ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of a monophasic oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 150 microg desogestrel (Mercilon) on lipid metabolism in Thai women. METHOD: The study was carried out at the Family Planning Clinic of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Twenty women of fertile age were enrolled and treated with the study oral contraceptives for 12 cycles. Lipid parameters were assessed before treatment and periodically during treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in triglyceride, high desity lipoprotein-cholesterol, apolipoproteins AI and AII. No significant changes were found in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. CONCLUSION: The effects of the oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 150 microg desogestrel on lipid parameters in Thai women appear to be favorably beneficial.