H J Coeling Bennink | PubMed Health

PubMed2001

Implanon contraceptive implants: effects on carbohydrate metabolism.

The objective of the study was to assess the possible differences in effects of Implanon and Norplant implants on carbohydrate metabolism. This is a 2-year open randomized study of 80 implant (Implanon and Norplant) acceptors. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before implant insertion and at 6, 12, and 24 months after implant insertion. Glycosylated hemoglobin A(1)C was measured in fasting samples and plasma samples during OGTT were tested for glucose and insulin levels. There was a significant increase in the area under the curve for both glucose and insulin during OGTT within each group with increasing duration of use. However, there was no significant change in the fasting plasma glucose values. There was no significant difference in the carbohydrate parameters between the two groups during implant use, except for a minimal but statistically significant rise in fasting glycosylated hemoglobin A(1)C levels at 24 months in the Implanon group. Both implants appear to induce mild insulin resistance but no significant change in serum glucose levels. These alterations in carbohydrate metabolism should have no clinical significance in healthy women.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

The pharmacodynamic effects of an oral contraceptive containing 3 mg micronized 17 beta-estradiol and 0.150 mg desogestrel for 21 days, followed by 0.030 mg desogestrel only for 7 days.

During oral treatment with 3 mg micronized 17 beta-estradiol and 0.150 mg desogestrel for 21 days followed by 0.030 mg (A) desogestrel (15 women) or placebo (B) (14 women) for 7 days, ovarian function, bleeding pattern and estradiol levels were evaluated. The study was performed in a group-comparative, double-blind fashion. During a pre-treatment control cycle, using ultrasound scan, follicular diameter was measured on cycle days 10-16 and endometrial thickness on one of cycle days 22-26. Estradiol was measured at the time of ultrasound scan and progesterone three times in the luteal phase. During three treatment cycles, follicular diameter and endometrial thickness were monitored three times weekly and at the same time, estradiol and progesterone were measured. Treatment resulted in anovulation in all women. Maximum and mean estradiol levels were approximately 900 pmol/l and 550 pmol/l during treatment, respectively, and approximately 200 pmol/l during the estradiol-free weeks in both groups. Ten women showed ovarian activity (follicle size > or = 15 mm) during treatment, seven in group A and three in group B. Endometrial thickness decreased approximately 3 mm during treatment in both groups. The incidence of breakthrough bleeding and spotting was higher in group A when compared to group B. The study indicates that the combination of 3.0 mg micronized estradiol and 0.150 mg desogestrel is an effective and safe contraceptive, offering an acceptable cycle control. The addition of a low dose of desogestrel during the pill-free period did not further suppress ovarian activity nor improve the bleeding pattern. The results of this study should be interpreted with great care, since the number of women studied is relatively small.

Adult↗