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Abstract:

Summary Objective

Epidemiological studies on the cardiovascular risk of progestagen-only contraceptives are rare. With the present study we aimed to investigate the effect of the low-dose etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant Implanon^® on cardiovascular risk factors, including markers of inflammation. Design

Longitudinal study. Setting

Family planning centre of a University Hospital. Subjects

Thirty-six healthy, nonsmoking women with regular cycles (n = 18 controls without hormonal contraception; n = 18 cases requesting the insertion of Implanon^®). Measurements

Blood samples for the determination of C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), sex hormones and plasma lipids were taken in the early follicular phase of the cycle in both groups. A second sample was taken 12 weeks after Implanon insertion or in the controls during the early follicular phase of cycle 4. Results

Implanon treatment caused a 36% decrease in CRP (P < 0·06) and a significant decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0·007), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0·001), cholesterol (P < 0·001), testosterone (P < 0·05) and SHBG (P < 0·002). Levels of NO, oestradiol and progesterone were not affected in either group. The cholesterol/HDL ratio did not change in Implanon carriers. There was a significant correlation between the cardiovascular risk factors CRP, cholesterol/HDL ratio and NO. Conclusion

The progestagen-only implant Implanon does not exert a negative effect on the cardiovascular risk factors CRP, cholesterol/HDL ratio and NO. These results suggest that the use of a progestagen-only contraception does not increase cardiovascular risk factors in healthy young women.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.03046.x

Affiliations: 1: Clinic of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Zurich and 2: Biostatistics Unit ISPM, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

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Effects of the progestagen-only contraceptive implant Implanon® on cardiovascular risk factors

Effects of the progestagen-only contraceptive implant Implanon^® on cardiovascular risk factors