RESUMO
Three parameters, serum glucose, insulin, and growth hormone levels, were used to measure carbohydrate metabolism in 25 women not using steroid contraceptives, 48 women using combination oral contraceptives, and 27 women using low-dose progestogen oral contraceptives. Women in the combination contraceptives group had significant modifications in the responses of all three parameters studied. A bias toward modification was also seen in the normal tests of the combination group. The low-dose progestogen, megestrol acetate, did not cause similar changes in glucose, insulin, and growth hormone values.
PIP: A study was undertaken to report the responses of serum glucose, insulin, and growth hormone levels to iv glucose injections in 48 women using a combination oral contraceptive (OC) (OVral), in 27 women on dialy progestogen alone (megestrol acetate), and in 25 non-OC users. Women taking combination OCs had significant modifications in the responses of all 3 parameters ( p less than .05). The normal tests of the combination OC group also exhibited a tendency toward modification. Changes in serum glucose, insulin, and growth hormone values were absent in the low-dose progestogen group. These studies indicate that the mechanisms whereby OCs modify carbohydrate metabolism are unknown. More research is necessary to provide information concerning metabolic effects of hormonal contraceptives.
