Oral contraceptive-induced changes in plasma lipids: do they have any clinical relevance?

Abstract

The plethora of published studies investigating oral contraceptive pill (OC)-induced changes of various plasma lipids and their ratios together with repeated reviews of these studies in the literature, are all based on the assumption that OC-induced favourable or unfavourable lipid profiles decrease or increase a pill-associated cardiovascular risk. Some authorities have been led to recommend choice of pill formulations based on such changes of plasma lipids. In a combined review of relevant cardiovascular and OC epidemiological studies no evidence is found for these assumptions and recommendations. There is no evidence of OC-induced atherosclerotic disease, and pill-induced changes of plasma lipids within normal limits are therefore probably without any clinical relevance. Profound changes towards a so-called favourable plasma lipid profile may, on the contrary, be detrimental in terms of pill-associated cardiovascular events.