PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Levonorgestrel--side effects”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The effects of different formulations of oral contraceptive agents on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Oral contraceptives can induce changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism similar to those associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, including increased serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and insulin levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. In this study, we examined whether modification of the type or dose of progestin in oral-contraceptive preparations diminishes these changes. METHODS: We measured plasma lipoprotein levels and performed oral glucose-tolerance tests in a cross section of 1060 women who took one of nine types of oral contraceptives for at least three months and 418 women who took none. Seven of the contraceptive formulations contained various doses and types of progestin: levonorgestrel in low (150 micrograms), high (250 micrograms), and triphasic (50 to 125 micrograms) doses; norethindrone in low (500 micrograms), high (1000 micrograms), and triphasic (500 to 1000 micrograms) doses; and a new progestin, desogestrel, in one dose (150 micrograms). All seven contained 30 to 40 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol. Two additional formulations contained progestin alone. RESULTS: As compared with controls, women taking combination drugs did not have increased serum total cholesterol levels but did have increases of 13 to 75 percent in fasting triglyceride levels. Levels of LDL cholesterol were reduced by 14 percent in women taking the combination containing desogestrel and by 12 percent in those taking low-dose norethindrone. Levels of HDL cholesterol were lowered by 5 percent and 16 percent by the combinations containing low-dose and high-dose levonorgestrel, respectively; these decreases were due to reductions of 29 percent and 43 percent, respectively, in the levels of HDL subclass 2. The combination pill containing high-dose norethindrone did not affect HDL cholesterol levels, whereas that containing low-dose norethindrone increased HDL cholesterol levels by 10 percent. The desogestrel combination increased HDL cholesterol levels by 12 percent. Levels of apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and B were generally increased by combination drugs. Depending on the dose and type of progestin, combination drugs were associated with plasma glucose levels on the glucose-tolerance test that were 43 to 61 percent higher than in controls, insulin responses 12 to 40 percent higher, and C-peptide responses 18 to 45 percent higher. Progestin-only formulations had only minor metabolic effects. CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate dose and type of progestin may reduce the adverse effects of oral contraceptives on many metabolic markers of risk for coronary heart disease. Progestin-only formulations or combinations containing desogestrel or low-dose norethindrone were associated wtih the most favorable profiles.

Adolescent↗

Clinical performance of a levonorgestrel-releasing intracervical contraceptive device during the first two years of use.

One-hundred-and-ninety-eight women used a levonorgestrel-releasing intracervical contraceptive device (LNG-ICD) designed to release 20 micrograms levonorgestrel/day. Clinical performance during the first two years of LNG-ICD use was evaluated. A total of seven pregnancies occurred during the study period, all of them during the first year. Six pregnancies were after unnoticed expulsion of the device. One pregnancy occurred in an epileptic women using carbamazepine, with the LNG-ICD remaining in situ. Eighteen spontaneous expulsions occurred, 16 during the first year and 2 during the second year. Three pelvic infections were observed, all of them during the first year. Bleeding problems, hormonal side effects and other medical reasons were the most common side effects resulting in removal of the device. The continuation rate was 72.6 per cent after one year and 57.1 per cent after two years.

Female↗

The effects of a progestin-only oral contraceptive (levonorgestrel 0.03 mg) on breast-feeding.

This study was a non-randomized clinical trial which compared the breast-feeding experience of 250 Argentine women taking levonorgestrel 0.03 mg daily (begun one week after delivery) with that of 250 women using non-hormonal contraceptives. Weight gain of unsupplemented infants, the most important of the several criteria used to assess breast-feeding performance, was similar for the two contraceptive groups. Levonorgestrel users began supplementary feeding of their infants significantly later than did non-hormonal users; levonorgestrel users were also somewhat less likely to discontinue breast-feeding during the study period. The two contraceptive groups were similar with regard to several other measures of breast-feeding performance: growth of all infants (regardless of supplementation), patterns of contraceptive discontinuation, mothers' subjective impressions of breast-milk sufficiency, and comparison of supplementation initiation with previous experience.

