Glycohemoglobin (Hb A1) levels in oral contraceptive users

In a group of 33 healthy women, among whom 15 utilized the combined oral contraceptive pill, and 18 utilized the progesterone oral pill (ethynodiol diacetate, 0.5 mg, Femulen, we have examined the percentage of glycohemoglobin (Hb A1). In the progesterone oral pill users the percentage of Hb A1 remained unchanged, that is 5.4% before, and 5.2% 3-6 mth after using it, whereas in women taking the combined oral contraceptive pill the values increased from 5.9% before to a mean of 8.7% after 3-6 mth after administration. This increase seems to be related to the estrogen of the which, as in pregnancy, may induce glucose intolerance. From this study it may be seen that, despite its disadvantages such as reduced effectiveness and menstrual disruption, the progesterone-only pill is preferable. At the same time, the screening by the Hb A1 evaluation, a sure, inexpensive and easily performed procedure, makes it possible to detect a nonsuspected diabetes or a borderline diabetes and thus to change the contraception method used for another method.