ovulation longer than some other contraceptives while minimizing exposure to estrogen. Mircette includes 5 days of low-dose estrogen during the traditional 7-day hormone-free period. This effectively reduces the hormone-free period. Researchers used ultrasound scans to detect the formation of ovarian follicles in women taking Mircette who received a placebo during the 7 hormone-free days or low-dose estrogen for 5 of those days. The women who received a placebo had a higher rate of follicle formation, which is a precursor of ovulation, as well as bigger follicles.

Ovulation, Mircette (Contraceptive)

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