Adult↗

A comparison study of lipid and androgen metabolism with triphasic oral contraceptive formulations containing norgestimate or levonorgestrel.

The effects of norgestimate triphasic (Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Tri-Ciles) and levonorgestrel triphasic (Triphasi) formulations on lipid and androgen metabolism were assessed in a study of 66 healthy women treated through six menstrual cycles. Levels of the following were measured: cholesterol and its subfractions, triglycerides, carrier lipoproteins, estradiol, testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Comparison of baseline values with values after 3 and 6 months of treatment indicated that both regimens influenced lipid and androgen metabolism. There was a statistically significant between-regimen difference in levels of high-density lipoprotein, which were favorably increased with norgestimate triphasic but reduced with levonorgestrel triphasic. Related data on SHBG showed that plasma levels of this marker of estrogen/androgen balance were increased significantly more in the norgestimate triphasic group, providing additional evidence of low androgenicity. Both regimens inhibited follicular growth to the same extent, as evidenced by low mean levels of estradiol in all on-therapy cycles; and both decreased free testosterone. Side effects in both groups were minor and characteristic of those observed with low-dose oral contraceptive agents. The results of the study support the reported safety and positive effects of norgestimate on lipid and androgen metabolism, in comparison with a levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptive.

Adolescent↗

[Histochemical and histological investigations on the human fallopian tube under different hormonal influences. I. Demonstration of ATPase with special reference to reactive ciliated cells (author's transl)].

The localization of the Mg++-activated adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) in the human Fallopian tube has been studied by means of histochemical methods. The samples were obtained from 18 women in the age from 23--62 years. Some of them were treated by various steroid hormones. Endosalpinx ciliary ATPase-activity represents dynein and is therefore an indicator of ciliary motility. Estrogens and gestagens have a different influence on the ATPase-activity. All cilia of one ciliated cell react in the same manner and may be regarded as a reaction unit. The relation of negative to positive ciliary borders differs characteristically in the tubal isthmus, ampulls and infundibulum and coincides with commonly known phenomena of egg transport through the oviduct. Postovulatory, reaction units increase in ampulla and infundibulum compared with the proliferative phase. The oviducts of postmenopausal women possess but a scanty outfit of reaction units. Short-time treatment with estrogen in the early secretory phase results in a great number of reaction units in all tubal segments; a similar treatment in the proliferative phase diminishes the reaction units in the ampulla. Midcycle progesterone treatment activates the ciliary ATPase in the isthmus. Low doses of lynestrenol (minipill) in the proliferative phase leads to a decrease of reaction units in all tubal segments; the pattern of ciliary reaction under low doses of lynestrenol at the time of ovulation coincides with that of the proliferative phase. Treatment with a contraceptive steroid (0,05 mg ethinylestradiol and 0,25 d-norgestrel) causes a considerable activation of the ciliary ATPase in all portions of the oviduct.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

d-Norgestrel concentrations in maternal plasma, milk, and child plasma during administration of oral contraceptives to nursing women.

In order to correlate plasma and milk concentrations of d-norgestrel (d-Ng) in lactating women, three oral contraceptives, containing different amounts of this synthetic gestagen, were given to 15 fully lactating women, starting two months post partum. Plasma and milk samples were collected according to a special schedule. d-Ng concentrations in plasma and milk were measured by radioimmunoassay. When d-Ng was measured in milk, extraction was performed with petroleum ether and in the radioimmunoassay an internal standard was used. This method is evaluated in the present paper. The plasma: milk ratio of d-Ng was found to be about 100:15 and the amounts of d-Ng transferred with 600 ml. of milk per day were calculated to be 0.3 an 0.15 microgram with daily intakes of 250 and 150 microgram of d-Ng, respectively, corresponding to about 0.1 per cent of the given dose. When the women received 30 microgram of d-Ng daily, no d-Ng could be detected in the milk. In three of the breast-fed children the d-Ng concentration in plasma was measured. This concentration was found to be in the same range as would be expected after oral d-Ng medication to adults, allowing for body weight differences, indicating that d-Ng is metabolized and is not accumulated in the baby.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

Effect of the progestogens, gestodene, 3-keto desogestrel, levonorgestrel, norethisterone and norgestimate on the oxidation of ethinyloestradiol and other substrates by human liver microsomes.

