Enlarged follicles in women using oral contraceptives.
Ultrasound examination of the ovaries was performed in the first and/or second half of three consecutive cycles in 3 groups of women; Group T who had been using a levonorgestrel triphasic oral contraceptive for at least 6 months, Group P who had been using a progestogen-only pill for at least 6 months, and Group C, a control group. Any follicles greater than 10 mm in diameter and any cysts were measured. Fifty-three scans were performed in Group T, 45 in Group P and 31 in Group C. Only 4 follicles were detected in 17 women in Group T compared to 10 follicles in 15 women in Group P and 7 follicles in the women in Group C; all follicles were 25 mm or less in diameter except for 3 follicles in 2 women. The differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Four enlarged follicles were detected in 3 women during 53 scans in Group T, 15 in 8 women (45 scans) in Group P, and only 1 in 31 scans in Group C. Based upon the proportions of scans with enlarged follicles, the difference between Groups T and P was statistically significant, indicating that the incidence of enlarged follicles was lower in women using a combined oral contraceptive than in those using a progestogen-only pill. Furthermore, the study shows that any enlarged follicles which occurred were transient.
Broome
M
M
Family Planning Clinic, Reading, England.
Clayton
J
J
Fotherby
K
K
D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011372:Progestins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D011372:Progestins; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D009640:Norethindrone