Route of administration of contraceptives containing desogestrel/etonorgestrel and insulin sensitivity: a prospective randomized study.
BACKGROUND
The study was conducted to investigate whether hormonal contraceptives administered via the oral and vaginal route exert a similar effect on insulin sensitivity (SI).


METHODS
This is a prospective, randomized study performed in the University Hospital. Subjects were healthy lean young women, needing a hormonal contraceptive, randomly allocated to receive for 6 months (a) an oral contraceptive (OC) containing 30 mcg ethinylestradiol (EE)/150 mcg desogestrel (DSG) (high-estrogen group; n=12), (b) an OC containing 20 mcg EE/150 mcg DSG (low-estrogen group; n=12) and (c) a vaginal ring contraceptive releasing, per day, 15 mcg EE/120 mcg etonorgestrel, the active DSG metabolite (n=12). SI and glucose utilization independent of insulin (Sg) were evaluated by the minimal model method. Modifications of total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Sg did not vary with any treatment. SI decreased during OCs (5.74+/-0.49 vs. 3.86+/-0.44; p=.0005), independently of the high/low-estrogen dose. SI did not decrease during vaginal ring use (4.64+/-1.03 vs. 5.25+/-1.36; p=.57; p=.019 vs. oral). Total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol increased (p=.02) during OCs, independently of the dose. Triglycerides increased during both oral (p=.01) and vaginal (p=.032) contraceptive use.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data indicate that in contrast to OC use, vaginal contraception with the ring does not deteriorate SI. The vaginal ring may represent an appropriate choice for long-term contraception in women at risk for developing diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome.
Cagnacci
Angelo
A
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy. cagnacci@unimore.it
Ferrari
Serena
S
Tirelli
Alessandra
A
Zanin
Renata
R
Volpe
Annibale
A
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D004967:Estrogens; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017135:Desogestrel