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Oral contraceptives improve lung mechanics
Tomislav Strinić1, Davor Eterović
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia.
Fertility and Sterility
|May 10, 2003
Summary
Oral contraceptives significantly improved lung mechanics in healthy women over six months. Key measures of lung function, including expiratory flow and volume, showed notable increases, particularly at smaller lung volumes.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oral contraceptives are widely used by women of reproductive age.
- Potential systemic effects of oral contraceptives beyond reproductive health are an area of ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) on lung mechanics.
- To quantify changes in pulmonary function parameters following a six-month course of OCs.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study was conducted with 36 healthy, nonsmoking women.
- Participants received an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol (35 microg) and norgestimate (250 microg) for six months.
- Lung function was assessed using spirometry, measuring forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, peak expiratory flow, and flow rates at various lung volumes.
Main Results:
- A significant improvement in all measured forced expiratory flow and volume parameters was observed after six months of OC use.
- The percentage increase in these parameters ranged from 6.5% to 15%.
- Flow rates at small lung volumes demonstrated a particularly pronounced increase.
Conclusions:
- Combined oral contraceptives demonstrate a measurable positive effect on lung mechanics.
- These findings suggest that OCs may influence respiratory system function in healthy women.