A number of different progestogens, levonorgestrel (LNG), norethisterone (NET), gestodene (GSD), desogestrel (DG) and norgestimate (NORG) are used in combination with the oestrogen ethinyloestradiol (EE2) in oral contraceptive steroid preparations. All the progestogens are acetylenic steroids and previous studies have indicated the potential of acetylenic steroids to cause mechanism-based or "suicide" inactivation of cytochrome P-450. We have compared the effects of the different progestogens on EE2 2-hydroxylation (a reaction catalyzed by enzymes from the P-450IIC, P-450IIIA and P-450IIE gene families) and also the oxidative metabolism of other drug substrates (cyclosporin, diazepam, tolbutamide) by human liver microsomes. On coincubation with EE2 as substrate, GSD, 3-keto desogestrel (3-KD, the active metabolite of desogestrel) and LNG produced some concentration-dependent inhibition of EE2 2-hydroxylation (maximum 32% inhibition at 100 microM 3-keto desogestrel). Ki values determined for GSD and 3-KD were 98.5 +/- 12.3 and 93.2 +/- 10.3 microM (mean +/- SD; n = 4), respectively. Preincubation of progestogens in a small volume (50 microliters) incubation for 30 min in the presence of an NADPH-generating system enhanced the inhibitory potential of all the steroids (at 100 microM, inhibition was for GSD 39%, 3-KD 46%, LNG 46%, NET 51% and NORG 43%). Inhibitory effects were therefore comparable and also similar to the macrolide antibiotic troleandomycin. The most marked inhibition seen was of diazepam N-demethylation and hydroxylation by GSD (71 and 57%, respectively) and 3-KD (62 and 50%, respectively). In preincubation studies involving cyclosporin as the substrate, the order of inhibitory potency was GSD greater than 3-KD greater than NET greater than LNG for production of both metabolite M17 and M21. The results of the study indicate that all the progestogens in common use have the propensity to inhibit a number of oxidative pathways but there is little evidence for one progestogen being more markedly inhibitory than others.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

The effect of D-norgestrel, 30 micrograms, on the oral glucose tolerance test, including insulin levels, in Thai women.

The effect of D-norgestrel, 30 mug, on the oral glucose tolerance test was studied in 49 Thai women. There was a significant elevation of the blood glucose level at 60 minutes during the test in women who had taken D-norgestrel for 6 and 12 months. Insulin levels in the blood were significantly elevated over control levels in both groups of women at 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes during the test. There was no difference in the results obtained at 6 months and 12 months. There was also no significant difference in the fasting blood glucose or insulin levels in the three groups of women. The results indicate that D-norestrel at a daily dose of 30 mug has an effect on carbohydrate metabolism in Thai women.

Administration, Oral↗

A neutrophilic reaction of Sweet's syndrome type associated with the oral contraceptive.

A case is presented of a Sweet's syndrome-like eruption in association with the oral contraceptive. A 46 year old caucasian woman developed recurrent episodes of erythematous tender plaques on her trunk six weeks after commencement of the oral contraceptive (OC). Her condition clinically and histologically resembled Sweet's dermatosis. On cessation of the OC there was complete resolution of her lesions and she remains well 12 months later. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of a neutrophilic reaction to the oral contraceptive, and we believe that drugs may be implicated in the aetiology of atypical neutrophilic reactions simulating Sweet's syndrome in patients who are otherwise well.

Contraceptives, Postcoital, Hormonal↗

[Effect of an oral contraceptive (ethinylestradiol/D-norgestrel) on growth hormone and insulin secretion].

