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Clinical and pathological comparison of young adult women with hepatocellular carcinoma with and without exposure to oral contraceptives.

We compared the clinical characteristics and histological classifications of young adult women with hepatocellular carcinoma with and without exposure to increased amounts of sex steroids in order to investigate the possibility that sex steroids changed the behavior of the tumor. Fifteen women were found to have a history of exposure to increased levels of sex steroids while 14 did not. One of the women in the exposed group had elements of adenoma next to her carcinoma, allowing speculation as to whether the malignancy arose from a previous adenoma. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were that the exposed group had a higher number of gravida (2.2 compared to 0.9, p = 0.013) and suffered tumor rupture with hemoperitoneum more frequently (4/15 compared to 0/4, p = 0.037). Trends worth noting were that the exposed group tended to survive longer, complain of pain and weight loss less frequently, and have lower alpha-fetoprotein levels. These findings indicate that exposure to sex steroids may change the clinical behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma, producing among other things a hypervascularity and tendency for hemoperitoneum.

Adult↗

The role of augmented Hageman factor (factor XII) titers in the cold-promoted activation of factor VII and spontaneous shortening of the prothrombin time in women using oral contraceptives.

Spontaneous shortening of the Thrombotest time and an increase in factor VII activity after cold storage of plasma in plastic vials have been described in the plasma of women using OCAs. The phenomenon if CPA is dependent on the presence of HF (factor XII) and is associated with increased plasma kallikrein activity and the disappearance of C1-INH activity. In the present study, spontaneous CPA and shortening of the prothrombin time were observed in 66% of women using OCAs. The prothrombin time was inversely related to factor VII activity and HF coagulant titer, whereas factor VII activity was strongly associated with the titer of HF. The addition of purified HF to normal plasma to a degree observed in OCA users promoted CPA generation and shortening of the prothrombin time. In contrast, reduction of the HF coagulant titer in the plasma of OCA users to a normal level prevented the rise in factor VII activity and shortening of the prothrombin time after cold storage. These data indicate that a high titer of HF, such as that observed in OCA users, is needed for the spontaneous CPA and add support to evidence linking the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of clotting. The relationship of this in vitro phenomenon to the pathogenesis of thrombosis in women using OCAs is presently unclear. (J Lab Clin Med 99:363, 1982.)

Adult↗

Biphasic versus monophasic oral contraceptives for contraception: a Cochrane review.

BACKGROUND: Side-effects caused by oral contraceptives discourage compliance with and continuation of oral contraceptives. Three approaches have been used to decrease these adverse effects: reduction of steroid dose, development of new steroids, and new formulas and schedules of administration. The third strategy led to the biphasic oral contraceptive pill. We compared biphasic oral contraceptives with monophasic oral contraceptives in terms of efficacy, cycle control and discontinuation due to side-effects. Our a priori hypotheses were: (i) biphasic oral contraceptives are less effective in preventing pregnancy than monophasic oral contraceptives, and (ii) biphasic oral contraceptives cause more side-effects, give poorer cycle control and have lower continuation rates. METHODS: We searched computerized databases Medline, Embase, Popline and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register. Additionally, we searched the reference lists of all potentially relevant articles and book chapters. We also contacted the authors of relevant studies and pharmaceutical companies in Europe and the USA. We included randomized controlled trials comparing any biphasic oral contraceptive with any monophasic oral contraceptive when used to prevent pregnancy. We examined the studies found during the various literature searches for possible inclusion and assessed their methodological quality using the Cochrane guidelines. We contacted the authors of all included studies and of possibly randomized studies for supplementary information about the study methods and outcomes. We entered the data in RevMan 3.1, imported the data into RevMan 4.1, and calculated Peto odds ratios for the incidence of intermenstrual bleeding, absence of withdrawal bleeding and study discontinuation due to intermenstrual bleeding. RESULTS: Only one trial of limited quality compared a biphasic and monophasic preparation. This trial examined 533 user cycles of a biphasic pill (norethindrone 500 microg/ethinyl estradiol 35 microg for 10 days, followed by norethindrone 1000 microg/ethinyl estradiol 35 microg for 11 days) and 481 user cycles of a monophasic contraceptive pill (norethindrone acetate 1500 microg/ethinyl estradiol 30 microg daily). The study found no significant differences in intermenstrual bleeding, amenorrhoea and study discontinuation due to intermenstrual bleeding between the biphasic and monophasic oral contraceptive pills. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions are limited by the identification of only one trial, the methodological shortcomings of that trial and the absence of data on accidental pregnancies. However, the trial found no important differences in bleeding patterns between the biphasic and monophasic preparations studied. Since no clear rationale exists for biphasic pills and since extensive evidence is available for monophasic pills, the latter are preferred.

