Plasma renin activity and angiotensin II during oral contraception

Plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (A II) concentrations were measured in the first and second half of the menstrual cycle for four months in 27 healthy young women, in three groups. During month II and III group I received lynestrenol 0.5 mg, group II lynestrenol 0.5 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg and group III d-norgestrel 0.25 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg as contraceptive treatment. In group I no changes of PRA or A II were observed. In group II and III both PRA and A II rose significantly during oral contraceptive treatment. Progestagens may offer an advantage as they do not stimulate the renin-angiotensin axis.