Long-term use of depot-norethisterone enanthate: effect on blood lipid fractions

This is the third report of a metabolic study on 56 long-term users (24 for 2-5 yr; 32 for over 5 yr) of the injectable contraceptive norethisterone enanthate (Net-En) and deals with the effects on the blood levels of lipoprotein fractions. There was no significant difference between this group and a group of 30 non-users in serum concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density and very low density lipoproteins. There was a significant reduction in mean high density lipoprotein levels between the controls and the user groups (16% for the intermediate duration and 12% for the longer duration). Age, ethnic group, body-mass index and a close family history of cardiovascular disease were taken into account, as were various lifestyle factors: diet, exercise, alcohol consumption and smoking. In a smaller group, levels of apoproteins A and B were also assayed. There was a significant reduction in apoprotein A between controls and all users, but the significance was lost on adjusting for confounding variables. Consideration was given to the ratio of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol as an index of coronary risk. There were no significant differences in the total cholesterol:HDL-C ratio between controls and user groups. There was a significant interaction with ethnic group (Caucasian or Afro-Caribbean) in the response to duration of use.