Contraception↗

Effect of oral contraception on serum bile acid.

Eighteen normal women, 20 with active urinary schistosomiasis, and 25 with past histories of viral hepatitis were given a contraceptive pill containing 0.05 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.5 mg levonorgestrel for six consecutive cycles. Serum bile acid levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay method before and after 3 and 6 months of use. Simultaneously, conventional liver function tests (serum bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and albumin) were done. Serum bile acid concentration was not significantly changed by the contraceptive use in any group. The concentration of cholylglycine (the main bile acid measured) did not correlate with the values of any of the other tests. Pretreatment values of serum cholylglycine were significantly lower in the past-hepatitis group. The difference was maintained during treatment.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Oral contraception.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Unusal signs and symptoms associated with oral contraceptive medication.

A review of medical literature concerning case history reports of adverse clinical manifestations of hormonal contraceptives is presented. While extremely rare, these side-effects often present with obscure etiology, and the physician is cautioned to be aware of their occurrence.

Adolescent↗

Therapy of side effects of oral contraceptive agents with vitamin B6.

Studies carried out in different countries during the last 15 years have provided evidence that supplementation with (or excess of) estro-progestational hormones may be accompanied by an increased urinary excretion of tryptophan metabolites, as happens in pyridoxine deficiency. Further methods of assessment of vitamin B6 in humans have confirmed an impaired status in women using hormonal contraception. Disturbances in the metabolism of tryptophan have been shown to be responsible for such symptoms as depression, anxiety, decrease of libido and impairment of glucose tolerance occurring in some of the OCA users. Administration of 40 mg of vitamin B6 daily not only restores normal biochemical values but also relieves the clinical symptoms in those vitamin B6 deficient women taking OCA's. Further studies are justified to clarify whether vitamin B6 supplementation may contribute to improving depression also in other situations with hyperoestrogenism (pregnancy, puerperium, estro-progestational treatments, etc.), as well as correcting metabolic impairments, such as a minor alteration of glucose tolerance.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

Effect of oral contraception on water-suppressed proton NMR spectra of plasma.

Lipid linewidths were measured in the plasma proton spectra of young women. The individuals taking a contraceptive pill associating ethinyloestradiol and levonorgestrel or norethisterone were found with an average linewidth 2.5 Hz narrower than controls. As this drug regimen systematically induces an increase in plasma VLDL and a decrease in HDL/LDL ratio, our observation supports the theory that the Fossel test reflects plasma lipids abnormalities in cancer patients.

Adult↗

Oral contraceptives and the risk of venous thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: Oral contraceptives were introduced in the late 1950s, and their use has altered society and has led to radical changes. Combined oral contraceptives are considered the most acceptable, effective, and most easily reversible method of contraception. In the early 1960s, an association between venous thrombosis and pulmonary emboli and oral contraceptive use was identified. In response, the amount of estrogen used in these contraceptives was decreased. Later, the concept that reducing the dose of estrogen would eliminate the risk of venous thrombosis was strongly challenged. OBJECTIVE: The available epidemiologic data and the mechanisms that underly the risk of venous thromboembolism as a side effect of oral contraceptive use will be described. Clinical implications based on both the relative and absolute risks in the general population and in women with a known tendency for venous thromboembolism will be discussed. METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE was conducted for the years 1995 through 2005, using search word combinations including oral contraceptive, estrogen, progestin, venous thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary emboli, and pulmonary embolism. Relevant articles relating to the topic of oral contraceptives and the risk of venous thromboembolism were studied and summarized for inclusion in this review article. RESULTS: Certain third-generation progestins in low-estrogen preparations were found to increase the risk of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Also, the realization that genetic factors play a role in the degree of thrombosis risk led to insights into the hemostatic changes that occur during oral contraceptive use and that predispose women to thrombosis. Known risk factors for venous thromboembolism-inherited thrombophilia, a personal history of venous thromboembolism, and obesity-pose varying degrees of concern for both women and their physicians regarding the safety of oral contraceptives. CONCLUSION: In order to prevent venous thromboembolism, prudence is required when prescribing oral contraceptives to women who have an increased risk of that condition. Furthermore, having a risk factor may not be an absolute contraindication to the use of oral contraceptives, but it offers the opportunity for women to make informed decisions about their use. In the future, researchers should focus on developing effective oral contraceptives that are even safer than those that are available today.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