Open AccessOral contraceptive tablets containing 20 and 30 μg of ethinyl estradiol with 150 μg desogestrel: Their influence on lipids, lipoproteins, sex hormone binding globulin and testosterone
Author(s) -
Åkerlund Mats,
Almström Elisabeth,
Högstedt Stellan,
Nabrink Margareta
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349409013416
Subject(s) - desogestrel , sex hormone binding globulin , medicine , endocrinology , apolipoprotein b , testosterone (patch) , pill , cholesterol , ethinylestradiol , globulin , lipoprotein , population , hormone , androgen , pharmacology , family planning , research methodology , environmental health
The effect of two oral contraceptive (OC) pills, both containing 150 μg of desogestrel, but with 20 (Mercilon®) or 30 μg (Marvelon®/Desolett®) of ethinyl estradiol on plasma levels of lipids, lipoproteins and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total and free testosterone were compared in a double‐blind, randomized, two‐center study in a total of 60 women over one year. A significant rise with Marvelon® but not with Mercilon® was seen in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, HDL‐3 and apolipoprotein B, whereas LDL cholesterol decreased with Mercilon® only. These effects resulted in significant differences between the two groups in the magnitude of responses in all these parameters except HDL‐3. HDL‐2, apolipoprotein A‐1 and total phospholipids were elevated with both pills after treatment and with no difference in the degree of response between groups. The HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio tended to increase in both groups and that of apolipoproteins A‐1/B in the women on Mercilon®. Total triglycerides increased in both groups, but more in the women on Marvelon®. Total testosterone decreased, particularly in the Marvelon® group, whereas the two pills caused a similar increase in SHBG and decrease in free testosterone. It is concluded that the direction of changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins with both these pills may as a whole be interpreted as beneficial, and that the differences in effect on LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B may suggest a slightly advantageous effect of Mercilon® in this aspect. However, the clinical significance of these changes is uncertain. The results indicate a lack of androgenicity of both pills.