Cardiovascular risk factors in Norwegian women using oral contraceptives: results from a cardiovascular health screening 1985-88.
We analyzed data from 4,905 women aged 20-39 and 14,803 aged 40-49 who attended a health survey in Norway 1985-88, to study cardiovascular risk factors in users of oral contraceptives, all types and specifically by formulation. In age group 20-39, users of low-dose estrogen/ progestin regimens were younger, had lower body mass index (BMI), less often reported coronary heart disease in relatives, and less often used saturated fat on bread than did non-users. In age group 40-49, smoking was more prevalent in users of low-dose estrogen/progestin than in non-users. In both age groups the mean ratio of total/HDL cholesterol, the mean level of non-fasting triglycerides, and the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in oral contraceptive users than in non-users. Among the users, a more favorable pattern was found in women using progestin-only oral contraceptives, as blood pressure levels were equal to those of non-users and total cholesterol and triglycerides were both 0.1-0.2 mmol/l below the non-users, in both age groups. However, users of low-dose estrogen formulations containing desogestrel 0.15 mg, norethisterone (norethindrone) 0.5 mg or lynestrenol 2.5 mg had the highest levels of HDL, even higher than the non-users. A pattern of higher triglycerides and higher ratio of total/ HDL cholesterol was found in smokers, compared with non-smokers, among users of any type of contraceptives, and in non-users.
Graff-Iversen
S
S
National Health Screening Service, Oslo, Norway.
Tverdal
A
A
Stensvold
I
I
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000009:adverse effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008234:Lynestrenol / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000009:adverse effects; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D008055:Lipids; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017135:Desogestrel; D008234:Lynestrenol; D009640:Norethindrone