Effects of the progestagen-only contraceptive implant Implanon on cardiovascular risk factors.
OBJECTIVE
Epidemiological studies on the cardiovascular risk of progestagen-only contraceptives are rare. With the present study we aimed to investigate the effect of the low-dose etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant Implanon on cardiovascular risk factors, including markers of inflammation.


METHODS
Longitudinal study.


METHODS
Family planning centre of a University Hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-six healthy, nonsmoking women with regular cycles (n = 18 controls without hormonal contraception; n = 18 cases requesting the insertion of Implanon.


METHODS
Blood samples for the determination of C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), sex hormones and plasma lipids were taken in the early follicular phase of the cycle in both groups. A second sample was taken 12 weeks after Implanon insertion or in the controls during the early follicular phase of cycle 4.


RESULTS
Implanon treatment caused a 36% decrease in CRP (P < 0.06) and a significant decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.007), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.001), cholesterol (P < 0.001), testosterone (P < 0.05) and SHBG (P < 0.002). Levels of NO, oestradiol and progesterone were not affected in either group. The cholesterol/HDL ratio did not change in Implanon carriers. There was a significant correlation between the cardiovascular risk factors CRP, cholesterol/HDL ratio and NO.


CONCLUSIONS
The progestagen-only implant Implanon does not exert a negative effect on the cardiovascular risk factors CRP, cholesterol/HDL ratio and NO. These results suggest that the use of a progestagen-only contraception does not increase cardiovascular risk factors in healthy young women.
Merki-Feld
Gabriele S
GS
Clinic of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. gabriele.merki@usz.ch
Imthurn
Bruno
B
Seifert
Burkhardt
B
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D011372:Progestins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002097:C-Reactive Protein