The effects of a "low-estrogen" oral contraceptive on carbohydrate metabolism during six months of treatment: a preliminary report of blood glucose and plasma insulin values.
A prospective study of carbohydrate metabolism was carried out on seven women by using an oral glucose tolerance stimulation test and measuring blood glucose and plasma insulin values over a 3-hour time period. The test was performed before and after 6 months of treatment with a "low-estrogen" oral contraceptive containing 0.4 mg of norethindrone and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol. There was no change in the weight or diastolic blood pressure of the women, but there was a slight elevation of the systolic blood pressure with treatment. There was no significant change in the plasma insulin values or in four of five blood glucose values. The 1-hour blood glucose value was significantly lower after 6 months of treatment. These results suggest that the "low-estrogen" oral contraceptives may reduce the secondary effects on carbohydrate metabolism seen with regular oral contraceptives.
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D007328:Insulin; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D009640:Norethindrone