title: Effect of a combined oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinyl estradiol and 75 microg gestodene on hemostatic parameters.
abstract: The effects of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 20 microg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 75 microg gestodene (GSD) on prothrombin activity (PA), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), platelet number, fibrinogen, antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C, protein S and D-dimer were evaluated over 6 months in 23 young, healthy women. Laboratory assessments were performed prior to initiation of COC use (pretreatment) and after 3 and 6 months of use. Results showed no significant changes in fibrinogen, protein C, ATIII or D-dimer during COC use, compared with pretreatment values. The increase in platelet count, decreases in protein S level, PA and APTT, and the prolongation of TT were significant. In conclusion, the use of a COC containing 20 microg EE and 75 microg GSD did not cause any significant changes in the hemostatic parameters studied that could be suggestive of a higher prothrombotic risk. Further studies with a larger sample size are necessary in order to obtain conclusive data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Santa Casa of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. jmaldri@usp.br
authors.forename: José Mendes
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aldrighi
authors.forename: Luis Salvoni Carneiro
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: De Campos
authors.forename: Otávio Celso
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Eluf Gebara
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Petta
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bahamondes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000379:methods; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D009652:Norpregnenes; C033273:Gestodene; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol