Effects of two different low-dose oral contraceptives on plasma homocysteine levels

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two currently used low-dose combined oral contraceptives (COCs) (20μg ethinyl estradiol [EE]/150μg desogestrel [DSG] vs. 20μg EE/100μg levonorgestrel [LNG]) on plasma homocysteine levels.

Methods. A total of 90 participants were enrolled in the study; 30 of them had not been using COC for at least 12 months prior to their enrollment, while 60 were on regular treatment within 12–18 months. Therefore, the control group consisted of 30 participants. Group DSG/EE consisted of 30 women and group LNG/EE consisted of 30 women. Serum samples of homocysteine profile were obtained during the early follicular phase.

Results. Significantly lower serum homocysteine concentrations (Group DSG/EE: 7.2 ± 1.3; Group LNG/EE: 9.1 ± 3.2; Control group: 8.2 ± 2.2; p < 0.05) were observed in DSG/EE group compared to LNG/EE and control groups.

Conclusion. Although the decrease in homocsyteine levels with 20μg EE/150μg DSG containing COC was statistically significant, the clinical relevance of our findings needs to be further investigated.

Keywords:

• Homocysteine
• cardiovascular disease
• levonorgestrel
• desogestrel
• low dose oral contraceptives