A randomized controlled double-blind study of the effects on hemostasis of two progestogen-only pills containing 75 microgram desogestrel or 30 microgram levonorgestrel.
The effects of two progestogen-only pills containing either 75 microgram desogestrel (DSG) or 30 microgram levonorgestrel (LNG) on hemostasis were investigated in a double-blind, randomized, controlled study of seven treatment cycles in 78 healthy women. DSG reduced factor VII activity (p < 0.05) and prothrombin fragment 1+2 (p < 0.05) and increased protein S (p < 0.001). LNG reduced factor VII activity (p < 0.01) and plasminogen activity (p < 0.01) and increased tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) (p < 0.05). At the end of the post-treatment cycle with DSG, protein S (p < 0.01) and t-PA (p < 0.05) were increased and plasminogen activity was decreased (p < 0.05), whereas with LNG, t-PA was increased (p < 0.001) and prothrombin fragment 1+2 (p < 0.05) and plasminogen activity (p < 0.001) were decreased. Between-group comparisons revealed higher values for DSG regarding the anticoagulatory parameter protein S at cycle 7 (p < 0.01) and post-treatment assessments (p < 0.05), and the fibrinolytic parameter plasmin-antiplasmin complex was higher with DSG at cycle 7 (p < 0.05) and at post-treatment (p < 0.05). Both preparations had comparable and potentially favorable effects of hemostasis, and may offer suitable hormonal contraception to women with a personal or family history of venous thromboembolic diseases.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Essen, Germany.
U H
UH
Winkler
H
H
Howie
K
K
Bühler
T
T
Korver
T B
TB
Geurts
H J
HJ
Coelingh Bennink
D000328:Adult; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005167:Factor VII / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D017293:Protein S / Q000378:metabolism; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism
D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D017293:Protein S; C036309:fibrin fragment D; C045879:prothrombin fragment 1.2; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017135:Desogestrel; D005167:Factor VII; D011516:Prothrombin; D010958:Plasminogen