Effect of hormonal contraceptives on serum lipids: a prospective study

ABSTRACT

To estimate the effects of using hormonal contraceptives on serum lipoprotein levels. Lipid profile was measured at baseline and afterward at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. 1391 Pakistani females taking COCs, DMPA, or non hormonal [NH] contraceptives. The results were calculated by repeated measure ANOVA subsequent to tukey's post hoc test for the multiple comparisons. Statistical examination revealed that differences in lipid profile were significant [p <0.001] among all treated group in comparison with control. DMPA also caused significant rise in Castelli index-I and Castelli index-II as compared to COCs group and control group. This study demonstrated raise in total cholesterol [TC] and triglycerides [TG] as well as very low density lipoprotein [VLDL-C] and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDLC]. Whereas, an obvious decrease was observed in high density-lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] in the DMPA-treated group. We concluded that, this inductive study specifies atherogenic cardiovascular risk in women using DMPA on long term basis