The effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in 24 healthy female subjects of the long-acting steroid contraceptives norethisterone oenanthate (200 mg) (11 subjects) and depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (150 mg) (13 subjects) were studied. The subjects were between the ages of 18 and 25 years, with a history of normal menstrual periods. Pretreatment levels of plasma cholesterol, plasma triglycerides, phospholipids, blood glucose, insulin, and growth hormone were compared with those obtained 3 weeks and 12 weeks after the initial injections. There were no statistically significant differences from the pretreatment levels in any of the values obtained at 3 weeks and 12 weeks in either group.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Are hormonal contraceptives teratogenic?

The widespread use of hormonal contraceptives for a prolonged time in women during the child-bearing period necessitates that appropriate precautions be taken to ensure safety for the patient as well as for her progeny. Hormonal administration during or prior to pregnancy may be potentially teratogenic. Although there have been many reports during the last decade, it has been very difficult to document conclusively such a relationship. Over-all, it seems that hormonal use prior to pregnancy does not lead to an increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations or of congenital malformations. The use of certain hormones during pregnancy, on the other hand, may lead to an increase in the incidence of congenital malformations, probably in the genetically predisposed fetus. In view of this concept hormonal contraceptives should not be used to treat threatened abortion, and their use as a pregnancy test should be abandoned. Since the question of the safety of the inadvertent administration of pills during early pregnancy has not been resolved, the mother should be informed of the potential risks.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

PubMed1977

Premature ovarian failure.

Twelve cases of premature ovarian failure (POF) are described. The clinical, hormonal, histopathologic and cytogenetic studies of each patient have been presented. The scope and the limitations of laparoscopic ovarian biopsy are discussed, as is the importance of radioimmunoassay of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones (FSH/LH) in comparison to ovarian biopsy for the diagnosis of premature ovarian failure. A plea is made for the early diagnosis of POF so that these young women can be spared the expensive and time-consuming treatment for the associated problem of infertility.

Adult↗

PubMed1977