RESUMEN
To investigate antioxidant status of women on four different methods of contraception. Sixty non-pregnant women aged 16-45 years on oral contraceptive pills, injectables, Norplant and intra-uterine contraceptive devices [IUD] attending the Family Planning Clinics of the University College Hospital [UCH] and Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan were recruited for the study. Fifty-eight apparently healthy women aged 16-45 years who were not on any contraceptive served as a control group. The body mass index [BMI] of all participants [subjects and controls] was determined following standard protocol. Serum levels of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, malondialdehyde, bilirubin, creatinine, uric acid, total protein and albumin were determined using standard spectrophotometric methods. Progesterone was estimated by the chemilumiscence method while selenium was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry [AAS]. The BMI was significant in women on oral contraceptive pills [OCP] when compared to the control group [P<0.05] but insignificant [P>0.05] in intra-uterine device [IUD], injectables and Norplant users. The mean serum ascorbic acid [P<0.01], tocopherol [P<0.05], total protein [P<0.01], albumin [P<0.05], uric acid [P<0.05], selenium [P<0.01] of women on OCP were significantly lower when compared to the control group but insignificant [P>0.05] in users of other contraceptive methods. Serum levels of malondialdehyde was significantly elevated in women on OCP [P<0.01] than in control group and insignificant P>0.05] in users of other contraceptive methods. There was no significant association between progesterone and antioxidants in women on OCP, IUD, injectables and Norplant. Oral contraceptive pills showed a significant decreasing effect on the antioxidant status of its users while IUD, injectables and Norplant did not indicate any significant effect. Routine monitoring of the antioxidant status of women on different methods of contraceptive particularly those on OCP is recommended