Effects of ethinylestradiol/D-norgestrel combinations on serum lipoproteins

Serum lipoproteins were analyzed in 33 young women (mean age 22 years) before and after two cycles of treatment with one of the following ethinylestradiol/d-noirgestrel combinations (microgram/microgram): 30/150, 50/150 and 50/250. A slight but significant weight increase of 1.2 akg was found only in the 509/150 group. All three hormone combinations had similar effects on the lipoproteins. Before treatment all subjects had normal lipoprotein concentrations. Whole serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol concentrations were not significantly affected. In the whole group the LDL-TG concentration increased from 0.24 to 0.33 mmol/l (p < 0.001) and HDL-cholesterol fell from 1.54 to 1.35 mmol/l (p < 0.001). Smokers tended to have lower HDL-cholesterol than non-smokers. It is possible that HDL reductions for longer periods of time may be one of the factors that promote the development of atherosclerotic manifestations in young women on oral contraceptives.