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Published on: July 21, 2012

Effect of Hormonal Contraceptives on Circulating Biomarkers of Inflammation, Chemotaxis, Angiogenesis, and Vascular

Bertram Kjerulff1,2, Khoa Manh Dinh1,3, Jens Kjærgaard Boldsen1,2

  • 1Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

APMIS : Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica, Et Immunologica Scandinavica
|July 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Hormonal contraceptives (HC) impact vascular and immune markers, with combined oral contraceptives (COC) showing distinct effects. Progestin-only methods had no significant associations, highlighting varied HC effects.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive health and immunology.
  • Endocrinology and biomarker research.

Background:

  • Hormonal contraceptives (HC) are widely used, but their comprehensive effects on circulating inflammatory biomarkers in healthy individuals are not fully understood.
  • Existing evidence primarily links HC use to elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, necessitating broader investigation into other biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between various types of hormonal contraceptives (HC) and circulating biomarker levels, including differential cell counts.
  • To compare the effects of different HC formulations, such as combined oral contraceptives (COC), progestin-only pills, and levonorgestrel intrauterine devices.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional observational study involving 4,160 healthy females with recorded HC prescriptions.
  • Biomarker measurements and differential cell counts were analyzed using various regression models.
  • Comparison groups included users of high/low dose COCs, progestin-only pills, levonorgestrel IUDs, hormonal therapy, post-menopausal women, and a control group.

Main Results:

  • Combined oral contraceptive (COC) use was associated with elevated vascular marker levels and decreased chemokine levels.
  • No significant associations were found between progestin-only contraceptive use and the studied biomarkers.
  • Limited associations were observed between most HC types and differential cell counts.

Conclusions:

  • Hormonal contraceptives exert widespread effects on the immune and vascular systems, with variations observed across different HC types.
  • The specific biomarker alterations linked to COC use warrant further functional studies to elucidate underlying mechanisms.
  • Findings suggest that the choice of HC may influence systemic inflammatory and vascular profiles.

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