Carbohydrate and lipid studies in women using the progesterone intrauterine device for one year

Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was evaluated in 31 women before and after 1 year's use of a progesterone-releasing intrauterine device. The studies involved measuring blood glucose and plasma insulin levels during a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test and also measuring fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels. There was no change in the cholesterol levels, whereas the triglyceride concentration was lower at the 1-year test. The blood glucose values were unchanged at four of the time periods, whereas the 3-hour value was elevated at the 1-year test. The plasma insulin values were increased in the fasting, 0.5-, and 3-hour samples at the 1-year test. The increased insulin secretion needed to maintain the blood glucose concentration suggests that the released progesterone may have a systemic effect.