Transitory hypoadrenalism due to long-term treatment with antiovulatory compounds.
A considerable number of women receiving antiovulatory compounds or estrogens complain of weakness and fatigability, suggesting a state of clinical hypoadrenalism. For this reason, levels of plasma ACTH and plasma cortisol were determined in 25 women with such complaints both during treatment and at various intervals after cessation of this treatment. The results obtained showed that there was a significant inhibition of ACTH secretion during long-term treatment with antiovulatory compounds or estrogens, and in half of the cases, there was a delay in normalization of the pituitary-adrenal axis following interruption of the drug, supporting a state of transitory hypoadrenalism.
D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone