Plasma cortisol and synacthen test after oral contraceptives

ABSTRACT

Thirty women receiving Gyn-Anovlar were studied for plasma cortisol level. Ten of them were examined before and after Gyn-Anovlar therapy for basal cortisol and were injected intramuscularly with 250 mg mg of Synacthen. There was a significant rise of plasma cortisol and the patients responded normally to the injection of Synacthen indicating a good adrenal reserve function. The remaining 20 patients were already taking the pills for periods ranging from 8 to 9 months. Their plasma cortisol level was not statistically different from those taking the pills for six months