Effects of two different low-dose oral contraceptives on plasma homocysteine levels

• Published in: Gynecological endocrinology 2011-03, Vol.27 (3), p.176-179
• Main Authors: Odaba i, Al R., Küçük, Mert, Yüksel, Hasan, Güner, Zeker ya, Sezer, Selda D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; cardiovascular disease; Contraceptives, Oral - administration & dosage; Cross-Sectional Studies; desogestrel; Desogestrel - administration & dosage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ethinyl Estradiol - administration & dosage; Female; Homocysteine; Homocysteine - blood; Humans; levonorgestrel; Levonorgestrel - administration & dosage; low dose oral contraceptives; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0951-3590; 1473-0766
• DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2010.488777

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two currently used low-dose combined oral contraceptives (COCs) (20μg ethinyl estradiol [EE]/150μg desogestrel [DSG] vs. 20μg EE/100μg levonorgestrel [LNG]) on plasma homocysteine levels. Methods. A total of 90 participants were enrolled in the study; 30 of them had not been using COC for at least 12 months prior to their enrollment, while 60 were on regular treatment within 12-18 months. Therefore, the control group consisted of 30 participants. Group DSG/EE consisted of 30 women and group LNG/EE consisted of 30 women. Serum samples of homocysteine profile were obtained during the early follicular phase. Results. Significantly lower serum homocysteine concentrations (Group DSG/EE: 7.2 ± 1.3; Group LNG/EE: 9.1 ± 3.2; Control group: 8.2 ± 2.2; p