Combined oral contraception in women after renal transplantation

To assess safety of combined low-dose oral contraceptives in women after renal transplantation.

Twenty six female renal graft-recipients, aged from 18 to 44 (mean 31 years), who used combined low-dose oral contraceptives after renal transplantation for at least 18 months were enrolled in the study. All patients had stable graft function with mean serum creatinine of 1.3 mg/dl. In 58% of women effective contraception was the mean indication for the therapy, in the remaining group pills were indicated additionally for the development of ovarian cysts and excessive menstrual bleedings. Ethinyl estradiol dose was 20 mug in 73% of cases and 30-35 microg in the remaining group.

No case of pregnancy was observed. Contraceptive therapy was discontinued in two cases: for profound vein thrombosis in one and deterioration of liver function in the other case. No side effects of contraceptives were observed in the remaining group of patients within at least 18-month observational period. No case of ovarian cyst was reported. Oral contraceptives were not found to influence body mass index (BMI), mean blood pressure, serum creatinine and biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, total bilirubin, glucose and cholesterol).

Despite the presence of relative contraindications for hormonal drugs (arterial hypertension and deteriorated liver function) in female renal recipients, administration of combined low-dose contraceptive pill should be taken into account as highly effective contraceptive method, that additionally regulates menstrual bleeding patterns, protects from ovarian cysts development and improves life quality of the patient.