Oral contraceptives improve lung mechanics.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether oral contraceptives affect lung mechanics.


METHODS
Open-label study.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Thirty-six healthy nonsmoking women.


METHODS
Administration of an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol, 35 microg, and norgestimat, 250 microg for 6 months.


METHODS
Forced vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; peak expiratory flow; and flow at large, medium, and small lung volumes.


RESULTS
At 6 months, all forced expiratory flow and volume had increased significantly (from 6.5% to 15%). Flows at small lung volumes especially increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination oral contraceptives have a measurable effect on lung mechanics.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia.
Tomislav
T
Strinić
Davor
D
Eterović
D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; C017576:norgestimate