title: [Oral contraception and multiple sclerosis].
abstract: The uncertain question of the use of oral contraceptives by women with multiple sclerosis is discussed. Reference is made to results observed in animals with experimentally induced allergic encephalitis subjected to oestroprogestin management. The course of M.S. during pregnancy is examined and the effects of blood lipid changes produced by oestrogens and progesterone, on the assumption that M.S. is due to a deficiency of unsaturated fatty acids. Lastly, attention is directed to interference with immunity, clotting, and platelet changes, these being factors in the spread off the disease. The data point to a protective rôle on the part of oestrogens, while the picture for progesterone is less conclusive. It would seem that these biological and immunological findings justify the use of oral contraceptives in subjects with M.S., though due caution is imposed by the absence of clinical and epidemiological data.
mesh_terms: D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000172:deficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D045167:Progesterone Congeners
vernacular_title: Contraccezione orale e sclerosi multipla]