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Comparison of a transdermal contraceptive patch vs. oral contraceptives on hemostasis variables
Cornelis Kluft1, Piet Meijer, Katherine D LaGuardia
1Gaubius Laboratory, TNO-Quality of Life, Biomedical Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to compare effects of the transdermal contraceptive patch, a desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (EE)-containing, monophasic combination oral contraceptive (COC) and a levonorgestrel/EE-containing, triphasic COC on hemostasis variables.
Study Design:
This was a randomized, open-label study of 104 young women who received six cycles of treatment. Blood was collected at baseline and on treatment; changes by Day 20/Cycle 6 in baseline hemostasis markers [prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F 1+2), plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex (PAP) and fibrin degradation products (D-dimer)] were assessed.
Results:
All contraceptives induced similar increases in F 1+2 and D-dimer. Patch-induced PAP increases were less than with the monophasic and similar to the triphasic COC. Decreases in protein S and increases in sex hormone-binding globulin were greater with the patch than with either COC. Patch-induced increases in activated protein C resistance were greater than with the triphasic and similar to the monophasic COC.
Conclusion:
These contraceptives appeared to accelerate baseline procoagulation processes to a similar extent and to change coagulation potency variables differently.
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