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Influence of contraceptive pill and menstrual cycle on serum lipids and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Insights
Oral contraceptives significantly decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol during each cycle, impacting total cholesterol levels. Blood sampling timing is crucial for accurate interpretation in women using these medications.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used by women of reproductive age.
- Understanding their impact on lipid profiles is essential for cardiovascular risk assessment.
- Previous studies have shown varied effects of OCs on serum lipids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intra-cycle fluctuations of serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in women using and not using oral contraceptives.
- To determine the effect of oral contraceptive use on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels within a single cycle.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study involving two groups of women: one using oral contraceptives and a control group not using them.
- Serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations (including HDL-C, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides) were measured during one contraceptive cycle.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare changes within and between groups.
Main Results:
- Women using oral contraceptives showed a significant decrease in HDL-C during the cycle, returning to baseline during pill-free days.
- A significant decrease in total cholesterol was observed, primarily due to reduced HDL-C.
- Serum triglyceride concentrations did not change significantly, and fluctuations were smaller in women not using OCs.
Conclusions:
- Oral contraceptive use leads to significant intra-cycle fluctuations in HDL-C.
- The timing of blood sampling is critical for interpreting HDL-C levels in women using oral contraceptives.
- Non-users exhibit smaller lipid fluctuations, allowing for random sampling days.
Abstract:
The fluctuations of serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations within one cycle were studied both in women using and not using oral contraceptives. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly from 1.47 mmol/l (57 mg/100 ml) to 1.30 mmol/l (50 mg/100 ml) during one contraceptive cycle in eight women and rose again to the initial value during the pill-free days. The mean concentration of total cholesterol also fell significantly as a result of the decrease of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and of a not significant decrease of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The mean serum triglyceride concentration did not change significantly. The fluctuations in the concentration of serum lipids and lipoproteins in 10 women not using oral contraceptives were smaller than in the women using oral contraceptives and no significant changes in the concentrations were found during one cycle. Thus, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration decreases during each contraceptive cycle. The time of blood sampling during the cycle is, therefore, of vital importance in interpreting the effect of oral contraceptives on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In women not using oral contraceptives blood can be sampled on random days during the cycle.