Evaluation of body composition during low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To determine in a prospective study if the use of two low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives is associated with changes in weight or body composition. DESIGN: 80 outpatients referring to the family planning service, aged 18-43 years were randomly assigned to a treatment with the EE/desogestrel or EE/gestodene association, 20 patients with IUD, aged 26-40 years, were selected as a control group. Anthropometric data and body composition were taken at enrollment and after 6 and 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric measurements included body mass index (BMI), body composition estimated by mean of Bioelectrical Impendance Analysis (BIA). RESULTS: In the three groups weight, BMI, and total body water (TBW), and body cellular mass (BCM) remained unchanged during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The use of EE/desogestrel and EE/gestodene is not associated with significant variations of body weight and body composition during one year treatment.