The growth hormone, insulin and blood glucose values were measured during a glucose tolerance test in 12 women before and after 3 months' use of a contraceptive of the sequential type (11 pills containing 0.05 mg D-norgestrel and 0.05 mg ethinylestradiol and 10 pills containing 0.125 mg D-norgestrel and 0.05 mg ethinylestradiol). Neither fasting blood glucose nor glucose tolerance are altered during administration of the contraceptive steroids. On the other hand, the reactive insulin level is significantly increased in comparison to the basal value, thus showing the signs of hyperinsulinemia. Both the gestagens and the estrogens appear to contribute to this disturbance of insulin secretion. Presumably the hyperinsulinemia is an expression of decreased sensitivity of the peripheral tissue to insulin. The growth hormone, a so-called insulin antagonist, is not responsible for the "insulin resistance" observed. The values measured by us after administration of the contraceptive do not significantly differ from the basal values.

Adult↗

Ovulatory dysfunction during continuous administration of low-dose levonorgestrel by subdermal implants.

OBJECTIVE: To study the endocrinologic profile of regularly menstruating users of levonorgestrel subdermal implants. DESIGN: Observational, prospective, case-controlled comparative study. SETTING: The Family Planning Clinic of PROFAMILIA, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Thirty one regularly cycling Norplant users and 12 nonhormonal contraceptors who volunteered to participate. INTERVENTIONS: Norplant contraceptive implants were inserted in 31 subjects between 13 and 77 months before this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P) were serially assayed for one menstrual cycle. RESULTS: Almost half of the cycles among Norplant users were anovulatory; all the rest (55%) had some form of dysfunction: diminished gonadotropin surge, luteal phase insufficiency (low P levels and shortened luteal phase), and E2 profiles different from normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: Anovulation is clearly one of the main mechanisms of action of Norplant, but even in presumptive ovulatory cycles, the dysfunctions described possibly contribute to the high contraceptive effectiveness of Norplant.

Adult↗

Modern trends in contraception.

Substantial improvements have been made in oral contraceptives, a new injectable contraceptive (Norplant), and the intrauterine device (IUD). Major risks with oral contraceptives have declined substantially, and a number of noncontraceptive health benefits have been discovered. Norplant is probably the first new contraceptive in recent years, and offers long-term contraception with high efficacy and modest risks. The IUD, by carefully selecting users, is a safe and efficacious contraceptive method. The major risk, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), is far less common if one avoids use in the presence of risk factors for PID.

Contraceptive Agents, Female↗

Clinical and metabolic effects of gestodene and levonorgestrel.

The new low-dose combination oral contraceptive (OC) containing 75 micrograms of the new progestogen gestodene (GTD) plus 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol (EE) was clinically tested and compared with a levonorgestrel (LNG) combined pill (150 micrograms LNG plus 30 micrograms EE). In a randomized clinical comparative study (A), 176 women were treated with the GTD-containing pill and 185 with the LNG-containing pill for six cycles. This study was followed by a second multicenter study (B) covering 707 patients taking the GTD-containing pill for up to 24 cycles (total, 9,947 cycles). In a third study (C), metabolic effects were assessed using a randomly organized baseline control trial (pretreatment/treatment cycles); 30 patients received the GTD-containing pill and 30 received the LNG-containing pill. Carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and blood clotting were investigated, and an interim analysis was performed after six OC cycles. No pregnancies and no severe side effects occurred in any of the studies. Intermenstrual bleeding decreased as usual during treatment. In the total number of gestodene cycles in studies A and B, there was a 6.9% incidence of spotting, a 0.8% incidence of breakthrough bleeding, and a 0.7% incidence of both spotting and breakthrough bleeding in studies A and B patients taking gestodene. Amenorrhea occurred in 0.6% of cycles. Body weight remained unchanged (+/- 2 kg) after 24 cycles in 80.5% of study B patients taking gestodene. Blood pressure remained normal in about 95% of all study B patients; a normalization was observed in greater than 60% of patients with previously elevated blood pressure. No clinically relevant changes in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, or blood clotting were observed in study C. The new GTD-containing low-dose combination pill proved to be a safe and reliable contraceptive agent.

Adolescent↗