Effect of a combined oral contraceptive containing 20 μg ethinyl estradiol and 75 μg gestodene on hemostatic parameters

Abstract

The effects of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 20 μg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 75 μg gestodene (GSD) on prothrombin activity (PA), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), platelet number, fibrinogen, antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C, protein S and D-dimer were evaluated over 6 months in 23 young, healthy women. Laboratory assessments were performed prior to initiation of COC use (pretreatment) and after 3 and 6 months of use. Results showed no significant changes in fibrinogen, protein C, ATIII or D-dimer during COC use, compared with pretreatment values. The increase in platelet count, decreases in protein S level, PA and APTT, and the prolongation of TT were significant. In conclusion, the use of a COC containing 20 μg EE and 75 μg GSD did not cause any significant changes in the hemostatic parameters studied that could be suggestive of a higher prothrombotic risk. Further studies with a larger sample size are necessary in order to obtain conclusive data.

Keywords:

• Combined oral hormonal contraceptives
• hemostasis
• prothrombotic risk