Effect of oral contraception by progesterone pill on lipids and glucose metabolism.

Abstract

The influence of oral contraception with 0.5 mg ethynodiol diacetate (Femulen) on blood lipid and glucose tolerance test (GTT) was studied in a group of 14 nulliparous women ages 17-24 years before and 3 months after treatment. In another group of 13 women of matched age, contraception was managed by providing a combined pill (estrogen and progesterone). The continuous treatment of ethynodiol diacetate did not result in the increase in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and did not affect the GTT, as observed when the combined pill was administered. Femulen had no side effects, except for 2 cases of vaginal spotting. Ethynodiol diacetate does not induce the decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels which is an anti-risk factor for the prevention of accelerated atherosclerotic disease. Oral contraception with this pill is indicated for all women, especially when there is an absolute contraindication for the use of combined pills